Deceptive Changes: Kat LaMond Book 1 (58 page)

“This tattoo.  It’s really cool.” 

I turned and looked at him.  “I’ve never gotten a tattoo.  The only ones I have are on my right arm and the left of my stomach,” I said and pointed to each.  “And I didn’t actually get them, they just appeared.” 

Todd rolled his eyes.  “I know that, Kat.”  He was still running his fingers over my shoulder blade. 

I sighed and let my shoulders sag for a moment.  “What does it look like?”

“It’s about two and a half inches square but in a circle pattern with six daggers and a long blade spearing the circle.”  His voice was soft and filled with awe.  I wasn’t in awe.  I didn’t know what it meant and I didn’t think I was going to like it either.  “It’s colorful, too.”  He stopped and looked closer.  “All the colors of our eyes and yours, Kat.” 

I started to panic.  “I need to see the tattoo.”  I walked into the bathroom and pulled out a second mirror and held it up to look at the tattoo.  Todd was right.  The tattoo was a circle with six daggers, each hilt was colored with their eyes, except the vampires, the hilts were the color of their vamp eyes, and the long blade hilt that was spearing the circle was my eye color. 

I closed my eyes as I dropped the mirror but didn’t hear it crash to the floor.  Thorn was standing behind me.  I looked in the mirror at him and tried to smile.  “What does this mean?” I whispered at our reflections.

“I’ve only heard it mentioned once before and it was mostly rumor.”  He stopped talking and wrapped me in his arms.  He slid his tongue ring along my neck.  I leaned back and closed my eyes.  He was totally distracting me and I was letting him.  His fangs slipped into my skin and moments later I was convulsing against him.  He pulled back and chuckled softly against my ear.  I turned into him and pulled his lips to mine.

“Now, tell me what it might mean,” I whispered when I pulled back.  I looked into his brown eyes and saw striations of gold and silver.  “Have your eyes always had silver and gold in them?” I asked before he could explain. 

He chuckled and said, “I’ve always had brown eyes, love.  Gold and silver were only in my vampire eyes.”

That’s what I thought too but…  “You have gold and silver running through your eyes.” 

He kissed me and looked in the mirror.  “Hmm, will you look at that?  They’ve changed.  That’ll take some getting used to.”  Sven and Haven walked into the room and looked at Thorn. 

Sven walked up to Thorn, grabbed his bum, said, “I can get used to that,” and kissed him. 

I gasped when I looked in Sven’s eyes.  “Um, Sven…” 

Thorn beat me to it.  “Ooh, you’re eyes have cobalt running through.  Yum.” 

We looked at Haven.  His eyes weren’t any different unless…  I stepped closer to him and pulled his face to mine.  The icy blueness was darker, more silvery.  “Yours too, Haven,” I whispered against his lips.  He kissed me lightly then stepped back and looked in the mirror.

Todd, Trace, and Erick walked into the room and looked at me.  They had startled expressions on their faces.  “What?” I asked, hoping it wasn’t me that put the looks on their faces.

“Your eyes, Kat.” 

I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t have to look and bit my lip.  “What about my eyes?” I asked as I kept my eyes closed.

“They’ve changed.” 

I groaned and opened them.  They hadn’t been any different a few minutes ago.  I looked in the mirror and saw that they had different veins of color running through them.  I groaned again and backed away from the mirror.  This better fade, damn it, or I was going to need to wear contacts.

I turned to Thorn.  “Explain.” 

He smiled and said, “I’ve only heard this happen through rumor and it was so long ago, being that Antreas was around for over eight hundred years or so…  When the king slayer completes her mission and brings the new king to his throne, it is said that she will live as long as she is needed or if she is tied to an immortal.”

“Okay.  Maybe you need to dumb it down further because I’m not getting it.  Are you saying that if I’m tied to, say, vampires, I’ll live as long as they live?”

“It’s only rumor, myth, love.  I really don’t know,” he said with a shrug and wrapped his arms tightly around Sven’s waist. 

Charles.  Maybe he would know.  I walked out of the bathroom and started out of the bedroom when I realized that I was naked.  I turned into Haven.  “I need to get dressed.  I have to speak with Charles.”  Haven lifted my clothes in his hand and held them while I dressed.  I kissed him lightly on the lips and walked to the kitchen phone.  I hoped he wasn’t asleep. 

Charles walked into the house just as I was dialing his number.  “Mistress,” he said in shock. 

“Oh, good, you’re here.  I need you to tell me what this means,” I said as I pulled my shirt open and showed him the new tattoo.  He sighed.  I buttoned my shirt and looked at him. He was happy.  Uh oh.

