“Well, I guess it has been about a year. And here I forgot to get Margot a birthday present.” The voice that left those plum painted lips was hoarse, husky, and oh-so familiar but I couldn’t place it. “You’ve lost weight…” She tilted her head to the side as she looked me over, large almond shaped green eyes scrutinized me. “I suppose it’s to be expected. Grief has a nasty habit of gobbling lovers up, bones and all.” She held out her hand and the man knelt down. He picked up the lead in his mouth and dropped it into her hand with a quick kiss on her palm. The woman in blue didn’t even look at him, she just started walking and he followed. “Come along, I have something that might fit you. That’ll be at it for a few hours.” She added as an afterthought, she never looked back at me though—she just kept walking.
After standing on shaky legs I followed them barefoot down the halls. The reality was there was no real choice, it was follow or spend the rest of the night in the hall. Staying outside in the corridor wasn’t exactly appealing, I was a human without protection. Her spike covered blue Louboutin’s sunk into the plush carpet with every step, the bright red sole blending perfectly with the runner. The male walking behind her, leashed on all fours was somehow capable of keeping up with her long confident strides—it was like he was made to be led by her. Admittedly I was a tad envious. Oh, be honest. I was extremely envious, watching him follow her with his proud even strides. He flourished in submission like I used to. But at the same time that I waxed poetic about my own submission, I was amused by his.
“Have you eaten today?” The question was practically growled from that delicate white throat of hers.
“N-no.” I answered, keeping my eyes on the ground.
“Shame on you, Autumn Darling. Byron, fetch Autumn something from the kitchen.” Her fingers deftly removed the lead from his collar. With a small bow of his head he stood and walked away without another word. “I love that man.” She sighed out as those jade eyes traced his slender form down the hall. Estella, her name came to me as she opened the door to what I could only assume was her room. She was a close friend of Aleksi’s. The year before she sat in Aleksi’s lap and both of them tormented Byron.
The room beyond the door looked like someone had painted the room with a peacock. All of the colors were rich and vivid. Deep blues and greens with hints of warm burnt sienna decorated the walls and furniture. The large bed that was set almost in the exact center of the room appeared to have a handful of those colorful majestic birds nesting. In reality it was an optical illusion created by the dangling pendant lights, electric blue pillows and an astoundingly detailed bed spread. The vibrant colors and dynamic lighting distracted from the racks of floggers, canes and collars that hid in plain sight. Just above the tiny illuminating globes lurked a gathering of chains on some sort of track system which looped carefully around the lights. You could almost overlook the little silver clips lurking around the legs of the furniture. I had never seen a room look so utterly elegant and sinister at the same time.
“Wh-what…” I finally found my voice.
“Was that? That is what is known as disembodied anger. After everything with the Sun Cross I expected something like it… but not her anger. Then again I’m not entirely certain it’s entirely her. I have some suspicions which are best kept quiet, but I’m rarely wrong about these things. I’m not Matriarch for my pretty face.” She laughed as she walked to a nearby dresser, those rough tones were like sandpaper. “But that’s not why I brought you here.” Pallid fingers sifted through bright blue garments before fishing out a black lace nightie. She lobbed the garment to me, and I snatched it out of the air before holding it up to my body. That lace was so sheer it would be only a half-step above naked, but it was better than walking around in my shredded dress.
“Why am—”
“Why are you here?” She finished, stalking behind me as I slipped into the bathroom of blue and black tile to change. “You’ll see soon enough.” Reluctantly, I shed the tattered dress and my ruined bra, the left strap looked like it had been cut with scissors more than anything natural. The filmy billowing lace hid nothing, and I mean nothing. My panties hadn’t even survived those slashing claws, one side of the red cotton thong had been completely cut through. Initially, I was going to go out into the room without the remnants of my thong on. But at the very last minute I decided against it and tied the ripped fabric, leaving an unsightly bulge at my hip but at least it covered my sex.
