“No, Master — no! I would never do such a thing. You are everything to me now. I adore you. Just let him have her and everything will be good again, as if she never happened. You will forget her. She’s only human.” She tried to wrap her arms around his waist and he grabbed her wrists, elevating them over her head.
I’d been slowly inching to where Devereux had Luna pinned, trying to stay out of her line of sight, but as soon as she saw me, she laughed. “It’s too late, anyway. Hallow has chosen her. He has already begun to feed from her. Don’t waste your time. She isn’t worth saving.”
With lightning speed Devereux released her wrists and clutched her neck in a stranglehold, lifting her off the ground. His features hardened as his body shook with rage. “You will die for this.”
She made gurgling noises, flailing her arms and legs in a futile effort to escape. But though she was a powerful vampire, she was no match for Devereux.
Before he could crush her throat, I moved next to him, trying to wedge myself in between the enraged bloodsucker and his prey. My personal opinion of Luna didn’t matter now. I understood why she’d always resented me, and why her attitude had become even more toxic since Hallow’s arrival. She wasn’t in control. The sickness had taken over.
Devereux could swat me aside like a fly any time he wanted, but I was pretty sure I was in no danger from him. Surely he’d want to know Luna hadn’t consciously betrayed him? I knew him well enough to be sure he’d torture himself if he destroyed Luna for something she had no choice about, no matter how inflamed he was now.
“Devereux, wait!” I pulled at his free arm. “She can’t help herself. You were right about Hallow’s effect on the women he uses. He makes them crave him, just like any other drug. She needs help — she doesn’t know what she’s doing and she’s definitely under the influence right now. Please, don’t do anything you’ll regret.”
I can’t believe I’m trying to save the She-Demon.
He was silent for a few seconds, staring up at Luna, still holding her in his steel-fingered grip. Then he threw her to the floor, hard enough to break human bones. “She must be punished for bringing the madman into our lives. I do not care why she has done so. It will be impossible for her to remain here now. I do not wish to see her face again.” He scowled at me. “You will not interfere in this. It is beyond what you are able to understand. Your defense of her is more than she deserves. We are vampires. We have different rules. Rules I create and uphold. There is no known cure for an addiction such as you describe, and she must be taught a lesson. I have no intention of rescuing her yet again.”
Devereux’s harsh tone and rigid body language spoke volumes about his ability to shut off his feelings. He’d retreated into an alien, nonhuman place inside himself and I couldn’t follow.
Luna wrapped herself around Devereux’s legs, clinging to him.
She glanced up at me, and to my amazement, she smiled.
Devereux had just bent down to untwine her fingers from his calves when I was pulled forcefully backward. Cold, strong arms snaked around me, holding me immobile.
“I couldn’t have planned things any better,” Hallow said. “Thank you, Luna. Finally, one of my lýtles has proven herself worthwhile.”
“Hello, hottie.” Maxie poked her head inside the room. “You’re the guy from the amusement park. Kismet says you’re a real badass vampire.” Visibly vibrating with excitement, she hurried over to Hallow. “I’ve hit the jackpot. You’re going to make my career—” She reached out to touch him.
He uncoiled one arm from around me and punched her in the chest, sending her flying through the air. She slammed into the far wall, the impact splitting her head open. Blood gushed from the wound as she slumped onto the floor, out cold.
“Maxie! Oh, my God — she’s hurt! You demented son of a bitch!” I struggled against him, to no avail.
Snickering, Hallow tightened both arms around my body and dragged me over to Maxi’s collapsed form. Tucking me under his arm, he bent and sucked the blood oozing from her head. His mouth was stained red as he stood. “If I have time, perhaps I’ll return for your friend later, in the unlikely case that she doesn’t die. One can never have too many worshipping females.” He glared at Luna and slowly licked my cheek. “I am sure my new slave Kismet will surpass all who came before. The pickings have been very slim for a long time.”
Then as if a switch had been thrown, several things happened at once. At the touch of Hallow’s tongue, Lust jerked into wakefulness in my psyche. She strutted nude from the shadows into the center of my awareness and laughed. Screaming, I tried frantically to wrestle my way out of Hallow’s arms. Devereux roughly peeled Luna from his legs and lunged toward my captor.
