Chapter One. Christmas Party With The Generals
Ivy's POV
There was a queasy feeling in my stomach as he teleported us up to the front door of a gigantic and magnanimous building. It was decorated with Christmas lights and a very beautifully decorated Christmas tree stood at the entrance that was well carpeted in bright red even brightening the atmosphere and making the Christmas atmosphere more pleasant. Aiden just stared at me while I admired the scene before me, I felt like I was in a movie, just that there weren't many journalists around. Just one man who looked to be in his late thirties with a camera at his hand, stood by the entrance and took pictures of people that came in. He smiled and extended his arms towards me again, "let's go," he said with a smile engraved on his face giving me the impression that he was enjoying himself. I wrapped my little fingers around him allowing him to lead me into the building. Aiden was right, all the people here seemed to be in peers or groups, I could not help but wonder if all the men there were with their wives or mistresses too, I didn't like that I was here as a mistress, although I was glad I could come. I had a feeling that this night was going to be a memorable one, even if it wasn't I'll make sure to enjoy myself and make the most of it. My life is now too long to be wasted away, besides, there's no harm in having fun. Upon entering the hall where a big conference table stood and other smaller round tables scattered around the hall, I noticed Aiden's eyes devouring every inch of my body, boring into me to the point that his glare was almost a caress. I guess I would not be the only one enjoying myself tonight I thought, a smile crept its way to my lips as I looked at him with a warning face. He only smiled innocently and said, "You are so beautiful that I could not help looking at you." Maybe because I told myself to have fun, or that I am already warming up to him or the sincerity in his voice, I was affected, I felt butterflies in my stomach. Just then someone approached us with a warm smile on his face, it felt creepy to see a man who should himself be a grandmaster smile so sheepishly especially at an official gathering such as this. Aiden must have seen my expression, he quickly told me who he was. "His name is Vincent, he is a high Master of America, he is well known and loved by many, it mostly because he is too friendly if you ask me." I nodded, and they exchanged greetings before he proceeded to where ever he went, not that I cared. ' Does that mean at some point in time, you will have to converse with everyone in this place?' I asked just out of curiosity when I saw another man who had a neat hairdo and the devilish tint to his eyes. approaching us accompanied by his mistress "yes, at least all vampires" His answer sounded quizzical. I thought this was a vampire gathering? "Unless a vampire is a master vampire, or having a very high rank, they don't get invited. Except the high masters and a few selected humans were invited this time". Humans? My brain couldn't process that, how come no one told me that vital information until now. Yes I know today is supposed to be an end of year party and also the birthday celebration of the Highest Grand Master and I knew part of the agenda was to find a way the humans and vampires could coexist in the Mundane world without causing more chaos and adding to the problem of humans, but I didn't think humans would be invited to the umbworld. The umbworld is the dimension of earth that is occupied by supernatural and immortal beings such as us Vampires. I suddenly remembered what Aiden had said, 'This gathering will be full of the big boys, on earth, not just vampires, you need to meet a certain standard; you cannot leave my side without asking permission. Follow me wherever I go, also do not initiate a conversation with anyone, speak only when you are spoken to, that doesn't mean they'll not speak about you to me though, it's quite different. Here's the hard one, you can not argue with anything I say or do to you.' he certainly knows me well, since I would be here as his mistress, that would be the only problem, he may decide to take advantage of the situation would I want that, certainly but he doesn't have to know. Am a lady after all. Aiden's hand found itself on my back as he continued to lead me through the crowd. His hands left me feeling tingly. By now, the vampires were all getting seated on the seats available, Many heads turned and looked at us as we entered the office room, Aiden nodded at some of them as I noticed many pairs of eyes focus on the Highest Grand Master who was standing close to the door, for a little moment. It felt nice I thought it felt nice to be the center of attraction until the Grand Master approached us the second time today and all the attention that was fixed on him was transferred to Aiden and me, this time, it was Aiden who greeted him first. The Vampire did not smile like he did when we bumped into him earlier, rather he held a straight face and looked at me. Wait for me? Why was he looking at me, hope he is not also interested in borrowing me for little shagging as many vampires seemed to be thinking of doing today? I began to panic