“We have to leave soon, unfortunately, Miss Donovan or I would show you just how incredible you look.” He winked at her and smiled and doubted the need he felt was hidden from his eyes. With a chuckle he decided he needed to gather his thoughts before she ended up tumbled back in his bed. “A cold shower is definitely in order,” Kissing her cheek gently he made haste to escape to the bathroom.
While he bathed, she walked over to the veranda doors and walked out on the balcony. The garden below looked so inviting the fragrant smell filled her senses. It almost memorized her, and she stared at it until hearing Rafe rummaging in his closet. He came out with a dark black suit, white dress shirt, tie and his shoes. He dressed quickly, and didn't spare a glance at her until he was finished. When their eyes met again, she could see the apprehension written in those steely depths.
He knew he wasn't covering his growing concerns well and decided he needed to work harder. “Whatever happens tonight, we will make it through together,” his hand lightly caressed her cheek. Determined to make her feel safe his lips lowered to hers and he kissed her tenderly.
A hundred questions filtered through her mind, but the fell of his lips pressed against her, and the knock on the door, ended anything she wanted to ask.
Rafe opened the door and Gabe was standing there impatiently. Cara thought he looked very handsome in his dark suit; it seemed to stretch over his huge form ready to burst. She shook that image from her mind as Rafe offered me his arm. She wrapped her trembling hand around his firm bicep and they walked down to the limousine without speaking.
Cara and Rafe slid into the back seat, and Gabe sat in the one facing them. All of their faces were serious and no one seemed to want to break the silence. She tried not to think about what could possibly happen, knowing there was absolutely nothing she could do to change the events. As they made it to the mansion, her legs were shaking so badly she could barely get out of the car. Her only lifeline was Rafe's strong arm around her waist.
There were hundreds in attendance, all dressed in their formal attire, some of them humans, others vampire's. Several of them stared at them as they entered, and she was sure it wasn't just because they made an incredible threesome. Her nerves were getting more on edge every second they stood inside the huge ballroom.
“Eduardo will summon us, when it is time,” Rafe whispered for her ears only. Rafe normally enjoyed these gatherings as it brought many of the vampires out of hiding and helped forge strong business ties around the globe. Tonight his mood was somber as he tried to smile reassuringly at his lover. Her offence had not been grave but with Eduardo’s interest that could likely not matter.
He could not find fault in Gabe’s demeanor this evening as he stood protectively at Cara’s side. His support was reassuring considering his hatred of the human race in general. As they waited for Eduardo’s entrance he stood looking down into Cara’s beautiful face and wondered if he would hate humans as his brother did, if he had suffered from their hands as greatly as Gabe had. He remembered his brother’s tale of losing his beloved wife with haunting clarity.
12 Gabriel's tears
Walking upstairs into their bedroom, he could not help but smile as his eyes fell upon his beautiful wife. With predatory quietness, he moved behind her sliding his arms around her tiny waist. “You need not choose such beautiful garments to show your true beauty my love,” allowing his fangs to descend, he lightly grazed the tender flesh of her neck.
Turning in his arms she smiled up into his eyes and if she had the capacity to breathe, her breath would have caught in her throat. "My lord you spoil me with your words," her small arms reached up to clasp around his neck. He held her as if she were the most precious possession. Every moment she spent with him, she could only feel the bond of love grow stronger between them. Her beautiful warrior was all she had ever dreamed of in a husband.
"What say you, Tatianna?" his hand reaching out to caress her cheek, "shall we stay home and enjoy our evening in each other’s arms?" In truth, he would have chosen never to share her and keep her in the solitude with himself for an eternity. No eyes deserved to glance upon her beauty, in his opinion, but she enjoyed the dances and he was hard pressed to keep anything from her that she desired.
"As always my lord, I am yours to command," reaching up a dainty hand she smoothed away a long lock of his golden hair from his face.
