“Now for the society that you live in and what is expected of you... We are highly cultured and educated, which you will ultimately be as well. Our manners are generally perfect and we are well-behaved. Ones as young as you are would call us 'Old School,' I believe? If you were to watch the old black and white films that have balls, dinner parties, and large family roots, but also a deep connection to the community, then you would have some idea of what life is like with us. Since we control so much in the human world, many of us sit on boards or run committees for charities, organizations and the like. You will be expected to get involved. I do believe that there are cinematic societies that we run; these are generally in charge of the preservation of old films and the education of these classics. We have one that is actually responsible for the films that the theater in town runs. As you can see there are many things that make our lives work: balls, dinners, functions, business ventures, education, culture, and so much more. Since you were born into this family, you have a greater responsibility to everything that makes us who we are. If our world had royalty then the Hutchinsons and the DeDominicos would be it. We, however, did away with the formal title many years ago. But taking away the title did not stop us from being treated in that manner, and being looked upon, and up to, in such a way. So, we have accepted the role without complaint and we are the ones that protect our kind. I am sure it sounds like a lot, or maybe it sounds like nothing because these are merely words, but you will learn this responsibility and do your duty with the grace of those that have come before.” Her voice was icy steel and her beautiful eyes locked on mine as though she could blink and I would be gone if I even thought I couldn't do as she expected.
I nodded, I mean, could I do anything else?
“Now, Emma dear, I don't think that we need to stress the need for you to keep this a secret, do we?” Grandpa's voice was gentle and soft compared to my grandmother's.
I shook my head.
“Good, because if anyone found out that we were vampires, then I would expect that we would have to fear the ignorance that many films have created for our kind. People would mob us, and ultimately we would all be in danger,” he looked around the table as he said this, “I know that you would never want to put any of us in danger. You will know when you are amongst your own because we greet each other silently; there is never any confusion about which you can be yourself around. I am very proud of you my darling.” He smiled and everyone nodded their heads in agreement. “Dominic, I believe that makes it your turn.”
I looked at Dom with knitted brows. What will he tell me?
Remember that I can hear you, Em. He winked at me. “Now because you have changed, after you graduate from your current school, in a few months, you will be attending one of the many schools for us. Before you start with your questions, let me explain. After the change of all vampires it is required that they attend our schools. You will learn to control the things that your family has mentioned, and you will also be fully immersed within your own culture. You will get to experience all that your grandmother has spoken of. You will not need to fear keeping your new secret. It is tradition and so I know you will do it with grace. I, unfortunately, did not get to enjoy this event because I changed early, at the age of fourteen. For males, it is common for us to change around the age of sixteen, so I never went to our school. Instead I traveled and learned from many great teachers. However, when you go to whichever location you choose, I will be there as well. I will be a temporary professor- teaching in the ways of the world and passing on the things that I have learned from my many teachers. Your family and mine felt it was necessary to keep the tradition of having the betrothed couples attend at the same time. Generally, I would have been there before you, so I would be able to help you settle, but this time we are doing it quite differently. What do you think?” He was the first to pose a question to me.
“I think it is kinda neat to think of schools being out there just for our kind. But, I mean, are they exclusive? Are werewolves there?” I was going to keep attaching more questions but I was cut off.
“No! They are not!” My grandmother looked like she was going to bust a vessel.
“Okay, I was wondering.” I tried to think of a way to calm everyone down, I felt the same anguish over their reaction as I had from Mike's dismissal of me as a vampire.
“Emma. You must forget all about the werewolves. Mike's family and ours have developed a mutual understanding of keeping each other’s secrets, but that is as far as it goes. If either side steps out of line then the tender balance is blown. You must never speak to that boy again. It is forbidden to interact with their kind. Is that understood?” Her eyes held the tint of red in them and I was really scared.
“But … Mike is my friend and I love him.” I whispered it, but I knew my thoughts betrayed me.
“He is no longer your friend Mike, darling. He is now dangerous to you. He could kill you without a second thought. It is his nature. It wouldn't be his fault; it is what he was created for. I am sorry, honey, but I do have to agree with your grandmother. Please do as we say on this one. And love is something that can change.” My mother's voice was kind, she looked from me to Dom as she spoke the words about love.
“We don't want to lose you.” My father tried to help me see what they feared the most. He sent me a visual image of what a werewolf generally tried to do to a vampire that it encountered. I shuddered and tears rolled down my cheeks.
