Look Beyond What You See

Surprise Guests

Having a room on the first floor is highly advantageous in that it allows me to avoid the traditional grand entrance on the grand staircase, a pointless formality that Zira adores. I don't even have to appear in the foyer for a formal introduction to our guests. Father exempted me from this duty a long time ago. Judging by the noise floating down the halls from the front entry when I exit my room, I have finished my preparations just in time.

Instead of joining the ruckus in the foyer, I float through the halls to the parlor, which adjoins the dining room much as the sunroom does, with a single elegant archway. There I will wait, unseen and unheard, observing our guests and waiting for a cue from Father for me to mysteriously appear. It amuses Father and Grandmother and never fails to throw the guests off-balance, creating circumstances much to my liking. Mother, I'm sure, has no idea of this arrangement, else she would have tried to stop it by now.

Voices waft into the parlor from the foyer. Grandmother's smooth, alluring tones; Grandfather's raspy wheeze (his wages for too many years of cigar smoking); two male voices and a female voice I don't recognise. One of the male voices intrigues me, smooth and deep and altogether pleasant. Mother's grating voice with insincere words of welcome and Father's apathetic echo. Zira's heels and Norbert's awkward, heavy steps on the stairs. They make small talk with the newcomers; the usual compliments are exchanged, particularly regarding Zira's condition. The voice I find pleasant has the faintest trace of dry humour to it when he addresses Zira. I can tell from her voice that she finds one of the visitors handsome, and Norbert's tone belies his jealousy. Already this evening seems as though it will be more entertaining than expected.

"Will our other grandchildren be joining us?" Grandmother inquires as they fill the dining room, having travelled towards it while exchanging the usual pleasantries. The guests are all attractive--two parents and a son who is perhaps two years my senior. All of them have dark hair, smooth tan skin, and startling, vibrant gemstone eyes. The young man is particularly fetching, with a strong jaw, defined cheekbones, and well-made features. His hair is the perfect length, shaggy but not too much so. Zira is fawning over him. No wonder Norbert is peeved.

"Of course, Xenia. It's a tradition. I will fetch them now," Mother replies with a stiff curtsey. She and Grandmother loathe each other and make no secret of it. I think they enjoy the constant conflict. It's good that someone does, I suppose. Grandfather rolls his eyes, which are those of a vulture--always looking for a way to make money or someone of whom he can take advantage.

"See that you do, Helena. I don't see them enough." Mother lets out a low hiss of air at Grandmother's use of her first name but leaves without comment. "And of course the lady of honour will be here soon, Roberto?" My father smiles tightly.

"I'm sure she will arrive in a few minutes. You know how she is," he replies evasively. I am not to enter yet. The signal is usually something more subtle. We have a dozen of them.

"She's so weird. Why can't she be like the rest of us?" Zira pouts. I'm shocked by her flouting of protocol. As a rule, it is taboo to put down one's siblings in front of guests. The handsome visitor arches an eyebrow quizzically.

"How do you mean, weird?" he asks. His voice is like velvet, but his amber eyes reveal that he is pursuing some sort of ulterior motive. I like him less for it. Zira is oblivious to this and giggles, causing her husband's expression to darken. It's not at all good for their relationship that she is such a flirt.

"You'll understand when you meet her," Zira replies, brushing his question away with a wave of her hand.

"Zira, you shouldn't speak so unkindly of your sister when she is not present to defend herself," Grandmother chides, touching the crystal that hangs from her throat. I always thought this was a nervous habit, but now I see a sort of aura glowing about her crystal, and Zira's necklace emits a similar one. Why haven't I noticed this before?