Siona felt a chill move through her. Nodding, she watched as Michael fled at top vampire speed. Siona was once again alone and heading back to her ivory tower. For the first time in Siona’s life, her very human pace weighed on her.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Siona jiggled her foot in anticipation as the screen in front of her slowly loaded. She knew it probably wasn’t actually loading slowly – the computer the screen was attached to was a sleek brand new Mac – but the weeks away from civilization made Siona impatient for human connection. The time sequestered with Valad and Michael had shown her that vampires, at least her vampires, were surprisingly enjoyable but they had far too many secrets for Siona to keep up with. All she wanted right now was a long chat with her bestie.
Siona knew that the gift of internet and by proxy, Skype, was really a sort of hush money to keep her happy, quiet and distracted but Siona couldn’t have cared less. She was as pleased with the gift as if it had been given out of pure intentions. Plus, Siona considered the access to the internet as a sign that she had crossed some type of trust threshold with Valad and Michael.
The day Valad had come back from his mysterious mission, injured almost to the point of death, Michael had claimed that Siona needed to get used to the vampire life first, before she was released back into the world. Over the past month and a half, Siona thought she had more than proved herself. Now, she actually understood what Michael had meant by the statement.
When Valad had come in injured, Michael had spent another grueling twenty-four hours nursing Valad into a semblance of stability. When Michael had finally deemed Valad stable enough to leave in the care of a watchful Mrs. Kettle, he had stumbled into Siona’s bed. The man had attacked her as if starved. Michael had littered hot kisses and nips across her skin. Siona’s body responded to Michael without missing a beat, becoming wet and ready sooner than her mind had tracked the change from sleep to wakefulness.
What struck Siona most about that first night wasn’t Michael’s sexual need for her but his need to be as close to her as possible. Michael had pressed the length of his entire body against hers, pressing Siona into the mattress with delicious pressure. His face had been tucked into the curve of her neck, the stubble of his beard rasping against her sensitive skin. Michael had found that spot and stayed there from the first thrust into her welcoming body all the way through their final soul shattering orgasm.
When they’d finished, Siona wondered if Michael would get up and move on, head to the king sized bed he preferred. But Michael only wrapped his long arms around her body and turned them both onto their sides, still intimately joined physically and, Siona was beginning to realize, emotionally.
The next morning, Michael was gone before the sun came up. Siona had spent the day alone as Michael tended to Valad. That night, Michael appeared in her bed again for the hot storm that was his lovemaking. A few days later, Valad was deemed well enough for Siona to visit. Siona had been unprepared for what she saw: Valad looked like a husk of his former self. If Siona had thought the vampires pale before, then Valad’s skin tone was now closer to pure white, translucent even.
Though he had been weak, Valad had managed a smile and seemed comforted to simply have Siona around. Since then, she spent her days going to his chambers and sketching. Valad loved to watch Siona’s artistic process and eventually delighted in debating with her over art and her artistic choices when he felt stronger.
However, as Valad’s strength grew, so did Siona’s curiosity. She was like a cat hunting a mouse; Siona had an all-consuming desire to know where he’d been, what he had done, and how he managed to be so gravely injured without a mark on him. Even the puzzle of why Siona was needed in the Vampires’ castle took a back seat to this new mystery. The darn thing was making her sick, physically sick, but she couldn’t let it go.
The day when Siona actually come to words with Valad, Michael pulled the plug. Michael demanded a little break between Siona and Valad. When Siona wasn’t happy with the separation, he’d thrown in access to the computer. Siona’s lips had been sealed for the moment. Now, she sat happily, mere seconds away from finally chatting with her best friend.
The screen blinked and a little circle told Siona that the Skype session was connecting.
“Siona! Oh my god, it’s really you!”
“Hello! Yes, it’s really me!” Siona squealed and leaned in toward the screen drinking in Kayla’s high cheekbones and now turquoise highlights in her hair. She was about to ask when the change from purple had happened, when a loud explosion sounded in the background. Before Siona could get concerned, Kayla got up and left the view of the camera. In the background Siona heard, “Evan, Marcus, could you turn it down? I’m Skyping with Siona.”
