This Blood

by Basso, Alisha

  She looked up from the tray, a friendly smile on her face. “Why yes, I am, dear. Now how did you know that?” She came closer, placing the tray on the small table next to the bed.

  “Just a lucky guess. I figured you were the voice on the phone.” I noticed how efficient she was. After she set the tray on the table, she began laying out the flatware in, what I presume, was a proper place setting.

  “Well, you are correct, my dear,” he responded, her hands never faltering at her task. “I do manage Mr. McPhee’s business affairs. I am normally at his office, but at the moment, your visit is taking precedence.” She smiled warmly. “I also tend to your bath. Mr. McPhee does not seem to trust anyone else with that service.” Her eyes slid to Arian and I got the hint. Arian was a woman, but she seemed to take pleasure in both genders. I was suddenly very thankful to Nadia.

  “Well, thank you for the food.” Even as a prisoner, I still managed to remember my manners. Well, at least, she seemed normal and nice. I wondered if she knew what brought me here. She could be a potential ally.

  I sat back as she picked up the tray and moved it over to my lap. It smelled wonderful. Thin slices of beef were piled high in the center of a large red platter. It was rare; the pink juices were mingling with what looked like puréed potatoes and baby carrots. I had never had dinner for breakfast before. But at this point I didn’t care. I was ravenous.

  “Thank you, Nadia,” Arian said, “that will be all.”

  Nadia bowed slightly and walked quietly out the door.

  “How is it?” she asked after the door was firmly shut again. “I hope you eat meat. We do not feed humans often, which I find regrettable. The smell of beef is always such a pleasure.”

  I rolled my eyes up to glance at her. She was eyeing my plate with longing. “Would you like some? I don’t mind sharing this mountain of food. I could never eat it all.”

  “No, but, I will take pleasure in watching you.”

  She sure took pleasure in a lot, but as long as I wasn’t on that list, I wouldn’t be complaining. She sat at the foot of the bed. Her long legs crossed as she leaned back on one arm. The room seemed to be getting darker and smaller, which was odd, since it had no windows.

  “Seth will be with us shortly,” she said. “I wish you would reconsider my proposition. I want to lie with my master again, before he is too taken with you. I fear once he has tasted your sweetness, he will never return to my bed.” She reached out and grabbed a strand of my long hair. Leaning forward, she brought it to her nose. “Perhaps he will make you comply,” she added, looking thoughtful.

  I slowly pulled my hair from her grasp. In a low tone, I said, “I don’t think so. I’m not a blow-up doll to be passed around, and Seth only thinks he has control over me. Once I touch that ring, I’m going to convince him otherwise.” I glared at her in an effort to make my threat more palpable. She seemed nice at first; well, horny, but nice. Now she was just like the others. This one was not on my side.

  She sat up, saying, “You are strong, but Seth is stronger, and never forget, we have your friends. If you are not nice, I might pay a personal visit to both of them. Do you think your Lucian could resist me?”

  I only hoped so. I narrowed my eyes at her. Arian was beautiful, she had an ethereal grace. If she could make me do a double-take, I could just imagine what she’d do to Lucian. Probably better not to think about that.

  I smirked as I had a thought. Once I touched that ring, this bitch was toast! Blowing her ass up would serve her right! Come to think of it, maybe I’ll blow Seth up too. He was the ring leader, after all, for this ghastly little troop, spawned from hell. I wiped my mouth with the linen napkin. Yeah, I’ll take out the leader. I liked that plan much better!

  “What are you thinking?” she asked as she stood up, “I know it cannot be what I hope it is. The shine in your eyes is too dangerous to be sexual.” She seemed to ponder that, adding, “or perhaps it is…How lovely.”

  I just shook my head, and said, “You’re the seer; you tell me. What am I thinking?”

  “I am a seer, not a mind reader. I have the sight. I can predict the future with a great deal of accuracy. It is not a gift; it is my race. My visions help my master. When I am accurate, he rewards me with a prize of my choosing. I usually choose his body. He is the reason I stay with these creatures. I am a woman who is easily afflicted with boredom. Seth is the only partner who can keep me sated.”

