by Unknown
Chapter Four
I blinked in the bright lights of the security room. Television screens were mounted on the walls with multiple camera feeds from what appeared to be outside and inside the nest. I steeled my spine at the military cut of Sin’s home. From the pictures reflected on the screens, everything seemed made of a minimalist’s dream. I couldn’t picture a more opposite place from the home I grew up in.
The guards eyed me with a combination of curiosity, distaste, and lust. I wasn’t used to the distaste part but I remembered my disheveled appearance in the SUV’s mirror. I looked like I’d been ridden hard and long. One of them grabbed my hand and assessed the manacle damage around my wrist. He shook his head and let me go without comment.
Sin punched a long series of numbers into a pad by another steel door. It slid into the wall like something from a science fiction film. As soon as I followed through it snapped shut, almost catching the tail end of my blanket.
“This is like Fort Knox. Paranoid much?” We stood in what I could only call a grand living room with plenty of couches in different shades of gray. It obviously was created for social events but was completely empty.
“We’re vulnerable during the day. Security is the number one thing vampires crave.” He paused halfway across the room and I almost ran into his back. “This is the largest vampire nest in the northeast. Do you know why?”
My mouth hung open as I tried to kick start my brain. “Uh…because you give them security?”
He gave me a small smile and I half expected him to pat me on the head like a good dog. “Yes. I protect what’s mine and in return they give me loyalty.”
“What happens if they’re disloyal?”
“Depends.” He shrugged. “They get a private session with me in the dungeons and either they die or they live.” When Sin said the word dungeon I didn’t think he meant the kind used in the local BDSM club, Cleaver, that catered to the paranormal community. Something as old as him wouldn’t understand the niceties of this age like safe words. He traced my face with a fingertip. “Just be a good girl, Pia. It’s not that hard.” Obviously, he knew nothing about me.
“Sure. Do I get clothes?” I let the blanket fall.
His gaze dropped to my body almost as fast as the blanket had fallen off. “We’ll find you something. Follow me.” He led me deeper into the building.
I rewrapped the blanket around me and hurried. We passed a few people, some working at computers, others playing games. One was working on the plumbing in the wall. Nobody bowed or scraped to Sin but they all hesitated as he passed, watching him from the corners of their eyes.
He waited for me by an elevator when his cell phone rang. He answered it. “Flynn.”
I stopped mid-step. That was my dad. I shook my head.
“Yes, she’s here.” He paused. “She doesn’t want to talk to you.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m not a nurse maid. She’s out tomorrow. If she won’t go home with you then that’s not my problem. I brought her back to Lake City. It’s up to you to keep her here.”
I could hear my father’s voice grow louder and more threatening. Many races took mine for granted, thinking us powerless sex mongers, but they all fell prey to us when we wanted. My father had proven this. He’d taken Lake City by storm all by himself and brought order to it so his daughters would have a safe place to grow up. I loved him so hard.
Zur-Sin’s face grew serious. “That wasn’t part of the deal.” His narrow gaze daggered me. “I experienced Pia’s power first hand.”
I took a step back. I didn’t like the calculating look in Sin’s eyes.
“What are you offering?” He reached out and twirled one of my curls around his finger. “I want a blood contract. Something that’s binding. We can knock out the details tomorrow.” He hung up on my father and gave me a smug smile. “Daddy doesn’t trust you.”
“What did you do?” I yanked away from his touch and ignored the sharp pain from my pulled hair.
His eyes went wide and innocent. “I didn’t do anything.” He held out his hands like he hadn’t just coerced my father into another deal. “Seems like your father is worried about your feeding habits. That’s not my fault.”
“What deal did you agree to?” I crossed my arms.
“That depends on you. Do you want to go back to your family or stay with me?”
“That’s like asking me if I want to stab myself in the left eye or the right. The answer’s neither.”
“You act like you have a choice. How far do you think you can run before Daddy sends me after you again? And how much are you willing to let him lose in the process?”
