“I would never sacrifice her for you.” Ruby held out her hand to Alexis.
Like an enthusiastic child, Alexis walked over to her.
“I wouldn’t sacrifice any vampire for you,” she continued. “Alexis is loyal. She understands how important this matter is to all vampires, regardless of their origin.”
Alexis slipped her hand in Ruby’s palm.
Struggling to keep his head afloat, he spoke. “You can always make her an honorary member.” His eyesight faltered and he blinked to keep focus. “You both seem to be cut from the same cloth anyway.”
“We do think alike.” She stood up from her chair and placed her other hand on the box next to her. “She has this wonderful idea. She and her sire love playing torture games. You have no idea how many devices they have just sitting, waiting to be used, in the basement of this club.” She motioned for Alexis to open the box.
“Yep, definitely cut from the same cloth.”
Alexis pulled out a metal circular device covered in metal spikes. She gently handed it over to Ruby who dissected it with her eyes.
“Reminds me of old times.”
Remy sighed, knowing exactly what she referred to. A neck torture device used to be one of his favorite foreplay instruments. During his moments of bliss with her, they used many other sexual mechanisms for pleasure. Not only did they love afflicting pain on each other, they also enjoyed watching their victims scream in agony. Ruby was more inclined to test each new one on the Deamhan he led her to. This was just one of the many ways he betrayed his own for her acceptance. He enjoyed those dark, demented days.
“No, thank you,” he said. “I’ve moved on to more modern ways of humiliation and punishment.” He winked at Alexis. “Your new lackey knows all about it.”
They both approached him and Ruby set the device on his lap. “Maybe I should let her torture you instead?”
To him, they looked like twins; almost an exact replica of the other. He never mentioned to Alexis how attractive she looked, especially when she threatened him during those busy nights at Dark Sepulcher. When he first saw her, he almost instantly knew that they would never mix but the idea of trying and toying with her tickled his insides.
He adored women in general. He couldn’t have cared less about their origin, their race, or in this case if they were Deamhan, Dorvo vampires, or just the run-of-the-mill vampires. He obsessed over them before and after his sire turned him. In fact, his sire told him that his choice in women would eventually be his downfall. Wise words, which he failed to listen to.
“Do you also remember the way the humans looked at me during that time?” Her question made him refocus.
“You know I didn’t pay much attention to them in that way. They were food. I couldn’t care less about how they looked at you.”
“Yes. That’s why we were hardly seen together.”
He had no idea what she referred to and the conversation took a twisted turn.
“Only when I influenced their thoughts, made them think that I looked different, did they accept me. They ruled through ignorance. They did love their caste system...those fools.” She grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked his head back. “You think that Darwin’s discovery would make them more sympathetic to those who looked different than the majority, but all it did was further prove that one race stood dominant over the other.”
“Ruby, stay focused,” he said. “You’re starting to not make sense.”
She opened her mouth slightly, revealing sharp canines that reminded Remy of how beautiful she could be when lost in her tangent. She had ways of turning conversations into blobs of incoherent prattling when she grew angry. In the past, he kept her on the straight and narrow when it came to a simple conversation. Now, he had to do it again.
“Those humans had no idea who I was,” she said. “Or what I could do to them.”
“All in the past, baby. All in the past.”
Suddenly, she pulled out Maris’ amulet and pushed it toward his mouth.
He struggled but, with his movements constricted, he screamed out. “Fine, I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you what you want to know!”
She paused. “What is it about this amulet that scares you?” She let him go and stepped back. “What is this?”
He heaved. His heart would’ve skipped a beat if it beat at all. “I just...I don’t like the color. It’s so not me.”
She smiled. “You always have a punch line, don’t you? So, tell me what you saw.”
Before he had a chance to conjure up the events at the warehouse, the sound of a door creaking open near the back grabbed their attention. His eyesight still failed him on occasion but this time he saw a familiar figure walking cautiously in their direction. Lambert came into view and a sigh of relief engulfed Remy. Although Lambert wasn’t as old and powerful as Ruby, he still was held in high regard among the vampire population in Minneapolis. He had enough influence to sway them under his own banner and against the Dorvo vampires who now flooded the city. Lambert’s loyalty to Nathan meant that soon he would be free from his chair, given money, and told to go on his way to San Diego to help Veronica—or so Remy hoped.
Lambert’s eyes locked onto Alexis. “What’s going on?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Remy spoke, feeling his throat fill with his own blood. “They’re torturing me.”
Lambert’s concerned gaze did little to cloud Ruby. She showed him the amulet. “Do you know what this is?”
He took a quick look. “No.” He turned back to Remy. “Why are you torturing him in my establishment, of all places?”
She stuffed the amulet in her pocket. “He’s Deamhan. That should be reason enough.”
“Yes, but here? This is a club. Not Chillingham Castle.”
“Perhaps we should move this to your dungeon downstairs?” Her different colored eyes stared him down. “With all your little toys.”
Lambert turned away and for the first time, Remy realized that his vampire acquaintance didn’t have as much pull in the situation. He wasn’t getting out of his chair any time soon.
