Chapter Twelve
"I'm really sorry about this, Beth," Mick said, handing Zoe over to Beth, who stood in the doorway to her apartment; Josh just behind her.
"It's really no problem," Beth said, hugging Zoe to her.
"Thank you anyway," Miranda said, straitening her floor-length black ball gown. It had tasteful v-neck and a dark red satin bow tied at the waist. The dress was a gift from Josef for the evening.
"You two just have fun," Beth said, smiling.
Mick, who was very uncomfortable in his tux, just nodded. The tux was black with a sash at the waist that matched Miranda's. "We'll pick her up first thing in the morning."
"Just make sure she gets to bed at a descent time. She gets up at seven. She'll know what to wear and all that," Miranda said. She knelt, pulling Zoe into a hug. "Be good." With a gentle kiss on the forehead, Miranda rose to her feet.
Mick repeated the gesture and they left.
Once in the car, Miranda glanced at Mick. "Do you know where this is being held?"
"We just have to meet Josef at his house," Mick said, "He's going to take us with in his limo." He looked over at her. "I like your hair up like that."
Miranda smiled. Her hair was curled and all the ringlets were slightly caught up to form an elegant ponytail. "Thank you for letting me come along."
"I'm not letting you out of my sight," Mick said.
Miranda's grin widened. "I wouldn't expect any less."
They drove in silence, untill they reached Josef's house. A limo already waited out front and Josef stood in the doorway. "You're late," he called, then he turned into the house. Two people came out from inside. A valet and Aubrey.
Aubrey was dressed in a dress stunning similar to Miranda, save the deep purple bow tied at the waist. The two sisters exchanged a hug as the gentleman started for the awaiting limo.
"I can't believe you are bringing a human to this party," Mick said. "If this is the friend I think it is, I'm not sure I like the idea of anyone with a beating heart being anyway nearby."
"Michael has assured me that they will be unharmed," Josef said, holding the door for the ladies.
"Sure he did," Mick muttered, climbing after them.
Josef climbed in last and shut the door. The limo began to move as Josef said, "Have some faith in me."
A valet opened the door when they reached to hotel where the party was to be held. Josef climbed out, followed by Aubrey, who was so excited she was shaking, and Miranda, who was also excited but not near as much. Mick climbed out last, looking wary.
As the limo pulled away, Josef linked arms with Aubrey and headed for the door. Mick did the same with Miranda and followed.
As they walked into the ballroom, a vampire dressed as a royal guard stepped forward. "Your name?"
"Josef Konstan," Josef said, tightening his grip on Aubrey slightly.
The guard bellowed this information out to the crowd. The crowd parted and a light haired man stepped forward. "Josef!"
"Michael," Josef said, smiling. He stepped into the crowd.
Mick stepped forward. The guard repeated his process again, though no one seemed to care, and Mick led Miranda in.
A young looking woman cut them off before they made it very far into the room. "Mick St John; are you not Coraline's St. John?"
Mick looked her over. She smelled old, old as Josef, old. "At one point I was called such."
"I see." The older vampire nodded slowly, her eyes sliding to Miranda. "Hello, my dear," she said, a slight note of condescension in her voice.
Mick's arm tightened around Miranda. "Good evening, Priscilla," Miranda said, with a smile.
The older vampire did a double take before grabbing Miranda from Mick to get a better look at her. "Miranda?" Priscilla inhaled, actually reaching out to touch the younger woman's face. "How is this possible?"
They had discussed not telling anyone that Miranda had been a vampire but they hadn't covered if someone was to know her as such. Mick suddenly was nervous but Miranda pulled the vampiress to the side of the room and began whispering as quietly as she could.
Mick wanted to follow her but thought better of it. Instead he made a pass around the room. Josef caught him as he neared and pulled him over. "Michael, this is my very good friend, Mick St. John. Mick, this is Lord Michael Ruthven."
Mick nodded to the older vampire, who smiled. "You do not have a date, Mr. St. John?"
"I do," Mick said. He turned at saw Miranda was making her way to him. It looked difficult going being that every vampire seemed to be closing in around her. Mick rescued her and brought her back to Josef and Michael. "My wife, Miranda."
Michael's eyes lit up. "A human, how intriguing..." He breathed slightly and stopped. His eyes focused sharply on Miranda. "You are two things that should not be; human, though you weren't always and pregnant, though vampires cannot conceive."
Miranda blinked, but took a step forward. "Both are true," she whispered.
"How extraordinary," Michael said, as smile touching his lips again. He took Miranda's hand and kissed it. "You are most welcome, Miranda St. John." Miranda smiled in response, stepping back to Mick. Michael turned to Josef. "You, my old friend, surprise me, bringing a human as your companion this evening."
Josef smiled at Aubrey, who was tucked protectively into his arms. "She is Miranda's sister."
"Though never undead," Michael said, taking Aubrey's hand for a kiss.
"No," Josef confirmed.
"You needn't play coy with me. We are old friends." Michael smiled. "You like her, Josef."
"Yes," Josef admitted; bringing a shiver of delight from Aubrey. He kissed the top of her head.
Michael smiled, looked out over his party. "Ah, Jean-Claude!"
Another light haired vampire appeared next to Mick. "Michael."
"You've met Josef, of course, but this is his friend, Mick St. John," Michael said.
Mick and Jean-Claude nodded to each other. "You are a friend of Josef?"
"Known him a while," Mick said, smiling.
Jean-Claude smiled as well. He looked down to Miranda. As he bowed, he said, "Good evening."
Miranda did the best curtsy the ancient vampires had seen in many, many years. "Good evening," she replied.
"I like her!" Michael said, enthusiastically, laughing lightly as she looked at him strangely.
"I think I'll keep her," Mick joked, tugging her to him.
Miranda smiled, but a strange sensation caused her to look down at her stomach. Mick and Josef suddenly were watching her with eagle expressions. "I'm fine," she said, when the sensation didn't lead to pain.
Michael shook his head, "I'm afraid you are not." His voice sounded worried. His eyes were locked on her stomach as well. "The child is distress."
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