Blood Wicked

by Sharon Page

  Julian grinned. He dropped to one knee. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”

  She giggled shyly, then climbed onto his back. Her legs slid around his waist, her arms wrapped around his neck. Then she gasped as Julian took off and soared into the air. Heath also dropped onto one knee before Vivienne. It sent him back to the moment he had proposed to Ariadne, it made him remember how arrogant he’d been then. Of course she would say yes. How could she not? He’d been so cocksure.

  “Trust me, Vivienne,” he said huskily.

  “This is madness. How can you fly with me?”

  He moved his wings. “Welcome to the world of madness, love. Trust me to be your guide through it.”

  9

  Vivienne could hardly believe she was flying over the streets of London, her body lying along Heath’s back, her legs wrapped tight around his waist. Her breasts were crushed against strong muscles. She’d wrapped the shawl around her like a gown, but through the silk he was warm and solid beneath her, and the ends of his wings tickled her bare skin as they beat through the air.

  She circled his powerful neck with her arms and looked toward her daughter.

  Julian flew at Heath’s side, with Sarah on his back. Her daughter looked like a true faery with her blond curls flowing behind her dancing on the wind and her thin, white shift fluttering around her. But it was the look of delight on Sarah’s face that stunned Vivienne.

  Sarah had not looked so happy for years.

  This, despite the fact they were fleeing for their lives and her poor daughter had been locked up in a cell. Shock spiraled through Vivienne. She’d tried to give Sarah everything, all the things she herself never had. But something had always haunted Sarah.

  She had never seen Sarah look as strong as she did now.

  “Where are we going?” Vivienne cried against the rush of the wind.

  “A sanctuary,” Heath shouted back. They were soaring high, for Heath had claimed this would keep the vampire council’s legions of bats from pursuing. A veritable army of the winged creatures had streamed out of the council’s building and had followed them, but Heath had been right. When they’d flown through thick clouds, the bats had dropped back, letting them escape.

  They were safe—at least for now.

  “Hold on,” Heath called to her.

  As if she wouldn’t! Julian went first, plunging downward, and her heart leaped in fear for Sarah. But Sarah gave an excited squeal. Heath followed, and they rushed down through clouds again. Strange how the clouds almost looked like land from above, but they were nothing but vapor when they flew through them. When they emerged, the city was spread out beneath them.

  A snaking ribbon of sparkling black cut between the lighted buildings. It was the Thames, and they followed it. They flew away from the city toward the larger estates that dotted the river. Enormous houses appeared to be slumbering in the night, and generous lawns stretched down to the water. Then Heath began to dive downward again, more sharply. Vivienne tightened her hold around his neck. Thin streams of moonlight cut through the clouds as they swooped toward the ground. The silvery light illuminated a house ahead of them—a sprawling, elegant mansion of light stucco, topped with large, slate roofs.

  “Is this one of your houses?” she gasped, by Heath’s ear.

  “No. It belongs to an ancient vampire. It is a sanctuary for vampires hunted by the council. And also a place where the undead can go to indulge every carnal pleasure they desire.”

  “I don’t think I will desire anything carnal ever again,” she whispered. But the drink she had been given was making her heart pound again, and heat swept through her body. She fought the urge to squirm on top of Heath. Her quim was pressed right against his rock-hard derriere.

  It was as though even the slightest thought of carnal things had triggered lust again. And that made her think. Fear sliced into her. “Will Sarah be safe here, in such a place?”

  She will be. I will ensure it.

  Vivienne gasped in shock. She’d heard his words in her head. As though she could read his mind. “How—?”

  When you and I made love it created a special bond between us, Vivi. Before that, I could not see into your thoughts. I still cannot, but we can communicate this way. You can send your thoughts to me, just as you would speak to me.

  This should be impossible. But again, the incredible was happening. How do I do it? Can you hear this?

  Yes, Vivienne, love, I can. He half-turned his head to face her. His lips curved in a smile.

