Authors: Toni Kelly
Broderick shrugged. “No one seems to know. All my answers seemed to get skewed. One guy said they came back with good powers, another mentioned they can perform miracles of healing, which is usually considered good. Still, the answers were vague except for this one lady. Um, a…Lady Claire. She’s some psychic in Queens who owns a tiny dark arts book store. She told me blood from a Blessed is sacred and was used in ancient times to destroy evil.”
“Does she know this for a fact? Has she ever met one of these Blessed?”
Broderick shook his head. “No, I asked her.” He stuck a hand inside his jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, yellowish and stained like it belonged to an old book. “But she did tell me to give my friend this.”
Luke took the thin paper and opened it up. The illustration was detailed with colored ink. Something one would see in an older history text. A battle took place on the page, coming to life through the pained expressions of several fallen knights. Vampires, if he were to go by their flawless skin and the exaggerated length of their canines. A young male stood over them, one arm sliced open as it dripped blood on the damned creatures. His other hand clutched a sword. “I assume this boy is a Blessed.”
Broderick nodded. “Read the caption.”
“
Immortalis nex
. Latin for immortal death. You think this is Savannah? You believe she is here to kill immortals?”
“Doesn’t matter what I think or even whether she is capable of this.” He pointed to the page. “If the Ancients believe she is a Blessed, they will hunt for her.” Broderick stood. “Take her to the auction tonight. See what you can learn, but be careful. I’ve a few phone calls to make.”
16
Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.
—Marie Curie
To Luke’s pleasure and surprise, Savannah complied with the deep lavender dress and loose curls. Light lavender crystals covered the scars across her clavicle. The color complimented the soft glow of her skin and as expected, drew stares from those around them. Admittedly, more stares than he cared for. The silver mask she wore hid three quarters of her face, lending a mysterious sensuality to her.
“What is this place?” Savannah turned and scanned the underground chamber. “I mean, I can see we started in some type of ruins but I would never have guessed there was so much beneath them. Not to mention, we probably shouldn’t be here.”
“You need not worry. I promise not to turn you over to the city authorities.”
“I didn’t think you would.” She twisted her lips as her brows drew together. “I can’t imagine your kind answers to
mere
human authorities.”
Another sarcastic barb. Savannah had been making them since they left his apartment. It could be worse. At least she no longer refused to do everything he requested. A small victory, but a victory nonetheless. He could not hope to convince her it repulsed him to be inside his predator’s body or that he drove himself mad with prolonged periods of fasting. She saw him as a monster, but he could hardly expect otherwise. “I would never call humans mere, but you are right in thinking my kind answers to no one.”
Savannah crossed her arms over her chest, walking slightly ahead of him. “So what is this place, anyway?”
She avoided probing further about vampires, which made him heave a sigh. If she preferred small talk, he would be happy to acquiesce. “Many believe Palantine Hill to be the origin of Rome. Mostly it was known as a place for the wealthy to live due to its proximity to power and splendid views. In regards to the underground tunnels, I could not say if those were built prior to the establishment of Rafe’s blood market or not. Rome has been rebuilt many times and there are vast ruins beneath it.”
She came to a stop beside him. “They’re looking at us.”
“I am sorry, my dear, but you are wrong.” He hesitated then placed a hand along the small of her back. She shivered beneath his touch and yet her skin warmed. “They are not staring at us, they are staring at you. You are stunning.”
Her skin flushed pink and she lifted a shoulder. “Flattery toward your
lowly
blood slave will not gain you forgiveness.”
He’d expected as much, but still it stung. “I would not ask or presume that to be the case. I speak the truth without hidden agenda.” He lifted her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. He would be patient, waiting for her acceptance. For some inexplicable reason, it mattered to him. “Tonight, I request you do your utmost to withstand me. Your role requires affection between us as my kind treats our blood slaves with reverence.”
“Why call them slaves?”
“Ego. We are vain creatures.” He swept a hand out for her to walk ahead of him. “Take a seat in the second row.”
She sat, bent low to his ear. “What exactly are we going to watch?”
“As in any auction, an auctioneer will describe items and auction them off to the highest bidder. The only difference is the subject matter.”
“The only difference, really?” she asked.
“I believe so. There may be some demonstrations.”
She frowned. “What do you mean, you believe? You haven’t been to one of these before?”
“No, Savannah. Contrary to your assumptions, I am quite different from the blood-sucking monster you have me pegged as.” Or so he would like to believe.
She laughed, and the rhythm of it danced through him, yet he sensed bitterness rolling through her. “No, I assume nothing about you. I believe I’ve learned my lesson in making assumptions.” She let her gaze trail down his length and back up to his face. “I seem to be a magnet for impossible relationships.”
He leaned forward, trailed a finger along the side of her face. “Is that why you ache to run? Even now, I sense tremors moving through you. Is it fear or desire that frightens you?”
Outlined by her silver mask, her startling eyes were piercing. She breathed in deep and exhaled a shaky sigh. “Maybe both. I knew you were different since I first laid eyes on you. I never imagined how different.”
“And yet you stayed.”
She nodded. “Yes, I did. You can call it whatever you want—ignorance, greed, desperation. I call it living. I made a promise to myself to keep fighting and if it included answering an ad to make money and pay off my debts, so be it. Doesn’t mean I belong in your world.”
