by Alisha Basso
I was standing at the foot of the bed, although I didn’t remember getting up. Lucian was staring at me. The look of pain was gone from his eyes, replaced with something I couldn’t identify.
“What would you have had me do? Should I have refused Seth? Run away from the ring? From my friends? Would that have made me nobler?” I was pacing, the tunic barley covering me as I walked. The cool night air was blowing in from an open window, chilling my skin.
“You went through four vampires, a troll and the entire Council to rescue us, Grace. How can I hold anything against you? Again, please forgive me. I’m sorry for judging you before I knew the whole story. I guess in the grand scheme of things, I’m not the most innocent traveler in this adventure either.”
He got up. I was so relieved he understood that I launched myself into his arms.
“Stay with me tonight, Lucian, not as a lover, but as a friend. I need someone to hold me, I need to feel safe. I need you.”
He hugged me tightly. Carrying me to the soft bed, he set me gently upon it, and then left to close the open windows as well as secure the doors. When he returned, I was under the covers. As he approached, I threw back the quilt on the side that would be his and he smiled.
“You look like an angel,” he said. “I wish I could keep you.”
I blushed and felt a pang of regret. I wished for that and more, but I was so scared that it would ruin everything.
He turned and quickly removed his pants. My eyes grew huge, since he wore nothing underneath. I started to stammer, trying to avert my gaze, his sex all but riveting my eyes as I stared, blatantly helpless.
“We will not make love. You’re in this bed as a friend. Why make things difficult?” I was hot all over; his body was perfect, strong, welcoming and oh-so-alive.
“I know, I’m here for you as a friend, but I can’t sleep in those pants, and we have nothing else for me to put on. Surely you’re not embarrassed by a nude man? Just keep all of your clothes on and we’ll be fine.”
Somehow I doubted that. Before I was struggling, now I was drowning. Oh yeah, he was perfect, huge and perfect. The light in the room faded to almost nothing as he blew out the candles. My toes curled as the bed depressed with his weight. I turned onto my side, offering him my back, fearing if I faced him I might give in. I was hoping for “out of sight, out of mind.”
He rolled toward me. The hard line of his body spooned me and it felt great. I knew we’d be fine. He was behaving himself.
“Good night, Gracie,” he whispered right before sleep claimed us both.
THIRTY THREE
I was walking home in the dark, my heavy Doc Martins making little noise on the asphalt. The night air was thick. I turned around abruptly. My broken car gleamed in the spectral moonlight.
A sound echoed behind me. I hurried my steps as my small cottage came into view. The feeling that I was being followed tickled my back, making me want to scream. Adrenaline pumping through my veins, I broke into a run. My front door was ajar as I approached. Someone was already there, but I had to get inside before it got me. It was right there, I knew it. It was so close.
I took the steps in one leap and slammed the door behind me, flicking the deadbolt home as quickly as possible.
My eyes took in my small space as I fought to catch my breath.
Roses?
Hundreds of roses, so dark red, they were black. Everywhere.
Petals were scattered across the linoleum of the kitchen, my couch and my counters. Roses in vases soaking in blood-red water. My heart threatened to leap out of my chest. Something on the table sparkled, catching my eye.
I took a step forward. My mouth was dry as my body broke out in a cold sweat. Lying in a small slender box was the diamond tennis bracelet Seth had picked out for me the very night I escaped.
I didn’t remember taking it off. I just assumed it disappeared in the chaos. I stared at it. It was like an alien thing. I stepped back as my fear took over. A soft glow was coming from the hallway and I walked slowly toward the light. I turned and walked down the hall to my bedroom.
It was my room, but I didn’t recognize it. Fabric draped everything. My bed was veiled by a huge silken drape of black fabric. Red rose petals covered the mattress and floor. I stepped further into the room. Candles were blazing on every available surface and thick pools of inky wax dripped to flow in small rivers.