“You’re a top class jerk.”
He raised an eyebrow as if waiting for my answer.
“Here.”
“As long as you live in my nest you belong to me. You sleep with who I tell you to without question. You do as you’re told. That’s the only way I’ll agree to this.”
I leaned toward him. “My dad’s paying you to take care of me. Why should I listen to you?”
He gripped my chin and pulled up until we were breathing each other’s air. “Because I don’t need you. My life would be easier without having a spoiled princess to watch over.” He dropped me.
I caught my balance and glanced over my shoulder at the metal door exiting outside. This was it. Once I agreed to Sin’s demands I’d be cutting off my family for good. Sure, I had left them when I’d gone to college but there had been visits and phone calls. From now on Pia Marie Blyton would vanish and only Pia would exist.
I nodded. He’d won. I rather give up my freedom. It’s what I deserved anyway.
He passed a key card over a sensor to activate the elevator. According to the numbers on the control panel inside the elevator, we were on the top floor. We dropped halfway to level ten and exited into a more crowded area. “It’s getting close to sunrise, so most of my people have returned.” He pointed across the room. “The kitchen is well stocked. I expect you to make your own meals or seduce one of the humans who live here to do it for you.” Grabbing my hand, he pulled me through the crowded room.
I struggled to get free but Sin didn’t seem to notice. People brushed against me on each side. I moaned and clutched my lower abdomen. All there was between me and them was this cheap blanket. I only had to drop it. Was Sin trying to set off an orgy?
We stood in a recreation room with the biggest flat screen TV I’d ever seen. A soccer game was on and the space was standing-room only.
I caught my hand reaching out to caress the closest person to me. Damn it. Pull it together, Pia. I tucked my hands under my armpits.
Sin leaned toward a male. “Who’s winning?”
“Rio.”
“Fuck.” Sin grimaced.
“For once you might owe me money.” The male spoke absently, his gaze riveted on the television until he saw me. His attention suddenly swung my way. “Who’s this?”
“Rat, this is Pia. My new succubus pet. She needs quarters.”
I tried to pretend I wasn’t just wearing a blanket. “Nice to meet you.” The crush of people around me flared my hunger to critical mass. Touch could do that. I was seconds from jumping anyone. Male, female, sheep…
Rat’s gaze wandered over me. “Yeah.” Then he turned his back and tugged a huge set of keys off his belt. He went through them until he found the one he wanted and took it off, handing it to me. “Right next to mine, just in case you need a midnight snack."
I snatched it away from him and fled the room. Once by the elevators, I stared at the key. I hoped it locked from the inside as well or that Rat didn’t have a master key on that ring. I leaned my forehead against the cool metal of the elevator and panted.
Sin loomed over me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I’m tired.” And still hungry but not starved enough to lose complete control and jump the closest person. That was my problem. I wasn’t amoral enough to be a succubus. My sisters would have taken Rat’s open invitation with
a satisfied smile. I, on the other hand, didn’t like the way Rat’s gaze oozed over my flesh. “I’d like to shower.”
“You just did.”
I flinched. Neither of us said anything more.
He looked at the room number on the key. “He won’t touch you without my permission and I won’t give it unless you make me.” The threat hung in the air between us. I was his pet. His to punish, to feed, to clothe and whatever else. Be a good girl, Pia. What he hadn’t said was or I’ll feed you to low-life scum who want nothing more than your body.
I nodded, not trusting my mouth.
“Gigi,” he called to someone farther down the hall.
A small female came hurrying to Sin’s side. She kept her eyes downcast and all but huddled against him. Not in fear of him—she seemed more afraid of me.
“You both look the same size. Can you lend Pia something to wear?” He fixed his gaze on me. “I’ll get your family to send some of your clothes here tomorrow.”
He handed Gigi my key. “Show her where this room is and tell her about the rules.”
She nodded and with hesitant fingers gestured for me to follow.
