by Eden (lit)
“I’m glad to hear it,” he said. After a brief pause he added, “Alright, that’s not the only reason I called. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and I wanted to make sure that hanging out with me wasn’t making things difficult for you. I mean, you’re in the papers this morning on Viktor’s arm, smiling and everything.” He paused again and she didn’t know what to say. “I don’t want to ruin anything, Catrina,” he said softly. “Am I causing friction for you? Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t like Viktor and would love to steal his girlfriend. Um, I mean. I really don’t care what he thinks, but it’s you I’m concerned about,” he stammered.
“We are still talking about being friends here, right?” she asked.
“Of course. But you know I’d like more.” He sighed heavily. “If you’re happy I don’t want to stand in the way.”
“You’re not in anybody’s way, Alex. I like spending time with you and I haven’t kept that from Viktor.”
For a moment there was no sound except for Alexander’s breathing. And then he asked, “What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be so fond, but it is not in my virtue to amend it.”
“Othello,” she whispered.
He was thrilled to hear she recognized the line. “I’m sorry,” he said. “When you’re around the theatre as much as I am, it becomes a part of you. Sometimes, it’s the only way I can think to express myself.”
“It’s alright,” she said. “That was probably one of the sexiest things I’ve ever heard.” Besides Viktor promising she would scream his name the night before, but she kept that to herself. “Othello is one of my favorite plays.”
“I’ll have to take you to see it sometime,” he promised.
“It’s a date then.”
“Well, Othello won’t be playing around here for at least a few months and there’s no way the students I have right now could pull it off.” He laughed. “Surely you aren’t going to make me wait that long to see you again?”
“We’ll work something out,” she said, smiling again even though he couldn’t see it. “But after the vampire council leaves town, okay? I need to get that over with. They scare the shit out of me.”
“As much as it chaps my ass to say it, I’m sure you’ll be safe with Viktor,” he admitted. “I’ll give you a call sometime next week then?”
“Sounds good to me.”
And just like that, her day was brighter. With only the sound of his voice, the werewolf had managed to put a permanent smile on Catrina’s face. This smile lasted until the night when Viktor’s presence caused its own set of pleasant reactions. But before she knew it, she and Viktor were both standing in the dressing room which connected to the closet, getting ready to greet the council.
Both of them fidgeted, adjusting and re-adjusting their clothes in front of the mirror.
“Where did the weekend go?” she asked, smoothing her dress once again.
“Time flies when you’re having fun,” he teased.
They were dressed to match. Viktor had taken the liberty once again of selecting her dress. He also did her hair and makeup for the evening and Catrina had to admit it looked better than when she did it herself. She’d never dated anyone before who knew how to do those kinds of things and it was sexy as hell.
The dress she wore was probably the deepest red she had ever seen. It reminded her of a ripe cherry and her lips were painted the same color. The thin straps on each shoulder were the only things holding the silken fabric over her body and it didn’t hide much. The dress draped low in front, revealing just a hint of cleavage. However, her entire back was exposed. This dress was even lower than the blue one she had worn a few nights ago and if she wasn’t careful Catrina would end up mooning the council. The split in this dress was in the back instead of on the side and it was high. Literally, the only thing covered in back was her butt, and that was just barely hidden.
Viktor was wearing another pair of stunningly tight black pants and thigh-high boots to match. He wore another shirt with ruffles down the front and this one was the exact same shade as Catrina’s dress. In a word, he looked ravishing. Even with the council’s impending arrival, she couldn’t stop smiling when she looked at him.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he said softly.
“Like what?”
“Like you’d rather take me to bed,” he said with a wink.
“I would rather take you to bed.”
“It’s only for one night,” he said, turning toward a small table in the dressing room.
Catrina held up her hair and Viktor clasped a diamond necklace around her throat.
“There, the finishing touch,” he said softly. “We really should go upstairs now. They’ll be arriving any minute.”
Viktor took her by the hand and started leading Catrina out of his chambers. When they reached the door to the stairs she suddenly felt faint. Catrina dropped his hand and put a palm to her forehead. She looked on the verge of a panic attack.
“I’m sorry, my darling, but we really can’t stop,” he said. “I sent Dick to pick up the council members a half hour ago. Judging by the distance to the airport, they should be here any minute. We’ve delayed as long as possible.”
His smile was kind and so was the look in his eyes as Viktor reached for her again.
“Please,” he said softly, “do this for me.”
Catrina took his hand again and took a deep breath. The smell of his cologne helped to calm her nerves. Once they arrived in the lobby, she was feeling a little better. Even more candles than usual were lit about the massive hall and their soft glow was also a comfort. Since she’d gotten to know Viktor, Catrina found she appreciated candlelight more and more. Or maybe she just appreciated how good he looked naked and the candlelight added to the effect.
She was contemplating the answer to this question when a car pulled up outside. Her heart slammed against her ribs.
“That’s them,” she whispered urgently. “It has to be. That sounded like the limo.”
“Shh,” Viktor soothed. “Keep in mind this is going to be a bit of a culture shock, but I swear to you I will keep you safe.”