That small touch was all he required, and he began unbuttoning the back of her gown. Undressing her was no small skill, with the layers of petticoats and her corset to get through, before the prize was unveiling the ivory silk of her unblemished flesh. Her amber eyes were warm and inviting as he lay her back on the bed worshiping her with his hands and lips.
"Love me, Gabriel," she had no modesty with the owner of her soul, her legs wrapping around his hips, drawing him against her body, knowing the pleasure only he could unleash.
Unable to deny her request, even as he longed to prolong their lovemaking, he slid into her moist heat slowly savoring every sensation her body offered. With slow even strokes he enjoyed her passion, unwilling to sacrifice one moment of the magical romance they shared. He revered her far too much to rush their joining, even as her soft whimpers encouraged him to ride her beautiful body with all the strength immortality gave.
Her porcelain face in the throes of release was astonishing, and always fueled his own tumble into ecstasy. After languid moments of embracing her, he kissed her temple gently. "My love we should bathe in the creek before the dawn arrives." although he would have preferred remaining in her arms, he remembered how she enjoyed the soothing water before her rest. Lifting her into his arms, her feet should never be forced to touch the ground he thought, he walked downstairs and out the back door.
A small path led through the woods and he had walked with her so many times in the last hundred years that he could have easily found his way without sight. Setting her down on her feet, he marveled at her face in the moonlight. They walked into the creek and he helped her bathe. As the beams of moonlight poured down on her ivory skin, he was in awe of her beauty as they enjoyed our private paradise. The crunch of a branch was his first indication they were not alone.
The lights from torches surrounded their small creek, and angry voices taunted them with the words: witches, demons. He would rip their throats for daring to gaze upon his lovely bride. Fangs bared, he began devouring them quickly, leaving a wake of broken human bodies strewn across his path. The blood lust was overwhelming, it drove him to rip heads and limbs from bodies until there was not another breathing soul in his presence.
As his rage diminished, he glanced around with a smile expecting to see her Tatianna. He wanted to relish the pride shining from her eyes at his skill. His eyes fell upon her beautiful form in disbelief, a small stream of blood poured across her perfect flesh from the wound where the sliver of wood was rammed through her heart with such cruel intent. He felt all that was left of his humanity slip away, the entire human race would pay for her death. He screamed his proclamation into the night air with the savageness of animal.
She turned to ash before his eyes and the wind blew away what remained of the only woman he had ever loved. Drops of rain began to fall and a streak of lightning lit the evening sky, as if even the gods knew that war had just been declared. His roars of anguish rent out over the land as he fell prostrate on the ground where his beloved once lay. "Tatianna", over and over he bellowed her name, the fervent wish that this was only a cursed dream forced his hands to pound the earth until his hands were covered in blood.
As the rays of sun began scorching his back, he stood to his feet barely feeling the agonizing pain. He glanced once more upon the place where she had fallen. Cursing the land, and all that would dare to walk upon it again, he forced his weakened body to move. His rage only built as he was forced to return to his crypt until the sun set once again. When moonlight found the next eve, he moved to the closest village and began his rampage. He destroyed every human life that cro
ssed his path with no remorse. Still the demon would not rest that found homage in his body.
Moving to the next village, and then the next his destruction continued. The blood of all humans would stain his hands before he allowed his revenge to be complete, he vowed. For a hundred years he served the demon with no thought of the human that once had a sliver left inside his soul. The Dragon reveled in his anger, and filled his mind with a hatred toward the church and all that worshiped the most Holy. He became the Dragon's conduit, murdering the innocent with no conscious and turning the souls of the godly that his demon chose to allow life, with perverted pleasures of the flesh. Had he not met his child Rafe, and sired him the path of blood would have been never-ending.