“What does it mean, Charles?”

“Antreas once said that if he could convince a slayer to bind to him that they would live forever, well, not forever necessarily, but would be damn near invincible and live for many years beyond what most vampires would typically live since they can be killed.” 

I frowned at him.  “Yeah, right, Charles.  Really, what does it mean?”

He bowed and said, “I have told you all that I know.  Whether it’s true or not has yet to be seen.”

“Thanks,” I said softly.  “Why did you come over here?”

“I knew you needed me.” 

I tilted my head at him.  “What do you mean?  We’ve never been like that before.”

“It’s new, yes, but not inaccurate.  You did need me, mistress.  I would like to leave.  I must get back to my Nadja.”  He smiled when he said her name and left hurriedly when I nodded and thanked him again.

If what he said was true then I woudn’t have to worry about killing them all when my mortal life ended.  But, after a few millennium, would I still be human or would I be drinking blood or something like that?  The guys walked in, dressed in pj’s, and group hugged with Todd and me in the middle.  They pulled back and Todd whispered, “You’re handling this very well.”

I smiled and said, “If it means that the vampires tied to me, us, will still be around and won’t die with me, then I am the happiest person right now.”

“I’m glad, babe.”  He hugged me to him and kissed the top of my head. 

I hugged him back and asked, “What do you think about not dying?”

“I really haven’t thought about it.  I’ve always known I’d grow old and die.  It’s definitely something I don’t like thinking about.”

After that night, we didn’t talk much about my tattoos or what they meant.  We loved each other over the week, and now we were getting ready, at Haven’s house, to go to the ball in Todd’s and my honor.

I was pissing and bitching about having to put on the lovely dress Haven was allowing me to wear.  It really was a beautiful dress made of off-white silk with little red and blue roses on it with a lace inlay that had a high neck but low bust line. 

The guys were whistling and ohh’ing me as I slipped the opera length gloves on.  The ring Haven gave me was big enough to slip over the gloves, which surprised me since the ring fit my hand so well.

Haven undid the lace and slipped the diamond and sapphire necklace around me and buttoned the lace.  He twirled me around and gave me a big kiss.  I pulled back and sucked in a breath as I took in his 1860’s suit.  He looked so comfortable in the suit and it looked right on him.  “Oh, my God, Haven,” I whispered.  He beamed at me and turned me around so I could look at the others.  My heart stuttered as I took them.  I whistled and sighed happily at them.  They beamed at me and twirled around, throwing the suit tails into the air.

Haven kissed my cheek and stepped out of the room.  I walked up to each of them and gave them a peck on the cheek and a hug.  They looked delicious and comfortable in their suits.  I sighed.  Haven walked back in carrying a small bag.  He pulled out boutonnières for the guys.  Blood red for Todd and himself, blue with white for Thorn and Sven, and peachy red for Trace and Erick.  He helped each with the roses and grabbed the bag.

He walked over to me with a huge smile on his face and pulled out a corsage with small flowers with their eye colors, for the vampires he used their vampire eyes for the colors.  He slipped it on my wrist and kissed my cheek. 

They came over to me and we looked in the mirror together.  I had my hair done in ringlets and piled high on my head with wisps of ringlets loose and gently curling along the sides of my face.  Thorn, Haven, and Erick had their hair pulled back neatly against their necks.  Todd even got his hair cut for the occasion.  I was sort of miffed at that.  I liked his hair longish.  Trace and Sven’s hair was cut to perfection as well.  We looked like we should be in 1860’s England.  I couldn’t wait to see the painting that Haven made of us, if he did one.

Todd’s cell phone rang.  It was the limo service, they were outside.  I took a deep breath and walked off the little podium thing.  Todd clicked the phone shut and held out his arm to me.  I took it and Haven came to my other side, sliding my hand around his arm. 

Todd let me go and opened the door.  The driver for the limo did a double take as Haven escorted me out.  I took the steps cautiously.  I was wearing heels that brought me to five-eight but they weren’t my normal wide heeled heels.  Haven had me securely in his arms as we walked down.  I was nearly floating along the stairs.

Thorn and Sven followed as I was getting into the car, with help from Todd, and stayed by the door until Trace and Erick got in.  Haven got in after I did and helped the others in.  Luckily we were small people or we’d never have fit in the stretch limo, at least comfortably.  As it was, my dress took up a seat all its own.

