Seer: Thrall (41 page)

"Solange?" I whimpered.

Immediately she was there, crawling into bed with me. She pulled me into her arms. "Do you need blood?"

"Just hold me," I said. "Please just hold me."

"I will, Darling," she said. She kissed the top of my head. "You've been very brave."

I shook my head. "No. I only dream."

She tried to assure me of my bravery, but I leaned up and pressed fingers against her mouth. "I don't want to be brave right now. I just want to be held in your arms."

"Of course, Darling."

We lay quietly for a long time. Finally I said, "I think they're killing her." I told her about the marbles and how they had all left. "There's more. It was a long dream. Do I have to tell you?"

"I need to know who was there, honey."

"I only got two names. They were both women. Safire and Celeste." I tried describing the rest, and Solange appeared to know them.

"Wait," I said. "There was one more. Godwin. The ancient one asked Godwin to lead the -- he called it a quest."

"Godwin was there?" Solange held me more tightly. "Then Bistra is dead, or will be by morning."

"All the way from Atlanta to Louisville?"

"Vampires that old do not quite teleport, but it certainly can seem like it."

I sighed. "We need to know."

I felt her nod. "Tomorrow. Cancel your Monday meetings."

"Yes, Solange. Tighter."

And she held me more tightly.

* * * *

I looked up, cocking my head. Then, far too fast for human eyes to see, but I watched almost easily, four vampires swarmed into my house. My house!

I hissed at them. I hissed at all of them. I didn't wait for them to speak. I didn't wait for them to attack. I flew at the nearest. I collided into him hard enough to slam him into the wall behind him. Dust rained down, and then he pushed me away and came after me.

He left behind a deep impression in the wall.

Another vampire grabbed me from behind, attempting to twist my neck, but I moved with the motion and slipped behind him, then threw him backwards over my head to slam into another wall.

But I was the one to find herself flying next as the first vampire grabbed me and threw me out the nearest window. I flew for another thirty yards before slamming against a tree. I immediately bounced off of it and ran at the vampires climbing through the hole in the side of my house.

"You'll pay for that!" I screamed in ancient Macedonian.

I reached them and raked at a woman. She reared away from me, and my fingernails scored a scratch across her cheek, narrowly missing her eye. It healed instantly. I took a kick in the ribs in exchange.

After that, the fight moved around the grounds of my house. I fought for all I was worth, defending my territory. There were only four, and alone, none was a match for me.

But then there was a hand on my neck, and I was lifted into the air. Before me was the oldest vampire I have ever known.

"Erasmios," I whispered. "No. This is Gideon's fault."

"You threaten us all," the ancient vampire said. "Godwin."

From the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of steel, and then there was a sharp slice across my neck. And then I felt lighter, much, much lighter.

I blinked at Erasmios, not understanding what had happened.

He dropped me, and I felt to the ground and then rolled. I rolled like a ball upon the ground.

And from somewhere above me, I heard Erasmios say, "Burn the corpse. Divide the ashes. Burn the head separately."

And then I knew nothing.

* * * *

"Solange!" I screamed, sitting bolt upright. "Solange! Solange!"

She was there instantly, pulling me into her arms. I went willingly, shuddering in fear, panting in fear. She held me tightly, knowing what I needed.

"I was her when- I was her when- I was her when- Solange!" I screamed.

"You're safe," she said. "You're safe. I've got you. You're safe. You're safe."

It took a long time for me to calm down. She offered me blood, but I told her "No, I don't want to combine that memory and the taste of something wonderful."

She understood, and so she held me, soothing me like a mother soothes a frightened child. I clung to her and wept, sobbed.

She was an animal, a monster, and I was glad she was dead.

But it had felt so real. I had been her. I felt the sword slice into my neck. I started babbling, and then I was sobbing again, trying to tell Solange what had happened.

Then the hiccups started, which made me even more upset.

And through it all, Solange held me and rocked me.

And somewhere in all of it, she told me she loved me, and that she was very, very proud of me.

And I sobbed and made a mess all over the front of her camisole, but she didn't even act like she cared.

She told me how sorry she was all of this was happening to me. But she also told me she couldn't imagine anyone she wanted in her life more than she wanted me.

Slowly, I calmed.

That was when she caught my gaze.

"No..." I whispered.

"Just a little distance," she said. "Sleep for a while. I'll still be here. I won't leave you, Sidney. I'll never leave you. Sleep now."

And I did.

I didn't go to work for three days. Solange spent every moment with me. She doted on me, not as someone who is sick and needs doting, but as someone who is loved. She pampered me, and when I told her she didn't need to, she told me simply, "It makes me feel good, Sidney."

She kept me in the moment. We didn't talk about the past. We didn't talk about the future. We talked only about the now, about today. She told me what we would do each day, and we talked about what we were doing, or what we were going to eat. She took me to the mall, and we sat in one of the food courts and acted very immature, rating each of the women we saw.

