Vampire Enslavement (Lords of Bondage) (22 page)

“I expect you to do it at the first reasonable opportunity,” he said sternly.

“Is this your way of telling me you want time alone with your human? Because if it is, I don’t appreciate being asked to violate the prince’s edict on the first night.” She had no doubt that Lord Halloran was prowling about, just waiting to catch her red-handed. He wanted her to screw this up so he could send her back to Asstrumnia. Which wouldn’t be a bad place to be, if not for the swarm of murderous bugs that cannot be avoided this time of year. “Could you not at least be discreet?”

Cabrian leaned his head on his pillow. “So you’re not doing this on purpose. You’re not trying to deliberately provoke me.”

“Provoke you to do what? I don’t understand.” Her pulse raced as she tried to determine what she had done to offend the lord. As much as this job was distasteful, she couldn’t afford to lose it. It provided at least a meager form of protection from Diermont’s advances.

He shifted in the bed, appearing mightily uncomfortable. “That scent. It would provoke any man. Take care of it, Kiera.”

“I cannot imagine whatever it is that you think you smell, but if it makes you feel better, I’ll be sure to use a soap that isn’t scented. I didn’t know your sense of smell was so acute.” The way he was acting, one would think she was entering into a state of heat. But that was a ridiculous idea because she had never been in heat. Unlike every other blood hybrid female who reached a peak of fertility once a decade, she had never experienced it. It was no wonder they believed her to be infertile. It was true that some females were late to bloom, but it was also true that some roses failed to open. She was one of those.

Or was she? Her mother had rarely gone into heat, yet she had somehow managed to procreate during those few times it occurred.
Mother isn’t exactly normal. She’s practically a different species and I don’t even know what that makes me
.

“It’s not the soap. Just fix it.”

Kiera decided to ignore him since she couldn’t do anything about the problem. She wasn’t wanted in this bedroom, so it was no surprise that he would find something to complain about. She would give him what he wanted, time alone with his precious human, but she wouldn’t do it this evening. It would be much too risky to leave the room tonight.

Chapter 14

The Roman lady dressed in a golden stola shimmered with the ropes of diamonds she wore around her throat, arms, hips, and ankles. Even her ears were decorated with rare bluefire diamonds. The lady sat on a divan with her feet propped on an emerald crusted stool. Her gaping neckline revealed bountiful breasts but they were covered by her jewelry. So many strands of pearls were woven into her hair that it was impossible to determine its exact shade. “Tell me something good, Peter.”

He hated it when the Roman lady called him by that name. It wasn’t his real name but it was the one Mistress Agrippa had chosen to use for him. “The hybrids at the Maximus villa are very powerful. They are skilled in telepathy and telekinesis. Many have control of the elements like fire and ice. All of them can transport.”

“Very good.” Her voice fairly purred. The lady was much like a cat and her claws often came out when provoked. “I need hybrids for more than their semen. The Hydra is a profitable business, of course, but I crave power. The hybrids have abilities that no man should possess. So much power and I want it all for myself.”

“How will you achieve this? No human can wield hybrid powers.”

Her pink tongue darted out to wet her lips. “I have the best mage in the world to assist me on this. You have heard of Wilma, the Red Mage, have you not?”

No, he hadn’t heard of her. The name
Wilma
didn’t exactly strike fear into a man’s heart. For some reason he could not fathom, he had an image of a frumpy, redheaded female who rode a dinosaur and wielded a small wooden paddle.

The lady fingered the giant diamond at her throat. “She has found a way to harness hybrid power. She has had success in trapping the powers inside amulets. The process is amazing.”

“Where is this Wilma?”

“Unfortunately she has been spending entirely too much time in Flourda. She has given her allegiance to Nefertiti, the Countess of Avenal, but I hope to steal her away. Soon Wilma will work only for me.”

Nefertiti, the Deranged Dominatrix. He had actually heard of that one. “You don’t need Wilma. Hybrid druids can do everything your mage can do and more.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I haven’t heard from Wilma since we left that island where she conducted her last rituals. I witnessed the creation of a powerful amulet. Wilma promised to make some for me but I have to supply her with the raw materials. The jewelry is easy to come by, but the hybrids are more difficult.”