I smelled spice on the air. Fear paralyzed me and I was frozen, my feet rooted to the floor. Pale hands wrapped around my waist from behind, gently pulling me closer to the cool body that stood so close.
Impossible.
A soft sob escaped me. Then, I was turned violently around. My eyes locked with his deadly gaze. Startling mercury eyes held the promise of death.
“No.”
He lowered his mouth, swallowing my scream in a punishing kiss. My knees buckled and I began to fall to the floor. He caught me and carried me slowly to the bed. My clothing dissolved. I was draped in a soft, black scrap of silk.
He bent over me, his hands caressing my face. His body tensed, I could see his neck flex as he prepared to strike. A scream ripped through me as his fangs sank in, white hot pain erupting through my body. I was screaming. I heard my name over and over as I tried to push him off my body.
I opened my eyes. Lucian was there, his eyes wild.
“Grace! Are you with me?”
The room was once again filled with the soft glow of candles. They were white and smelled like the forest. I was with Lucian and it was only a bad dream. Lucian must have lit the candles while I slept.
I felt dazed. My body was humming with energy, as if I just got in from running as few miles. I sat up, my hand rubbing the new soreness at my neck. Lucian flinched as my fingers came away with fresh blood. He walked slowly back to me. Taking my hand in his, he stared at my crimson fingers.
“I smell roses.” His eyes were wide. “He came to you, didn’t he? He can reach you no matter where you are.”
“What can I do? He wants me. He won’t stop tormenting me, I feel it. I can never escape.”
Lucian surprised me by placing my fingers into his mouth. They came out clean.
At my startled look, he said, “This is you, Grace, it’s not going to hurt me."
I frowned at him. “I just want to be normal. I want my stupid job back. I want my shitty car and bad clothing. I want my old life back.”
“This is your life. You’re strong and smart. Soon you’ll have the ring. Then you decide what happens. Soon it will all be up to you.”
He licked his thumb and wiped it across the drying smear I’d made on my neck. “I’m here, I won’t leave. Besides, he made his point. You know he can reach you and now you’re properly scared. I doubt he’ll return tonight.”
I hoped he was right. I laid my head on the soft pillow, his naked body cradling me warmly. “Leave the lights on. I think I’ll sleep better.”
***
Morning arrived quickly. The sun was warm through the windows. I stretched, then lying across the bed, I tried to collect my thoughts. Lucian was gone and the smell of food was causing my stomach to growl. I rolled off the bed and walked into the outer room.
Lucian sat at the table. A pitcher of pale green liquid sat in front of a huge platter of fruits and breads.
“You’re up. How are you feeling?” He smiled with his mouth full and garbled, “This stuff is delicious.”
“I’m feeling okay. Better after food, I think.”
He pushed the platter towards me as I sat across from him.
“What’s that? Juice?” I pointed to the green liquid.
“It’s honeydew, I think. It has just a trace of mint and lime. It’s fantastic.”
“Who brought all of this?”
He smiled “It was here when I got up, which was about ten minutes ago.”
He stood; he was wearing the black pants again. They hung low, exposing his too sexy for primetime abs.
Whew, I guess sleep was not w
hat I needed to cool the attraction! Even the Seth scare didn’t seem to dampen my libido. I poured some juice and ate a few large purple-colored berries. They were sweet. I pulled a hunk of soft bread off Lucian’s half eaten loaf and ate hungrily.
I spoke with my mouth full, “I’m going for a fwim in the baf tub.”
“What? You’re taking a bath?”
I swallowed the hunk of bread and washed it down with the full glass of melon juice. “I need one. I don’t know about you, but I need to feel cleaner.” The memory of last night, the discovery that Seth can still take blood from me, that I will never get far enough away, was terrifying. I stood, wiping my mouth with the soft napkin near my plate before I started toward the door.
“Wait a second and I’ll go with you.”
I quirked my eyebrow at him.