"I'd do that one," I admitted.

"I'd bite her," Solange said immediately. "Should we invite her home with us?"

I couldn't tell if she was serious. "Sure."

"Go ahead. Let me know what she says."

I laughed lightly. "Uh, uh. I picked up the last one. It's your turn."

"The last one?"

"I believe I asked you out."

She laughed. "I believe you did." And she took my hand. The woman walked away, oblivious to our tacky -- but healing -- conversation.

I refused her blood, and I wouldn't let her drink from me, either. But each night, she crawled into my bed with me and helped me sleep, and then she held me all night long.

It felt good.

It felt safe.

Thursday morning arrived, and I announced, "I have a meeting with Ed today. I'm going."

"Would you like me to go with you?"

"No, but will you take me to lunch later?"

"I would love to."

And at that, we were back to normal.

Or for us, the closest to normal we'd been in a while.

* * * *

Saturday we had two tables for cards. Dolores made desserts, and I think Solange talked to her about it. She brought two batches of tiramisu, and one stayed in our refrigerator with a sign on it that said simply, "Sidney's." No one touched it.

I played poorly. I couldn't blame the cards. I couldn't blame the blood, either, as I hadn't had any in nearly a week. I just flat out played poorly.

But I didn't care.

I ended up winning the booby prize. Solange and Dolores eyed each other for a moment, and then Solange turned to me and smiled.

"Oh no you didn't," I told her.

She grinned at me. "I'll be right back."

Solange could be playful, but I hadn't seen her actually play a joke like my booby prizes before; I wondered what she could have come up with. She appeared a minute later holding a fairly large box, artfully wrapped.

"Sidney," she said, "this is for you. You may need help getting it on."

I took the box. It was a little heavy, about as heavy as a leather coat, perhaps. I shook it, but I didn't have a clue what was waiting for me.

Solange was grinning madly, and I found myself matching her. Whatever she had must be really good, or at least she thought so.

"I'm not letting you help," I told her.

"Well, take someone with you," she said. "You won't be able to get it adjusted on your own."

"Fine," I said. I looked around the room. I know she expected me to bring Dolores, but my eyes settled on Amanda. She had set her sketchpad down and was watching avidly. "Do you know what this?"

"No one knows," Solange answered. "Go on."

I gestured to Amanda, and then I led both of us to my bedroom. Once the door was closed, I turned to her. "You really don't know?"

"Not a clue," she said, "but I can tell Solange can't wait to see you in it, whatever it is."

"It's heavy," I said. I handed it to her, and she hefted it.

"Some sort of costume," she replied. "Well, open it." She handed it back.

"Turn around," I told her. "I'll let you know if I need help. No peeking."

Amanda turned around obediently. I moved to the bed and set the package down, then sat down next to it and carefully removed the paper. It was far too beautiful for me to want to rip it. I opened the box slowly.

I still wasn't sure what it was. I took it out and looked at it, then began laughing.

"I'm pretty sure I'm going to need your help," was all I said. "I don't even know how it goes on."

Amanda turned around, saw what I had, and joined me in laughter. Then she crossed the room and helped me into my new -- and very expensive -- booby prize.

We didn't stop laughing the entire time.

Then I led her lead me downstairs.

We paused just outside the library where everyone was waiting. "Wait here," Amanda said. She poked her nose around the corner for a moment, then turned back to me.

From inside the library, I heard Solange ask, "Does it fit?"

"It fits!" I responded. "But just you remember, I am a better card player than you are."

Laughter wafted out from the library.

"Are you sure it's not too snug?" Solange asked.

"Oh, it's snug all right," I replied.

"Perfect," she declared. "I wouldn't want it loose. Amanda, are you sure you got it all adjusted properly."

"Oh yes," she said. She looked over at me and grinned. "God, it makes me hot just looking at you."

"I heard that," said Solange. "I don't share."

Amanda poked her head back into the library. "Not even for me?"

"Not even for you," Solange replied. "Get her in here."

Amanda reached over and grabbed my arm, then pulled me into the library. I went docilely, in character for what I was wearing.

I was met with stunned silence. And then the room broke out in a mix of reactions: laughter, some of it a little nervous, cameras clicking, and I saw Dean slap Solange on the back. "I think Sidney has met her match, Solange."

Solange in turn stepped up to me and eyed me carefully. And slowly her fangs began to appear.

"Oh, you like me helpless, do you?"

And from behind her, I heard Dolores ask, "Is that a straightjacket?"

"It certainly is, honey," said Amanda. "It certainly is."

* * * *

She made me wear it until everyone was gone. Dolores fed me another piece of tiramisu and quietly asked me if I was upset.

"No," I said. "I think it's really funny." I squirmed a little.

"You look kind of..." she trailed off.

"Nervous?"

"No."

"Helpless?"

