After Chai pops out of her fur ball, I help her collect the game pieces and put them away. Not sure what else to do, I find my way outside and explore the exterior of the mansion. Gardens and hedges, manicured bushes and stone paths are everywhere. Eventually, I pick one of the many paths leading away from the house and I start walking. The well maintained lawns give way to more and more wild patches of greenery.

I'm admiring a patch of tall pale mushroom stalks when I hear someone calling my name. I think about all the tales of Appalachia with a new understanding. There are probably faerie rings in those mountains. I don't want that kind of trouble.

I decide to head back towards the mansion and run into Llenoy and a harpy. Both have swords on their hips, both scan the woods with grim expressions. Freaked out more than a little bit, I move between them.

"Mr. Smalls, The Azi'Zoro sisters request your attendance at lunch," the old elf says. "I came to escort you back to the house so you can," he sniffs me and makes a face, "properly wash and change."

I sniff myself and concede that a shower wouldn't hurt.

"I noticed my washroom doesn't have a shower."

"The estate was created before indoor plumbing became popular. Renovations have installed pipes, but showers were overlooked." He gestures for us to back up and I notice something large lurking behind the mushrooms. "We've recently installed one in the master suite. I'm sure we can ask Mistress Kheelisha–"

"Nope. That sounds like a terrible idea." My pants don't agree with me, giving me more reason to steer clear.

"Very well, Mr. Smalls. I've already had hot water and soaps brought to your washroom."

"Thank you, Llenoy."

"It sees us, sir," the harpy whispers, her voice shaking with each syllable.

"Mr. Smalls, Chicky, on the count of three we will run back to the house posthaste."

"What?" I try to make sense of the thing among the mushrooms, but all I can recognize are legs. Lots of legs.

"On the count of three..."

When Llenoy says three, we take off. I put one foot in front of the other as if my life depends on it, because I don't know if it does. Llenoy is quite spry for an old man, keeping pace with me as I haul ass. His white hair billows out behind him like a ghostly cape. The harpy takes to the air, leaving us in her dust. We get to the front of the house out of breath and covered in sweat. The old elf and I collapse on the steps beside one another.

"Wh... what the heck was that?"

"A hunts... huntsman. It was clearing the woods of the real nasty pest that live out there."

"That wasn't one of the real nasty pests?"

"No, but we are small and it sometimes struggles to separate friends from food."

I manage not to make a Finding Nemo reference and sit up.

"I'm going to get cleaned up."

"Very good, Mr. Smalls. I will collect you in a half hour."

I nod and make my way to my room. I give myself a proper scrub and make sure I give myself extra attention under the arms. Obera said they can smell my fear and Colette kept scenting me with her tongue. I don't want these people to think humans don't take hygiene seriously. I step out to my bedroom and can't find my suitcases. Again, I wonder if I'm in the wrong place.

I find my sketchbooks on the dresser and check the draws. Sure enough someone took the time to put my belongings away. It bothers me that they touched my stuff without asking, but I appreciate the sentiments. I choose a pair of brown khaki slacks and a matching jacket. For my shirt, I grab a black polo. I look at my hair in the mirror and wonder if I should put it into three quick cornrows. My mother had made sure I could do my own hair at a young age, but I'd almost gotten a haircut before the trip. A year is a long time to go without having my hair done, but two of the Azi'Zoro ladies have hair similar to mine. There is probably someone who knows how to braid tight curls.

Llenoy comes for me just as I decide to leave my hair out. He sniffs me at the door and gives me a nod of approval. I try no to show my relief, but I would have been embarrassed if he'd reacted any other way.

"Right this way, Mr. Smalls. Lunch will be served in the Quetzalcoatl Room."

Llenoy leads us down the hall to and through a section of the manor I haven't seen yet. Through the tall windows I can see the back of the east wing. He points as we walk past a tall ornate door.

"These are Mistress Khaiya's suites. Ms. Rubigaze will be staying in the room at the end of the hall." As we turn the corner he points down the opposite direction. "Lieutenant Sasha Tombs is using the suite reserved for The Vainglory."

"The Vainglory... how many members of The Vainglory are here with us?"

"We were to have Lieutenant Tombs and Sergeant Bearson stay with us this month then they would change shifts with The Grimoire Sisters, but after recent events I suspect there will be some changes made."

