by L. Rosario
Her knuckles turned white against the black steering wheel. “We have no relationship.” To be honest, they never had, even in the very beginning when she believed he had loved her.
"Tsk, tsk, my pet. Would you believe me if I told you I merely wished to touch base after all these ... centuries?"
"No,” she ground out.
Constantine's seductive chuckle vibrated in her ear. It was a sound she had never wished to hear again. “Very well,” he went on. “If you wish to know my real reason for calling, I shall tell you."
She waited with her breath lodged in her throat.
"Tell me why you caved, my pet? Why after all this time did you allow yourself the ecstasy of a real feed?"
Sera released her pent up breath and dropped her head against the seat. “I don't know why.” Of course, Constantine would see right through the lie.
"Oh my dear, dear Seraphina, you cannot lie to me. Have you forgotten that?"
"No,” she said between her teeth.
"Then tell me the truth.” The tone of Constantine's voice warned her not to disobey.
"I lost control, but I'm not sure why."
"Perhaps the sex is to blame?"
She stared hard out the windshield as Constantine's words echoed in her ear. How could she have forgotten how easy it was for him to step into her thoughts? Too late she attempted to erect a mental wall between them, but his laughter showed her the futility of her ways. “My life is none of your business,” she snapped. “You kicked me out, remember? You didn't want me anymore, remember?"
Her raised voice bounced around the interior of the car. God, she sounded like a harridan. “You said I was too weak and pathetic, remember? So what difference does it make to you if I decide to fuck every guy in this town?"
"My, my,” Constantine purred. “Such language, my pet. You shock me."
Sera hissed into the phone then snapped it shut, ending the call. Knowing Constantine, he'd call again and keep calling until he had all the answers he wanted from her. Well, he could go fry in the sun for all she cared. Rolling the window down, she threw the phone into the other lane and watched a yellow cab run it over. “Take that, you bastard."
* * * *
Sera arrived home and unlocked her door to the sound of her phone ringing. She rolled her eyes and answered it without turning on any lights. “You can't take a hint, can you?"
Constantine laughed. “I believe you were telling me about your sex toy before we were rudely cut off."
With a sigh of defeat, she plopped onto her couch and stared into the darkest corner of her tiny living room. “Why does any of this matter?"
"Listen, my pet—"
"Please stop calling me that."
"How nice of you to say please."
Sera rolled her eyes. “I'm tired, Constantine, can we get this conversation over with before dawn?"
"You realize, my pet, if you had shown this much spunk while we were together, I might have kept you."
"Yea, for me."
He chuckled in her ear. “Had you thought to call me, I would have warned you that losing control in any aspect of your life would awaken your instinctive hunger."
She blinked at the sudden rush of information and sat up a little straighter. “Will it happen again?"
"Do you plan on losing control again? Sexually or otherwise?"
"I'm not going to answer that."
"No need,” Constantine said smartly. “If you keep your distance from Valentino, then you should be able to once again suppress your desires."
Sera had gone very still at the mention of Valentino's name. “How did you know his name?” The question echoed around the room and came back sounding strained.
"My dear,” Constantine chided. “Do you believe you must live under my roof to maintain our bond? You cannot be that naive. With very little effort I can see your thoughts and even experience what you do. Your eyes, when I wish them to be, are mine."
She clenched the phone. “Well, before you get all excited by the prospect of using my life to get free kicks, you should know I'm not planning on losing control ever again."
"So you say."
"What does that mean?"
It was Constantine's turn to sigh. “You have tasted his blood, my pet. Doing so will not allow your hunger to subside as easily as it once did. You'll crave him now, and in time, you will return to him."
"You're wrong.” She'd stay far away from Captive Fantasy. She'd have to come up with a valid reason to do so once Becca started asking questions, but she'd deal with that later. “If you're done spouting dire pronouncements in my ear, I'd like to go to bed."
"One more thing, my pet.” After a moment of silence, Constantine went on. “If you need me, do not hesitate to call."
"I will never need you.” With that she hung up.
Unfortunately she couldn't hang up on the memories Constantine's voice stirred. Images of a long ago night filtered into her mind, and she lay down and curled up as they demanded to be seen. Candles flickered, voices murmured over the sounds of music, and Constantine bowed over her hand. She flinched as she watched herself accept the gesture. How could something so innocent looking lead to such disaster? If only she had known better.
They danced all night long, scandalizing everyone present at the masked celebration, but she felt safe behind her disguise. Come morning, she need only pretend that she had never left her bed. Her father would never know the truth.
The final dance ended, and Constantine escorted her away from the heat of the fire and deeper into the crisp night air. He offered his long black cloak when she shivered, and she wrapped herself in it and inhaled his scent. He watched her with a smile on his lips.
"You are more beautiful than any other woman here tonight."
His voice made her shiver all over again. She blushed under her mask and dipped her chin to her chest. She'd waited a long time to hear such things.
He lifted her face with a single finger. “Do not be shy.” He stepped closer, and his hand slid to her nape. “Do you kiss with as much elegance as you dance?"
The question rendered her speechless.
