Blood and Mint Chocolates by Adrianne Brennan (best books to read for young adults .TXT) 📕

louder than a whisper. What would she wear? What should she take? What would she do while she stayed at this hotel? But above all of her concerns she felt an enormous sense of gratitude. This generous time off touched her more than she could possibly express to James.

"You're welcome. Consider it a thank you from the rest of the Inner Circle for all of your hard work well done. Have fun!" With a big, almost goofy grin, he left her office.

Merideth stared at the door in disbelief, a blood-tear finally coursing down her cheek.

Chapter Two

Hotel Paradisio

The librarian of Clan Gladius stood in the lobby of the hotel with wonder, apprehension gnawing away at her stomach. She hoped she didn't look as nervous as she felt.

Merideth always sensed that she was out of place and out of touch with the world around her. In emphasis of this sentiment, her small, delicate-looking features often reminded people of elves and fairies. Her perky attitude yet shy smile put people at ease with Merideth almost immediately--but they never seemed to take her quite as seriously as she often wished they would. Her ears, which peeked out of her shoulder-length light brown hair, were not quite as pointed as her canines when she was feeding or feeling unusually passionate, but they gave her an air of otherworldliness which made her vampire nature seem almost ordinary in comparison. Merideth never considered herself to be pretty or conventionally attractive. She knew all too well that the label "cute" would be, perhaps, the best compliment to apply to her features.

Certainly by no means did she see herself as gorgeous and sexy. And many of the people gathered at this luxury hotel appeared to fit such descriptions.

Somewhat numb, she gazed at the other tourists. Most of them looked rich, decadent, and stylish. Believing her original choice of wardrobe to be pretty--an emerald beach dress which complemented her hazel eyes--she now wondered if she were underdressed, outclassed, and very much out of her league. She felt herself sinking into the floor, a non-entity in a room of elegance. Hotel Paradisio was certainly no average rest stop, and she wondered just how much of the Clan's resources James dipped into in order to send her here as an errand of mercy.

Or perhaps pity. She brushed the thought away. James and Lynne were good friends of hers within the Inner Circle of the Clan, and there was no reason for allowing such ideas into her crazy little head.

"Stop it, Meri," she grumbled.

Still, she pondered what a librarian of a vampiric initiatory order devoted to the study and practice of magick was doing on some fashionable resort island. Fighting back a sigh--an all too human sigh, which she wasn't!--she made her way to the hotel desk and obtained her room key and number. The elfish librarian nearly laughed when she saw the number--156, in the Red wing.

Ah, the number of Babalon. Wine, sex, and the blood of the saints indeed. Theodotos would be pissing himself on the floor laughing at this. Merideth, of all people, staying in the room that numbered a goddess in Thelema! The sacred whore Herself!

Blood have mercy, she thought with wry amusement. This trip looked more and more interesting by the moment.

Merideth had just hung up the last garment from her suitcase when a knock came at the door. Cautiously, she peered through the keyhole. A man dressed as hotel staff stood outside. Oh good, just someone normal. She almost expected someone from the Clan to follow her here to make sure she "stayed out of trouble." She didn't know why, but she felt very odd being so far away from the Sanctuary. She wondered if what she experienced was reminiscent of a child being away from her family for the first time in her life. With a sigh of relief, she opened the door.

"Merideth Faye?"

"Um ... yes?"

"This arrived for you." He handed her a beautiful red envelope trimmed with gold. Curious, she turned it over. A gold seal closed its flap. "Enjoy your stay."

"I ... thank you." She fumbled in her pockets for a tip, but he'd already walked away. Blinking in confusion, she opened the envelope with care and produced a sheet of gold embossed stationery.

"You have been cordially invited to attend the Annual Masquerade Ball at Venus Estate..." Merideth read aloud. The signature at the bottom revealed the invitation to be from "The Venus Club", and the event was scheduled for the following evening.

Oh, Blood, no. A fancy dress ball? What could she possibly have to wear? The whole thing just seemed crazy to her--a geeky librarian at a chic masquerade ball? Thinking earlier of the well-dressed, classy people whom she'd seen in the lobby and her own limited attire, she trembled but then remembered James's oft-repeated words: Fear is failure and the forerunner of failure.

With her lips pressed together, she jerked her head in a decisive nod. Of course she would go.

She went back into her hotel room and stared at the closet in desperation. Then she pulled out the credit card James had insisted she bring with her on her trip.

Fuck it, she decided. James would want her to go and relax. Blood, he probably pulled strings to get her to go to this party. Merideth completely expected it from him, and the image of him laughing at her shyness and fear produced a grimace. No way would she chicken out. As she surveyed the invitation with a small frown, she pondered what other surprises were in store for her during this bizarre little excursion the rest of the Inner Circle had sent her on. Hopefully she would manage to get home from this crazy costume ball before she turned into a well-baked pumpkin at dawn.

With a groan, she grabbed her room key and purse and left the hotel room. She needed to go shopping--and perhaps receive a visit from a Fairy Vampire Godmother if fortune smiled upon her.

Opting to choose an