Crimson Debt

by Evangeline Anderson

  “Yes, come in,” Corbin said in a bored tone. Obviously he was done discussing the “do not touch” order he had practically stamped on my forehead for the rest of the vampire community.

  The little curly-headed assistant popped his head in the door and smiled at me.

  “Oh, hello, Mistress.”

  “Mistress?” I stared at him and then looked at Corbin. “Since when am I known as ‘Mistress'?”

  He shrugged. “You are my consort. It’s a title of respect.”

  “Whatever.” I sighed and looked at the little vamp who was glancing back and forth between us like we were playing a particularly confusing tennis match. “Well, what do you want?” I asked him.

  “Oh, er…I actually had a message for my Master.” He gave Corbin a little head-bobbing bow. “I wanted to tell you that the were is here."

  Corbin frowned. “Victor is here already? Did you show him in to the small studio?”

  “I did.” The little vamp nodded. “I offered him refreshments but he just, er, growled at me. Forgive me, Master, but I don’t think he’s very happy to be here.”

  “I wouldn’t expect him to be,” Corbin said blandly. “Still, he is in my debt and he is obligated to pay.”

  “The deal was to pay back the money in installments—not to call the whole fucking debt in at once,” a low, growling voice announced.

  I looked up in surprise. And up…and up. The doorway was suddenly filled with a huge, angry man with black hair that curled around the edges and dark brown eyes. He was somewhere between being scruffy and having an outright beard and he was six foot six if he was an inch. Even if the little vampire hadn’t said so, I would have known he was a werewolf just by looking at him—he had that animalistic energy that only the really strong weres seem to carry around them like a cloud.

  By the way he was dressed— in a black wife-beater that showed off his muscular arms, worn jeans and scuffed work boots—it was clear he didn’t give a damn about making a good impression in a vampire establishment. That was par for the course for a were—they hate vamps. But he still looked really out of place in Under the Fang.

  The glam club was mostly an upscale place, despite Corbin’s tendency to walk around in jeans and t-shirts half the time. Tonight, as he had been the night before, the blond vampire was wearing a beautifully tailored suit. I had stepped up my own outfit as well and was wearing a little black dress I usually saved for cocktail parties and Christmas with my family, when I couldn’t get out of it. It wasn’t that I wanted to look nice for Corbin, I told myself—more like I didn’t want to be forced into changing again.

  “Victor, what a pleasant surprise. I was under the impression that you were waiting in the other room.” Corbin shot his assistant a look of extreme displeasure and the little vamp turned white with fright. Well, whiter than usual, anyway.

  “Yeah, he put me in there but I’m in no mood to wait. We need to talk now,” the other man growled. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, calling in my debt all at once? That wasn’t the fucking agreement and you know it.”

  “What if I told you that you could pay back the entire debt without giving me another penny?” Corbin asked.

  The big were frowned.

  “I’m not killing anybody—I’m not a damn assassin for hire.”

  Corbin showed his fangs with an irritated hiss.

  “Don’t be foolish, Victor—I do my own killing. No, what I need from you is entirely different.” He looked the other man up and down, frowning. “Although I must say, you are rather underdressed for it.”

  “Underdressed for what?” Victor demanded impatiently.

  “Why, for your wedding, my friend.” Corbin gave him a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “For your wedding.”

  “My what?” Victor shook his head, obviously not understanding. “Sorry, I think I heard you wrong. It sounded like you said something about me getting married.”

  “That is precisely what I said.” Corbin rose smoothly from behind his desk and was suddenly standing beside the big were. “I have a female that needs protection outside the vampire sphere. And you, Victor, are as far outside it as it is possible to get.”

  “Wait a minute. Wait a minute.” I took a step forward, looking up at both of them. “Corbin, you’re not actually thinking what I think you’re thinking—are you?”

  “I don’t know, darling,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “What exactly do you imagine I am thinking? Please do elaborate because so far you have done so well at guessing what is in my mind.”

  I decided to ignore the sarcasm and get straight to the point.

