Protected by the Vampires

by ERIN BEDFORD

  Lifting his head, Wynn brushed his lips against my lips, my cheeks, and then my forehead. "Whatever happens tonight, I want you to remember this moment. Right here. Because I will. For the rest of my existence and after."

  I frowned at Wynn for a moment and then laughed. "What are you going on about? What's happening tonight?"

  Wynn withdrew from me and shook his head with a lopsided grin. "Nothing. Forget it. I'm getting maudlin is all. Let's get you dressed before Darren gets in here and starts griping about me messing up his artwork."

  I sat up, still frowning. I wasn't sure if I believed him. Something was going on. Not anything good, I was sure.

  Slipping off the bed, I pulled my panties back on and shuffled over to the bathroom to check my hair and makeup. Darren really was a master at doing hair. I never had this much body or curl to my hair in my life. Turning back to the bedroom, I walked over to the dress that I was still surprised I was going to get to wear.

  Lifting the dress off the hanger, I held it out to Wynn. He opened the back for me to step into the red, tutu lace evening gown. The bottom was so long that it trailed behind me when I walked. I pulled the sheer, long-sleeved lace sleeves up and turned. Wynn's fingers caressed my skin as he buttoned up the back. I swept my hair over my shoulder, exposing my neck so he could get the rest of the buttons. When he was done, Wynn leaned down and kissed the side of my neck, nipping at it and making me gasp.

  "You look beautiful," Wynn murmured into my ear, his hands grasping my hips. "Keep your wits about you tonight. There will be many games afoot and none of them you want to lose."

  "I will." I watched him in the mirror, trying to read his face, but he had a good poker face going on. I'd have to pick an easier target. Maybe Rayne. He was easy to twist around my finger.

  The door to the bedroom opened and in came the very person I wanted to see. Rayne was dressed in a suit and bow tie. His red hair was slicked back and he had a bashful look on his face. "Piper, wow. You look...great. Really, wow."

  I turned around and smiled. "You do too. I don't think I've ever seen you so cleaned up."

  Scratching his ear, Rayne ducked his head. "Yeah, well, Antoine isn't that fond of elaborate parties like our master is. Thank fuck." His eyes moved to Wynn who had a smug expression on his face. Rayne's eyes widened and then sniffed the air. "Did you two just..." His eyes trailed over to the bed. "Antoine is going to be pissed when he finds out you fucked on his bed."

  I crossed my arms over my chest. "He'll only know if you tell him."

  Wynn snorted, and then Rayne laughed and said, "Oh, he'll know without us saying anything."

  Spinning around to Wynn, I smacked him on the chest. "You did this on purpose, didn't you? You just wanted to get at Antoine."

  Wynn wrapped his arms around my waist, but I didn't lean into his embrace, instead pouting my lower lip. "Lovely, it never even crossed my mind. I was too consumed by your beauty and..." His hands slid down my hips, cupping my butt through my dress. "Feminine wiles."

  I dropped my arms and peered up at him. "Really?"

  Rayne scoffed. "Don't listen to him. I can see in his head. He might have been thinking about you, but he was also thinking about Antoine's face when he came in here later."

  Wynn growled at Rayne who smirked. "Someday, you're going to get into the wrong person's head and then end up in the ground."

  I pushed out of Wynn's arm and shook my head. "Antoine's right. You might be old as dirt, but you still act like immature boys." I moved over to the desk and picked up the earrings I was going to wear tonight. Poking one through the hole while looking in the mirror, I scolded over my shoulder, "Really, come on. You don't see me trying to rub you in each other’s faces, do you?"

  "That's because you're the one getting all the benefits," Rayne pointed out with a huff. "We have to take turns. While you get your pick."

  I arched a brow and twisted my other earring around in my hand. "Do you think I planned this? I was only looking for a job. Not a hook up. Especially not with more than one guy. My past self would be appalled at me. Hell, my own mother would blow a gasket if she ever knew." I paused, thinking as I slid the other earring home. "Well, if she remembered anyway. I'm sure you'd wipe that right from her memory too. In any case, I care about you all the same. I haven’t played favorites...well, not much," I added, when Wynn arched a brow at me. "I won't now. So, you can stop having pissing contests, because I'm with you all. Not just one or the other. And since we kind of have forever...I don't plan on picking just one of you. Are you okay with that?"