"Damn... I really botched things up. Haven't I?"

"That may be so, sir. It is not my place to say."

We finally go down a flight of wide stairs and through a set of double doors at the end of a halfway lit by muted sunlight spilling in through the west-facing windows. Through the door is a dining room twice the size of the one where Chai handled breakfast. A long table sits in the center of the room, covered in a fancy white and gold tablecloth. Silver dinnerware dances with the candlelight filling the room from scores of ornate sconce. Each one looks like a unique cluster of snakes, each serpent swallowing a candle, creating a bouquet of dancing flames.

The Azi'Zoro sisters are all seated around the table as well as Sasha and Dido. They are all in quiet conversation and don't seem to notice me. It feels good to not be the center of attention for a moment.

"Mistresses, Mr. Smalls has arrived for lunch," Llenoy says, announcing me to the room.

The ladies all stand.

Oh well.

The Azi'Zoros all wear blue and gold variants of the same dress design. Kheelisha's is short, clinging to her wide hips and heavy bosom. Candi's is a mini dress with a sporty golden stripe down the side. Extra long sleeves hide her arms and hands and seem to move in a phantom breeze. Colette wears a long slim-cut dress with a gold head wrap over her braids. The Captain's is a blue jumper with golden trim on the cuffs of the bottoms and the sleeves. They all look great, and I suddenly feel underdressed. It's like I've arrived at a date dressed to mow the lawn.

My outfit isn't bad, I just feel outclassed.

Dido waves me over to the empty seat between her and Candi. The table has room for eight, but only seven table settings. The Captain sits at the head with Candi on her right and Kheelisha on her left. Colette sits next to Kheelisha and Sasha beside her.

"Good afternoon, ladies." I smile and nod to everyone before sitting down.

"I will alert the kitchen staff that lunch can be served," Llenoy says. Crossing the room, he exits through a side door.

A dozen eyes turn on me. Sweat peppers my brow. It might just be my imagination, but some of these stares look hungry. It suddenly feels like Marlon Smalls is on the menu. I look down at the silver trimmed plate in front of me. Meticulously etched ornate symbols create two rings. The craftsmanship is remarkable. I forget about my discomfort and lean over to get a look at Dido's plate. Hers has the same level of work, but the symbols are different. I realize they are pictograms. Both plates tell a story.

Dido's lavender hand settles on the edge of the plate and the flesh peels back, revealing a quintet of crimson eyes.

"See anything you like, Mr. Smalls?"

I jump back, but try to cover it up by fussing over the collar of my shirt.

"The work on these plates is fascinating," I say.

Dido sits back and the top of her dress slides down, exposing her shoulders and collarbone. "Are you into plates, Mr. Smalls?"

"Marlon's into art," Kheelisha answers from the other side of the table.

I look up, surprised.

"I saw your sketchbooks."

"Oh, you're an artist?" Dido says. "I love a creative man."

"I... ummm... well–"

"Dido, stop. You're scaring him," Colette says.

Dido leans towards me and snaps her jaws. We all chuckle at the display, though mine is far more forced than anyone else's.

"Ladies and Mr. Smalls, the first course is served," Llenoy says, holding the door for a trio of single-eyed four-armed women with yellow skin. Cyclops, I think.

The women place small platters in the center of each of our plates. As one, they remove the silver cloches, releasing a plume of earthy steam that instantly makes my mouth water. On the platters are mounds of assorted mushrooms of various colors and sizes, sautéed and arranged into a tower. My meal companions all moan and clap their hands. Feeling left out, I clap even as they stop.

"Assorted wildshrooms, picked this morning from the north garden," Llenoy explains. "Enjoy."

The house staff quickly leave us to our food.

"Shall we give praise to the goddess?" Colette asks as Candi reaches out, poised to attack her tower.

Kheelisha and The Captain both nod. The former glares at her sister before relenting with a sigh. I guess there's a bit of confusion over who is the current head of household.

"Please, Letty, lead us in prayer."

All of the women create a diamond shape with their hands over their abdomen.

"Thank you, goddess of the wind, for the harvest laid before us. Thank you goddess of the earth for the nourishment of our bodies. May your unity hold the glory and praise it deserves. Bless the sacred womb."

"Bless the sacred womb," the women say in harmony. They all look at me sitting in silence.

