When I stepped through, I felt transported to another time. I noticed the lighting first, and looked up. The chandelier emitted a soft red glow. Dozens of thick white panels of cloth extended from the top of the chandelier and draped outward to the point where the ceiling met the walls, giving the appearance of an enormous tent.
Square tables, each seating eight, were set with a large centerpiece filled with a spray of red flowers in different varieties and shades. Along the back wall stood probably thirty waiters, all dressed the same, in white old-fashioned tux tails with bright red cummerbunds and bow ties. Their hands were clasped behind their backs and they were lined up with the tallest on the outside and the shortest in the middle.
"Wow," I breathed, taking it all in.
Current Top-40 music played softly from speakers discreetly attached to the walls. A DJ set up his equipment next to a decorated table with a sign above it that said: Presents HERE.
Scented vanilla candles emitted a pleasant fragrance.
"It's beyond beautiful," I said, turning to Professor Pops. "Thank you!"
"You're more than welcome, Snow." Professor Pops gave me a gentle squeeze.
The doorbell rang.
Salvatore said, "I'll get it."
He and Sebastian casually ran to the front door.
Moments later excited chatting could be heard coming down the hall.
"This is gonna be fun," Cindy said.
I swallowed, for some reason nervous about the party. I wasn't sure if it was panic that no one would show, horror that everyone would come, anxiety over Pops' weirdness, the fact that Gabe was with his dad, or the odd gleam in Cindy's eyes.
Chapter 11
Dinner looked delicious. Everyone commented on how amazing it tasted. The waiters served chicken cordon bleu with steamed baby potatoes, and asparagus spears topped with a creamy hollandaise sauce. Several times, as I popped a tiny bite of potato or asparagus (yeah, I still couldn't eat meat) into my mouth and forced it down, I longed for the food in Sharra-the food made specifically for vampires-the food that tasted like blood.
Dessert would be my cake, later tonight. It'd been wheeled out on a serving tray, and placed next to a table that held a plethora of presents.
The cake stood tall, five layers of red velvet covered in red fondant. Black frosting was piped over the top in intricate swirling designs. White flowers, which looked a lot like snowflakes, were placed methodically in groups of three and five. On the top layer of the cake stood a girl in a red dress holding a cake with sixteen "lit" candles. She looked a lot like me. Even her fondant-ruffled dress looked the same as mine. Around the edge, standing like guards protecting the girl, was sixteen real candles.
When dinner ended, the tables and chairs were cleared and disassembled in record time. Some were pushed to the side so people could sit and visit. The music was turned up, and people danced. Everyone looked amazing, and seemed to be having a good time.
I hadn't danced, and I really didn't want to. I probably still had two left dancing feet. Plus, Gabe still hadn't arrived.
What was he doing? I wondered. Searching for Pops, I found him talking with Kenmei, and a man I didn't know, in a corner.
Heathcliff came over, and asked, "How's your bloodlust? Feeling in control?"
I smiled. "Yes, I'm fine." The pulsing blood in the room was mesmerizing. Each scent unique to the other. All of them combined to form a decadent bouquet. More than once already I'd held my breath, forcing my sharp canines back into place.
Cindy danced closely with one of the senior football players from school. A guy named Chad. Before tonight we hadn't said two words to each other. That was the case with most of the people here tonight. Sure, I'd seen their faces many times over the years, but I didn't really know any of them. I was surprised so many bothered to come.
No one would miss this, my inner voice huffed.
Daniel, Sebastian, Dorian, Salvatore, and Bart danced near each other, each with a beautiful girl in his arms. A pang of sadness split my heart.
Gabe, where are you, I thought.
Thousands of pinpricks trickled up my spine, like an electric current. My gaze shifted from the dance floor to where Kenmei and Professor Pops talked to the unfamiliar man. As one they turned toward the door. Pops and Kenmei appeared angry, the other man sneered arrogantly.
Heathcliff stiffened. "This is not good."
"What? What's wrong?" I asked, facing the door. Gabe walked in, looking incredibly handsome in a black tux, bowtie, and cummerbund. The buttons on his white shirt were black as well. Gabe's jaw clenched as he searched the room.
Was he looking for me? I hoped, but a part of me was afraid. He didn't look pleased, at all.
"Snow, I need you to come with me." Heathcliff grabbed my hand and pulled me behind a group of people toward the other side of the door.
"Why?" I asked. I wanted to find out what was wrong with Gabe. The energy in the room crackled, and I sensed the tension Gabe brought with him. It was then I noticed the men and women filtering in behind Gabe. They all wore black, but weren't dressed for the party. They were dressed to hunt.
They've come for you, my inner voice retorted nervously.
Heathcliff didn't respond. I yanked my hand from his. He glanced at me surprised.
"I need to find out what's going on."
Heathcliff grabbed my shoulder and said, "Listen to me. Those are the chayot. They are here to do what Gabe couldn't. They intend to kill you. We've got to get you out of here." I heard the undercurrent of fear in Heathcliff's voice. It meant a lot to me that he was worried. But just as he'd forgotten I was stronger than him a moment ago, he also didn't realize that I wouldn't be running from these... creatures.
"What are you waiting for?" Dorian hissed, coming up behind Heathcliff.
"She won't go, and she's stronger than I am," Heathcliff pouted.
"If you don't-" Dorian began.
"Snow White, show your face. Accept your fate and come with us." A tall, very stunning man stepped in front of Gabe as he spoke. The music stopped, scratched into silence. Those who were still dancing paused to see what was going on. Whispering and pointing. The chayot fanned out, systematically searching. I guessed for me.
"Understand now," Dorian said, crouching. He pulled me down with him.
"Is this part of the party," I heard someone ask.