It was the night before Halloween, and I found myself in a large bathroom with the four Valentino women. I had been bathed, powdered, and pampered in preparation for the party at domus Lassiter. Lucy, Wren, Amelia and Griffin had spent the afternoon choosing gowns and jewelry for the annual event, and I was caught up in the pageantry as they doted over me. The jewelry was splashy and decadent, and the dresses were Victorian in style, made from velvet, lace, and crinoline, all boasting rich, dark colors in burgundy, black, navy blue, and forest green. 

"The All Hallows Eve party is rotated between several domi, both here and in other cities," Amelia explained as she helped me slip into my gown, stuffing my breasts into a seventeenth century corset with little regard for their sensitive nature. "Gollums commune at least four times a year. It gives the elders and magisters a chance to discuss domus issues, while the non-mated gollums mingle with each other. The females are required to dress according to their mating status. A mated female dresses more refined, and a non-mated female wears a dress that reveals more of the goods."

"Like this dress?" I said as I cinched up the ribbon that was responsible for holding my boobs in place. It was a feeble attempt. "I thought I was spoken for."

"Vincent has made it clear to the New York domi that he has chosen you, but there is always the chance another gollum will step up and challenge him," Wren said. "You have no allegiance to your domus, which makes you much more desirable. My recommendation is that you stay firmly attached to Vincent's arm, especially in that dress. You look absolutely radiant in it."

I admired myself in the full-length mirror as I scrutinized the dress, the one Lucy had termed the Mae West. Burgundy in color, the neck plunged so low it exposed more cleavage than it hid, and there was very little shoulder coverage, with only a fluttering of black lace posing as sleeves. I appreciated the way the fabric clung to my wide hips and prominent ass, which I'd always deemed my best features, and it offered plenty of leg movement, with a black ruffled train in the back. Wren was right, it was a stunner of a dress.

"Has Vincent ever shown interest in a female from another domus?" I asked, although the question didn't sit well with me once I'd asked it.

"He did pursue the affections a female from a domus in Paris. Of course, they were both quite young." Wren spoke as she played with different jewelry options, holding a string of pearls up to my neck then shaking her head and returning it to the jewelry box. "It turned out she was reluctant to leave her home country, so she chose another gollum. They have been mated more than a decade and have a young one."

Wren chose a black choker next. It held a single teardrop-shaped opal, which hung from an ornately carved claw made from gold. While I processed Wren's announcement about Vincent's failed romance, she fastened the choker behind my neck and stood back to admire it. "Perfect. Don't you think?"

"It's beautiful, Reese," Griffin said as she sat in front of the vanity where Lucy was plaiting her hair. "When your hair is done, it will look even better."

I absently stroked the gem at my neck as I asked the next question. "So, Vincent never showed interest in another gollum since then?"

"Not seriously, but I believe he feels some amount of guilt about it," Lucy offered. "Gollums are struggling to maintain their numbers. Offspring are rare."

"Why are they rare?" I said as I turned to watch Lucy fashion Griffin's plaited hair into a twist. It was quite exotic for a girl so young.

"For gollums, procreation is more than physiological," Lucy went on. "The partners need to be connected body and soul for impregnation to take place. Just like humans, many gollums struggle to maintain healthy relationships, which inhibits pregnancy. Wren's partnership with Roberto was a strong pairing. They produced three sons before Roberto's passing. Not everyone is so fortunate."

I glanced at Griffin without realizing I had done it, and she met my gaze briefly before staring placidly into the vanity mirror. Was she an only child because Amelia and Jonathan were unhappy? With both Vincent and Colin unmated, was the couple expected to have a bunch of kids to continue the Valentino legacy? I damn sure wouldn't want that kind of pressure.

"Was Roberto an only child?" The question was out of my mouth before I could employ my filter, and everyone turned to look at me. Shit.

"No," Lucy offered. "My daughter, Sherry, is mated to a gollum from Boston, and they have two offspring. My son, Horatio, was killed in battle at age sixteen."

"Oh, I'm sorry. That's so young."

"Yes. It was his second battle. A battle he should not have been fighting."

Griffin stood from her chair and waved me into it. "Your turn, Reese," she said, by way of a subject change. Clever girl. "How will you have Lucy fix your hair?" She picked up a cardboard diagram of the hairstyles that were appropriate for the occasion, and I chose the least ancient, a pair of French braids than draped over both shoulders.

