A Night at Tears of Crimson

by Hughes, Michelle

  Dante sensed his little friends’ distress as he brought out some small sandwiches. "Don't you fret none, bebe, everything is gonna work out fine," he winked at her. Not liking seeing her upset. He couldn't say more, but he knew everything she was feeling.

  “Have you seen Angela?” Cara questioned, sensing all the employees knew something had happened last night. It embarrassed her, and added to the upset she was feeling at Rafe not being here, she felt she was about to lose her control over her emotions.

  “She was headed back to the employee area with that friend of Rafe’s the last I saw,” Michael's eyes filled with compassion. He would definitely be having words with his boss tomorrow.

  “I’m going to see if she’s ready to leave,” hugging him quickly she walked off to find Angela, hoping she wasn’t getting too friendly with Gabe. There was just something about that man she didn’t trust.

  Gabe had waited until the little waitress was alone and took over her mind, encouraging her to follow him into the employee lounge. He had her out of her skirt in only a few minutes, and down on her knees even faster than that. It had been a few weeks since he had allowed a woman to pleasure him, and he wanted to be fully satiated before joining Rafe at the Elder's mansion tonight.

  As her talented mouth worked him over, he felt his body almost on the verge of release. Using his mind to explain what he wanted, he groaned as she moved to sit down on his lap straddling him and impaling herself on his large shaft. Grabbing her firm ass, he lifted her up and down until he felt her body come undone and clench him tightly. Sinking his fangs into her delicate skin he drank as he maneuvered her hips with his hands until he found his own release.

  Walking into the employee lounge, Cara felt her cheeks turn bright red as she noted Gabe lifting Angela off his lap. Angel struggled to pull on her skirt and a confused look found her face. Gabe smirked and leaned back, not even bothering to cover himself and Cara turned her back completely embarrassed. “Are you ready to leave?” the words escaped her lips with a small stutter because she honestly couldn’t believe the audacity of him.

  “Hon is everything alright?” Angela was mortified that her friend had caught her this way, and she was still in shock that she had allowed herself to sleep with a man she didn’t even know. Walking over in front of Cara she tried to shake off the confusion of how she'd ended up here in the first place. She didn't remember agreeing to this.

  Cara could only shake her head no, between Rafe's disappearance and walking in on her best friend she was definitely as far from alright as she cared to be. Trying her best to not give in to the tears that threatened to fall at any minute, she just wanted to go home and sulk in private.

  “Honey what’s wrong?” her own discomfort at being discovered that way erased, as she saw her friend was on the verge of breaking down.

  “Not here okay?” feeling a few tears escape, she swiped them away with the back of her hand not wanting to discuss anything around that jerk Gabe.

  “I can see you ladies need to talk,” He adjusted his clothes quickly and smirked. "If you need a little more experience with men honey, I'll be back in a few days." He knew what an asshole he was being to Rafe's little toy, but he really didn't like the idea of his child with a human. Turning his eyes to Angela he winked, "Thanks for the ride sweetheart,” he walked over to Angela and kissed her cheek before walking out of the lounge.

  Tears streamed down Cara's cheek as he left, because how else would he have known her lack of experience, unless Rafe had told him. She was humiliated beyond belief. How could she have been so stupid?

  “Come on honey, I think we both need to get out of here,” Angela grabbed her hand and they walked outside into the night air. She hated being caught with Gabe, but it was Cara she was truly worried about at the moment. She didn't have her worldliness and it was apparent that Rafe had been talking. They normally wouldn't have left the building without an escort but tonight was a big exception.

  Philippe and two large men were in the employee parking lot, and Cara could only hope that they would not bother trying to have a friendly conversation at the moment. Wiping her tears away with the back of her hand, she tried to gain her composure long enough to make it to Angela's car.

  8 Tears of Betrayal

  “Miss Donovan,” Philippe spoke quietly sensing her emotional distress with ease. Perhaps it wasn't too late for him to claim the little human as his own, he thought with a smile. "I need to have a few words with you, if you don't mind,” he noted the other waitress with her and hoped she would agree to come with him peacefully.