13 tears of penalty
The ball room was huge and several couples were dancing, others were standing on the sides engaging in conversation and drinking wine. A full orchestra was playing on an elegant bandstand at the right of the room. There was a full buffet with an enticement for every palate. When the band halted, Cara noted the grand entrance of Eduardo. He was dressed in a black tuxedo and he captured the attention of everyone in the room. She noted for the first time the huge throne. It filled her with no small amount of shock that the leader was revered as a king.
As Eduardo found his way to the throne, the entire room bowed their heads to him, she followed suit quickly, not understanding why she felt the urge to do so. Perhaps, she thought to herself, it was easier to keep one's eyes lowered than face the power that radiated from his countenance. A shiver of apprehension moved through her form, chilling her to the bone.
“We have some business to attend before we get back to the entertainment,” his eyes sought out the human girl and he felt a surge of longing overcome him. Angered by the effect of the unworthy creature, his tone increased in volume. “Cara Donovan,” animosity dripped from his words, “come forth.”
Her hands were trembling uncontrollably, as Rafe and Gabe on either side helped her walk toward him. Their hands were supporting her elbows and slowly leading her forward until she stood only inches from Eduardo's presence. Rafe and Gabe bowed and she mimicked their actions as best as she could, before they stood again. Cara kept her eyes lowered to the floor, terrified.
“You will look at me as I address you Cara,” his mind sought out hers as she gave over to his command. Reaching out, he grasped her hand, allowing the memories of her betrayal to roll through his mind. He released her hand as the replay continued and nodded to himself.
“The crime is not as grievous as I had thought before,” addressing those attending, his eyes dimmed in anger as he felt her fear. It was apparent that the human could learn her place and serve accordingly with the right training.
“I understand that you are a mere human, and you are not accustomed to our ways as of yet,” his voice no longer held the wrath of earlier as it was apparent she was not to be slain. “Leaving without discussing it with the council is extremely forbidden for anyone under my charge,” he stated. Even his brother Rafe's claim of ownership would not have saved this girl, had she deceived the brethren.
She thought to herself, that she hadn't even known she was under his charge, but decided stating that fact at the moment wouldn't be the wisest choice. She had no idea what was going on and fought to keep the confusion from her face. Quieting the fear that trembled through her body would be much harder to quell.
“I have decided to be very lenient with you, because I know that you did not seek to reveal our world,” he paused and glanced around the room casually. “Be warned that if such an episode were to happen again, you will know the full fury of my wrath,” he felt the urge to taste the girl as he had before, and a strange wave of compassion moved through him. How dare the girl bring out such emotions, he fumed inwardly to himself. Rage poured through him in rivers as he fought to control the hold this insignificant human seemed to have over him. “This night you will see what it is like to become a donor to the court, a cow that serves only the purpose of fulfilling the needs of her betters.
“I beg you to consider another option,” Rafe knelt down before the Elder eyes lowered meekly, “she is my property and I do not wish her to be used in such a way.” This sentence their leader gave, Rafe felt was unjust, considering the action his lover had committed was so insignificant. He considered defying him for a brief moment, knowing it would mean certain death.
Cara looked over her lover and the Elder in helpless confusion. The word donor only had one meaning to her and it was at the blood bank, as the thought moved through her mind and the connection was made she panicked and tried to bolt.
Gabe caught her roughly around the waist and held her body to his, effectively cutting off her escape. “You let me go Gabe,” reasoning went out the door as she kicked and screamed, trying to break free of his death grip. “I swear to God I’ll stake you if you don’t release me you big Oaf,” she kicked backwards making contact with his groin and he groaned, but only tightened his grip more. She felt like he would snap her in two with his strength. Tears fell down her cheeks as she continued to struggle.
“You would be wise to keep your mouth shut right now girl,” he growled loudly in her ear, nicking the tender lobe with his fangs.
Eduardo looked on with a smirk on his face, “Rafe I will not grant your request, I find this human needing to be taught her place and it is obvious you are entirely too lenient with her.” He motioned with his head to Gabe and he pulled her along, her struggles not for a minute ceasing.