As Lucy got to work on my hair, Amelia received a text. She chuckled as she read it then returned her phone to the dresser without a response. "Vincent just requested that we don't put Reese into the dress she's wearing. Oh, well. Too late now. We can't risk ruining your hair."

My nerves had gradually taken over when it came time to meet up with the men. It wasn't so much the formality of the event I was about to attend, I had been to plenty of high-brow parties with my parents. I was worried about Vincent's reaction to the dress. When the girls and I entered the living room of Amelia's apartment, all heads turned to stare at me, except Jonathan, who only had eyes for Amelia.

As I expected, Vincent had his lips pressed into a hard line as he walked toward us. "Did you not receive my text, Amelia?"

"Yes, but Reese was already wearing the dress and her hair was done. You'll just have to make an extra effort to keep the wolves at bay."

Vincent came to stand in front of me, slipping his arm around my waist and speaking so only I could hear him, "It's me I'm worried about. Not the wolves."

~ ~ ~

At the curb, two black Escalades waited to pick us up in front of Twenty Exchange Place. Colin hesitated on the sidewalk, waiting until he saw Vincent usher me to the rear vehicle, at which point he quickly joined us. Once the cars were filled and on the road, Rizzo got the conversation rolling.

"Adam tells me Sergio purchased a new stock of Cognac. Oh, and the cigar humidor is finally finished."

"He'll probably try to impress us again with his connections in Cuba," Colin said. "Of course, I'm not opposed to a Cuban cigar, even one that comes in a cardboard box."

The boys chuckled but Vincent didn't join them. He was staring straight ahead without flinching, his arm wrapped possessively around my shoulder. He felt as stiff as a mannequin, only he smelled better. I couldn't help worrying about him. Was he traveling down the road to stress-induced ulcers and heart disease? Did gargoyles even get heart disease? What was he worried about anyway? Did he think another gollum might win my affection? Or was he more concerned that the others would freak out when they smelled the mark on me? Surely, the Valentinos warned everyone about my affliction.

I slipped my fingers through Vincent's hand, smiling at him when he caught my eye. This prompted him to draw in a long, labored breath, and he looked anything but controlled when he said to me, "I have a feeling this is going to be the longest night of my life."

The Lassiter's penthouse was lit solely by candles, and a solemn melody drifted through the air, provided by a string quartet positioned in front of a massive plate glass window. The Valentinos appeared to be the last to arrive based on the large number of bodies crowding the space. Right away, a boy close to Griffin's age showed up to drag her to the buffet table. Vincent filled me in on the boy's connection to the family, which I figured I would forget before the night was through. I was currently distracted by the architectural design of the nineteen twenties-style penthouse.

As I prepared my first question about the home's history, a beautiful woman with flowing ringlets of auburn hair walked up to Colin and offered him a very friendly kiss, slipping her arm easily through his as if they had come to the party together. Colin appeared slightly embarrassed by her blatant show of affection, although he still appeared to enjoy the attention. He immediately introduced me to her.

"Reese, this is Claudette, daughter of Sergio and Bianca Lassiter. Claudette, this is Reese Kentwell."

Claudette reached out to shake my hand while doing a head to toe sweep of my dress. Had she seen it before, worn by some other prospect? "I'm so glad to meet you, Reese. You are just as beautiful as everyone says." After dropping her deadpan compliment, her dark eyes zeroed in on Vincent as she offered him an aloof smile. "Hello, Vincent. You've got your work cut out for you tonight. Try the Cognac. It should take the edge off. C'mon, Colin. I want to hear all about your near-death experience."

Claudette tugged on Colin's arm, and they melted into the milling crowd, but it was Vincent's stony expression that prompted me to dig, which is what any self-respecting girlfriend would do.

"Are Colin and Claudette an item?"

"Claudette and Colin shared a short-lived engagement, which she broke off to pursue her interest in battle training. Their relationship has since morphed into something none of us can figure out."

"And what about you and Claudette? Have you two shared anything?"

Vincent let my question linger while he pretended to be interested in surveying the assembled guests, finally gracing me with a sideways glance as he offered his answer. "We also shared a short-lived engagement, which she still holds a grudge about. Can I get you a beverage?"

