Demon Vampire (The Redgold Series) (74 page)

Epiphany and Betrayal

The docks were covered in a thick fog again. Yugo searched where Lucretia had indulged herself before. It was dark out. Yugo needed to find her quickly so that all of them could continue heading west. Yugo's plan was to head for the newly established American colonies. He figured that there would be plenty of people dying from infection and weather that a few vampire related deaths might go unnoticed if executed the right way.

Yugo heard a splash from the end of the dock. From the sound if it, Lucretia had leaped out of the water. Even in this mist Yugo's vision was clear. He was far older than Lucretia and Orhn put together. He was able to realize Lucretia stood at the end of the dock with ease. Her body was wet, as the water was striking the wood it instantly let Yugo know she was there. She was naked. Lucretia had left her coils of clothing to remain dry further up the dock. She slowly walked towards Yugo, still thinking she was invisible to him.

Lucretia smiled.

“You are so loud, even your lips give you away.” Yugo sighed.

Lucretia stopped in her tracks. “Am I that obvious?” She came up to Yugo, walking through the mist. The details of her body coming into view as she got closer.

Yugo saw everything. “Lucretia, where are your clothes?”

“I must have dropped them.” Lucretia's voice was smug. She was bragging about something. She pawed over Yugo. Her wet skin was touching his as she ran her fingers down the back of his neck. Her naval was sliding against his left arm, his fingers were inches from her.

The water cascaded down Lucretia's bare skin, forcing Yugo to stare.

“It's okay Yugo. You can look. You're always allowed to look.” Lucretia raised her left knee, propping her foot on the inseam of Yugo's leg. She pulled his hand closer between her open thighs.

“Where in town? You'll need clothes to travel in, you know that.” Yugo was unhappy. He was staring, but out of habit more than he desired. He had chosen not to take Lucretia's obvious invitation. A part of him did still lust for Lucretia. She was the only vampire that was able to withstand his carnal appetite. As much as he wanted to physically, Yugo had decided Lucretia was too twisted to stay with personally.

Lucretia took a hold of Yugo's left hand and placed it directly in between her legs, letting his finger tickle her. “With all the men that had been awake for the past two hours.” Lucretia leaned into Yugo's left ear. “Each of them took a piece. Each of them had a piece. I gave
it
to each and every one of them willingly.” Lucretia was intentionally pissing Yugo off.

It worked. Yugo wanted nothing to do with Lucretia now. She had no sense of monogamy or discretion. Yugo hated what she was doing. He pulled his hand away and threw her back. Yugo nearly pushed Lucretia off the end of the dock.

Yugo turned his back to her. “Stay here, I'll buy you some clothes in town and return in a half hour.”

“What's the matter Yugo? Did I make you mad?” Lucretia was egging him on now.

“You know the consequences of your actions. You always have.” Yugo left without saying any more.

Yugo made his way back to the inn. He met up with Moira and Orhn. She was still wearing the same bed sheet from the night before. It was very thin and revealing, it fit tightly. The fabric exposed her features well. Yugo sighed, thinking he had seen enough temptation for one night. Moira's face said everything that had happened while he was gone. She was embarrassed. Orhn was not. She had attacked Orhn the moment Yugo had left to find Lucretia, taking full advantage of all the time he had taken to return. The shuffled room told Yugo that Moira had just finished enjoying Orhn's company.

“Moira, you seem to be in need of a dress.” Yugo stated the obvious.

“I paid the inn keeper for the damage and the sheet.” Orhn explained.

“There was damage?” Yugo asked.

“Yes, sorry about costing you all so much. Something about Orhn smelled just right and I went a little overboard.” Moira elaborated.

Yugo's face went blank.

“You don't have to be so shocked. All the women in my village save themselves for marriage. It's common enough to find a few that don't.” Moira commented.

Yugo swallowed the dry patch he had in his throat. He lowered his head and gestured for Orhn to come closer. “Orhn, you have what few of us will ever know.”

