Dark Blooded Desires: Vampire Fantasy (Bonds of Damurios Book 1)

by Nicki Ruth

  Her legs gave out. Marius grabbed her to steady her. She tried to break free of him and run, but Marius’ hold was strong. She was on a ship suspended in a black void! How did she get here? How would she ever get out? Restore yourself among the stars, whispered in her head.

  “Easy. Calm yourself.”

  She heard Marius’ voice faint as if from a distance. She continued to struggle, gasping for air until her vision blurred and all went black.

  ∞∞∞

  Alexios wiped the blood off his hands. His prisoner had not given up any information when Alexios asked nicely, so he beat the prisoner until his face was almost unrecognizable. That really set his blood pumping. His bloodlust was rising to the surface.

  “Where did you and your captain pilot the Bridgeton to? Surely you remember now. Where did you make port, given your valuable cargo?” Alexios asked calmly.

  The prisoner gurgled, his one opened eye glazed over. “P-please, I don't remember. Please! Mercy.”

  Alexios smiled while the prisoner whimpered, struggling in vain against his bindings. It didn't matter what his answer was. Alexios would soon know the truth. He twisted the prisoner’s head backward and leaned down towards the rapidly pulsing vein at the man’s neck. “One last chance to tell me the truth.”

  The prisoner trembled and continued to beg. Alexios’ fangs emerged, and he sank them deeply into the thick vein. Blood flooded his mouth. He drank deeply and purred. The flavor burst on his tongue, delicious and arousing. It had been a while since he’d taken from the vein. It felt . . . wonderful. The bottles of blood they stocked paled in comparison. He drank until the prisoner became slack in his arms. Alexios pulled back, savoring the taste and feeling. Energy pulsed through his body, giving his cells new life. When the feeling passed, he stepped away from the lifeless body.

  Alexios grinned, satisfied. He was one of few vampires who could read the blood of those they drank from. His prisoner’s memories would soon travel through his mind, allowing him to pick out the ones he needed. He would find out the last coordinates of the Bridgeton and, eventually, his sire.

  Chapter 5

  Alexios headed to the upper deck where his sirelings were almost certainly bickering. He needed to talk with them about the latest developments and let them know, in no uncertain terms, that he would see them asleep during the Dāmming.

  The Dāmming was coming soon; he could feel it in his body. He would take no chances with the safety of his sirelings. They would rage at him, but he had only awakened them temporarily to send a message to the empire: that he would not be denied or underestimated. Delta B’s decimation was a necessary evil.

  Then there was the woman. She was an enigma to be sure, but if her presence was orchestrated to derail his plans, or to hurt him or his sirelings, then he would eliminate her. Even so, Alexios felt his rage threatening to erupt at the thought of harming her. It was vexing. He had to solve her mystery quickly.

  Maybe it was best if he let Marius continue to deal with her, but her face had haunted his dreams for centuries. He once craved just a glimpse of her smile from a distance—so carefree and adventurous.

  He stopped at her door to the guest chamber Marius had moved her into. He placed his hand on the door as if he could sense her, whether she was comfortable or distressed. The last time he’d seen her, she was in a panic. Against his better judgment, he opened the door and stepped into the chamber. She slept on the bed in the center of the room, though not peacefully. She thrashed, small gasps and moans escaping her periodically.

  Alexios stepped toward her and placed his hand on hers. He wanted to offer her comfort, peace if he could. She moaned and her head turned toward him. A frown marred her brow, but she soon settled in her sleep. Alexios didn't remove his hand. He gazed at her, debating whether to leave or stay a while longer. How strange it was to see this beautiful face once again.

  ∞∞∞

  Someone wept near her head. A female voice whispered, “Davina! Oh, Davina! I wish things hadn’t turned out this way. I don't want you to leave.”

  Who was crying? She wanted to ask questions, but she could not speak.

  “I hope we’ll see each other again, Davina. Remember what I foretold: ‘You will be restored to yourself among the stars. The Blood’s threads weave to unite all to its purpose.’ Don’t be afraid, Davina. Remember . . .”

