The foyer was dimly lit, and it seemed doubly so to Jenna, who had just come in from the sunlight. She peered around the room as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. The interior of the manor matched its Renaissance Revival exterior. It was spacious, with a grand staircase in the back. Wood paneling was everywhere, and the floor was made up of marble tiles. Jenna shuddered a bit at the towering suits of armor on display and at the grotesque gargoyles supporting the ceiling. She turned her attention to the paintings and frescoes of Greek goddesses on the walls. Jenna honestly got a bit aroused looking at the portraits of Athena and Artemis. She silently thanked Lady Moon for the fact that she didn't have a dick in her human form, or else it would be hardening right now.
Tatiana stretched contentedly. "Man, does it ever feel good to get outta the Sun! I know the Amulet of Daywalking keeps that fucking yellow fireball from burning me to ashes, but it still stings a bit. Honestly, I don't know how Liesel can stand being outside in the garden for so long. All that sunlight must ache something fierce! Well, how do you like it inside the manor, Jenna?"
"Pretty spooky," Jenna answered, "but really cool." She noticed two thrones in the center of the foyer. "What are those, Tats?" Jenna asked, pointing at the thrones.
"The thrones of the matriarch and her consort," Tatiana answered. "That's where Carmilla and Mircalla hold court and receive guests at midnight."
Jenna giggled. "Vampires are so formal, Tats!"
Tatiana cleared her throat awkwardly. "We prefer the term 'polite,' actually."
Before Jenna could respond, three vampires descended the stairs. One had her black hair done up in cornrow braids and had a grey-brown pallor that suggested she may have been African-American in life. Another was a tall, gorgeous blonde with smokey grey eyes and ruby lips. The third was a very short vampire with bushy brown hair and faint spots on her pale face the might have been traces of freckles from her human life.
The beautiful blonde vampire noticed Tatiana and waved at her. "Oh, welcome back, Tatiana!" She then spotted Jenna and said more guardedly "I see you brought company."
"Good to see you too, Lenora," Tatiana smiled. "This is Jenna McSweeney. Don't worry about her; she's part of our world. She's part of the new werehyena pack. I'm actually sharing Selena with her."
The grey-brown vampire with cornrows smiled impishly, sniffing the air. "Mmm, I thought her blood smelled different from an ordinary human's."
Lenora shot her horny sister a sharp look. "Dracona, knock it off! You'll scare that poor werehyena out of her mind. You can tell from the look on her face this is the first time she's ever met more than one vampire."
Dracona grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Lenora."
Lenora led her two sisters down the stairs. "It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. McSweeney. Lenora von Karnstein at your service." She then curtsied deeply with her lavish dark red Victorian gown.
"Thanks, Lenora," said Jenna. "But you really don't have to greet me like we're at a masquerade ball."
Lenora laughed softly. "Oh, but I do, Jenna. Vampires pride themselves on being the most civilized and refined of all magicals. Only faeries have more intricate decorum... but, on the other hand, they're also more likely to blow up your toilet than vampires are."
Dracona gave a quick curtsy; her black gown was similar to Lenora's red one but more overtly gothic in design and tailored to be more revealing. She confidently strutted up to Jenna and kissed her hand. "How utterly scrumptious to meet you, Jenna. I am Dracona von Karnstein, and I'll do anything to bring you... pleasure."
Lenora and the short vampire buried their faces in their hands while Tatiana laughed. Jenna herself blushed beet red.
Dracona's smile softened from roguish to sympathetic. "Oh, did I frighten you? Relax, I don't bite... until you ask me very nicely, anyway. So, I hear you're one of those yummy werehyenas from Selena's pack. Think you'd like to shift and show me all your werebeast muscles?"
Jenna blushed again. "Oh, I'm not that kind of werehyena. I'm a breeder, a werehyena whose body is specialized in pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing. Our muscles are super toned-down, and we're really curvy and rounded. We have really hot bubble butts and the biggest titties in the pack."
Dracona sighed. "I'm not really about that bimbo look, I'm afraid. Maybe you should try your luck with Lenora. She likes her partners every bit as feminine as she is."