  But she couldn’t smile back. Her heart was too heavy with fear. I’m afraid Sarah won’t be safe here. How can she be, in a house where men indulge carnal desires? How can you ensure it? Sarah is beautiful—I don’t want her to become prey. I’m terrified she will be raped. That would destroy her soul. Heath, I can’t let that happen—

  She broke off her thoughts as Heath landed on the ground. He gently put her down. Moonlight flashed along his eyes as he gazed intently at her face. Did that happen to you?

  Despite the silver glow in his eyes, she saw pain there for her. It stunned her. She had clutched the silk wrap that was wound around her body, holding it to her as tightly as she could. No man had ever looked at her as though he cared.

  “I was never raped. My mother protected me until I was sixteen. After that, after she died, I made certain … I made certain I chose my protectors.”

  Heath captured her hand and lifted it to his lips, the way a gentleman did to a woman he admired. And his silver-green eyes spoke of such concern for her, she had to lower her eyelids. She shivered even though it was a warm night and she was bundled in silk. It was his look; she couldn’t cope with that look.

  She drew her hand back, holding her silky cover tightly. “All those things that had once scared me when I was young in the stews—the strength of men, their anger, my mother’s drinking—all those things seem so meaningless compared to the fears I now have. Now I know I’m a succubus and a group of demented vampires wants to kill me and Sarah.”

  “Vivi—” But Heath broke off as Julian dropped toward the lawn. He landed with Sarah, who slid off his back. Sarah’s blanket fell to the ground, revealing her slender form, covered only by her thin, tattered nightgown. But Sarah didn’t seem to notice. Her cheeks glowed pink. “Mother, that was the most wonderful thing! It was so horrible to be taken prisoner, but to fly about London—oh my goodness, it was so exciting!”

  Vivienne wanted to fret—Sarah could have been killed—but she also didn’t want to snap at Sarah, when the girl had endured such an ordeal….

  Heath caught hold of her wrist. It’s better to let her be happy, Vivi. It was his voice in her head. Let’s not frighten her.

  She is my daughter, she thought angrily. Sarah was all that mattered to her now. Sarah was her life. And she wasn’t going to scare her daughter, she was trying to take care of her. She pulled her arm free of Heath’s hand.

  He let her go. And she hugged Sarah tight. It was so good that Sarah was not terrified, but she wanted to ensure her daughter remained … cautious, wary, sensible …? She wasn’t quite sure.

  Julian draped the throw around Sarah’s slim shoulders. His body began to ripple. His muscles twisted and jerked as though they could fly off his body.

  “Oh goodness,” Sarah gasped. Sarah reached out toward Julian and Vivienne pulled her daughter back.

  He let out a roar and another harsh cry came from behind her. Vivienne spun around to see Heath’s body writhe, his muscles pop, his jaw shudder from side to side. He looked like his body could blow apart. He looked in agony. Terror for him froze her.

  She knew what was happening. They were both transforming as they had before. She knew they would survive it, but it was terrifying to watch. Slowly, their wings collapsed inward and shrank. Heath’s skin lightened, as though sunlight was pouring over him, but it was a change from the inside out.

  Sarah gripped her hand tightly.

  Vivienne glanced from Heath’s transformation to he
r daughter’s face. Sarah was watching Julian, obviously afraid for him.

  And that frightened Vivienne.

  “Christ,” Julian muttered. He looked like a normal, naked human male again. He shook his body all over, like a dog throwing off water. She looked to Heath. He was doing the same, stretching his long lines of muscle.

  Then, to Vivienne’s shock, Julian offered his arm to Sarah like a gentleman escorting a lady. “No,” Vivienne said firmly. “I will take her. You are naked and a vampire, and Sarah has on nothing more than a tattered nightgown.”

  “Mother. I won’t look.”

  Julian looked sheepish, and he swept up the blanket and wrapped it around his hips like a towel. Sarah whispered, “Thank you.” And she left her mother to move to his side.

  Vivienne swallowed hard. She had gotten so accustomed to seeing Sarah as frail. She’d forgotten her daughter could be strong, stubborn, and determined.

  But Sarah was also vulnerable. Vivienne had not given Sarah the same warnings she had learned, when she had grown up in the stews. She hadn’t wanted to tarnish Sarah’s naïveté. Now she had to ensure Sarah did not lose her heart to a vampire.

