This Blood (21 page)

“I can’t possibly sleep like this,” I squirmed.

“Nor can you leave without alerting me. So you stay as you are.”

Well, so much for Mr. Nice Guy. I thought.  “Goodnight, you brooding, paranoid, arrogant, self-centered baby.” I mumbled.

He opened one silver eye, “Goodnight, sweet.”

Then he was gone. I could tell he was out for the count by his even breathing, which was strange. I didn’t think vampires needed to breathe. I also didn’t think they had reflections. I blushed as I looked at the mirrored canopy.

I closed my eyes and tried to figure a way out of this man’s way too sexy clutches. Considering what we just did to each other, it was getting more and more imperative that I get as far away from Seth as I could and soon.

TWENTY-THREE

Morning came suddenly, or evening I should say, as I was now on the sleep cycle of the undead.  Seth was still fast asleep. Maybe that meant the sun hadn’t quite set. His long leg pinned me securely to the mattress and his arm was still wrapped possessively around me, although the grip wasn’t quite the stranglehold it had been earlier. 

I tried to move, wiggling slowly, making only the smallest of movements so as not to alert him. I turned my head. The mirror above us revealed an unused pillow sitting close.  I reached for it, which was no easy feat. Hell by the time I got out from under him; he’d be awake and showering.

I held the pillow between my fingertips and pulled as slowly as I could. I struggled to move without alerting him. Turning towards him, I slid the pillow between my body and his, and then eased myself away.

I slipped off the bed, rushing quietly toward salvation, the ring and my escape.

I took several steps, spinning around, searching for any sign of the safe. I wandered aimlessly until I found a closet.  Well, a closet in the way you’d say Mount Everest was a hill. It was huge! Several rich looking round ottomans occupied the room. A huge wall-length mirror took up the back side of the space.

The walls were artfully lined with his clothing and shoes. It was a swank and way too expensive boutique for your average, upper-class snob. My God, he had enough clothing to outfit a country. Of course, if I had lived for centuries, and gotten richer than Gates, I guess I would have acquired a colossal wardrobe as well.

I stood at the opening of the room with my mouth hanging slack and my eyes drinking in the opulence. I sucked in a breath as my eyes slid to a row of clothing that did not belong.

Several racks were filled with lavish gowns, dresses and other female frocks. Shoes of every style and type were displayed on little stands and tucked into little nooks along the floor and lower wall.

I was drawn to them, momentarily forgetting my purpose. I ran my hands along a pair of pink satin sling-blacks in my size. I had to place my hand on my heart to stop it from beating out of my chest. All of these clothes had to be here for me. I guess you could say he was planning on keeping me.

The thought made shamed me. I vowed to show him nothing but indifference at this plethora of extravagance.  Looking at the shoes, I sighed to myself. I had my work cut out for me.

“I see you have discovered my gifts, although I infinitely prefer you naked.”

I spun, startled. “Seth, you’re up? I didn’t hear you.”

He was standing by the entrance. His eyes blatantly raking my nude form. I must have made quite a picture, sitting on my butt, naked as a jaybird, fondling expensive designer shoes. How utterly superficial this must have looked. I never bothered to cover myself. I just went right for the shoes. Stupid fetish.

“So these are for me?”

“I’ told you, no other women have entered this room, and I have never wanted to keep any other female for any length of time.”

He stepped into the room, walking toward me, viewing his powerful body naked, his midnight hair long and free, he looked like a preternatural god.

He knelt beside me. “This is all for you.” He reached out and pushed on a section of the wall. It slid out with a slight “whoosh” of air.

My eyes locked on the objects inside. A fortune in jewels and gold lay in various display boxes and little velvet-lined compartments. Rings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches and strange, long pins filled the slender drawer.

“For you as well.” His eyes sought mine. “Just because you are here against your will, does not mean I need to treat you like a prisoner.”

“How?…
When
?” I was stammering “When did you do all of this?”