  “Whoa! Too much information! You mean you have to get a vision before you can predict the future? And if you’re a good little puppy, you get a bone? Do you always ask for sex?”

  “Yes. I have enough wealth. Sex is the only thing that pleasures me. Occasionally, Seth requests that I take another to my bed. He is a busy man and does not always have the time to cater to my wishes. Especially now, since he has been pursuing you.” Her lip pushed out in a little pout. “I have been in the bed of almost every creature under this roof, with the exception of Thorak. We are not allowed to mate.”

  “Uh, not allowed? You mean you wanted to?” I was dumbfounded.

  “Yes, Grace, Thorak is very well endowed. And he loves the taste of woman flesh. Unfortunately, he sometimes gets carried away, and Seth fears I could be injured.”

  Ugh. I was stuck in a bizarre version of Fright Night meets Debbie Does Dallas. This chick was sick!

  “Why exactly did you tell me all of this?” I asked dreading the answer.

  “I have not been to my master’s bed in months! He has denied me his body for so long, I have stopped requesting it. My sexual pursuits are limited to Chloe and occasionally, Edmond. Ael and Eden, however, are fantastic lovers. They enjoy taking pleasure from many partners at one time, which is also my preference, when not with Seth. Like I said, I am easily bored.”

  I shuddered. No way was I hanging out with these people - or whatever they were - for a second longer than I needed to. I was not a prude, but damn! These guys were downright scary.

  “Well,” I finally answered, “you can probably stop worrying. I am here now; Seth can go make whoopee with you all he wants, and since I’m powerless to escape, you might as well. Besides, it’s not like you’ll stop getting visions, so you can start asking for him again.” I don’t know why I was trying to comfort her; but I did know that I would not be the cause of her getting snubbed by the boss.

  “You will be in his bed!” she shouted. “Unless you are willing to take me with you, I do not see any end to his absence. In fact, if he gets what he wants, he will leave my bed forever. I fear he will be selfish with his body, and yours. I must be invited, by you. Then, he will think it is what you desire and, be glad to oblige you. That is why I want you to lie with me now, before he comes. When he joins us, he will know that I can still pleasure him even now that you are here.”

  I saw desperation in her eyes. She clutched the bedsheet in a tight fist.

  “I will have you. I must. If you deny me, I will be forced to…” Her words were cut off, and she clamped her mouth shut as the door to the room opened.

  We both turned to look.

  Seth was standing there, his hand still on the doorknob. He looked exquisite in black slacks and a black silk shirt. It was hanging open to reveal his powerful chest. His hair was slicked back and wet, like he just stepped out of the shower. His lovely feet were bare. He looked relaxed and sexy as hell.

  No wonder Arian was crying the blues. He could make a woman want to roll over and beg. Not me, of course, other women.

  Arian turned to me, her dark eyes pleading. I looked away. She was asking for the impossible. I would not invite her to bed with Seth and me. She could have saved her breath. I was not going to be keeping Mr. Tall, Dark and Thirsty busy with anything except negotiating my release.

  “Arian, my dear, you have done well. She has eaten?” He said this looking at my plate, still generously piled with meat.

  “Yes, my lord, she has a delicate appetite. She ate little, but enough.” Arian rose to her pretty bare feet
. “May I be of assistance to you this evening?” she asked eagerly.

  Seth opened the door more fully and stepped into the room. He placed his hands on her arms and kissed her lightly on the lips. I had the urge to turn my head; maybe I was a prude? He stepped back again and sighed theatrically. “I am sorry, love, but I do not desire your company. I have much to discuss with our guest.”

  Why did everyone call to me their guest? I was a prisoner! Hello? Were they all delusional?

  Arian looked stricken. “Then I will take my leave.” She turned abruptly. “I will send Nadia for your tray.” she said to me, in a voice filled with rancor.

  “No, you will take it back. I do not wish to be disturbed tonight. Send Nadia home. I will attend to Grace.” He stood by the door, his arms folded. He looked like a warrior, so powerful and sure of himself. He was an overwhelming presence. I watched as drops of water fell from the ends of his long hair. His cold eyes were studying Arian.