  “Tell me you’re not trying to marry Taylor off to this…this Neanderthal.” I gestured at the big were who frowned at me in obvious irritation.

  “Taylor? Who’s that?”

  “My best friend who also happens to be a vampire,” I said tartly.

  “What? A vampire?” He turned to Corbin. “You want me to marry a fanger?”

  “That is exactly what I want, minus the slurs.” Corbin gave him a level stare. “And unless you have the fifty thousand dollars you owe me in your pocket at this moment, you will do it without question.”

  “Look, I know I owe you a lot of money but there’s no fucking way I’m marrying a vampire,” Victor growled.

  “And there’s no way Taylor is marrying anyone like him,” I put in. “You know what she’s been through recently, Corbin—why would you even suggest it?”

  “To make her unavailable to Roderick, of course.” He sounded exasperated. “Now that you have made an issue of him wanting her, he will not be deterred from claiming her unless she is completely out of his reach.”

  “And you think this is the best answer?” I demanded.

  “It is the only answer,” Corbin snapped. “And you should be grateful I am willing to bring it about. It is costing me a considerable amount of money to ensure the safety of your incompetent little friend.”

  “I said, I don’t care how much I owe you,” Victor growled at Corbin, his eyes flashing gold. “I’m not marrying a fucking fanger.”

  “Hello? Can I come in?” We all looked up and saw Taylor standing there, framed in the doorway.

  She was wearing a sleek, cream-colored gown that clung to her curves in all the right places and a crown of white rosebuds in her long dark hair. Her big blue eyes were wide with uncertainty as she took in the scene in Corbin’s office. I thought she looked beautiful.

  “Taylor,” I said quickly, going to take her hand. “Don’t worry, hon, it’s not going to happen.”

  Victor had been staring silently at her, his eyes still glowing gold and his mouth open. He tore his gaze away and looked at Corbin.

  “You’re damn straight it’s not happening.”

  “What’s not happening?” Taylor asked, a look of confusion on her face.

  I gave Corbin an exasperated look. “Did you tell anybody that they were getting married and who they were marrying tonight?"

  “I thought it best to let them get a good look at each other first.” Corbin seemed to be trying to smother a smile. “You must admit, they appear to be well suited.”

  “Well suited? She’s a vamp and he’s a were—they’re mortal enemies!” I exclaimed. “His pack will rip her apart!”

  Taylor went pale. “Addison? What are you talking about? I’m not actually supposed to marry a man I don’t even know, am I?”

  “As your new Master, I say you will,” Corbin said sternly, before I could reply. “And do not worry about Victor’s packmates—he has none—that is one reason I chose him. He is what the weres call a ‘lone wolf’.”

  “But he’s still a wolf,” I pointed out. “And she’s still a vamp.”

  “Ah well.” Corbin shrugged philosophically. “The course of true love never did run smooth.”

  “Ha-ha. Very funny,” I snapped. “Corbin, this is ridiculous and you know it.”

  “Very well.” He took a step back and spread his hands
. “If you can think of a better way to put your friend out of Roderick’s reach then by all means, let me hear it. Please bear in mind, though, that he will be here within the hour.”

  “Roderick?” Taylor turned even whiter until she was really as pale as a ghost. She looked at Corbin appealingly. “Oh please, you said he would never…that I never had to go with him again.”

  “And you don’t,” he said firmly. “As long as you do as I say.”

  “I don’t know what you guys are talking about but I’m out of here.” Victor started to shoulder his way out the door.

  “You’re not going anywhere unless you have the cash to pay me back at once.” Corbin was suddenly standing in front of the other man, blocking his escape. “Fifty thousand dollars plus interest please,” he said pleasantly.

  Victor scowled. “You know I don’t have it—I just got my company off the ground. You have to give me time.”

  “Time is what I do not have.” Corbin stared at him implacably. “Make your choice—pay the money or bind yourself to my underling. Those are your only two choices.”

  The big were ran a hand through his curly black hair and took a step back.

