by L. Rosario
"Sera, I'm not a patient man."
She opened her eyes. “Since when?"
"Since I'm not paid to be.” He moved her away from his chest and held her suspended over the bed. If he dropped her, the mattress would likely break.
She squealed and gripped his arms. “Don't you dare drop me."
"Say it."
An unwelcome voice shattered the moment. “Hate to interrupt, but the master says you should come downstairs immediately."
Sera peered around Valentino's shoulder as he gathered her back against his chest. Nadia stood just inside the door, looking more than a little amused. She smiled, but it failed to reach her eyes. “You aren't supposed to be here, are you, Seraphina?” She shook her head and tsked. “Shame on you."
Valentino set Sera down, but kept his body between her and Nadia. “Why does the master need to see me?"
Sera didn't miss the direction of Nadia's gaze. It settled hot and eager on the front of Valentino's pants. She licked her pale lips nice and slow before answering. “Not my place to spread gossip. I was told to get you, and here I am.” She swept her gaze upward, not missing a single inch of exposed skin. “What exactly are you?” she asked.
Sera laid her hand in the center of Valentino's back and felt him stiffen. “Last I checked, I was a vampire.” The coldness of his tone chilled the room.
Nadia seemed unaffected. She shook her head, and her brick-red hair slithered over her shoulders like live snakes. “No. You're too ... too something.” She waved her hand in the air, making the rings on her fingers clank together. One housed a large sapphire that winked as she moved. “You might drink blood and have fangs, but you're not a vampire. I'd bet my favorite servant on that."
Valentino shrugged under Sera's hand. “Tell the master I'll be down."
Nadia leaned against the door frame and crossed her arms. “I'll wait."
Valentino strolled across the room, turned Nadia around, and pushed her into the hall. “No, you'll tell him I'll be right down.” He shut the door on her irritated expression, and turned back to Sera. “We really need to get the hell out of this place."
Sera could not agree more. “I'll go down with you, but not like this."
Valentino fetched his silk shirt off the floor and handed it over. “It'll have to do."
The cool fabric fell to mid-thigh, and Sera rolled the sleeves twice to expose her wrists. Not ideal, but it smelled like Valentino and it covered everything that mattered. Vampires weren't prudish, and she doubted anyone would bat an eyelash at her appearance.
Valentine combed his hair with his fingers, then reached out to do the same for her. His smile concerned her.
"What's wrong? Do I look like hell?"
"You look like you've had great sex a few times."
Sera rolled her eyes and shoved him out of the way. “Wonderful.” She headed for the door and glanced back. “Let's get this over with."
Chapter Twenty-six
Sera was awfully glad to be holding Valentino's hand as they stepped into the master's study. The imposing vampire sat behind his desk and glanced up when they halted just inside the door. He didn't look very happy. In fact, the word pissed came to mind. Wonderful.
"Sit down.” He waved at the same two chairs she had occupied with Constantine, and she and Valentino moved to obey. She put their linked hands in her lap and noticed that the master settled his gaze on them. He frowned and looked up. “You were warned to stay away from him, were you not?"
Sera nodded, and Valentino squeezed her fingers.
"Care to explain your disobedience?"
As much as she wanted to, she didn't dare tear her gaze away from the master's probing blue eyes. Not only did he look pissed, he seemed exhausted. His hair was more tousled than usual, and his skin looked too pale. A little blood might be a good idea. His gaze narrowed, and she quickly masked her thoughts and opinions. Oops.
"I find it hard to stay away from him.” Sera shrugged, thinking that answer was good enough.
The master flicked his gaze to Valentino. “Did she bite you?"
"No.” Valentino glanced toward her. “And I didn't bite her."
The master nodded once and then shoved his chair back to stand. He was dressed casually in black jeans and a black crew-neck sweater, but the attire didn't lesson the aura of power around him. “You two seem intent to doom one another, and I have half a mind to just let you do it."
