Voracious Vixens, 13 Novels of Sexy Horror and Hot Paranormal Romance

by Travis Luedke

  If these were orgies they were fantastic, satisfying in the extreme.

  But it was Ned who was my most ardent and caring lover. He wished to marry me he said but I laughed. I have done foolish things in my time both living and undead, but never was I a greater fool than to not believe Ned...!

  I stopped reading. No, I thought. It is all too incredible. It can’t be true. Still, what if it was?

  I knew I would tell Ramet and ask him if he could find out whatever happened to this Christine. It was all I could think to do. I had to know more about her!

  CHAPTER 38

  I wanted to see Ramet but knew we would be watched, so I had documented everything I wanted to say to him. I would slip my note to him when I could.

  I doubted he could write me back and I said I understood. I told him to be brave and said he should not worry about me, adding they were playing us one against the other. Threatening both of us should we be seen not to do their bidding.

  Further I wrote...

  ...whatever happens; happens I know we will escape here. You will see, my friend. Have hope. Hope is all we have.

  Ned could be worse so do not fear for me. Now for what I need to know—see if you can find out Ramet. I have found a journal that was hidden—it was kept by a vampire female called Christine Edwards. Please find out whatever you can without jeopardizing yourself. I want to know if what she wrote is true...

  I closed my letter by wishing him well and saying he would endure this, that we both would.

  I added and it was true, telling him that I had a recurring dream where we had escaped. Not only us, but with others. It was dark and there were many shadows. But then the darkness lifted a little—and there was the night sky and freedom, I wrote.

  I folded up the letter into a tiny ball and I waited. When Ned said that Ramet was coming under guard to see me I was thrilled and showed it.

  “Don’t think you will have privacy to tell him much because you won’t. There will be eunuch guards watching both of you!”

  That didn’t scare me in the least for I was too determined to pass the message to my friend.

  Ramet came up as promised with the two guards after I fed. Ned watched me carefully, that was the only time I felt a bit uneasy. Perhaps he suspected I was going to pass a message on?

  Mercifully he left when Ramet arrived. “Take him to the parlor and do not leave them alone! I have to arrange something for my son. Something I am certain he will enjoy!” I am sure he said this for my benefit.

  My poor vampire friends. I wondered who would have the honor of entertaining Anton.

  Ramet looked awful. I had never seen him look so bad. His face was gaunt and his skin looked tinged with grey. Though he smiled, he was tearful. “Justine!”

  One of the eunuchs warned him. “Don’t be too overjoyed. You will not be left alone.”

  Ramet stared at me and I stared back, a moment passed between us, where I knew he could read my mind! I wished for him to distract the guards for a moment.

  He started to argue with them as I took the rolled up message out. Then he rushed toward me. They sprang after him but didn’t realize I had slipped the message into his hand. I saw him hide it in the sleeve of his tunic.

  They were shouting at him, warning him if he did anything like that again, he’d pay for his insolence.

  He promised he would not. “It was just the joy of seeing my friend again that made me forget myself!”

  “See that it doesn’t happen again!” was the answer, accompanied by a powerful punch. Ramet nearly lost his balance. He looked embarrassed.

  I called out, “Please let me speak with my friend!”

  He was led over to where I sat. I knew he was pleased he had the letter. Whatever I said was going to be overheard. But I spoke anyway. I asked him how he was, and he said he was coping. “It is difficult of course.”

  He asked me how I fared and I said, “As you, in difficulty.”

  However, he added, looking at the guards, “I endure and shall continue to do so.”

  I loved it when he said that.

  Of course we were so limited in what we could say as to be self-conscious. He spoke some more and I did too about feeds. I wondered if he was ever given that strange blood wine I was. I doubted it.

  They took him away finally. I don’t know how much time I was able to see my friend, but it was not long.

  Before he was taken away he called out, “Be brave, Justine, you are the strongest female I know!”