“He’s my little project,” Ruby continued. “He’s been very bad lately. Threatening my Johanna. Thinking he could sex her into talking.” She slapped Remy across the face. “Still using your dick to get out of a rough situation.”
His cheek throbbed in pain. “You know me all too well.”
Alexis wrapped her arms around Lambert. “It’s morning. Did the sun hurt you?”
“I got back just in time.” He pulled away from her.
“Where did you go?”
His chest jutted out, as if bothered by her question. “Out.”
“To see Nathan?”
He jerked his head to her. “When did you start caring about where I go at night?”
Now muted, she lowered her head briefly.
Ruby picked up the torture device from Remy’s lap and began to unscrew it. “She’s only concerned about you.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“Yes, but who will take care of her if you never come back?” Now unscrewed, she placed the device around Remy’ neck and began to tighten it once again. “I know all about your relationships with Deamhan in this city. It’s not healthy, especially for vampires.”
“What I do and who I decide to have relations with is none of your concern,” he replied. “My club is the only thing that matters to me and right now, you’re defiling it with his blood.”
Remy tried to move his head as far as he could from her and in response, she slapped him across the face again. “Be still.”
This time the hard slap rumbled his brain, creating a small gash on the inside of his cheek. “Ohh, frisky, are we?”
She slapped him again.
“There’s no need for this. I said I’d tell you everything.” His new wound wasn’t healing.
“Just in case you change your mind.” After securing the device, she stepped back to admire her skills. “So helping Deamhan dethrone their leade
r...was that for your vampire club, Lambert?”
He folded his arms. “That was to bring stability.” He attempted to remove the device from Remy’s neck, but Ruby stood in his way.
“And what I’m doing is also for stability.”
Alexis grabbed her consort’s right wrist to pull him back. What Lambert did next brought a smile to Remy’s face. In a state of rage, he swatted her hand away, making her stumble back in shock. With both hands he pushed her with such force she fell back and slid about ten feet away from them. She remained on the ground, her eyes wide and her mouth opened.
“I made you.” Enraged, he pointed at her. “And I can unmake you.”
Trembling, she stood to her feet. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
“Too late for that.” He moved to Ruby. “You may be an important figure among Dorvo vampires, but you’re nothing to the vampires in this city. Now move aside.”
Indifferent to his demand, she pointed to Remy. “You will fight me and die for a Deamhan?”
Remy read his eyes, seeing a hint of power, fueled by anger, surging within them. The vampire thought about freeing him but he relinquished that choice by keeping his potential to do so at bay.
“No. But I would fight you for my own.” He pointed back at Alexis. “And for her.” He stepped in and stood so close to Ruby that his chest, still protruding, moved her an inch back. “I don’t care what you do to him, but you won’t do it here.” He walked away.
Alexis yelled after him. “Where are you going? It’s day!”
He didn’t answer her.
Remy heard his footsteps as they became fainter. Lambert headed to the back door and he called out to him, only to receive nothing in response. The vampire’s choice to do nothing outraged him. Sure, he didn’t consider Lambert a close friend, but Remy assumed that he’d do something to stop what Ruby had planned. He sighed after hearing the door open and slam shut.
Ruby comforted Alexis in the only way a vampire of her stature could. She cradled her head into her chest and placed her hands underneath her chin. “Your sire is confused. Now is the right time to bring him back to reality.” She rubbed the right side of Alexis’ cheek. “When night comes, you should follow him and see where he goes.”
She hesitated, but a quick smile from Ruby silenced her doubts.
“I will send one of my own with you, to make sure you return back safely.”
“But he’s my sire,” Alexis replied. “I can’t disobey him.”
“You’re not disobeying him. You’re helping him.”
Remy began to laugh. “Oh, she won’t be coming back if Lambert finds out what you want her to do.” A quick pain in his chest silenced his laughter. He recanted. “No, you’re right. Follow your sire, Alexis. Do what your new lord has commanded you to do.”
“Fuck you.” She raised her hand to strike him, but Ruby stopped her.
“Keep that anger for another time,” she said. “Now go. You may not be a Dorvo vampire, Alexis, but you are one of us in heart.”
“Give me a break,” he mumbled. “She’s just your lackey. She will always be a lackey. Admit it.”
“I don’t remember you talking this much.” Ruby slapped him across the face again. “Now, where were we?” She studied the print her hand left behind on his cheek. “Oh, that’s right. I was torturing you.”
1
DECEPTION. DEAMHAN CHRONCILES #3
CHAPTER sixteen
Kenneth awoke before sunrise, staring into the darkness of his room while Johanna lay next to him, still asleep. In his brain he relived his encounter with Remy. The Lamia’s so-called love for Veronica was vast and more nonsensical than he could’ve imagined. For a brief moment, he questioned if Remy had lost his mind, stepping foot inside their Chapter and demanding them to give her back.
