Bloodshed (The BlackGuard Society Book 2)

by SF Benson

  The crimson beckoned me.

  Teased me.

  I licked my lips and picked up the pace. A homing device was unlocked in my veins. Once again, Alexander’s features appeared in my mind. His hands outstretched for me.

  “Come to me, beloved. Let me show you love like you’ve never experienced before.”

  I wanted it. Badly. My feet moved toward what I thought was Alexander’s location. Right before I stepped off the curb, the path vanished. I looked left and right and then left again.

  Where did he go?

  My body shook like a fiend. I had to find him.

  Just when I thought all hope was lost, another image appeared. Right height, dark features… Could it be him? My heart skipped a beat. What if I made a mistake and took another innocent life?

  The yearning inside me wailed its presence. I was ravenous. No time to consider the living. After all, the vampire didn’t consider me. Why should I be fair? It was feed or perish.

  Before I knew it, I was back on Carondelet Street, standing just a few feet from the alley. Then I saw him approaching. He was tall and handsome, but he wasn’t Alexander. His veins sang to me like no other sound on earth.

  I glimpsed over my shoulder. Too many people, but I couldn’t lose him. In a matter of seconds, I was at his side.

  “Want a good time?” I drawled.

  His stormy eyes looked me over. “What’ll it cost me?”

  I pulled him back into the alley behind the dumpster. “We can negotiate it.”

  It didn’t matter to me that the stranger wasn’t Alexander. In that moment, my need was stronger than the revenge I had in mind for the callous vampire.

  My mind tried to decipher what would satisfy me. Maybe what I needed was to get laid. It had been a long time. Perhaps a sexual gratification would thwart my hunger.

  The man pulled me into his strong arms, and I trembled in his embrace. He went to kiss me, but I turned my head.

  “Ah, you like to play.”

  “I do.” I licked his neck. “Mmmm.”

  He growled and pressed his body against mine. When he lowered his head, I swept in, nipping at his pulse.

  “What the—”

  My fangs flexed into the stranger’s throat, drawing blood. For a fleeting moment, Alexander’s face came to mind. Silently, I cursed him and sank my teeth in farther. The man was heavenly. His skin was sweet, and the treasure flowing through his veins was rich and smoky. I could get drunk off the taste.

  I gulped down the hot fluid, suckling deeper and deeper. When I felt the last thread of life, I pulled out and licked my lips, letting the body fall to the ground. Wiping the blood from my chin, I dug in the dumpster until I found a ratty blanket. Before I draped it over the corpse, I lowered his pants. When the cops found him, they might believe he was the victim of a sex crime. Fully sated, I stepped over his body and into the night.

  Sadly, he wouldn’t be my last victim.

  By the time I reached the heart of the Vieux Carré, I was hungry again. Every person who passed me was a feast for the senses. I could have gotten drunk off the smells alone. I nearly did when I walked by a group of tourists who’d had too much alcohol.

  Note to self—do not bite drunks!

  Rather, I positioned myself outside of the various clubs up and down Bourbon Street. It was prime real estate for a newly turned vampire. Blonds, brunettes, redheads. White men, brown men, and everything in between. I led them into alleys. Followed them back to cars and even hotel rooms.

  Hell, I even entertained a few willing women. I’d never been into women, but I was quickly learning sex wasn’t part of a vampire’s journey. It was all about the taste. It didn’t matter whether the victim was male or female, young or old. I didn’t have to discriminate.

  When I needed a break from feeding, I ventured into one of those clubs. I danced freely to the sounds of Zedd and Katy Perry. As song after song played, I swung my wide hips and ground my pelvis to the beat.

  Of course, the hunger returned. It always did. That was when I entertained strangers in restroom stalls. I discovered quickly that I didn’t have to drain a body. Drink my fill and lick the wounds. Before I sent the donor on his or her way, I whispered sweet nothings in their ears—forget me and what happened here. When they left, I wiped the blood from my lips and sashayed back into the club with no one suspecting a thing.