Sera peeked out the corner of her eye and caught the angry shift of Valentino's features. She squeezed his hand to keep him from speaking out, and thankfully, he took the hint.
The master braced his hands on his desk and leaned toward them. His gaze remained on Valentino. “You should be aware that the coven received three visitors tonight, brought here at my request."
"Who?” Valentino's fingers flexed under Sera's.
"Two of them don't matter, but the one, you may wish to have a word with."
"Who?” Valentino said again.
The master straightened and nodded toward the door behind them. “See for yourself."
The leather chairs groaned and crackled as they spun around. Sera didn't recognize the white-haired, bespectacled man in the doorway, but the energy pouring off of Valentino told her he certainly did. She glanced over and then wished she hadn't. The anger he had focused on Rick was nothing compared to what shot out of his eyes now.
"Hello, CF19."
* * * *
Valentino's body went through a range of emotions as he stared at Dr. Reynolds. The strongest being anger. “What are you doing here?"
The doctor looked to the master. “I was invited, you might say.” He refocused on Valentino before going on. “Did he tell you that Raphael is here as well?"
Jesus, why?
Valentino twisted around to meet the master's gaze. “What is going on?"
"It's rather simple, Valentino. This is the only man capable of deciphering what is going on inside you. It seemed logical to bring him here."
"And Raphael? Why is he here?"
The master shrugged. “Insurance."
Valentino shook free of Sera's hand and lunged out of his chair. “Where is he?"
The master didn't even flinch. “He's safe. For now."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"It means, if you cooperate with the doctor, your friend will leave here uninjured and devoid of any recollection of having visited.” The master crossed his arms. “Like I said, insurance."
"You said there were three people.” Sera's interruption was almost too faint to hear. “The doctor and Raphael are only two. Who else is here?"
Her question earned her the master's full attention. “There was a woman with Raphael. She insisted upon coming along, I'm told."
Sera made a horrible choking noise and looked up at Valentino with frightened eyes. “Becca. It has to be Becca."
"Red hair, very little clothing, and a fiery mouth?” the master asked.
Sera's nod looked painful.
Valentino sat back down and reclaimed her hand. He laid it on his thigh and stared hard at her profile. She looked straight ahead, not blinking, not breathing, not anything.
"Your friend won't be hurt, Seraphina.” All the anger the master had directed at Valentino was gone as he addressed Sera. “She's been taken to a guest room and made comfortable. You have my word on that."
* * * *
Sera couldn't focus on the voices talking around her. Becca was here. Somewhere in this very house was the person she had lied to for two years. What on earth would Becca say to all this? How could any of it possibly be explained?
The sound of her name jerked her into awareness. She blinked and glanced at Valentino. He offered a comforting smile. “Do you want to go to Becca?"
Yes and no. She wanted to make sure her friend really was all right, but did she wish to face her? No. Confessing she'd never had a real orgasm was nothing compared to coming clean about being a vampire. God, Becca would kill her.
She looked at the master. “What's going to happen to Valentino?” She didn't like the look of the doctor, and she really didn't like the tension in Valentino's entire body. None of it boded well.
"He'll undergo a series of tests,” the master explained, “that will help us determine how best to deal with his vampirism."
That didn't sound good. Sera alternated her attention between the doctor and the master. “I don't like how that sounds."
Valentino squeezed her hand and captured her gaze as it slid toward the doctor. He leaned closer to whisper. “It'll help us figure out if I can drink your blood."
Sera squirmed in her chair, aware of the study filling with the smell of her desire for Valentino. Wonderful.
"There will be no need for you to do so within the coven.” The master's voice made her jump. “You'll both choose servants to provide what you need."
Valentino looked away. “We don't plan on staying."
Sera held her breath when the master crossed his arms and glared at Valentino. “I've already dealt with one rebellious idiot tonight, don't make me do it again.” There was little doubt he meant Constantine.
Valentino didn't back down. “You can't force us to remain here."