Trembling, I stepped back out into the room and the scrutiny of those jungle green eyes. The aroma of food drew my attention away from that appraising gaze and to the small table in the corner. Two places were set, with two wine glasses and two plates with gleaming cloches over them. Byron was seated at the table with his hands folded as he waited patiently for an order.
“That will not do. Byron come here and help Autumn out of… the remains of her panties.” That gravelly voice made me stop dead in my tracks. Did you really expect anything else? This is Crimson Hill, remember? “Oh, don’t look so terrified. He won’t do anything untoward. Byron and I do not play with others. But I have a nasty little streak in me that adores torturing the innocent… and those eyes of yours are just so innocent. And he thinks you’re just as exquisite as I do. Tell her how many years it’s been since you’ve touched a mortal.”
“Nine.” He replied in that sure tenor as his hands slid to my hips. You’re just going to let him? Mhm, I remembered what happened last year when he asked two questions instead of the one requested. I remembered the blood that ran down his lips, and over his chin and chest.
“Tell her how old you were.”
“Thirty.” His hands slid up and down my bottom. On the second pass he slid his hands under that black lace and hooking his thumbs into the red cotton band he eased down my thong. My eyes shut tight and my knees pressed together. His touch was so warm and so exquisitely soft that in spite of myself my body reacted in anticipation.
“So this is a reward for him of sorts. So ‘leksi never flogged you?”
“N-no.” I stammered out.
“And Nikolai?”
“No, but he did discipline me.” I swallowed as I felt that soft cotton stop at my knees. It’s not very lady like to share these things with strangers, Autumn. Parting my knees I left the fabric slip to the floor and I stepped out of it. The sensation of the cool air of the room on my sex made me hyper aware of the fact that Byron was still standing behind me.
“How?”
“He would edge me f-for a few h-hours and… l-leave me t-tied to the b-b-bed.”
“What would you think of that punishment, Byron?”
“I would think it appropriate for someone who has not yet learned to appreciate the kiss of a whip, crop, or cane, Mistress.” He was close enough that I could feel the heat of his breath on the back of my neck. I shivered violently, my shoulders practically rising to my ears as that cold chill ran down my spine.
“Do you think we have tortured the pretty girl enough, My Little Love?” She purred joyously.
“Only if you are satisfied, My Mistress. You flatter me to consider my opinion.”
“Bring me her panties in your mouth and you both may eat. Did you hear that little additive? That response is something that would drive most Masters crazy. But I love knowing that he knows and enjoys his place.” As she spoke he fell to his knees, dipped his head low and picked my ruined thong up with his teeth before crawling to her side. He knelt on his haunches and waited for her to hold out her hand before moving. Her fingers curled around that red fabric and she smirked at him. “You may stand.” He stood and she pulled him into a tight embrace. They lingered there, holding one another her lips left a trail of that plum color lipstick from his throat to his lips. Being alone was something I was used to, but as they kissed a deep lingering kiss, and her fingers squeezed and tormented the bruises and welts on his bottom I felt envious. But envious of who? “Go eat.” She growled to him, nipping at his bottom lip.
“Yes,
ma’am.” He purred teasingly. Her eyes lit up as he stepped away from her towards the table. It was clear that was a little joke between them as a frustrated little giggle left her lips.
“You are insane.” She rolled her eyes and walked over to a nearby rubbish bin where she dropped that ruined red cotton. “I’ll be back shortly.” Without another word she left out into the hall with the echo of the lock clicking filling the room.
Standing in the room alone with Byron while mostly naked I didn’t know what to do. I stood there frozen as he took off his mask and set it on the table. How could he be so normal? Because he’s used to this. Removing the cloche off of the plate his nose twitched and he hastily snatched a cloth napkin from the table and smoothed it over his lap. His creamy hazel gaze raised to me after a moment and his head tilted to the side.
“Come and eat, I hope you like steak. I never eat meat unless I’m here; something about this place makes me ravenous for dead animal.” He chuckled and flashed me bright smile. “I’d actually like to talk shop with you.” Shop? My brows furrowed. Go join him, you’re being rude again. I crossed the room quickly and took the seat in front of the other plate. Say something.