  Maybe being a vampire wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

  * * *

  I returned home just before the sun began to rise. The hunger was no longer plaguing me, but I wasn’t sleepy, just tired. Rather than chance sleeping in bed, I grabbed my pillows and comforter and returned to the closet. I tossed my dirty clothes hamper into the room and then curled up into an empty corner.

  When I closed my eyes, images of the previous night returned. They were happy pictures filled with dancing and delectable humans. Did I really say that? Had I, somehow, lost my humanity?

  Then, the answer came to me in an intense sensation. It started deep in my core and spread like a ray of sun through me. It felt as if someone was touching me, fondling me.

  Ah, I said loudly as I writhed on the floor.

  What the hell was going on?

  His face… Alexander’s face came to me. The image widened until I saw all of him. He was naked and hovered over me. His stomach muscles clenched with each thrust.

  “You’re mine, Tabitha. I can’t wait until I can bury myself deep between your thighs.”

  My eyes popped open, and I bolted upright. I was so turned on I couldn’t sit still. With the sun rising, I would have to wait until dusk to find Alexander. I would find him. We shared an eerie connection I didn’t appreciate. I couldn’t appreciate.

  Still… I spent the remainder of the day watching my closet door, wishing he’d appear again.

  * * *

  It was probably a blessing I couldn’t see my reflection. I was certain I looked a mess with my sticky eyes. My appearance, however, was the least of my concerns. Thanks to Alexander’s virtual presence, I was as hot and bothered as a nun in an all-male revue, and the hunger was back—stronger than ever.

  Once again, I went through the motions—showering and putting on fresh clothing. No tight pants that night. I chose a body-hugging, long-sleeved dress with black and gold sequins and sheer panels over my breasts and thighs. I slipped my feet into a pair of nude stilettos. Hopefully, I looked as hot as I felt.

  My plan for the evening? Take care of my horniness along with feeding. Before I could reach my door, Alexander’s voice infiltrated my brain.

  “Be careful, my love. There are those who are searching for you. If you go into the Quarter, stay away from Bourbon Street.”

  “Where am I supposed to go?” I said out loud.

  I flinched when I received my answer.

  “There is a club called the Bloody Bastard. Find it. Order a Vamp’s Delight. You’ll be given a bottle of crimson. Drink it slowly.”

  It felt stupid to do so, but I asked, “How do I get there?”

  “You’ll know. I’ll lead you there.”

  * * *

  Finding the Bloody Bastard wasn’t difficult. Thanks to Alexander, I reached the club without incident. Once inside, I discovered it was an upscale venue with lots of plush furniture and dim lighting—which I appreciated. I also liked the fact I could sense other vampires in the place. For the moment, I didn’t have to worry about my hunger. I smelled the remnants of blood at every table I passed. Individuals clinked glasses of crimson and laughed too loudly.

  A spot for vampires?

  How intriguing!

  Slowly, I made my way over to the bar where a lanky male placed a white napkin in front of me. I looked down at the image of fangs dripping with blood. The name of the club was done in an elegant red script across the illustration.

  “What can I get you?” he asked.

  “The Vamp’s Delight.”

  He smiled and then passed me a key.

  “What’s t
his for?”

  “Your private room. Take the stairs in the front of the club. The number is on the key. I’ll have your bottle delivered.”

  “Thank the man, Tabitha. See you soon.”

  My pussy throbbed in anticipation. “Thanks,” I said and retraced my steps.

  As I climbed to the second level, I heard passionate moans and groans. According to the number engraved on the skeleton key, I was looking for room 207. It was halfway down the hall.

  I heard a click, and the tumblers disengage as I unlocked the door. On the other side, I leaned against the heavily padded surface. It was practically dark, but I sensed he was there.

  “Turn on a light, motherfucker,” I demanded.

  His hot breath hit the side of my face. “Why? You don’t need it.” He pressed up against me, just as naked as the image I received before. “Do you really want to hate me?”

  My panties were positively drenched.