but tried my very best to appear very calm and collected. "What is your name, young lady?" He finally spoke, oh good that's a simple question I thought, I was ready to tell him the name everyone knew me with, Ivy, but Aiden was fast, sending me a mind link to call out my full name, "tell him Ivanka, Vampire Mistresses were always called with a full long name," he said using a mind link while squeezing my hand, a gesture that tells me he's here with me, and everything was fine. Ivanka I gave a one-word answer. "Beautiful name," he said, "now Aiden, it seems I was too engaged that I must have failed to speak of the beauty of your new mistress, she is a good improvement from the last one. I was grinning ear to ear when he said that, I mean, the grandmaster thinks am beautiful. "Yes she sure is, am lucky" answered Aiden back glancing at me before focusing back on the grandmaster. "I know her beauty might have enchanted you that you brought her into the Inner chamber" the Grand Master paused for a minute and I took that time to take a very good look at my surroundings and realized that I was the only lady inside the Chamber, I move closer to Aiden with reflex, he lifted his hands from my waist and held my hand, "Excuse me then Grand Master, I'll take care of her before coming back," he said I was disappointed by what Aiden said, take care of me? How would he do that? Hope he's not sending me home because am not going, and where could the other mistresses be, goodness why didn't I notice no female was there other than I. The men seemed to be shocked too, but I think in a good way because I could swear I saw some of them swallow their saliva after looking at me, too bad though, they won't have a chance with me, I'll soon be Aiden's I know it. Aiden's hands found their way to my waist again as he led through another door other than the one we used earlier to enter here. We were in what seems to be a VIP waiting room, it has a very nice interior. When we entered, he kissed my forehead and told me to wait for him there emphasizing I don't leave the room or go anywhere else. I promised him I'll be waiting when he comes back, at that time I meant it, but it turns out I am a very curious person and my curiosity will get the best of me.
Chapter Two. Curiosity Ivy's POV After he had left, I looked around me and found that there were a total of five seats in the room. I sat on one of the seats provided there, it felt like I was an ordinary woman waiting for her boss while he attends an important meeting hoping it doesn't take long before he comes out with some good news. This felt awfully familiar, only the difference was, I would have kept myself busy if I had a phone, but the difference is I am not an ordinary lady.
I am a vampire, a Wraith at that matter, and we are not at an office but a Christmas party and the Grand High Master's birthday party. I did not expect to be sitting down and doing absolutely nothing while time keels flying by if only Aiden had told me earlier. I would have been ready for that, maybe bring a book or something. I didn't have many powers as other vampire breeds. And I did not fancy using phones since there are not many people for me to communicate with within the community, especially since if I wanted to speak with any vampire I know that was not near me. I'd easily teleport to where they were if I knew and if not, I'd just mind link them, it was so easy, that's one of the advantages of being a vamp, vamp is the short form of a female vampire. I am not always that bored, because back in the community, I've always been too occupied in the umbworld to be bored. Aiden and Ballarmi made sure of that, even though they both use different means for doing that. It was still the same outcome. While Ballarmi compels me to be his toy to satisfy his sexual desires, Aiden saved me from him, I guess his sole reason is to have me to himself to just frustrate my life. Anyway, thirty minutes was a very long time for me to stay quiet doing nothing in my own opinion, I've tried a lot to last that long. I wondered why Aiden did not just take me back to the reception hall, my mind went back to the party hall where Upon entering the hall where an even bigger Christmas three carefully adorned by expensive-looking ornaments of different colors proudly standing at a corner towards the Grand High Master's seat. I could tell it was the Grandness' seat because of its Royal looking nature and it was at an elevated part of the hall so it stood out, no one sat there though. We headed toward the tree and kept the present we brought on the tree skirt that wrapped around the tree where various other gifts wrapped in beautiful wraps were kept. Well decorated conference table stood and other smaller round tables were scattered around the hall. Just then, the Great Grand High Master was properly introduced following a loud trumpet sound that seemed to draw people's attention towards their direction. Afterward, the Grand High Master introduced his wife, the Grand High mistress; Lovelyn, she was very beautiful, it seemed she is also an ancient vampire. Two of them opened the dance floor while other couples later joined to dance the slow to the gentle music that played in the background. Ignoring