Free The Immortal Coil by J. Armand Page A

something of a delicacy that our kind savors.”
    She covered her smile with her hand and looked away as if taken aback by her own forwardness, but I was anxious to hear more.
    “Taking very little to keep each person healthy is beneficial to both parties,” she carried on. “In present times, humanity far outnumbers us and it is in their nature to fear and loathe the unknown. A revolt would be disastrous to our kind if they were to learn the truth of our existence.
    “All we wish is to spend our immortality in peace. I have amassed quite a considerable amount of wealth in my time. As a connoisseur, I have often made large financial contributions to help fund the cultivation of the fine arts through the ages. Unfortunately, my appearance makes remaining unseen in public an impossibility. My undead heart breaks each night knowing I can never leave these walls to offer applause at an opera or walk the red carpet in support of an artist without persecution.”
    I could sense a great feeling of despair growing in her voice.
    “Even those outside of this coven make some attempt at remaining hidden now, although murder is much more common for them. For centuries, the Archios have been burdened with covering up such violent indiscretions. We are forced to use our powers over the mind to influence human governments and media for the survival of us all.”
    “That sounds like a lot of work for something that isn’t even your fault. It’s not fair you have to hide from persecution when you aren’t the ones hurting anyone. All that effort could be used on working together instead.”
    It was tragic. If even these beautiful, cultured, benevolent people couldn’t exist freely because humans were too close-minded, then what hope did any other minority have?
    “It pleases me to know you are sympathetic to our plight. We have even established connections with blood banks to further avoid harming our delicate flock. There was once a time when we were more openly accepted among mortals, but those days have long since passed,” Aurelia said, and then stopped abruptly to watch the crowd behind me.
    “There is a small problem,” Vivian whispered to Aurelia as she walked over. “Intruders are in the south garden. They appear to be the same creatures that our young guest encountered in New York.”
    “Not again, not here too,” I said in a panic.
    “This is unheard of!” Aurelia exclaimed. “They must have followed you here. Now I fear we are all in danger.”
    The party came to a halt as everyone began squabbling among themselves. They were all speaking other languages, but it was pretty easy to understand their reactions.
    “Noah.” Aurelia spoke and he immediately dropped down beside her. “Please handle this troubling situation with great haste.”
    “Good, I was getting bored listening to a bunch of whiney socialites all night,” Noah said, looking around at the crowd with disdain.
    “Take Dorian with you, should you need help,” Aurelia offered.
    “What? Why me? I have no idea how to fight!”
    “You’ve dealt with them before, no?” Vivian gave an encouraging smile. “You are the only one here with any experience.”
    “You guys are probably a lot better at this than I am, though,” I tried to reason with her, “and I think Noah has way more experience with this kind of stuff; just look at him!”
    “At least he has good taste,” Noah nodded smugly.
    “Just because we are immortal does not mean we are made for war. I am still a lady above all else. I was under the impression you understood us. Surely you do not expect to send me out to face such horrors,” Aurelia said, sounding hurt and appalled.
    “I didn’t mean it like that …” I was digging myself a pretty deep hole.
    “Please help us,” Aurelia and Vivian pleaded. I couldn’t refuse them no matter how badly I wanted to. They had all gone out of their way to help me and now they were in trouble.
    “Okay, no problem.” The words slipped