I had a hive. I could sense them in my mind, and I wasn't suppressing them; they were my pack, my vampire pack, if you will. It was the day of the first party, the vampire ball in New York. I had arranged a few things to be done there. I was still Lady Mimi Salvatore, as vampires didn't believe in vampire marriage divorces. Even though my mark was gone and my heart had its own rhythm, my title remained.
I sat in our grand living room; the girls embodying their vampire personas, and Alaric embracing his vampire side as well. Colin sat next to me, while Tim, Taylor, Murdock, and Dexter were all ready to listen. I had given them my blood, making us all quite strong.
I addressed them, saying, "Now, when we go in, each of us will have a plus one. Dexter and Murdock will be our bodyguards, or whatever you want to call them. Colin will be my plus one, Taylor, you will be Mimosa, Alaric, you will be Mariella's, and Tim, you are Shadow's plus one. This means we are free creatures, so put on a show when we arrive, at the appropriate time. But I will be the queen, so you will follow my lead, and I will permit you to act accordingly. Now, according to our intelligence, Annaliese is trying to be modern."
Mariella nodded; she had also read those reports and seen the pictures of Damon and Annaliese kissing, and Damon smiling at Annaliese. But it was all good.
I continued, "In these balls, there are many old vampires, and we will be old-fashioned. We will embody what vampires should be. Vampires don't like things that are too modern, and there are plenty of old ones there, so we will respect that. I already have a reputation, and this is one thing we will uphold. Now, there's more."
Mimosa spoke, her voice now darker and alluring, causing Tim to look at her intensely. "Of course, there is. Tell us more. It sounds so fun, a real vampire ball. We are vampiresses there."
I nodded and said, "I have arranged for my throne to be brought there, the one we had at our wedding. And some changes have been made. We will have our own table, and I have specified who will sit with us and who won't. The Salvatores, Annaliese, Wulfe, and Magnum won't get a seat at our table. It's all part of our plan. I will sit on my throne, while Damon won't have his, as Annaliese doesn't want to give him power and is trying to be modern. I will have a few vampires who will ensure that only those I allow can have an audience with me. So, Murdock, Dexter, you are not to interfere. Stay by my side unless I say otherwise. Maintain control."
Murdock grumbled, accustomed to taking action and defending me without asking for permission. But this was a new situation for all of us.
Mariella asked, "Where do we sit?"
I replied, "I have reserved special chairs for you, just as I promised. Now Sylvie, Drake, Draco, and Silver will also be there. We'll have some important guests at our table. I know Annaliese hasn't requested her own table, but she might after this. However, we have the advantage here. We will present gifts to certain vampires - small bottles of our blood - as a sign of respect. This tactic will strengthen our alliance with them. They are old vampires, and this is a surefire way to win them over to our side."
Shadow questioned, "Why do we have to be so strong and challenge her?"
I explained to her, "It will ignite Damon's spirit. Annaliese needs to focus on solidifying her status, not enslaving Damon. She will be preoccupied with gathering so many vampires, and she won't be able to come after us immediately. We have a significant number of defenders, and our status will protect us."
Alaric retorted, "That sounds logical, but is there more to it?"
I nodded and continued, "It took some effort from me, Adam, and Charles to strengthen Damon's spirit enough for him to break free from Maggie's powers. Annaliese is stronger, but Damon is strong too. We need to provoke him, ignite his spirit, and bring him into our hive. That means I need to feed off him or one of the Salvatores, one at a time. Annaliese can't stop me. She is too arrogant to see me as a threat. But once I have several Salvatores under my influence, she will retaliate. Here's the twist: you all can bring them into the hive as well. All you have to do is desire it, connect with the hive, and pull them in while feeding off them."
Mariella nodded and said, "That helps, as we can all attempt to bring someone into the hive. But how can you be sure that she can't stop you?"
I replied confidently, "I am the hive queen. She has no idea what I truly am. I am a relic from a time long past, when humans lived in caves and such. Annaliese is not well-versed in studying history, and I doubt Damon will tell her. I just need to take a few bites and ignite his spirit. He will start to fight against her. He might even want to join the hive, so when you feed off him, he might willingly immerse himself in it. Let it happen. I could be completely wrong, but if that's the case, it will be an interesting turn of events when he becomes part of the hive. And if we're not yet in a position to kill Annaliese completely, he might even try to challenge my leadership. We'll see how it unfolds. Prepare yourselves."
Murdock had a mischievous grin on his face, showing that he had no issue with a little domestic dispute between me and Damon, if it were to come to that.
Addressing all the members of our hive, I declared, "Tonight, our primary goal is to gather information, but we will also make our first appearance. Feel free to indulge in kisses, touches, and even more intimate activities. Fuck in public, make it show as vampires do at parties. And make sure Damon witnesses it all."
I glanced over at Mariella, who was directing her intense gaze towards poor Dexter. I was fine with that.
Nodding, I continued, "Again, our aim is to create sparks with anyone in the room, and then we reveal the existence of our hive. This way, they can choose to join us willingly. I'm not entirely sure how successful Annaliese has been with Wulfe, so I don't want to focus solely on him. However, we should start with the easiest target. Mariella, remember, put on a captivating show for Damon. By the way, there will be humans present as well, so if you desire, you can sample their 'sweetness.' We know how much that affects Damon."
Mariella smiled. We were about to cause some serious trouble. There was no time for regrets, not at this moment. It was time for us to embrace our vampire nature, and this decision meant that our vampire side was here to stay. As for the long run, I had no idea what consequences it would bring. For instance, I wasn't sure how powerful these three vampires would become, considering they were already significantly enhanced and consumed potent blood daily.