  “This is crazy! I don’t understand you fucking vamps—I don’t even know her.” He cast a glance at Taylor who had her arms wrapped around herself and was staring at the floor.

  “And Taylor’s been through a lot,” I put in. “Why can’t she just hide out at my place until Roderick leaves?”

  “Your house would be the first place he would look, darling. And he wouldn’t stop looking until he found her,” Corbin said, but he was still staring at Victor. “Well?” he asked.

  “Ah, hell…” Victor rubbed the back of his neck. “Damnit, Corbin, if I had known you were gonna pull this kind of shit on me, I never would have asked you for a loan. This is the weirdest fucking thing I’ve ever heard of.”

  “It seems strange to me, too.” Taylor lifted her head at last and looked at Corbin. “I understand that you want to put me out of harm’s way, Master, but I want to be sure of something before I do this.”

  “You may speak,” Corbin nodded at her. “What is your concern, Taylor?”

  “I…” She took a deep breath. “I want to be sure I’m not going from one awful situation to a worse one. What Roderick did was…it was bad.” Her voice was trembling and I squeezed her hand. She squeezed back and somehow seemed to find the will to go on. “But how do I know that he…” She nodded at Victor. “Won’t do the same or worse to me? At least…at least I know what to expect with Roderick.”

  “I believe Victor to be a decent man or I would not have chosen him for you,” Corbin said quietly. “But I can make him swear an oath not to harm you if it would make you feel better.”

  “Hey, I’m no fucking abuser,” Victor growled. “I don’t hit women, ever.” He frowned. “And anyway, it’s not like I agreed to this.”

  “But you will,” Corbin told him. “Besides, my friend, this is only a temporary arrangement. Three months are all that is needed to satisfy the laws of ownership. After that you and Taylor can go your separate ways.”

  “Wait a minute,” I said. “Ownership? As in, he will legally own her? What kind of medieval laws are these?”

  “In fact, they are from medieval times when a woman was considered little more than property,” Corbin said. “But they have since been modified—in effect, Taylor and Victor will own each other and no one may come between them. At least until they separate after three months, which should hopefully be enough time for Roderick to forget her and move on.”

  “Three months, huh?” Victor frowned and rubbed his chin. “Well, I guess that’s not as bad as ‘til death do us part.” He shot a glance at Taylor. “Which it never would because—” He stopped abruptly but Taylor finished for him.

  “Because I’m already dead. Isn’t that what you were going to say?” she demanded, lifting her chin.

  “Well…yeah.” Victor rumbled. “Sorry, I just don’t like fangers very much.”

  Corbin raised an eyebrow at him. “You like them well enough to borrow their money.”

  “Point taken.” The big were sighed. “All right, let’s get this over with.” He looked at Corbin. “But I don’t have any place to put her right now. My house isn't finished yet."

  “Just binding her to you will keep her safe enough,” Corbin assured him. “Though I do expect you to take her off my hands as soon as you can.”

  “Corbin—” I started to protest but Taylor touched my arm lightly, stopping me.

  “It’s all right,” she said, her voice shaking only a little. “I’ll do it if it will keep Roderick away from me.” She looked at Corbin. “But I want him to swear—to take an oath like you said, Master. Especially if he’s going to be my ‘owner’.”

  “You will be his owner too,” Corbin reminded her.

  Victor’s eyes turned molten gold. “And I told you, I don’t hit women.”

  “Yes, but you also said you don’t like ‘fangers’.” Taylor’s blue eyes flashed. “If you’re rude enough to call me names to my face, I don’t know what else you might or might not do. I don’t know you.”

  “I don’t know you, either, lady, but it looks like that’s gonna change,” he growled. “Sure, I’ll swear not to touch you. Believe me, that won’t be a problem. I don’t like the undead in my bed.”

  “And I don’t like fur on my sheets,” Taylor shot right back. I could see the hurt in her eyes but she wasn’t about to let the big bastard of a werewolf get the better of her. I squeezed her hand again.