  She reached for the tray, keeping her back to Seth. “I will remember this,” she whispered so softly, I almost didn’t catch it. Then she ran from the room.

  He closed the door after her and leaned against it. His cool silvery-blue eyes slid along my skin like a physical caress. My head felt a little better. I could feel the ring on his finger. It was close enough to clear my mind and give me a little more energy. I needed that damn thing back.

  “Grace,” he sighed, his voice a gentle whisper, and much softer than it had been with Arian. “I am so pleased to have you back with us.”

  He pushed away from the door. His body was amazing, I found myself staring at his chest. I could be cocky about resisting him, but in the flesh, Seth was a much harder man to push away. I was in trouble, again.

  He approached me, a look of yearning in his eyes. I bolted off the opposite side of the bed and stood against the wall, using the bed curtains to block my view of him. I blew out my breath and tried to get a handle on my jumping nerves, but before I could exhale, he was there. His vampire speed was shocking. I sort of staggered back and he caught me around my waist.

  “Let go of me!” I struggled in his arms, my traitorous body tingling where his hands touched me. “I am not your guest,” I said, as I pushed at him. “I am not going to have sex with you and I am not going to use the ring to get you what you want, so just back off!” He let go of me abruptly. I fell backward several steps as I tried to regain my footing. His eyes had changed to lifeless black.

  “Oh crap.”

  I turned, ready to fly out of the door. I’d decided to take my chances with the scary things outside. They seemed safer at the moment. I got about two steps. Then he was in front of me again. “Would you stop that?” I yelled, stomping my foot like a child.

  “There is no leaving, Grace, not this time.” He moved to the door and turned the lock.

  “I may be your prisoner, Seth,” I scowled, “but you don’t own me. I am still my own person, I have free will, and I say no. You can’t make me do anything I don’t want to do.” I took a step back.

  “You are correct, in a way, but, I believe by the time I am finished with you, you will be doing what we both want, voluntarily.” His stare sent chills all over my body. It was hard to keep my confidence, with those lifeless doll eyes boring holes in my head. At least his teeth remained normal. “Did you forget that I hold the lives of your friends in my hands?” He closed the distance between us. His breath sent goose bumps along my skin. “You should know that at this precise moment. Eden awaits my command. Tell me Grace, should I let him taste your precious Ann? And what of your hero? Should I allow Chloe to sip from your lover?” He shook his head. “How I long to give that command! Warlock blood is a most potent nectar.” He reached out, wrapping his large hand around my wrist and pulled me hard against his body. The low cut of the gown, allowed my bare skin to press against his naked chest. His skin felt cool. “I will not force you to my bed. That is beneath me, however, I am confident you will soon be warming my sheets. Now, what I want from you tonight is simple, a small sacrifice to ensure the safety of your friends.”

  He grazed his lips along my jaw. “You burn me; your heat is a balm for my soul.” He looked at me. The points of his deadly teeth lengthened as he bent his head. “I wish to taste you again.” His icy breath sent chills along my bare skin. “I have longed to from the first day I saw you. You are one of a kind, special. Do you know what that knowledge does to me?” He sighed. “Your blood is the rarest blood in the world. You are the last of your kind, and now you belong to me.”

  His voice was hypnotic. I stood there getting mesmerized by his words and gentle caresses. His breath on my neck felt incredible. I shook myself and pushed at him again, fighting myself as much as him. I knew what he was capable of, even without the threats.

  “All you have to do is refuse me this tiny sip,” he said, his sightless eyes finding mine, “and their fates will be sealed. Eden will tear into Ann’s throat. Her struggles will be irresistible foreplay for him. He will take her while her blood flows hot into his eager mouth. Oh, and let us not forget poor Lucian, the man you seem so eager to rescue. I will have him stripped naked and bound to a bed. Chloe will enjoy that. She will toy with him, and then drink her fill.” He bared his teeth. “This I promise you. By the time you get him back he will no longer know your name.” He held me tighter, if that were possible, as his hands began moving over my back. I felt his fingers glide over my butt. He shuddered.