"Well, yeah. But that's not what I was going to say. Nevermind. Ignore me. Moving on now." She shoved a forkful of tiramisu at me.

I took it obediently, enjoyed it for a moment, and swallowed, then asked innocently, "Hot?"

She began to color and nodded.

"It's about time the gay juices began working. If only I knew this was what it took to get you interested, I would have put one on a long time ago."

She laughed nervously. And fed me another piece of tiramisu.

We didn't talk for the next few minutes. I could tell she was troubled. Finally she asked quietly, "Were you really trying to seduce me?"

"Oh Dolores, no."

"Why not? Don't you think I'm attractive?"

"Dolores, I think you're amazingly attractive. But I also think you're straight, and I did that once."

"I remember you telling me," she said. "I almost threw myself at you. Did you know?"

"I thought you were thinking about it."

"You were the first person to treat me with real kindness in a really, really long time." She looked away for a moment. "If I'd been a lesbian, would you have wanted me?"

"Totally."

She looked me up and down for a minute. "You really do look sexy like that."

I smiled. "Thanks. That's the look I was going for. Straight girl chick magnet."

She laughed lightly, then she sobered. "I want to tell you something."

"That sounds even more serious than what we've been discussing."

"It's just... I wish I were gay."

"Why?"

"Because I couldn't have done better than you, Sidney." Then she grinned. "If you promised to let me make you wear this a lot, I'd turn gay for you, if you and Solange don't work out."

I smiled. She was making a joke out of it, but I could tell she was serious, too.

"It's hard to be alone," I said instead.

She nodded. "I think I'm ready to date, but I want someone who will treat me right. Do you think the right guy is out there?"

"I'm sure of it."

"When I start dating, I want your opinion. And Solange's."

"Of course."

She grinned again. "When I find him, will you loan me your straightjacket."

"Going to model it for him?"

"No way. I'm going to make him wear it."

We laughed together.

I continued to receive a lot of teasing. Solange kept some distance from me, but she spent a lot of time watching me. Eventually, it was time for everyone to go, and several minutes later, we stood in the foyer, me still wrapped up in the straightjacket.

Solange turned to me. "You were a good scout."

I moved closer to her and didn't say a word.

"I suppose I should let you go."

"I want to ask you something."

"Yes?"

"Do you like seeing me helpless like this?"

"Sidney..."

"Do you?"

She didn't answer.

So I moved closer. "Does it excite you to think about me like this, not quite entirely helpless, but mostly helpless? Do you think about where you could bite me? Do you think about what you could touch? I'm not sure the best parts are readily available."

"I'd have to release some of the buckles," she said a little breathlessly. "This isn't a good topic, Sidney." And then I watched as her fangs grew. "Damn it." She turned away with her hand over her mouth, but I pursued her.

"I think it's a fine topic," I said in a low voice. "Tell me what you're thinking about."

"I'm thinking about undoing the buckles."

"Liar," I said. "Tell me the truth, Solange."

"Please don't tease."

"Tell me the truth, Solange. What are you thinking about?"

"I don't think so."

"Tell me or I'm moving out."

"No!" she screamed, spinning around and clasping my arms through the straightjacket.

"Tell me, Solange."

"Sidney, please..." Her fangs were fully extended, and she was panting lightly.

"Tell me."

"I'm thinking of picking you up, throwing you over my shoulder, and carrying you to my room. I'm thinking of throwing you to the bed and attacking your neck. I'm thinking of making you squirm and moan. I'm thinking of biting you here." She caressed my neck. "And here." She reached between my legs. I let her. "And here." She grew more intimate. "Oh god..."

She began to pull away.

"Leave, and I'm moving out," I said.

"No!" she screamed.

I moved closer, right into her arms. Reflexively, she wrapped her arms around me, but she was trembling.

"Sidney, you're playing with fire."

"Good," I said. "Don't move, Solange. Not one muscle, or I'll be very, very angry." And then I leaned up and kissed one of her fangs, tilting my head. I was careful to avoid cutting myself. When I kissed the other, she moaned, almost as if she were in pain.

And then, quite intentionally, I pierced my lower lip with both her fangs.

"Sidney..." she said, moaning. I leaned away, and she was staring at my lips. It had hurt, and I could feel the blood welling.

"Lick it," I said. "Heal it."

"Sidney..."

"Don't you want me?" I asked.

Her eyes grew wide. "Sidney?"

"Heal it before it drips."

She pulled me roughly into her arms and began kissing me. We hadn't kissed this way with her fangs out, and they got in the way. But she was able to lick my lips, and I felt them begin to heal. She licked them long after I'd stopped bleeding.

She trembled the entire time.

"Carry me to your room," I said. "Bite me. Ravish me. Claim me, Solange. Make me yours."

"Oh Sidney!" she said.

And then she picked me up.

* * * *

It was even more amazing than I had imagined.