The gothic mansion stood in full moonlight hauntingly on the grounds of the endless estate. All that could be seen were the blackened tree figures that lead up the driveway. The only light came naturally from the sky and the small black Warwickshire lamp placed against the dusty coffee and umber bricks with walnut double doors finely carved into the shape of musical notes a feet away.
Twelve years had past since either Bell or Sage had last stepped foot on this property. Neither had been there since they were ten years old and still taking music lessons. Bell had celestial blue hair that was long and wavy stopping midway down her back, Sage who was similar had mint green hair that was straight and an inch longer than her twin's. Both shared orchid shaded eyes and were tired from their journey.
It was around ten when the driver of their private car had dropped them off, placing their luggage by the door with them before speeding off into the night. Both were nervous and afraid of what they would find, the changes mostly.
Seventeen years ago when the twins turned five they were arranged to be married to two prominent lords in their region. Their future husbands would first need to know them, so their mother drove them out a few times during their childhood to this very mansion. There both little girls would meet five strange little boys, boys with stranger abilities than that of their own.
They stayed a few nights and played with them, but after they reached ten all contact ceased. Well that was until their writing had improved, when both reached the age of thirteen they began writing to their childhood friends while their mother wrote to their guardian, their only living relative, their uncle. Their parents had died in a fire during a magic influence incident that took many lives.
Bell and Sage were aware that this arrangement was, because they wouldn't be safe once they had grown. Their powers came from their mother who was half druid and one quarter sorceress. Their bloodline was a long and rare one filled with hybrids whom were rare in the world.
To keep her daughters safe and comfortable, she signed away their choices to find love. She contacted an old acquaintance of hers who's nephews would one day run the estate he lived on, they would become Bell and Sage's guardians as well as their husbands, forever keeping them safe.
It also didn't hurt that they were vampires with old world blood, wealth, and nobility. They weren't just the strongest in their region, but they were also revered and loved by most of the people there. Even werewolves shook their hands with honor. Though the five men were allowed to leave and stay as they pleased, each was given their own private manor to run or live in. They also owned several inner city businesses that helped grow their mini empire.
And now both girls were dropped off as if they were going to daycare in the middle of the night. Their mother instructed them crudely and rudely before they arrived. She was a very critical woman, but she cared for them. At the moment their father was away on a business trip and had no say in this affair.
The doors to the large mansion creaked open slowly, a man with silver hair in a butler's uniform came out bowing "Forgive me, I was tending to my masters."
"There's no need- Sage begun, she was the eldest twin.
"There is no excuse for leaving you both out here for so long. Please come in. I'll take your luggage to your rooms." The butler held the doors open for them.
Everything was a walnut color with brilliant delicate carvings and an ivory marble floor shining with the lighted chandeliers beaming down on them.
The butler zoomed by them, hurrying up the grand stairs done over in the same marble, the railings were brown mahogany leading up and around to the second floor that had a royal blue embroidered carpet running down every hallway. Besides that there were two empty archways, a left and right.
As the girls looked around absorbing what they remembered a voice called out.
"My my." Both turned to see a man in a full on black suit, single breasted full canvas with a folded handkerchief, half lapis and half emerald. He had black hair that fell down past his shoulders and eyes the color of garnets. He smiled brightly at them arms open.
"Kiernan, it's been too long." Sage grinned at the familiar face approaching them.
"Yes it has...Look at you two, it's almost as if you blossomed over night. Just as beautiful as your mother." Kiernan hugged them both "If you need anything you can come to me. I practically live in the lounge now."
Sage and Bell looked at one another then back at Kiernan, Bell rubbed the side of her face "Um, it's been so long that we've forgotten some of the layout. But thank you, Kiernan."
"Of course, if you wish I could give you a tour or maybe one of the boys can." Kiernan tapped them on the shoulders "But we can discuss this later, for now I just want you two to feel comfortable and safe."
Bell sighed "That's very sweet of you, but it isn't just comfort and safety to worry about..do they even remember us? Or want us here?"
"I like your upfront attitude..well.." Kiernan rubbed the back of his head looking to the side "It's been over ten years, things have changed. So have they, they've matured some for the most part. As to them wanting you here, they're intrigued. We're just about to have dinner actually, this may be a nice surprise."
They were supposed to arrive in the morning, but their mother practically shoved them out into the cold night.
"If they don't sense us coming first." Sage added.
"True, come." Kiernan gestured towards the right, so they followed him into the den in beige and chestnut. There were four couches all in a square, potted plants in every corner, and a grand piano. Past that was the living room in olive and taupe tones, three couches with a taupe rug underneath, a dark wood coffee table, and a flat screen in the center of the rug facing the couches.
Next came an empty hallway with gray wallpaper, it too went left or right with several doors down each side, a spiral staircase at each end, and an archway in the middle of the wall. Kiernan then led them straight into the dining room and past that was the main kitchen.
The dining room had been repainted in peacock blue with golden fleur de lis symbols all over the wall, in the center was a long expresso table with matching chairs, underneath was a sable, lemon, and sapphire Persian rug.
At the table were five men. The eldest was Nathan, he had dark cobalt hair that came down his back(which he tied in an elegant ponytail) and shamrock colored eyes, he wore a beige sweater and black slacks. The second eldest was Sage's future husband, Tyler, he wore black wire framed glasses now and had chocolate smooth hair and hazel eyes, wearing a navy formal suit.
The middle child was Casre, who preferred being called Cas. He had silver hair that was styled to look spiky at top and shaved on the sides and back, his eyes were yellow, and he wore a simple black tee and tan cargo pants. After him was Bell's betrothed, Liam.
He had short burgundy hair that had been combed a little down his neck, his eyes were an icy blue. Unlike in childhood he seemed bored, dead eyed even in his gray long sleeved button up and black pants. Last came Erin who was blonde with short wavy hair and amber eyes, he wore an orange dress shirt and dark pants. Each brother was one year apart, starting with Nathan who was twenty six.
"Fellas, look who's just arrived for supper." Kiernan spoke happily before taking his seat at the head of the table, Nathan was opposite of him. Casre sat to Nathan's right while Tyler was on his left, Erin sat by Tyler and Liam by Casre. There were two empty seats, on by Cas and the other by Liam. All the men stared as the two young women approached their seats causing Kiernan to cough hinting to them.
Liam stood up stiffly looking down at Bell who stared silently unsure of what to say. He then looked down at the chair and pulled it out for her. Once Bell sat, he pushed the seat in before sitting back in his own chair. Tyler was about to do the same, but Cas got up before he did allowing Sage to sit.
"I apologize, they forget their manners." Kiernan said grabbing for his empty glass "Did Hayes get the bottle that I requested?"
"Yes, he's going to bring it out once the main course has been served." Nathan said before he gave a wide grin "It's been quite awhile, Sage, Bell. I was only fourteen when you stopped coming over. I can't say that I didn't miss your company, always discovering new things, curious little girls you were."
"Not half as curious as Cas." Sage laughed.