  She wanted to run to Angela's car and lick her wounds so to speak. He was one of her best tippers, though and she really didn't want to hurt his feelings. She found herself in a quandary, and was happy when Angela spoke up.

  “Look Philippe,” Angela said with a small smile, “it's been a really long night and this just isn't a good time.” She really liked this man, although she didn't much about him outside of the club.

  The two large men with Philippe moved forward aggressively and Phillipe held his hand up speaking into their minds to hold their position. There was no reason to harm the waitress, she had fed him on many evenings, even though she didn't recall it.

  “Angela,” he looked deep into her eyes and holding her gaze, “this doesn't concern you, leave Cara with us and drive home, she is absolutely fine.” He knew how controllable this woman was, it was one of the reasons he chose her.

  She knew he had just taken over Angela's mind, and felt her knees go weak with fear. Her breathing began coming in rapid shallow breaths. Angela left her alone with them, and she could only look around like an idiot for some way to escape. Could this night get any worse? she pondered.

  “Cara, I have no plans to harm you, so please calm down,” Philippe's kept his voice very soft, sensing the girls' fear. She refused to look at him, and it was apparent she understood that he could only compel her when she made eye contact. All he could do was attempt to calm her with mental thoughts.

  “Where's Rafe?” she questioned fearfully still not meeting his eyes. She just wanted to go home, her mind was already drowning in anxiety. This was more than she could mentally deal with in one night. She felt a push through her thoughts and fought against it mentally. He was trying to do what Rafe did when she was nervous, she thought, feeling her fear grow even greater.

  “He is at the Mansion,” Philippe whispered sensing his thoughts were not working and decided on a different tactic, “if you will come with me I'll take you to him.” Leave it to Rafe to not remove a human's memories, he thought disgruntled.

  She thought about her options, which were extremely limited at the moment. She knew that if Philippe didn't overpower her, which it was obviously apparent he could do easily, his two friends definitely would. There was no doubt in her mind that his friends were vampires as well. Glancing behind her, she still considered making a run for the employee door.

  “Cara,” he was growing agitated as she thought of escaping, “we need to leave now." His words were growing harsh now, needing her to understand her position. "I do not want to have to hurt anyone unnecessarily.” His eyes went to the employee’s entrance to make his point.

  Biting her lip, fighting back tears again, she walked over to his silver Mercedes and one of the huge men opened the door for her. She couldn't allow her own stupidity to hurt her friends, so this was the only choice she had. Thinking she had probably just signed her own death warrant, she got in the car feeling sick to her stomach.

  The two big men sat up front, and Philippe got in back with her. She didn't want to look at him, so she stared out the window with unseeing eyes. Her hands were trembling, her knees were shaking, and she felt tears pooling up in her eyes, even though she was doing her best not to cry.

  “No one plans on hurting you Cara,” Philippe said breaking the silence. He hadn't had to deal with a human's fear in some time. It was much easier to just tell them what to feel or think.

&n
bsp; “Then take me home,” She said defensively, still staring out the window. She sure didn't trust him now, if he had any compassion he would have left her in peace.

  “You will be taken home as soon as our Elder has a chance to talk with you,” He kept his voice calm as he spoke, he honestly didn't want to distress the girl more than he already had. She was a tempting little morsel and he hoped someday she would be his pet.

  “Great,” she thought to herself, “they are going to take me to the head vampire and he can kill me there.”

  Philippe laughed out loud, “No one is going to kill you,” he laughed softly, “why on earth would you even think that?” The young one was a delight, he thought, he would definitely not grow bored having her in his bed.

  Still refusing to look at him, she answered honestly. “Making someone get in the car with you, play mind games with her friend so that she would leave, none of that is very encouraging, Philippe.” She hoped he wasn't some vicious monster that would destroy her, but what did she truly know about any of them after the way Rafe had left her tonight.

