Page 29 of Blood Descendants
“I’ve been dying to meet you, Lana,” she says as she releases Ares and turns toward me. Her expression, her tone are still warm, but she extends a hand.
I’m actually a little relieved she didn’t come at me with a hug. I’ve never been much of a hugger. Maybe that’s the effect of growing up with a father who is a boxer and always being around fighting.
“Lana, my sister, Florence,” Ares introduces unnecessarily.
I shake her hand. “It’s really nice to meet you,” I say honestly. Everything about the woman is elegance and class, but there’s something undeniably warm and comforting in her presence.
“Oh, the pleasure is mine,” she says as her eyes rake over me. I feel her evaluation, but not her judgment. “I had to meet the woman reckless enough to walk into a vampire party, knowing her best friend disappeared from there, and walk out of it pretending to be a vampire’s fiancée.”
When she puts it like that, it sounds a little insane.
Footsteps above pull my eyes to the stairs, and a moment later, a woman wearing the best cross between business and bohemian enters the foyer.
“Lana, this is my wife, Clementine,” Florence introduces as she wraps an arm around the woman with admiration and pride.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” Clementine says with a Londonaccent and a warm smile. She’s significantly taller than Florence, lean and lithe. Her warm brown skin is damn near glowing, and her curly hair has me jealous.
“You too, Clementine,” I say as I shake her hand as well. But the strength in her grip, the way her skin feels just a tad too cool, makes my brows furrow in question.
“Bitten,” she offers in explanation. “Going on three years now.”
“I thought you said…” I begin to dig, but cut myself off before I can come across as rude. “Never mind.”
“There will be plenty of time for all the questions you’re dying to ask later,” Florence says with a knowing smile. “Dinner should be ready. Let’s eat.”
She turns, heading up the stairs, Clementine right behind her. Ares places a hand at the small of my back, and we follow his sister and sister-in-law.
Every floor is the most gorgeous mix of class and modern. The Hunts have impeccable taste. I could spend an hour on each floor just taking in every detail, every perfectly placed art piece. This place could truly be a museum without changing much at all.
But we ascend two stories before walking into a moody living room. Attached is a blocky, huge dining table with seating for ten. And just behind that is the most grandiose kitchen I’ve ever seen. Inside, there is a man moving from pan to plate, a flurry of action.
I approach the table, and like he’s a true gentleman, Ares pulls a seat out for me. I sink down into it and note that Florence is watching our interactions with rapt interest. The smallest of smiles pulls on her lips as she watches her half-brother sit beside me.
The moment we’re seated, the servers descend. Golden platters filled to the brim with mouthwatering dishes are laid out before us. It’s a feast that could feed a dozen, no question. My stomach growls, reminding me I haven’t eaten in too long.
“Someone needs to eat up,” Clementine says with a smile, and I feel my face blush. I didn’t think anyone would hear it. But when you’re dining with two vampires…
“Why don’t you tell us about yourself, future sister-in-law,” Florence says as she dishes up her food. She says the last of it with a wink.
I pile on some of the delicious looking food and glance over to Ares. What has he told them? What haven’t I told him yet that I should? “Um,” I say, swallowing and gathering my thoughts. “I’ve lived in this city my whole life. I’ve barely even left Manhattan, if I’m being honest. And I love it here. I really can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“Classic New Yorker,” Florence smiles, raising a glass to my words.
I smile, liking this woman already. “My parents split when I was just a kid, and I lived with my mom until I was a teenager. I lost her and my younger sister at the same time, and then I went to live with my dad.”
Beneath the table, Ares’ hand comes to my thigh.
I haven’t told him that part yet. About Emmie.
I swallow once and try to push all those thoughts away.
“I’m so sorry, Lana,” Florence offers with sincerity. “Losing your mother… It’s indescribable if you haven’t experienced it. But your sister, too?”
I nod. “Thankfully, my dad is great. Was… great,” I correct myself. Damn. This is why I don’t like talking about myself. “Anyway. I lived with him. He owned a training gym. I kind of followed in his footsteps. I’ve been a trainer for the last few years. My dad passed away a few years ago, but it’s nice, I still get to work at the gym, so I feel like I still have a little part of him.”
“That’s beautiful,” Clementine says, setting her glass back on the table. I note it’s filled with a thick, red liquid. Blood. “I try to remind Florence how lucky she is that she’s surrounded by decades of ancestors in this place. Not all of us have mementos.”
So, Clementine has lost family, too.