  Wynn and Rayne stared each other down before turning to me.

  "I'm agreeable to it," Wynn stated, walking over to me and lifting my hand up to kiss it. "As long as you make room for me in your heart and in your bed, I'll stop."

  "Good." I smiled at him softly and then turned to Rayne. "Well?"

  Rayne sauntered over to me, but didn't take my hand like Wynn had. He jerked me against him and captured my mouth with his, kissing me until my toes curled and my knees weakened. Rayne released me with a smirk. "Yeah, I'm good with it." Clearing my throat, I touched up the corners of my lipstick. "Well, since that's settled, I say let's get this party started."

  Rayne chuckled and shook his head, taking my arm in his. "You say that now, but in about ten minutes you're going to wish you were back in here arguing with us."

  "Why?" My brows rose in confusion.

  Wynn took my other arm and looped it through his, patting my hand. "You'll see. If nothing else, our master is a master of the dramatics and overindulgence."

  Chapter 19

  Antoine

  When we lived here before, I hated these parties. Now that I didn’t live here, I loathed them.

  I wanted nothing more than to go home and return to my normal routine. I couldn’t believe I was thinking this, but I’d rather be doing paperwork. God, I was in vampire hell.

  Our master always had a thing for elaborate gestures that made a statement, and usually those statements were, ‘look how much money I have,’ or ‘look how important I am.’ Look at my large, custom-made ballroom with its glass chandeliers and hand-painted ceilings of naked babies. There should be a law against vampires having innocent little babies naked on their ceilings. They were angels, which only made it worse.

  “Why the sour puss, Antoine?" My master stepped up beside me, dressed in one of his extravagant suits—purple and blue everywhere. I was lucky he wasn't wearing a top hat. Oh, wait, there it was. Setting his hat on his head, my master flashed me a fanged grin. "It's a party. You should be having fun. I see your lovely lady is."

  My eyes followed his to where Piper was dancing with the twins. They were taking turns spinning her around the dance floor, causing Piper to giggle and hold her head when she got dizzy. I was happy she was able to have some fun tonight. I only wished it were under different circumstances. Perhaps, I'd have to have more parties at home. I loved to see her smile that way and my chest was pulsating with the emotions coming from her.

  "Yes, well, I'm just a bit peckish is all," I drawled, keeping my eyes on Piper and my brothers. I discreetly also kept an eye on the vampires around the room. Many of them I had lived here in the mansion with for centuries. Rarely did a vampire leave this house would without their souls ripped to shreds like Valentine, and now, they were watching Piper like she was the hot new item on the menu.

  "Well..." My master clapped me on the shoulder and steered me away from the dance floor. "Why don't you come over here and taste some of the fine options we have for this evening." I forced back a grimace as he ushered me over to the buffet table. In various stages of undress, the 'donors'—which were more often than not just charmed—sat along the edge of the buffet table. Many of them had bites lining their necks and arms, since most of the vampires here were too selfish and inconsiderate to heal them before leaving them.

  "Here you are, take your pick." My master swept his hand down the line and then pointed at a young gentleman who was b
arely eighteen. "You must try this one. It's delicious."

  The way he talked about humans like they were only food and not intelligent beings sickened me. It made me wonder how I ever thought this man could be a safe haven for anyone. I should never have brought Piper here.

  To the right of me, a long blonde-haired woman with soft brown eyes cried out. A vampire knelt between her thighs, taking blood from the femoral artery. The woman let out a small whimper before collapsing on the table, her eyes wide and empty. The familiar, strawberry blond head stood up from the ground, licking his lips.

  Turning to me, he gave me a wolfish grin. "Well, I guess she's done. I didn't mean to drain her dry but..." He trailed off, his eyes sliding toward Piper on the dance floor. "She was just so damn good."

  My fingers curled into tight fists and I couldn't help myself from taking a step toward him. Valentine grinned as if begging me to come at him.