  “If only you had taken my offer little one,” he was not past feeling some compassion at her thoughts. “This could have been handled so much better." In truth, he hoped they punished Rafe for letting this girl keep her memories. It was obvious he had been thinking with his anatomy, allowing her to remain with knowledge.

  She noticed they were not going in the direction of Rafe's house, which honestly she wasn't surprised. She hadn't really expected them to take her back to the mansion, maybe down some dirt road to dispose of her body that sounded more likely. If she jumped out of a moving car, she wondered if she'd survive. Pain wasn't something she really enjoyed though, and she decided to just see how bad things would get before she took her own life.

  Philippe laughed out loud again, “My dear one, you would certainly make a wonderful play toy. As it is I am taking you to Lord Eduardo’s mansion,” he shook his head in amusement. “All of our business in this area takes place there.”

  She was a bit shocked at his news. She had no knowledge that vampires were that organized. She couldn't help but wonder what other things she didn't know.

  “There are many things about our race that would surprise you,” he whispered, proud of his heritage.

  They had been driving for half an hour, and were in a seemingly undeveloped area when the car turned down a long paved road. To her eyes, it went on for miles before they stopped at a huge iron wrought gate with heavy security. The driver of the car spoke with the guard about his business this evening.

  Just seeing the heavily armed guard had her terrified. What kind of place was this? if they needed men carrying guns then it was apparent the people inside were pretty powerful, she thought. She jumped as Phillipe's hand touched her leg gently, staring at him in shock.

  “No one is going to hurt you,” he spoke softly, pleased that she finally looked into his eyes. Fear in a human had its place, but he had no desire for this girl to feel it at the moment. Taking over her thoughts he told her to trust him and that all would be well.

  She wasn't sure if her fear made her believe him, or the fact that she had just looked into his eyes and was compelled. His hand remained on her leg, unmoving, and she didn't pull away. The guards let them through the gate and they drove up to a building spoke to her of wealth and power, it couldn't be called anything but a mansion in her opinion.

  One of the large escorts opened the door for her, after the car was parked. She walked with Phillipe willingly up the stairs. Unsure why, her mind started to panic again as they stood in front of huge, ornate doors. "I don't want to be here," she whispered miserably. Her knees began to shake and she felt they would buckle at any moment.

  He was impressed with her mental strength, sensing how she had broken through his compulsion. His arm went under her elbow, understanding that her courage was close to failing. “Should you desire a better protector my dear, you only have to ask.” He gazed over the beautiful human and felt a strange compassion. Reaching out, he couldn’t stop himself from touching her long silken hair. Seeing the fear fill her beautiful chocolate eyes, he allowed his hand to fall away and opened the door quickly.

  Seeing Rafe as he opened the door, she ran into his arms, holding him tightly. For those first few moments she felt safe again and breathed in his scent. Forgetting that he was the reason she had been captured to begin with, she rubbed her face against his strong chest. “Don’t ever leave me alone again.” The plea fell desperately from her lips weakly.

  Wrapping his arms around her protectively, he vowed to destroy anything that dared to harm her. His eyes moved to Phillipe and venom laced his voice, “Touch her again and I will have your head hanging over my mantel.” His fangs descended as the blood lust overcame him, and his hold tightened on her painfully. She whimpered softly but he was enraged to the point of not being able to hear.

  “Threaten me again and I will make her my blood slave,” Phillipe’s own fangs elongated and he moved into a fighting stance as his own body filled with the urge to destroy.

  “Please stop,” the cry left her lips as much from the pain Rafe was causing by holding her so tight, and the promise of retaliation burning in Phillipe’s eyes. Rafe glanced down at her but it was like a strangers gaze and she began to tremble in fear.