  For heaven’s sake, what was she thinking? There were far more immediate worries. Heath came to her side, utterly naked, to escort her.

  She frowned at him, her brow lifted. “You said this is a sanctuary for vampires, but this looks like an estate. I have been to houses here. They belong to earls, dukes. How did a vampire acquire this? Or, like you, is he a vampire peer?”

  “We should get inside first.”

  She noted he had not answered either of her questions, but she let him lead her. They hurried through the darkness to the house. Sound spilled out into the moonlit garden, though all the windows were dark. But when she and Heath followed Sarah and Julian to the flagstone terrace, she came to a halt.

  She couldn’t just trust him blindly. She just could not do that with any man. “Did the vampire kill someone to get this?” Without answers, she did not want to step foot into this pitch-black, yet obviously occupied house.

  “It doesn’t matter, Vivienne. It’s a sanctuary for you and Sarah. That is all you need to know.”

  “It’s not enough,” she cried. “I—”

  The glass-paned doors flew open. Two black-clad men stormed out. They carried crossbows. One clicked his boot heels together and gave a sharp bow. “My lord Blackmoor. We did not know you were to return.”

  “Neither did I,” Heath answered casually, as though he was not standing naked with a woman wearing nothing but a silk shawl. “I take it His Grace is within?”

  “Of course. Follow me. I will lead you to him.”

  His Grace. There was a duke who was also a vampire? Why would Heath not answer her questions?

  But Sarah was happily walking with Julian into the house. And Vivienne’s blood ran cold. In stories, vampires were supposed to be able to attract humans. If Sarah hadn’t inherited any sort of demon blood from her … didn’t that make her vulnerable to Julian’s vampire skills?

  The two men procured four black silk robes. Julian helped Sarah into one. Vivienne pulled hers on with a sigh of relief. It was sumptuous and warm, and finally both she and Sarah were respectably covered. The men bade them follow and led them through the house.

  Heath, she noticed, was watching Julian, too.

  Within moments, they were passing through a large ballroom. A trio of violinists played, but the guests were not dancing. Beautiful men and women, attired in the most astonishing clothing, lounged on plush chaises of velvet. The women wore only tightly laced corsets and stockings with satin garters of scarlet. Red lace adorned their bodies; some wore satin ribbons around their necks. They drank champagne from gold flutes. Vivienne spied nothing more scandalous than couples enjoying kisses, but she panicked. They were dressed so suggestively, there was a sense of the erotic even about the low, murmured conversations. Breasts were on display everywhere. One handsome man began to remove his shirt. Sarah. Sarah should not see this.

  Heath made a motion to Julian with his hand. Vivienne jerked around. At Heath’s instruction, Julian had covered Sarah’s eyes with his hand. And her naive daughter was protesting. “Really,” Sarah complained, “I am not a child.”

  No, but I still want you to be innocent, Vivienne thought desperately. “This is impossible. I cannot let Sarah stay here.”

  Heath leaned close to her. His voice was soft and seductive. “I would not have brought her to a place that’s not safe. Dimitri keeps an apartment in the house for vampires who need sanctuary. Those rooms are off limits to his other guests, and no vampire would dream of defying one of Dimitri’s rules. I promise you Sarah can stay there in complete safety.”

  She supposed she should be thankful he hadn’t pointed out she had nowhere else to go. It was the truth, wasn’t it? Her house wasn’t safe. The town house she had almost sold her soul to purchase: could they ever return to it?

  But that way led to madness, so she concentrated on the present. “Dimitri?”

  “A very old vampire.”

  Why did he give her answers that told her precisely nothing? “I will stay with Sarah—” But she stopped as Heath shook his head.

  He bent close. She felt his warm breath ripple over the rim of her ear. It sent shivers tumbling down her spine, ignited desire in her belly. And then—oh heavens—then the throbbing, the aching began.

  “I will be bringing you downstairs,” he murmured. “You’ll need pleasure tonight, Vivienne.”