Two young men hurried forward to open the doors and the minute they swung open another youthful figure stepped inside. At first Catrina wondered why they’d sent a child, but she immediately corrected herself. The vampire who was walking toward them couldn’t have been more than seventeen at the time he was turned, but he had the look of ages in his cold blue eyes. His long blond hair was braided and hung over his shoulder. It contrasted nicely with the green velvet suit he wore. He looked like he’d escaped from a Victorian play.
In fact, he looked a little silly at first glance. He looked like a tall, thin elf with bad fashion sense. However, he was far from comical. Something about this vampire was frightening beyond anything she had ever felt. He was without a doubt the scariest thing Catrina had ever seen.
He stopped in front of Viktor and looked up haughtily at the taller vampire. Without hesitation Viktor reached for him and they exchanged a kiss on the neck. Anyone would have thought they were old friends the way Viktor handled the situation. But through her connection to him, Catrina knew the other vampire made his skin crawl.
“Bernard, allow me to present Catrina Ravensdale, my lover and my servant.”
Catrina did a slight curtsey as she offered her wrist to him. It took all she could do to hold out her wrist to Bernard. It was only by the grace of God that she didn’t tremble at his cold touch against her arm, or the press of his frigid lips against her wrist.
Bernard didn’t respond to her introduction otherwise. He released her hand and Catrina took a grateful step closer to Viktor. She didn’t care if it looked cowardly; this new vamp was scary as hell.
A slow smile curled his lips and Catrina knew he could sense her fear. That alone gave her the strength to straighten her spine and stand her ground. They had barely finished this brief exchange before five women entered the room. They were all tall, blond and
wearing identical green hooded robes.
Viktor’s voice echoed through her mind, “Don’t say a word.”
“About what?”
At the snap of Bernard’s fingers the women dropped their robes and stood completely naked behind him. Catrina’s eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t otherwise respond.
“They are his entourage,” Viktor explained. “Do not acknowledge them, they are less than servants.” He could sense her growing anger and added, “It’s only in his eyes that they are less. Please, don’t make a scene.”
To her horror, Bernard stepped forward and put his hand on her chin, tilting her face upward.
“You may look me in the eye,” he said and his voice was cold. “Do I frighten you?”
“You can obviously sense my fear or you wouldn’t ask.”
Her words were softly spoken, but they had bite so to speak.
“Catrina,” Viktor screamed through her mind. He took a step forward and Bernard held up his hand.
“She is still being trained I take it?” Bernard asked.
“Yes,” Viktor replied.
“Yes I am,” Catrina said curtly. “As his human servant, not his dog.”
Chapter Twenty Five
She could feel Viktor’s horror at her words. He was certain that the sky would fall at any minute, but to both their surprise Bernard laughed.
He waved his hand at Viktor as if dismissing his concerns.
“I haven’t met a human in years who had any balls. So strange that it should be a woman.”
Viktor’s look of relief would have been imperceptible to anyone who didn’t know him, but Catrina saw it clearly.
“Ah, yes,” he said, stepping forward again. “Catrina is known as The Hellcat. She’s a monster hunter. Balls come in handy in her business.”
“Yes,” Bernard said with a nod. “Draco had heard of her before. He informed me.”
“Where is Draco?” Viktor asked.
“Outside, I assume. I have no idea what’s keeping him,” Bernard replied with another wave of his hand.
Catrina was nearly overcome with the urge to slap him. If there was anything she hated worse than an asshole it was a creepy arrogant asshole. She communicated this to Viktor telepathically and he smiled at her. To anyone else the gesture would have looked sweet, but she saw it as the cry for mercy that it was. She had to get a grip or they might both end up dead.
“I’m sorry,” she thought, certain that Viktor was picking up her words. “I had no idea he would be like this. I can’t stand to see people treated this way. They are not animals.”
“Will you excuse me for one moment?” Viktor asked.
He bowed graciously to Bernard, but didn’t wait for a response. He took Catrina by the hand and said, “Would you accompany me please? I’d like to show you how the council prefers their table set.”
She followed him down a corridor and as soon as they were out of earshot he asked, “Are you trying to get us both killed?”
“Viktor, I’m sorry. You could have warned me, you know? I had no idea. What a piece of shit. What a filthy, low-life, motherfucking--”
“That’s enough,” he interrupted. “I know what he is.” Viktor dropped his voice to barely more than a whisper as he leaned in close and said, “I hate Bernard. I despise the way he treats his subjects. But for tonight he is our guest. We’re just lucky he wasn’t offended by your comments. And before you get pissy about it, I’m sorry for saying I wanted to show you how they liked their damn table set. If I had pulled you away for any other reason it would have looked like I was scolding you and I would never do that. It’s the only acceptable excuse I could think of. Let’s just do our best to keep it together, alright?”
“Alright,” she said softly. Catrina reached for him as she added, “For what it’s worth I’m really sorry. I usually have more control over myself.”
“I know you do,” he said and offered her a weak smile. “I had a similar reaction the first time I met him.”
“How did you hide it?” she asked.