  Alexander ran a hand over my leg, pushing the hem of my dress up. He groaned and fingered my underwear. “I think you want me as much as I want you.”

  Stupid me replied, “I thought vampires didn’t do sex.”

  He chuckled. “You watch too many damned movies. I have had enough sex to last a man two lifetimes. What I don’t have is disease. You’ll never have to worry about catching a damn thing.” He kissed my cheek and then said, “There are those who wish to harm you. They think they’re protecting humans. Instead, they’re only fostering their own interests.”

  “What am I supposed to do?”

  “Stay here with me tonight. As long as you remain elusive, they’ll give up.”

  “Okay.”

  Why did I agree?

  Alexander roughly turned me, so I faced the door. He practically ripped the dress off me and dropped it to the floor. “Don’t worry. I’ll replace it.”

  He tore off my bra and wet panties too.

  As I stood there, naked except for my heels, the sensuous vampire rained kisses down my spine. When he reached my ass, he palmed the cheeks and then spread them. Seconds later, his tongue suckled my dimpled hole.

  I gasped.

  “Relax. I intend to have you in every way possible.”

  My mind raced. I’d never had anal sex.

  Before I could ponder the prospect, Alexander turned me around and lifted me up. “Just do what I tell you to do. Put your legs around me.”

  Like a fool, I did as I was told.

  There was no teasing. No going easy with Alexander. He pushed his heavy erection against my opening and then pressed himself into me. The vampire was well-hung and much bigger than I was prepared for. Pain ripped through me as he began to move. With each thrust, I wanted to scream out.

  “Don’t hold back. Being with me is about being free,” he said.

  When I didn’t give him the satisfaction, Alexander moved faster. Harder. Filling me so completely. Not making a sound was no longer an option.

  I screamed his name. Once. Twice. Three times.

  His cock seared into me. It was as if the male was branding me. I forgot about hunger. I forgot about how I had ended up in that predicament. My body was on fire with pleasure, and I didn’t want it to stop.

  “Don’t stop.” I held onto him as the door ricocheted with his thrusting.

  “I don’t plan on it. When I do, you won’t be able to walk.”

  7

  District of the Dead

  Morgan

  * * *

  Cleaning up the French Quarter began the following day. It wasn’t what I anticipated, but it was a necessity. The area was littered with bodies, more than I’d seen in a long time. We started in the alley off Carondelet Street with a corpse beneath a ratty blanket. Poor man was caught with his pants down. Was he in the middle of taking a leak, or did the vampiress fuck him, feed, and leave? My money was on the last one.

  Ace stopped beside me. “Reports are coming in up and down Bourbon Street. Our newest rogue must be in the throes of bloodlust to do this much damage.”

  “Possibly.”

  I didn’t relish clearing away the evidence. It would take more than a simple spell to rid the remains. Holding out my hand, I summoned the ancient Katzbalger. The German-crafted sword fit perfectly in my palm. I studied the ricasso emblazoned with the Latin words signifying the mission, Pugnae contra mala. Roughly translated—In the battle against evil.

  The ancient sword allowed me to dispose of the body properly. Severing the head was the only accepted way of eliminating vampires permanently. If we simply burned the corpse, it would rise up like a phoenix from the ashes.

  My husband stared at the weapon. The entire time we’d worked together we had yet to purge vampire remains. The executioner’s blade was most likely foreign to him.

  “Is that what I think it is?”

  Tapping the steel against my palm, I nodded. “It’s the only way to prevent the undead from reanimating.”

  Ace held out his hand. “Then allow me.”

  I passed him the weapon. He raised the sword and swung the savage blade straight down. The edge bit into the victim’s neck, flawlessly separating it from the head. I quickly chanted a clean-up spell, and the body burst into flames. Without blood, there was only the stench of burnt flesh left behind. Waving my hand, I produced a sack for the head. It was up to Mother or one of the Elders to dispose of it. They liked to catalog those things.

  On to the next one…

  It was more of the same. All the bodies were like the first—drained of blood and left for dead. At some point, I lost track of how many heads I’d gathered. Ace heard the incantation so many times he could have performed the clean-up.