He pressed his mouth to hers. She parted her lips and let his tongue push inside. She could taste the lingering flavor of champagne and something else ... something strange and metallic. Had he cut the inside of his mouth somehow?
Her thoughts could not compete with the thrill of being kissed, so she let them go. His possession of her intensified and the embrace became heated. With her back pressed to a rough tree trunk, he cupped her breasts through her stiff bodice and kneaded her aching flesh. All the while, his tongue stroked her mouth with languid movements that brought a strange fire to her loins. She could barely catch her breath as he pulled back to end the kiss.
He nuzzled the side of her neck. “How much are you willing to give me, my pet?"
She didn't know how to answer such a question. Focusing on the spill of black hair over his pale cheek, she shook her head and whispered, “Your behavior confuses me, and I find myself at a loss.” Was this love?
He lifted his head and stared at her through coal black eyes. No mask hid his features from her and the beauty of their perfection continued to mesmerize her. “Grant me one more kiss, and I'll see you safely back to the celebration."
Dare she?
He touched her lips lightly with the tip of one finger. “Just one more kiss, my pet. It is all I ask, and then I vow to let you go."
She nodded and leaned her head back against the tree. She tipped her face up, but he did not aim for her mouth. His lips touched the side of her neck followed by a sharp stinging pain. She gasped, but before she could push him away, the pain turned to unbelievable pleasure. It coursed from her neck down to her loins and she trembled under the force of it. His strong body pinned her to the tree and she could feel the hard press of his arousal against the front of her gown. With a little whimper, she shifted her hips forward and the world exploded behind her lids in a spray of
white light...
Sera jerked her eyes open and looked around. Regardless of how vivid the memory had been, she was safe and sound in her apartment. On shaky legs, she headed for her bedroom, knowing the images of that fateful night would be hard to wipe away. Damn Constantine for bringing them all back. No doubt it would thrill him to know she recalled the pleasure of his first bite, and how it had brought her to orgasm. Her first and last orgasm, until Valentino stripped away her defenses with his expert touch. Not to mention the sweet taste of his blood.
She wouldn't think of that. Everything would be just fine if she avoided men in general from now on. How hard could that be? She slept all day and worked in a closed library all night. Yes, that's what she'd do. No more men. Ever.
She crawled into bed, chanting the new mantra over and over again.
Chapter Nine
"Hey, Val, you need to wake up."
The voice sliced into the dream Valentino was having, but it did little to rouse him. He mumbled into the pillow and chased after the retreating images of Sera sprawled in his bed.
"Val! Let's go.” A rough hand on his back accompanied the voice this time. It shook him until he had no choice but to lift his head off the pillow. “You need to get up now or you'll miss your chance to catch a ride."
Once a month the employees—if you could call them that—of Captive Fantasy were granted one day of leisure. They could do anything they wished, as long as no one left the club alone and everyone returned before curfew. Valentino always spent the day with Raphael and Aiden, but he didn't feel much like carousing today. The moment his head left the pillow, a sharp pain sliced through his neck.
With a moan, he gave into it and landed face down.
"Hey,” Raphael said. “Are you sick?"
Valentino lifted his head again, and the pain returned. Jesus. Rolling to his back, he blinked up at Raphael then rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “I feel like shit."
"You don't look so good either."
Valentino lowered his hand. “Really?"
"Really,” Raphael nodded. “You've got a hell of a mark on your neck, and I don't want to be you when Dr. Reynolds sees it."
His neck? He felt around under his tangled hair and discovered a large section of puckered skin that was really hot to the touch. Despite the pain that now traveled from his neck down to the rest of his body, he sat up and shook his hair back. “It's the bite,” he mumbled.
Raphael arched a golden brow. “Excuse me?"
Valentino ignored his friend's curiosity. “Where were we headed today?"
"Wherever,” Raphael said with a shrug, though he was dressed in sweats and a tank top. Clearly, he had the neighborhood gym in mind.
Of course, Captive Fantasy had its own facility, but Raphael wasn't alone in his desire to workout without cameras tracking his every rep.
Still holding his hand over the wound on his neck, Valentino forced himself out of bed and stumbled toward the bathroom. “You and Aiden can do whatever you want, but I need to pay someone a visit."
"Who?"
Valentino gripped the side of the bathroom door for balance as a fresh wave of pain and a healthy dose of nausea rolled through him. What the fuck had Sera done to him? He glanced back across the room to meet Raphael's concerned gaze. “I need to find the woman I spent last night with."
"Shouldn't be hard. You have her name, age, and occupation—"
"No, I don't.” Valentino silenced Raphael with a sharp shake of his head before the other guy could give voice to any questions. “Don't ask, okay? I've already been read the riot act from the good doctor, but that doesn't change the fact that I need to know how and where to find her. And fast."
"Did she come alone?"
Valentino shook his head. “Both nights she was with a curvy little redhead."
Something shifted on Raphael's face. “Was the friend wearing pink and red, by any chance?"
"Might have been.” Valentino searched his memory, but to be honest, once Sera caught his attention other women faded into the background.
"Well, if that's the redhead that came with your client, her name was Becca and she works at the downtown library."
A library? Somehow that seemed like the perfect place for Sera to work as well. “Then we'll assume it's her, and you guys can drop me at the library on your way to wherever."