“I mean I’ll walk you there, and then I’ll go wash up in the river.”
“Good plan,” I said as I held the door open for him.
We were just outside the gates when Misha approached, her eyes observing my new clothing and Lucian’s bare chest.
“Hello. I hope you are well rested. Father says you have much work to do and sent me to escort you to the Hall.”
I was only a little annoyed. I tried to keep it out of my voice. “Misha, honey, if you remember, my friends and I came to you with only the clothes on our backs, and now those are missing. Would it be too much to ask if we could get some additional clothing to last us ‘til we leave?”
“Oh, my, I am such a child! I forgot to tell you that we prepared your wardrobes in the bathing chamber. I’m so sorry. I was supposed to tell you after the feast last night. I hope you weren’t inconvenienced too terribly much.”
I wanted to laugh out loud. But instead I said, “No. We managed all right. But could you tell your father that we need time to dress before we begin any business?”
“Oh, yes, at once.”
She practically ran to give Gavyn the message. I shook my head at her retreating back.
“She seemed so much older the first time I saw her. I mistook her mother and her for sisters. But now that I’ve spoken with both, I can clearly see the age difference.”
“She is young, but not as young as you think. I believe she may be pushing forty. But these people have longer life spans than humans, which is why she is still as energetic and bubbly as a mortal teenager.” Lucian began walking again, taking my hand in his.
“How do you know this stuff?” I asked. “You’re like the town gossip. Been peeking over fences, Lucian?”
He chuckled. “No. I have very keen hearing and I pay attention. That’s why I feel so safe here. I truly think Gavyn intends to return the ring. I was wary at first, but I see these people are honorable. They’re like you: beautiful, kind, wise with insurmountable goodness in their hearts.”
“Wow, all that, huh? I hate to break this to you, but Gavyn stole the ring. It still remains to be seen if he’ll return it. As I’ve said to others before, I’m reserving judgment.”
We continued walking, and the bathing house came into view. By day, it was breathtaking. The smooth white façade shone with a pearlescence in the early morning sun.
“I’ll follow you in, but only to get my own clothing.”
THIRTY FOUR
We opened the doors and entered the steamy chamber. The bathhouse was hotter today than the previous night. Several men, clothed and, well, less than clothed, milled around the bathing chamber speaking companionably to each other, taking absolutely no notice of each other’s nakedness
Women lounged on cushions, rubbing creams and oils into their skin from the same jars Ann and I had used.
“Should I feel awkward? Because I do.” My first impulse was to bolt, but I didn’t want to look like an idiot. It was obvious these people didn’t have qualms regarding nudity. It must not be such a social no-no as it was in our back-ass culture.
I guess it was only me, however, because Lucian seemed as unfazed as the rest of them.
“Ah, Lucian, my friend,” a friendly voice called from amongst the crowd, “I see you have decided to join us this fine day.”
The man was tall and very well built. He was also very naked. He strode forward, his face smiling.
“I see you have brought our honored guest. Please, join us in the bath. The water is very refreshing.” He slapped Lucian amicably on the back. “You will feel recharged after a fair soak.”
Lucian smiled warmly at the man. “Well, Erik,” he said, “I would, but I feel more drawn to your cool river.”
I was suddenly very worried. If Lucian left, I would be alone with all these men. I knew I was safe enough, but I still didn’t like the idea. I decided on the best of my shitty choices. I didn’t want to look like a total fool. I would suck it up and try to live as they did. Grasping Lucian’s hand, I said, “No, I think the healing water will do your body better than the river. Please stay.” I squeezed his hand gently to persuade him.
He got the point.
“After your bath, you may help yourself to the hooks on that far wall.” The friendly man began to wade into the pool. “We have provided several suits of clothes for your small party. You may choose what you would like to wear and take the rest to your chambers, or you may simply leave them here.”
“Thank you.” I said to his retreating back, as he joined a large group of men.