He also wondered if Remy was bluffing about Mr. Austin. Kenneth didn’t want to take any chances. If what he said was true, he had to find a way to silence him before anyone else found out the truth. He had to figure out if Veronica’s father still breathed.
When the sun rose, it provided his bedroom with more light, which helped Kenneth in counting the small dark lines in the wooden boards on the ceiling. He grabbed his laptop, opened the file he had on Mrs. Austin’s journals, and began to read where he left off from the previous night.
Researchers are scrambling. They fear that there is infighting among Lucius and Kei, his offspring. Lucius has begged me to stay, but I told him I wouldn’t. Not while Veronica is in danger. He said that he would look out for us, but I can’t trust him. Veronica is the only thing in this world that matters and I have to do something to make sure she stays safe. I’ve decided to meet Lucius one more time tonight, against my husband’s wishes. Hopefully he can or will do something to put an end to what’s happening. I trust that he is sympathetic to what is going on and he does want to work toward a peaceful resolution, but that isn’t enough. I’ve placed so much faith in him. I don’t think the other Deamhan see it that way, especially Kei. He is brutal and seems to hate humans, especially researchers. Hopefully by meeting Lucius, he will understand how dangerous the city has become for not only himself but for us as well.
Kenneth read another entry.
I awoke to Samuel and Nathan arguing in the front room. Samuel was screaming obscenities at Nathan, blaming him for my actions. As researchers, Nathan is responsible for reporting to him about the status of my investigation.
Apparently Nathan knew all along that I was meeting Lucius on the weekend, which meant he also knew about our relationship. Keeping information like this from the Region Leader jeopardizes his stance in the organization. I can’t allow him to throw all that away for me.
However, it will be hard for Samuel to just kick him out. Like his family, the Tiernan family has strong roots in The Brotherhood.
Kenneth opened another file.
I saw what I think was a Lamia outside our home. It scared me near to death after what happened to Mr. And Mrs. Dearhorn. My family is not safe. We’ve decided to have all our children brought to the Chapter location to keep an eye on them. So far Kenneth doesn’t seem to know what’s going on. We’ve told him that his parents were sent on a mission and won’t be back for a few weeks. I’m so angry with myself for allowing this to happen. This is all my fault. If I didn’t put so much trust into Lucius, none of this would’ve happened. All of us working at the Chapter are on high alert. My husband has notified San Diego and I think soon we will be heading back. Thank God. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to Veronica.
Kenneth took a deep breath. “We all know what happens next,” he said to himself.
Johanna stirred and opened her eyes. She blinked twice. “Don’t you ever sleep?” she whispered in a lazy voice.
He closed his laptop. “Not when there’s a lot of work to do.” He sat on the edge of the bed and yawned. “The Skype meeting with Mr. Alvaro is today.”
She stretched. “So?”
“We need to get our story straight.”
“About the Dorvo Coven or Mr. Austin?”
He looked over his shoulder. “Mr. Austin is dead.”
“I know. You told me, but I don’t believe you.” She pulled the covers up to her neck.
“So you believe the Lamia?”
“Of course not, but you’ve been keeping secrets from me. You didn’t tell me that you had the other piece of the Dark Curse until a few days ago.”
He needed to squash her speculations. The first thing that came to his mind was to sexually arouse her. She wasn’t his type but she didn’t have to know that. What mattered was keeping her content; satisfied until he got what he wanted.
He lay on his back. “Mr. Austin is dead.” He reassured her.
She shrugged. “Even if he is still alive, it wouldn’t change anything. You know how I feel about that family.”
“You don’t have to tell me. You can’t wait for your family to replace hers. You know, that has a slim chance of happeni
ng.” He rolled over and began to kiss her, pushing his body on top of her own. She returned the sexual gesture, wrapping her arms around his midsection in a tight embrace.
While his lower extremities remained focused on their foreplay, he thought about how low he’d gone just to keep her where he wanted her. He didn’t like his stance nor did he like the idea that he needed her to maintain contact with Ruby and her coven.
“What’re you thinking about?” She pulled back from him.
“Mr. Alvaro.” He came up with a quick enough lie. She was easily convinced.
“You worry too much.” She kissed his cheek.
His mind riffled through what he planned to say to their Head Master. It made him weary. That man wasn’t like any other researcher in The Brotherhood.
“Without Veronica’s father around to mettle in your affairs, things will be much easier.”
Annoyed, she lowered her voice. “That family is a mistake that needs to be erased and when that happens, I’ll pick out a cell and make sure Veronica rots in it.”
“We still need her. Until that day comes when we don’t, she remains important.” He scrambled out of bed.
“How so?”
“Not everyone in The Brotherhood is okay with your family’s connection with the Dorvo Coven.” He walked to his closet.
“Are you?”
“Honestly. No. I’m not comfortable.”
“Why? Is it because Ruby will only talk to me?”
“It’s more than that.”
“If you ask nicely, I can try to persuade her to talk to you,” she said, her voice now soothing. “My family has known her for decades. My father and grandfather had strong ties with them.”
Deception (Deamhan Chronicles Book 3) Page 15