“I’ve just commanded all your ritual guests to join us, Devereux, whether they want to or not.” Hallow shouted, and at his words, the vampires from the circle swarmed into the small room, blocking Devereux’s path and impeding his access to me, while Luna speed-crawled through the herd of undead arrivals, burrowing toward her former master.
With a hysterical laugh, Hallow tightened one arm around me, grabbed Luna, and the three of us blinked out of Devereux’s penthouse.
Chapter 21
After what felt like a trip through a wind tunnel, Hallow released me and I fell onto my knees on a filthy red rug. My landing stirred up a cloud of dust and I sneezed. I sat back on my heels, keeping an eye on him. He was dressed all in white: loose, flowing pants and an Indian-guru-type silk shirt. His feet were bare. Deceptive innocence — a beautiful demon.
Luna, who’d had no trouble keeping her feet, threw her arms around Hallow’s neck. “Master, I knew you’d come for me.”
He grabbed a handful of her shining black hair, yanked her head back and riveted his eyes on hers. Her muscles went slack, and when he let go of her hair, she made a gurgling sound and crumpled to the floor.
“Is she dead?” I whispered.
“Of course she’s dead.” He sneered. “But you’re asking if she’s truly dead — no, not until it suits me. I hoard my resources.”
Watching them together made me wonder how I could’ve missed the strong resemblance. He must have seriously clouded my perceptions. The same long, black hair and silver eyes — had she looked different before he found her? Was the similarity a consequence of their parasitic relationship?
Devereux! Can you hear me? I knew Hallow could intercept my thoughts, but it was worth the risk to contact Devereux.
The unfairly handsome monster sauntered around, his arms spread wide, hands palm-up. “I have to give credit to my current lýtle. The old thing managed to find the perfect lodgings for my Colorado visit. I must thank her before she’s called up to make the ultimate sacrifice.”
Ultimate sacrifice? I scanned the area. “Where is this ‘current lýtle’?” The word made me think of a female version of Dr. Frankenstein’s hunchbacked assistant, Igor. What kind of wretched creature did Hallow have in thrall?
He flicked his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Oh, I’m sure she’s around here somewhere. She knows better than to show herself before I summon her. She’s really quite disgusting. You’d be appalled.”
Do I even want to try to imagine what he means by that?
The large room had three windowless walls decorated in faded wallpaper. The fourth was brick — not the kind of trendy brick displayed in modern designer homes, but the sloppy, hastily slapped-together type generally denoting something hidden in a hurry. The air was heavy, musty — lifeless. It felt like all the emotional vibrations of the former occupants had coalesced into a psychic fog and lain undisturbed for a hundred years. The only light in the room came from cracked, sooty kerosene lamps on old gaming tables. A thick layer of dust covered every surface. Whoever had walled in the abandoned space was obviously not worried about housekeeping.
With his hands on his hips, he surveyed the area. “It doesn’t have the charm of a Paris tomb or a Transylvanian castle, but I’ve always loved historical si
tes — especially disreputable ones.” He strolled the area, sounding disturbingly normal. “This place was an underground gambling house and brothel, with a secret tunnel, complete with train tracks, leading to the Brown Palace Hotel,” said the tour guide from hell. “Apparently, Denver’s finest gentlemen got their rocks off in this forbidden place. Right now we’re deep beneath the busy streets of the city — so removed from civilization that the world could end and we wouldn’t notice. I am the first new customer to enter this establishment in a century. How appropriate for such an infamous soul.”
Devereux! Can you hear me?
Hallow fanned the air in front of his nose. “It’s a good thing I don’t need to breathe, though, because I’m sure I’d find the foul smells unappealing. Water must be leaking in somewhere. And there’s the unofficial graveyard I discovered a couple of levels down, of course. What a perfect place! I can only imagine how my human guests are coping.”
“Human guests?” Chills prickled my arms.
I was the only human in the room that I knew of.
He feigned surprise, slapping his palms against the sides of his face. “What a poor host I am.” He reached down and grabbed me by the hand, pulling so hard I flew into his arms instead of merely coming to my feet. “Ah, you’re so affectionate. What a pleasure you’ll be.”