“Oh, Em… Please don't cry. I am sure that he feels the same way, but it is the way of things,” Dom said as he wrapped his arms about me, I could feel his love through this new mental connection and it was overwhelming, but comforting at the same time.
Well, it sucks! My words failed me, but my thoughts didn't. I didn't care that they could hear my thoughts, I wanted them to feel my hurt and confusion.
“Anyways, you'll like school. It will be lots of fun. I promise. And then we can hang out together and, maybe, you could take my class and I could give you special treatment.” He nudged me.
“Uh, Dom, I think there would be a problem with me being with you if you were a teacher. I mean don't they have regular rules about student- teacher relationships.” I was confused and still hurt over Mike, but I smiled at him.
“Well, we have special rights.” His smile was bright, like a little sunshine just for me.
“I suppose then it would be awesome.” I still felt down about Mike, but the whole school thing sounded cool.
“Now, let's talk about your ball.” My mother was excited again and I could see the tension soften out of everyone in the room.
“Yeah, okay.” I was really excited about it.
“I was thinking that the color theme could be black and blood red, since they are your favorite colors, well, they are and green, maybe we could work in green too?” Mom beamed at me.
“Black and red would be awesome. Do I get to wear the colors or only black? I don't really understand all the rules but I don't want to do something terrible.” I was nervous about this stuff because what was right and what was wrong?
“Honey, you could wear any color you want. The guests must wear black as a sign of respect. Typically it is considered poor taste if someone was to wear black and mix in some colors. But the new vampire can wear anything, so I had some sketches drawn up of a design I thought you might like.” She handed me a sheet of paper with material swatches attached to it.
The design was beautiful. Totally Gothic … and totally me. The top of the dress was a strapless corset- which of course I loved! Then it flowed out into rough edges. It clung to the body until it hit the floor and then it exploded in every direction. The general color of it was black, but the corset was all black with bright red detail on it. It looked like a flower had opened and the petals were falling down it and they landed randomly on the skirt. The material felt soft as silk, and I wasn't sure if it was my new sense or they really were silk. It didn't matter, I loved the entire thing. At the bottom were a pair o
f peek-a-boo pumps drawn in, they even had the flower petals on them as well. On the side of the paper, the jewelry was drawn- ruby stud earrings, a ruby flower hairpin, and a black choker with a circular ruby on the front. I wanted to touch the page, but I knew I couldn't feel them.
“Oh my God! Mom, I love it! When do we get it made? Is the jewelry being custom made as well? And the shoes?” I looked at her with eyes the size of saucers.
“I am so glad that you like it. I, kind of, took the liberty of putting in the various orders. I hope you don't mind.” She looked bashful as she glanced down at the table.
“That is so awesome! So when is the ball? And what else needs to be planned?” I was getting really excited now.
“Well, the ball will be in about a month. We still need to plan the menu, a design to go with the color theme, decide whether or not Dominic should be at your side for this event, draw up a guest list, decide on the invitation pattern, what kind of entertainment you will want, table arrangement, music type, you know, all those sorts of things.” She ticked them off as quickly as possible, I guess hoping that I wouldn't saying anything about Dom.
“Okay, let's see what I can answer right off my head. I want you and Grandma to figure out the menu as I don't know what most vamps eat. I think something classic for the design would be best- if you let me do it, you know it would be ridiculous for this affair … Dominic will stand with me to greet the guests and sit with me at the table,” I squeezed his hand, “I don't know who to invite- the only two people that I want added to any list you come up with is Abner from Bella Notte and Ms. Bettina Williams. Other than that, invite those that you see fit. I would love the invitations to be all black with the red flower on the cover and white paper inside with dark red writing. I don't want anything like the entertainment that was at Amelie's affair. Could we have a puppet show though, for the younger kids? I think it would be awesome to have something that they could enjoy. For my elders I think something calm should be set up for them … like a musician playing or something. And for my aged people I think I should have a live band playing outside in a tented area. You know a band that can play all sorts of things- like the kind of music at Bella Notte. I think that the general dancing should be done to classical musicians, and you guys can stick people wherever you want. Did I get it all?” I smiled.
