Page 17 of Vampire's Vixen

“You’re so beautiful. That dress might have been made for you,” she said.

Ona Sera beamed. “A true match.”

I leaned against the corner of the wall. “Only two other times have clothes made me feel this way. The first was my wedding dress, and it made me feel like a bride. I actually felt radiant in that dress. And then, my dress for pledging to Aphrodite. That dress made me feel…worthy. This dress…it makes me feel like I do embody magic, like I do deserve to join the Dark Moon Society.”

“I know they say clothes don’t make the man,” Ona Sera said, “but there’s something to be said for the way certain outfits can make you feel about yourself. It’s not the outfits themselves that bring those magical feelings…it’s the way they fit on you. The way they help peel off the masks and expose your inner nature.”

“Makeup is the same way,” I said. “I love playing with it, because it’s like…choosing your mood for the day. What emotion or part of myself do I feel like putting face-forward today?”

“True enough,” Ona Sera said. “I take it you want this dress?”

I nodded. “Yes, but what kind of shoes should I wear with it, Auntie? I’m not certain of the dress code.”

“Most meetings, we wear a black dress or pantsuit—whatever is comfortable, clean, and tidy. This dress will be your formal ritual gown for most events. You’re never to wear it for just any mundane party or holiday.”

“Got it. Reserve the dress for high holidays,” I said, nodding.

“As far as shoes, something you can walk through a field in, if necessary. A pair of comfortable flats, nonskid, that are all black as well.”

Ona Sera sighed. “That, I cannot help you with. I have some shoes but they don’t fit the bill. They’re more for the Ren Faire crowd. Anything else?”

“Maisy’s going to need a new dagger, one for Society rituals. She has her own, of course, for her personal workings. But she’ll need one for Society events.” Astra was looking at the athames in a long glass case.

I took off the dress, then joined her as Ona Sera began to wrap it up in a big white box. The array of daggers was startling—she had at least thirty options. I quickly scanned the blades, but none of them caught my eye.

“I like them, they’re pretty, but none of them are calling to me,” I said.

“Then we’ll wait. You can’t just pick a random blade for this.” She paused, then—as Ona Sera finished wrapping the dress—added, “I need some more Protection Powder, along with some Spring Clean spray.”

Ona Sera retrieved both from her shelves. “Is that all you need?”

Astra nodded. “How much?”

“You are not paying for my dress,” I said, pulling out my wallet. “In fact, I’m getting this, so if you need anything else, add it now.”

Astra gave me a long look, then put away her credit card. “Well, I could use another set of directional candles, as well as some Blessing Powder.”

“You’ve got it,” Ona Sera said, adding the items to the pile. She paused, then glanced at me. “Keep your warding up. And don’t trust that everything is as it seems on the surface. Don’t just assume you know someone at their core, just because they’re dear to you. And watch the judgment. We all judge, but don’t destroy something dear because you are unwilling to accept differences. Just a little extra advice.”

The way she said it made me shiver. It was like one of those truths that came out of the blue, struck like lightning, then vanished as quickly as it had come. I thanked her, paid for our purchases, and then followed my aunt out of the store.

CHAPTER EIGHT

The day passed uneventfully. Crystal texted that she was down sick with a cold, and I offered to drop by with some chicken soup, but she said she was fine and she didn’t want me to catch it. I helped Astra go through a list of local contractors to consult about the kitchen remodel, and then I decided to tackle my office—Astra’s former sewing room—and ended up rearranging all the furniture, sorting through my books and office supplies, and catching up on several shows I’d missed because of classes.

I also tackled my homework, which was mostly a lot of reading on theories of how various forms of exorcism worked, along with a chapter for my cryptozoology class. By the time I finished, it was dinnertime. Astra was out with a friend, so I made myself a roast beef sandwich, then settled in the living room.

Dahlia came bouncing up, gave me a loud bark, then turned and raced away. Miss P. jumped off the sofa and chased her. A moment later, the inevitable tussle started and then, five minutes after that, by the time I finished my sandwich, they were curled up together, snoring.

At eight, I decided the black gauchos I was wearing would work, and added a green turtleneck sweater, a black belt, and a pair of knee-high leather boots. Despite Auntie’s warnings, I decided against the pendant. It seemed rude. I’d just show as little skin as possible. I had no idea what set off vampires, but I wasn’t giving him any indication that I might be interested in seeing or feeling his fangs.

“I’m stereotyping and I know it,” I muttered to myself, feeling vaguely embarrassed. “Remember Ona Sera’s advice.”

But vampires were dangerous, so regardless of his position in society, I wasn’t taking any unnecessary chances. As I stood back, I thought I looked both professional yet casual enough. I took Dahlia out for her pee-time, then with both her and Miss P. comfortably preoccupied with their dinners, I locked the door and headed for my office.

Once there, I tidied up again, gathered the paperwork I’d need, and settled back with a game on my phone while I waited for Zandre.

Promptly at nine o’clock, he walked through the door. I could feel the difference in energy immediately. It wasn’t that I couldn’t breathe, but I felt out of breath, as though his presence just sucked the air right out of the room, and I couldn’t draw my gaze away.

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