Siona sat back as Kayla came into view again, watching as her friend’s boho maxi dress fluttered to the floor as she sat. Kayla rolled her eyes, “Ugh, you would think since Marcus has his own apartment he’d actually live there instead of on my couch. The guys are playing Halo. Death to everyone, it seems.”
Siona laughed, “Wow, it’s hard to believe you guys are still so normal. I think I forget in the castle, life continued to move on without me. Do you love your classes? Planning a wedding?”
Kayla tucked a stray hair behind her ear, “Yes and yes. Classes are great and I just picked up an internship with one of the Instagram fashionistas I follow. She’s not super huge...but maybe with my flair, she’ll prosper. Wedding plans are in their infancy, I can’t do too much without my bestie...I didn’t know if it would have to be a nighttime affair.” Kayla leaned in close to the screen, “You’re looking awful pale.”
Siona brushed at her cheeks, thinking she probably should have put on a little blush for the video conversation. “Oh no, I’m still incredibly human and I have absolutely no insight as to why the vampires need a girl every ten years. None. I’ve just been feeling a little under the weather lately. Valad was injured and that’s yet another big mystery. All the mysteries are getting to me. I think I’m making myself sick over them.”
Kayla’s eyebrows furrowed in concern, “That’s not like you. Normally you’re all about the gut check. I think you have a sixth sense. You’re usually not so in the dark. Pun intended”
“Ha. Actually I’m not in the dark at all. My room has beautiful windows and I’ve been granted access to the gardens. I feel like a princess in a tower. All the luxury and pleasure at my disposal so long as I paint in the lines.”
Kayla bit her lip, “So they’re demanding? Are they mean? Do they drink your blood? Turn to the side, I want to see your neck!” Siona rolled her eyes, but lifted her hair and showed off her unbroken skin, “Oh my god, is that a hickey? What are you? Twelve?”
At this, Siona blushed and let her hair fall back down into place, “No, I’m not twelve. But I am locked up with two very hot men who find me very attractive. So, uh, let’s just say I’ve been taking advantage of the situation.”
Siona didn’t think her cheeks could get any hotter. Kayla’s eyes went wide and she let out a low whistle. “Wow, I mean I guess we spent so many years fearing the vampires…” Kayla blew out a breath and tugged at her hair, “It’s just going to take some time to wrap my head around the fact that you’re having sex with them.”
Siona shrugged from the other side of the screen; her stomach in knots over the conversation. Siona had forgotten people on the outside might not understand. She hadn’t realized she had been so deep into the oasis of their world.
Kayla seemed to sense the shift in Siona and immediately, a smile brightened her face, “You sound happy about it, though. They’re treating you well? Not making you feel like a prisoner or anything?”
Siona shook her head, “No, actually as time goes on, I can see the necessity for the rules. Like you said, it’s a lot to wrap your head around. I think for everyone’s benefit they wanted to give me time to adjust. I feel more like a guest than a prisoner.”
Kalya nodded, “Good. I’m glad.”
&
nbsp; There was a knock on Kayla’s door and Evan’s voice sounded in the distance, “Kayla, it’s time for class. Want to ride over with us? We’re going to split a cab since we’re running late.”
Kayla responded with a “Sure,” just as Siona heard the door bang off the wall. “Marcus, stop,” Kayla said, annoyed.
Suddenly Marcus’s face filled the screen, his eyes shifting around the corners of Siona’s own video as if searching for something. Siona had the urge to pull the screen tight, to keep her new world away from Marcus’s prying eyes.
“Siona, let us know where you are - we can come and rescue you during the day, when the vampires can’t fight back. We can come now.”
Siona rolled her eyes, “I’m fine, but thank you Marcus for the offer. I’m surprisingly happy here.”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed, “You can’t be serious. Do they brainwash you when they drink your blood? You lived in fear of being chosen for this very purpose and two months later you’re ok with it?”