“What? A companion?” Orhn asked.

Yugo whispered into Orhn's ear. “That and more.”

Confused, Orhn rejoined Moira, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Let's get you that dress. Besides Lucretia needs one as well.” Yugo started in the direction of the seamstress stores he had seen when they came into the area. He hoped some of them lived in the upstairs apartments. If so the women could get the dresses that night and not have to wait for the morning. Yugo hated running errands, but the thought of Lucretia naked on a ship to America with a crew of male sailor's was appalling to him.

Yugo, Orhn, and Moira quickly found the storefront. Yugo knocked twice, shaking the wooden frame and alerting the owner. A woman came down with a lantern. She was tired and in no mood to sell. Yugo flashed a large bag of coin and she let the whole group in immediately.

The owner of the store was an older woman in her mid to late fifties. She wore a brown and white three layered dress with many ruffles. She had reddish brown hair and hazel eyes. For her age she was slender and attractive with a long face and a thin body. She was apparently very lonely, she smiled at Yugo before he propositioned her with the money.

“What can I do for you tonight?” The women asked Yugo directly.

“We need a gown that can travel for this one.” Yugo replied.

The woman surveyed Moira. “My, this one has quite a figure on her. What color would you like miss?”

“Well, anything besides white.” Moira chuckled to herself.

“Well, okay dear. How about a dark brown? With a little white at the seams?” The woman got out a long dress that was similar to the one she had on.

“That looks wonderful. I'll try it on.” Moira proclaimed.

Moira and the store owner went in the back of the store. Leaving Orhn and Yugo in the dark moon light that shown from the three windows into the room. A few minutes later Moira came out in the new dress.

“You are amazing.” Orhn said instantly.

“You do look nice.” Yugo added.

The dress covered Moira's assets well. Making her immodest shape nearly conservative again. The dark brown contrasted with her bright red hair and blue eyes. Her skin seemed even more pale with it.

“Is there anything else? Or should I finish up the quick alterations in the back?” The woman was about to usher Moira to the back again.

Yugo spoke up. “Yes, I need a corset for a thin short girl with a flat-”

Yugo was interrupted by the sound of the door flying open with force. Lucretia had stopped Yugo from insulting her. In the process she made Orhn blush. She stood in the doorway completely naked and still partially wet from the swim earlier.

“A corset for a thin frame is what he meant to say.” Lucretia spoke up.

The store owner was shocked. “Oh deary, lets' get you covered up immediately. There are men about.” The woman took a roll of fabric she had laying about, and threw it around Lucretia.

“You don't have to be shy. Both of them have seen me naked before.” Lucretia loved stirring up trouble.

Moira immediately looked at Orhn for an explanation.

Orhn was about to defend himself when Yugo intervened. “Don't mind her. She's always been like this. Orhn didn't do anything with her, ever. You don't need to worry, Moira.”

Moira relaxed.

“Yeah, he was never interested in me. Your endowments are more to his liking.” Lucretia was being snide.

The shop keeper ushered Lucretia and Moira to the back fitting area. She took the candlelight with her. Once again the room was dark. Orhn and Yugo sat waiting for the alterations to be made.

“Will she ever change?” Orhn asked Yugo.

Yugo rolled his eyes to the pale moon light outside the window. “No. None of us ever do. That's what makes us vampires. We never change who we are, we are eternal until we are not. That is what defines us. To change would mean we were choosing a different life for ourselves.”

“I thought you told me there were gifts that could alter a person's face and body?” Orhn asked Yugo.

“There are, but they are impractical for anyone under five hundred.” Yugo informed Orhn. “The vampires with those gifts scrutinize each case. There is always a catch.”

“Then you've never changed your mind? Never regretted a decision made long ago? Never thought about removing the scars?” Orhn went to the one place sore in Yugo's past.

Yugo was silent.