It was time to prepare ourselves for the occasion. The men would wear classic tuxedos, but not modern ones. Mariella, with her matchmaking business, had connections to several witches who were knowledgeable about etiquette and men's fashion. They would ensure that the men were dressed appropriately for a vampire party. As for us, we would wear elegant lace dresses, with our hair flowing freely in white or black.
I had even requested a few skilled individuals to create a crown for me. After all, I was the queen. Mariella had a platinum tiara, and the wolves would have silver tiaras adorned with jewels and diamonds. I would wear the jewelry Damon had given me for our vampire wedding, as it was part of my role. I also had extra pieces for Mariella and the wolves.
Having a hive felt strange, but it wasn't the same as having a pack. The pack was like a well-connected network, bound together by a strong bond. It was like the roots of a plant or a cord that tied us all together. But having a hive was different. We were all in the same space, and I could feel them in my mind. They were so close, and they could feel me too. We were a hive, but everyone still had their individuality. However, I hadn't tested my ability to control them like drones yet. If it ever came to that, I would have to ask for everyone's permission. I didn't want to abuse the power I had over them.
I had teleported a lot of vampire books here for Mariella to read. She didn't do much else besides drinking blood and reading, but it was almost time to get the party started.
Mariella came to me and said, "I am so ready for this. I mean, this is it."
I reassured her, "It might not feel like it now, but once you see him and hear him professing his love for her, it will hurt. But channel that hurt and take it out on the men surrounding you. Remember, he will hurt too when he sees you with others, despite what he might say or do. I know him that well. Now, one thing we need to do is figure out who our first victim will be. My guess is that she's keeping Salvatores 1,2,4, Wulfe, Magnum, boys, Adam, and Charles tightly under control. So, focus on the Salvatores and see if you can provoke a reaction from one of them. And one more thing, keep your vampire pheromones wide open. Damon can't resist mine, he just can't. But let's see if one of the Salvatores isn't as tightly controlled so we can lure him coming after me. That way, I get to bite him for the first time. And I'm going to make it count, meaning addiction."
Mariella nodded and asked, "But won't Annaliese see you biting them?"
I explained, "You see, Annaliese might want to have us too, as she sees us being strong. So, she might let some Salvatore interact with us in order to lure us into her web. But we're not that easy to fool. And one more thing, don't hold back. Let your words flow, with as snappier sentences as possible. We want to make an impact here."
She smiled and said, "Oh boy, I am so ready. But we should start getting ready too. It's almost time."
I nodded and stood in front of the mirror, biting my wrist to get my makeup just right.
Mimosa entered the room and said, "Let me help. I have a vision of you."
She bit into my throat, and when I looked in the mirror, I saw I had dark, smokey eyes with glitter, little diamonds attached to my skin, on my temples, cheeks, and everything else, truly transforming me into a queen.
Mimosa and I stood before the mirror, our eyes smoldering with smokey makeup. The sight of us in our regal attire was breathtaking. I had altered my lace dress, making it longer yet sexier, revealing a daring slit that extended beyond my breasts and down to my navel. The dress, adorned with golden strands, shimmered and gave me an exotic allure.
As I gazed at myself, I couldn't help but notice my toned muscles, delicately defined, without being overly bulky. My slender waist showcased my lean figure, while my thin legs betrayed their hidden strength. My pale and silky skin exuded an innocent charm, contrasting with the almost feral expression on my face. I had left my shifter side uncovered, allowing my fully black eyes to reveal my vampire nature.
The air around me was saturated with my vampire pheromones, adding an intoxicating scent to my hair and body. I had taken precautions to keep our entrance a secret, ensuring our table remained hidden for maximum impact. I had also provided my friends with books to educate them about my unique kind of vampires, preparing for the surprise and inevitable opposition, especially from Nick. But I had plans in place to handle any resistance.
Adorned with heavy jewelry, including a pendant hanging between my breasts and multiple rings on my fingers, I looked at myself in the mirror and felt the weight of my golden crown, with jewels attached, resting on my head. The reflection staring back at me was that of a true vampire queen.
Mariella was a sight to behold, her stunning white hair cascading down like a shimmering waterfall. The platinum tiara nestled amidst her locks, catching the light and casting a mesmerizing glow. Her blood-red lace dress clung to her curvy body, accentuating every exquisite curve. The golden strands woven into the fabric added a seductive touch, beckoning the eyes to explore further.
As she looked at me with her piercing black eyes, a mischievous smile played across her blood-red lips. Sharp fangs peeked through, adding an air of danger and intrigue. The scent of her pheromones wafted through the air, a heady mix of peaches and orchids, enveloping her in a seductive perfume.
Her jewelry sparkled and shimmered, adorning her neck, fingers, ears, and wrists. Each piece radiated elegance and opulence. Her red heels stood out against my own black ones, a subtle contrast that amplified the allure of our presence.
Beside Mariella stood Mimosa and Shadow, their midnight black hair flowing like silk. Their black eyes held a mysterious allure, drawing you in. Their white lace dresses, adorned with silver strands, hugged their curvier bodies with tantalizing grace. The white heels, jewelry, and silver tiaras adorned with precious jewels and diamonds completed their enchanting ensemble.
Their pheromones, a bewitching combination of seduction, danger, and dark allure, mingled with Mariella's, creating a supernatural cocktail of scents. It was a fragrance impossible to describe with ordinary terms, a tantalizing blend of vampire pheromones, shifter allure, and the intoxicating scent of lust-fueled witches.
As we made our way to the waiting limo, the anticipation hung in the air. The grand entrance was upon us, and I had spared no expense in arranging a luxurious ride. The sleek black vehicle exuded power and sophistication, the perfect choice to make a maximum impact.
Perhaps in future parties, we would opt for a regal horse-drawn carriage, but for now, the limousine was our chariot of choice. We were ready to embrace the night, ready to captivate and enthrall with our otherworldly presence.