Stella bowed slightly in greeting, but didn't attempt to make small talk. She could clearly see in the minds of these two as well as their bodies what they were thinking. Sharp's father had certainly not thought of the word guest when he saw her.
The silent battle was interrupted when the old man walked into the room. He bowed and asked, "Should I order refreshments?" Mr. Sharp only nodded and Mrs. Sharp said, "Yes, do that Leo. And make sure you . . . don't bring the . . . . vessels here." She winced as she finished the sentence and Stella hid a smile. She could plainly see how much control it was taking each and every member of this household to restrain themselves from pouncing on her. They were not used to entertaining humans, especially one as sweet smelling as her.
It would have been funny had it not been so scary. Any one of them could snap any time and attack her. And it would take only one for the others to break too.
Stella was pulled out of her thoughts by Sharp's voice as he spoke from beside her, "You do not need to go through the trouble. I assure you that we have both eaten sufficiently at June's home. Her parents are really good hosts after all." Though the sentence was a completely ordinary one, Stella sensed some inner meaning by the way Sharp's parents tensed and the sudden burst of loathing Stella could feel from them. She dared a quick peek at Sharp's face, but it was set in stone. Stella quickly turned to glare at Sharp's parents, her own expression full of disgust on her face. She might have no idea what was going on, but by god, she hated these people!
Sharp's father let out a tight smile as he said, "I have no doubt about Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose are good hosts. But no parent can bear to let their child go hungry while visiting them. We were just about to have dinner after all." Sharp narrowed his eyes and said, "If a life can be saved by me going hungry, I'll gladly do so."
Stella flinched back the next second as Sharp's mother suddenly let out a growl like an animal. She was sure the older woman would have pounced on her had Sharp's father not put a heavy hand on her shoulder. "Mother looks too hungry for her own benefit. You both should head to the dining hall before someone does something they would regret." Sharp almost spat the words out, pushing Stella behind himself.
"I do hope we might see you at the table." Sharp's father said as he led his wife into what Stella assumed was the dining hall.
As soon as the older couple was out of sight, Sharp seemed to positively deflate right in front of Stella's eyes. His body sagged and he let out a long breath as he reached for Stella's hand. She was surprised, but she took the hand anyway.
"Let's go." he said and began to lead a very confused Stella upstairs.
"Why are we here Sharp?" Stella whispered low enough for only Sharp's ears. She knew she was in a house full of vampires and had no idea who could be listening.