Victor’s eyes turned molten gold. “And I told you, I don’t hit women.”
“Yes, but you also said you don’t like ‘fangers’.” Taylor’s blue eyes flashed. “If you’re rude enough to call me names to my face, I don’t know what else you might or might not do. I don’t know you.”
“I don’t know you, either, lady, but it looks like that’s gonna change,” he growled. “Sure, I’ll swear not to touch you. Believe me, that won’t be a problem. I don’t like the undead in my bed.”
“And I don’t like fur on my sheets,” Taylor shot right back. I could see the hurt in her eyes but she wasn’t about to let the big bastard of a werewolf get the better of her. I squeezed her hand again.
“Good for you,” I whispered.
She gave me a quick glance and tried to smile but I could tell how much effort it was costing her. She was upset and who could blame her? Basically, she was being forced to marry a man she didn’t know—a man who was the sworn enemy of her own people, if you could call vampires her people, that was.
“I’m glad we’re all in agreement.” Corbin clapped his hands. “Very well, let’s adjourn to the back room for the ceremony. I will be officiating.”
I look at him in surprise. “You’re an ordained minister? Of what church?”
“The vampire religion is nondenominational. Basically I am empowered to conduct binding ceremonies between those of my kind and, well…whoever they wish to be bound to.”
I was pretty certain that Taylor and Victor had no wish to be bound together but Corbin wasn’t giving them much of a choice. And since Roderick was on his way, it really did look like the only option.
With a sigh, I put my arm around Taylor’s waist and we left the office together.
Chapter Fifteen
“If I would have known I was going to be your maid of honor I would have worn something besides black,” I whispered as we walked up the aisle—actually just the center of the small room near the back of the club, which was usually rented out for corporate functions.
“That’s all right—it’s not like it’s for real,” Taylor whispered back, clearly trying to be brave. “I mean, is it?”
“No, of course not. Not really,” I assured her uneasily as we paced slowly forward.
Corbin had been thoughtful enough to have the room decorated with white lilies and blood red roses. There was even a small altar at the front with a padded bench, presumably where the bride and groom would kneel across from each other. Corbin stood beside the altar, waiting patiently and holding a large, ornately carved golden chalice in his hands. The soft strains of Pachelbel’s Canon piped in through the hidden speakers completed the wedding feel of the place.
“At least the room looks nice even if I am dressed in black,” I said, trying to comfort her. “And you look beautiful.”
“Fat lot of good it does me,” she muttered back. “Marrying a guy who already hates me.”
“He’ll love you when he gets to know you,” I said. “And if he doesn’t, screw him. You’ll be out of it in three months.”
“Three months. Right.” She sighed unhappily. We were almost to the end of the aisle where Corbin and Victor were waiting. The were had put on a black suit coat, probably loaned to him by Corbin, which was stretched tight across his massive shoulders, and he was glaring at poor Taylor.
“Stop looking at her that way,” I snapped at him. “She’s beautiful and perfect and you’re lucky to get her. Besides, she’s saving you fifty thousand dollars, you ungrateful bastard.”
“Addison…” Corbin gave me a warning look. “Here at the altar of unity only words of love and devotion may be spoken.”
“Fine,” I muttered. Giving Taylor’s arm one last squeeze, I stood back. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right.” She gave me a grateful look and then turned to face Corbin. “I am ready, Master.”
“Very well.” He nodded and cleared his throat. “We are gathered here tonight to join this male and female and give them in ownership one to another. If anyone can show just cause why this should not be so, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
He gave me a stern glance and I bit the inside of my cheek. I had plenty of reasons why my poor friend shouldn’t be handed over like chattel to a rude, ungrateful werewolf but it was the only way to save her.
I kept silent.
“Good,” Corbin said after a pause. He looked pleased. “Will the two of you kneel before me now and join hands?”
Taylor knelt at once side of the padded alter and Victor knelt opposite her. He was so much bigger than her that even kneeling, he towered over my friend. Then they just looked at each other.