Lenora's ivory cheeks flushed blue with embarrassment. "I... wouldn't be opposed."
Dracona stepped back, and the tiny vampire with bushy hair took her place. She hastily smoothed her rumpled outfit that almost resembled a private school uniform before curtsying with her knee-length tartan skirt. "I give you my most sincere felicitations, Jenna McSweeney. My name is Whisper von Karnstein. I hope you judge our social dynamic satisfactory."
"Don't mind her big words, Jenna," Dracona laughed. "Whisper's a huge nerd."
"She manages Matriarch Carmilla's private library and archives," Lenora added.
Tatiana turned expectantly to Jenna. "So, what do you make of my sisters?"
"So far, I like them," Jenna smiled. "Dracona's a bit extra, but it's honestly entertaining."
"I'm glad," Tatiana smiled. She turned to face her sisters. "You guys know where I can find everybody else?"
"Valeria's up in her room," Lenora said. "She's actually preparing for a date if you can believe it!"
"Really?!" Tatiana said incredulously. "I thought she was still pining for that werevixen bitch who left her."
"Not anymore," Lenora grinned, reveling in the gossip. "She says she called up some human girl she fed on with you a couple of nights ago and asked her out. She's driving down to Stokerville today."
"You mean Roxy Weiss?" Tatiana asked. "Yeah, I sort of remember her. She did seem like Valeria's type."
"You mean frivolous, sybaritic, and mercurial?" Whisper asked dryly.
"I was thinking more along the lines of carefree, fun-loving, and free-spirited," Tatiana said, blushing with venom, "but yeah. Valeria always did love party girls. Hope this one works out."
"Unquestionably," Whisper sighed. "I am thoroughly dubious that we can withstand another of Valeria's romantic estrangements. She gets rather... theatrical... regarding them."
"Lots of vampires do," Lenora shrugged. "Desire for a soulmate's just part of our psychological makeup."
"We're the love undead," Dracona snickered.
"Well, we'll leave her alone to get ready for her date," Tatiana said. "How about Claudia? Where's she?"
"In the garage tinkering on her favorite motorcycle," said Dracona. "I wouldn't bother her if I were you. You know how much she fucking hates to be disturbed when she's messing around with that thing."
"Yikes," Tatiana winced. "I still remember the last time I barged in on her. Well, how about the fresh blood, Jinx and Persephone?"
"They're around somewhere," Lenora shrugged idly. "Poke around long enough and you'll find them."
"And what about Carmilla and Mircalla?" asked Tatiana. "I should probably introduce Jenna to them as soon as possible, considering I'm in a relationship with her."
A naughty grin spread over Dracona's face. "They're up in their chambers... if you know what I mean." She gave Tatiana a wink loaded with sexual implications.
"Thanks," Tatiana nodded. She turned to Jenna. "Well, time to introduce you to my vampire moms."
Jenna went nearly as pale as the vampires. "What?! While they're in the middle of... making love?!"
Tatiana laughed. "Jenna, Clan von Karnstein has regular orgies. To us, sex is neither private nor shameful. Carmilla will expect me to knock before entering, of course, but that'd be true no matter what she and Mircalla were doing in there. Really, you'll need to get used to this kind of thing. Werebeast packs are just as open."
Jenna nodded. "I guess I've got a lot to learn about the magical world, Tats. Please, lead the way."
Tatiana led Jenna up the grand staircase and up several more flights. Jenna thanked Lady Moon for her newfound werehyena stamina that carried over to her human form and could match Tatiana's deathless energy. They finally arrived at a corridor on the highest floor, and Tatiana guided her new partner down the hallway until they arrived at the farthest door. Jenna could hear the loud, sensual moaning of feminine voices on the other side.
Tatiana knocked sharply on the door. "Matriarch, Consort, it's Tatiana. I have someone I'd like you to meet. May I come in?"
"Absolutely!" Carmilla's musical voice responded. "I hope you don't mind if Mircalla and I carry on while you make the introductions." The erotic moaning instantly resumed.
"That's fine, Matriarch," Tatiana said. "Maybe we'll even join in." She then opened the door and led Jenna into the sleeping chamber of the clan matriarch and her bride.