Sin returned to the room where the crowd cheered.
Following Gigi along the long corridor, I passed many used rooms. “I didn’t realize there were so many vampires.”
“There aren’t. The upper floors are mostly for humans.” She kept her gaze down and moved fast through the crowded hall. Thank goodness.
I had to shove and push to keep up with her. “Slow down, Gigi.” I almost lost the fucking blanket when someone stepped on it. I gave it a hard yank, freeing it from the person’s foot.
She slowed to a stop and allowed me to catch up before showing me inside her room. It was very…pink. In the corner stood a wardrobe that she opened. “Take what you want.”
Gigi was blond and petite. She had an invisible bruised look to her. My succubus senses were tingling and I didn’t mean the sexual ones. For some reason I could sense a supernatural person’s power. Sin’s power gonged close to a holy-shit scale where Gigi barely registered at all, but it also meant she wasn’t human.
If she was a vampire and just recently fed, she could pull off the flushed look. I didn’t get a predator vibe from her. She seemed more like prey. I scanned her wardrobe and picked out a pretty green dress with a flared skirt, but her feet were bigger than mine so none of the shoes fit.
“I have flip-flops or slippers. Those don’t need to fit that well. It should do for the night.” She held up my choices, still not meeting my gaze.
“Flip-flops.” I ran my finger under her chin and lifted so we could see eye to eye. “I don’t bite, Gigi.” I raised my eyebrow. “Do you?”
She grinned. Not because she found me hilarious but to show she didn’t have fangs. “You smell like pack.”
“I do?” I dropped my hand. “I—I snuggled a wolf shifter today.” Part of me cringed at what I said. Snuggling didn’t come anywhere close to what I’d done to poor Cooper but Gigi just seemed so—so sweet, I was tripping over my tongue not to offend her.
Her gaze still remained wary. “But you’re not one?”
“No, I’m a succubus.” I held out my hand. “Pia.”
“I’m a wolf shifter.” She shook it gently but fast. “I don’t like pack.” But apparently vampires were okay for her, and for me, so we had a little common ground to work with.
“Why are you living on the human floor?”
“I’m not afraid of them. They really can’t harm me. Your room is on the bottom floor, right in the middle of the oldest of the master’s vampires.”
“Oh, well that sucks.” I winked at her. “Pun intended.”
She blinked at me as if I was short a few marbles. “Let me show you.” This time she didn’t race away, leading me to the elevator again. “There are stair cases at the end of each side of the corridors if you’d rather climb.”
“When you say ‘master,’ do you mean Sin?”
Her eyes went wide. “Zur-Sin.” She corrected. “He’s our master.”
I shook my head. “He’s my owner, but no one masters me. Not even myself.” The elevator doors opened.
She took me to the lowest level. The area was more elegant and less industrial. The lights held a softer tone with less neon. As we strode down the corridors, I noted the rooms seemed much larger. Another elevator stood next to the one we had taken. “Where does the other one go?”
“To the master’s private apartment. You need a key to make it run.” She stopped in front of a door and unlocked it. “This is your room.”
A moan echoed in this quieter part of the nest. Someone was having a good time at least. I leaned to the side to get a better look at my neighbors.
“It’s coming from the feeding room.” Her eyes grew haunted and she pointed at the end of the hall. “I better go.” She almost ran back to the elevator.
I glanced at my room. Bed, closet, desk, whatever. It was a place to sleep. I took note of a shared bathroom across the hall equipped with a few shower stalls and surprisingly a few hot tubs. My bedroom door did lock from the inside with a dead bolt, but I’d assume the lock wouldn’t stop a vampire from kicking the whole doorframe down.
Sitting on the edge of my bed, I tried to ignore the sounds traveling from the feeding room. The moans were growing louder and less controlled. Those were not feeding noises. Those were having great sex noises. I stuck my fingers in my ears.
Sin said he would tell me who to feed from, but if he didn’t give me a menu soon I’d be going buffet crazy on those fuckers down the hall.
