Oh, no... I forgot Pablo is now head of security at the Portal. There are some others who know me by sight working here, too. Will they recognize me and snitch on me to the ruling council?
She slunk down on the bench, hoping she would blend into the background with the others. A busy throng of people loaded their luggage and other containers onto a low wagon-like vehicle the size of a long bed pick-up. It glided along on a cushion of air rather than using wheels or rails. With so much activity going on, her fear of being discovered lessened but didn't dissipate in its entirety.
"Are we all rested and ready to go?" Their guide scanned them for signs of more severe transport maladies. His brusque manner made him appear as anxious as Olivia to move them along to the Clan Alpha House.
"I am," she said, springing to her feet. "Let's ditch this bus stop and get to where we're going." She kept her back turned away from Pablo. He stood at a tall desk, going over the shipment logs, double-checking who and what had come through the Portal and what was being readied to be sent out. The blond hair and glasses worked. He hadn't noticed her.
"It's refreshing to meet such a young and eager...person." Their guide's translation device had a lot of built in pauses, giving his utterances a creepy effect. He clapped his hands and indicated to his assistants to help the others to their feet. "All right, off we go now to meet your new family, Clan Alpha."
With a swish of his long cape over his shoulder, he spun around on his heels and headed toward the exit. Human and Pure Blood alike followed him in a loose line and began their short hike to the clan house. The human contingent began rubber-necking, most open-mouthed, showing the signs of transportation had worn off. Olivia did the same, trying to pretend she'd never seen her surroundings many times before.
As she looked about with a half-open jaw, she noticed an armed Overseer contingent had joined their parade. A half dozen of the hulking beings brought up the rear. They're not taking any chances we'll change our minds and run back to the Portal and home, are they?
Olivia kept a neutral, pleasant expression on her face and cooperated. Her eagerness was genuine, as she really did want to get to the clan house and start snooping around. If she thought it worth the risk, she wanted to check in on Valori as well.
The last communiqué from her dear friend indicated Valori was still recovering in the same room Olivia had visited, but she felt strong enough to be able to work most of the time brewing up healing tinctures and occasionally sewing fine clothing for new ruling councilors like Caveman. No doubt on all worlds men and women alike wanted to appear worthy of their esteemed positions. Wearing cast-offs or casual outfits was considered beneath their newly acquired status.
Olivia smirked at the thought of the once rough and tumble Caveman Charlie dressed in his finest tailored suit with a new bowler hat and putting on airs. Perhaps a bill could be introduced into council stating councilors had to dress and live at the same level as the majority of their constituents? It would teach politicians to keep their humility and the best interests of the citizens of BloodDark in mind.
"Please wait here to be... admitted."
Their guide's creepy tone brought Olivia out of her reveries, focusing her attention on her surroundings. She was familiar with them, of course, but she couldn't act like walking into the Clan Alpha House was no big deal. She needed to act suitably impressed like the other vampire brides. She needed to slip into her new persona, the Goth girl in plaid with glasses.
"Oo, look at those large those door knockers!" She giggled and pointed. "Have you ever seen anything like them before?"
A frowning woman of about thirty-five turned to her and said, "Of course I have. Didn't your intended send you photos of your new home?"
"Well, sure...but it's not quite the same thing, is it?"
Olivia blushed and made up her mind to remain silent after receiving several dirty looks from the frowning woman and others. Enthusiasm wasn't welcomed, it appeared. In fact, her fellow travelers acted more like sheep heading to the slaughter, resigned, accepting, not protesting their fate.
I think I've misunderstood the type of person the Pure Bloods were looking for in their mates. They don't want vitality. They want docility, subservience, mindlessness.
While the real Lauren might have fit in well here, Olivia realized she didn't exactly fit the description. Would their hosts weed her out? There had been no promise made that all mail-order brides would be accepted. The cost of the trip was paid for by Clan Alpha, so Clan Alpha had every right to refuse any duds, right? Perhaps even her virginal status wouldn't be enough to get her in.
The large doors slowly swung open revealing the light of the grand entrance hall. Even the sheep beside her allowed a gasp of surprise to escape their lips at the dazzling sight within.
Light...so much light it was blinding in stark contrast to the darkness outside. The hall was well lit from thousands of candles suspended from the rafters and attached to sconces in the wall and filling candelabra on the tables. Every surface was polished to mirror-like sheen. They sparkled and reflected the flickering light of the flames, giving the cavernous room a warm and intimate feeling.
As they proceeded at a measured pace into the hall, Olivia smelled a pleasant aroma of burning herbs. Sage? Oregano? No, it couldn't be... She laughed and relaxed her guard. She noticed