Lust gave a thumbs-up.
I pushed against his chest, and he released me. “I’ll never be affectionate to you. It won’t be long before Devereux discovers our location and you’ll have to deal with him. I have nothing for you but pity.”
He stepped close. “Even Devereux, clever lad that he is, won’t find this place, and if by some astonishing chance he does, I’ve a special surprise for him.” He grabbed my hair, anchored my head in place, leaned in and kissed me roughly. His breath had a sweet, earthy odor. Lust swooned. He raised his mouth just enough to speak, his voice a low rumble. “It doesn’t matter what you feel for me. After you’ve tasted what I have to offer, your body will do whatever it takes to acquire more. I am highly addictive, as you’ve no doubt discovered from talking to lovely Luna.” He gave an exaggerated sigh. “I wish human bodies lasted longer. It’s so tedious having to restock so often. I hope you aren’t another disappointment.” He clasped my hand and tugged me to a formerly invisible door in one of the regular walls.
He swung it open, exposing a wide, carpet-covered staircase. Stale, cold, nauseating air flowed against my face, making me gag. Dim light flickered at the bottom. “Let’s take a shortcut.” He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and I closed my eyes. He thought us to the bottom of the stairs and then, standing on solid ground again, I raised my eyelids — and sneezed. The air was even thicker here; it hurt to breathe.
He released me and I hugged myself, shivering from the cold.
Soft illumination sparked from candles burning in tall, standing holders, showcasing a large, colorful pentagram painted on the dark floor. Esoteric symbols filled the outer rim of a drawn circle and a female body marked the center. She was very small in that large space, lying naked and spread-eagled, her limbs tied to posts pounded into the ground.
I would have recognized those golden curls anywhere.
“Victoria!”
I broke free of Hallow, ran to her and dropped onto my knees. Her eyes were closed and her head lolled, slack-jawed, to one side. I pressed my palm on her cold chest, trying to detect a heartbeat, and was almost overwhelmed with relief when I found one.
“What have you done to her?” I demanded. “Why is she tied up? What’s wrong with you?”
Devereux! He has Victoria!
Hallow loomed over me, staring down at us with an amused expression on his face. “Well, let’s see if I can answer those in the right order, shall we? What have I done to the powerful witch? I drank some of her succulent blood, giving her the orgasm of her life. While she was entranced from my bite, I commanded her to instruct my lýtle in setting up a ritual circle. This part was ingenious, if I say so myself. Victoria’s magical skills are superior even to Devereux’s. I’ll bet you didn’t know that. Before she came back to her rational mind, I made her cast a spell to keep this entire room safe from intrusion. Only those I have selected can enter. Everyone else is magically repelled.” He snorted and slapped his thigh. “How clever of me to use his own witch against him.”
He polished his fingernails on the front of his shirt in a gesture of self-congratulation. “Why is she tied up? I’d say that one’s obvious. In order for the magic to work, the witch must remain in the circle. She was so overwhelmed after her last orgasm that she just passed out, which was the best thing that could have happened to her. If she’d kept up the screaming for much longer, I’d have had to slit her throat, despite her spell-casting skills. And, what is wrong with me? My dear doctor, I’m a very naughty boy. We’ll have plenty of time to decipher all the quirks in my vampiric psyche. You’ll have the benefit not only of my bite and my body, but you will be able to psychoanalyze me to your heart’s content. What more could a woman want?”
Ignoring the madman leering down at me, I stared at Victoria, grimacing. He’d left ample evidence of the savagery of his attack all over her body: dried blood on her chest and pubic hair, multiple ragged fang holes in her neck, on both breasts and across her thighs. She never had a chance against the sadistic bastard. My stomach pitched, and it took all the self-control I could muster not to gag, because I was sure he would have enjoyed my revulsion. My throat was so tight it was hard to speak. Victoria’s skin was tinged blue. My teeth were chattering, so she had to be in danger of hypothermia.
“Let me cover her up. She won’t be any good to you if she freezes to death.”
