As soon as the cab starts moving, the sisters knew there is no turning back. No home to go back to. The only family they have could be in danger. And the answers lie behind the walls of Wisteria. The only thing that matters is to find their father, even if it cost them their lives.
Stella rested her temple on the cab's window. She watches the snow fall heavier as they get get closer to the capital. Along the way, she saw the bakeshop where she works. She has been absent for days and she was not able to bid her goodbyes to everyone. They must have heard about the fire by now.
Closing the bakeshop is her friend Mary. Poor Mary. She is going to shoulder most of Stella's work now. A bunch of introverts they were when they first started. They both hate facing strangers on a daily basis but they managed to love their job soon enough. But for now, Mary has to face the customers alone.
Stella shakes it off, diverting her attention to her sister who has not uttered a word since they got in the cab. "It's gonna be okay," she said as she held her hand. Something is wrong. She noticed how much her sister's hand is being jittery. She held it tighter. "What's wrong?" she whispered.
Cora kept her head down. "Nothing."
Beside her, Willa has been hovering, curious about Cora's case.
It took them almost two hours until they reached the gates of Wisteria. From afar, they just look like plain silver gates but as soon as they get closer, the intricate details can be seen carved on it.
The driver slows down as the four guards signalled them to stop. He rolls down all windows then turns off the engine. The guards circled around the cab and asked for their business. Willa hands them over Calico's invitation, sealed in a pastel pink letter envelope. One of the guards inspects it carefully then looks at Stella and Cora from the backseat. He then signals the driver to roll up the windows and to move forward.
There is a slight creaking sound of metal as the big silver-plated gate opens slowly in front of them. The driver starts the engine then drives onward, entering the gate.
Cora's mind is somewhat spiralling. This is it. This really is it. They are finally entering an unknown territory. The world humans outside so badly want. The glamorous life with the blood-sucking gods.
The rules are different now. Whatever happens to them, Oblivia will not be hear about it. The sisters held their breath as the gates close behind them.
The environment of Wisteria is totally different from Oblivia. It is highly crowded but kept themselves by the bricked sidewalks. Wisterians are more disciplined and sophisticated as expected. Everyone is wearing classy clothes of best quality. Buildings are raised higher than the ones usually seen in Oblivia. It is a modern city, way more advanced than those outside the walls.
It is not that hard to differentiate the humans from vampires. Vampires can change their eye color from natural color to crimson red iris. The fangs can never be hidden once they open their mouths. And within the walls, vampires are never ashamed to show it all.
The driver took endless turns to different streets. With each street, almost having its own personalities. Past the end of streets, there are flashing LED maps of each districts within Wisteria. All districts are named after shades of the color red. Beside the signs are wisteria trees, where the city got its name. Their purple blossoms falling on patches of snow.
Stella peered through the glass window, hoping to see their father immediately. The longer they stay, the more dangerous it gets. And she does not want to risk meeting Willa's master at all. But looking into the crowd seems hopeless. There is no sign of their father or Kalvick.
"What district, Ma'am?" the driver asked Willa.
"Claret District. Revie residence," Willa turns to the sisters. "Don't worry. I already told Calico that you're off limits."
The sisters remained quiet as the driver makes another turn then slows down in a very busy street. It did not take long until it stops in front of a particular house.
"We're here, Ma'am," the driver said as he steps out of his seat and opens the door beside Willa. She got out first, followed by the rest of the passengers.
Cold. The ground is almost fully covered with snow. Cora tucks her hands underneath her coat. She turns around to see a two-floored house painted in white and pastel pink. It is surrounded by sharp dagger-like steel fences also painted in white. Within the backyard are bushes of white rose-like flowers that give off a very sweet smell.
The front door creaked open. A lady wearing thick white furry coat came out with a dazzling smile. Her hair tied up to a high ponytail. Her stare, almost too seductive. "You're just in time, my friends!" she greeted cheerfully as she opens the front gate.