“I prepared for you long ago. I had a separate room set up for you to occupy, that is, until the night you gave yourself to me.” He smiled, obviously remembering his conquest.  “I knew then that I could never allow you out of my sight, not for any length of time. And now that I have seen other men around you, I will not be leaving you alone in a bed.”

“But Arian will watch over me. Surely you don’t mean to keep me here all the time?”

He quirked an eyebrow at me, “
Arian?
Could it be that she has captured your interest?”

Okay, now what?

“No, no, she just seems normal, that’s all. I just don’t want to be cooped up in this place with no one to talk to but you. And another female, however twisted, is a nice change from the relentless innuendo I seem to attract from the males around this place.”

He seemed amused at that. “Well, perhaps you do need some female company. I do not quite understand it, but if it is what you wish, then I will arrange for you to spend a few hours with her. I can use that time to meet with my council. We have many things to discuss.”

He stood and began rummaging through the clothing on the racks meant for me. He pulled out a crisp white blouse and a pair of gray slacks. They were stylish and chic. Then he pulled out a pair of black sling-back heels.  A thin black belt was suddenly in his hands. He bent down and selected a diamond tennis bracelet and a pair of large diamond stud earrings.

“So, I guess the look today is rich sophisticate?” I inquired as he handed the clothes to me without a word and went to select his own clothing. “I mean, I appreciate your fashion sense, I really do, but I think I can pick out my own outfits. Thank you very much.”

He snorted. He actually
snorted
!

“I have seen what you consider good taste, and with the exception of the clothing you wore when you magically popped out of my sight that first night, I would have to say your taste leaves much to be desired.”

He continued to lay garments over his arm, being careful not to bunch the fabric.

“You take such care in your clothing; yet when I got here your bed looked like you had a wrestling match with your sheets.”

“I take care in my appearance, because it pleases me. I sleep in an unmade bed because it pleases me as well. You will find I am a creature of pleasure.”
You could say that again, and again, and again.

“So, are you going to send Nadia in to make me all snazzy, or do you at least trust me enough to brush my own hair?” I batted my eyes at him, but, apparently my sarcasm was lost.

“I will leave you to it. I know that if a woman has hair of your length and health, she must be doing something correctly.”

“Well, thanks, I
think
.”

He gathered his clothing and brushed past me. He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Coming?”

Oh, boy! What else could I do? I didn’t see any evidence of the safe he kept the ring in. It was probably behind another door in the wall. And something told me pushing on it wouldn’t make it budge.

I held the pants and shirt away from my body and the jewelry in a protective fist. I shouldn’t care about it, but it was probably worth more money than I would see in my lifetime, so I instinctively took greater care.

I rushed to catch up with him as we entered another room just off to the side of the closet. It housed the shower, which was yet another marvel. This man had bathing down to an art. Water streamed from a dozen heads and steam quickly filled the room. We were already naked and he stepped in without hesitation.

 I hung the clothes he picked out for me on a long rod at the other end of the room and slowly approached the shower. I was feeling a little insane. I giggled to myself. If someone had said to me that I would soon be showering with a sexy vampire on a regular basis, I would have checked them for drugs. This was so surreal, and the more I thought about it, the crazier it seemed.

I entered the shower, standing as far from him as I could. I wet my hair and grabbed a bottle of clear soap, squeezing a silky stream into my palm. I stepped out of the spray, sliding my hands along my body, and began to wash myself. I had just finished lathering my arms and was soaping my breasts when I felt his eyes on me.

I looked up from my labors and found him staring at me. His entire body was rigid, his silver eyes hooded with desire. I shivered; he was going to be the death of me, quite literally if I wasn’t careful!

I turned my back to him and continued to wash the rest of my body, trying to ignore the feeling of his eyes on my back. I knew showering with him would be dangerous. Then, suddenly he was there, standing behind me, his pale hands coming around me to cup my breasts as he leaned over and placed soft kisses on my shoulder. I turned and his mouth caught mine. His lips were soft and demanding. His tongue was sweet velvet in my mouth. I shivered, despite the hot water. I wrapped my arms around his waist and gave myself over to the kiss. 

