This Blood (19 page)

“Remember, sweet, we hold more than your life in our hands.”

“Let me stand. I have to go to them.” I was struggling to suppress tears.

“In a moment,” he said, “they will be with us soon.”

The big ugly creature was almost to the stage with my friends. I noticed Lucian first. He looked okay, extremely pissed, but healthy. Ann was trailing behind. She also looked well, only scared out of her wits.
Yeah, welcome to the club.

They were led to a narrow staircase. Thorak stood to the side and pushed them forward.

I felt Seth tense as Lucian stood before him. He was so tall. They dressed him in a leather loincloth with large leather cuffs, placed on his wrists. He looked like a pissed-off Tarzan. His nostrils were flaring as he breathed. The golden skin of his chest rose and fell rapidly. His anger was almost a tangible thing. He was glaring at Seth with sheer odium.

My poor Ann was just as scantly attired. She was dressed in a short white toga that barely covered her stomach. The white panties she wore were woven with threads of gold, and her hair was braided with golden cords and bits of green ivy. She looked like a sacrificial virgin. Her eyes were darting everywhere, occasionally landing on me, only to fly off to some other object in the room. Maybe I was premature in thinking she was well.

Seth rose, taking me with him. Lucian’s eyes finally found me and grew huge with shock as they fell on each of the bites. His inspection was quick, but thorough. The revulsion in his eyes grew to cold fury as his gaze fell back on Seth.

I held my emotions in check. This could get real bad, real quick. I didn’t want Seth to have any excuses to kill them.

I stared at Lucian, my eyes pleading with him to stay calm.

“Well, how is our great hero?” Seth stepped up to him and began to pace a small circle around Lucian’s chained form. “I see you have yet to be tasted by your keeper. How fortunate for you. Chloe has been known to lose control, but perhaps your dear Grace will fail to please me one day and Chloe will get her chance.” Seth looked at me. I kept my mouth shut. No need to fuel the fire.

He continued circling.

“That is the only thing that will earn you a night in Chloe’s oh-so-loving arms. So, you have your lovely friend to thank for your continued good health.” Seth stroked my cheek, a sardonic smile plastered on his face.

Lucian eyed me again. His anger in full force “Did you force yourself on her?” It was a snarl, his eyes flashed as he turned his head to follow Seth’s pacing.

“Of course not,” he replied, and had the balls to sound insulted. “As I said, she came to me willingly.” Seth was baiting Lucian, making him even angrier. I had to stop this, or Lucian would snap, allowing Seth the perfect excuse to terminate him. I stepped up, placing myself close to the two men.

“No Lucian,” I said, sounding calmer than I felt. “I went to Seth willingly. I would do anything to make sure you and Ann remain safe and unharmed.”

Seth stopped. His eyes narrowing as he looked at me. “Careful, sweet, or my people might believe that is the only reason you came to my bed.” His look held a tacit warning. I bowed my head, despising him with my every breath. “Yes,” I said, “I went to Seth of my own free will. I belong to him wholly and completely.”  I wanted to scream the truth - I was manipulated and coerced! But I knew the safety of my friends was more precious than these monsters thinking I was huge slut.

I faced Seth. His smile was one of genuine pleasure. Looking around the room, he puffed out his chest and pushed me toward Lucian, a show of confidence in his ownership of me.

I fell into his arms and breathed in his scent. His skin was warm, real warmth that came from a living, red-blooded man, not the borrowed heat of the undead.

“Holy shit Grace! Look what he’s done to you!” His bound hands came up and grazed my skin. Soft fingers brushed the tooth marks on my shoulder. “You look so different. Pale. God, I’m so terrified for you. I’m sorry for getting myself captured.” He made fists with his large hands, his brow furrowed. “I have only served to help these bastards keep you in line.”  He snarled between his tightly clenched teeth.

He wrapped his arms around me as far as his chains would let him. His mouth smashed the side of my face. “We are being held one floor below, in a single chamber guarded by Thorak. Chloe and Ael come and go, but they never stay.” His voice was muffled and very low, but I heard it.

The cage Lucian’s arms made were pulled up harshly and I was suddenly jerked out of his embrace.

