Royal Blood(23)

"Are you sure you wouldn't prefer some of ours?"Mrs. Sterlingasked. "There is plenty here."

"Raven prefers hers well done," Alexander responded. "Be sure to try it this way, It's very addicting," Mrs.Sterling added.

It was then the candlelight caught the wounds of her bite marks.

Was being vampires something Alexander's parents had wanted? Or would they resist bringing me further into the vampire world than I already was?

We retired from the crisp night air of our backyard party to the chilly living room of the Mansion, Jameson brought in our desserts.

Above a small fireplace was a portrait of a dashing gentleman,

"That was my father," Mr. Sterling offered, noticing my stares.

"He was very handsome," I said.

Mr. Sterling laughed.

"He would have been pleased to know you thought so."

"This Mansion was built in honor of him,"Mrs ,Sterling began."And used to its fullest. It's been a Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter,wonderful place for Alexander, too. He has accomplished a lot here."

" I'llsay," I remarked. "He has painted so many paintings,You could decorate the Mansion with them," I went on.

"You've seen his artwork?" Mr. Sterling asked.

"Yes. He won an annual arts fair contest. Didn't Alexander tell you?"

"No, we didn't know that," Mr. Sterling said.

"Alexander, you are holding back on us," Mrs. Sterling said.

"It was a picture of me," I gloated, "and people said it was dead-on."

"Interesting," Mr. Sterling said. "So that is what you've been doing with your spare time?"

"He paints all the time. He's made dozens. Have you seen them?"

Alexander shook his head and signaled me to cut off this discussion.

"No, Alexander doesn't share his work with us," said Mr. Sterling,

"Well, why don't we bring some down?" I offered.

Suddenly there was ice in the air.

"Later," Alexander said. "Constantineis a very busy man. He's too preoccupied with professional artists. I'd rather not waste his time."

Constantine?Alexander called his father Constantine? "But-"

"So,Raven ," Mr. Sterling said, changing the subject, "Tell me about your parents."

"They are just like everyone else here in town." Then I realized I could be accentuating their mortality. "But they really like staying up late and they love the night. And my dad likes his steaks really rare. Growing up we watched Dracula movies together. He loves vampires."

The three vampires looked straight at me. I had rambled on too far.

"I've finished my dessert now, Alexander," I said.

"It's time I take you home," Alexander responded right away.