  The guards sniggered but I wept. I called out, “We endure, my friend! We endure!”

  And so we would, I was determined!

  ****

  I hadn’t found out from Ramet, it was Ned who told me there was going to be a show coming up soon. “Two actually,” he said. “One will be for the punters—those that come to see the exhibits. That will start this Saturday....!” he added, smiling. “It will be a most special event. I am going to have some important clients over. Acquaintances you might say, dearly respected friends that travel in the best circles.”

  I dreaded to think what I’d have to do.

  He added, “I want to show you off, you see. I want them to meet you, Justine ... I am very proud of you.”

  That made me worry. Mind, I was no blushing flower—if I am a vampire, I crave sex as I do blood, but I prefer to choose who I copulate with and who I feed from.

  Ned was studying me as he often did. “You look worried.”

  “I was just wondering what will be expected of me, that’s all.”

  He smiled. “You worry too much! You will love it, the attention and talk. There are aristocrats and bankers, one foreign prince too.”

  I had no choice. If it hadn’t been for Ramet being at risk, I’d have welcomed my own destruction! But he was in danger. I had to obey. I tried to look as though I was pleased.

  Ned looked delighted at my new cooperative nature. “Let us discuss what you will wear.”

  He had gowns brought to me. I wondered if Christine of the journal had ever worn them. They were the most handsome gowns I had ever seen. One was cherry red satin, trimmed in black lace. There was an array I could not have imagined. Some were quite sheer. It was difficult to choose. I didn’t want to be too risqué.

  Ned chuckled. “I will choose for you if you like.” He chose the cherry and black lace as I knew he would. “Try it on ... I want to see you in it.”

  When I moved to take it away he pleaded with me to dress where I was. So I did.

  “Please I want to touch you...only for a moment.”

  He walked toward me, his eyes fixed on my bare breasts. “Venus was not lovelier,” he said. “I have not really taken you yet. I promised and I will keep my promise. I can be a man of my word.”

  I knew he could tell me anything. So I just smiled and put the gown on. How he loved it. “It suits your hair and your eyes as well as your skin.”

  “My vampire pallor?” I asked.

  He looked annoyed. “Justine, you do not know how beautiful you are as you are. It is difficult for me...”

  I didn’t even want to think about what he meant though I knew all too well.

  “I have to leave now. There are things to do in the hall. Good night, Justine. I will return with your feed.”

  Feed? Could it be laced with poison I wondered?

  He looked awful when he returned later with my feed. “It’s my son,” he said. “A vampire wench nearly ripped his throat apart! And then she went for his cock! You would not have believed the blood! It is a miracle he did not die! He is being cared for. Anton will survive!”

  He looked at me. “Perhaps it was the wrong vampire wench,” he said. “Perhaps, he’d have been better off with you.”

  The inference was clear. That was going to happen at some point. There was no way I was going to stay here now. I intended to get word to Ramet.

  CHAPTER 39

  Though that comment worried me, he didn’t mention it again as Anton was improving. The
party was on his mind as it was fast approaching. That filled me with dread. I was fearful for Ramet. I didn’t fear for myself though. No, I did if I am honest because vampire destruction is horrendous. I have seen enough vampires die to know that.

  Ned kept reminding me about the special guests that were coming. “You will like them I am certain! You must look your best. They will be expecting you to because of all that I have said.” His eyes swept over me. “Maybe someday...” He did not finish the thought and I was glad.

  I didn’t read more of the journal—I found I could not concentrate on anything as the party drew nearer.

  At least Ned was not around as much, there were eunuchs stationed to guard me. Ned was busy with his son. I never asked how he was faring and didn’t care that Ned was annoyed. It forced him to tell me himself.

  Our evenings were always the same. He’d speak with me while I drank that blood wine...that concoction I craved ever more and yes, it did occur to me I was addicted, but the need for it overruled any caution on my part.

  Ned mainly spoke to me about Anton. I tried not to listen but it was impossible. I had Ramet to consider.