We drove off.  I was too nervous to speak but the guys weren’t.  They chatted and laughed.  Thorn crawled over to me and put his head in my lap.  He had taken out the lip and eyebrow rings but left the nose and tongue rings.  “You look so different without the piercings,” I whispered as I stroked his face. 

“Don’t worry, love, I’ll get them redone.”  I smiled and couldn’t wait for the night to be over and have him pierced again. 

He ran his hand under my skirts and stroked my leg.  I purred as his hand ran higher.  Haven cleared his throat.  Thorn pulled his hand from my skirts and said, “Oh.”  He put his hands under his head.  I stroked his face until the limo slowed down. 

I tensed and started to panic.  I wasn’t expecting too much trouble but I also wasn’t expecting a welcoming committee. 

The limo came to a complete stop and so did the laughing.  I guess they were nervous too.  The door opened and Todd got out.  He held his hand for me and with Haven’s help I was able to get out of the car and have the dress fall properly as I stood up.

We walked a little ways away from the car.  We were at the warehouse again, though it was all made up.  I was almost expecting horse and carriages but noticed that there weren’t any cars except ours.  The valets were standing far enough away and smoking.  They laughed loudly and were joking about this and that, mostly the latest news.

Haven came over to me and grabbed my hand.  He smiled and waited for the others to come over.  I was extremely nervous about tonight.  When they came over we walked into the building.  It was lovely.  Whoever the decorator was really outdid themselves.  The cavernous warehouse was carpeted and had areas for dinner, dancing, and an announcement area for guests.  We walked up on stage and looked around, well, I looked around, they talked.  From this point I could really see the decorations.  The walls were sheathed in a silvery gold fabric that caught the chandelier lighting just perfectly.  The chandeliers were crystal and giant but let off a soft golden glow.

The dance area was off to the right of the stage as I looked down on it and big enough to hold at least a hundred people with a live orchestra pit.  Off to the right and far back from the dance floor was seating for hundreds of people.  I gulped as I took in the number of people that could sit at the chairs, it approached five hundred.  I stepped back and started to fall as I caught my heel in my dress.  Haven caught me and helped me stand up.  I blushed and muttered a ‘thank you.’  He chuckled and helped me over to them. 

“Do you really expect at least five hundred guests?” I asked Todd, wide-eyed.  He nodded.  “How can you afford all of this?”

“When you took out Antreas, the will was already set in my name.  It’s actually a trust company that’s in my name.  Charles helped design it so the money would make money for us and support all of this fanfare.  Anyway, it’s really complicated and I don’t have a good understanding.  I’m just glad Charles is on our side,” he said with a chuckle.

I turned and looked back over the room.  The orchestra was getting ready, fine tuning and adjusting this and that.  The servers were checking the area once more and pulling this and that from the tables and replacing what they took away with this and that. 

I lifted my skirt, this time, and turned back to my men.  I tried to capture them in my brain.  I wanted to remember them looking so handsome in their suits.  I waited for them to get done talking and asked, “What do we do?  At the moment, no one’s here but us.”

Todd smiled and said, “We’ll stand near the waiting area and the guests will be introduced to us.  After that we’ll do this and that and eat and dance and then people will leave.”  I groaned as I thought about being introduced to five hundred people and standing in heels.  I really shouldn’t have worn the heels but the guys talked me into them.  They better rub my feet when this is done, I thought glumly. 

Haven took my hand and led me off stage.  “Katja, I’m going to give you some blood.” 

I frowned at him.  “Why?”

“You’re going to need the blood to keep you aware of the vampires around you.  Todd will be getting blood from Thorn and Sven, as will the others.  I asked personally to give you blood,” he said and smiled shyly.  I bit my lip and nodded.

He pulled out a handkerchief and held it under his wrist as he bit.  He moved the handkerchief and his hand to my mouth.  I placed my mouth on his wrist and almost immediately my senses increased.  I could hear the guys’ heartbeats, the servers and their whispers, and the music was louder but finer in my ears. 

I gripped his wrist tightly in my hand and pulled his blood into my body.  He took his wrist away as I started to become insistent on taking in his blood.  He chuckled when a purr slipped out.  I looked at him and he sucked in a breath.  “Your eyes,” he whispered.  “They glow like a vampire’s.” 

I blinked and tilted my head.  “I’m not a vampire, Haven.”  He frowned and continued to look into my eyes.

“You might not be a vampire,
ma
minette
, but your eyes definitely glow like one.”  He pulled me into his arms and kissed me hard and passionately.  I wrapped my arms around his neck and held him in place.  He pulled back with a minimum of effort and let me go.  I wasn’t wearing any real makeup so lipstick wasn’t all over his face.