“I don’t mind steak.”
“Ally gave me a working copy of your dissertation last week.” What? “And whereas I think it’s headed in the proper direction, you might want to broaden your horizons. I know this is probably the opposite of what everyone’s been telling you. I know I spend ninety percent of my time when discussing dissertations and theses telling students to microscope. But you have something very good that has the potential to become a seminal piece if you expand your horizons.” I stared at him and my mind began a subtraction process. If you got rid of the eyeliner and piercings, and slicked his hair back you’d have… no. That’s not possible. I’m wrong. Remember, Occam’s Razor; horses not zebras. Byron, was Dr. Byron Baxter, he received his Ph.D in Vampire Studies at 15 from Oxford with a focus on literature. No one knew more about Vamp lit than him. “Most would tell you to stay away from the Vampire angle, but I’m going to tell you the opposite. Sexy sells even in dissertations. It’s why every year I get two hundred prospectuses about theses and dissertations over de Sade. I practically cried tears of joy when I finished and realized you only glossed over him.” I just blinked at him, I don’t think my brain could fully wrap around what he was saying or that he was who he was. “When you finish with your Ph.D. at U of F, you should switch your focus to Vampire Studies. In light of recent events if you still want to teach that will probably be the only route open to you.”
“Oh.” Well you sound bright. We ate in silence then, and he actually poured my wine for me. I had to wonder if it was habit, or something else.
“I understand that you’re nervous, and possibly confused. You should get used to this though, you’re a vampire’s servant; you’re a part of their culture now whether you like it or not. Embrace it. What’s that old ancient adage? When in Rome.” He flashed me a warm reassuring smile and the door creaked open.
“But I’m not a vampire’s servant… he’s dead and now I’m just…” I closed my eyes and with a sigh passed my fingers back through my hair. Bang. The door slammed shut startling me. My eyes shot open and my gaze darted around the room nervously.
“Shhh, calm down. It was just the door, you’re safe here.” Byron attempted to soothe me between bites of his steak. I couldn’t see the door from where I sat there was a large wooden dresser carved with peacocks blocking my view.
“Alright, if this doesn’t work both of you have to leave the room as fast as possible.” Estella stated plainly stepping into my view. She had an open canister of blood in one hand that was dipping her finger tips in and flicking it at something. There was also another canister tucked under her arm. I heard it before I saw it. That crooning hiss that seemed to press from all around me.
“Autumn…. Autumn.” That sound called again and again, but it didn’t sound like a voice at all; it sounded more like the hiss of wind against a window. That undulating mass of black mist rolled into view, and Estella dumped the blood over that billowing cloud. The sable fog swirled and seethed, rising and falling as though it were struggling to take the shape of something. Every second that passed the form it took at the top got a little clearer… it was the silhouette of a man. My heart stopped in my chest, I didn’t even dare breathe let alone think as I stared at the churning nebula of darkness. With each moment that passed, details filled out from that amorphous shadowy nimbus until there was no mistaking it. Colette was right.
When the mist finished fleshing out Aleksi, he stood for a whole second, staring blankly forward. Then his nude body collapsed bonelessly to the ground trailing that loose dark hair behind him. He hit with a thud and Estella quickly knelt beside him and helped him raise to sitting. Gapping I stared at him as she helped him drink from the canister, his whole body was trembling.
“Byron, grab the spare blanket.” She called without looking up. “He almost took every last bit of you didn’t he?” She half whispered as she peered down into his face. Byron stood and walked over to the carved dresser and produced a huge blue blanket. He draped the comforter across Aleksi’s shoulders, the addition of that bright color made his eyes seem to burn in his colorless face. As he drank the color slowly came back to him, but the trembling remained.
“We need to leave.” My body swooned as I heard that voice for the first time in months. Tears actually welled up my eyes but I couldn’t bring myself to move, part of me was convinced this was a dream that would all melt away at any moment.