  “Good for you,” I whispered.

  She gave me a quick glance and tried to smile but I could tell how much effort it was costing her. She was upset and who could blame her? Basically, she was being forced to marry a man she didn’t know—a man who was the sworn enemy of her own people, if you could call vampires her people, that was.

  “I’m glad we’re all in agreement.” Corbin clapped his hands. “Very well, let’s adjourn to the back room for the ceremony. I will be officiating.”

  I look at him in surprise. “You’re an ordained minister? Of what church?”

  “The vampire religion is nondenominational. Basically I am empowered to conduct binding ceremonies between those of my kind and, well…whoever they wish to be bound to.”

  I was pretty certain that Taylor and Victor had no wish to be bound together but Corbin wasn’t giving them much of a choice. And since Roderick was on his way, it really did look like the only option.

  With a sigh, I put my arm around Taylor’s waist and we left the office together.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “If I would have known I was going to be your maid of honor I would have worn something besides black,” I whispered as we walked up the aisle—actually just the center of the small room near the back of the club, which was usually rented out for corporate functions.

  “That’s all right—it’s not like it’s for real,” Taylor whispered back, clearly trying to be brave. “I mean, is it?”

  “No, of course not. Not really,” I assured her uneasily as we paced slowly forward.

  Corbin had been thoughtful enough to have the room decorated with white lilies and blood red roses. There was even a small altar at the front with a padded bench, presumably where the bride and groom would kneel across from each other. Corbin stood beside the altar, waiting patiently and holding a large, ornately carved golden chalice in his hands. The soft strains of Pachelbel’s Canon piped in through the hidden speakers completed the wedding feel of the place.

  “At least the room looks nice even if I am dressed in black,” I said, trying to comfort her. “And you look beautiful.”

  “Fat lot of good it does me,” she muttered back. “Marrying a guy who already hates me.”

  “He’ll love you when he gets to know you,” I said. “And if he doesn’t, screw him. You’ll be out of it in three months.”

  “Three months. Right.” She sighed unhappily. We were
almost to the end of the aisle where Corbin and Victor were waiting. The were had put on a black suit coat, probably loaned to him by Corbin, which was stretched tight across his massive shoulders, and he was glaring at poor Taylor.

  “Stop looking at her that way,” I snapped at him. “She’s beautiful and perfect and you’re lucky to get her. Besides, she’s saving you fifty thousand dollars, you ungrateful bastard.”

  “Addison…” Corbin gave me a warning look. “Here at the altar of unity only words of love and devotion may be spoken.”

  “Fine,” I muttered. Giving Taylor’s arm one last squeeze, I stood back. “Sorry.”

  “It’s all right.” She gave me a grateful look and then turned to face Corbin. “I am ready, Master.”

  “Very well.” He nodded and cleared his throat. “We are gathered here tonight to join this male and female and give them in ownership one to another. If anyone can show just cause why this should not be so, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

  He gave me a stern glance and I bit the inside of my cheek. I had plenty of reasons why my poor friend shouldn’t be handed over like chattel to a rude, ungrateful werewolf but it was the only way to save her.

  I kept silent.

  “Good,” Corbin said after a pause. He looked pleased. “Will the two of you kneel before me now and join hands?”

  Taylor knelt at once side of the padded alter and Victor knelt opposite her. He was so much bigger than her that even kneeling, he towered over my friend. Then they just looked at each other.

  “And join hands,” Corbin repeated, frowning.

  There was an awkward pause and then Victor held out his hands stiffly. With a deep breath, Taylor took them.

  I saw a shiver run through her as their hands met and clasped, causing my heart to go out to her. Poor thing, after what Roderick had done to her, it was probably painful to even touch a man—any man—let alone the big, hulking werewolf.

  “Very good,” Corbin said. “Now Victor, repeat after me: I, Victor, do swear to take you, Taylor for my own. To defend you from any who wish you harm, to nourish you both body and soul, and to cherish you above all others for as long as our union shall last.”