  She woke with a start, panting. The past day’s events came back to her. She was on a ship that hovered in a black abyss, alone in a strange room. She held her head and groaned. This wasn't a dream. She lay back on the pillows, her mind conflicted between thoughts of escape and her misplaced memory.

  The voice from her dream whispered again in her mind. Who was Davina? Was it her? And who was the woman crying in her dreams? She sighed. There was no use lying about. She wouldn't find her answers between the sheets. She noticed for the first time that she was in a different room from before. It was more luxurious; the floor was carpeted, the walls were covered with intricate patterns, and the furnishings were plush, softer than cold metal. As in the other room, there were boxes on the walls with strange symbols and flashing colored lights.

  She walked to a door on her left then yelped and reared back when it slid open of its own accord. Cautiously, she peeped through the doorway and saw fluffy towels hanging from the wall. What was this room? It was tiled and clean. She raised her hand to a metallic spout jutting out of the wall and, like magic, water flowed from the spout into a basin attached to the wall. She withdrew her hand and the water stopped. Back and forth, she moved her hand over the water spout and back again, watching the water come and go for several minutes, giggling.

  Someone cleared their throat behind her, and she jumped.

  “Having fun?” Marius’ eyes creased at the corners.

  She wanted to roll her eyes, but she kept her face neutral. “I was just wondering how your water spout worked.”

  Marius chuckled. “It’s not a water spout. It’s a faucet. You can wash up here.” He turned to the other side of the tiled room and pointed. “Over here is the shower, or if you prefer, the bathtub. Would you like me to show you how they work?”

  She almost swooned at the thought of a bath. She wanted to be out of her dirty clothes and scrub the grime off her body. “If you wish,” she managed, averting her eyes. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her too eager.

  He smiled, clasping his hands behind his back. “I figured you would be pleased to be able to take a bath. But if you prefer not to– ”

  “No!” she almost shouted. “I. . . I mean I would appreciate you showing me the bath. I mean the bathtub. How it works.” Her face and ears warmed as Marius smirked. Damn! He was playing with her. She silently cursed her awkwardness.

  He lips twitched. “I find your ignorance amusing. I’m still not sure if it’s feigned or genuine.”

  She scowled and glared at him, saying nothing. The devil! He continued smiling and turned toward a stall surrounded by glass. The doors automatically opened when he stepped up to them. “This is the shower. Water comes from the head with the touch of this button.” He touched a square in the center of the tile and water fell like rain from the top of the stall. She gasped and immediately hoped Marius hadn’t heard her.

  “Soap is dispensed from here.” He touched another square and a white substance squirted out from the side. “When you are finished showering, simply retouch the first button.” He did so and the water stopped.

  Magic! She stared wide-eyed at the contraption.

  Marius stepped from the glass stall and turned to a large basin in the corner of the room. “This is the bathtub. To fill it with water, press this button here. You can adjust the temperature with this button, and you can drain the tub by touching this button. There are more features, but these are the basics. Are you paying attention?” He glanced at her.

  She nodded several times. She wasn't sure she understood everything, but she’d be damned if she had to ask him to repe
at his instructions.

  There was a chair-like object on the other side of the room, but he didn't mention it and she refrained from asking.

  Marius smirked as if he knew what she was thinking. If he did, however, he didn’t mention it. “Wonderful. Towels and toiletries are on the wall here, and there are clean pants and tunics.” He gestured toward the bedroom. “Please be mindful that the ship does not have an unlimited supply of water, and it is not to be wasted on nonessential, ah . . . needs like baths.” He looked at her knowingly then continued. “I’ll leave you to it, then. Our captain requests an audience with you over dinner when you are finished. I will escort you. To summon me, press the center button on the intercom at the room’s entrance. Do you have any questions?”

  “No, thank you. I can take it from here.” She waved her hand in dismissal, eyeing him cautiously. He gave her a one-sided smile, staring for a few moments longer. Then he bowed ridiculously low and left the room.

