Before I knew it, I was back to studying my books.
There was nothing to do in this castle or outside of it. It would take a day to visit a friend back in the city centre and vampires preferred to live in solitude away from humans. Something about 'primal territory'. It wasn't an issue for vampires who could maneuver at fast speeds. And since Ryker slept during the day, I was left to my own devices.
I folded one of the pages' corner inwards which could substantially prove to be of use later:
Retrogrades are said to affect emotions. It can be theorised that a vampire may behave unsightly if provoked by a retrograde. Trial 47: an observed retrograde caused boiling anger lasting twenty-six minutes. Subject became increasingly dissociated. Numbing substance required.
I wrote my own notes with an inked pen:
Mercury retrograde to be most effective. Use of liquid silver to increase effect for chaos using physical manifestation. Positioning of subject - upside down?
I can't believe this was how I was going to live my life; married and working for a paranormal villain. Trying to search the stars for an evil power, rather than for scientific peace. How could you not stargaze and think about what else was out there? My heart beat at the thought of discovering something so hard to fathom that it just blew your mind and made you think of more unanswered questions. I was a scientist. I wasn't someone or something's toy.
You wanna be my toy?
I blush profusely and slam the book shut. The day would be over soon and I needed to get ready for the ball. A ball paraded with filthy rich vampires who gloated about servants, magical prowess, recent feedings…
I knew it all too well when an invitation landed under my parents' townhouse door in the city centre. They'd been ecstatic to be invited to a high-society event, despite its patrons. No human who wanted their reputation ruined would be caught dead there. Pun intended. Only the corrupt and mildly insane would go. My parents couldn't see the danger past the status booster before shoving me into a carriage with them despite my objections. It didn't matter anyway. They left the party high on aged wine and heavier pockets while my fate was sealed with a blood-sucking maniac. I guess I was the hypocrite in this situation.
I sat down on my vanity, brushing through my golden locks in the stained mirror. It was starting to grow longer than it had ever been before as it cascaded down to the start of my ribs. Freckles dusted across my face and surrounded my russet eyes, a particularly large mole settling just at the top of my right cheek bone. I always called it Venus from how you could see clearly amongst the others from far away. Though it was too cliche to admit out loud to anyone.
I take out a few makeup packs sitting in the top drawer and sort through them, wondering which colour to choose from. It would help to know exactly what I was wearing. Instead of guessing, I paint my lips with a beige tone and powder my ivory skin with a thick layer, then only apply a hint of chocolate shadow on the edges of my eyelids for a sultry appearance. It was all the effort I was able to put in with my minimal skill in makeup application. With no practical help around, I would shove any negativity from Ryker back in his face.
A knock sounds at the door.
"Come in."
One of the maids cracks open the door but almost bangs it shut with a quiet whimper when she sees that I have the curtains drawn wide open to allow for the last remaining drops of sun to filter through. I stand up and pull the door open, my shadow blocking her from it. She bows her head and extends her arms to present a navy box.
"Thanks Ulrica."
She only nods and trots down the hallway.
Closing the door for privacy, I open the box and unfold the fabric. My jaw drops to the floor.
"Are you kidding me!?"