Authors: Toni Kelly
Another reminder of their differences and yet his presence provided some measure of safety in the darkness. She pressed her finger harder against the flesh of his arm, pulling him closer. “I don’t have a good feeling about this. Do you have any idea what awaits us at the end of this tunnel?” The thud of her heart pounded a faster, erratic rhythm.
“No,” he said. “But Rafe wants something. He would not have let us go, either way. At least now I have some time to decide what I need to do next.”
Savannah released a lengthy sigh. His admission he didn’t know what was going on did nothing to soothe her unease. Her only comfort was, whatever waited for them in this dank, black passageway couldn’t be worse than what she’d been through over the past couple years.
17
Promises are like the full moon, if they are not kept at once they diminish day by day.
—German Proverb
Luke gently patted Savannah’s thigh as she shifted in her seat. “They’ll be starting soon enough.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. This isn’t exactly the most inviting of places.”
He tried to see it from her point of view. A circular space with a platform in the middle. Black velvet curtains fell from the ceiling, hiding all but a foot around the perimeter of the platform. Lit sconces protruded from the stone walls every few feet and between them, arched entryways led to dark tunnels—similar to the one they’d entered through. The space certainly wasn’t cozy. If anything, it felt dark and secretive. “You’re right, in that it doesn’t make one feel welcome, but I’m sure it serves its purpose as far as secrecy.”
“I guess. I still think there has to be a better way to get here,” she said. “If not, they should build safer passages. It’s completely illogical to wander through the dark when it’s obvious these vampires have means to design a bright, comfortable hallway.”
“Bright, comfortable hallways hardly provide secrecy,” he said. “Rome is an immense network underground. But don’t worry, we shall not stay much longer.” He understood her discomfort, but beyond Rafe’s indirect order, Luke had his reasons for staying. As Lorenzo suggested, he needed to know what he dealt with in regards to Savannah’s blood.
She rubbed the flesh along her upper arms. “These auctions are monstrous. I don’t understand how you could bring me here.”
Several guests turned their heads and stared at them. He chuckled, pretending she’d told the cleverest of jokes. “Keep your voice down, dear. Despite the unusual tone of this auction, I would not call it monstrous. We are quite civilized beings.” He could not explain the sudden need to defend his kind. Most times he would have agreed with her.
“Civilized? You use our blood for home remedies and erotic drugs. Almost every vampire here is accompanied by at least one blood slave. What about that is civilized?”
“For God’s sake, Savannah,” he ground out, temper flaring at her attack. “The list of humanity’s wrongs is beyond comparison. Need I mention the Holocaust, the Crusades, slavery? Even today, women and children are trafficked through countries to use as prostitutes. Human sweat, sickness and toil cranks out luxury toaster ovens for a merciless class of wealth. And if any rise up to rebel they become martyrs to a so-called cause. What cause? Do not lecture me on being civilized when your kind is far from it.”
“I understand.”
“Do you?” he asked, his tone harsher than intended.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I hadn’t thought about what we’ve done as a race.”
Her sorrowful expression made him feel quite the cad. “Forgive me. My intention was neither to chastise you nor to have you believe we are saints. We have our vices and we are damned creatures for a reason, but like humans, not all of us choose to be such.”
She frowned, appearing far from convinced.
“I want to help you, Savannah.” He cupped her cheek, forcing her to meet his gaze then dropped his hand. After what she’d experienced, asking her to trust him pushed limits. “I know my words currently have no meaning, but I will show you, somehow.” He gently squeezed her hand.
The curtains lifted, revealing two nude women on a raised stage.
“What is going on? Why are they chained up?” Savannah pushed forward in her seat, biting her bottom lip.
His grip kept her from standing. “No, they are willing participants.”
“Willing? Why?” she asked.
“My assumption would be due to the pay received for their services.”
“No amount could be enough,” she whispered beneath her breath.
Luke turned away so she could not see his grim expression. How ironic her words were since he now understood what type of woman she was.
“Is something wrong?”
“Not at all.” He cleared his throat, sensed her unease and did not fault her. The sight before them would be disturbing to anyone unaccustomed to society’s darker tastes. One of the women was a vampire, who due to her strength lay shackled to an altar. The other, a human, hung held by chains spilling from the ceiling, a life-sized puppet meant to test their vices. Females displayed like props in a macabre play.
“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for joining us tonight.” A tall, dark-haired male strolled opposite the small group and climbed the stairs of the raised stage. “I am Armand and will be your host. In this more intimate setting, you’ve been invited to witness the abilities of some of our more rare blood samples. These too will be up for auction, however, for privacy’s sake, I ask you to hold your bids for everything until afterward. Bids will be made anonymously.” He turned and signaled the bound females. “A special thanks to our guests for their participation tonight. Carmina is the human blood slave you see hanging in chains and Lena is our vampire. And now, let us begin.”
As before, lights dimmed. Only a bright spotlight shone down, highlighting the nude women.
“We shall start with a highly potent aphrodisiac.” Armand dipped a slim dropper into a glass vial. With only a few drops administered orally, the vampire, Lena, writhed in place. Within minutes, her movements grew hurried, her hips undulated as she whimpered.
“What’s wrong?” Savannah asked.
“I am not sure she would think anything is wrong. I imagine she is nearing a climactic state. An orgasm.”