“Enough.”  Seth said.  My close contact with Lucian was his idea, but apparently he wasn’t as confident as he was a moment ago. “Now, Grace, would you care to see your lovely friend?”  Seth spoke softly, his voice cool. I took a step toward Ann and she fell into my arms in a sobbing hug. Her hands were free. They still didn’t see her as a threat.

“Oh God, Gracie, I was so worried.” She buried her face in my neck holding me tight. I felt my eyes flood with tears, and I had to bite the sides of my cheeks to try and stop them before they started. I didn’t know if crying would anger Seth, and I really didn’t want to push his buttons.  I was so worried about her; I never knew she could be so vulnerable. She acted so fragile. That alone should have told me something was up. She was always stronger emotionally than anyone I knew. She bounced back from trauma like a superball.

Her whisper was barely audible. “We have a plan; we might be able to get rid of Ael and Chloe, but we need you to take care of Thorak.” Her words came fast and clear, as if she had been practicing, preparing for any window of opportunity when she would see me again.

I was stunned and very impressed. It seemed my buddies were making plans, not sitting like pathetic victims cowering in a corner. I wanted to scream hurrah or something. Instead, I sniffed and held Ann close.

TWENTY-ONE

Seth’s fingers circled my arm again. A feeling I found myself growing accustomed to. His hand was gentler, this time, tender. “Now you may take comfort. I have honored my side. You know your friends are well.”

Ann and Lucian were, again, being secured to the long white pole. They were there as decorations, I felt so ill.

We descended the stairs. I was expecting to be swallowed by the crowd, but no one touched me.  I assumed I would be pawed and prodded within an inch of my life, but everyone seemed to keep a respectable distance.

People parted as we walked through the horde. Seth’s presence was powerful and intimidating even to his own kind. The creatures we passed looked normal enough. I would never have guessed they were all vampires. That is, until we reached the other side of the room.

I jerked and stopped short. Bile rose to the back of my throat and my vision began to swim with unshed tears. I turned away, pressing my face into the soft fabric of Seth’s shirt.  I felt his hand on my neck. “Does this offend you, my delicate one?” His soft voice suggested concern, “Then I shall take you to a place where such things are not visible. But you must understand, this is a gathering for my coven. A coven of
vampires
, Grace, not the PTA.”

He led me away, but nothing would ever remove the horrible image seared into my eyes. Several men and woman lay on their backs strapped to long tables. Their naked bodies were strewn with flower petals and long IV tubes stuck out of their bodies from every major artery. Vampires were milling about, filling crystal stemware with the hapless victim’s blood. My God! It was like some macabre, undead kegger!

I felt nauseated. I was close to losing it all over Seth’s nice suit. I burped as my mouth filled with saliva. The sound alarmed him enough to stop him in his tracks. He pulled my face up to his.

“You are ill? Lord, woman, you look even paler.”

He scanned the room and motioned for someone. My head was spinning and my mouth was rapidly filling with saliva. A moment later, I was being rushed through the crowd to a nearby bathroom. I ran to the nearest stall and lost what little food I still held in my belly, then sat back on my heels, feeling only slightly better.

I left the polluted stall and walked slowly to the sink. I cupped my hands and slurped up the clean, cool water that flowed from the antique faucet. I stared at my reflection. Despite the stress, hugging and puking, my makeup still looked pretty good; however, my skin was as white as a bedsheet.

“You are still lovely.” A female voice said from behind me.

I whirled around to find Arian standing there looking exquisite.

“Hello, Arian,” I said, a little breathy. She was the last person I expected to see. “Thanks for the rescue.”

“It was my pleasure. I was hoping I would get a chance to speak privately to you again.” She smiled, her eyes sparkling. “Have you thought anymore about our conversation?”

Boy, she didn’t waste any time. She glided forward, her red gown barely moving with her steps. Her long hair was pulled into a severe knot at the back of her head and her neck was adorned with a king’s ransom in rubies. This was my chance to get her on my side, no matter how unwittingly. I needed someone to distract Thorak. I remembered what she said about not being allowed to mate with the yucky creature. If I were lucky, she just might be the solution to my problems.

I had to convince her. I couldn’t screw this up! “Yes, I have,” I said, giving her my most seductive look. God, I hope I didn’t look sick to my stomach. “I have been thinking about many things, actually.” I took a step toward her and parted my lips, an invitation she quickly took advantage of.

