Sweet Serenity (ON HOLD SORRY GUYS)

Meeting the Family

Chapter 10

The door was opened from the inside and I felt my heart rise into my throat. I stepped forward trying to keep up with Rory, and we were greeted by about twenty pairs of eyes. At the top of the table sat an older looking man with brown hair, thinning on top, a small groomed beard and well shined shoes. At the table in front of us were two empty seats which I assumed to be ours.

"Father, this is Veronica," he introduced me. He was obviously head of the household so I bowed my head in respect.

"Please, take a seat," he said as he gestured to the empty seats. Rory walked ahead of me and pulled the chair on the right hand side out for me, which I took and gave thanks to Rory. Next to me was another young vampire with a gleaming smile. He must have been no older than Rory, with his pale face and his scruffily spiked hair sitting over his eyes. He was also dressed in the same attire as Rory and all the vampires around the room. His jet black hair struck me, as all the others seemed to vary from one ginger haired vampire to various shades of blond and brown. I smiled at him as Rory sat beside me. He softly smiled back at me, bearing his fangs, but something about him wasn't at all intimidating.

"Hello Veronica. Please, call me Rheynold," he asked. "So, Veronica, please tell us about yourself," Rheynold addressed me.

"Please, call me Ronnie," I requested, and he gave me a gentle nod.

***

During the feast I was introduced to all the vampires around the table. I found out from Rheynold that the mansion is the household and quarters for a vampire society against the slaughter of humans, which trust me, was reassuring. I was also quizzed about my past and Rory explained why he brought me here. Rheynold had nodded in approval of me once he knew the nature of my past.

"I can assure you that you will have a better life here," he promised me. I was so different from all the vampires yet I felt so welcome. I also noticed I was the only female among the group. During the discussion Rory had put his hand on my knee for reassurance. Did I really look that nervous? I found out that the man to my left was a few years younger than Rory, and his name was William. He kept smiling at me throughout the feast, and talking to me privately amongst the group chatter. Once we had finished the whole group descended into private discussions. I spoke a little to William but mostly to Rory. As the maids were collecting the dishes and traces of food remaining I recognised a few faces from when I awoke about an hour and a half earlier. I caught the eye of one of them and gave her a beaming smile, yet she didn't return it. A knock on the mahogany door interupted the chatter that filled the room. Rory took one look at the man and stood up. He stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

"I'll be back soon, I have some business to do," he muttered, and followed by kissing my head. William seemed to grit his teeth upon doing this. Rory turned to William.

"Could you give her a tour of the house?" he asked politely, to which William nodded and I watched as Rory left the room. I caught William's eye as he smiled from ear to ear at me.

"Shall we go?" he asked. I nodded and stood up. Upon leaving I shook Rheynold's hand and thanked him for welcoming me into the family, to which he told me that it was a pleasure. I walked out of the vast dining room, following William into the depths of the mansion. We proceeded to walk back down the corridor myself and Rory came from earlier and into the vast Entrace Hall of the building.

"So Ronnie, this is the entrance hall," he informed me, "And I prefer Will". He was still smiling at me. Does he ever get jaw ache? He must do. He linked arms with me as we began the tour of the building.