“Where’s Rafe?” she demanded loudly as he continued to drag her to whatever destination he had in mind. Gabe didn’t answer, and she struggled even more, “I want Rafe!” She was really having a hard time breathing and felt like at any minute she was passing out.
“Don’t you dare faint girl,” Gabe growled pulling her into a room with a small sitting couch draped and red sheer curtains. “You’re going to do exactly what I tell you, and then you’re going to walk back out to that party with your head held high so you don’t dishonor my child any more than you already have.” He wanted to strangle the little human before him for her stupidity.
Did she truly have no clue how close Rafe came to having his own undeath ended tonight? he thought with growing rage. He had read his child's thoughts and knew that he had considered denying his play toy to be punished. He would have been forced to take him down himself, and Gabe was ready to drain the little twit himself for being such a selfish little brat.
Shaking her head miserably, she felt her stomach tighten, “Just get me out of here Gabe, please?” she pleaded brokenly, tears threatening to spill over.
“Stop acting like a spoiled brat and suck it up already,” Gabe shouted. "I swear you humans are all alike, that's exactly why you're number one on our food chain."
She looked at him in completely shock, unable to believe he was talking to her this way. Being mad at him was definitely easier than the total fear she was dealing with about what was going to happen, so she lit into him. "Well forgive me, oh god who needs a foot stuck up his butt, should I just bend over and let your blood sucking friends eat me for dinner?"
Her comment threw him completely off guard, which was something most people couldn't do, and he chuckled out loud. "It would be better to do that than listen to your little human drivel of fright, oh no the big bad vampire is going to drink from me." He threw the comment back with a smirk, surprised to feel his respect go up a few notches toward the girl.
She couldn't help herself, she laughed, because looking at it his way, she guessed it did seem a little pathetic. She was still angry that Rafe wasn't here with her, but it felt better to laugh than cry about this, since it was pretty apparent Gabe wasn't going to let her escape. Growing serious again she needed to understand what was going on. "What's going to happen to me here," she was glad her voice didn't shake with the fear she felt.
Gabe actually smiled at the question, “You’ll undress, lay on that couch and when someone comes in to feed f
rom you, you’ll let them,” he shrugged.
Whatever bravado she had felt, fled at that moment. Her heart began to pound in her chest in fear again. “I am not undressing,” shaking her head forcefully thinking the feeding she could probably handle but being nude in front of complete strangers was completely unacceptable.
Gabe threw back his head and laughed loudly. “It’s non-negotiable Cara,” With a smirk he glanced over her leisurely “Granted you've got a great ass, but I've seen other's just as nice.”
She couldn't believe he'd just commented on her backside and her eyes widened in shock. "I don't think I gave you permission to look, there's no way I’m undressing."
“Let me make this perfectly clear to you sweetheart,” he smirked and pulled her face to his, “you either lose the dress or I rip it to shreds, the choice is completely yours.”
“No,” she screamed loudly at him, backing away feeling like this really was stupid. Why did she need to undress to feed someone?
“Then say goodbye to the dress,” his hand moved forward at lightning speed and her hand flew to his.
“Don’t,” she whispered brokenly, “I’ll remove it.” Everything inside of her screamed at the injustice of this situation but she had no doubt at all that Gabe meant exactly what he said.
He dropped his hand and lifted his eyebrow impatiently. He could explain to her that the undressing part was part of the punishment, but decided not to add fuel to the fire so to speak. Even the feeding was a way of teaching her to be humbled in their presence, any vampire could have taken over her mind and demanded it without her permission.
Her hands trembled as she undid the one strapped dress and slid it from her shoulders, allowing it to pool at the ground at her feet. She was not going to cry, she told herself that over and over again even as the tears fell down her cheeks without her approval. Clad only in the half-bra and scrap of silk lace cover for her sex, her hands lifted to finish undressing.
A Night at Tears of Crimson Page 19