  “Enough!” A loud, authoritative voice filled the room with such strength that Rafe released his painful hold and Phillipe turned away to face the elegant stranger before her. He was so beautiful that it made her eyes tear. His hair was the color of spun gold and her hand ached to reach out to see if it was as silky as it appeared. She was stunned for a few moments at the overwhelming desire to move closer to him. His face was pure perfection, masculine, but with a beauty that almost made you consider that masculinity feminine. She wanted to fall to her knees and worship him. The part of her that could still think clearly, knew it was the allure of the vampire but that didn’t stop her breath from catching.

  “Come to me girl,” he glanced over the raven–haired human, meeting her gaze and holding it. Instantly he knew why the brothers were intrigued and willing to battle each other unto the undeath. The light shone brightly in the girl, almost to the point that it was painful for him to behold her.

  She walked toward the vampire without thought, aching to be closer. He held out his hand and she felt herself grasp it, without remembering making the decision to do so. A surge of energy moved through her body like none she had never known, and she gasped in shock. His eyes changed from a hazel green to darkened silver and she couldn’t look away. Almost instantly she was mesmerized.

  Eduardo felt as he did before he had been gifted with his power, and it sent a thrill of excitement surging through him instantaneously. His fangs descended and he quickly pierced the vein in her neck, suckling deeply. She tasted of honey wine and youth, the mixture intoxicating on his tongue.

  She cried out at the first sting of his fangs, the spell momentarily broken as she struggled helplessly in his arms. He was going to destroy her. Instinctively she knew that he never wanted to stop. Her body began growing weaker and she whimpered softly. She didn’t want to die this way and her thoughts moved to Rafe wondering why he wasn’t helping her.

  Rafe felt his fists tighten at his sides as he watched the Elder drink from his lover. Without any doubt he knew to interrupt would be the death of her. He fought against every instinct that demanded he take what was his. Phillipe licked his fangs, and that sent Rafe almost over the edge as his anger rose to the point his demon came forth.

  Forcing his fangs to retract, Eduardo slowly licked the small wound closed. “Never have I tasted of such perfection,” a wave of warm pleasure seared through his veins. He held the weakened girl as if she were a rare treasure. “Take your possession Rafe, while I am still in the mindset to allow it,” licking his lips to capture the last drops of her incredible taste, he sighed. A pang of envy found him, which was an unknown emotion for him. Had he known for cer
tain he had the ability to not drain the girl, he would have demanded her as a gift. In truth, he knew her succulent flavor would tempt even him to imbibe until she was completely drained.

  “Thank you, my Lord,” Rafe took her into his arms protectively and she slept deeply. Eduardo had such a high concentration of neurotoxins in his saliva, that those he fed from were instantly lethargic after he tasted them. “Forgive me for not bringing her to you before disclosing our past. It was an oversight I will not again allow.” In truth it would have been Eduardo’s right to drain Cara when he failed to follow their laws, and he felt relieved that he had not demanded her as payment.

  “I have not forgiven your indiscretion my son. Gabriel will be her tracker and you will pay the normal fee.” Eduardo considered requiring him to bring the girl to him when he desired, but his earlier concern still remained. “You should take your pet to rest,” glancing over at her beautiful angelic face deep in slumber, he felt desires that made him crave his own pet once again. “Leave now,” he demanded, “Gabriel will conclude our arrangement tomorrow evening.” His control was close to faltering and he wanted the human out of his sight.

  It had been a long time since he had been in the presence of a child of the most Holy. Eduardo could only recall meeting one other in his past and that woman had resided in one of the protected temples in Israel. It would please the Dragon to know that this one had fallen to one of his children. It was a rare gift of darkness to tempt the soul of the innocent. There was a soul that watched over the young one, but even her protection had not been enough to stop the fall from grace. It was apparent that her own heart had damned her fate.

  Rafe was not happy with the plan, but knew better than to voice that displeasure. Eduardo had gifted him with a kindness tonight and he was not about to make the penalty for his indiscretion worse by arguing. He was a fair leader, but also not a vampire to be crossed. With a warning glance to Phillipe, he carried Cara outside and placed her sleeping form in his car.