I almost fainted in shock when Victoria turned us into a wealthy street, then into the largest, fanciest house on that street.
'We're home, Ms Swan,' Victoria purred.
I nodded quickly, gulping down my nerves. As soon as she swang open the door, it was eerily quiet. Like, as soon as I stepped through the door, leaving the wind blowing behind, everyone stopped. It was eerie and colder than I thought possible. A small cold quake shook my shoulders.
Victoria let out a small growl and frowned, two small puckers formed above her eyebrows.
'Girls, it is rude to hide in the shadows, and stare!' She spoke no louder than if she were just talking to me, but at least a dozen crimson eyes appeared, and the bodies that adjoined them made their way into the light. All the girls, I noted, were in various stages of undress, and all in undergarments. The sight made me blush profusely, but a small smile played at the corner of my mouth.
'Like what you see darlin'?' One asked, in a thick southern accent.
It took me a few seconds to find my voice. 'It is certainly not something my mother would approve of, so yes, I do appreciate the beauty.'
The southern belle cocked a perfectly shaped eyebrow up and smirked. 'Well then...' Before I could blink, the girl was in front of me. I couldn't hold back my shock, but managed to keep my composure.
'You're good,' the girl drawled.
She slowly wet her lips and smiled, trying to intimidate me, but I'd been around those girls before. They were the girls I had as so-said friends. I knew their games, and how to play. No weakness or intimidation cracked through my facade. Finally, the girl laughed, the sound was the same as Victoria's tinkling laugh.
'I'm Brianna, but my girls call me Bree.' Another test.
'Well, Bree, I'm Isabella.' I leant in, just as she did, and lightly left a kiss on each of her cheek, just as she did on mine.
Victoria watched closely as her second-in-charge, Bree, and I conversed. She seemed proud of my interaction with this Bree.
Bree hissed suddenly and wrinkled her nose. 'Ah, Isabella, you reek!'
I couldn't help but laugh. 'Why thank you, the streets can do that to you!'
She hissed again. 'I am appalled that you had to endure that.'
She quickly turned her attention to Victoria. 'Ma'am, may I tend to our new sister tonight?'
'Bree, do you not have to meet with Mister Jackson tonight?'
Bree looked sheepish, then cast a glance to the second level foyer where the rest of the 'sisters' stood, waiting curiously.
Bree pleaded with Victoria in her eyes. Victoria stood strong, before tearing her eyes from Bree's and scanned her girls. It was like she was browsing through a catalogue the way she looked at them.
'Parker?' A young dark skinned girl, not over sixteen, stepped forward, lazily leaning on railing looking down upon Victoria. My mind boggled at her beauty. Her rich dark skin was the colour of the most expensive chocolate but the texture of cream. Her straight jet-black hair fell to her small waist. And her eyes. Well, they were the colour of human blood.
'Interested?'
'Mr Jackson? From what I've seen from Bree, it would be my pleasure.'
'Can you control yourself?'
Parker feigned hurt. 'Ma'am, please, he was a singer! He had it coming. It wasn't my fault he tasted so good.' Parker's smile was brilliant white and so innocent.
Victoria rolled her eyes. 'I want nothing to happen to Mr Jackson! Understand?'
She did, and nodded her head. I didn't! Their talk made it sound like Parker had eaten him, but a singer? What did she mean by singer? What had mattered if he were a musician?
Bree quickly tore me from my trance.
'Isabella?' She touched my hand. It was as cold as ice, just like Victoria's.
I brushed off my concern and nodded to her.
'My dear, let's get you cleaned up.'
I nodded again; clean sounded better than it ever had before.
