Sera landed out of sight of the others, behind a grove of trees. She took position and watched McCleod carefully, observing how he drank, who he talked to. She was waiting for a vulnerable moment, when he wasn’t surrounded by followers. She would catch him by surprise, and thus begin the seduction.
Sera’s line of vision was occasionally blocked by dancers, then by musicians, and she felt like reaching out and tearing them apart. But she bit her lip, forcing herself to be disciplined, waiting patiently.
Finally, she saw her chance. McCleod rose from the table—everyone rising with him—and he gestured for them all to stay put, as he headed off himself towards a huge vat of wine. He stumbled just a bit as he went, and that suited her purposes perfectly.
Sera wasted no time. She sprinted across the field, around the side, and merged into the thick crowd, careful not to be noticed by anyone. She made her way to the vat of wine just before he did, just as she’d hoped.
She turned her back on him, pretending as if she were looking in the opposite direction, and blocked his path, so that he would have to get past her. She then casually reached over and held out an empty goblet of wine. She prided herself on being a student of human behavior, and having watched him, she could sense he had a chivalrous side. She could sense that he would do anything to help a damsel in distress. And she just knew that if she held out her goblet, he would want to help.
“Hand that to me,” came the deep, royal voice.
Sera’s back still to him, she smiled, realizing she had judged him perfectly.
Sera turned slowly, laying the full effect of her startling green eyes on him. She stared deeply into his, and offered the smallest hint of a smile. She tried to hypnotize him, using every vampire power of seduction she had.
It was working. She saw his eyes fix on hers, saw him forget to fill her goblet. And as she felt his fingertips touch hers, she realized that he had not let go. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights—and that was exactly what she wanted.
“I haven’t seen you here before,” he said.
Sera liked the sound of his voice: it was deep, confident, authoritative. Not like most humans.
“I’m new here,” she said. She thought quick. “I’ve only come for the wedding.” Technically, it was not a lie. She had indeed come for the wedding—to tear it apart.
“Then we shall consider ourselves lucky to be graced by your presence,” he said with a slight nod, then took her goblet, reached in, and filled it up.
He handed it back to her, and this time, as she took it, she laid her fingers on top of his, using her vampire power to send seductive energy into him.
As she slowly took the cup away, her fingers grazing his, she could see it was working.
“I’ve come from far away, and I’m only here for a short while,” she said, in her most seductive voice. “I would be honored if you show me your castle before I go.” She waited and watched, her heart beating with anticipation. This was the moment, the crucial moment, when she would know. If he said yes, she knew that he would be hers.
“Surely, you have someone else to give you a tour of the grounds, aside from the King himself?” he asked with a smile.
She smiled back. “I have many. But none I want to accompany me. Except for you.” She waited and watched, staring deeply into his eyes. She could sense that he was still on the fence. This human was more confident, less impressionable, than the others. It was now or never.
She took a half step towards him, reached up and slowly let her open palm run down his chest.
“You’re not of my kind, are you?” he asked.
She slowly shook her head. “No,” she answered.
He stared for several more seconds, then finally, broke into a smile.
“Well, I guess I don’t see the harm in taking a break from the party for a little while,” he said, stepping forward and taking her arm. He turned and led her towards the castle.
Sera smiled as they walked, crossing the small foot bridge, over the moat, feeling victorious. As they approached the castle doors, the guards snapped to attention.
“What would you like to see first?” he asked, as they entered the grand hall, more guards snapping to attention.
She stopped and faced him boldly.
“Your bedchamber,” she said.
She could see his eyes open wide in surprise, as he stared back at her.
“You are bold, aren’t you?” he asked.
“As are you,” she responded.
He stared at her, then suddenly turned and continued walking, leading her down another corridor.
They headed up a staircase, down several more corridors, guards snapping to attention all along the way, then finally towards a set of huge double doors. Two guards held it open for him, and as they walked through, they shut it behind them.
The room was magnificent, enormous, replete with a huge four-poster bed, rugs, candle chandeliers, and a roaring fire inside a marble mantelpiece. McCleod strutted in, then turned and faced her.
He stared at her with seriousness.
“Who are you exactly?” he demanded. “What is it that you want from me?” Sera slowly raised her hand to his cheek.
“I want to give you something that you want,” she said.
He stared back.
“I want to help you join my race.”
McCleod’s eyes opened wide.
“Why would you do such a thing? I have asked every vampire to turn me. They all refuse. Why are you different?”
Sera smiled, as she looked down and slowly unbuttoned his shirt, taking off the huge furs from his shoulders. She was happy to see that, while cautious, he was not resisting.
“Because I want something in return,” she responded.
“And what is that?” he asked.
“I will tell you after I turn you. Whatever it is, you must vow to grant it to me.” He took a step back, and stared at her intently.
“You ask a high order,” he responded. “I have no idea what it is you will want. It could be anything. It could be my kingdom. How can I vow to grant something when I don’t even know what it is?”
She smiled back, prepared for this.
“Because what I’m going to give you is the greatest gift you could ever want. The gift of immortality. The gift of many lifetimes. You can lose a kingdom—that means nothing when you are immortal. You will have endless lifetimes to gain it back. Surely, you realize this yourself. Or else you would not want what we have? To be all-powerful. Is it worth honoring one small request?” She could see he was wavering.