Danse Macabre

5

5

                I always wanted to go to Versailles. That was the only thought to cross my mind as I scooted out of the limo and into the chilly, March wind. From what I could make out in the dark, the massive building before me was a replica of the famed, French palace. The limo had pulled up into the middle of the massive courtyard that was surrounded on three sides by one enormous building in that great, French baroque style. I glanced behind us to see that famous gate crafted from what looked to be pure gold.

                Elizabeta was on her cellphone again, pacing as she snapped at someone about leverage, and a board of directors. I sheltered against Aleksi as we made our way up the stairs and over that slick, checked marble tile that lead to the door. My body was still humming from what happened in the limo but it was clear that Aleksi’s mind was focused elsewhere. His cerulean gaze was a million miles away. When we all were inside, Elizabeta hung up her phone and sighed loudly. Within seconds people appeared to take her stole, gloves and purse.

     “They’re ready for you in the ballroom, Mistress,” a very tan, zaftig blonde murmured as she knelt beside Elizabeta’s feet. Her eyes were brown and seemed too big for her face, making her look like a Tim Burton character.

    “Thank you, Lyra. Do take Aleksi in. I would like him strung up nearer to the middle of the room this time.” She tilted her head from side to side. “Bound for spread eagle, but not strung up. Those pants however won’t do. I want them to have no question that he’s still under my protection.” My eyes trailed to Aleksi as Elizabeta spoke about him like he was some trinket or a pet. He seemed far from pleased. I couldn’t help but to remember what he said, he capitulated because he had respect for her. In that moment, however, he looked as though that respect might be waning. The others shoved Aleksi on and he grunted. “Aleksi dear, you’re forgetting something important. I know you’re not used to having a human under your protection but this is rather important.” Aleksi turned at her voice and walked back to us.  See he forgot about you already. This was a mistake. He attached the lead to my collar and kissed my forehead.

                As if he could read my mind he whispered, “I didn’t forget about you. I just don’t like the idea of trusting you to someone else.” He stroked my jaw with those pallid finger tips and trailed his hand over the lead before turning to Elizabeta. “If you think I’m a pain to deal with now…” he trailed off, keening his eyes at the smiling red head.

     “Oh I know, dear. I promise not to harm a hair on her head, and I will protect her to the best of my abilities. But as I said Aleksi, you chose a very stupid time to disobey me,” her mouth twisted for a moment and she snatched the lead from him. “Now run along,” she shooed him off and the vampires shoved him towards the far doors again.

    “What’s going to happen to him?” I implored softly. Elizabeta turned her eyes from Aleksi’s shrinking form to me.

   “No matter what I told you, it wouldn’t prepare you for what you’re about to see. Having been in your shoes—granted it was almost three-hundred years ago—I know there is nothing I can say to prepare you for what will come next.” I swallowed at her words and she forced a bit of a smile. “Trust me. Whereas it usually delights me to coax a scream from such lovely lips—I’m not going to enjoy this. But I want that council seat, so I can’t just kill Gregory—no matter how much it would please me. So here we are,” she sighed heavily. “And I am struck with an unsettling case of déjà vu—beating the shit out of Aleksi for the millionth time.”

                Then it was our turn to thread through the halls. Weaving our way through the elaborately decorated corridors. Elizabeta had kept with the original style, but what I knew had been described as silver furniture was gilded in either gold or a darker metal. When we turned into the Hall of Mirrors I paused and Elizabeta tugged hard on the lead, making me stagger forward. The room was filled with vampires, all in what appeared to be formal evening wear. There were humans spotted throughout the crowd, and those humans were far more scantily clad than I. What use does a meal have for clothes?