This, he could agree on. “Somehow I will release you from your confines here. I swear it.”
Hope shown within her eyes even as her lashes dropped, breaking their connection.
“Luke, nice of you to join us.” Rafaelo Costa approached, pausing to fix his silver stare on Savannah. “And who is your lovely guest?”
As if he did not know. Annoyed at having their conversation interrupted, Luke stood and lifted Savannah by her hand. “Rafe, meet Savannah. Savannah, Rafe.”
“A pleasure.” Rafe lifted Savannah’s hand, gently kissed the smooth skin on top then faced him. “You’ve been keeping secrets.”
The muscles throughout Luke’s back bunched. Of the three Ancients, Rafe kept most to himself, which only made Luke wary. Still, most vampires would find it beneath them to confront another in public. He smiled. “Some treasures are best kept as secrets lest they lose their value.”
“Touche.” Rafe tilted his head, rubbed Savannah’s hand with his thumb, which he hadn’t yet released. “Enjoy the auction, my dear.” He bowed and left.
Savannah sat and massaged her fingers. “Why did he hold my hand for so long?”
“He is an Ancient with many abilities. Through touch, he can read minds, thoughts and memories.” Luke took his seat beside her.
“So he read my mind?”
At this point, the Ancient probably knew everything about her. “I would bet he knows more about you than you do about yourself.”
She shuddered. “Are all of you capable of such power?”
“No, we are unique—like humans. We each have different talents, but most do not develop until we have attained a certain age.”
“And how old is Rafe?”
Luke shook his head. “No one knows. I would estimate him to at least have a couple millennia under his belt. Do not worry,” he said, and placed a hand on her thigh. “I will protect you.” Or he would die trying.
Savannah nodded but her posture remained stiff.
Lights dimmed around them except for one bright light above a stage with an altar on it. The audience sat in a half circle around the rounded platform.
“Now what?” She leaned back in her chair, legs crossed.
“We watch, listen and wait.”
* * * *
Savannah couldn’t have imagined blood contained so many unorthodox properties. And these vampires auctioned it off like self-proclaimed merchants cashing in their ticket to wealth. They offered up everything from bloods which supposedly tasted sweeter, helped indigestion, and maintained longer arousal to blood that served as an aphrodisiac or increased physical strength. Hilarious claims, under any other circumstances.
She hadn’t yet heard about any kind of blood burning through skin and muscle. She clenched her hands as she recalled the image of Luke’s sizzling skin.
“You are cold.” Luke bent close, rubbed her back. “It is almost over.”
“I’m fine,” she lied, pulling away from his touch. Her terse tone wouldn’t help anything. His affection was only an act. She knew that but couldn’t help her reactions. She hated the thought she wanted more from him. How could she desire him? Not only had he lied to her from the start, he wasn’t even human.
Interrupting her thoughts, Luke cupped the back of her neck with one hand, drew her close and kissed her. His lips, firm yet soft, teased and scolded in the same instance. His tongue hinted at many pleasures awaiting her. When he pulled away, she ached to follow with her mouth, to press her mouth to his, but some small shred of sanity intervened, stopping her from making an even greater fool of herself.
He didn’t say anything further. He didn’t have to. With his midnight stare, he warned her not to fight him.
As the auction finished, attendees stood and left. Eager to follow the crowd and avoid being alone with Luke, she rose.
“Did you not find what you were looking for?” Rafe approached.
Savannah tried hard not to shy away. Something about the male seemed overpowering and the black velvet mask covering one side of his face only added to his mysteriousness.
“I am not sure what you are referring to,” Luke said, appearing calm despite the tension she sensed emanating from him.
Rafe stared, his gaze unnerving, as it seemed to burn through them and see too much. He was insanely handsome with dark hair and silver-gray eyes, but his watchfulness and overwhelming presence frightened her. Luke had introduced him as an Ancient. How many humans had he killed in his lifetime? She shivered at the thought.
Luke’s hand braced the small of her back, his touch electric, intimate.
“Come with me.” Rafe signaled they follow him down a stone corridor. Torches lit the walls, reminding her of some Indiana Jones flick. Luke pushed her along, and she bit her tongue to keep from asking questions. She wasn’t used to so much restraint but the quieter she was, the safer she’d be. From what she’d observed of other blood slaves, they followed a
seen and not heard
motto.
“In there.” Rafe paused before a dark entrance, his lips curved into a sly smile as he met her gaze. “Don’t worry, it’s not all dark. And Luke won’t leave you alone. You’ll see a light once you go around the tunnel’s curve.” He turned to leave.
“What about you?” Luke asked.
“Don’t concern yourself with me. I will see you soon.” He walked away.
Hesitating to step where she couldn’t see, she inched forward. Rafe knew she feared being alone. Had he seen the night she was hit amongst her memories? Did he know Ben had abandoned her? She hugged her bare arms and took a step into darkness.
Luke moved ahead. “Stay close.” He pulled her to his side, his hand trailing over her left hip. An undeniable spark moved up her side.
She cleared her throat and breathed easy at the feel of his touch. He knew also. He might not admit it, but somehow sensed her fear. Somehow such a realization left her feeling more vulnerable than Rafe’s probing into her mind. “How can you see anything? It’s pitch black here.” She followed with careful, slow steps, gripping his bicep.
“Our eyes are different than yours. We can see better at night.”