I looked over to the guys and found them in the far wing of the stage.  I could see them taking blood from Thorn and Sven.  My eyesight was a hundred times better with Haven’s blood running through my veins.  Haven pulled me against him as we watched.  “Your blood is much stronger than the last time,” I whispered. 

“I know.  It must have something to do with the new tattoo,” he whispered back. 

I could hear Trace and Erick fighting the bloodlust.  Todd was holding Trace as he fought to control himself.  Holy crap, their blood must be stronger too.  “Help me over, Haven.”  He took my hand and placed it on his arm and guided me over. 

“Is everything okay?” I whispered. 

Thorn walked over to me and whispered, “They seem to be having a harder time.”

“Haven’s blood was extremely strong, more so than the last time.” 

He nodded at my explanation and walked over to Sven, wrapping his arm around the other’s waist.  I could hear Trace and Erick calm down.  Todd let Trace go and walked over to me.  He smiled and whispered, “I can see your blood travelling through your skin.” 

I chuckled and nodded.  “I can see yours, too.”  He pulled me into his arms and kissed me.  I wrapped my arms around his neck and held him to me.  I tried to keep my arms loose enough not to choke him because I knew I could with the vampire blood running through me.  I pulled back when I heard new heartbeats. 

I started to walk toward them when Haven stepped in front of me.  “No,
ma
minette
.”  I sighed and stepped back. Of course I didn’t lift my skirt and I started falling.  Haven chuckled as his arms wrapped around my waist. 

“I am not cut out to wear long dresses,” I groused against his mouth. 

A throat cleared as we parted.  It was Todd.  “The guests have arrived.  We need to go over and greet them.”  I sighed and turned.  Todd held out his arm for me and I slipped my hand through.

The guests were introduced to us.  Each vampire had one person, human, with them.  I cringed slightly as I touched the warmth of the humans.  I could smell their blood just below the surface and it would definitely be bad form to bite the human the vampire was escorting.  I smiled so much that my face muscles were nearly frozen in a smile. 

When all guests had arrived, Haven announced us and they took their seats after we sat down at the head table nearest the stage, nearest the throne.  Todd went about making a speech and other miscellaneous small talk.   The servers came out and served food and drinks.  I sighed as I looked at the food.  It was actually really yummy looking but I wasn’t hungry for human food and that should have worried me but it didn’t. 

I lifted my fork and set it aside as I looked out on the guests.  They were behaving as well as vampires do.  The humans that were with them were eating slowly and delicately.  They chatted relentlessly about this and that.  They talked inappropriately about sex and a few times I laughed.  One conversation about sex got my attention.  They were talking about having a group affair.  The woman was saying how overwhelming it seemed to be, especially on where to put them all.  I laughed loudly and blushed as some vampires near me looked over. 

Todd leaned in and said, “That was damn funny, wasn’t it?” 

I put my hand to my mouth and giggled.  “Yeah, it was.” 

I grew bored as I tried to tune out the conversations.  Another conversation caught my attention. 

“You know she’s fucking all six of them, right?”  I searched the room for the voice. 

Todd leaned into me and put his hand on mine.  “Calm down, babe.  You’re going to kill your fork if you don’t.”  I looked down and placed the fork on the table.  I hadn’t remembered grabbing it. 

The person she was talking to said, “Yeah, what a slut.”  I stood up so fast that my chair flipped over and the crowd looked at me.  I was so mad that I didn’t even blush. 

Todd stood up and grabbed my hand.  “Kat, babe, don’t listen to them.  Sit down.  Please?”  He pleaded with his eyes.  I shook my head.  “If you’ll excuse us,” he said to the crowd and escorted me out of the building.

“I can’t do this, Todd.  I just can’t.  I’m sorry.”  I started to walk off. He caught me around the waist and trapped me in his arms.  I was strong enough to break his hold but I didn’t. I didn’t want to.  I turned in his arms and kissed him.

“Please come inside, babe.  You’re going to need to get used to having people talk badly about your lifestyle choices.  They’re jealous of what you have, six gorgeous men that fawn over you every second of every day.  They probably don’t get that much attention from their vampire.  Please come inside?”  I pulled away from him and fisted my hands.  “Okay, but I may have to kill them later,” I said, only half-joking.  He sighed and escorted me back into the room. 

I found that dinner had ended and the orchestra was playing some classical piece.  We took our seats.  The dance floor was getting crowded as people got up and danced.  Two vampires approached the table and asked to speak with me.  I looked down and rolled my eyes.  I nodded at them and they approached.