Where Secrets Lie

"Screw it," she said and seized the ominous envelope.

Hastily, she ripped it open and stared at the beautiful, cursive handwriting. The shiny black ink contrasted the white paper in such a way that it seemed fake, but it wasn't fake. It was real: a real letter from vampires, and there was nothing more to do but read it.

Our clan wishes you no harm, Kara Everitt. Please feel welcome to visit us on this magnificent night. We know you well and have made preparations for your arrival, specifically designed for your comfort. You will find our address below. Do not share it with a single soul. We will know.

1003 Turpentine Avenue

"So they've made preparations for me." She wasn't sure she wanted to know what those preparations were. "Well, they won't mind if I show up one night early."

She didn't know the house, but she recognized the address. Expensive houses lined the streets, and only the wealthy and powerful could afford to live there. It seemed fitting that a pack of vampires made their home in that neighborhood. She should have known.

Before leaving, she made a quick phone call to Grant. He didn't answer, but she left him a message that she hasn't been feeling well and is taking some vacation time. She wanted to tell him the truth, but she knew it would only get herself and Alyssa into trouble with the clan.

As she pulled into the driveway, a twinge of jealousy struck her as she gazed up at the beautiful Victorian-style mansion. It reminded her of the beautiful houses she saw in magazines. The yard was something out of Better Homes and Gardens. Every inch was maintained and perfected. Not even a single blade of grass was out of line. Marble statues peeked out from behind well-trimmed hedgerows, and vibrate, colorful flowers speckled the lawn. Honestly, it looked quite normal for that area.

"What did I expect, fountains of blood?" she asked herself.

A cobblestone path led to the doorway and she followed it. A large old fashioned door knocker in the shape of a lion's head immediately attracted her eye. She knocked three times, startling herself at the sound. The door swung open, but she didn't get a chance to see who had answered her knock because they were gone in a flash.

The scene beyond was something out of a play. She stood in the doorway, peeking inside in awe. People bustled all about, some were uniforms and some wore formal attire, but all of them moved as if it was rehearsed. Although they moved quickly, no one ever got in anyone's way or collided together. Finally, someone seemed to notice her. A stout man with a bald head and a thick white mustache stepped in front of her, blocking her view. His attire and attitude told her he must be the butler.

"I'm sorry, Madame, you cannot enter at this time. A very important ceremony is taking place, and you do not seem to be dressed appropriately."

Kara looked down at her outfit: a pair of tight khaki pants and a plain black t-shirt. Looked formal enough to her. He was lucky she wasn't wearing dirty jeans and a pajama shirt.

"I'm dressed fine. Get out of the way," she said and pushed passed him into the foyer.

Of course, once inside, she had no idea where she was going. She headed for a large set of doors to her right. The butler yelled at her, but it was all in vain. She was too close to stop now. She opened the second set of doors. Beyond was a large room with chairs and beautiful stained glass windows. The entire room looked larger than her apartment. Within the room, a crowd of people huddled around a smaller group of three women and two men. However, she didn't have a chance to see them as someone grabbed her from behind.

Instinctively, she reached for her gun, but soon realized it was Alyssa and she relaxed. Alyssa, on the other hand, looked beyond mortified to see her sister there early.

"What are you doing here? I told you three days: three not two," she whispered, but Kara noticed the tremble in her voice.

"You know I'm not well known for my patience," she responded.

Alyssa looked around as if trying to find a place to hide Kara, but it was too late. The man from the nightclub approached them: Logan, Alyssa's master. A second man accompanied him, but Kara did not recognize him.

He was smaller and leaner than Logan, but something about the way he stood and the air about him made him look larger than life. His suit matched Logan's in every detail, except his vest and tie were of a crimson shade. Unlike Logan's, his hair was long, but the golden blonde coloring made it the most beautiful head of hair Kara had seen. However, it was his eyes that mesmerized Kara. Just like Logan's, they called to her, but his were more narrow and a pale smoky gray color.

He spoke in a voice so soft and raspy that it seemed like he was trying to lull her to sleep. "So this is the sister I've been hearing so much about." A smile played on the corners of his lips, and Kara noticed he had a small dimple in each cheek.

"You need to leave. This is an induction ceremony for servants." The rolling deep voice of Logan spoke up.

The blonde man chastised Logan without removing his gaze from Kara. "No need for that, Logan. Kara is a welcome guest here."

"I apologize, Michael."

Just as Kara suspected, this Michael held a place of authority in the home. She broke the silence. "Actually, this is perfect. I'm here to serve your clan." Her own words shocked her. Apparently, she did have a plan. It just wasn't a very good plan. No going back now.

Alyssa's eyes grew wide in shock and she could only stare at Kara speechless.

"Why?" questioned Michael, with that faint smile that suggested he knew something that she didn't.

"When we were children, I made a promise to my sister that I would never leave her side, and I feel that she needs me now more than ever," Kara replied, hoping he would accept her answer.

Michael appeared to appreciate her honesty. His smile grew into a brilliant grin. "I will accept you as a servant to my clan, under one condition. You will be one of my personal servants, if I say jump, you will jump and if I ask you to pleasure me, you will trip over your own feet in your haste to do it willingly and gladly. Is that clear?"

"Done," said Kara, without the slightest hesitation. This was far from what she wanted, but she had to remain close to Alyssa, and this seemed like the only way.

"Yes, Michael," Alyssa said. "Thank you." She took hold of Kara and practically drug her out of the house.

As soon as they were gone, Logan turned to Michael. "Why would you take this woman into your service? She will only cause trouble for you. You already have two loyal, glamorous servants. Will you not at least make her serve the lesser of us for the mandatory year to prove her worth?"

"She is the one you spoke of? The one who resisted your compulsion?" Michael asked.

Logan nodded, despite his frustration at being ignored.

"Interesting," Michael smirked, watching her out the window as she and Alyssa climbed into her car. "I'm going to have so much fun with her."