“And join hands,” Corbin repeated, frowning.
There was an awkward pause and then Victor held out his hands stiffly. With a deep breath, Taylor took them.
I saw a shiver run through her as their hands met and clasped, causing my heart to go out to her. Poor thing, after what Roderick had done to her, it was probably painful to even touch a man—any man—let alone the big, hulking werewolf.
“Very good,” Corbin said. “Now Victor, repeat after me: I, Victor, do swear to take you, Taylor for my own. To defend you from any who wish you harm, to nourish you both body and soul, and to cherish you above all others for as long as our union shall last.”
Victor looked rather uncomfortable but he repeated the words, only stumbling a little over the “cherish” part of the ceremony. Then it was Taylor’s turn to repeat the vows, which she did, looking Victor in the eyes the whole time although she was as pale as a sheet of paper.
Corbin turned back to Victor once more. “Do you, Victor, take Taylor as your spouse? Do you swear to honor and treasure her and to never raise a hand to her in anger? Do you promise to never beat or abuse her sexually, physically, or emotionally?”
He nodded briefly. “I do.”
Corbin turned to Taylor and repeated the vows, minus the sexual or physical abuse part. I guess he figured he didn’t have to worry about Taylor beating or raping the huge were, though vamps are as strong as weres and often stronger. But looking at my best friend and her huge new husband, I was pretty sure he would have the upper hand in any physical confrontation they got into. Not that there had better be any confrontations after the oath Corbin had made him swear.
So far it had been a surprisingly human wedding ceremony. I was just thinking that it could almost have been lifted from any church in town, when Corbin raised the chalice he was holding.
“And now we must bind the two of you with blood,” he said, abruptly ruining the lovely illusion of a nice, normal wedding. He held the chalice out to Victor first. “I hold before you the Chalice of Union. Open your vein and shed your blood to form the bond.”
Without hesitation, Victor raised his wrist to his mouth and bit down hard. The sound of his teeth breaking through the skin of his wrist made me wince. Apparently were teeth were as sharp as vamp fangs.
Victor held his bleeding wrist over the golden lip of the cup, pumping his hand to make the blood flow. I saw Taylor watching the thick stream of blood gushing into the cup with a hungry look in her eyes and reminded myself to say something to Corbin about it. She couldn’t live on bagged blood forever—she needed it live, right from the vein if she was going to stay healthy.
When Corbin passed the chalice to her, she bit her wrist and held it out. Nothing but a sluggish dribble came from the self-inflicted wounds. She pumped her hand just as Victor had, opening and closing her fist until three or four drops fell into the chalice. Finally, Corbin nodded and withdrew the cup.
“I add now, the blood of the mother goddess, she who birthed us all to darkness in the beginning,” he said, producing a small crystal vial of liquid so dark it was almost black and adding it to the blood already in the chalice. “It is she who binds you together and she whom you must answer to if you break the sacred vows you have taken here tonight. Do both of you understand?”
Taylor nodded and Victor m
uttered a gruff, “Yes.”
Corbin nodded again. “Good, then drink of each other and become one.”
He handed the chalice to Victor first who took a small sip and handed it back. Corbin then gave it to Taylor.
At first it looked like she was going to do the same thing Victor had, taking only a small, polite drink. But once the blood passed her lips, it seemed like she lost control. She tilted the cup and drank thirstily, draining it dry. Then she lowered it slowly, a look of shame on her face.
“Sorry,” she murmured, passing the chalice back to Corbin.
“It’s all right,” Corbin murmured, looking at me rather than her. “There is no shame in drinking deeply of your beloved.”
For some reason I felt myself blushing. I dropped my eyes and looked away. Though the vampire ceremony was a little strange, I had to admit it was still beautiful. Or would have been if the people getting married really wanted to marry each other.
There was a silence and then Corbin lifted the now empty chalice high.
“By your blood and the will of the goddess, I pronounce you bound together. Let the knot woven by she who made us all never be sundered.”