She pecks a kiss each on Willa and Rick's cheeks then turns to the sisters. "You must be our guests. The Clyborne sisters. Stella and Cora, right? My name is Calico Revie." She flashes another smile, now showing her pearly white fangs. "Come in! Come in! It's freezing out here!" She gestured to follow her as she walks back towards the gate then to the door.
Willa, now holding hands with Rick, immediately followed her master. Behind them are the sisters, weary as to what they are about to get themselves into.
Despite Calico's cheerful personality, Stella still could not force herself to trust her. She is not like those vampires who do transactions back in Oblivia. Not even close to their regular customers. Though all vampires come from Wisteria, those who prefer to never leave the capital still has a different impression than those who prefers to interact with the people outside the wall. But knowing that this vampire has been interacting with Rick somehow gives her a bit of assurance.
As soon as they entered the house, they were instructed to take a seat on the pink sofa. The place looks spacious. There are at least three long sofas by the living room. Behind it is a wall that separates it from the dining area. Everything is almost in white, pastel pink, and gold. Calico sits across them.
"So, I heard you girls have some serious business here in Wisteria," Calico said. Her tone became serious.
"Yes. We're looking for our father," Stella immediately replied.
"Wisteria is a very big place," The vampire looks at them concernedly then shifted back to her cheerful state. "Don't worry. I called some of my contacts from the authorities. They can help you track down your father."
"Thank you."
Calico stares at the other sister. "Cora..."
The younger sister looks at her in the eye, notices the vampire's brown eyes turns into deep crimson. "Yes?"
"Have we met before?" Calico tilts her head, flipping her long ponytail playfully. She squints her eyes. "You seemed familiar."
"I-I don't think so." She looks away. The way Calico stares at her felt heavy. Intense. Like she is so sure about it.
The thought confused her. But there's no time to be side-tracked on her own personal issues. All that matters is saving their father and get him out of this mess.
Calico noticed the sudden distress on Cora's face. For some reason, she finds it amusing. She takes off her furry coat, revealing her white off-shoulder crop top. She stands and struts across the room.
"C'mon," the vampire invites them. "Dinner's ready."
The round table at the dining room is already prepared, from the plates to the meals. Behind the scrumptious smell of roast and pie is a strong scent of Innefilis. As they take a seat, another vampire serves them Innefilis tea. The sisters have not tasted this drink before but it smells irresistible.
Back in Oblivia, café's and restaurants also offer Innefilis but not as good as this. Not as strong and appetizing as this.
Willa looks at her master but all she got is a sweet smile. She then looks down then holds Rick's hand.
Stella took a sip from her teacup. The tea has a deep purple color but with a consistency as thin as a normal tea. It is sweet. The scent is distinct, obviously fresh. Weird, but good weird. The first taste instantly gave her a calming effect. She could not help but take another sip.
The dinner was a delight. Calico managed to loosen up the sisters with her humor. Turns out, the vampire is quite fun at entertaining guests. It is also revealed that Rick has been visiting Wisteria for six months now. Sheriff Thorburn probably does not know about it. Maybe he have not even met Willa yet.
After dinner, Calico lead her guests upstairs where their assigned rooms are. The vibe upstairs is very different. It is like entering a separate house. The wallpapers shifted from playful pastel pink with embossed gold rose prints to jet black with purple vine prints. The lights also went dimmer.
The sisters' room is located at the end of the hallway to the right. As soon as they entered the room, Stella free falls in bed, ready to snooze off. Calico says goodnight then closes the door.
Cora takes a seat on the king sized bed. The room is quite spacious for a single bedroom. She looks around and noticed that her vision is somewhat spinning. She stares at the velvet floor and it felt like sinking. She begins to hyperventilate and pull her sister's arm but there was no response. Stella was knocked out cold.
She slowly lays down in bed. The ceiling and the chandelier felt like dropping towards her. "What is going on?" she faintly asked herself as she closes her eyes and loses consciousness.