  Our master stepped between us with a chuckle. "Now, now, boys. This is a party, no fighting. And Valentine..." He tut-tutted, patting him on the chest. "Bad form. Save some for the rest of us."

  "My apologies, master." Valentine bowed slightly to him, before lifting his gaze to me and smirking. "I'll be sure to share in the future."

  "That's my boy, now go have some fun." Our master chuckled and then shifted to me. "I'm going to see if I can get a bit more out of that one over there, but feel free to taste any of them, just don't get too carried away. Disposing of bodies in the modern age is a pain in the ass." He winked and chuckled before walking back toward the young man.

  I glanced down the line of donors and my appetite disappeared. How was I ever like this? Was I just a completely deranged animal?

  A large shadow fell over me and without looking, I asked, "Are we prepared?"

  "Everything is ready," Marcus answered, not bothering to lower his voice. In a room full of vampires, it was hard to keep a secret. We'd perfected the art of speaking in code. We had to in this house or we wouldn't have survived.

  "Very well, and does she suspect?" I turned to face the dance floor once more, where Piper slow danced with Wynn. I had hoped to get a dance in with her myself, but it would have to wait until after. There was too much at stake tonight. Personal needs would be put on the back burner.

  "Not that I'm aware."

  "Rayne," I said in a normal tone, gaining the youngest member of my household's attention from across the room. In a moments time, he appeared next to me. Does Piper suspect anything? I don't want her involved in this.

  Rayne stared at the lovely blonde for a moment, and then replied, "She knows something is going on but not what. Though, I'm sure she has guessed that as well. Our girl isn't dumb."

  "No," I murmured, taking a glass of warmed blood off a passing tray. "She's not." I drained the glass. I would need all my strength for this, and I didn't want to give Valentine the upper hand by starving myself to save my own morals.

  We watched Piper dance sin silence. This would be a big night for us all. If things go wrong... Get Piper and the others out of here if something happens. Do you understand me, Rayne?

  Rayne nodded. "Of course. I won't fail you." He paused, and stared hard at the dance floor. "I won't fail her."

  I know you won't. My eyes found Valentine in the crowd. He chitchatted with a few of the local vampires who had shown up to play, before making his way to the terrace. Valentine had one weakness, one thing that still kept him human.

  Smoking.

  It was a habit he picked up in life and had carried over into his undeath. He was addicted to it. Like clockwork, he would go out to smoke every two hours regardless of what he was doing. He’d tried to smoke inside, but our master hated the smell and insisted he go outside. We planned on using that weakness against him.

  "It's time." I adjusted my tie and slipped my hands into my pockets, before walking toward the terrace doors. Wynn passed Piper off to Allister before making his way behind me. He'd stop and chat with a few people first before joining me. We didn't want anyone to get suspicious. It would have been perfect if Valentine had started a fight with one of the other guests like he usually did, but it seemed that tonight Valentine was on his best behavior.

  I stepped out into the night air and scanned the terrace for that familiar back. I frowned. He wasn't there. Walking farther out onto the terrace, I scanned the area for him, but didn't see him or the glow of his cigarette anywhere.

  "Looking for me."

  I forced myself to not react as his form appeared behind me. I slowly turned around to face him. "I thought we could have a chat." I let my lips curl up at the edges as I watched him tap the end of his cigarette. "Now, what could we talk about. Oh, I know. How about how much of a fucking bastard you are?"

  Valentine's brows rose and he clutched a hand to his chest. "You wound me, brother. Are you really going to let some little human slut come between us?"

  My jaw clenched and I stepped toward him, erasing some of the distance between us so I could look him in the eye. "Do not talk about Piper that way."

  Grinning like a fiend, Valentine took a long drag of his cigarette before flicking his it away. "Oooh, big brother. What ever will you do about it?" He moved in until we were inches apart. "Are you going to kick my ass? Does she mean that much to you? Or is she just that good of a lay? I mean, I could see it. Her blood was oh so sweet." He put one finger after another into his mouth like he was licking off her blood right there. "Come on, give me your best shot."