“He obviously knows already. Running is moot.” Estella added as she relaxed beside him. Byron moved to her other side and leaned against her shoulder.
“We need to get Colette, Nikolai and Margot away from him.” Aleksi murmured before he finished the canister and passed it to Estella. “You don’t understand…”
“No, I understand plenty well. You ‘died’ and magically Vlad is awake again for revenge? That one made me laugh so hard I felt my ribs would buckle. You’re my friend, perhaps my only friend aside from Byron. I couldn’t continue to look the other way with everyone else. He won’t try it again for a very long time.” Again, I wasn’t even a supporting role in my own story. I turned my attention back to the cold food in front of me and picked at my steak. “But between The Sun Cross and Miss Big-Mouth, Vlad is admittedly the least of your problems. Though since it was your essence he was siphoning when he turned Nikolai, congratulations you have another fledgling. Nikolai Aleksivich Zelenko will always prove a problem.”
“So you knew?”
“Everyone knew except for you. Elizabeta has her claws in him now, though; so good luck with that.”
“Fantastic.” He sighed heavily and then those eyes settled on me. I could feel that burning electric blue gaze, coaxing me to look up, to turn my attention back to him. Estella kept talking but I don’t think either of us heard her. We stared at each other but neither of us knew what to do. We weren’t lovers when he was attacked, could we embrace like lovers? Did he want to? “… what size pants does Byron wear?” He cut off Estella’s exposition of the current situation as he stood.
“Let me see if he’ll have anything that will fit you.” She sighed as she rolled to standing before opening a nearby dresser, once more sorting through clothes.
In minutes, Aleksi was in a pair of Byron’s jeans, with his hair messily pulled back. We hadn’t said a word to each other, but I still followed him as he started for the door.
“Now we’re even, ‘leksi.” Estella shouted as we left her rooms. That silence lingered, but he made no indication that he didn’t want me with him. As we walked down those vast hallways, though that darkness seemed to reach for me in anger I felt better than I had in months, and Miss Manners, well she felt pretty damned good too.
11
PRIDE & PUNISHMENT
KNOWING AND SEEING ARE TWO VASTLY DIFFERENT THINGS. FOR INSTANCE, I knew about Nikolai’s app
reciation for pain. That’s a very diplomatic way of putting it. But I had only seen it once before Aleksi kicked open those thick double doors. Nikolai dangled from the ceiling of a mostly empty mirrored room, beside his strung up form were those black lacquer carts Elizabeta kept her most painful toys in. Blood traced down the contours of Nikolai’s chest, and needles stuck out of his pale flesh at various angles. Again I was stunned, again I fought to remain in that room as I watched his nude hips twist with need. Bright red lipstick was smeared around his lips, and for the first time ever I saw Elizabeta in a state of undress. Still she seemed intimidating even in a bra, panties and stockings. The black lace bra had little ribbons of pale blue woven in, and the stockings were held up by a garter belt that matched. In her hand was a black riding crop, and that long red hair hung to her waist in careful waves.
Lingering in the door I watched as she turned to face Aleksi with a start. But she quickly school her face into that cool, calm unsurprised mask. That placid expression contradicted her hands, her fingers nervously rubbed the handle of the crop. Was she scared of Aleksi?
“Autumn, take the needles out and lower him,” Aleksi ordered without looking back at me. Delight spiraled through me with that given order and I practically skipped to Nikolai.
“You can’t do this!” Elizabeta yelled, crossing her arms.
“I can’t?” Aleksi laughed, and I approached Nikolai carefully. His eyes were glassy but as he stared down at me I still saw all the warmth and love that had been there months ago. I grabbed the longest of the needles and slowly started to pull it out. He moaned around the leather bit in his mouth. Was that the same bit I had in mine when Aleksi was beaten?
“He’s Vlad’s fledgling, not yours. You hesitated and lost the game, Aleksi.” In the mirror she smirked at him, and then… Aleksi disbursed into a cloud of screeching bats which darted forward, coalescing back into him inches from her.
Dark Awakenings (Danse Macabre Book 2) Page 21