He guided me backward a few steps until I was pressed against the wet marble. The movements made me wince with pain.

“I can’t do this.  I’m too sore,” I said, and was thankful when he released me and stepped away.

“Ah,” he sighed. “I am sorry, sweet I was not aware that my attentions were a bit too much for your sensitive body, I will give you a reprieve, but only a short reprieve. However, I am afraid I have another need that you will not be allowed to deny me.”  He lowered his head. “I must feed, sweet Grace, and yours is the only blood I crave.”

I shivered. Did I mention my life was surreal? “I know,” I said. “You haven’t been stingy with that fact.”

His teeth sank in, I gasped at the sudden shooting pain and my hands slapped hard against the wall, steadying myself as he took his fill. It didn’t take much time; and soon he was licking the new wound on my neck.

“I could lose myself in you.”  He breathed along the sensitive punctures.  I winced, the feeling of his breath on my skin made me shiver.  He stepped away. Keeping to his word, he left me alone for the rest of our shower.

I found a glass of water and some vitamins on the counter next to the hairdryer. I sighed and swallowed them down. Picking up the clothing, which now included a pretty pair of panties and a bra, I dressed.

Seth didn’t speak as he moved about the room. He looked beautiful. His long hair was still slightly damp and combed away from his face. His strong jaw was clean-shaven and his body looked amazing, very GQ which seemed strange for a night-stalking fiend from hell. His suit pants fit in a way that made me want to kiss his tailor. His trim waist was emphasized by the slender belt he wore. His shirt was a dark blue; and it looked wonderful against his skin.

I watched him as he stood in front of the mirror, taking his long hair and folding it over and over into that short, thick ponytail at the base of his neck. It looked very short by the time he was done. I never would have been able to do that to my hair. I just couldn’t figure out how it was done; he worked too quickly.

He turned to me, his eyes scanning my form with the same scrutiny I had just paid him.

“Now, sweet, you shall meet the Council,” he said, “then I will summon Arian. She will be pleased to have a new companion for the day.”

I forced a smile.

We left his rooms, only then did I realize he was wearing the ring again. Ah, that must be why I was feeling so fantastic.

TWENTY-FOUR

We entered the elevator and without a word, Seth sent it on its way. The doors opened and we stepped out into a small lobby. Several empty couches and a large reception desk furnished the area.  The room was vacant except for Nadia who sat at the desk primly with her hands folded.

“Good evening, Mr. McPhee, Miss Allen.” She nodded her greeting, her face smiling as usual. “Mr. McPhee, the Council has already assembled and awaits you.”

“Thank you, Nadia. I will be meeting with them most of the evening. During that time, I will have Arian look after Grace. Please ring her room and arrange for her to be here in fifteen minutes.”

Nadia looked as if she were about to protest, but only nodded. “I will ring her right away, sir. Is there anything else you require?” She was obviously not happy about me spending time with Arian. Clearly, she did not approve of the woman, not that I blamed her but you know what they say about glass houses? Well, neither Nadia nor I had any right to throw stones.

“Not at the present time. Thank you,” he said, ignoring her irritated tone.

I was dragged past an obviously peeved mother hen and pushed through a set of huge wooden doors. They closed silently behind me.

I wanted to bolt the second I saw what was awaited us.

The Council was made up of about twelve people. Well, that is if you define the word “people” loosely.  Some of these members were so bizarre looking, I almost thought it was actually a costume party.

Seth strode forward on sure legs, but had to pull on my arm to get me to move. I was probably gawking rudely, but no one seemed to notice.

“Good evening, gentlemen,” he began. “I know you are all eager to meet the Madea, and as promised I have brought her here.”  He glanced at me and a look of exasperation crossed his face. “I must apologize. She is very new to our world and thus is easily scared.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to the table where an empty chair stood. He was treating me like a frightened rabbit, or maybe I just felt like one.

“Therefore, she will only be present for a very short time,” he said. “Once you have made her acquaintance, she will be escorted away for I feel our business can best be discussed away from her sensitive ears.”