SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW ➻ DEMETRI VOLTURI

S E I

That night there wasn't any talk of politics, something Cecilia was grateful for. Instead, she got to know the rest of the Markis coven. They consisted of six people in total. Adras and Danae she already knew, but the other two couples she hadn't. Vasyl was a dark-haired vampire who had been turned at the same age as Cecilia, but who appeared much older. He didn't talk much, barely introducing himself. His mate was named Ptolema, a blonde-haired pretty girl who talked too much. They evened it each other out, of that much Cecilia was sure. Olina must have been turned somewhere at the beginning of her twenties, but took after Danae a lot. She radiated the same sort of arrogance, even if she wasn't half as beautiful. Her mate was Kyros, who could be considered handsome of you squeezed your eyes almost shut, but was so vain that his personality ruined it all.

"You should tell me the name of your tailor, Cecilia," Olina said, eyeing the evening gown Cecilia was wearing with a plain look of jealously. "I will cut off her legs and keep her in my room to work on my clothes day and night."

Cecilia shared a look with Demetri. It was shorter than a split second, but it told her all she needed to know. Leaning back in her chair, she shrugged. "I could tell her your name," she said. "But you would still need to find a way to make her come back from the death."

Danae snickered, raising her glass. "That was a naughty thing to do," she said. "But I can't say I would have done it any different. Cheers to that."

Cecilia raised her glass awkwardly, watching as they clinked against each other and send little red drops flying over the table. Never before had she seen vampires drink human blood from cups like ordinary people sharing a cocktail, but that wasn't the worst of it. If she were to believe the hints and sniggers of the family, it was the blood of a junkie and when drunken in huge amounts, would give the effect of being high for a couple of seconds.

She was glad that it wasn't fresh blood and that it was poisoned, because in no way did it appeal to her. If they would have gotten a mortal in the room and cut open his veins, it would have been a whole other story. Now she just raised the cup to her mouth every few minutes, pretending to take a sip before setting it back on the table. Demetri would switch their glasses when nobody was looking, drinking for the both of them. From the expression on his face, she could tell he wasn't enjoying it, but she was grateful that he took her share as well.

Underneath the table she grabbed his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. His head turned to hers and both of them smiled. At least they had each other.

"Tell me, Vasyl, when were you turned?" Cecilia asked, looking at the only Markis beside Adras who didn't seem completely and utterly mad.

Before the vampire seated across from her even had the chance to reply, his mate did. "Almost fifty years ago," she said happily. She was holding onto his arm for dear life and Cecilia watched uncomfortably. "I came across him in Macedonia and believe me, it took everything in my might to stop myself from killing him. After that, I took him back to Angelokastro to join our coven. He's our newest addition and I couldn't have wished differently."

"That's," Demetri began, searching for the right word. "Sweet."

Cecilia nodded in agreement, getting the feeling that Vasyl had only joined because of Ptolema, but that he was slowly going crazy with the Markis. Suddenly, she could understand why the Ancient Ones didn't want to visit themselves. With only Adras and Danae to survive, Cecilia might have managed it, but the four other vampires were a whole other story.

"Cecilia," Kyros said, gaining the girl's attention. He eyed her up and down, before continuing. "How did you and Demetri meet?"

Before she was able to say anything, Demetri squeezed her hand once more and started talking. "We met while the Cullens visited Volterra, Cecilia has been staying with us ever since."