“Has it really been two months already?” Siona felt a little discombobulated. “Wow, I guess I hadn’t realized so much time had passed…”
Marcus’s eyebrow rose, “See, they are brainwashing you. You have no idea what time it is. You need to get out of there while you still can.”
Siona shook her head, “No, Marcus. Really, there’s just been a lot going on over here lately and I lost track of time. I’m not brainwashed, I’m happy,” she repeated.
Now Marcus was starting to look angry. When Kayla moved to push Marcus aside, he shoved her back, causing Kayla to stumble off screen. “Well it looks like your accommodations are pretty posh, Siona. Who knew the vampires were trying to fatten you up before they ate you. It’s what you’ll deserve if you really think that the vampires are in this for your happiness. No creature takes one girl every ten years to fulfill her wildest dreams. There’s a reason behind this and I’ll take them down for it.” Marcus’s sneer moved away and the screen suddenly went black.
Siona felt a chill run through her body and the world went a little hazy as a vision appeared to her. The scene appeared in startling detail. Terror racked her body. Instinctively, Siona clasped a screaming child to her chest as the room around her burst into flames. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of a man lurching toward her and felt the child being wrenched from her grasp.
As quickly as the vision had come, it dissipated, leaving Siona’s heart racing and a cold sweat covering her body. Clutching her arms around her, Siona huddled in front of the blank screen trying to keep warm. Normally her “sixth sense” as Kayla liked to call it, was a feeling. The sensation was akin to deja vu, a flash of something without a name, leaving behind a fleeting impression. That vision, however, had been undeniable; it had felt real and confusing.
In light of this, things Marcus had said in anger began to bother her. While Marcus was yet again proving to be slightly unhinged, his comments did drive a few points home. First, even if Siona was being kept happy, that didn’t mean she wasn’t here to serve Valad and Michael’s hidden agenda. Second, the violence in his voice triggered the vision. It was a warning, a threat. Third, Siona had been here for two months, and one very strange thing was missing.
“It couldn’t be…” Siona marveled.
CHAPTER NINE
Siona marched down to Michael’s lab without hesitation. On a mission, she didn’t pause to look at the decor and didn’t worry about what she would do when she arrived unannounced. Siona simply took the handle of the heavy wooden door and swung it open, stepping inside ready to demand answers. Deja vu struck as Siona looked around the room, searching for Michael, just as she had more than a month ago.
When she didn’t find him, Siona was thrown. Never in her wildest dreams had she considered that Michael wouldn’t be in his lab. With her hands on her hips, Siona swore. Spinning on her heel, Siona picked up the hem of her white maxi skirt and headed back into the main part of the castle. More predictably, Siona ran into Mrs. Kettle in the kitchen.
“Why, hello dear, can I get you something to eat?” Mrs. Kettle smiled up from what looked like a pie crust in the making. Something was bubbling in the background and Siona’s stomach turned as she smelled the chicken currently boiling on the stove.
Being careful to breathe in and out of her mouth, Siona asked, “No, thank you, Mrs. Kettle. I was actually just looking for Michael. Do you know where he is?”
Mrs. Kettle sprinkled flour over the pastry round and flipped it over, rolling the pin in smooth motions. “Oh, Michael is out for the day. He had to travel to one of his medical suppliers. He’ll be stuck there until sundown when he can travel again.”
Siona felt deflated. Two months of constant contact with the vampire and the one day she actually needed him, Michael was out gallivanting for medical equipment. The man had a freakin’ lab full of stuff, what more could he need?
Mrs. Kettle looked up from the dough and took in Siona’s distraught expression. Her eyes warmed with concern, “Now, Siona. What’s wrong? Michael will be back soon.”
Siona sighed, realizing her mistake as the chicken smell invaded her nostrils. Resisting the urge to plug her nose, Siona responded, “I just needed something kind of urgently.”
Mrs. Kettle brushed the flour off her hands and came around the kitchen’s island. “Can I help you with anything Siona? Is there something I can do?”
Siona bit her lip. “It’s not like you can run to the drugstore for me...You know as a human, I could just do it myself. I, for one, am not allergic to sunlight.”
