Where Secrets Lie

The bright orange afternoon sun had just begun its descent as Kara's limo pulled up to the mansion. She stepped out as the chauffeur gathered her meager luggage. With a deep breath, she headed up to the deep ebony wood doors. She slowly opened them and stepped inside. This is where she would be living for God knows how long so she took the opportunity to actually look around. Two massive staircases wound up to the second floor, and the beautiful crystal chandelier sent beams of light in every direction as if she stood amongst stars.

A butler approached her, but it wasn't the same one from the night before. This butler looked as if he belonged on the cover of a magazine. He was tall and muscular with angular facial features.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Everitt, I am Henry Bannan. My family has served the Caswells for many, many years. I believe you met my grandfather last night. I am Michael's personal butler and he has instructed me to make you as comfortable as possible. If you need anything at all, please call for me. Now, if you are ready, I will show you to your room."

Much nicer than the old man, she thought.

Kara followed Henry up one of the exquisite staircases and into a hallway. As she walked, she passed magnificent artwork. She'd only seen such beautiful pieces in a museum. While she was no art expert, she recognized that some of the pieces were the work of famous painters.

Finally, they reached her room. The house was so large, she hoped she'd be able to find it again on her own. As she entered, amazement struck her. It was certainly more glamorous than her apartment. More classical paintings covered the bedroom walls, and many of them had erotic themes. Each corner pocketed a smaller room for each servant, and three blood-red leather loveseats surrounded a television in the common area of the room. On either side of her were two full-sized bathrooms. It looked more like the master suite of the best hotel in town. At least she would live in style while trying to get her sister out of the mess she made.

Two beautiful young women sat on the loveseats, giggling and chatting. Upon seeing Kara, the taller woman stood. Her voluptuous body flowed in a seductive manner with each movement she made. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back in perfect waves. From her skin and features, Kara guessed she was Greek or Armenian.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Kate," she said with a faint accent. She motioned to the petite woman still seating on the loveseat. "This is Amy."

While not nearly as curvy as Kate, Amy was just as glamorous. The dark reddish-brown curls of her hair meshed perfectly with her deep green eyes. The expressions on her face exuded more humor than her companions.

Kara looked back and forth between them for a moment. She had never been one to care about looks, but standing before them, she suddenly felt like an ugly duckling, despite her own beauty.

"I'm Detective Kara Everitt," she responded. She didn't mean to sound so brash, but she did not want to appear meek in their sight. She did not trust the servants of vampires.

"We know who you are," said Amy, smiling, "There's nothing stronger than the bond between sisters, except maybe the love of a mother for her child. Not many people just show up unannounced here. You are a bold woman." Amy's smile widened. "I like that. I think we'll be good friends."

I bet you will, Kara thought.

As the girls helped her unpack her belongings, she heard a gentle knock on the door. Before she had a chance to answer it, Alyssa flung open the door and ran into her sister's arms. "I'm so glad you've decided to come stay with us. I know that you will grow to love the family as I do, especially Logan."

Kara felt a twinge of guilt about her ulterior motives. Maybe Alyssa was right, and they weren't blood-sucking monsters like she thought, but Kara couldn't take that chance. They were vampires who wanted to turn her sister into one of them. She had to keep hold of her beliefs, so she wouldn't get brainwashed like her impressionable sister.

"I'm sure you two have many things to discuss. We will be taking our leave now. Come along Amy," Kate announced, Amy's arm entwined with her's. Amy glanced over her shoulder and waved goodbye as she walked through the doorway.

Perhaps it was Kara's detective senses, but she couldn't help think there was something strange about the relationship between those two. Amy appeared strong-willed, but she allowed Kate to treat her like a pet.

She turned to her sister. "So, what exactly do the servants of vampires do?"

"We'll get to that. First, I want to show you around." Alyssa seemed almost giddy.

First, Alyssa showed her the library. It put Ayers Public Library to shame. The shelves reached all the way to the top of the thirty-foot tall ceilings, and the books were so jam-packed that there wasn't a single empty spot. Some of the books looked as though they might crumble to bits if someone tried to remove them. Tables and glass display counters littered the room that housed strange artifacts and sculptures. If Alyssa had let her, Kara would probably have spent the rest of the day poring over the collection, trying to decipher what it all meant.

The next stop was the kitchen, and it looked more like the kitchen in a restaurant with restaurant-grade equipment. About half a dozen chefs bustled about, preparing gourmet cuisines. They managed to stop long enough to smile at Kara as she passed through, but immediately returned to their work.