I wondered if there was going to be a “kiss the bride” part but Victor was already up and moving almost as soon as Corbin stopped talking.
“I have to go,” he told Corbin with a frown. “Things to do.”
Corbin frowned. “And your bride?”
Victor shot a quick look at Taylor who was still kneeling at the altar. “I told you, I can’t take her tonight. I’m getting my place ready—I’ll come back when it’s done.”
“See that you find accommodations for your lovely new wife sooner rather than later.” Corbin’s voice was a warning growl. “Taylor is your responsibility now. I expect you to live up to your end of our bargain.”
“I’ll come for her as soon as I damn well can,” Victor snarled back. “Now can I go or not?”
“Not,” Corbin said coolly. “I need you to stay just a little longer for the benefit of a guest who is a bit late to the ceremony.”
“Are you talking about Roderick?” Taylor rose and came to stand by me.
“Of course.” Corbin closed his eyes for a moment. “And I believe I hear him coming…now.” He looked at Victor. “Be ready and remember your vows, were.”
“I’m not likely to forget them,” Victor growled. “What do you want me to do?”
“Simply claim and protect your female,” Corbin said. “Now.”
As he spoke the last word, Roderick strolled into the room, an ugly look on his face.
“Hello, Corbin,” he said, frowning. “I am here for your inspection. What is this I hear about a wedding going on?”
Chapter Sixteen
“I am afraid you are too late to witness the ceremony,” Corbin said smoothly, taking a step forward and putting himself between me and Roderick. “The vows have just concluded. But at least you’re in time to wish the bride and groom well.”
“And I see the bride is Taylor, the delectable little female I wanted for myself.” Roderick shot Corbin an angry look. “If you think you can keep her from me with this cheap trick, you’re much mistaken.”
Corbin frowned. “It is no trick, Roderick. Taylor and Victor are bound together by blood. By the laws of the goddess which we all live under, they may not be parted.”
“We will see about that.” Roderick stepped up to Taylor, a cold light in his eyes. “You’re looking lovely tonight, sweetheart,” he murmured, looking her up and down in a way that left no doubt of his intentions.
Taylor said nothing but I could see her trembling and she refused to meet Roderick’s eyes.
“That gown suits you,” he continued. “It makes you look extremely fuckable.”
He reached up to touch her cheek but his arm was knocked out of the way. Victor was suddenly standing between him and Taylor.
“What part of “she’s married” don’t you understand, fanger?” he demanded, glowering at the vampire. “The girl is mine. You try to touch her again and I’ll rip your fucking arm out of its socket.”
Roderick’s eyes narrowed with displeasure.
“How dare you speak to me in such a manner? Do you know who I am or what I could do to you, dog?”
“Yeah, I see your ink.” Victor gestured at the six blood red stars tattooed under Roderick’s eyes. “I’m sure you could fuck me up pretty bad. But guess what, fanger—I wouldn’t be the only one fucked up when it was over.” His eyes glowed molten gold and his voice dropped to a deep, inhuman growl. “You wanna try me?”
“Surely there is no need for violence,” Corbin said, stepping forward. He gave a long, low whistle and suddenly a vampire girl with hair as long and dark as Taylor’s was standing by his side. She looked up at Roderick adoringly.
“Is this the one you spoke of, Master?” she asked Corbin. “The mighty Inquisitor come all the way from the Empress herself?”
“Indeed it is, my dear. And he is sadly in need of female company at the moment.”
“Only since you put the one I wanted to fuck out of reach,” Roderick snarled, still staring up at Victor. A low growl was building in the were’s throat and it still looked like violence was imminent.
However, I had underestimated Corbin’s cunning.
“Come, my dear,” he told the female vamp. “Perhaps now is not the time. The Inquisitor appears to be more interested in Taylor.”
“Taylor?” She gave my friend a contemptuous look. “What does he want with her? She’s so weak she can’t even glamour a human to give her blood. She has to live on the bagged stuff.”