“Very carefully.” On their way back down the hall he confessed, “I pretended to be injured and excused myself early.”
About the time they returned, Draco walked through the door and his arrival was even more shocking. He had three strapping young men on leashes, down on all fours, and they preceded him into the room.
He was only slightly taller than Bernard, who was just under six feet tall. Draco had chin length dark hair which hung in loose curls about his face. Catrina didn’t look him directly in the eye, but she looked close enough to see that his eyes were also blue. He had a goatee which came to a point on his strong chin. He was wearing black pants which were almost as tight as Viktor’s and a vest to match. His shirt was dark burgundy and it was unbuttoned nearly halfway down. He was also wearing highly polished boots which came to his knees.
Normally, Catrina would have thought this new vampire was very handsome. But she was overcome by the sight of the men on leashes. They were all wearing severe S & M style outfits, if you could call them that. Their clothes consisted of vinyl thongs, silver spikes and studs, and other various silver jewelry. One of them was even wearing a mask which completely covered his face except for his mouth and eyes.
As they came to a stop, Draco propped his foot on one of the men’s butts and Catrina gasped.
“It’s not the same thing,” Viktor let her know. “They get off on it, I swear.”
After she had been so clearly upset over the sight of his entourage, Bernard rubbed his hands in anticipation of seeing her reaction to this new arrival. Catrina refused to give him any satisfaction. Besides, if these men were enjoying themselves, who was she to spoil their fun?
Viktor stepped forward and he and Draco exchanged a kiss, however this one was on the lips and it wasn’t chaste. Catrina felt like all the blood in her body rushed to her face. To her surprise, she wasn’t embarrassed. Actually … she sort of liked it.
“Draco, allow me to present Catrina Ravensdale, my lover and my servant.”
She stepped forward and offered him her wrist. As Draco pressed his lips against her skin Bernard asked, “Are you embarrassed?”
She turned back to the other vampire and since she’d been invited to do so, looked him right in the eye.
“No,” she said. “But it turned me on something fierce.”
Bernard looked surprised and angry, but Draco seemed delighted. Viktor on the other hand, was fighting the urge to laugh.
“I knew I would enjoy meeting you,” Draco said and he had a deep pleasant voice. “Would you get them some water please?” he asked, offering her the reins on his men.
She gave Viktor a quick glance and he nodded his approval.
“Yes, of course,” she answered and took the leashes from him.
It seemed strange to be leading the men toward the kitchen, but she didn’t question it. Catrina was glad she had decided to stay the entire weekend and get to know The Palace a bit. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have known where the kitchen was to take them. The kitchen was massive and as she led them toward the stainless steel refrigerator, one of the men asked, “Do you have any bowls?”
“Yes, but--”
“It’s alright,” another said. “We just prefer to drink from bowls if you have them.”
Catrina’s eyes widened slightly and she fought the urge to snicker as she got out some bottled water and poured it into three bowls. She placed the bowls on the floor and watched in amazement as the men lapped the water up like dogs. She also couldn’t help noticing how good they looked. If he had to have men on leashes, Draco could have done a lot worse.
“You handled that well,” the one in the mask said to her.
“Oh, um thank you,” she stammered.
“Most people don’t react so well to the sight of us,” another agreed.
Catrina crouched down in front of them so they were on eye level.
“Could I ask you all something?”
“Sure,” they answered together.
“What do you get out of this?”
“Shits and giggles,” one answered.
“Get’s me hot,” said the one in the mask.
“Why not go around on a leash?” the third said with a chuckle. “I like the look on people’s faces. And of course we get Draco in the bargain.”
“I have to admit that part sounds nice,” she said, straightening back up. “Do you want any more water?”
They all shook their heads about the time Viktor’s voice floated through her mind. “Meet us in the dinning room,” he said. “Lead the men over to Draco and come stand behind my chair. I’ll explain the rest when you get here. Oh, and don’t have a fit when you see what Bernard has done.”
“Just tell me now and I can prepare myself,” she answered.
“He’s got them sitting on the floor.”
“Does he always do that or is this just to piss me off?” she asked.
“A little of both, I think.”
“I’ll be right there.”
“Viktor wants us to meet them in the dinning room,” she said, turning back to the men.
“Best get on with it then,” the one with the mask said, handing her back their leashes.
Catrina led them back out of the kitchen and down a long corridor to the left. Once they reached the dinning room she immediately located Draco and started walking toward him. She avoided looking at Bernard entirely. The dinning room was on the same grand scale as the rest of The Palace. Everything was trimmed in gold and for a place inhabited by vampires, it was surprisingly well lit in the dinning room. Maybe it was because this part of The Palace was very seldom used. After all, what was the point of formal dining when you always drank your dinner?
Catrina paused beside Draco’s chair and bowed her head respectfully as she handed him back the reins. Draco smiled appreciatively and she could sense Viktor’s approval and gratitude.
“Please, look me in the eye,” Draco said, “for I’d love a better look at yours.”
She met his gaze and her heart beat nearly as fast as when she looked into Viktor’s eyes.