  She peeped after him to make sure he was gone. She spun around. The room was glorious. She tried not to squeal with glee at the thought of water on her skin. Maybe once she was clean, she would be able to think more clearly. So lost was she in the wonder of the water-room that she forgot Marius’ mention of her upcoming meeting with the ship’s captain.

  ∞∞∞

  Alexios left the lounge, where Jason and Brandr were playing some ridiculous card game they had learned from a Tarion traveler, and met up with Marius as they headed toward the bridge.

  “How’s the woman?” he asked as Marius fell in step beside him.

  “Very spritely, I must say. She tries to hide her emotions from me, but I can read her so well.” Marius smiled. He had the unique ability to read someone’s emotions—his bloodgift, which he had perfected over the centuries.

  At Marius’ smile, Alexios scowled and growled low in his throat.

  Marius held up his hands. “I'm merely doing what you requested of me: seeing to her well-being.” Marius stopped. “You've been irritable since she came aboard. Who is she to you?”

  Marius watched him intently, no doubt trying to read his emotions. Fortunately, Alexios had developed some strategies over the years to keep Marius out of his head, though his sirelings weren't so lucky.

  Alexios sighed. “I’m just a little more on edge. We’re so close to finding what we seek, and I don't need unnecessary distractions, not from Jason or Brandr, and not from the woman.”

  “And how are your sons? Will they be joining you later?” Marius asked, changing the subject as he continued towards the bridge.

  “Not surprisingly, they were displeased to hear they’ll be going back to sleep.” Alexios shrugged. Displeased was an understatement. Brandr had thrown a chair across the room, and the normally calm Jason had shouted at him.

  “I don't blame them. They desire to serve at your side.”

  Alexios stopped and turned to Marius. “You were the one most eager to see them asleep. And you were right. We’ve lost too much already. I don’t want to lose them this Dāmming, and I cannot afford to worry about that. As a matter of fact, I’m also considering seeing you safely asleep in the vault.”

  Marius gasped, his face stricken. He grabbed Alexios. “No, Alex,” Marius said in a strained whisper, his eyes wide, burning red. “I must stay with you. You cannot be alone to face him. I . . . I won’t leave you!” Marius stepped closer to Alexios, his grip on Alexios’ shoulder grew tighter. “Don't put me to sleep!”

  The ability to put his sirelings into a deep stasis was one of Alexios’ many gifts, waking them with a few drops of his blood. He had discovered the ability by accident a couple of hundred years ago when Brandr suddenly fell over unconscious after Alexios’ tried to mentally help him out of a bloodrage. The ability only seemed to work on his sons. He had never heard of it in another vampire, either before or since.

  “All will be well, my friend. I said I was considering it. I haven't made up my mind.” Alexios placed his palm on Marius' cheek, stroking it gently. “We’ll all make it through this Dāmming.” Then he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “You’re ever the hypocrite, Marius. You desire to stand by my side while jealously denying your brothers the same.”

  “They can be unpredictable,” Marius said softly, still standing close to Alexios, his gaze downcast. “I’m the oldest. I have more experience.”

  Alexios laughed. “We’ll see. Let’s go to the bridge. I’ve gained some of my prisoner’s memories and want to check out some things.”

  “Yes,” Marius replied. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter 6

  She managed to get dressed without incident, but she didn’t fare so well during her bath. The water-room had flooded. No matter. She had enjoyed lounging in the bathtub. She had scrubbed her skin raw, washed her hair, and splashed about. She had pressed many of the squares on the box that controlled the bathtub, which mostly contributed to the current state of the water-room. She pulled a comb through her thick, dark curls. With the dirt gone, she could see the faint reddish highlights again among her dark hair. Her coppery skin practically glowed now. The clothes fit loosely around her, but she felt content for the first time since waking up in this nightmare. A bath had been just what she needed.

  She stretched and threw herself on the bed, enjoying the softness of the blankets and moaning with pleasure. But she needed to think hard about her current circumstances and piece together her missing memories.