“You have hybrid slaves aplenty.” He almost wondered why she sought his help.

“All collared.” She picked up a circular object from a display table and held it in her hands as if it was the most cherished artifact in the world. This particular slave collar was made of silver and the Agrippa name was engraved in big letters. She offered it for his perusal.

He declined since he was allergic to the metal. The lady knew this, of course, which was why she had chosen to show him the silver rather than the more commonly used gold ones. She smiled, satisfied with her knowledge of his vulnerabilities. But he knew the truth. He was the more powerful one in the relationship.

The lady put the silver slave collar back on the pedestal. “I’m afraid when they’ve worn the collars for too long, they lose their abilities. Or at least it seems that way. Maybe the hybrids I’ve been collecting aren’t as powerful as the ones you’ve encountered.”

“What you need are blood hybrids. They have the most power. If you want objects to be enchanted with hybrid powers, you must do it through blood rituals. Blood hybrids are especially ideal for this.”

“True, true. That is what Wilma says. I need blood hybrids but those are hard to come by.” She stretched back on her seat and her legs fell open, exposing silky smooth calves and pale thighs. “Yet you have a villa full of them.”

“I can get your raw materials delivered to you.” There were some truly worthless hybrids who didn’t deserve to live. Those were easily sacrificed. “What do I get in return?”

The lady lifted her gown. Her golden pelt was displayed so prettily. She hoped to entice him, clearly that was her deal, but he never accepted her offers. “Oh, Peter, you may have anything you desire.” When he ignored her blatant offer, she snapped her fingers and servants scurried into the room. “Bring my offerings and present them to my special guest.”

A few minutes later, the servants returned with three naked slaves. Their overly large breasts were slathered with honey. They knelt on the floor and bowed their heads. The Roman lady smiled. “A feast for my guest of honor. You may do as you wish to them. They know well how to please a man.”

Peter smiled and beckoned for the curvier one to come to him. He licked the honey from her breasts before he bit into her throat. The female cried out and struggled against him. He bit into her more deeply, drinking her in gulps until there was nothing left. The honey laced blood warmed him up, filled him up. He shoved the body to the floor and looked at the next meal. The human trembled violently and he could tell she wanted to run. His eyes caught hers to enthrall her. The fear in that female’s eyes was replaced by a dullness that revealed her mind was gone. “Come to me, sweet honey. Let me drink my fill of you.”

The Roman lady sighed. “Could you for once use my gifts for a purpose other than eating? At the rate you’re going through my slaves, I fear I’ll have little to offer you by next month.”

“Humans are for drinking, not fucking. I thank you for your offers. As for what you can do for me, I want what anyone else would want. Wealth. I could get it through constant raids but this is easier. I want a piece of your business, Mistress. I want to be your partner in this new venture of yours.”

The lady straightened her clothing. She was all business now. “Peter, you ask for too much. I already have enough partners.”

“Lucine’s of no use to you. The lady can hardly run the business when she’s hiding from the ones who hunt her. You need me and you know it.”

Her cerulean eyes avoided the mosaic floor, which was currently smothered in blood. “Peter, you know I run an all-female enterprise. But I suppose I could make an exception, just this once. As long as you come through for me. I need a shipment of blood hybrids and I need them as soon as possible.”

He drained the last human slave and tossed her body on the floor. He was finally full and his body was sated. Mostly sated. He wanted more than human scraps. Much more and he was going to use the Agrippa bitch to get it.

Chapter 15

Cabrian had spent one of the longest nights in his life last night. His shaft was frozen into a hard statue that tented his trousers and announced to all that he was an unsatisfied male in need of sex. All he could think about was fucking Cassia but he was not allowed to take her body. Kiera’s presence had made things a hundred times worse. Her scent made him think of sex. Made him want it with a desperation that made him dismiss the consequences. Made him want to kill Diermont because he stood in his way. That scent was one he had only encountered with females that were in heat. Strangely, it made him want Cassia instead of the woman emitting the scent. He was grateful for that, since he didn’t want to experience a hormone-inspired lust for a female he didn’t care about. Cassia was his future mate and he planned to remain faithful to her. The other female had to go. Convincing Modez of that would be difficult, however. “I want that girl out of my bedroom.”

