Opulent (The Opalescent Collection Book 1) Read Free Page B

asleep.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 3 - The Bat and the Bird
     
    S unlight beamed off the tips of my eyelashes and warmed my face, slowly waking me from deep slumber. I sat up and stretched out my arms, inhaling a deep breath of dust. Light bounced off the decaying walls and illuminated the corners that showed off their cobwebs. I could almost see all of the dust particles swarming around me.
                  Recalling my encounter with Fitzray the previous day, I changed into jeans and a warm sweater. I walked outside and noted that the moons were separating; the sun’s rays were breaking through. Since no one was home again and I had nothing else better to do, I figured I would take Fitzray up on his offer.
                  Desperately, I tried to recall the way to Fitzray’s house and shortly found myself lost in the woods. It only took a deep growl to send me running as fast as I could, causing me to stumble over branches and brush. I nearly fell into the creek again. Then I saw it - two large metal gates opened to a large driveway.
                  This must be it, I told myself as I looked up at the huge house.
                  I arrived at the door, hoping it was the right house and knocked as loudly as I could.
    “Come in!” I heard Fitzray shout from a distant room in the house.
                  With relief that I was at the right place, I walked in, dazzled by what I saw. The windows looking out to the front porch were open, the light from the morning sun flooded through them and the white scarves hanging on the curtain rod above them swayed in the breeze. It was much larger inside than it appeared outside with its high ceiling and grayish white marble tile floor. In the distance there were two red velvet chairs and a plush white rug was stretched out before the majestic stone fireplace. The polished wood staircase followed, leading up to the second story of the house. I looked to my right where a black leather couch remained in front of a plain coffee table. Not far from that, an archway led to the kitchen. Thunderous music played, echoing through every room.
    “Fitzray?” I could only hope he heard my voice over the music.
    “In here,” he hollered from the kitchen.
                  I had to admit, for a vampire, he had an enormous kitchen. The kitchen was probably twice the size of the first floor of Zaire’s house, with its mahogany cabinets and granite tops, an island located in the middle of the room. A small silver birdcage was located on a stand in a far corner.
                  He turned to me and smiled, apparently happy to see me. He was wearing a white button down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a pair of black pants. It seemed he was dressed a bit formal, but I decided it was best that I did not comment.
    “Hey, did you get lost?”
    “How can you tell?”
    “Lucky guess,” he said, eyeing me. I ran a hand through my hair; leaves and twigs were tangled and twisted in a big mess on my head.
    “Oh…well.” I started to claw the leaves from my hair and felt reddened to my face, green eyes still staring.
    “Do you need some help?” He reached out to pull a tangled twig from my hair.
    “No! I’m fine. Trust me, this happens a lot.” I stumbled back quickly, throwing up a hand to prevent him from coming any closer.
    “I suppose it’s just something to get used to.”
                  My eyes flicked to the nearest object, the birdcage, wanting to change the subject. “Do you have a bird?”
    “No, I don’t have a bird.”
    “What is it then?”
    “Charlene,” he called.
                  At that moment, a beautiful white bat flew into the room and landed on his shoulder. A heavy white coat of fur covered her body. Her eyes were sinister.
    “What a miraculous creature,” I said with a smile.
                  All of a