Born in Fire (Page 31)

Not waiting for an answer, I went back to my plate. In truth, I didn’t think what I’d said was exactly true. Darius was a hospitable guy, surely. A gentleman, definitely. But I had no illusions. He needed me at the moment, and it was in his best interests to keep me alive and happy. Afterward was another story. He was a vampire, first and foremost, and they served themselves. Even their protection of the unicorns was self-serving. It was an important distinction to remember.

“One of the best,” she said, thankfully not able to read my mind. “I enjoy having him near.”

“Did he make you, then?” I asked, hopefully using the right words.

“He did, yes. He’s been the most excellent teacher and confidant. One of the best, as I said. I am very lucky.”

“Mhm.” She got a thumbs-up, too. I was passing them out like business cards.

“What is your involvement with him?”

“Oh. Just working together. On a thing.” I nodded, like that was a sufficient answer.

“You have a delicious aroma. Tell me, does Darius find your blood as delectable as it smells?”

“He wouldn’t know.” I eyed the rest of the food as I scraped my plate clean. I was still hungry, but I didn’t want to be in her company any longer.

“No?” she said. “Interesting. I wonder, would he rather that we be the first to taste and judge?”

Had she really just licked her lips?

“You know what?” I put my napkin on the table—then decided better of it, and rose and placed it on my empty chair. “Mr.…” I stared at the man in the tux, off to the side. What had Darius called him? “Sir?”

He turned toward me with an air of patience. “Yes, ma’am. Would you like something else?”

“Actually, I think I’ll retire and do a little studying before hitting the hay. Do you think I can just take a plate on the run? Paper plate, maybe. And that wine. I’ll just take a plate to go, a cup—plastic is fine—and that whole bottle of wine. That way I can get out of your hair.”

“I apologize—was that rude of me?” Marie stood gracefully.

“Oh no, you’re fine.”

She took a step toward me. I did not like that look of hunger in her eyes.

“Mr. Durant has specified that Ms. Somerset is to have full access to his home,” the vampire in the tux said to Marie. “She is not to be touched, and is permitted to take action should she feel threatened in any way.”

“Hmm,” Marie said, her eyes shining with mischief. The hunger was still there.

“Do you have a paper plate, sir?” I asked, backing toward my boots.

“I will have a plate brought to your quarters. Marie, I will warn you one final time. If you flout Mr. Durant’s command, you are liable to find your permanent resting place.”

She laughed, a delightful sound. “He has never carried through with one of his punishments, William. You should know better by now.”

“I was not warning you on behalf of Mr. Durant. Something you might pass on.” William passed behind her and made his way to the door. “Ms. Somerset, please follow me.”

She eyed me like a cat would a wriggling fish: dinner that she planned to play with first. Thankfully, it kept her from noticing the dirty boots and socks in my hand. That was really the biggest deal, after all. I grabbed the neck of the wine bottle and hurried out after William.

“Please accept my apology,” William said as he led the way to a staircase in the rear of the house. “She is not used to the word no. Not in her human life, and not now. Mr. Durant is much too lenient with her. To her credit, she is good at ascertaining information for Mr. Durant.”

“I bet.”

“Have no fear. She will not kill you. The worst that could possibly happen is for her to happen upon you suddenly and taste the origin of that del—of your smell. You will be quite safe.”

“Our definitions of safe are…somewhat different.”

“Mr. Durant assured me that you are proficient in fighting.”

“Very.”

“Well, then. If she gravely offends you in that manner, kill her.”

He said it without emotion. If she crossed the line, he expected me to rectify the situation. I wondered if he lacked loyalty to her specifically, or if many vampires had no loyalty in general.

We passed by a few closed doors before stopping in front of one. He turned the handle, walked through, and stepped out of the way. “These are your rooms.”

“Rooms, plural?”

“Yes, of course.” He waited for me to enter and, once again, marvel, because I couldn’t get used to a house this nice. “There is a hidden passageway that will lead you to Mr. Durant’s quarters. He is currently with one of the humans, but afterward, he will be available should you need anything.”