"Sure." I was fine with dropping the subject of engagements with exes and let Vincent escort me to the buffet table where a middle-aged man stood over the gourmet cheese board. His black hair was sprinkled with gray, and his chest had nearly the same girth as Vincent's, most of it muscle. Vincent introduced him as Sergio Lassiter.

Sergio immediately took my hand and patted it affectionately. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Reese. Welcome to domus Lassiter. I would like you to meet every member of the Lassiter family. You will make sure this happens, won't you, Vincent?"

"Of course." Vincent offered Sergio a polite nod, but I had a feeling Vincent would rather leave the party and hide me away in his penthouse where I couldn't get pawed by gargoyles. He took a moment to ladle punch from a bowl labeled 'Virgin' and handed me the glass as he captured me in his intense gaze. He appeared to be ready to say something, but a woman walked up who seemed to know him well, based on the kiss she gave his cheek.

"Happy All Hallows Eve Eve, Vincent. Please, introduce me to your lovely date."

It turned out the woman was Bianca, wife of Sergio, and she was just as friendly and inviting as her husband had been. The evening progressed in this fashion, wherein I met Adele and William Lassiter, Erica Cromwell who was affianced to Adam, and Minnie and Caleb Seacrest from Chicago. Caleb was Wren's brother, and he brought his father-in-law with him so Wren would have another widow to talk to, at least that was Caleb's excuse. It was clear Wren saw through the veil, interpreting the invite as a match making scheme.

About an hour into the evening, Rizzo found Vincent and me hiding next to the chocolate fountain. He was in the company of Adam and Emile. As I expected, Emile remained mute while Adam greeted me, offering a sterile smile while maintaining a polite distance.

"Hi Reese. I see you made your choice." Adam acknowledged Vincent with a friendly chin jut, and Vincent's jaw twitched in response.

"Do you remember that night at the club?" Adam went on. "Colin was hilarious to watch. You would have thought he had been crowned king of the world. And that text he sent you, Vincent. I wonder how long it took him to regret it." Adam shrugged his question at Vincent, who offered a subtle smirk.

"I have only reminded him of it once," Vincent said blandly.

Emile whispered something into Adam's ear, and Adam shook his head as he gestured to Rizzo. "You need to ask your brother to translate that, Emile. All I got out of it was spirit photo."

Emile repeated the question to Rizzo, who smiled as he translated. "Emile wants me to tell you, Reese, that he has seen some of your photographs and thinks you capture the spirit of your subjects very well."

"Merci, Emile," I said, wishing I hadn't dropped French. "Rizzo, will you ask him where he saw the photographs?"

Rizzo did this and quickly transposed it for me. "He says he saw your name listed under a photograph in a local magazine. The pictures were from an All Hallows Eve party. He remembered your name because it is unique."

I felt Vincent's fingers flex on my hip as he made a subtle move to pull me closer. It was sweet but unnecessary. "Wow, he remembered my name from a year old article? That's a pretty good memory you've got, Emile. I know the article you're talking about. Those pictures were from the Governor's Halloween Ball. I'm providing the photography for it this year too."

Rizzo translated, and when Emile acknowledged me with a smile, Vincent tugged on my arm. "Do you want to see the terrace? It offers a great view."

I didn't think Vincent was concerned about my reaction to the view. I figured it was a response to the small talk and his lack of interest in it. I nodded my agreement, and he graciously excused us, walking me toward a triple-paned sliding glass door. The view was already grand from the penthouse window, but when we walked outside and the city lights twinkled their greeting, the open-air perspective definitely enhanced the mood.

"What do you think of the view? Breathtaking, isn't it?" He asked the question while he looked not at the view, but at me, and his fingers drifted across my bare shoulder, distracting me from the twinkling lights.

"I have to agree with you. It's breathtaking," I said as I stared at him without shame.

Vincent pulled me into his chest, causing my boobs to push the limits of my dress. He appeared to notice this and exhaled as he took in the view of my cleavage. "I'm not ashamed to admit, that dress is killing me. I've been suppressing my desire for you since we left the domus."

With his lusty comment hanging in the air, Vincent took the opportunity to kiss me, slanting his mouth over mine and forcing entry with his tongue. The exchange was rough and passionate, stoking the fire that always seemed to simmer in my groin whenever he was near. It was a risky move for him, and when he pulled away, his eyes were a shade brighter. Surely, he wouldn't let himself lose control here. Or maybe he was staking his claim in full view of the party guests.

