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She’s right. We’ve been so secluded here that the auction and evil vampires seem like a nightmare from long ago. Julian has alluded to the Council trying to overthrow him. What happens if they do?You’ll die like the others.
“You’re missing something,” I divulge. “Let’s say I was all about your absurd suggestion, and I plan to try to seduce him. He’d have to want the same thing.”
She throws her head back and laughs. I scrunch my nose, trying to piece together what’s so funny.
“Oh, he wants the same thing. Trust me.” She chuckles again. “There’s one thing I have learned over the years, and it’s how to read a man. And that man can’t keep his eyes off you.”
My cheeks turn warm. A swelling begins in my belly and works its way up my chest.Could she be right?
“Ladies, ladies. I’ve brought some goodies,” Katina calls from the doorway, entering with a flourish and carrying a garment bag. “I brought you something more appropriate to wear. If you’re going to be seen in New Orleans, you need to look like you belong.”
Her eyes trail up my current dress.
“Right now, you look like you stepped out of a time machine circa 1779.”
It’s my turn to purse my lips.
“Thanks to you and your sense of humor,” I scowl.
“Who? Me?” she asks, acting like she has no clue what I’m talking about. I let it go. I’ll never win with Katina. She doesn’t even realize how eccentric she is.
I’m just glad she recognizes that these clothes won’t do in the outside world. Maybe this is the start of her actually coming to terms with the century outside of these walls. I’d love to see a massive clothing upgrade when I get back.
“You went shopping?” Stacey says with a hint of longing in her voice.
“I do enjoy it every now and then.” Katina perks up. “Plus, I have a friend that works at a boutique in town. It’s been a while since I paid her a visit. She was getting lonely.” She wiggles her eyebrows. She definitely favors women.
“All done,” Stacey says, patting my shoulders. “Time to get you dressed. Cinderella can’t be late for the ball.” I stand and walk to the bed where Katina has laid the garment bag. Unzipping it, I find a black knee-length dress with a crisscross front and pleats. I pick it up and feel the fabric beneath my fingers. It feels comfortable. Cotton or polyester, or maybe both. It’s casual and cute. In the bag is a pair of knee-high brown boots and a brown bag. It’s covered in Ls and Vs, which means nothing to me.
“Oh my God. Is that the Artsy?” Stacey squeals, getting a smile of appreciation from Katina.
“Obviously. Louis and I are very close.”
I watch as the two go on and on about the bag as if it’s the best thing they’ve ever seen.
I’ve never been one to care about fashionable things. Especially not accessories. My family was lucky to keep the roof over our head. We certainly didn’t have extra to spend on insignificant things.
Continuing through the garment bag, I find another bag that looks like jewelry, dangling from the hanger. I go to pull it off and Katina slaps my hand away.
“Put on your dress first. We can worry about this later.”
My eyes cross and I stick my tongue out at her.
“Ever the boss,” I say teasingly.
I slip on the dress and allow my wavy locks to fall down my back. Understated and classy—I love it. I’m not overdone, like at the auction. Katina and Stacey did a great job between the clothes and the hair and makeup.
Katina checks her watch and tsks. “We’re running out of time. Come here.” She pulls something out of the bag that she took away from me earlier and goes to stand behind me. When her hands come around to the front of my neck, my blood runs cold. It’s a collar, like the slaves at the auction wore.
“What is that?” I ask, knowing full well, but wanting her to admit what she’s doing.
“It’s a precaution, Marina.”
I step away from her. “No. Absolutely not. That was not part of the deal.”
“Marina, if you’re going off of this estate, you have to wear this. There’s no way around it.”
“Then I’m not going,” I say, growing angrier by the minute.