“You heard me right? Was there ever a choice you wish never happened?” Orhn's phrasing hit Yugo unguarded.

“Yes.” Yugo spoke with sadness in his voice. “But none of us ever go back and try to make our wrongs right.”

“Then can we ever redeem ourselves? Through our actions is it possible to ever do the right thing when we kill so often?” Orhn asked Yugo as they sat in the dark.

“I can't.” Yugo said as he stared off into the night.

“You mean we can't?” Orhn turned to Yugo.

“No.” Yugo replied.

The woman came around the corner with the candle. Moira and Lucretia were in tow behind her.

Moira's dress had been fitted, but still covered her busty curves. Lucretia's outfit was less conservative and more flashy. It was a dark, almost black, blue corset that was laced up the sides with black cord. The lower portion was a short skirt in the same color. Lucretia had no inner layer to speak of. She had no need for a slip. It was all corset and top cover for her attire. It made her stand out. The upper part of the corset was a thin canvas that covered her breasts, but left her shoulders bare. The corset reached just past her naval and directly above her rear. The dark blue skirt was thick and partially rigid. It came to just above her knees. A street-walker's length for the day and age.

“You look well for once.” Yugo told Lucretia.

“You are truly beautiful, Moira.” Orhn commented.

“They do look amazing, don't they. And the smaller miss' dress won't stain easily.” The store owner mentioned.

“And why did you want it not to stain?” Yugo asked Lucretia.

“I won't have to worry about the men cleaning up.” Lucretia smiled. She was very proud of her new dress.

Yugo let Lucretia have her moment. She was being practical for once. Something she never was. Orhn was happy running his hands up and down Moira's new dress. It was sleek and mostly smooth. Lucretia wanted Yugo to do the same. She turned to him. Her white hair contrasting to the dark of the blue attire. She slide her hands down the front to her thighs in an attempt to entice Yugo. It didn't work and he didn't respond.

“Look, easy access.” Lucretia flipped up her skirt to Yugo, flashing him. She wasn't wearing anything in addition to the skirt.

“Just when you were showing promise too.” Yugo sighed, then asked for the totals on the dresses.

Yugo and the store owner went to the back of the room.

“I love my dress. I'll have to thank Yugo for buying it for me.” Moira was blissful. She was enjoying her new dress as much as Lucretia was.

A moment later there was a stark thud that came from the back of the store. Yugo walked out with the candlelight in one hand, a glass in the other.

“What was that?” Orhn asked.

“Oh, Yugo. Thank you so much for the dress. I could never afford such a thing on my own.” Moira was naive.

Yugo drank from the dark glass. A drop of blood spilled from his lips, striking the floor.

Lucretia immediately reacted. She leaped onto Yugo, pinning him to the ground, licking the trickle of blood off his face. Yugo smiled as she nearly gave him a bath with her tongue.

Orhn understood what had happened. “You really can't change, can you?”

Yugo said nothing. Enjoying Lucretia's lustful expression, he would take her honest attention when he could. She was mounting him, dry. In this moment Lucretia was completely devoted to him. Not simply a tramp getting her kicks out of the local men. Yugo was content to enjoy her like she was.

Moira hadn't gotten that far. She was still wondering what was going on. Completely ignorant of the actual situation before her. “What do you mean by that, Orhn? And where's the shop keeper? Don't we need to be leaving? She'll have to lock up. Where did you get all that blood? Did she have an animal in the back she sold to you?”

Yugo laid on his back. Lucretia above him. “No, this is not animal blood.”

“Let's not linger here, Moira. Yugo, Lucretia, let's go.” Orhn didn't want to cause a scene. He knew this would upset Moira. The shop wasn't the best place to be heard arguing.

“No, really. Where's the seamstress? I want to thank her again for the dress at such a late hour.” Moira was sincere about everything. She believed the shopkeeper was simply in the back, waiting.

“That's enough. We're done here. Moira and I will meet you outside.” Orhn took Moira's hand.