Calling for a Miracle [The Order of Vampyres 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (41 page)

She was growing hungry. They had not eaten more than a few quick bites here and there since the bishop had arrived at her apartment several days ago. Although she had fed twice, her body needed more nourishment then blood alone.

As she sat unattended and forgotten she thought back over the prior evening. The bishop had had her father locked in a cell. Why? Her father was a good male. He had never broken any laws or even interfered where he had no business. Surely there had been some sort of misunderstanding. She was irritated, remembering that, when she tried to speak on his behalf, her father had done nothing but reprimand her for interfering. She had had just about enough of males and their authoritarian beliefs.

Her stomach growled and her ire peaked. Larissa huffed and began pacing across the cold floor, trying to get her blood pumping to warm her body. She went to the window and noticed several buggies parked outside the safe house. Was the bishop entertaining guests? Furious that he could be so ill-mannered and forget that she had no personal effects or even belongings to occupy her time, she stomped out of the room and to the stairs.

She paused at the top of the steps, looking down at her dirty feet. On second thought she went back to the water closet and lathered up a washrag and began scrubbing her feet vigorously. Once they were clean she returned to the stairs. She still was self-conscious of her naked toes and bare head, yet she had waited long enough. How dare he leave her with no food or books or even proper attire for the day!

She was prepared to march down those steps, find the bishop, and tell him what a selfish ass she thought he was. Perhaps she wouldn’t even give him that courtesy. Perhaps she would simply walk down the steps and right out the front door of this godforsaken safe house. He didn’t seem to want her here anyway, at least not as anything more than an ornament that sat idly by, waiting for him to grace her with his fleeting presence.

She thought about where she could go. She didn’t want to go to her mother’s because her father had likely returned home by now and told her about what an embarrassment his daughter was because she tried to defend him. Silly her for believing she could be of some help.

She would have liked to see Gracie, but her sister was likely at her parents’. She thought about going to see Adam, but he was most likely working. Larissa had only met Annalise a few times and wasn’t sure if the female would be offended if Larissa suddenly showed up unannounced.

Larissa wished she knew where Cain was. Of all her siblings he was the one she held dearest to her heart. He understood what her life had been like for the past year. While the rest of her family left her to her husband’s own devices, Cain had always made a point to check in on her and interfere in a subtle way when he thought Silus was being overbearing. Of course he could never interfere in a way that Silus was aware of, but Cain knew that and somehow still managed to help her find some breathing room from time to time. She wondered if he would soon visit her apartment and find it empty. He would worry. Larissa lamented that she did not leave her brother a note so that he would not be concerned.

There was really nowhere for her to go. The bishop had told her she was not to leave the safe house anyway. However, she now felt like disobeying his order for the simple pleasure of showing him that she could. She was not some object to be put away and only pulled out when he felt the desire to play with her.

Feeling her temper rise again, Larissa decided she was going to go find the bishop and tell him exactly what she thought of his disregard for her. She took the first step and paused at the top of the stairs when she heard voices. She looked, but saw no one.

“It will only be a matter of time. You must be patient,” a male voice said. “If you dismiss the council’s order, you will only find yourself out of their favor and that is not a place you want to be.”

Larissa frowned as she tried to place the voice. It was vaguely familiar.

“He is right, my boy. When the time comes you will see it was better that you waited and did as your elders asked. Once things return to normal, you will have every right to restore things in a manner that you see fit. The council will have no authority at that point. And I have no doubt you will do everything in your power so that something like this never happens again,” a second male voice said.

As the voices grew closer, Larissa stepped back into the shadows of the landing. She wanted to see who was speaking, but did not want to be caught eavesdropping. “She will return soon and once she does, you will never have to address the subject of your wife with the council again. I only pray she understands her offense and is repentant for the trouble she has caused. It is important she understand what it truly means to honor and obey.”

“Oh she will learn,” another voice said and Larissa felt her veins fill with icy dread. She knew that voice very well. “After I beat her within an inch of her life for the humiliation she has caused me, I will spend the rest of my days reminding her of her place.”

The sound of male laughter filled the hall. “Easy now, boy. Do not get too rough with her or you will find yourself in front of the council, discussing the issue of wives again.”

“Yes, perhaps to ask for a new one!” her husband said cruelly. “If I had known then what a cold bitch I was getting I never would have asked for her.”

Larissa’s hand went to her throat as she pressed her back firmly against the wall. She could barely breathe for fear of being seen. She heard the men’s footsteps reach the front door. The sound of a match striking and the stench of Silus’s cigar smoke reached her nose.

The other man chuckled again and then said, “She is a rather prim female, but I am no fool. No doubt her prudence makes conquering her all the more rewarding.”

The front door opened as Silus made an agreeable grunt. Larissa could not listen to another word. As soon as she thought they were out of sight of the stairs, she ran to the bishop’s bedroom and slammed the door behind her. Pressing her back into the door, she slid down the surface and began to cry before she even reached the floor.

