Coffin Girls (Elegantly Undead: Book 1 of the Coffin Girls Witch Vampire Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the imposing mansion took centre stage
while guests, honored to be in its presence, ate and made merry in or around
it.
    Laughter competed with the lively sound of the jazz band
playing on the temporary stage to the left of the palatial plantation house,
where the lawn met the lily-adorned pond. Couples, lured by the music,
intoxicated by the heavy, warm summer’s night, danced the Cajun two-step on the
temporary dance floor. They’d placed the band between the pond and the dance
floor as added insurance against guests falling unwittingly into the dark
waters.
    People slithered around and between the gigantic, old live
oaks that stood at attention, creating a natural alley leading towards the
Mississippi’s famous River Road.  Some guests looked for adventure; others
walked in childish awe between the ancient trees. They worshipped them
reverently looking up at them, touching the edges of the hanging tendrils of
Spanish moss, nature’s contribution to the wedding décor. The majority of the
guests were located where she stood, drawn in by the food and drink offered on
the cocktail tables set up here and there on the lawn, seemingly casual yet
cunningly placed. The bride was stationed at a few of the larger tables set up
on the broad gallery that encircled the entire bottom floor of the house.
Anais, owner of Papillion Plantation and majority shareholder of Papillion
Weddings, spotted staff efficiently wade through the crowds, barely noticeable
as they ensured that guests remained happy with hors d’ oeuvress trays filled
and champagne readily topped up.
    “Anais, we have a problem.” Veronique’s voice, followed by
static, and came through on her ear-piece.
    “Roger, V. What seems to be the problem?” Anais began
walking towards the direction where V was located, her vampire hearing knew
where V was the minute she made contact and if not for that, the fact that
Anais was V’s maker allowed her to link with her whenever she needed. 
    “Uh...” V was at a loss for words, not a good thing. “It’s a
delicate situation. Please could you come over?” A pregnant pause, then,
“Over”.
    “Are the others coming over too? Over.” V’s stint in the
military meant that she was a stickler for radio protocol. They humored her for
the most part.
    “Negative. This requires some privacy. Like I said, it’s
delicate. Over.”
    “Roger that, I’ll see you soon,” Anais frowned. Spurred on
by the mystery, she made her way to the bridal change rooms on the second floor
of the maison . A revolting smell permeated the air, which, thanks to her
vampire senses, was heightened. Vampires didn’t really have to breath, so Anais
switched to pretending, making her chest move slightly in and out, while she
discontinued taking in the strangely gross-tinged air.
    V turned to her and the serious face she’d been putting on
for the sobbing maid of honor behind her was immediately replaced by an
ear-splitting grin. Anais’s brow puckered, it wasn’t like V to be insensitive.
V turned back to the poor maid of honor and the serious face was pasted back
on. Anais felt her lips twitch at the comical transformations; it was like
being caught in a Shakespearean farce.
    “Shari-lee, I’ll be right back. I’m just going to go chat to
Anais to figure out what we can do to help you. Don’t worry,” V placated the
now hysterical girl, “we’ll sort this situation out in no time.” V ushered her
wailing charge into the en-suite bathroom, “Why don’t you freshen up while we
come up with a solution for you. There’s a new range of fantastic organic berry
shower gel or if you prefer, lavender and passion-fruit infused bath salts. You
can even relax and put the jets on.”
    “Anais, can I see you outside for a moment, please?”
    Pulled outside the room by a tomato-red V – yes, vampires
have blood in their bodies and sometimes they do have enough to blush – Anais
asked at vampire-soft level, “What’s going on? And what was