Vampires of the Sun by Kathyn J. Knight Page B

lower cut than she preferred in the chest, not as revealing as she would have expected. The hem line skimmed the tops of her feet if she slumped and the dress itself had an intricate embroidery running throughout it. If she had to place the era it was designed after, it would have been Regency era with the empire waist tie and lace work.
                  Wondering what was about to happen, Norah didn’t have to wait long to figure it out. After half an hour of waiting around, the male goon she’d bitten and the one who’d held her arms down came through the door. She didn’t cower or run from them this time, only gave them each a defiant look that didn’t even seem to register. Taking up one of her arms each, they picked her up and she was forced to start walking forwards. “What about my shoes?” Norah yelled out, trying to twist out of their grasp without success.
                  Her room was hard wood floors covered in rugs but despite open spaces, the wood was warm to the touch. The hallway floor she was being led over looked as cold as it felt with dark, polished marble. Taking in the aesthetics, Norah noticed a distinct lack of windows here too. With white, blank walls, nothing looked much different than her room. She noticed four more doors that matched her own along the same wall as hers.
                  Forced through a doorway sideways, they left whatever wing she was being housed in and entered a ritzy, square room. This room had windows draped with thick curtains that were tied back with tasseled ropes. It was dark outside but she could see lamps that lit up a large garden with walking paths.
                  The room itself contained comfortable looking, red brocade couches pushed up against the walls that were lined with deeply colored wooden paneling. The ceiling, made of glass, was lit up by the chandelier in the middle of the room. On the far wall stood a baby grand piano and a small raised stage. Norah expected that if this were a room for a party, it would be where the band played.
                  Expecting it to be empty, the room contained a smattering of well-dressed, elaborately masked people. She questioned if people was the right word when she saw Mauve in a clear space by herself while the others were gathered together. All masked eyes were on Norah and she recognized their hungry, blank looks that matched Dawn’s when they’d first met. Before, she didn’t know if she should struggle or not, but knowing that each and every person in the room was a vampire, Norah kicked out her feet at the man holding her right arm.
                  Crying out in pain as the man squeezed her arm tightly, Norah tried to sink to the ground but the men supported her weight all too easily. They took her up to stand next to Mauve where she was held in place from running, facing the crowd in front of her.
                  No one said a word. It was dead silent. Anxiously, Norah looked at the glittering eyes staring back at her as her own eyes focused on the elaborate ball gowns and suits worn by the anonymous creature standing mere yards away from her. They waited that way until finally the grand set of doors that led off into another unknown hallway opened and her parents glided inside with an all-important manner. They were unmasked and their faces filled with diplomatic, fake smiles.
                  Cocking her head sideways in confusion, Norah noticed something she’d never noticed before. Her parents hadn’t aged a day. They looked the same as always. When she saw pictures on the rare occasion, Norah had previously thought they were digitally altered or just weren’t catching the wrinkles and crow’s feet that should have marked their faces but it wasn’t so. They had perfectly healthy, glowing, young skin, neither looking a day over 35.
                  “Norah! How wonderful to see you!” Her