Page 97 of Your Coffin or Mine
“The whole place looks really incredible,” I murmur.
“Right? Too bad they still haven’t gotten the internet back up yet,” George says, staring down at his phone, almost pouting.
“It’ll be fine. It always comes back eventually. Once it’s going again, we can upload everything,” I say, eyeing my favorite piece in the room.
The marble statue bathed in a blue-and-purple spotlight glows in the dimmed lights. It’s obvious the artist wanted to capture a woman undressing with her breasts on display and a swath of fabric pooling around her hips. It is stunningand I cannot wait to share it. It’s amazing how much they accomplished overnight.
“Good call.” He points to another statue, this one of a man. “Ineedto post about that. It’s gorgeous.”
Excitement and nerves thrum through my body as I scan the ballroom, looking for anyone familiar. There are seriously more guests than I thought there would be. It was only supposed to be thirty people, but it looks like there are hundreds in here. Where Vlad and Doyle collected all these people from, I’m not even sure, but it’s made everything lively. Some people are dressed in Halloween costumes and others in elegant gowns, almost as if no one is really sure what kind of party it is.
I’m pretty sure that makes all of us, but the ballroom is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
The usual light-blue walls are covered with black hanging drapes to give a darker vibe. Cold lights trickle down like snow or raindrops, giving us all the illusion that we’re outside. My gaze keeps slipping to the fireplace, which looks like a giant spider will crawl from the webbing at any point.
“Since its winter, we’ve gone with more crisp colors of blue and purple to create an ambience reflective of the season.” George beams, dressed in a blue retro pantsuit. It’s eye-catching, to say the least.
“I love it.”
Fog rolls across the floor between tiny trees dotted around the great hall, making it resemble a snow-covered forest. A small band is playing classical music, and the light sound is calming. Even the wine glasses were somehow done overnight. They’re a frosted light-blue color, with bats etched within.
“Are the bat wings lace?”
“Mmhm. Vlad insisted.”
It’s like he’s been trying to give me hints this whole time.Is it because I adored the bat cave so much?The idea that hewould do that just for me makes my heart somersault, despite the freakiness of learning he’s a vampire this morning.
“It’s so beautiful.” Like I can’t help myself, I take another photo of the ceiling, but this time holding the wine glass up as the centerpiece of the image.All the new light fixtures make it way brighter in here now.While I’m checking the image, my eyes catch on a large glittering ball on my phone screen, and I gasp and look back up. I didn’t notice that before! “George, oh my gosh, there’s a disco ball?!”
“Aubrey, it would be a good time for you to stop asking questions, darling, and just enjoy the moment,” he says, staring off into the crowd.
“Excuse me? Would you care for a glass of champagne?” a tall, dark-haired waiter asks with a thick accent, holding up a tray with one hand. His face is cleanly shaven, his suit black, and I almost giggle at the fake vampire fangs he has in his mouth.
“You are never going to make it through this without a glass or three,” George says, rocking back on his short heels.
He’s not wrong.“I agree.”
George grins and hands me one. He winks at the waiter, who blushes and bows before moving onto another group of guests milling about on the empty dance floor.
“Have you seen Vlad yet?” I ask quietly.
“Not since he asked me to come help you get ready.”
We hadn’t really talked about what would happen tonight, and nervousness flutters deep in my belly. It feels like everyone’s eyes zone in on me at once, and I have the urge to turn around and run back to my room for a while. I’m used to being in the limelight on social media, not in real life.
Something in my expression must give away how I’m feeling because George frowns lightly. “Do you want me to go find him?”
People start whispering and it feels as if their eyes are searching for me. Ugh. Don’t panic. You’re imagining things.
I wave him away. “Oh god no. It’s just I haven’t seen him in a while. I’m sure he will turn up somewhere.”
I’ve had more than enough time to process, and now I’m just overanalyzing every conversation I’ve ever had with him and Doyle.
My phone rings abruptly, and my dad’s name lights up on the screen. Great, what now? I have no internet, but have just enough bars for people to call, I guess.
I consider answering, as dad never rings me unless it’s important. I spoke to Mom earlier, and she wasn’t happy that I was staying another week in Romania.
Dad is likely calling to blast me some more for it, and I just can’t deal with them right now. I’m tired of them, and I have enough on my mind. I click the end call button, wishing I could smash my phone, but feel even more defeated. I down my drink as a way to vent my frustration, wishing my parents would take my side when I know they won’t.