“No thanks.”

“I apologize.” William crossed the room and slid his finger along the side of a picture frame before clicking a hidden button. The frame popped open like a door. “I didn’t mean to imply that he hoped you’d join him for feeding or intercourse. Those needs should be sated in a couple hours. No, use this passageway if something should happen, whatever it might be.” He paused before continuing. “He must realize the draw you have on us. You are very unique. I have never smelled anything quite like it. The curiosity, in this case, creates a powerful urge. Almost as alluring as if your blood were to taste as good as it smells.”

“You’re tap-dancing on the line, bro.” I put a hand to my stomach, trying unsuccessfully to deaden the growl.

“Of course. I apologize. I am not usually in the presence of humans who do not wish to…entertain our wishes.” He paused for a beat. Hoping I’d relent and stick out my neck, perhaps? “I will bring you something to eat. You have the wine bottle there, I see. I’ll bring you a glass. Would you like some water?”

I flushed a little at his mention of the bottle, but really, could he blame me? “Water would be fine, thank you.”

“Of course.” He exited the room with a slight bow.

I had no idea who would want to be an eternal butler, but I knew exactly why Darius would want one.

I pushed the picture frame closed, hoping Darius couldn’t get through the other side, and noticed clothes on the end of the bed. Leather pants, a red tank top, sexy underwear…clearly Darius had rifled through my pile of dirty clothing while I slept in his bed in the Dungeon and had his people pick me up some spares. It was hard to care, since the clean clothes were welcomed.

A few hours before dusk, I was lying on my bed, wide awake. I’d eaten two more plates of food, finished the bottle of wine, showered, and slipped into a food coma that did not last all day. Being that I’d also slept in the Dungeon, I could not make myself go back under.

I looked around the room for the millionth time. Despite all the finery, there was a complete lack of entertainment. No computer. No TV. Not even a book.

I debated wandering downstairs to find a library, of which I was certain there was one, but my gaze fell on the heavily curtained windows. Without another thought, I hopped up and got dressed. No sense wasting time waiting for Darius—I could get some information while he slept off his blood and/or sex coma.

The house was silent as I made my way down the stairs and then out the front door. Clouds rolled overhead, dark with warning. I walked briskly along the sidewalk, knowing I should take off my weapons, since it was daylight, but also that I had nowhere to put them. Speed was my friend, and it had the side benefit of getting me to my destination in no time. Once there, I loitered for a moment, looking around the corner of a building.

Loud jazz music blasted into the street. Pedestrians holding drinks or shopping bags meandered along, peering into the bars or talking to each other. As the bodies shifted and moved, I spied my favorite snitch leaning against the wall, sucking on a cigarette.

He kept randomly looking my way, probably waiting for someone. I circled around the block and walked toward him from the opposite direction. Hiding behind a wide man who bobbed and swayed like he was on a ship deck, I kept my head down and out of sight. At the last moment, I stepped out from behind the man, wrapped my arm around Red, put one hand to the side of his face, and applied my thumb to the hollow at the base of his jaw, just below his ear.

Applying pressure, I leaned in. “Let’s do this calm-like.”

His hands flew up, but he relaxed into the pain shortly thereafter. We’d been down this road before, after all. He knew that if he didn’t struggle, I wouldn’t hurt him.

“You’re choosing the wrong time for this,” he warned.

I always did, as far as he was concerned.

I marched him into the closest bar. He staggered, the difference in the light hard on his eyes. Mine adjusted immediately. I led him to the back and into a booth.

“Have you been drinking?” he asked as he fell onto the seat. He rubbed at the offending spot under his jaw.

“It’s been, like…a whole day since I finished the bottle. I hardly think that counts. Which reminds me, time for a top-up. Stay here.”

I got myself a beer from the bar, and one for him. I drained half of both of them. Props were good.

After setting his beer in front of him, I kept a handle on mine. “Got a question.”