Read Online Within The Shadows by Julieanne Lynch - Free Book Online Page B

in an odd way, she reminded
me of my mom, whom I missed dearly.
    “ Whatever is wrong?” She brushed the mess of hair from my
face. “We will fix you up, but bed hair or not, you are the most
stunning ‘nevesta’ I have seen in centuries.”
    “ Nevesta?” I
repeated, completely bemused.
    “ Bride! This is our mother tongue, Slovak.”
    I looked
across to the old woman. “That’s why I couldn’t understand her. Who
is she, anyway?”
    Atarah
strolled over to the woman, and placing her arm around her, she
introduced us. “Giselle, this is Angelika. She is my mother, and
one of the elders. She takes it upon herself to take an active role
in all rituals. She made the dress for you.”
    I was
astonished at how different they were. I did not know if she meant
Angelika was her birth mother or maker, and now was not the time
for questions.
    “ Matka, to je
Giselle, nas novy knazka.”
    “ Ah, dcera, je hoden!” Angelika replied. Pure elation was
written upon her face.
    These breed
of vampires defied disbelief. In fact, they defied anything
Hollywood ever tried to portray about the creatures of the
night.
    “ Okay! I really don’t know what you’re saying. So, maybe we
can talk a little English?” I felt embarrassed witnessing their
bonding session, or whatever it was.
    “ Oh, Giselle, I’m sorry. Mother doesn’t speak English like
us, so don’t be alarmed by my conversing with her. She remains very
true to her roots. Although we no longer live in the small village
in the Zemplin region, we do like to hold on to some of our
heritage.”
    I felt so
small compared to Atarah and her mother. In fact, I was so
different to them that I found it hard to believe I would be of any
use to them. Then again, with all the trouble Angelika went to in
order to make the dress, perhaps I was the most important
commodity, after all.
    Thinking so
much gave me an unbelievable headache ,
and I thought I was going to pass out. Taking a seat, I placed my
head between my knees, taking long deep breaths. It didn’t
help.
    “ Giselle, take a sip of this. It will help.” Atarah handed
me a glass.
    Taking it, I
looked at her, wondering how someone who has killed to survive
could be so loving to me. She treated me as though I was one of
their own.
    “ What is
it?
    “ Water,” she
laughed.
    I drank, and
slowly regained my composure. God, it was hot in the room, and the
air that flowed in through the open window did not help.
    The full
moon shone bright. Its brilliance highlighted the crystal beading
on the breast of my dress. The beads shimmered and danced with
every flicker of the moonbeams.
    Atarah stood
behind me, and gently brushed my hair. She pulled it back, and
fixed some pins into place. Angelika rubbed some blusher onto my
cheeks, and applied some mascara and gloss. It was very basic, but
when I saw my reflection, I was dumbfounded. I had been completely
transformed from the girl who wore the most amazing dress ever, to
a girl who deserved to wear anything she wanted. I was beautiful,
and felt beautiful, too.
    Alarming as
it might have been, I was quite excited. Sounds pretty crazy, but I
think I got caught up in the moment, and being made a fuss of was
definitely something I could get used to. But, as always, reality
has a nasty way of hitting you hard in the face.
    Walking
behind Atarah and Angelika as they led me through corridors that
looked like something out of a gothic fairy tale, I felt like a
lamb being led to slaughter. The walls were painted a strange shade
of pomegranate, its boldness illuminated by softly lit candles. The
wooden floors were temporarily covered with a bluish-red runner
that ran the whole length of the hall. Amaranthine drapes hung over
the grand bay windows. The air had a distinct aroma, and although I
could not quite place the smell, I was sure it was incense. Its
strong, fragrant smoke brushed the back of my nostrils, resulting
in a few disapproving sneezes.
    I sniffled, “Excuse me!” as