  “He is in so much pain, but quite the fighter. I am certain he will pull through.”

  I asked him if he had a doctor. He looked shocked. “Of course I have,” he said. “He is an old friend of mine...”

  “Does he tend your exhibits too when they sicken?”

  Ned’s eyes looked steely then. “Be careful Justine.”

  “Well I guess they are expendable, unlike your beloved son.”

  He didn’t reply to that and I was relieved. He left me there to swill down the rest of my strange tasting feed.

  We barely spoke to one another after that, not until the day before the function. He had been watching me for some time. It was most annoying. At last he spoke, “So will you be ready for my friends?”

  The expression on his face was guarded and I felt I’d best watch what I said. “I am ready, yes Ned. When will they be arriving?”

  “I should say by 10 pm. As it is not yet summer, it will still be dark. I will have refreshments for them and you may have as much blood wine as you like.” Then he smiled. “I just remembered you have not yet seen the food store, I wonder when you will.”

  “So do I,” I said.

  “Fear not, they will not ask about it I am sure.”

  He had the most peculiar expression on his face. I could not read it. He knew full well I did not wish to see the food store especially with him.

  ****

  The day before they came, I could hardly sleep. I rested though which was enough. I did fortify myself before I dressed with the blood wine, so much so, Ned warned me about taking too much.

  Then I dressed and waited. I felt like what I was, a vampire whore. Perhaps well kitted out, but I was astute enough to know the truth.

  He had me wait in the parlor. Two eunuchs had come up, naturally Ramet was not present, but there again I was relieved for it wouldn’t have surprised me if he had been summoned. Ned was sadistic and perverted after all.

  I was seated on the sofa when they came, one by one these important looking men, coming to see a sideshow owner’s vampire mistress.

  There was with them the most attractive Negro woman. Quite exotic she was, dressed in a shimmering gown of purple satin. She smelled of mimosa, quite nice if a little overpowering. She looked delighted to see me. “I have known Ned a long time...”

  There was something about her I found intriguing. Could she, I thought, be the Christine of the journal?

  Ned put his arm around her. “This is my dearest wench I brought her all the way from New Orleans some years ago.” He looked at her. “She left me for another, didn’t you my girl?”

  The woman laughed but did not answer. I imagined I’d know soon enough all there was to know.

  The men surrounded her, dressed handsomely in well-tailored frock coats. One or two wore military dress uniforms. I was introduced to each one, but made no note of their names. The foreign prince appeared to be quite taken with me. He was one of two that sat on either side of me, the other being an English Marquis. Each asked me questions about where I was from and how long had I been a vampire.

  I weighed them up before replying. I did not wish to be made fun of. I replied honestly. They were polite for the most part but there was an undercurrent of something else—something that was not unexpected.

  Ned missed nothing. He began to serve more drinks and kept asking me if I wanted more as well, it was then I knew that I was in trouble.

  “You know how much you like it, Justine. Come sweet. It will relax you.”

  “Sweet,” I said? “Sweet?”

  He looked annoyed but smiled when the others began to laugh. “I suggest you take it,” he whispered, “it will go easier for you if you remember your friend.”

  Yet another Ramet threat.

  At the first sip, I thought about refusing it. Clearly it was stronger—much stronger. The bitterness was overpowering. “It’s stronger,” I said. Ned said nothing, he only watched and smiled at the others as they urged me to drink. I did, but the only reason I did was for my friend.

  As I drank, I began to feel more relaxed.

  “Look,” the woman said. “Don’t you know me?” She began to come closer. “I am Christine. Ned knows you have been reading...”

  I could tell by her speech and the dull cast in her eyes she was heavily drugged. She was mumbling something about wanting to go, but Ned slapped her for it. And she, this vampire—could only weep!