"And if your client doesn't work at the library?"
Valentino stumbled into the bathroom, the tiled walls spinning around him. “Then her friend will know where I can find her."
"Aiden and I will stay with you."
Shaking his head caused the room to spin faster. Valentino reached out toward the wall and missed. He heard Raphael swear then felt his friend's arms around his shoulders.
"What the fuck is the matter with you?"
Valentino didn't know, but he needed Sera, and he needed her now.
* * * *
After much arguing, Raphael and Aiden agreed to drop Valentino off in front of the library. He promised to get back to the club before curfew, and they had no choice but to believe him. Their expressions weren't happy as they drove away.
The library was a huge towering monstrosity of brick and stone, and although Valentino had been aware of it being here, he'd never stepped foot inside. Not that he didn't like to read, he just preferred to buy his books, rather than borrow them. He pulled the heavy front door open and was instantly assailed with the smell of old leather and stained wood. The building had a homey feel, despite its size and ominous appearance, and he could easily imagine Sera flitting around between the tall stacks of books.
A quick survey of the place didn't reveal her though, so he headed for the center circular desk and the unfriendly looking man behind it. “Excuse me,” Valentino whispered.
The man jerked his head up from whatever task he was doing on the computer and scowled over the top of his tiny reading glasses. He had to be at least ninety years old, given the amount of wrinkles and age spots on his face, and his wild nest of hair was pure white. He shoved his glasses up his nose and scowled some more. “I think you're lost, young man."
The reply forced Valentino to step back. He almost glanced down at himself just to see what it might be that proclaimed him unfit to step foot in a library, but he knew there was nothing strange about his blue jeans and red t-shirt. With a smile, he chose to ignore the old man's rudeness. “I was hoping you could help me locate someone."
"This is a library, not the police department.” With that, the old troll gave the computer his full attention again.
Valentino refused to be deterred. Leaning his elbows on the countertop, he dangled a hand over and gripped one of the man's fragile wrists. The guy looked up and arched a fluffy white brow, but he didn't seem the least bit cowed.
"I suggest you take your hand off of me, young man."
Valentino kept his hand just where it was. “I'm looking for a woman named Sera who might work here."
"I'm not entitled to give out personal information.” Surprisingly, the old guy pulled free of Valentino's grip. “And before you ask,” he went on, “that doesn't mean she works here."
It was obvious he wouldn't make any headway by continuing to badger the troll. With a nod and a sarcastic thank you, Valentino spun around and headed for the exit. Damn. Now what? Before he could shove the door open, a woman sidled up to his side and put her hand on his arm. He looked over, thinking the gorgeous blonde looked vaguely familiar.
"Did I hear you asking about Sera?” she whispered.
Valentino's heart raced. “I did, yes. Does she work here? Is she here now?"
The blonde smiled and slid her hand off his arm to extend it toward him. “My name is Jennifer."
He shook her hand, anxious to have his questions answered. “I'm charmed."
Clearly the response didn't please Jennifer, and a frown replaced her bright smile before she answered him. “Yes, she works here, but only at night."
Of course! If he'd taken a mi
nute to think this plan through, he would have realized vampires sleep during the day. Way to go, genius.
"I can give you her address though,” Jennifer stepped close to whisper. “I'm not allowed, but...” she shrugged and lowered her gaze to his chest. She licked her lips, and Valentino's instincts kicked into high gear.
The information was going to cost him, but he'd deal with that later. “I'm listening.
Jennifer glanced up, her smile back in place. “Are you working tonight?"
Valentino sighed. “Yes."
"Make sure I can have you, and I'll give you Sera's address."
He didn't agree or disagree, he simply winked, but it was enough for Jennifer. She rattled off Sera's address, and he left before she could coerce him into more favors.
Sera's apartment was a short walk from the library, so it only took Valentino a few minutes to get there. He didn't have any trouble convincing a young woman to buzz him in to the lobby, nor did he have any problem locating apartment number sixty-nine on the sixth floor. The number made him chuckle and visualize a lovely fantasy.
He knocked on the door, not sure if he should expect a response or not. Did vampires really sleep like the dead all day long? If so, he could knock until his knuckles bled and she'd never hear him. Stepping back, he glanced up and down the hallway before lowering his gaze to the mat under his feet. On a whim, he hunkered down and turned up a corner to find a spare key. He'd have to warn Sera not to be so obvious.
Once inside, he placed the key on a nearby table then shut and locked the door. Her place was exactly what he might have expected, had he taken the time to give it any thought. White slipcovers with tiny red roses covered the couch and two oversized chairs. Mismatched throw pillows were haphazardly arranged on all three pieces of furniture and larger pillows were stacked in the corner next to a wooden, TV armoire. The apartment walls were painted very pale blue and the carpet on the floor was off-white. All in all it was peaceful and really girly.
He liked it.
A small area, set aside for eating, separated the living room from the kitchen, and branching off of the kitchen was a narrow hallway that led to a floral bathroom and a closed door. He assumed the closed door led to Sera's bedroom, and for a moment he debated whether or not he should invade her privacy.
