Something Bolder (Book Two)

XI. Primp

Anita popped by bright and early the next day to introduce herself.

"Hold on!" I called, flailing around in the tub as I struggled to get out quickly. "One second!" I yelled when I heard another round of knocks.

My heart pounded in my chest as I frantically wrapped myself in a towel. I was concerned that it was Demetri, finally following up with me about our vampire hunting lessons, and I didn't want to make him wait. Vampires tended to be a little more on the impatient side.

Still soaking wet, I threw open the bedroom door urgently.

"Hello," a tall, slender brunette greeted me; her perfect cupid's bow lips were pulled into a charming, flawless smile. "You must be Violet."

"And you must be Anita," I said sheepishly before inviting her in.

"Your bedchamber is absolutely beautiful," she said as she eyed my current living arrangements.

"You say bedchamber, too? I thought that was a crotchety old vampire word," I said as I closed the door.

Anita looked at me, nonplussed.

"I'm kidding," I clarified.

"Oh!" Her wavy, shoulder length hair swung forward as she politely faked a laugh into her fingers. "I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting you to be so..."

"Plucky?" I asked sorely.

"Spirited," she replied.

"Ah." I acknowledged her before shuffling back to the bathroom.

"I just got in, and I wanted to introduce myself before I began my duties at the front desk," Anita called from the bedroom.

"Nice! It's good to meet you," I called over my shoulder as I drained the bathtub. I wondered if anyone bothered to tell her about what happened to the last secretary.

"Is there anything I can do for you while I'm here?" she asked brightly.

"I'm okay, thank you, though," I said, popping my head around the corner to look at her. "Don't worry about me, okay? It's all good." I gave her a wide smile for good measure.

"If you insist," she smiled in return as she made her way to the door. "Please don't hesitate to call the front desk if you need anything."

"Um. Anita?" I said just before she stepped out into the hall.

"Yes?"

"Stay safe out there," I said with deep sincerity.

"Don't worry, Violet," Anita laughed. "I'll be just fine."

* * *

Anita appeared at my doorstep again, unannounced, only eight hours later.

"Hey, Anita," I greeted her, hovering near the doorframe. "What's up?"

"Hello, Violet," she smiled cheerfully. "I've been instructed to prepare you for dinner."

My heart dropped. I stared at her with wide eyes, absolutely appalled.

"Aro has requested your presence at dinner tonight," Anita clarified.

"Dinner?" I asked delicately.

"Yes, dinner," she said slowly. "I believe it's a ten course tasting menu. It smells divine."

"Like...Italian food?" I asked apprehensively.

"Oh! Did you think I was referring to you?" Anita laughed. "No, no. You're being served dinner tonight. Not being served as --" she let out another loud laugh.

"Right! Right. Come in," I said, opening the door wider for her. She had a black satin garment bag with her and a large wooden picnic basket.

"Who's going to be at dinner, exactly?" I asked, trying to hide my nerves.

"I've only been instructed to help you dress. Someone will be sent to escort you down to the dining room when they're ready for you," Anita informed me.

"Can I take someone with me?" I asked as my anxiety began to climb.

"I've only been instruct--"

"Yeah, I got that," I snapped. I immediately felt bad for being rude. It wasn't her fault that her employers were total creeps.

"Would you like something to drink?" Anita asked without batting an eye.

"Sure," I said weakly as I sank onto a couch.

"Would you like red, white, or pink?" she asked.

"What?"

"Wine."

"I'm only eighteen," I admitted.

"That is the drinking age in Italy," Anita said with a smile. "Not to mention, you're currently living amongst a coven of vampires."

"I guess I've committed worse crimes..." I said aloud.

Anita laughed at my remark.

'If only she knew...' I thought mildly.

"Could I have champagne, actually?" I asked, just to see what she would do.

"Of course," she said, pulling out a glass and a chilled bottle from the basket.

I tilted my head and blinked at her. I was impressed.

Maybe she would last longer than two days.

"Would you like a glass?" I asked as she handed me a flute.

"I wouldn't hate it," she said coyly.

"Go on, then! Have two!" I laughed before taking a sip, myself. It was crisp, sweet, and pleasantly bubbly. I was already beginning to feel giddy after a few sips.

After Anita and I each had a few flutes of champagne, we finally got around to addressing the mysterious garment bag.

"I have a feeling I don't have a say in what I wear tonight," I said as I wandered over to the bed, where the bag was laid carefully.

"Allow me," Anita insisted, swooping in before I could snag the zipper with my free hand.

When she extracted the dress, we both stared at it for a moment in awe.

It was a cream, silk Regency-era gown that was adorned with stunning, intricate gold detailing and pearls. It fit me like a glove, of course, and I'd never worn anything so jaw droppingly stunning.

Anita and I were able to locate the appropriate undergarments in the spruce dresser, and, despite my protests, she spent almost an hour pinning my hair up in a period appropriate up-do. I was absolutely beside myself, and for a few hours I was able to forget how dire the situation before me truly was.

After another glass of champagne and a few good laughs with Anita, someone rapped loudly on the door.

"I guess that's me," I grinned at Anita. My nerves were mercifully stifled by the champagne.

"You'll do amazing," Anita said as we crossed the room to the door.

"Thank you so much. It means a lot," I said earnestly.

"You'll have to tell me how it goes tomorrow," she said as she pulled the door open.

"For sure," I said before turning towards my escort.

When I laid eyes on him, I stopped short.

I could tell he was low ranking based on his garb, but I recognized him immediately.

He was the vampire who killed my mother.