every other person there, Aiden's eyes devoured every inch of my body, boring into me to the point that his glade was almost a caress to my skin. Without being discreet, he had said, "You are so beautiful that I could not help looking at you." Before He extended his hands inviting me to dance with him, I gladly accepted, we danced to our heart's content. If I was back in the hall, at least I would socialize a, maybe even become friends with withrand High Mistress. It would be been an honourhonorould come handy anytime. it's not like I was the only one here, we were three in total, the other two were obviously mistresses of the High Grand Master, but they kept glaring at me as they conversed. I did not know what I did to offend them maybe they just hated me because I was a turned vampire, natural-born vamps tend to have favoritism for the natural births and I was just not in the mood to confront anyone right now so I just ignored them like they don't exist. I decided to give myself a tour around the building, I did not know when Aiden would be back, but I hoped to be back where he left me in no time. I saw a fridge by the edge of the room, I hadn't handed any today, I've been busy preparing for this evening, well Russ my best did most of the work in making me look this glamorous anyway I was glad, blood was also in the fridge. I just took a bottle in my hand and gulped the whole thing before continuing on my adventure. Right after I passed through a door, I saw a bright wall of paintings, there were drawings of what appeared to be vampires who fought wars led by the grandmaster. His face is the only one I could recognize from the drawings, there were also people surrounded by vampires, looks like they were being turned into vampires. I kept staring at the wall mesmerized by its content, towards the end of the wall lay a painting of what seemed to be humans and vampires celebrating, they held together with a round object. Which I think symbolizes the earth, so I understood that at first vampires hunted the humans and tried to make many of them leading to war, but then an agreement was settled upon so the humans and vampires worked together to exalt the earth. But since this painting is already here, doesn't that mean the humans and vampires have already reached an agreement to settle together in peace, then what's the essence of today's meeting, and why did they call it the first of its kind? I still pondered upon it when I suddenly felt a masculine aura around me. This is not just any type of aura, it has a sweet scent accompanying it. It was like nothing I've ever scented before. It felt like it was raining, I suddenly got excited, suddenly wished it was raining and I could immense in this scent for a longer time. I didn't notice anyone coming, but the aura around this person was so strong, his mouthwatering scent filled my nose, the scent of musk and rainfall. I didn't know how much I missed the rain before, but now, I got to pray for more rain. Why was I thinking of rain again? Right. I turned and before me stood the most handsome man I've ever seen in front of me. I was fixed on the spot and couldn't move as the handsome man walked majestically towards me, taking one step at a time until he was just inches away from me. We both stood and stared at each other, we were both dazed for a while before he stretched his right hand and cupped my cheek without warning, his stare was intense and he leaned forward, his mouth so close to mine, he lifted my face and before I knew it, soft lips were on mine, dancing and requesting entrance, unable to do anything else. I obliged and opened my lips and his tongue wasted no time in sliding into my mouth exercising dominance and it felt good. My body was hot, I could not move from there but rather leaned into his kiss, it felt so good and so familiar, his embrace as his hands encircled me felt very comfortable. For a second I could keep kissing this man and not care about a thing in this world, it felt so right, the kiss was so good that I even forgot where I was, forgot my surroundings and even Aiden. Wait for Aiden? No no I immediately came back to my senses upon the thought of Aiden, guilt immediately swept me, it felt like I have betrayed him, how could I be so stupid? I stepped away from him, my head hung. 'You! You kissed me, why did you do it. I asked him after gaining my composure, I tried to sound tough but my voice betrayed me, it sounded like a young child who spoke with her crush. He only smiled at me, "judging by your response, you seem to like it and you did not refuse me" He was right I did like it, if not why dididn'tefuse? I Am sure Panic was evident in my expression now because he approached me again and hugged me tight, "you still taste the same Ivy, sweet, Oh how I missed you" he added by now creeping me out because let's be honest, it's not a normal thing you hear from. A stranger who suddenly appears out of nowhere and kisses you right? Wait for what? Ivy? How did he know my name as since I came here I only introduced myself to one person and I used Ivanka? Just then the elevator I didn't know existed just opened and Aiden came out of it, I was facing the elevator when I saw him. Crap! I thought.