  “You decide now,” he snarled.

  “You are the worst kind of devil!” I hissed. Then I reached up and pulled my hair over to one side and tilted my head as an answer to his request. I hated giving him what he wanted. I lost the first battle. But I knew that he would soon touch the ring to my bare skin and then I would win the war.

  I looked up. He was staring at me; his breathing becoming rapid, causing his chest to visibly rise and fall.

  He knelt down, gripping my arms tightly and rolled his eyes up, looking into my face. “You do things to me that no woman has ever done.” He drew his breath in through his clenched teeth. “I should throw you to the floor and push myself deep inside you.” He growled, raspy and low in his throat. “I have never felt this restless.” He licked his lips. I saw a flash of sharp white teeth. He was like an animal. He gave me chills just knowing what he was, what he could do.

  “Just let go, Grace, you will be alright. I won’t hurt you.” He slowly stood, then lowered his mouth to my neck, where my wildly beating pulse throbbed under my skin. I felt the velvet softness of his tongue lick a seductive path along my neck. “God, you taste amazing,” he breathed, before his teeth descended. I held my breath, my fists clenched tightly at my sides. Pain, sharp and quick struck my neck. I felt him lift me up and walk slowly to the bed. The sheets were cool on my back, his solid weight pressing me firmly into the mattress. He began feeding from my body and suddenly, I no longer cared.

  My mind spun erratically. Images flew through my consciousness. A man, his powerful hips glistening with tiny beads of sweat as he slid in and out of a woman. His hair was free and flowing down his back in messy tangles. The image shifted, and now his eyes were closed. He moved to sink his sharp teeth into the tender flesh of the woman’s thigh. Her long legs were spread to accommodate his body, while her dark tendrils cascaded onto the bed in damp knots. Her hands were bound at the wrists and fastened to a hook on the headboard. She was turning frantically from side to side and moaning with pleasure. I saw her eyes.

  I choked on my shock.

  It was me.

  “Holy shit!”

  I jerked upright, knocking Seth away from my neck as the erotic vision faded. A look of pure contentment replaced the wild hunger in his eyes. He fell back onto the bed. His smile told me he was fabulously satisfied.

  “You taste like nothing I have ever had.” He turned onto his side, “You are liquid fire,” he smiled, “sweetened with lust.” He crawled toward me, a frightening smile crossing his face. I pushed him back.


  “Hold on just one damn minute,” I hollered, “what the hell was that? Where did you get the mental slide show?” I sat up and scooted back, as far from him as I could get.

  His lips turned up in a lazy smile. “That could have been us the night you left me for another’s bed. It’s what should have happened.” His eyes held a hungry heat, “I have thought about that night many times since you ran from me.”

  “But I never, we never…did any of that!” I was astonished. He had a very fertile imagination. I felt myself blushing.

  “I want that night back. I could have taken you while your mind was clouded, but I chose not to. When we make love, I want you to be willing. I want you to writhe beneath me, wild with your own pleasure. I want you to scream my name as I drink from your body.” His eyes faded to their lovely silver-blue. “You will never long for another man’s bed, that I can promise.”

  Arian was right about him - he did have a one track mind. “I never left you for another man’s bed. I left because, You. Are. The. Bad. Guy. I left because you kidnapped me and planned to use me for your own nefarious reasons. As, I might point out, you are doing again! I’m sorry, Seth, but despite how much you want to believe it, I never had sex with Lucian. I hadn’t even planned on it. Not that it’s any of your business, It’s just I don’t want you to make him the scapegoat. You have no reason. He is innocent! And as a side note, neither one of you are getting into my pants. So live with it!”

  I tried to look tough and no-nonsense, but in this outfit I was wearing, who could? I was irritated. This gown was absurd. “Will you quit dressing me in these flimsy things? I pinched the silky fabric at my stomach. “I need real clothes. I can’t go around dressed in pajamas all the time. I’m not Hugh Heffner!” I protested.