Page 57 of Royal Bite
“Cool,” Maisie breathed. “Do you bite people?”
“Maisie!” Emily cried out.
Hegna laughed and stood. Maisie glanced around at the adults, then grinned.
“I’m sure Princess Hegna will answer your curiosity another day,” Stormey said.
Maisie laughed and leaned against her, hugging her legs.
“Come. I can give you a tour.” Emily waved for them to follow.
Maisie held on to Stormey’s hand while they walked through the aging mansion. Some of the children followed at a distance. Stormey was sure word had got around that the princess was visiting them. Humans were aware of the vampire royal family who ruled above the human government. There were about twenty-five kids currently living in the mansion along with a few employees who were like Brandi and traded their services for food and housing.
Emily soon ushered them down a hall and into the living room that had a welcoming feel to it. The furniture was mismatched, but it had all of the trappings of home. This room also needed a good updating, as did the entire building. Hegna and Stormey took a seat on the large couch with Maisie sitting between them. She offered a smile to Hegna and had yet to release Stormey’s hand.
Desmond and the guards had spread out with Cezar, Hegna’s personal guard, entering the room and standing by the door. Hegna had the other guards remain outside to ensure there was no threat before they had entered the home. It left Stormey wondering if something had happened that she was unaware of.
Stormey turned back to Emily. She continued discussing the history of the orphanage and how she had started it twenty-five years ago. There had been so many children on the streets of Black Hollows and surrounding towns. She and a few others worked tirelessly to get the children off the streets. It was extremely dangerous at night for the youth, and they were unable to protect themselves against rogue vampires and vile humans as well.
This was a subject Stormey was all too familiar with. She was thankful she had never been a kid who had to rely on her survival skills on the streets. Many of the cities and towns she’d lived in, rogue vampires were on the rise, and many teens disappeared.
“Brandi said you were raising money to give the children a better playground,” Stormey interrupted.
“Ah, yes. That is one of the many projects we are looking for funding for. These children deserve to have a safe area to play and burn off some energy.” Emily leaned back in her chair. The dark circles beneath her eyes revealed she gave every bit she could to the orphanage.
“There was a letter sent to my office,” Hegna began.
Stormey was taken aback. Hegna had received mailings from the orphanage?
“It appeared to be a general one seeking funding. What exactly do you need, Miss Washington?”
“Look at this place. Honestly, I would love to have this place renovated, a game room with plenty of activities for the kids when it’s too cold to go outside, a library with newer books than ones that are close to fifty years old, the list goes on and on.” Emily sighed. She tucked her gray curls behind her ear and shook her head. “I’m sure it would cost in the millions to get this place in tip-top shape. We are just lucky the old building is holding on.”
“Can I turn on the television, Miss Emily?” Maisie asked. She had been such a good girl, quiet while the adults were chatting.
“Yes, my dear. Just keep it down,” Emily said.
Maisie flew off the couch and raced over to the television. She dropped down on the floor before it and switched it on. She flicked through the channels until she found something on.
Stormey turned and found Hegna watching her with an unreadable expression. This time, it was Hegna who reached out and took Stormey’s hand. She gave it a squeeze and returned back to Emily.
“Miss Washington, I want to help,” Hegna stated.
Stormey’s breath caught in her throat. She stared at her vampire as if she had grown a second head.
“You do?” Stormey and Emily echoed at the same time.
Hegna squeezed her hand again. “I do. The history of our people has been a rocky one, and I admire your passion for wanting to protect the children who were victims of the war, be it directly or indirectly. Everything you have done is considered honorable in my mind, and I want to pay for the complete restoration of this building and ensure you and the children have everything you will need.”
The room went completely silent except the low rumblings of the television. Stormey squeezed Hegna’s hand as hard as she could. Tears welled in her eyes. Emily’s face was marred with tears as well.
“Your Grace, that is the best news I have heard in decades,” Emily cried out. She stood abruptly from her chair.
Stormey and Hegna followed suit.
“Can I hug you?”
“Um, yes,” Hegna said, but her words were cut off from Emily already pulling her into a hug.
