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Chapter 13
The president’s mansion was not a mansion; it was a shard-shaped skyscraper in the heart of downtown Montréal. The glass was tinted black, and the flags of Canada, the United States, and Mexico flew outside, along with the Swan flag and the Montréal city flag. Charline a Bonsaint—who had yet to speak a word to either of us, making me still feel as if she were annoyed—led us straight to the front of the building. She parked the car without going through the extra security. Lucy assured me it was simply the way those who worked for the Swan family operated. They were meant to be seen and not heard, anticipating needs before they were asked. We walked without all the bags from our shopping trip because Lucy said someone would bring them to us.
I didn’t know who they were, but there were a lot of eyes on us as we stepped outside. The Swan skyscraper, as I now called it, felt more like a cross between the United Nation’s building and a fancy hotel. Everything was marble, shiny and rich.
The floors were a pure cream-colored marble, and the reception desk was a mixture of more black marble and glass. The building was filled with one type of creature. Vampires. Which made sense, but everyone’s gaze was fixed on me…on us. They were curious, but some did their best not to stare. And no one spoke because we could all hear each other.
“Did anyone order dry cleaning?” A woman laughed, standing at the top of the stairs to our right. She wore a bright red jumpsuit and black Gucci heels, over her shoulder was a raccoon-fur scarf, and her black hair was so long and straight it hit the back of her knees. She was Asian with a round-shaped face and smokey makeup around her black eyes. Her smile was cruel as she stared down at Lucy.
“Well?” the woman spun to the side to look at her guests. All of whom shook their heads and leered. “Seems as if you are not needed Lucy, you can go.”
“Is she serious?” I asked, somewhat surprised by her blatant rudeness.
“Yes, I am,” she replied, walking down the stairs. If it were silent before, then this must have been the world frozen still as she made her way over to me. “You must be Druella, Lord Thorbørn’s mate.”
“Apparently, who I am is less important than whoever you are that you can just disrespect my friend.” I stepped up to her. Because of her heels, we were eye level.
“How old are you, young one?”
That name again. And I hated it more from her red lips than I did Theseus’s.
“Old enough to demand an apology for my friend,” I replied.
She laughed like Cruella de Vil on crack; her head even went back. When she stopped, she caressed her fur. “I do not apologize to Lesser bloods, especially one currently ruining my brother’s life.”
Again, I couldn’t believe she was serious; she was like a cartoon villain. “I haven’t known your brother long, but he seemed quite happy for someone whose life was being ruined. What do you think, Lucy?” I glanced at Lucy, but she kept her face hard and her eyes to the ground.
“Even she knows her place,” the woman said. “I am Daiyu Swan, first child of President Waban Swan. I welcome you, Druella Monroe to my home, but I ask that you, please uninvite your guest. My father forbids her from stepping foot in our home, and your connection to her puts us all in a troublesome predicament.”
I didn’t even bother being polite. “That’s unfortunate for you of all. But if my guest can’t stay here, neither will I. Would you like to tell the president yourself, or should I?”
“If you insist—”
“I do, very much so, in fact.”
There was an annoyance in her eyes, but she smiled even more. “I do hope she does not humiliate you during dinner. As you have made it just in time for our fourth brother’s 500th birthday celebration. Charline, please show them to their rooms. I don’t want them to be late. The festivities start at midnight.”
Irritation flashed in Charline’s eyes for a quick second, but she bowed her head once, moving to make space for us to walk. It was already after ten, and I was hoping I could have a moment to talk to Theseus privately.
“Is something the matter, young one?” Daiyu asked when I hadn’t gotten any farther.
“Please, call me, Druella.”
“Yes, of course, please. I look forward to hearing more about you tonight.” She lifted her hands for me to go.
The feeling was not mutual. But I moved forward, anyway. I felt her eyes burning a hole in my back as I walked, following Charline to the golden, engraved elevators. Starring at them, I noticed the art etched into the metal. It was Bulino-style work—highly detailed and delicate—engraved into gold. They used it to make a sort of family mural. It flowed throughout all the elevator doors, kind of like the Stations of the Cross. There were six elevators, and the one we stood before was of Taelon. His hair was long, as long as Daiyu’s. Bowing to his right, resting on his shoulder was a long sword; there was another in the waistband of his kimono. He stood on top of a mountain with waves crashing on top of it. I moved closer to inspect it when the doors opened, and I found myself staring at Taelon.
“I was told you were back.” Taelon said. “Did you both get everything you needed? I apologize I forgot about tonight’s celebration.”
His gaze shifted to Lucy, but she wasn’t speaking, and her face was cold, causing the smile on his face to drop. He stepped out, going to her.
“I was just admiring the doors,” I cut in to distract from—well, the present awkwardness. “It’s you, right?”
“What?” Taelon eyebrows came together before he turned to see the elevator doors as they closed behind him. “Oh yes, my father never wishes for us to forget where we came from.”
“You were a Samurai?” I asked, causually.
“Yes and no. Come, Theseus is on the phone with his family. I have it from here, Charline.” Taelon spoke to the woman behind us as he walked inside. When the doors closed, there was a more modern engraving of him with the rest of his family. They all seemed to be walking through the park with Mount Royal behind him.
