My Familiar Stranger by Victoria Danann

Author:Victoria Danann [Danann, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781933320779
Amazon: 193332077X
Publisher: 7th House
Published: 2012-08-21T14:00:00+00:00

The gray stone walls of Elora’s room were broken up with huge, museum quality tapestries. The floor, also gray stone, was partially covered by a large rug with a teal blue background that could have been taken from a Venetian palazzo. Somehow the juxtaposition worked and the result was sumptuous.

There was enough time before dinner for a hot bath to drive the mountain chill away. She plowed into her suitcase to retrieve the warmest clothes she’d brought and was glad for them. Dressed and ready for dinner, she came downstairs wearing a long, black, knit skirt over leggings and a rose colored sweater with a large, mink-look-alike collar.

She followed the rise and fall of voices and the sounds of clinking glass to find the dining hall. It was a huge room that, in centuries past, had been used for eating, dancing, settling disputes in times of peace, and strategy in times of war.

Three walls featured fireplaces ten feet wide and high as her chin. Small, merry little fires were burning in each. The fourth wall was divided into three arches that opened to the foyer. The combined illumination from the gas lit sconces, the fires, and the candles on the tables cast reflected light off sparkling, crystal goblets. The room could easily accommodate the fifty odd people who lived and worked at Unit Drac, the nickname they had given this unique installation, plus guests.

In front of the fireplace at the far end of the room was a table set for eight with a centerpiece of red roses and local forest greenery.

The room grew quiet when she arrived as everyone turned to watch her entrance. She would never get used to that, but, unless she dyed her hair, the unusual color was always going to draw attention. With cheeks still rosy from the heat of her bath and her angelic smile, there were at least two men in the room who thought she looked breathtaking.

Elora easily located her escorts standing near the table at the far end of the room, holding wine glasses and talking with colleagues with an easy urbanity. Their relaxed body language broadcasted the fact that the three were as at home with elegant social events as they were in their reputed role of legendary vampire slayers.

On the way to the other side of the room, several people stopped her to introduce themselves. She made gracious, but idle small talk with each before continuing. When she neared the head table, Nicole du Relacque, their hostess, came forward saying that they didn’t normally build fires this early in the year, but wanted to be sure that their guest of honor was warm enough. Elora thanked her for the consideration and assured her that, with some of the red wine the gentlemen were drinking, she would soon be warmed through and through.

Ram’s chest swelled with pride when he saw firsthand what a charming guest Elora made. The fact that she didn’t yet know she was his didn’t change the inevitability of it in the least.

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