"Tell me about this text Colin sent you," I said. "The one Adam mentioned. What did it say?"

Vincent quickly obliged me, pulling his phone out of his pocket and scrolling to the text so I could read it.

"What does 'I win' mean?" I asked.

"Colin had it in his head that because he got to you first, he had already won your heart."

I grinned at the memory of Colin and his proprietary grip on me at the club. "He did try pretty hard for a few days. He left a package for me on Mr. Pearlman's doorstep by mistake."

"What was in the package?"

"All the ingredients to make a Shirley Temple. It was the drink I ordered at Psychotic the night we met. I thought it was sweet, although Mr. Pearlman thought Colin's intentions were less than innocent. And then there was the flowers."

Vincent's nose wrinkled as he replied, "Yes, I remember those."

I watched as Vincent's demeanor turned broody, and I lifted my hand to his cheek, pacifying him with an affectionate caress. "Colin has a lot of good qualities. He's a Valentino, after all, but I don't fantasize about his mouth on me or imagine what he looks like under his clothes. I still haven't seen you naked, you know."

Vincent responded with a boyish smile. Oh, how I wanted to capture that smile with my camera. The sliding glass door opened and a young man stepped onto the terrace, nixing our privacy. I didn't recognize the man as someone I'd been introduced to, but he bore a striking resemblance to the youth who had stolen Griffin when we arrived. This man was blond-haired and clean-shaven, exposing a prominent chin, but his hazel eyes were definitely his best features. As the man approached, he scanned me and my Mae West dress with conspicuous interest, and Vincent claimed my waist firmly, using it to tug me against his hip.

"I should have known you would be out here trying to avoid me, Vincent," said the man.

"That would be impossible, Rafael. You are unavoidable. Reese, this is Rafael Cromwell. His family resides in a home on Long Island." Vincent made a point to angle me away from Rafael, but Rafael did his best to face me head-on.

"It's very nice to meet you, Reese. The Valentinos have been talking you up, but Vincent has done a good job of keeping you to himself."

"There is good reason for that," Vincent said. "Reese and I are exclusive."

Rafael pretended to pout, jutting out his lower lip in mock protest. "Does this exclusivity include a mating component? If not, I believe domus protocol dictates there be no exclusivity until then."

Vincent had maneuvered himself until he was practically standing in front of me, using his body as a human shield. "Do you have another reason for disturbing us, Rafael? If not..." Vincent's eyebrows rose defiantly, but Rafael appeared to miss the gesture as he continued to prod the moody gollum.

"Actually, besides meeting the beautiful female on your arm, I wanted to ask if your family is forming a hunting party this year."

"Of course."

"Second week in November at your fishing cabin?"

"Yes. Same as always."

Griffin and her friend chose that moment to walk onto the terrace, and Griffin dragged him over to interrupt the stand-off. Thank goodness.

"Reese, this is Damon Cromwell," Griffin announced. "He and I are nearly the same age, only I'm older and smarter."

"It wasn't so smart when punch sprayed out of your nose." Damon laughed then quickly ducked to avoid Griffin's cocked arm, although she didn't appear to want to hit him. Her fully dilated eyes told a very different story.

"Speaking of punch, I could go for a brandy. If you will excuse us." Vincent didn't give me a chance to engage Damon in conversation before he hauled me off the terrace, and it wasn't long before we were nursing our drinks next to the bar. To be more specific, I was nursing my virgin punch and Vincent was tossing back a brandy.

"I've never seen you imbibe, Vincent," I said.

"I only drink on special occasions."

"Oh, like Christmas or when you're trying not to let someone provoke you into decking him?" I looked pointedly at him and he smiled behind his glass.

"Yes. Those occasions."

"So, you own a fishing cabin?"

"Yes."

"And you fish there?"

He looked at me like I'd stuttered. "Sure."

"Hmm. I have a hard time picturing you fishing."

"Why is that? Am I not allowed to having a fishing cabin just because I run several multi-national companies from home and pound demons into dust on my off hours? You asked if I had any hobbies. Well, that's one of them."