Even beneath muted lighting, he could discern the flush that tinged the tops of Savannah’s cheeks.
“I see,” she said.
Armand ran a hand through the air over Lena’s body. “Right now, Lena is in a near-tortured state, as she is restrained and unable to release herself. The mere whisper of my hand over her tickles her skin, but if I were to touch her here...” He caressed one of her protruding nipples with his palm and she arched up, crying out with her release. “You see, with one brush of my skin against hers, she is mine to command.”
Savannah trembled alongside Luke.
“You feel her.” He sensed Savannah’s heightened breaths, her arousal. And behind them, shame.
She turned away from the stage. “No.”
“It is natural to feel aroused.”
“Don’t be absurd.”
Although the desire to elicit further feelings from her tempted him, he let the subject go. Images of their night together came to him, of Savannah’s daring, her thighs embracing his hips as she coaxed a climax from him. Hardness against softness. He closed his eyes briefly then turned and watched the stage.
Armand still spoke. “This same amount of blood administered to a human would remain in effect for hours,” he said as his gaze swept the crowd, lingering on Savannah a moment longer than Luke liked. “Since we do not have an abundance of time, I regret we can’t show you such a lengthy test.” He smiled as the crowd chuckled. “However, I will now demonstrate the healing properties of our next sample. Watch carefully Carmina’s reaction.”
Armand took out a knife then dragged the blade up the human’s stomach, plunging it deep through her ribs. Carmina screamed. Her face cringed and paled as her breathing labored. Savannah’s hand came to rest on Luke’s thigh. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, tugging her against his chest. “Everything will be okay.”
“I have mortally wounded her, puncturing a lung. Without help, she will die.” Armand removed a vial from inside his coat and opening the cap, poured several drops onto Carmina’s open wound. A bright light covered her body and color returned to her face. Within a minute, she lifted her head and tugged on the chains.
“So you see, a few drops of blood and this human is stronger than before I harmed her person.”
The audience clapped and whispered with appreciation. Armand demonstrated several other samples with flourish but none interested Luke as much as the one with healing properties. He fingered the bandage on his arm, annoyed to find such a small movement pained him. His injury was indeed serious and although he preferred not to think about it, he could not help but wonder whether this blood could cure a vampire. And if it did, what would Rafe request in exchange? He glanced at Savannah’s still profile. Despite his predicament and lacking resolution, he refused to hand her over.
As the auction ended, the room grew brighter. Vampires and their blood slaves rose from their seats, approaching Armand with questions regarding blood samples and the bidding process.
“Did you enjoy this auction more?” Rafe stood a few feet away from them. A smile played on his lips.
“Quite interesting.” Luke turned toward Savannah, noticed the pallor of her face below the edge of her mask. “But I believe we shall be calling it a night.” He held out his hand to her, and she slipped hers within it.
“Do you mean to tell me nothing interested you?” Rafe asked.
Enough of riddle-like, mysterious questions. The vampire was hardly a type to avoid confrontation so his sly manner did not become him. “What is it you want?”
“I know of your wounds. I could smell them when you arrived.” He tsk-tsked. “The scent of rotting vampire flesh is unnatural. So unnatural, most would not recognize it. I’ve only come across it a few times before but I would never forget the smell.”
Savannah stiffened beside him. Luke squeezed her hand in reassurance. “How do I know the blood you have will even work?”
Rafe shrugged. “You don’t. Neither do I.”
Not much of a sales pitch, if the Ancient desired some kind of exchange. “I believe our time here has come to an end.” Luke took a step, tugging Savannah with him.
Rafe moved aside. “You don’t have many options.”
“And? You are not requiring funds, so what is the purpose of your ramblings?”
“Careful, Evans. I don’t tolerate rudeness.” Rafe’s gaze raked over Savannah then he reached and tipped up her mask. “Exquisite.” He closed his eyes and sniffed the air. “And her blood smells sweet. I can see why she has been so hard for you to resist.”
“I’ll ask you once more. What is it you want?”
“An exchange,” Rafe answered. “A vial of her blood for a vial of the curative blood.”
“No.” Savannah backed away.
“She’s outspoken, isn’t she?” He turned to her. “You weren’t always so open though, were you? I’d say the change is better for you.”
God help him. Rafe’s question reminded him that with a mere touch, the Ancient had seen enough of Savannah’s past to know who she’d been and who she’d become. Luke would give the world to truly know her, to be completely sure he’d made the right decision in helping her. Instead he was put to the test, learning to trust again when he’d thought the capability beyond him. “She has made a decision. I will not exchange her blood.”
“Fine.” The Ancient waved a hand nonchalantly. “But your wound will only grow more painful and infection will spread with time.”
“I thank his lordship for the counsel.” Luke bowed in respect and took Savannah’s hand. “Good night.”
“No. Wait.” She rushed forward.
“Leave it alone,” he said.
Instead of listening to him, she approached Rafe. “Do you mean his wound will get worse instead of healing?”
“Of course. To his body, your blood is venom. It will slowly destroy him.”
“If I were to give you a vial of my blood, do you promise me Luke would be cured?” she asked, her emerald eyes pleading.
“I meant what I said earlier,” Rafe said. “I have no idea as to the blood’s effects on a vampire.”