“Hmm.” He tilted his head to the side, studying Victoria. “Cover her up? No, I don’t think so. I like her like this: all that provocative, voluptuous flesh. I especially love the way her breasts slide down on either side, making her nipples point in opposite directions. Very erotic — a Rubens painting come to life. And you needn’t worry about her being cold. As long as she’s entranced, she probably feels nothing.”
As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I scanned the rest of the room. The echoing cavern had obviously been some kind of communal brothel or sleeping area. I’d guess brothel, because tattered curtains hung from the ceiling, marking off “private” spaces. A pile of bed frames had been shoved into the far corner, leaving evidence in the dust of their previous positions. I couldn’t make out the artwork on the walls in the deeper shadows, or any other furniture.
I suddenly remembered the other missing person and jerked my head in Hallow’s direction. “Do you have my friend Tom? Have you hurt him?”
“More questions?” He smiled condescendingly. “Well, I suppose that’s a psychologist’s prerogative, isn’t it. Yes. I have your chatty, obnoxious friend. Quite frankly, he was so irritating that I wasn’t even tempted to take his blood at first, let alone anything else. I finally had to command him to sleep. How in the world do you endure such a person?”
I stood, squinting to see in the faint light. “Where is he?” I was almost afraid to know.
Hallow pointed to the beds in the corner. “I stashed him as far away from me as possible, just in case he wakes up and starts talking again.”
“I don’t have your vampire eyesight. Can I have a candle so I can find him?”
His evil grin quirked his lips. “Very clever, my good doctor, asking your captor for the means of his own destruction. I hate to disappoint you, but I meant what I said about my indestructibility. Even if you did manage to set me on fire, I’d get little more than a temporary tan.” He chuckled and winked at me. “I’ll fetch a candle and escort you back there myself.” He strolled to a shelf near the wall, picked up a candle and lit the wick. “Follow me.”
Hallow had been right about the stench. Now that I had a moment to process the secondary horrors, foul smells assumed a larger presence. This room reeked: a combination of mildew, bodily wastes and death. I was tempted to
hold my breath, but I wouldn’t have been able to manage long enough for it to make any difference.
My jailer led me to a bed in the darkest corner. Tom lay sprawled naked on top of a soiled mattress. I sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed his wrist, searching for a pulse, and was relieved to find one. His heart beat was much stronger than Victoria’s. My initial relief was quickly replaced by anger at the vampire for hurting another of my friends. I had a quick thought about Maxie probably being dead, but that was too horrible to contemplate, so I focused on Tom.
“Why is Tom naked? Do you just enjoy humiliating everyone?”
He shrugged, unconcerned. “Is nudity humiliating to humans? I’d forgotten. I took his clothing so he couldn’t run away. It’s cold outside. I didn’t think he’d want to parade through downtown Denver naked.”
I almost laughed. “You obviously don’t know Tom.”
An angle of the candlelight caught two still-bloody fang holes in Tom’s neck. The lying psychopath. Fear surged through me. What if we couldn’t hold on until Devereux found us? “I thought you said you didn’t take his blood.” I slid my finger through the congealing liquid. “Why bother lying?”
He grabbed my finger and sucked it clean. “Not that it matters, but I put him to sleep before taking his blood, so technically I told the truth. It’s not as much fun if they’re compliant, but blood is blood, after all. I just had a little snack before popping over to collect you.”
He assumed his now-familiar stance, the candle-free hand on his hip, his legs apart: lord and master of all he surveys. “Your friend is of no consequence. His only purpose was to serve as added incentive to get you here. I’m confident that Luna would have persuaded you to rescue your fallen comrades, loyal trouper that you are. But Devereux came back faster than expected, so I simply stepped in, shortened the intermission and raised the curtain on the final act.”
I tensed. “What final act?”
He cocked his head. “Even after spending so many months with cold-hearted bloodsuckers, you’re remarkably naïve, Doctor. There’s no pretense in you. You sincerely have no idea what’s about to happen, do you? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone with as many innate abilities as you possess who is still so astoundingly mentally pure. You actually believe the world is rational, that an explanation can be found for everything. You expect a homicidal vampire — yours truly — to tell the truth. It’s a mystery. I have absolutely, as the miners who once thrived in the Queen City would say, hit the mother lode with you.” He laughed and his body rocked with the strength of his hilarity.
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