  The last corpse we collected was just outside the Bloody Bastard—a nighttime playground for vampires. No self-respecting bloodsucker would kill where they hung out. It was just bad manners.

  “The trail leads here. She must be inside,” ascertained Ace.

  “If she is, she won’t leave. We’ll have to wait until dusk.”

  The female was either a quick study in vampirism or she was with Alexander. Either situation wasn’t good for us. If we dragged her out in sunlight, Council would come down hard on the BGS. We had enough scrutiny without adding mistreatment of vamps to the mix.

  Ace reached for the full sack and leaned against the building. “I’ll station my wolves along the perimeter. They’ll let me know when she moves.”

  Not wanting to lug around the ghastly heads a second longer, I held out my hand and opened a portal. Ace and I stepped through and walked up the stairs leading to Kragen’s home.

  Baldovino opened the door before our feet hit the porch. He held out his hand, took the sack without saying a word, and then pointed a gloved finger to the drawing room.

  Kragen, waiting for us in his usual seat, nodded to the stiff sofa across from him. Colby and Clint were both present.

  “It’s good ta see ya tidied up the mess. Has anyone learned anything about the vampiress?”

  Clint and Colby exchanged a curious glance. Then Kragen’s son said, “According to the bartender at the Bloody Bastard, the new rogue came in right after his shift started.”

  Ace demanded, “Details.”

  Kragen’s expression pinched. He didn’t mind demanding things from others, but he drew the line at his son. Nobody commanded Clint but his father.

  Colby said, “From Everest’s description, she’s the girl from the strip club. She ordered a Vamp’s Delight.”

  Code for a VIP suite. My father’s club masqueraded as an upscale bar and gathering spot. Supernaturals knew it as a vampire feeding den. The VIP stood for Vampires in Need of Privacy. Unsuspecting fools, meaning humans, thought the VIP suites were for high rollers or Julien Vladislav’s favorite customers. Humans couldn’t secure a room no matter how hard they tried, but a vampire desperate for feeding or fucking could get one by uttering the right phrase. It was usually agreed upon ahead of time and given to the servers and bartenders, ensuring the right key was de
livered to the right customer.

  Kragen steepled his fingers. “Clint, head back ta the bar. Camp out there and be our eyes and ears.”

  His son jerked his head toward the door, and Colby left with him.

  Baldovino slipped soundlessly into the room. “What did you need, Master?”

  “Summon Edwina. Have the car ready as well. As soon as the rogue attempts ta leave the Bloody Bastard, I want her picked up. Bring her directly ta me. Understood?”

  “Yes, Master.” The lofty fiend retreated as noiselessly as he came.

  Our boss stared at us. “I see ya have done nothing ta dissuade their relationship.”

  “If you’re referring to Clint and Colby, I have no intention of interfering. As much as it pains me to know my son is interested in yours, it’s not my business.”

  Kragen’s face darkened. “I don’t understand the attraction.”

  The most truthful words he’d ever spoken. His issue was the same one he had with Etienne and his mate, Rodrigo. The first time the couple came to the mansion and proceeded to show a little PDA, Kragen went ballistic. Our leader extraordinaire was a homophobic bastard who probably even had racist tendencies. Thankfully, he had enough good sense not to go there in front of Ace.

  “But that’s not why I wanted ta speak with ya,” Kragen announced. “I understand the Merciers are still presenting a problem. The Red Witch is in town, and she’s currently dealing with another matter regarding that family. We can’t afford ta split up the agents ta deal with two issues.”

  Sitting forward, I said, “Ace and I can handle—”

  “No. I need ya on top of the situation with the rogue. Plus, Edwina may become a whole other problem. Under no circumstances can I allow her ta end Alexander. Not without just cause, that is.”

  “Ya don’t think the fact he turned her is a just cause?” Ace asked. “Tell me, Kragen, would ya feel differently if a vamp came here and turned Clint?”