  Awareness and warmth fled. Fear left her cold. Even when he murmured to her, “I will be at your side. I will take care of you. But I can’t make love to you.”

  What on earth was he saying? “Why not? Don’t you—want me?”

  “You have no idea how much I do. But I promise I will look after you—”

  “Don’t. I don’t need anything.” But it wasn’t true. Her heart was hammering. “They gave me something to drink, Heath. I don’t know what it was, but it …” She lowered her voice to such a soft whisper, she wasn’t sure he would hear. “It makes me desire.”

  He groaned. “Adder must have given you a potent aphrodisiac.”

  The servant stopped at a door. Rapped. “Lord Blackmoor has arrived, Your Grace.”

  A woman’s moan floated out into the corridor. A masculine voice, an impatient and terse baritone, followed. “Blackmoor? Has he come crawling back? Or is he stalking arrogantly back into my house, still cocksure of himself?”

  The servant remained astonishingly impassive. “He is accompanied by guests. He arrived quite naked, Your Grace. The ladies accompanying him were also inadequately dressed. It is obvious they are in need of your help.”

  “Ladies? He brought ladies? Intriguing,” came the deep voice from behind the door. “Blackmoor must be in trouble. Send them all in.”

  Vivienne tucked the sheets around Sarah’s slumbering form. Sarah was curled up, her arms wrapped around the soft, white pillow. The bed was enormous, dripping with silk tassels and lace.

  For the moment, they were safe. Dimitri, the mysterious vampire everyone referred to as “Your Grace,” even though he denied being a duke, had allowed her and Sarah to stay in this ostentatious apartment. For as long as they required.

  Dimitri had proved to be a handsome giant of a man, six and a half feet tall. He possessed dark, chocolate-brown hair, a long, autocratic nose, and jet-black eyes. He looked a bit like the leader of the vampire council, Adder, but his face, even with his strong features, had looked more gentle. He had done nothing but smile at her and Sarah.

  They had been taken into a parlor attached to Dimitri’s bedchamber, passing a woman who lay on a chaise, sipping tea, and awaiting her “lord” to finish his business. Handsome Dimitri had worn fashions from the previous century: a silk coat of pale green with six inches of lace at his cuffs.

  With a clap of his hands, he’d sent an army of servants in search of clothing and food. Vivienne now wore one of the dress
es provided, a scarlet silk masterpiece. It flowed over her body as though made for her. Underneath frothing skirts she could see her heavenly soft silk slippers, which were embroidered with exotic gold-colored diamonds.

  The slippers alone must be worth thousands of pounds.

  But she had watched the two men, Heath and Dimitri, just before maids had arrived to sweep her and Sarah upstairs to bathe, dress, and settle into the splendid rooms. Heath had looked haunted, Dimitri furious.

  What was between the two men?

  “Mmmm,” Sarah murmured in her sleep. Vivienne was afraid of waking her. She moved from the bed to the window, where drapes of black covered the glass.

  Her hair was clean and fell down her back in loose ringlets. All the paint put on her by the vampire’s servants was gone. She was safe, but she felt restless. What was going to happen to her and Sarah? Where could they go to be truly safe? Regardless of Dimitri’s verbal generosity, she didn’t believe he intended to let them stay forever.

  She didn’t want to. She yearned to go home. But how was she going to keep Sarah safe from the council of vampires—from their weapons, their bats, their utter madness?

  Vivienne paced, fanning herself nervously with her hand.

  Only days ago, before meeting Heath, she didn’t believe vampires existed. And now, she was living amongst some of them and hiding from others.

  Could she and Sarah run away? Make a home somewhere where they would be safe and not attacked again? But what of Sarah’s illness? Sarah was strong and healthy now because of Heath. She could not take her daughter away from Heath, because Sarah would get sick again….

  She stopped. Cold had swept over her suddenly and she had to rub her arms. It had been like this for the last hour. She would get hot enough to burst into flame. She would be sweating and fanning herself desperately. Then, seconds later, her temperature would plunge to iciness.

  And now the pain began. It started throbbing in her womb. It would spread soon, just as it had done before. On the night she had made love with Heath.