"Bless the... sacred womb," I repeat.

Colette nods and they all begin to eat. I take another whiff of the mushroom tower and carefully spear a few caps with my fork. They yield with a tender pop. I take a tentative nibble and find the flavor a bit sweet and a bit savory, similar to a gentle teriyaki. I join the ladies in enjoying their food. Even Sasha takes a few bites before pushing the plate away.

"Pardon me if I sound ignorant, but I thought vampires only drank blood."

The Captain shakes her head and enjoys her tower. Sasha sighs and rolls her eyes.

"We can eat solid food, in moderation, but we require warm fresh blood once or twice a day in order to stay healthy."

"Thanks. Thanks for sharing."

"So You're saying you're a bloodsucker because you have to be and not because you're a bitch?" Dido says behind a forkful of mushrooms.

Everyone except the captain stops as if frozen and holding their breath out of fear of Sasha's reaction. She glares at Dido for a pregnant moment then shrugs.

"No, I do it because I'm a bitch too."

The women all chuckle, and I eat my mushrooms and try to figure them out.

Gentle hissing catches my attention. I look to my left and see a snake shoot out from Candi's sleeve and take a bite out of the tower. It retreats into the fabric and a second, smaller one, takes a mouthful for itself. I watch in fascination as the same is happening with her other sleeve. They are all of different sizes and shapes. I can't imagine what it takes to keep them all tamed and under her shirt. I'm so caught up, I don't notice Llenoy until he speaks.

"Ladies and Mr. Smalls, your second course."

The four-armed women return with more platters. They collect what we have and replace them with the next course. They remove the cloches and reveal plates of fried chicken wings with blackened skin next to a white cream and a single stalk of broccoli. Again, the women express their excitement. It doesn't smell burnt, in fact, it smells a lot like rich barbecue.

"Paradise Bird, breaded, and fried in its own sizzling blood, served with sour cream and broccoli. Mistress Colette's favorite."

The staff leave us to dine and The Captain leads us in prayer once more.

"Bless the sacred womb."

This time I finish with the rest of them, wondering if they're practice is to pray before every course.

Colette dives in immediately while her sisters take their time.

"You've never had paradise bird, have you Marlon?" Candi's snakes take a napkin and place it over my lap. "It's quite a delight."

"It was a specialty of our great grandmother's."

"Your great grandmother made fried chicken?" I ask, a bit surprised.

I can't help my skepticism. How often do well-meaning people end up doing something super racist in hopes of making their minority guests feel at home? The answer is very often. Did they hear that black people on our side of the veil love fried chicken and watermelon? Monsters, I can deal with, bigots, not so much.

"She loved it. She was fond of telling people her grandad brought the recipe over from the other side."

"Your... great great great grandfather visited my side of the veil?"

"Visited?" Kheelisha cuts in. "He was from there... a place called North Carolina."

I nearly choke on my own spit.

"Have you been, Marlon?" The Captain asks. "Our mother had always wanted to visit."

"Wait, you guys have southern roots, like deep southern roots... What year did he cross over?"

The sisters all look at Colette, who reluctantly leans back from her chicken. Her features contort as she tries to remember. I'm sure, if they weren't blindfolded, her eyes would roll up to the ceiling.

"I think, by your calendar, it was 1860."

"That sounds about right," The Captain confirms.

"He'd escaped bondage and fled a long way before falling through the same faerie ring you were brought through. He was one of a lot of refugees from that time period looking for someplace safe from flesh-mongers."

I stare down at the chicken on my plate and try to wrap my head around this revelation. I take a small drumstick and bite into the crispy skin. The flavor is a strong blast of spicy and sweet. The meat beneath is a savory treat that would make Popeye's Chicken jealous. I quietly eat my lunch because, for a change, I am at a loss for words.

"These are really good," I finally manage. I bite into a chicken flat, the flavor giving my taste buds a treat. "I..."

The words trail off as something slithers under the napkin in my lap and pulls at my zipper. Knowing what a snake bite in this place could do, I freeze. I look to my right and Dido's cheeks are flushed. Extra eyes watch me from her shoulder and cleavage. One winks. I look to my left and Candi whistles while she casually looks around the room. Something dives into my pants and swallows my member.

My panicked cry comes out like a whimper.

"Help!"