The curse of the wolf

Vampires… Seriously

*Anaïs*

“Hi, I am back.” I call out as I put the keys in the little bowl on the table in the hallway. “I will grab a shower.”

I still feel slightly rattled from my meeting with Griff, but I am sure some time alone, standing under the warm water, will help me sort my thoughts.

“Where is breakfast?” Mathis calls back. “You said you would fetch some breakfast.”

I poke my head into the kitchen. “No worries, breakfast will be delivered shortly. Maybe you can deck the table and brew some coffee while I shower.”

“Delivered?” He looks at me in a way that makes me want to snap at him, telling him that I am not crazy.

“Yes, I will explain when we eat.” I say with a sigh. “Can I please just go shower now?”

He makes one of those faces where I feel he might as well roll his eyes at me. “Sure.”

I ignore the attitude and go into the bathroom. As I undress, my thoughts keep sliding to Griff. There is something in the way he looks at me, something I do not remember seeing in Mathis’ eyes, in any mans eyes to be honest.

Stepping into the warm spray of water, I try to push it from me. I should not be thinking of another man. Also, a man like the marque would never be interested in me, not in that way, so the whole thing is moot, really.

He has an air about him, though. It seems as if nothing can ever truly ruffle him. And yet there must be more than meets the eye. I think back over all the things I know about him: being a hero, but wanting to hide it. He is rich, obviously, and a marque, but very generous with his money. And he is handsome, oh so very handsome, almost unnaturally so.

But still… no matter how good-looking someone may be, looks are not everything. Griff is just so mysterious and I struggle to read him. I shake myself free of these idle musings and step from the shower. I dry quickly, then dress in jeans and a sweater before going to the kitchen.

Mathis has already laid the table by the time I come out there. The smell of fresh coffee fills my nose as I enter. “Here.” He hands me a steaming cup, which I take gratefully.

“I see the breakfast has….” I stare at the table. It is loaded with pastries, fruits, cold cute, different breads, at least four kinds of eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes and heart-shaped waffles. “… arrived.”

“Yes, it has arrived… along with this.” He holds an elongated box towards me. “Care to explain why the marque is sending you things?”

I take the box and look through the see-through lid. Inside is a perfect daffodil, but the colors are reverser, with bright yellow petals on the outside and a snow white crown. “Oh, it is stunning.”

“It’s a daffodil, nothing special.” Mathis says, like is some kind of dirt. “And I ask again, why is he sending you breakfast from a Michelin restaurant, a flower, and a letter?”

“The breakfast he said he would send. I met him on my run and when I realized I had forgotten about getting breakfast, he told me he would send some. I had not expected this, though.” I mumble. “I have no idea about the rest. Maybe he was just being friendly.”

Mathis stares at me for a long moment. Finally, he shakes his head. “Well, just be careful. I don’t trust him. I’m sorry, Anaïs, I really wish I could believe he was genuine. I think he just wants to get into your panties.”

“Mathis!” I exclaim. “What are you talking about? I am hardly his type! He is a marque and I am… just me.”

He gives me a pitying look. “Yes, that’s what I would have thought too, until I saw you two cozy up at the reception.” He glances away. “What does the letter say?”

I pluck the letter from the box and set the flower carefully on the table. Then I open the letter and read the handwritten words. “It is an invitation for his masked Christmas ball”.

“His masked Christmas ball?” Mathis asks.

“He is hosting a grand masked Christmas ball at his chateau. Apparently, it used to be a tradition.” I shake my head. “But of course we are not going.”

Mathis snatches the letter from me. “Of course we are going. This will open my door to the elite. Imagine the connections I can make.”

*Griff*

I wonder if I overdid it with breakfast. But I had not known what she prefers, so I had them send everything. On the other hand, I do not want her to get in trouble with Mathis over it.

However, I have a feeling that the invitation will make him forget everything else for a while. He reeks of ambition, and not in a positive way. He will no doubt see the ball as an opportunity to make connections in the highest circles.

I go down to my garage and get my motorcycle, making my way out of the city. It is time I go home to the chateau and make sure everything is as it should be. I also need to get my few servants started with preparing for the ball.

Enjoying the ride and the cool air on my face, I feel in a better mood when I arrive. Parking the bike out in the courtyard and striding up the wide front steps. Before I can reach for the handle, the oak door swings open, revealing my butler.

“Welcome home sir.” He says with a small bow. “It is good to see you again.”

“Thanks Pascal.” I give him a small smile as I walk inside. “Have you seen Mr Crimson anywhere?”

He nods. “Mr Crimson is in the library, sir.”

“Thanks Pascal.” I say, making my way towards the library.

Walking down the long hallway, I soak up the familiarity, the well-known scents. The chateau has been mine for just over two hundred years now. There is no corner or secret I do not know.

“Edward?” I call out as I open the heavy door.

The resident vampire is seated in a wingback chair in front of the fireplace, a book in his hand and a glass of thick, dark red liquid on the table beside him.

He looks up at me. “Welcome home Griff.”

I look around the room, taking in the bookshelves, the leather-bound volumes. I have several thousands, some of them exceedingly valuable. It feels like home. I come over and sit on the arm of the couch facing him.

“What are you reading?” I ask.

“The history of London.” He says absently.

Edward, besides being a vampire, is also British. “That sounds… interesting. Missing home?”

He shrugs lightly. “Sometimes. What have you been up to in the last couple of days?”

“This and that, boring stuff, mostly.” I mumble. “Talked to my brother, among other things. We are hosting a masquerade ball for Christmas.”

“Normally I would say it sounded like a good idea”. He says, closing the book around his thumb and looking at me with his blue eyes. They have the same color as the warmest part of the flame. “But any idea coming from your brother is bound to have some hellish backside.”

“I can only agree.” I look around in the large room when I remember something. “Have you let Jean out?”

He opens the book and starts reading again. “Nope, he is always so grumpy after the full moon. I thought an extra day in the basement wouldn’t hurt.”

“It has been three days since the full moon.” I am already hastening towards the door, heading for the basement.

“Whoops”. He just says, his voice slightly detached.

I shake my head. Vampires… seriously.