"They are preparing for the feast tonight," Alyssa explained. "Wait till you see the dining room."

The dining room was a spectacle indeed. A massive mahogany table sat in the middle of the room, and Kara was pretty sure two hundred people could eat there comfortably. Red velvet drapes swept across the windows. In between them, beautifully detailed sconces were mounted on the wall.

"Did you ever imagine we would be eating at a table like this every night?" Alyssa laughed.

Kara understood the appeal this place had on her sister. Alyssa's parents were far from poor, but they were also far from rich when they adopted Kara. Neither woman dreamt of living in such luxury. Kara had always been fine with that, but it seemed Alyssa wanted more out of life. The excitement on Alyssa's face made her happy for her sister but still couldn't shake her suspicions about Michael, Logan and the rest of the clan.

"No, never," she responded.

The rest of the tour included a movie theatre with the most comfortable seating she had ever experienced, massage rooms with professional attendants, and a gaming room with arcade-style games and a table for billiards. On the other side of the property, they visited an outdoor pool with a cabana, a fully functioning garage, and a laundry room.

Alyssa saved the best room for last: the one that Kara had walked into on her first arrival. Now, Kara finally got a chance to really look at it. The crowd of people was gone and only Alyssa and Kara stood in the large room. Chairs sat in rows like at a theater. Medieval artwork hung on the walls, and although the sun was now practically gone, some light still shined through the stained glass windows, casting a colorful light on the whole scene. The room felt like a sanctuary.

"What is this room used for?" she asked, running her fingers through her hair.

"Mostly parties and ceremonies. Sometimes we do art shows here as well. There should be one of those coming up soon actually." Alyssa looked away, lost in thought.

The tour took nearly the entire afternoon, and Kara felt it. "I'm exhausted. I'm going to head back to the room and rest."

She kissed Alyssa on the check and headed back up the staircase and toward the bedroom. Kate and Amy sat on the loveseat, watching television. She threw a friendly smile at them as she entered her room. She did not relish the idea of sharing her living quarters with two other women. She preferred and cherished her privacy, especially since she was basically working on a case while she was there.

Just as she let her head hit her pillow, a knock at the main door disturbed her. Wow. I guess there's no rest for the weary around here, she thought. She exited her room just as Henry entered into the common area. With a smirk on her face, Kate stood.

"Michael requests to see Ms. Everitt."

Kate sunk back into her seat. The scowl slowly forming on her face made it clear she was quite displeased. Amy looked genuinely surprised, but not angry.

"What does he want?" Kara asked. The look on everyone's face made it clear that was not an appropriate question to ask. "I mean, yes, please show me the way," she corrected herself.

Henry led Kara back downstairs and down a hallway that was not part of her sister's tour. A feeling of dread began to form inside her and it grew as Henry left her standing before an ominous set of doors. She knocked twice and the door flew open. Michael stood in the doorway, smiling. He wore a white satin suit and red tie that made Kara wonder if he ever dressed casually. As Michael ushered her inside, she was amazed at the size of his bedroom. It was far larger than her own.

In the middle of the room sat a wide table with intricate carvings. An Oriental vase filled with beautiful white lilies sat atop the table. A chandelier dangled above, almost identical to the one in the foyer. A smaller glass coffee table sat across the room in between a large black sofa and a fireplace made of multi-colored stones. A tiger skin rug sprawled out on the floor in front of the fireplace. Kara wondered if he had killed the animal himself.

Michael led her through an archway to another part of the room. Tall windows lined the walls, and a large door lead to a balcony. In one corner of the room sat a large bed with a white canopy draped over it, and in the opposite corner sat a large, ornate desk.

Michael approached the desk and removed a box from one of the drawers. "For you." He handed the box to her. Inside, a white satin gown that matched Michael's suit shimmered. Of course, she wanted to refuse the gift, but she knew better than to insult him. Instead, she looked up at him, questioningly.

"There's a celebration for the new servants tonight," he explained, "and I certainly can't have one of my personal servants wearing that." He looked at her as if he smelled something toxic. "Return to your room and get ready." He studied her for a moment, sure she didn't own a drop of makeup or even a brush. "Amy and Kate should be able to make you more presentable. I will see you in a few hours."

Kara managed to leave without exploding, but as she headed back to her room, hatred seethed inside of her. He acted as if she was some filthy dog that needed a good bathing.

This was a mistake. I have to get out of here.