I took a moment to study the man before me. Straight-backed, confident expression, impeccable personal hygiene, yet somehow I was able to picture him standing in the middle of a river in his waders. "Okay, I can see it. I've only fished a few times with my Uncle John, but I had fun."

"I'm glad to hear it. I'd like to take you to the cabin, just you and me."

"Really? That sounds relaxing."

"That's what it's intended for. As soon as all this business with Heath is behind us, you and I are going to disappear for a few days."

Disappear, huh?

Sergio walked over and took the empty brandy glass out of Vincent's hand. "C'mon, Vincent. I'll get you something even better in the den. The guys are meeting there to crack open a box of cigars. Just arrived from Cuba."

Vincent looked stricken but not to the point of looking weak, and he took my hand as he spoke matter-of-factly into my face. "Do not leave the premises without telling me."

I couldn't help smirking. "Why would I leave without you? You're my date. Go, have fun with the guys."

Vincent allowed himself to be guided out of the room, and I heard Sergio speaking loudly about his state-of-the-art humidor, leaving me with all the females. While this didn't bother me in the least, I couldn't help feeling like the new girl, or in this case, the new gargoyle. I ended up sitting on the couch between Amelia and Claudette. Being sisters, they fell into easy conversation, and although Amelia made a point to include me, I still felt like the odd gollum out. At least, I hadn't noticed anyone wrinkling their nose around me.

As I sat listening to the lively dialogue between the women, I learned there was a severe drought of female gollums, which apparently could be blamed on the health of the domus and whether the family members followed tradition. This only confirmed my growing belief that gollums were superstitious, and it made me wonder about my own particularities, like my need to meet the pilot of every airplane I traveled on or my desire to have an east facing window in my homes so I could keep track of the sunrise. Or would those just be obsessions?

After an entertaining half-hour of chatting, angry voices carried down the hall, and Vincent rounded the corner, slamming his highball glass onto the mahogany bar as he caught me in the beam of an adrenaline-infused gaze. "We're leaving."

I knew this statement was not up for debate, and I popped to my feet, using Amelia's shoulder for support when my corset tried to suffocate me. Charleton followed Vincent into the room, bringing with him the potent smell of cigars.

"Vincent, give yourself a few minutes to calm down before you go rushing off," he said.

"You want me to stay after a challenge has been issued?" Vincent grabbed my hand, and I flinched at the strength behind it. The fact that he hadn't noticed my grimace told me his mind was singular in its focus. He was supremely pissed off, but he stayed to let Charleton say his piece.

"I'm sure Rafael doesn't intend to challenge you tonight."

"I'm sure he doesn't, but I won't stand idly by while he lusts after Reese." Vincent glanced around the room, meeting the mute stares of his female audience before settling back on Charleton. "If no one else is leaving, Reese and I will take a cab home."

At that moment, Colin emerged from the hallway, looking annoyed. I guessed his irritation had something to do with Rafael, who trailed behind him wearing a smug expression.

"You and your brother are missing an important point, Colin," Rafael said as he walked behind the bar and grabbed a glass. He tipped a bottle of Crown over it as he continued his discourse. "If the tables were turned, you'd be shoving domus protocol down my throat. Don't try to deny it."

Vincent released his painful grip on my hand, and I heard his knuckles crack as he fisted them on his way to the bar. The volume of the quartet seemed to lower suddenly. Even the candles stopped flickering under the tension. Vincent came to stand next to Colin, and together they looked quite menacing, forming a wall of well-dressed muscle and intimidation. The three gollums then engaged in a stare-off that had me chewing my lip as I picked nervously at the velvety fabric of my dress. What kind of challenge had Rafael issued to Vincent? Were they fighting over me?

"I am well versed in domus protocol, Rafael," Vincent said, his voice coming over forceful yet smooth as top shelf Cognac. "And I will give you a chance to refresh your memory on protocol and let you sleep off the alcohol you've indulged in before accepting your challenge under more formal circumstances." Vincent turned to Colin, speaking before Rafael could reply. "Reese and I are leaving. If you join us, we can take one of the Escalades."

Colin nodded his agreement, and a moment later I was being whisked out the door to a flurry of rushed goodbyes. Despite the fact I hadn't eaten anything other than two Swedish meatballs skewered on a fancy toothpick, I was perfectly fine with calling it an early night. 

PLAYLIST SONG: Fashion by David Bowie