The Ninja Vampire's Girl by Michele Hauf Read Free Book Online

One
    London
    I glided down the vast marble hallway, which was trimmed in gilded and plaster frieze, relieved to be away from the ballroom tucked amongst the wigs and damasks, satins and frockcoats. The party was to die for, the people gorgeous and the champagne and chocolate endless.
    But I was not here for drink or flirtation.
    Veering toward the lone ottoman, placed in the center of the grand hallway, I plunged onto the tufted velvet and turned onto my back. The tight corset squeezed my ribs but I liked the snuggly feeling. And it pushed up my breasts nicely, making me feel sensual and womanly.
    Alençon lace at my elbows hung over my wrists, and I blew it aside to inspect the mehndi stained onto the palm of my hand. It was traditionally worn for weddings and celebrations, but I had hopes the sigils worked into the design would provide protection.
    Scanning the three-story room with a vaulted ceiling that looked as if Michelangelo had set up a scaffold beneath, my eyes took in the elaborate gold frieze, gaudy paintings and portraits, and crystal chandeliers. So much artwork in this hall, it resembled something from the British Museum.
    "It could be anywhere," I muttered, sliding my hand down the black satin corset.
    The red damask bodice was sown to the corset, but the red ribbons tying down the front of the corset were for show. Too busy for my taste, but the whole costume worked for this adventure.
    I did like adventure. Adventure was my middle name.
    Along the ceiling, plaster angels had been worked into the cornices, but they were all pudgy cherubs. Nothing so bold and virile as what I had hopes to find.
    A musical jingle sounded in the stillness. I tugged a cell phone out from the side of the corset where it nestled against my breast, and answered.
    "Cassandra? Yes, I'm here at the party. No, haven't found it yet. You're sure Leonard Marshall has one?"
    My sister shuffled papers on her end—that would be a sweet little flat in Berlin—while my eyes strayed over the painting of a grazing horse, and then to the more modern, and frankly, groovy canvas that featured bright-colored rings dancing over a black background.
    "It's got to be there, Coco."
    "Wait." I sat up, wincing as the corset dug into my ribs. "I think I found it. Talk to you soon, Caz."
    Tucking away the phone, I approached the groovy canvas hung above the right corner of the doorway. I squinted discerningly. One ring on that painting was most definitely not like the others.
    "Score."
    There was enough fancy plasterwork and wood chair railing on the wall to facilitate a makeshift rock climber like in the gym I attended…okay, so I paid membership fees, but the last time I worked out was too long ago to remember.
    Pushing aside the bothersome poufy skirts to reveal my legs, I fit my ballet flat above the baseboard plaster decoration, found finger-holds above a cherub's head and started to climb.
    I'd left the hallway door open about a foot and the music from the ballroom—18th century harpsichord fused with techno thump—promised the revelers would party all night in celebration of Midsummer. I wasn't much for parties. My adventuring kept me pretty busy. And I could hardly think to celebrate when my sister was in trouble.
    Securing my fingertips along the top of the door frame, I managed to boost up with my toes. The ring secured onto the canvas was a reach away.
    My toe slipped on the satin hem of the dress. I slapped my free hand high, clasping the ring…and teetered backward into a freefall.
    Â 
    The woman landed in my arms, a flailing scatter of limbs and swishy satin. I caught her easily, her huge dress disguising her fey weight.
    "It's not every day a bloke catches an angel," I said. "And looky here, this angel comes complete with halo."
    She kicked and struggled so I let her stand and shuffle away. She shook the halo at me, prepared to spout some nasty reply, but she did not. Her jaw fell, and her bright green eyes fixed to