  So that was it. The journal was all part of Ned’s plan. I was meant to read it! I tried to rise but was pushed down by Ned. I knew I was losing my awareness. My thinking was becoming muddled. My surroundings too looked strange and murky. It seemed as if everything was merging together in one great blur. I saw faces peering down at me, smiling. I heard fragments of sentences.

  “Is she, are you sure?”

  “Into the other room...”

  Someone touched me. I was sure of it. Yet—I thought I could have dreamt it.

  “Who is there?” I called.

  There was laughter when I asked that.

  Ned came close. I realized it was he because I smelled his liquor-soaked breath. “Tasting now...just tasting...”

  There was a murmur of laughter and the feeling that something was pulling at my breast first one and then the other.

  This went on for a long time, until I blacked out. I know I did because I began to dream. I dreamt I saw Gascoyne and he told me to be brave. “Do not worry,” he said. “It will be alright!”

  I answered him and when I did, I felt myself being lifted up.

  “In there...”

  I knew I was being moved. “I am awake now.”

  “More or less,” was the reply accompanied by yet more laughter.

  “Taste her! Taste her!”

  That scent of mimosa again...I knew it was Christine they wished to have a sip of my blood.

  A sting and then the drawing forth of my blood. She was as gentle as she could be even I knew that in the state I was in.

  “I am sorry...” she whispered.

  I saw her face, just for a moment. She shook her head. “Forgive...”

  But then it all changed. I became aware of the stench of a Feral.

  I screamed. “No! Get it away!”

  It began feeding on me. I was being held. It was the eunuchs—I recognized their faces.

  “Hold her steady let him feed.”

  I was held so that I could not move. The agony I felt was indescribable, and all of it accompanied by laughter. The more it fed, the more desperate I became until my mind cleared completely.

  “Watch her! Look out!”

  I was fully awake. Somehow I had pushed the thing off of me. I flew at it, sinking my teeth into its throat. The eunuchs rushed in but I was in an insane rage—and the rage made me far more powerful than I could ever hope to be. I bit them and tore at their eyes. The
y fell back and I howled with laughter.

  The Feral I saw, had been badly injured and lay writhing in pain, as for my tormenters, they looked a sight, standing naked, their cocks shriveled as their fear overtook their passion.

  Ned was naked as well and I sprang at him. Laughing like the wild lunatic I had become. I tore at him, sinking my teeth into his neck. He cried out in agony.

  I knew I had to flee. I rushed out toward the hall doors. There were only two Handlers there and when they saw me they moved aside, but I bit them anyway and burst through the open doors and out into the night—the enraged blood-splattered beast that I was.

  CHAPTER 40

  My rage was uncontrollable. I tore out into the street with the desire to rip apart anyone I saw. I rushed into alley after alley seeking somewhere to hide and feed! Oh yes! I never wished to feed more than I did then.

  I found a cellar containing some sleepers in it, vagabonds – not caring what their sex or age was, I drained them quickly. The two that tried to escape were so easy to overpower and feed on. It was not easy to stop feeding, even when I knew they were dead.

  I was bloated on blood. Their lives—were not noted by me as I fed. I cared not. I only cared that I had no more blood to drink as full as I was!

  At last I stretched out for I felt too engorged to move. It was when I was lying there that I thought of Ramet. Ramet! That is what sobered me up. How hadn’t I thought of him? Ned would take out his anger on him! He’d have his revenge.

  I decided to go back as I could not and would not survive knowing I had been the cause of Ramet’s destruction. As I moved toward the door, I heard hundreds of rats squealing and scurrying toward the remains of the bloody carnage I had left them.

  There were Handlers about. I saw them at once. Two pointed in my direction and ran toward me but stopped. They couldn’t take me as they were. They’d need help.

  I knelt down—showing them I would not fight. Naturally they were cautious and approached me slowly. They said nothing as they shackled me.

  “I will not fight,” I assured them.

  I was pulled to my feet, my strength feeling sapped by the chains. I nearly stumbled. None of them came near me, not even to taunt me. Instead I was pushed along.