Page 17 of Tainted Blood

The next room reminded me of something I had only ever seen on television or read about in books. There was something club-like about it, like a gentlemen’s club. The atmosphere said the wealthy and privileged used this space and those who couldn’t afford it would never see it.

I ran my fingers over the first of several velvet armchairs, all in a deep blood red with throw blankets laid out for whoever might want to curl up with a book to read. Matching couches and sectionals were along the walls, broken up by bookshelves and small tables, making clearly defined booths with their own coffee tables. A variety of table sizes were around the room, some that only seated two, while some seemed to seat up to eight. The walls were mahogany wood panels, but not the bland, cheap-looking type people thought was fashionable. No, these were intricately carved, ornate walls from a different era. Paintings, artifacts, and more were hanging on them until the centerpiece, a large stone fireplace that had to be five feet wide. The stone rose all the way to the ceiling, a very organic contrast to the purposeful and precise design of the room. Hung above the mantle was a landscape painting of a place I didn’t recognize. I stopped in front of that painting, studying it. It was in a clear position of honor, and I was drawn in by it.

“Where is this?” I decided to ask.

“The estate where Jacob and Alexius helped me adjust to immortality after they found me,” Isaiah answered like it wasn’t a big deal.

I looked at Alexius, my mouth probably gaping more than was proper, finding him standing farther away but staring at the same painting. Not seeming to notice me watching him, he turned to Isaiah.

“That’s new,” he finally said very softly.

“I wanted a reminder. A reminder that none of this would be here, none ofuswould be here, if not for those early days of my immortality. It was on that estate with you and Jacob that he and I started discussing what the future could be for vampires, the idea that we could even have a future at all. Putting it here in the lounge seemed right, considering who I often host here.”

There were unspoken words. He wanted a reminder of Jacob. I felt certain of it. Looking at Isaiah, I couldn’t reconcile their history. He and Jacob had been a couple for a long time and friends for longer, even after they ended their relationship. They didn’t seem like puzzle pieces that fit, but for whatever reason, they had found a way, for a time at least.

“Now, let me show you to your rooms, then we’ll take a meal in my suite. After that, I’ll show you the rest of the house and the grounds. I know you’ll want the refresher in case anything has changed since your last visit,” Isaiah said, looking to Alexius for the last part.

He showed us to one of three doorways, opening it to a long hallway.

“The lounge connects the three halls, so someone has to walk through it to go to the other wing. It’s an intentional security feature. I try to keep people in opposite wings if I feel they might cause each other problems. There are no cameras in the basement, but my staff sees everything that happens in the public areas. The walls are soundproof, so they can pass through the back halls without being heard, even by some of the most adept vampires or other supernaturals I must contend with. The walls are thick enough to block scent as well.” Isaiah walked past an endless number of doors.

I tried to keep count, but in the end, I had to keep up with Isaiah and Alexius, so I lost track. None of them were numbered, which made it even more difficult.

At the end of the hall, Isaiah pointed to a single door on our right.

“This suite is for the two of you. There’s a main room that you’ll share, then two bedrooms, equal in their amenities, including private bathrooms. There’s a third bedroom I repurposed into an office space for the both of you. I believe I’ll make this your permanent room whenever you come to visit or do business, but I’ll let you both decide that.”

“I’ve never kept a permanent room in your homes,” Alexius said, opening the door without waiting for Isaiah’s okay.

“That you know of,” Isaiah retorted, following him with a huff. “As if Jacob would ever allow me to be that rude. Please. I’ve kept one for you upstairs for years, but now you have Everly, and the basement is the more secure option. Even without Everly in attendance, after the events of the last year…”

I went in as Isaiah was talking, looking at the suddenly very modern space that was our living room for the visit. With its crisp modern lines and muted colors, it reminded me of the basement of Alexius’s Savannah mansion. Isaiah hadn’t just assigned us this suite or repurposed some bedrooms. He’d gone into detail, even color matching things from Alexius’s home. There was care in every single choice, an attention to detail I didn’t think I was capable of in the slightest. The fact that Isaiah would put the time into it made me appreciate the vampire a little more.

“I understand. Thank you for this suite. It will do perfectly for the visit. Now, the emergency exit?” Alexius went straight back to business.

“It’s the door at the end of the hall,” Isaiah answered benignly. “You really can’t miss it. Past that door is a tunnel that will run a half a mile away from the house and put you in the forest. The trees provide dense coverage, so while you’ll suffer some burns from the sun, you shouldn’t die out there before you can dig yourself a hole if needed. There’s one of these tunnels at the end of every hall.”

“Who will be across the hall from us?”

“No one. That’s the staff door.”

Alexius nodded, clearly pleased with our positioning in the mansion. I continued to poke around, inspecting everything. I went to the first bedroom, peeking inside. Our bags were in the main room, so I still had the chance to decide on a room or take whichever one Alexius didn’t want. I found the office, grateful to see a computer on one of the desks.

“Do we have internet access while we’re here?” I asked, cutting into whatever small talk Isaiah was trying to have with Alexius.

“Yes, of course. I would do a blackout, but it’s not practical anymore. Too many use it to manage their day-to-day lives and business within their nests, including me.” Isaiah looked between me and Alexius. “Is that all? Are you both comfortable with the living arrangements?”

We both nodded. Alexius grabbed one of his bags and threw it into the closest bedroom to him, then walked out.

Well, I know which bedroom I’m getting. What’s up with him, though?

“Is he okay?” I asked softly, knowing if there was a single person who would know, it was most likely Isaiah. “I’m not the only one picking up that he’s in a weird mood, right?”

“You’re not, though I know why he’s in such a mood, and you could probably guess it.” Isaiah sighed. “Why is Alexius ever in a mood?”

I could name a dozen things that I believed could have done it, but there was one that always seemed to be the root, no matter what the other reasons were.

“Jacob.”

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