*Ch 242: Headmasters

I smiled heartily at his uplifting words before he kissed me. After a handful of vampires asked me more questions, Kai took me to the vampiresses. Then he went about his business to socialize with his buddies.

On the second floor, I hung out with Rose, Ava, Darlene, and Mia in the middle of the marble guardrail over the balcony. Sharlene and Leah were with us until the cousins took off to talk with a different group of vampiresses.

Above from here, gave a magnificent view below us. Although it was strange to see vampires kissing old ladies on the lips, however, I realized they were their human mates.

"I guess my eyes aren't under any vampire's or vampiress's enchantment to see what you want me to see?" I asked the group of vampiresses, surrounding me.

On my left, Ava replied, "Only the humans that don't know about us will see a young or old couple kissing, whereas you see the reality."

"How do they keep their mates from dying before the Blue Moon?" I asked, curiously watching the old ladies being cared for by their attractively youthful vampire mates.

"We have otherworldly medicines to keep them thriving," aside from Rose's right, Mia answered me.

"Interesting," I mumbled.

Beside my right, Rose reminds me, "You need to remember, most of us are far older than you think. Age has no meaning to us."

"Too bad, Kai won't tell me how old he is." Sarcasm rolled from my mouth.

"You'll be shocked once you learn," Ava giggled.

That may be an accurate assumption. However, right now, I was more aghast to discover the vampires that tried to assault Mia and me, were here with their Alpha and dates from below us. Then my eyes found that one vampiress that insisted I kill myself was here with her Alpha husband.

Crazy to realize he's the same vampire that said he'll eat my soul that day at the courthouse. That was the day I learned Kai was a vampire. It was the last time I saw Orlando that daylight.

"In case Kai forgot to tell you. Take drinks or food from the caterers wearing white dress shirts. If they're wearing white, that means they're humans," Rose apprised. "The ones wearing red dress shirts are enslaved vampires or vampiresses."

"Yeah, he forgot to tell me," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"I didn't think he would," Rose giggled at my sassy response.

Soon, we all giggled together. Until I leaned forward, holding my stomach from a huge cramp. Rose and Ava did the same, with holding their bigger pregnant bellies.

"What's going on?" I cringed in pain, but before they could answer me.

Three young, appearing vampires stride in, wearing capes and victorian black suits. Dark red, purple, or blue velvet aristocrat v-neck vests covered their torsos, like armor. Two rows of golden buttons traced down those showy vests. Each vampire carried an eye-catching gothic-style cane with rubies on them.

Once the cramping loosened, Rose said, rubbing her huge belly. "Headmasters, the oldest ones from the beginning of our Kind. Our brilliant vamp babies know a threat when they sense one."

"Will they hurt us?" I ask, holding my belly to soothe my triplets.

"Maybe long before, yes," Ava replied. "But our Royal family put them in their place, so they know better, especially thanks to Kai."

"How do you mean?"

Ava enlightens me, "Kai is the greatest warrior from our Coven. Headmasters like them fear him."

"How so?" I ask, enthralled. "Wouldn't they be stronger than Kai?"

Ava explained, "A Headmaster is the wisest, strongest, and greatest leader, but their family line and followers make him more powerful. However, if you cut the head off a snake, it's nearly harmless as long as you don't touch its venomous fangs. Kai is stealthy like that during battles. He cuts through the barriers and brings down the shields of the greatest Royal warriors. Without them, the Headmaster becomes defenseless."

"Is that how the Collin Coven defeated Darlene's Coven?" I asked, staring around Ava, toward Darlene, who said nothing this whole time. Although, none of the vampiresses treated her poorly for being a minion.

"It is," replies Ava. "But if we didn't win that war. We'd be forced breeders to Darlene's Coven because they had fewer females to breed with. Without having an equal amount of vampiresses, their Coven would fall vulnerable."

"Then why would they pick a war with the Collin Coven?" I was interested to know more.

Rose answered, "They wanted stronger offspring from us because we are Predatory species. If allowed by the Alphas, whenever war gets bad enough. We join the battle with our males. Whereas other species of vampiresses never fight but flee like Darlene's Kind."

"Ohh," I mumbled before asking. "Yet you're not scared?"

Mia added, "We rather be detained over being a bed warmer for another vampire that isn't our wedded mate or lover. Other species of vampiresses might accept that fate, but we will never."

I had great respect for what they told me. My mouth parted to speak, but then it fell more lowly to see who I saw enter the ballroom.

"The Mill family is here!" I blurt outwardly with my jaw hanging low. Mr. and Mrs. Mill came in with grace, wearing a gold and cream matching suit and gown. Beside them were Crystal's parents, Emily and her husband Dwight Mills, who wore matching red victorian costumes. Unlike Mr. Mill, Dwight's last name was Mills with an s. Next, I saw Crystal's brother CJ, and his date, wearing green. Crystal and Zach looked like a prince and princess, wearing blue and gold together. Then Alejandro came with a date, wearing red and blue. Also, Max was here with a date. Many family members and their friends entered. Everyone, I knew or didn't know was with them.

Lastly to come were the candles, getting lit on the cake. Orlando walked in, wearing a dashing vintage victorian v-neck suit, cape, and vest that was black and dark purple. His captivating charisma smites my heart and eyes into this alluring dream. Waking from this reverie haze. My heart was deluged in desolation because Ashley was grasped to his forearm. She wore a dark purple gown with white gloves up her arm and her hair was done in a curly bun. Envy poisoned my heart and mind in a dangerous toxic way. Yet it wasn't enough to kill me. So I flounder in suffering to watch my lover lead another woman to the dance floor.