RBC06.50 - Marcella, Vampire Mage Read Free Page B

and Ceron are dark, yes, but reasonable and just. These men, bothers, are some of the most powerful beings in the underworld. Ceron’s palace has everything you could ever need. If you are an invited guest, you never want for anything. All you have to do is ask, and it will be magically provided.”
    “Anything?”
    “Well, I’m sure there are some limitations, but I’ve never been denied.”
    Sammy sank deep into her pillow and sighed. “I would love to see it someday. I can’t believe what a great roommate I have. You know Kings, and the Five. Tell me about your brother, the one that is going to marry Katrina.”
    “He’s our half-brother; his name is Damien. He’s from Austria. His father was High Regent for over a hundred years. Now Katrina’s father is High Regent. He’s great, too. Of course I never knew about Damien and he didn’t know about Cain and me, for all these years. Now that we have each other, I know we’ll never be apart again.”
    “You sure have had an amazing life. I bet you can’t wait for the next adventure.”
    I snickered. “Coming here is the next adventure, Sammy. I just want to be prepared to help in any way I can. Without Damien and Katrina, we would still be in Althar. There is no way I could ever repay them. But I am going to help in any way that I can.”
    “So am I.”
    “Tell me about your family, Sammy.”
    Her expression soured. “They’re boring. We live in a very small village in northern England. My parents have an antique shop. Richard’s parents have a farm outside the same village. I have three older siblings; they are all a lot older than I am, married and have moved away. Because Richard and I are the same age, we spent a lot of time together when we were little. Now, however, we don’t have much in common, except for magic. And he’s been away at school.”
    “There were so many times that I wished for your kind of family. Aren’t they proud you were invited to Nira’s?”
    “I guess. They are so busy trying to mask who they are, I don’t think it matters.”
    “Your skill must matter to someone, you were recommended.”
    “That would be my teacher, well, our teacher; Richard’s and mine. He taught both of us at home in the early years.”
    We heard someone in the hall, and a knock on the door.
    “We’re going down to the lake for the bonfire. You coming?”
    “Yes, we’re coming, Richard.”
    “I’ll be along. I want to change.”
    “So, change. I’m not letting you just sneak in unnoticed.”
    “How did you know?”
    “After what happened at lunch, are you kidding?”
    Sammy closed her eyes and a light covered her from top to bottom, when it faded, she was refreshed and had a stylish new outfit on.
    Feeling better, I followed with the same approach picturing what Katrina might wear to a gathering, and then giving it my personal touch.
    “Nice,” Sammy said approvingly.
    “Thanks, let’s go.”
    To our surprise, Richard was waiting patiently downstairs.
    “I guess Sabine is still primping,” Sammy mumbled.
    “You both look lovely. Shall we?” he said gesturing to the door and offering an elbow to each of us.
    I smiled shyly and laced my arm in his. My stomach fluttered; something I’d never experienced in my fifteen years.
    I looked up at Richard, who just smiled.
    The door opened and we walked down to the lake together.
    “Everyone else is already down there. Faeries and Pixies are invited too.”
    “That should be very interesting,” Sammy added.
    “I love Faeries and Pixies. They’re fun.”
    “I guess we are about to find out.”
    “They’re magical beings, just like we are. They deserve respect,” I said, and pulled my arm away.
    Everyone was gathered around the large bonfire and I could hear music. As I got closer I could see instruments; a mandolin, drum and fiddle were playing themselves a fine jig. Faeries and pixies were dancing and clapping. Even Georgia and Sabine were smiling and laughing.
    Luke was dancing