She crossed the room. Placing her hand on my shoulder, she leaned in and brushed her lips softly against mine. I fought to keep still, resisting the urge to hurl again.  My head swam at the unwelcome sensations she was creating in my stomach. The strangeness of my situation was getting harder to handle. Damn, a few weeks ago, this would have seemed impossible! My life went from schlepping drinks, where the most exciting thing to happen was the occasional arrest, to seducing a preternatural woman in a ladies room with the intention of distracting a troll!

“You are so sweet,” Arian said, interrupting my disturbing thoughts. “I knew you wanted me; you had to. Our sex will be incredible.” She traced the leather straps covering the full mounds of my breasts.

“I have a few conditions.” I managed to say.

Her eyebrows rose, “Conditions?”

“Yes. First, I want this to be a surprise, so no telling Seth. And second, I want to watch you with Thorak,” I said, almost gagging on my words.

She looked uncertain. “You want to watch me with Thorak? Why you wicked little voyeur! Why would you want to see that? Not that it is even possible. I have been forbidden to mate with him, as you may recall me telling you.” She eyed me, her voice filled with wonder. “You have a plan?”

Yes! She was too easy!

“Well, you could talk to Seth. Convince him that I need a female companion during the daylight hours. You know, someone who could make sure I don’t get into any trouble. Once I am in your care, we will be free to do as we please.” I batted my eyes and placed my hand on her throat. Leaning in, I placed a kiss on her lips and whispered softly, “It will be the biggest thrill, don’t you think?”

She shuddered under my touch. “I will do it,” her whisper quivered. “Seth has a prize in you. I knew it from the first moment I saw you. I will not be bored in your bed, lovely Grace. Now, we must make haste lest Seth begins to wonder what I have done with you.” She grabbed my hand and we walked from the room.

She was so giddy, I was almost a little sorry that I was going to betray her. But then, I remembered she was a bad guy like the rest of them. I had to get Ann and Lucian out of here, no matter what the risk.

I spotted Seth. He was surrounded by females. They were all very lovely. Their slender bodies were pressed against him, shameless and uninhibited.  I tried to ignore the prickle of irritation I was beginning to feel. After all, he was not my love, his attentions were not encouraged by me. These feelings had to be the result of stress, not honest regard. They were a lie.

His back was facing us as we drew near. Then his shoulders tensed and he turned, locking his eyes onto mine. Striding to my side, he brushed the other women off as though they were bread crumbs, including Arian, who didn’t seem bothered by it. She smiled at me and then, with a little wave, she quickly retreated.

“Felling better?” He placed both of his cool hands on my face as he scrutinized my every pore.

“Yes, I’m better. No barf breath or anything.”

His eyebrows rose and his lips curved into a small smile. “How charming you are. I am relieved you are well.”  He took my hand and once again began moving us through the crowd.  

After only a few steps, my eyes fell on a certain blond vampire. Visions of those poor, broken women made my steps falter. I looked up, staring at his cool visage. He was the spitting image of Billy Idol, which made me a little sad.  Seth noticed my fumble and followed my gaze. I felt him stiffen beside me, then, suddenly, I was being dragged in the direction of the blond man. I felt my pulse jump at the memory of what he had done to those poor women.

“Good evening, Edmond,” Seth said as we approached. “How well you look. So much so, that it would appear you have caught the eye of my fair Grace. Tell me, what do you make of that?” Seth’s face was cool, his voice even. He seemed perfectly at ease, but I knew better. Calm on Seth was not a good thing. Edmond seemed well aware of that fact.

“My Lord, I am flattered. But, I think it was fear you sensed, not desire. You see, she was wandering around, when she caught me after my meal. I daresay she got a bit jumpy when she happened upon my little pile of beauties.” His eyes shifted to me. “My leftovers.” The amber depths looked like jewels. He was gorgeous, smaller than Seth, with a much leaner build. He was wearing a dark green suit that made his eyes pop. If he hadn’t been such a sadist, I might have been drooling.

Seth regarded me as well. Both men were quiet, as if expecting me to explain myself. My eyebrows rose, I didn’t know what to say. If I confessed to being out, things could get pretty bad. Besides, good ol’ Edmond was doing a fine job of stringing me up all by himself.