“Well, I think that you did answer it all. Grandma and I have already been working on some of this stuff. I think your ideas for entertainment are quite good, yet we must make sure to keep these areas quite separate … so they don't turn into a circus. I love the idea for the invitations. I think you will take nicely to all the new comings of this world for you, darling. If no one else can think of anything, then I think that it is time for Emma to go upstairs and shower, change, and get some rest,” my mother said as she looked around the table.
“Oh, Mom, before I go stick myself into more water … I was wondering if we could talk about getting me a new car? I know that the last one I was dead set on getting myself, but, seeing as it is at the bottom of the lake, ruined, I was, eh, kinda hoping that we could talk about a new one?” I was looking down at my bare feet. Where did my slippers go?
“Of course, honey. I was thinking we could get you a new Jeep. We can have the same design etched onto it, and the chrome, of course. I also believe that you will need to order a new pair of slippers as they are still in your water filled vehicle.” She smiled at me as though I was definitely her little girl. It made me want to laugh.
“Thanks Mom.” I hugged her real quick and then bounced off to my room.
Chapter Ten
The next few days blended together as I tried to get some sort of handle on all the new things that were suddenly part of me. Dominic spent every second he could with me, and was very patient with me as I struggled my way through things that he understood completely.
He helped me to learn some control over my thoughts and what I projected out to him- when I put effort into it, I ended up shouting at him mentally. It was a challenge to say the least.
When Dom was busy working with the Bella Notte clubs, Grandpa volunteered to help me figure things out. He showed me how he could easily retract his fangs. It was hard for me not to flinch away every time they came back down. He explained how mine would retract themselves and how it would be a natural thing for me to do later. I wasn't convinced. He also allowed me to mentally batter him as I tried to talk to him using my mind. I really thought I was going to sprain everything, but, somehow, we both survived it. Grandpa was very patient with me and encouraged me to do some exercises alone.
I went up to my room later that day and finally sat down at my computer. I didn't see anything too interesting at first when I opened my email. There was an email from Kelly asking if I was okay. I seriously wondered how she got my email address, but it didn't really phase me. I wasn't allowed to answer emails yet, I was still in the “hospital”. It was so silly to me. I had random spam telling me how they could enlarge parts I didn't even have. Always wondered how I got on those lists.
At the very end of the page was an email from an Issy D., with a subject title that caught my eye; “Emma, it's me, Isabella. Please Read This!,” curiosity was always one of my weaknesses. I clicked on it.
Dearest Emma.
I truly hope that you read this, and don't delete it. I wish that I could be there for you while you are going through all these new changes. Unfortunately, I have been ostracized because I fell in love. I know it has been a really long time. I am so sorry that we moved and I didn't take the time to keep in touch. It's unforgivable. I do hope that you will forgive me and understand that I am still trying to be your friend. I heard gossip that you were friends with a werewolf before you changed, and that he was your boyfriend? I can only imagine that they have already told you that he is too dangerous for you to be around. It isn't true. Werewolves are not the way they used to be. I am engaged to one. That is the reason why my family shun me … I did the unthinkable, I fell in love with the enemy! It is hard for them to understand things today because they are each from a different time. I doubt that you'll believe me. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. Your friend Mike, I believe that is his name? He isn't as dangerous as they say. Werewolves only are dangerous when seriously threatened. My fiancé, Jack, is the best thing in my life. We were even able to go to school together. Yes, there are places where we co-exist, happily. Just like the schools they've told you about for us vampires- there are schools where we learn together. We also learn to adapt to each other. Jack and I are together in a few classes- not all because we must learn about ourselves as well. We are not the only couple here either. I'm not telling you this so you won't end up my sister; I'm telling you this so you don't get forced away from your Mike. There was no one to tell me, I wish there had been someone, so I'm being your someone. Don't let them keep you away from your friend. It won't be easy- his family is old-school, like ours, and they hold the same standing- but if you don't give up, I doubt he will. I have to go now. Please write back if you still want to be friends.
With much love,
Issy.
How the devil do I respond to that? I felt distressed. I mean, that was something huge to keep from my family and Dom. Is she for real? Is it even possible? I had to control my thoughts, they must not know.
I got up from my computer and took a few deep breaths while I walked around my room. I can do this. Surely, even if they find out, they won't do anything?
I sat back down and felt guilty- I had become the little kid stealing cookies from the jar. I thought about it- might as well take the whole damn thing.
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