Chapter 27

It was midnight by the time Eleazar made it upstairs. He had not seen Larissa all day and while he had hoped she found ways to keep herself occupied, he felt atrocious about not being able to spend at least a little time with her on her first day in his home. He knew it had to be a bit intimidating finding your way in a home you had never visited before. However, it was now her home, too, and it would do her well to adjust to that fact as quickly as possible.

He wondered how Larissa would change his house. No doubt she would leave little fingerprints of herself here and there, accents that only a female eye could see a house needed to become a home. Eleazar looked forward to watching her express herself in such a way. He would find great pleasure and pride in knowing that she saw his home as her own. Perhaps she would even choose one room to convert into a nursery.

He had not been able to leave his office for most of the day. He had left his bed in the early-morning hours in order to familiarize himself with what had been going on in his absence. After poring over various ledgers and making a list of issues he needed to address with the other elders, he had sent a messenger out with a request for the elders to join him for a meeting to discuss urgent matters, matters such as Isaiah Hartzler.

By the time the council meeting was underway, it was already noon. They had discussed the repercussions of Isaiah’s survival at some length, each male adding his own theory to the debate. Reaching a verdict regarding his execution was not an easy task. For such a vote the board would have to reach a unanimous consensus. This may have happened sooner if one of the elders was not Ezekiel Hartzler, Isaiah’s brother.

The vote was turned in several times. It wasn’t until early evening, after reviewing all other options, that they had finally settled in agreement. Isaiah Hartzler needed to be destroyed.

Eleazar had watched Elder Ezekiel Hartzler carefully throughout the day. The man was patient and firm in matters he felt passionate about. Eleazar saw that same dedication in the male’s granddaughter. He was beginning to cease seeing it as stubborn pride. Rather, he was beginning to recognize it as perseverance and an unwavering obligation to those they loved.

The meeting was adjourned at eight o’clock. Eleazar spent the next few hours documenting the council’s concerns. He regretted not having the time to begin the paperwork regarding Larissa and Silus’s union. It was a priority to him, but in light of other circumstances, he had to deal with matters fairly, prioritizing items based on who was affected. People were dying at the hands of Isaiah Hartzler. His existence took precedence over all else. Hopefully, tomorrow they could put the matter to rest and he could deal with other important issues, issues that greatly affected him and his mate.

While running to his office in the midst of the meeting, he had passed Adriel. He knew she was curious of how he had managed concerning Larissa. As her friend, he was anxious to share the news with her. However, there again, council business came first. Perhaps, in the days to come, he would find the chance to formally introduce his friend to his beautiful mate. He had no doubt the two would get along.

He had heard that Silus was lingering around the safe house. Eleazar was positive the man was curious about his return and why he had not had his wife delivered to him. It was unfortunate that Eleazar would have to disappoint the young fellow. Truly unfortunate.

Before heading up to bed, Eleazar took some extra time to organize his thoughts regarding Larissa’s annulment. He did not think he would face too much opposition now that they had bonded, but Eleazar was a male who liked to be prepared.

As he headed up the stairs, his body warmed at the idea of curling into bed with his mate. Larissa was probably anxious to hear about his day. She would be pleased to know that matters were clearing up quickly and they could possibly legalize their marriage by week’s end.

Eleazar stopped briefly in the water closet to wash up before bed. When he finished his ablutions, he breathed in a contented sigh and entered his bedroom. The room was dark and Larissa’s body rested on the far end of the bed beneath the covers. After removing his clothes he carefully climbed under the covers and pulled her close. He kissed her softly on her bare shoulder and realized she was awake.

“Hello, my beautiful girl. I have missed you.”

He pulled her closer and she rolled to her back. He then softly kissed her lips and pulled the covers away, baring her body to him. He had forgotten just how breathtaking she was. Her nipples puckered under the cool chill in the air. Eleazar leaned down and kissed each tip lovingly. He settled himself more on top of her and was about to kiss her properly when he noticed something was wrong.

“What is it, Larissa?”

He watched her swallow and shut her eyes for a moment. When she gazed back at him, she softly said, “Nothing, my dear. Please continue.”

He frowned at her. What game was she playing? He hesitated a moment and then slowly leaned in to kiss her. Perhaps she had been sleeping and he had wakened her after all. She was likely just a bit disoriented from sleep.

His lips met hers and she yielded to him. Slowly he began to move his mouth over hers. He pressed his tongue past her lips and attempted to express just how much he had missed her that day. His hands slid below her shoulders and he held her to him as he continued to worship her mouth.

Something was still off. She was not holding him back. Perhaps she was just warming a bit slower than usual this evening. “Kiss me back,
bellissima.
”
He felt her tongue lightly skim over his. “I have thought of you all day,” he murmured as he began to kiss his way down her throat.

When he reached her breast, he softly licked at each pink tip, but found his mouth wanting to taste other parts of her. He scooted farther down the bed and fit himself between her thighs. She was being awfully quiet this evening. He knew what would rouse her. Pressing her creamy thighs apart, he used his thumb to separate her lips and paused. Dry.