  Wynn appeared behind Valentine and my lips ticked up. "No, but he will."

  Grabbing Valentine by the chin before he could even call out for help, Wynn snapped Valentine's neck. I searched around for anyone that might have heard us before reaching down to grab Valentine by the shoulders. "Come on, we have to get him out of here before he wakes up."

  Wynn picked up Valentine's legs and we hopped over the balcony, landing in the outside gardens. "This way." Wynn jerked his head to the right of the path. "This takes it to the center of the hedge maze. It'll take forever for anyone to find him."

  Not wasting any time, we hurried down the stoned path and into the tall, green hedges. Moving as quickly as we could, we almost didn't stop soon enough when we heard a giggle and then a groan. Dammit. Of course, someone would decide to fuck out here tonight.

  "Wait," I told Wynn.

  We listened as the sound of the two lovers moved farther away before moving once more. "It sounds like they are going to the stables."

  Wynn snorted. "Fucking stables. Like he even rides them. Those beasts are too scared of his ugly mug to let him anywhere near them."

  I chuckled along with him, but then quieted as we came to the center of the maze. There was a well here with a bench. Our master was a whimsical kind of vampire. It made for an odd pairing to the madness inside of him. Usually, I'd roll my eyes at his display of whimsy, but tonight I was thanking him for giving us such a convenient place to get rid of a body.

  "Shit, he's waking up." Wynn shifted Valentine's legs in his arms. "I don't remember him recovering this fast before."

  I scowled. "He just drained a whole woman. I should have known he'd wake up sooner rather than later." I leaned my portion of him against the bench. "Hold him."

  Wynn dropped Valentine's legs and walked around the back of the bench, reaching for Valentine's arms so I could stake him. Just as Wynn touched him, Valentine's eyes flipped open and he snarled. He grabbed Wynn's hand and sank his fangs into it.

  Wynn yelled and tried to pry him off of him. "Fucking stake him already. He's going to bite my fucking hand off."

  I pulled the wooden staked I'd hidden up my sleeve out and rushed him. Valentine's eyes shot to me and he kicked out, hitting me in the chest. I flew back and into the nearby hedge, dropping my stake. Valentine released Wynn and grabbed the back of his head, before slamming it in the stone bench. The bench split in half and Wynn was out cold.

  "You thought you could take me? With just you and the man whore?" Valentine swipe
d his face with the the back of his hand as he climbed to his feet. "You should have brought Marcus, at least then it would be a fair fight." He picked up my discarded stake. "You know, I could forgive this if it was for a good reason, but for her? A human? Come now, brother. When did you become so weak?" he growled, then kicked me in the stomach before I could get out of the way.

  I grunted and clutched the area. "I'm not weak. I just realized I didn't want to be in bed with the devil anymore."

  Valentine tried to kick me again, but I grabbed his foot and twisted. He fell to the ground and dropped the stake. I scrambled over him to grab it, but his hand found it again. We struggled on the ground, each of us trying to get the upper hand.

  When Valentine had me pinned to the ground, he threw his head back and laughed. "Better to be in bed with the devil than licking his boots. Now, you'll go to hell, but don't worry, I'll send your whore with you soon enough." He lifted the stake in the air, but as it came down, he was launched off of me.

  Wynn tackled Valentine to the ground, his own stake in his hands. Valentine was so surprised, he didn't even realize Wynn had one as well until it was sinking into his chest cavity. Valentine made a gurgling sound in his throat, his eyes going to me. His mouth moved, but no words came out before his eyes closed and he slumped to the ground.

  Sighing, Wynn wiped the blood from his forehead before looking up at me. "Well, that didn't go as planned."

  "No," I agreed, dusting myself off. "It didn't."

  He stood and then kicked him with his foot, but Valentine didn't move. "Now what?"

  I jerked my head to the well. "We get rid of the body and get back to the ballroom before anyone suspects."

  As he picked up Valentine's dead form, Wynn chuckled and murmured, "Oh, someone will suspect. They just won't be able to prove it was us."

  I hoped Wynn was right. I prayed he was. But when did anything in life or death go just our way?