They were huddled around a lovely dark-haired woman. She was laughing as she pulled a silver comb through her long hair.
I felt a little uneasy. This casually sexual atmosphere made me more nervous than a night alone with Lucian.
Looking at the far wall, I decided to find something to put on right after my bath. The hooks were jam-packed with beautiful clothing. I chose a white gown. It was gauzy and light as a feather. A basket held several silken undergarments.
I grabbed a pair of the white panties and made a silent wish for a proper bra, but no such luck. Clutching the clothing in my hands, I walked tentatively to the edge of the pool. I set the clothes away from the side and scanned the room for Lucian. He was lying on the steps that led to the deep end of the pool. Half of his powerful nude body was submerged in the water, the other half was leaning on a higher step. He was speaking to a couple. The woman was blond perfection. She lay on a fluffy cushion beside the pool, one of her long legs dipping lazily into the water as she laughed at something Lucian said. The man beside her was just as lovely. I hoped he was her mate. With the lack of women around here, I knew every single one of them would be attached, but I also knew it didn’t matter. I felt a little sick as I watched them chat familiarly as if they had known each other for years. I hated feeling jealous, which was exactly what I was feeling. Damn it!
I turned my back on them. Pulling the tunic and panties off quickly, I decided to join the party. After all, Lucian was my friend too, more so, in fact.
I shook out my long hair, the tips lightly brushing my butt and began walking to the edge of the pool.
Lucian looked up first. His eyes, once laughing, now looked shocked. Raw hunger seeped into his gaze and I knew I had nothing to worry about. If he had glanced at this woman with half the lust his eyes held now, I would have jumped off a bridge.
“May I join you?” I asked sweetly.
The two sat up quickly and the woman scooted aside allowing me to sit next to her.
“Hi, I’m Grace,” I said, offering her my hand. Yep, that’s me, all goodness and friendliness.
She smiled brightly.
“We all know who you are, and we are very happy to have you. Please, my name is Cassie and this is my brother, Cain. We were just speaking to your friend here about the craft of brewing potions to enhance the libido. It seems he has a wealth of knowledge regarding plants and herbs.”
I lowered my eyes to him, my head swimming at the only part of her greeting that I actually heard. “You mean you can brew potions to increase sex drive?”
She looked confused. “Well of course! We are tryin
g to save our people from extinction, which means we must mate as often as possible. We find the task can become arduous after several couplings. The potions are what keep us going. Why, it’s in the bath we’re soaking in now.”
I thought I was having a small aneurism. “I knew it!” I shouted stupidly. “I thought I was losing my mind! Damn, I’ve wanted to jump Lucian’s bones since last night. He’s been driving me crazy.”
Lucian looked startled. “You have? My God, Gracie and what did I do? Went to bed naked as the day I was born. I had no idea you were under the influence of a sex potion.”
Cain was frowning at me like I was covered in bugs. “You fought it? Why would you not mate with him? He is healthy?”
“Yes, he’s perfectly healthy, I guess, but we’re friends, we aren’t lovers.” I stared at their troubled faces.
“What? What’s the matter?” I asked them.
Lucian spoke. “They don’t understand how you would throw away a chance to procreate. They are always searching for new partners, always trying to contribute to their bloodlines. They mate with all of their friends. It’s what they have to do.”
“Oh,” I said softly. “I guess I really don’t understand what it takes to cling to survival, but I’m learning. I mean I would like to make love to Lucian, but it would complicate things for us. Besides, any child of mine would be in too much danger.”
I watched his face as I said this and his smile warmed me to my toes.
I slid into the water, feeling way too embarrassed at my sudden and surprisingly stupid confession.
“We better get moving,” I said nervously. “Places to go, people to save.”
“Right behind you,” he said, as he swam in my wake.
I felt him at my back so I swam to the deeper end. I dove under and went several feet, before resurfacing near the soap with Lucian right behind me.