Chapter three.Before The Dinner.
Aiden's POV
A day before the party. So I have been in my house since morning.We agreed with Ivy that she'll come over to my house so we could go over how tomorrow's party would go. Tomorrow is going to be Christmas Eve, and it's The Grand high Master's birthday celebration day. Since he's hypothetically the first to exist, I don't know how it's possible for him to know that his birthday is on the 24th of December. I don't know how the first set of vampires came into existence, it's still a mystery to me and I need to unveil that, but I think he just chose the most festive period so he can ambiguously celebrate his birthday without receiving much criticism of how much effort he has put into it since it's also Christmas eve. Apart from that, he somehow managed to always still hold one of the prominent meetings that happen in a year on the same day as well. The meetings that bring High Masters to deliberate on some issues of paramount. And I heard that this year own would be quite interesting. Because selected Mundanes (humans) were going to be there as well, what a heck of a meeting that would be, it's the first of its kind, mundane's legally being invited to the umbworld and meet with the Grand High Master, many of the High master's wouldn't want to miss that meeting for anything. No master would except for Antonio. Antonio is the High Master of the Transylvania community, it's a relatively smaller community compared to others. While Anotonio our High Master is quite free and sociable, he does not like attending the party due to a reason unknown to me or any member of the society. But rather, he started sending me to stand in for me as his representatives and because we are not sure of the outcome this year, it's a good idea not to take my real Consort but to take Ivy as my pretend Consort. That way, we have two people on the lookout. Actually, I was the one that suggested the pretend consort thing to Antonio but I made him promise not to tell her it was my decision. I've been meaning to ask her out for a long time but she's being difficult to curb, I know deep down within her she also likes me but is too afraid to admit to herself, I don't blame her though seeing as she's been through. lot especially with that Bastard of a Master; Ballarmi. I am not in a rush though, she may be tough and have her walls built up high, with time, her heart will completely be mine, I'll make sure of that. I want to start winning her heart slowly, gradually, one step at a time, she is entirely worth it, that's why I had to think of a way of asking her to be my date even though she was just going with me as a pretend escort and Antonio was the one who asked her not me, it may not have been romantic because I know she wouldn't agree if she heard I planned this. The things this girl is making me do surprise even me, and the most shocking thing is that I don't mind how she makes me feel or what she makes me do, I love it in fact. I went to the living room and glanced at the wall clock that stood at the center of one of the walls, it was alrady six thirty two pm and she's not here, but we agreed to meet at my house by six o'clock but she hasn't arrived yet. I went to the Academy earlier but didn't get a chance to meet her, she has seen busy with her tasks, working her butt off despite the fact that she did not have have to. Antonio is quite liniant and would not push her to overwork herself and I would not mind if she took a little break from time to time, maybe I should give her a break to unwind a little, maybe I'll go with her too, that wasn't a bad Idea I thought. I tried to be calm for forty good minutes but that was it, I couldn't help but wonder if she was alright, what if something had happened to her, she's been with the students first long. What if something happened and one of them decides to attack her when she's alone, she's quite beautiful I became terrified. In no time I saw myself in the academy, it was locked with a giant pad luck that would easily scare an intruder or draw his attention because it was colored red. only the guard was in sight, I greeted him and kept walking like I was just passing. I walked all the way to the front of her small house, she was inside, I could scent her from outside, the enticing scent of Ivy and Rose, my new favorite that always fills my senses with the light, romantic scent of a freshly cut rose bouquet. This blend of soft rose petals, rain-kissed ivy and creamy sandalwood is as refreshing as it sounds and I loved it, it's one of the things I like about her. stood and contemplated entering or not. Later I thought her and decided against it. She's a strong young lady, I've seen her fight before, heck she fought be and was able to beat me up, I now begin to wonder what the object of my worry was. I