Chapter Five
Someone shook me. I’d curled into a ball on my bed, facing the wall, with my fingers in my ears and humming to myself. Sitting up, I faced the vampire.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
A woman’s orgasmic scream echoed down the hall. I pointed in that direction. “How was this supposed to be a good idea, Sin?”
His eyebrows furrowed. “Zur-Sin.”
I sat on the edge of my bed, my shoulders slumping in defeat. “I still need to feed.” The prospect of jumping some stranger’s cock left a bad taste in my mouth. When I’d first started feeding three years ago, one-night stands had been exciting. I’d go out with my sisters and hunt. It was fun. Then I discovered that a lot of males didn’t like being cast aside and that I preferred the sweeter varieties of men rather than those who wanted to just bump hips. Those relationships spiraled out of control from there.
Control.
That was the key. I didn’t have any. Knowing what I had to do and actually doing it was not working for me. I should hunt humans. Use them, discard them, repeat as necessary. Yet as soon as I’d met one who was super nice to me, I fell so hard, so fast I had whiplash.
“Pia!” Sin knelt in front of me, holding my trembling shoulders. “We’ll go down to the feeding room and see who’s there.” He helped me to my feet. “You can choose who you want.”
I rested my hand on his chest. “You choose for me.” Picking my own meals had proven disastrous. Maybe if I let a jerk like Sin make the decisions, I’d be better at living with my demon nature. My fingers curled, gripping his shirt. “And don’t leave me.” I hiccupped the last word. Sin could mend my body, but who would fix the really broken parts inside? If I swept my soul free of debris, would there be anything left?
“Come on. The sun is rising so only my older vampires will still be moving around. That might be a good thing.” He pried my fingers off his shirt and guided me toward the feeding room. “They’ll be curious about you and they have more patience than the younger ones. Most of the time.”
For every one of Sin’s strides, I had to take two almost running steps. He didn’t leave me a choice since he clutched my hand. Ever since he barged into my motel room he hadn’t given me any choices. He’d made me feed from him and Cooper, two males I’d never met before today, and I still managed to breathe. This was a good thing, I think. A pattern I could
manage and live with. I was such a massive fuck-up because I’d been following my heart. What I needed was to ignore my instincts to care about my lovers and just do as Sin told me. Let him have control since he seemed more competent. And ruthless.
Standing in the threshold of the feeding room, I gazed wide-eyed. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but not a scene that should have fit in an incubus’ den. Large cushions of varying shades of earth tones were piled in the center of the room where all the action was taking place.
I rose to tiptoe and whispered in Sin’s ear, “I didn’t know vampires did orgies.”
He snorted. “Do you think your people have exclusive rights?” He pulled me inside to one of the love seats placed as if for audiences. Nice touch. “Let’s watch and see who’s here.” Leaning his chin on his palm, he observed the bodies in the dim light.
“Are there more rooms like this?” I kicked off my flip-flops and squished my toes into the plush carpet. It must be a bitch to clean this room.
“Not really.” He sighed. “Most of my nest is more private about their leisure.”
I watched a female vampire feeding from a human male’s neck. His mouth hung open as if caught in bliss. “So I couldn’t help notice the humans everywhere.”
Sin chuckled. “I wasn’t trying to hide them from you.”
“I thought letting humans know what we are was against the law.”
“It is.”
“My dad will have kittens when he finds out.” I had no doubt he’d discover Sin’s secret. Dad didn’t rule Lake City because he had a good heart. He was very resourceful and intelligent. I swallowed the lump growing in my throat. “Forget it. I don’t care if he knows.”
Sin tossed me an amused glance. “He knows.”
“But—”
He pressed his fingers over my mouth. “These humans will never leave my nest. They volunteer to feed us for a chance to become vampire.” He pointed to another human male whose mouth opened in a silent scream as he came. Small baby fangs protruded from his gums. “It takes five years if they can survive that long.”