Mrs. Kettle smiled and swatted at Siona with a tea towel. “Oh my dear, that I can fix. We can simply send out for whatever you need. It’s something that’s available at a drug store?”
Siona blinked, “What, do you guys have human servants I don’t know about? Are you all holding out on me?”
“Oh, no dear. We haven’t had human lackeys for quite some time now. We use an app.”
A small chuckle escaped Siona. “An app.”
The pie crust was expertly rolled on the rolling pin and unfurled in one graceful swoop into the awaiting pie tin. “They have an app for everything nowadays. Just look on your computer I’m sure the boys put it there.”
Siona nodded and headed toward the Viking refrigerator to grab a bottle of water. On her way, she stopped at the pantry and grabbed some saltines, just in case. Mrs. Kettle eyed her snack disapprovingly as she started in on another crust. “Siona honey, I hope you’re hungry. I’m making my world famous chicken pot pie for dinner. I’ve been using the same recipe since the 18th century. The trick is lard.” Swallowing hard, Siona rushed from the room before the urge to get sick overtook her, leaving a confused Mrs. Kettle to bake behind her.
***
Water and crackers in hand, Siona powered up the laptop. Sitting in the cool and sunny space of her room, it started to seem ridiculous that she was even considering ordering what she needed from the drugstore. Away from the lard pie, her stomach was starting to rethink its need to empty its contents. Plus, as soon as Michael came home, Siona would have to explain herself. It would be awfully embarrassing to have Michael inform her that such a thing was simply impossible. For Michael to correct her bumbling ideas made Siona shudder.
Yet, as she double clicked the app and found it preloaded with a credit card and registration, she knew she was going to order it. However, she would at least have to throw in Pepto Bismol for insurance. Siona didn’t want to put all of her eggs in one basket. After clicking “order” a screen informed her it would be about two hours until the package was delivered. Never had 120 minutes seemed so long.
Siona was just about to head to her studio to lose herself in painting when suddenly the blinds started to slowly drop over the windows. As the sunlight filtered away, the light of the chandelier and bedside sconces fluttered to life at a romantic, candlelit setting. When the blinds were fully down, a beep sounded. Surprised, Siona looked to the doorway just as Valad stepped through.
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“I hope you don’t mind, my dear, but Michael would be very angry with me if I set myself back by adding sunlight to my list of injuries.”
As Valad approached the bed with predatory grace, Siona wondered if he was even injured anymore. In the soft lighting of the room, Valad’s pallor had returned to a healthy shade of pale and his frame was again filled out with lean muscle. The rolled sleeves on his shirt revealed forearms that attested to the strength that had come back to his body. As Valad leaned a hip on her bedpost and casually stroked the arch of her foot, Siona raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t know Valad, I think you’re looking pretty pale. If you want to continue being nursed round the clock, I might suggest you need a little exposure.”
Valad lowered his eyelids to half-mast before widening them to a false naiveté. “Oh, I completely agree. Exposure is just what I came looking for.”
Walking around to the side of the bed, Valad pulled Siona toward him by grasping onto her ankle again. Running his hand up the length of her inner thigh raised Siona’s heart rate and lifted her long white maxi dress as well. Siona wasn’t sure if the tremors running up her skin were due to the air or the cool hand stroking the length of her leg from knee to inner thigh.
Valad looked down at Siona in naked need, “All those weeks of watching you paint, watching your hands grasp the brushes, seeing the intensity in your eyes. I’ve been dying to have you again.”
As his lips touched the skin just below her jawline, Siona gasped, “Have you been cleared for sex? Did Michael ok this?”
Valad chuckled. “I’ve cleared myself. I’m a big boy, I’ll take my penance if it sets me back a bit. But right now I’m more than strong enough for you.”
Valad’s hands reached down and pulled Siona’s breasts out over the scalloped edge of her tank top. Her nipples rasped against the fabric with a pleasure that had them tightening in response. Valad’s gaze turned a molten form of grey as he took in Siona’s aroused skin. Looking deep into his eyes, Siona thought that they were almost like liquid silver in the low light.
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