  Davina. She liked the name. Maybe she was Davina. Why couldn't she remember her own name? She had heard about people who hit their heads only to have their memories taken. She had been covered in blood and her clothing had been torn. Perhaps that is what happened to her.

  As she lay on the bed, she felt something stir within her, like a volcano seeping lava, warm energy spilling from the depths of her core to her chest and limbs. Blood roared in her ears, bubbling below the surface and tingling her skin. She shivered, even as an unnatural heat overtook her. Her gums itched and she bit her lower lip, feeling the urge to bite something, like a teething babe. As suddenly as the feeling came, it ebbed away, like waves retreating from the shore. She sat up on the bed, her arms circling her chest. What was happening to her?

  The bedroom door opened and Marius stood in the doorway. She groaned. She’d forgotten to summon him as he instructed. She was supposed to be meeting the captain! She jumped off the bed.

  Marius looked her up and down slowly and stepped into the room. “Well, you look very fetching.”

  Marius stalked closer, his eyes never leaving her. He had changed into different clothing. Now, he wore black leather pants, black boots, and a white tunic that opened at the neck, exposing his chest. The crimson pendant still hung around his neck. He smiled as he stopped in front of her. She straightened, wondering how his skin would feel under her hand. It looked so smooth, like black silk.

  “I’m here to escort you to dinner. You were supposed to call me when you were finished. Did you have any trouble?” Marius tipped his head to the side, his eyes never leaving hers.

  “No, no trouble. I’m sorry. I only just got finished with my bath,” she said. She didn’t mention the flood she’d created.

  “All right,” he replied slowly. “If you’re ready, the captain awaits.” She nodded and followed him out the room. She wanted to ask him about the captain, but she was a little nervous, and the peculiar sensation she felt on the bed still had her shaken.

  “Are you nervous?” Marius asked as they turned down another hallway.

  She cleared her throat. “I don't believe so.” She lied. “I’m just a bit disoriented, seeing as I’m a prisoner on this ship.”

  At that Marius stopped abruptly, causing her to bump into him. “You’re no prisoner,” he said sternly. “We discovered you adrift, and since you refuse to say who you are or where you come from, we are unable to return you to where you belong. I’m not above setting you back adrift, so please do not abuse our hospitality.”

  She blinke
d. That certainly didn't bode well for her. She shifted her feet at first, then squared her shoulders and smiled sweetly. “Well, Marius, that would be an unkind thing to do since I am completely at your mercy. I've done naught for you to even threaten me so. I didn’t ask to be taken on your ship, did I?”

  Marius quirked an eyebrow. “Time will tell,” was all he said then he continued down the hall.

  They arrived at a room with large windows that looked out into the dark, where countless stars dotted the blackness. The table before her seated about eight. Three other men waited across the room. One grinned and made his way over to her as soon as he saw her.

  “Hello. I’m Jason. We met earlier, although it was through the door.” He had a warm smile and soulful brown eyes. His hair curled about his ears and neck, and almost fell into his eyes. He looked young, barely on the cusp of manhood.

  “I’m pleased to meet you in person this time, Jason.” She smiled, which made him smile wider.

  “Jason.” A resonant voice interrupted from across the room. “Would you please allow our guest to join us?”

  She noticed Jason glare at Marius before taking her elbow to guide her toward the table. She sat down across from a large man with a nasty scar across his face, which ran from his eyebrow to his lip. His hair was golden yellow, and he had the bluest eyes she’d ever seen.

  But he was nothing compared to the man at the head of the table. That man was beyond the most beautiful being she had ever laid eyes on. He was fair in complexion, and his dark hair was tied at his nape. His eyes were as dark as the blackness outside and framed with eyelashes thick and long. His lips were full and evenly shaped. Made for kissing, she thought. He smiled at her obvious perusal of him, and she glimpsed a sole dimple that made him even more appealing.

  “I’m glad you could join us. I would make introductions, but I don't know your name . . .”