worried for nothing, I went back to my flat to wait for her, to come as we agreed, am very sure she'll not back out, she wouldn't go against Antonio. Not long before appearing in my house, I whiffed that sweet scent again, I immediately felt relaxed and headed to open the door. "Couldn't wait to open the door to your house for me right?" she said not having an idea. I just shrugged and made way for her so she passed me and entered the house. I turned and noticed she was admiring my house, I agree with her though, I've done much work to work on and upgrade it to such a beautiful and high class, the paint was a perfect mixture of warm gold and peach black. It's so dark looking that if not for the torch light that lighted the room, you would not be able to see a thing with human eye but some special Vapires could see in the dark, special ancient Vampire like me. even the floor was with dark oak giving it an exquite vintage and classic look at the same time. and the size of the room alone had a lot to write home about, it's probably bigger than her entire house. So I let her survey all she wanted. She sat the one of the black big cotton cushion that could accommodate up to five people it was so big that when she sat on It, her feet just about touched the floor. finally after scanning the while room, her eye sight landed on me and she smiled like she was caught doing something wrong. I tried to act unaffected by that cute smile of hers that revealed her perfectly symetric dimples. "sorry I came late, I had to take care of some things first" 'No problem, you're here let's get it done with' I answered her. 'am sure you are aware of the grand High Master and his Parties?' I asked because it's a pretty open thing, the meeting was not hidden, many people knew about it, the difference a just that only High Masters and selected masters were invited and seeing as an IV was necessary for attendance. she nodded like she was saying yes but then along the way, she nodded in negation. "I am aware of the Grand High Master, but I don't know him facially, even when I was taken to Vampire Mountain, he didn't attend to us but had other vamps I that, so I don't know him neither do I know of his parties that is before Antonio brought it up." she explained herself. I was happy that she didn't attend, it would be her first, I would be her first. "Not to worry, let's just go over some rules and ethics that you would have to obey since you'll be there as my consort, can't have others doubt ing us now would we?" I said as I took a sip of the strawberry flavored drink I was holding. "I am only doing this for Antonio' she said point towards the drink, I gave her to take a sip." I went and turned on the radio so music played on the background, I gave her my hand to take so we could dance. "What are you doing she said?" 'Dance with me?' I asked "Why would I dance with you?" why was she so adamant? I thought. 'Because you'll have to dance with me tommorow' I said simply, it was the truth. 'We better practice so we can't the best debut out there tomorrow', I caught her now because she smiled and said "must everything be a competition to you?". 'Just anything that has to do with you' I said, she did not seem to take my words seriously but she still accepted by hand and I led her to the center if the room putting my hands on her tiny waist as we swayed the music. I did not realize when my hand slipped and I was teaching her soft bottom. she felt that and hit my hand wanting to go out of my grip, I held her tighter, but she shocked me because he disappeared, I heard a tap and she was behind me. 'Look who's being naughty now!' I wanted to catch her again so we could continue, her body had felt so right in my hand And I did not want to let go too early but she was already runningng in my living room, I tried to chase her, I would have easily caught her but she jept teleporting and I could not keep up. 'Alright, you win!' I shouted so she appeared before me. 'hope you have received a package today?' I asked because I ordered a long dinner gown for her to wear yo the function tomorrow. I was not sure she had any good looking gown for such events, she always wore baggy shirts and jean trousers. you can't really blame me for being concerned. "What package?" she asked, looking confused, 'Wait you didn't receive any package?' I asked again and she gave me the same answer, adding that she didn't receive any package, I was already worried because it's too late to order another dress now. so I asked 'Do you have a fancy gown to wear for tomorrow party?' "I'll manage something" since she said that, I did not woeyagain, maybe she already got herself something to wear, Ross could have even helped her purchase a dress, so I was not bothered, But I still wondered where the package I ordered if it didn't go go her.