The doctor spoke up from the doorway. “Let us test his blood first and go from there."
The comment diffused the rising tension in the room, and the master nodded at Sera. “You will find your friend in the room next to yours. Go to her."
She knew a direct order when she heard one. On shaky legs, she stood up. Valentino tugged on her hand, and she leaned back down as he lifted his face. She kissed him, not caring if the master liked it or not. “I love you,” she whispered against his lips.
He pulled back and snaked his free hand around her neck. “Say it again."
She smiled. “I love you."
"Are you saying that because you believe we'll never see each other again?"
"Maybe,” she answered truthfully. “But it doesn't make it not true."
He nodded and pulled her face close to kiss her again. Someone in the room cleared their throat, but Valentino didn't seem inclined to let the sound interrupt their embrace. Eventually he took his mouth away and released her hand. “Go to Becca. I'll be fine."
Sera left before she could decide not to. Once in the hall, it hit her that Valentino hadn't returned the sentiment. Was it possible for him not to feel the same way she did? She refused to consider that as she made her way up the steps to Becca's room. Outside the door, she hesitated. Maybe she should get dressed first?
The knob turned, taking away any chance of escape, and Becca's scared face peered around the edge of the door. “Oh my God, Sera!” She threw the door open and nearly jumped into her arms. “What is going on? What is this place? Why are you here? What are you wearing?"
Sera extracted herself from Becca's chokehold and guided her back inside the room. She shut the door and leaned against it. At least Becca didn't look harmed in any way. Her bright red hair was a little messed up, and her white tank top looked as if it had been slept in, but all in all, she seemed fine.
"Are you okay?” she asked just to be sure.
Becca nodded and plopped down onto the bed. The room was decorated with silks and velvets in shades of burgundy and beige, and the sumptuous décor made Becca look like a cheap hooker in her tiny, denim, mini-skirt, tank top, and wedge sandals. “I'm fine, but a little confused."
"Tell me what happened. How did you get here?"
Becca crossed her legs and her arms. “I was with Raphael and suddenly two guys burst into the room and hauled him out of bed. They were really scary, Sera.” She shivered before going on. “Anyway, I screamed and jumped in front of the door. Raphael told me to stay out of it, but I threatened to keep screaming until they either told me what was happening or let me go with them."
"Clearly they went for option B."
Becca nodded. “They let me get dressed and then everything after that is fuzzy. I woke up in this room. Why are you here?"
"That's a really long story,” Sera hedged.
Becca's green eyes narrowed. “Whose shirt is that?"
Lying was normally futile with Becca involved. “Valentino's."
Becca looked intrigued. “Is this his place?” She glanced around the room with obvious interest now. None of her earlier terror lingered. “Is this some sort of surprise party or something?” She settled her wide eyes back on Sera. “Did you two secretly get married? Is that why you've missed work?” She frowned suddenly. “Mr. Henry wasn't pleased, by the way. If you try to come back now, he might not let you."
Sera took a deep breath. “Becca, I'm a vampire and this house belongs to the coven."
Becca snapped her mouth shut, but it popped right back open. “Ha-ha."
"It's true.” Sera moved away from the door and joined Becca on the bed. In situations like this, there was really only one way to prove her point. She faced her friend and smiled.
Becca swore and jumped off the bed. “Jesus Christ! Are those fangs!” She cupped her hand over her mouth and looked around the room as if expecting someone to laugh at her outburst. A few seconds passed and she fixed her gaze back on Sera. “Are those fangs?” she asked in a more controlled tone. “Real fangs?"
Sera nodded. “I'm not going to bite you, Becca."
"This isn't for real.” Becca shook her head and sat back down on the bed. “Sorry, good trick, but I don't believe in vampires. And if I did, you wouldn't make a very good one."
Okay ... “So, how do I prove it to you?"
Becca shrugged. “I don't know. Do something vampiry."
"I don't think that's a word."
