Where Secrets Lie

The party approached rapidly, and before long, everyone in the mansion was getting dressed in their finest attire: everyone except for Kara. While Kate and Amy primed in front of the mirror, Kara sat in front of the television, wearing a bathrobe. A bowl of popcorn sat on her lap. Her evening would be filled with testosterone packed action flicks all night long.

Kate couldn't let sleeping dogs lie. "So," she said as she smeared dark red lipstick on her pouty lips, "I heard Michael didn't invite you to the party, Kara. Was it because of the argument you two had in the garden?"

Kara was not surprised that Kate had been spying on them that day. It was exactly the kind of thing she would do. "No. I just don't want to go," she replied, popping a buttery piece of popcorn in her mouth.

"You really shouldn't be so bitter about this marriage. It's not as if a vampire could have a serious relationship with a mortal." She laughed and started ironing her hair. "That's the difference between me and you, Kara," the tan girl continued, "I will love him and support his decisions no matter what. I don't mind playing second to Hannah. That's why Michael will always be mine in the end. Have fun spending the night alone."

Amy rolled her eyes and rushed Kate out of the room. "I'm so sorry, Kara. I hope you start feeling better soon."

"Thanks," she replied.

After her roommates left, Kara tried to watch one of her movies, but she had a hard time concentrating. She walked out onto the balcony, the breeze whipping her wispy white-blonde hair into her eyes. It rained earlier that day and the garden was glistening and wet under the moon.

Footsteps behind her startled her. She turned around to find Logan standing in her doorway. "Why haven't you left for the party? Everyone is gone. You'll have to ride with us."

Alyssa walked into the room behind him, holding a beautiful emerald green gown in her arms. "Hurry up! We're going to be late!" She was trying to sound angry, but her smile gave her away.

"I don't want to," Kara said, but it was a feeble attempt. She wanted to go, but she couldn't admit it to herself. "Fine," she said, telling herself it was for Alyssa.

The party turned out a large crowd. All of the Caswell clan, Powell clan, and their servants made up the majority of the guests. Michael made a point of speaking to each and every one of them with Kate and Hannah clinging to his arms the entire time. They stopped to speak to the elders of their respective clans.

A tall, lean man with dark hair and an inky black beard, John Powell looked much like his daughter Hannah. Elijah Caswell, a smaller man, styled himself much like Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind. Together, their presence gave off an intimidating aura, and even Michael felt it.

"Hello, Michael. How are you? I trust you are enjoying the celebration this evening," Elijah said.

"Yes uncle, I am." In truth, he was not, but he knew that Elijah would not be pleased to hear that. He forced a smile and nodded at John.

"Father," Hannah scolded, "Of course Michael has been treating me well. I didn't realize that elderly vampires were so much like elderly ladies. You gossip too much and take yourself far too seriously. Maybe you should have more to drink." She offered him the martini glass that she had been sipping on.

"Perhaps you should have less," he replied.

Michael struggled to think of some excuse to end the awkward conversation, but he didn't have to as Elijah beat him to it.

"It seems that Logan has finally decided to grace us with his presence," Elijah announced.

Michael turned to greet his brother, but shock overtook him. Kara had shown up with Logan and Alyssa, and she looked more beautiful at that moment than she ever had. The green gown she wore made her shine, and Michael wanted nothing more than to sweep her away from this horrible party.

"Who are the two lovely ladies he is escorting?" Elijah glanced at Michael. "I've never seen them before."

"Kara Everitt and Alyssa Westbrooke; they're new servants of the Caswell clan and sisters." He hoped that there would be no further questioning on the subject.

"Why haven't you informed me that you've taken on new servants?" Elijah asked Logan as he approached.

"He didn't," Hannah answered instead. "The brunette is his, but the blonde one is Michael's." She took another sip of her drink and looked at Michael over the rim of the glass, her eyes filled with mischief.

Kate smiled in approval, delighted to see how Elijah would tear Kara apart.

"Ah, yes, I think I have heard about you." Elijah looked at Kara in a way that made her out of place. "Come closer to me, my dear, I want to get a good look at you."

Frightened by his overbearing demeanor, Kara remained motionless. Logan chuckled.

"So this is the girl who is immune to our power of compelling." Elijah seemed to be amused, yet curious.

Kara knew where the conversation was heading, and she didn't want to be there anymore. She excused herself to go have a drink at the open bar.

John grunted. "Are you sure she's human?