I saw Taylor blush pale pink with embarrassment and Victor’s growl grew even louder. But the female vamp’s words seemed to have a positive effect on Roderick.
“What?” He turned toward Corbin. “Is this true? Did Celeste give me a defective fledgling for a bedmate?”
“Alas…” Corbin sighed and spread his hands. “I fear Taylor was wrongly turned—she simply hasn’t the temperament for our kind. I have been trying to get her off my hands ever since I was forced to acquire her in order to keep my consort happy.” He glanced at me and rolled his eyes as if to say, Women.
Roderick frowned suspiciously. “So this was not simply a ploy to keep me from having her?”
“I will admit that giving Taylor back to you would be most upsetting to my consort,” Corbin said. “But I also had to get rid of her when the opportunity presented itself. And besides, I thought you would be much more comfortable with Lucinda.” He nodded at the girl vamp who made a little half curtsy to Roderick.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Inquisitor,” she gushed, batting her eyes at him. “And I understand you’re extremely…creative when it comes to pleasure.”
“That I am, sweetheart.” He turned to her, ignoring the still growling Victor as though the werewolf wasn’t there. Holding out an arm to the female vamp, he murmured, “Shall we go? I’m here for an inspection but I’m certain Corbin won’t mind if I take a few minutes from my busy schedule to sample your charms.”
“Not at all.” Corbin smiled. “Use my office if you like—it’s completely soundproof. But please mind the stacks of paperwork on the desk.”
“Of course.” They turned to go but Roderick shot Corbin one last look. “This isn’t over, Corbin. I’ll return momentarily and we can discuss your many breaches of conduct.”
“I’ll be waiting anxiously.” Corbin sketched him a little salute and watched as Roderick and Lucinda walked out the door.
The minute they were gone, I think everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief. Even the vamps who, strictly speaking, didn’t have to breathe. Taylor still did because, she said it was a habit and besides it helped her smell and taste. But if she had to hide somewhere, say, underwater, she could easily have held her breath indefinitely.
I hoped she wouldn’t have to go to such lengths to get away from Roderick. Maybe now that he was distracted with Little Miss Pe
rfect Vamp, he would lose interest in Taylor. If he did, then I owed Corbin an apology…now there was a pleasant thought.
Victor was still looking at the door, which Roderick had closed behind him, and growling.
“I don’t like that guy,” he remarked, his voice still inhumanly deep. “Arrogant son of a bitch.”
“Arrogance comes naturally to Roderick,” Corbin agreed. Stepping forward, he held out a hand to Victor. “My congratulations—holding your ground against one of our kind, especially one as old and powerful as Roderick—is no easy task.”
“Well, I wasn’t gonna let him just fucking take her.” Victor shook his hand and cast an uneasy glance behind him at Taylor who still looked both unhappy and upset. “What the hell is his problem, anyway?”
Corbin shrugged. “He is, as you said, an arrogant son of a bitch. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and there are few vampires more powerful than Roderick.”
“Well, he’d better stay the fuck away from her if he knows what’s good for him.” Victor looked more closely at my friend. “Hey, you all right?”
“Fine.” She lifted her chin, obviously trying to put on a brave face. “I’m fine.”
“Uh…good.” Victor looked at her for a long moment and it seemed like he might have something else to say. But at last he simply shook his head and turned to Corbin. “I really do have to go. Will she be all right here?”
“Now that you have claimed her and Roderick is busy with other matters, there will be no further problem,” Corbin assured him. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Victor.”
“Yeah, right. Business.” He shook his head. “What a fucking weird night.”
“I have a feeling it’s only going to get stranger,” Corbin murmured.
“Well, I can’t stay for that.” Victor looked at Taylor once more. “Uh, bye.”
“Goodbye.” She turned her head, not looking at him. “I suppose I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah, about that—just let me get my place in order and then…oh hell…” He ran a hand through his hair. “Look, I really do have to go.”
Born to Darkness Box Set Page 18