Another shrug. “Can you levitate?"
Sera almost laughed out loud. “No, sorry."
"Turn into a bat?"
"No.” Nothing like being reminded of any shortcomings all at once. “I can't read or control minds either.” Not anymore, anyway. For just a moment, she'd been able to glimpse inside Valentino's thoughts, but then the ritual and Constantine had taken that from her.
Becca stared at her, clearly a non believer. “We both know you can see yourself in a mirror. Vampires can't do that."
Sera left the bed and walked over to the tall, pedestal mirror. She met Becca's gaze in the reflection. “Yes, we can.” For good measure, she waved.
Becca frowned and got up to join her. “You aren't a vampire, Sera."
Sera sighed. “Name one time you've seen me out in the sun."
"I never see anyone during the day. I'm in school."
Sera grabbed Becca's hand and held it between her cold palms. “Why do you think I'm so cold?"
Becca shrugged. “My grandmother had very cold hands and she was most definitely not a vampire."
That was it. Time to pull out the real proof. Sera looked in the mirror and caught Becca's eye. “Watch this."
In her mind she conjured the sleek line of Valentino's neck. She thought about the feel of his pulse under her tongue, the smooth surface of his skin, and the first surge of blood into her mouth. The moment she felt her fangs start to extend she curled her lips back and let Becca witness the phenomena. The color bled from Becca's face, and her eyes rolled back into her head. She fainted before Sera could catch her.
Damn. That had gone badly.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Sera had plenty of time to think while Becca remained unconscious. She had moved her limp friend to the bed and pulled the covers over her. It might be wise to call for some help, but she didn't think Becca would wish to wake up with a strange vampire hovering over her, so she stayed in the room with her friend. The shock had to wear off eventually.
In the meantime, there was nothing to do but think, and there was really only one thing to think about.
Valentino, and the fact that he hadn't said he loved her. Maybe he'd felt uncomfortable saying such a thing in front of two other men? Maybe i
t was some macho, hide your feelings thing? Maybe he really didn't love her?
Sera sat on the floor, across from the bed, with her head against the wall and her eyes closed. Becca's steady breathing echoed around the room. Valentino's silk shirt was pulled over her upraised knees, but her bare feet stuck out. The room was cold. Or maybe she was cold? Yeah, she was very cold. Just the suggestion that Valentino might not feel the same made the blood in her veins feel like ice. It wouldn't be fair, after all this time, to fall in love with a guy that didn't love her back.
Not fair at all.
Becca moaned on the bed, ending Sera's depressing thought pattern. She got up and crossed the room just as her friend opened her eyes. “How do you feel?"
Becca frowned and pressed a hand to her forehead. “I had the strangest dream,” she mumbled. “I was in a strange house, you were there, and you told me you were a vampire."
Sera hugged herself and gazed down at Becca. “It wasn't a dream."
Becca lowered her hand from her face and stared. “Was I brought here to be killed?"
"My god, no!” Sera reached for Becca's hand, but it was snatched away. Okay, fine. “Why would you think such a horrible thing?"
Becca struggled to sit up. “There's only one logical reason for me to be in a house full of vampires. Blood. I've been brought here to be sucked dry, haven't I?"
Sera rolled her eyes. “You watch too many movies."
"Then tell me what's really going on?"
Before Sera could, there was a light knock at the door and then it opened without either of them calling out. Valentino peeked in, spotted Sera, and entered. Sera's whole body reacted to the sight of him, but she tore her eyes away as Becca let out a low sound of feminine approval. She looked at her friend, only to find her friend staring hungrily at Valentino. She'd never get used to seeing that look on other women's faces. She just knew it.
"Am I interrupting?” he asked, still hovering just inside the door.
Sera looked back. “No. This is Becca, by the way.” She gestured toward her mute friend. Valentino flashed the kind of smile that undoubtedly had made him a favorite at Captive Fantasy. Sera heard Becca sigh.