Modez sat on a large bed that dominated the chamber. It was a bed made for the wealthy, with a gold plated headboard decorated with seashells and ivory bulls. “You mean Kiera?”

“Of course I mean Kiera. I could hardly sleep at all with her in the bed.” It had been cramped and Cassia had practically slept on top of him because of it. He hadn’t minded the excuse to snuggle with his human captive, but he didn’t appreciate the intrusion of another female in their bed.

Modez stood and pulled on a pair of black trousers. “Diermont wants to ensure you are not ravishing the human.”

“How does he think to prevent it? He understood that I was taking Cassia for breeding purposes.” He could visualize Diermont barging into his personal home and screaming about the sins of bestiality.

Modez slung his sword over his back and fixed it in place. “He is concerned that you want her for reasons other than breeding. That is the issue.”

“I’m allowed to breed her but not to care for her, is that it?” It wasn’t unheard of to take captives during war and integrate them into society. His people had been doing it for hundreds of years and would continue for hundreds more. “Diermont’s prejudices have made him blind to the needs of our people.”

“I agree, but unfortunately orders have to be followed.” Modez examined the timepiece in his hand. That trinket had been acquired at one of the last raids. “Personally, I could care less how often you copulate with Cassia. You’re going to be doing it regardless so it makes no sense to prohibit it in the villa. And despite what Diermont says, it is not a sin to enjoy being with a human. Diermont thinks you are at risk of ruination and there is no way to reason with him. He wanted you separated from Cassia, but I knew you would never go along with it. The decision to send a third person to your room for oversight was a compromise.”

“But why did they have to send her?”

“I thought it would be preferable to send a woman rather than a man. I didn’t think you’d like another male having access to Cassia’s room.” Modez’s face reflected his confusion and he asked, “Did Kiera not behave herself? Was she rude or hateful? If so, I will talk to her.”

“It’s not that. I just don’t feel comfortable around her. Couldn’t you send one of the other ladies?” Preferably one who wasn’t about to enter a heat cycle.

“The other ladies are loyal to the princess and they’re not exactly fans of humans. Kiera’s more tolerant than most and I didn’t think she’d give you too much trouble.”

“I need some privacy with Cassia so I can demonstrate my affection.” Romancing his little slave was difficult with mood-killer Kiera in the room. “I need the freedom to touch her and kiss her without being spied upon.” The last thing he needed was for Kiera to report every detail to the prince.

“Knowing Kiera, she’s not going to concern herself with your activities. I recommend discretion.”

In truth, Kiera hadn’t been thrilled with her assignment. “She did say she would go out from time to time.”

“Oh, she did, did she?” Modez appeared wary of his new charge. “Where exactly does she plan to take herself?”

“I don’t care what she does as long as she’s gone. I want some time alone with Cassia. I need to know that she’s adjusting to her change of circumstance and I’d like to ensure she remains willing to return with me to Asstrumnia. I’d rather not take her by force.”

Modez grinned. “Seduce her if you must. It is the easiest way.”

“It’s a little hard to do with the ban on sexual intercourse.” Cabrian was on edge. He wanted to take Cassia to his home where he could do what he wanted with her without Diermont’s interference.

“Seduction comes in many forms, my man. Use your imagination, but do not violate the ban. Diermont is fanatic when it comes to the topic of hybrid-human sex. Your human would suffer if you became intimate with her.”

Diermont would probably demand her death. “So you’re saying I’m stuck with Kiera.” Kiera’s addition to his room had caused multiple problems, with one of them necessitating in the removal of the slave girl from his closet. Seamus and Visant had reclaimed her and stashed her somewhere in the villa. It would be a miracle if the prince didn’t find her.

“Your room is the safest place for Kiera right now. You know the things Diermont may require of her…”

Cabrian hadn’t viewed it from Kiera’s perspective. Now he realized how terrifying it must be to find oneself in her current position. Alone, with no protector, she was easy prey. Diermont was no proper guardian for any female. The prince was the worst of the king’s sons when it came to taking advantage of the weaker sex. He sympathized with Kiera. He would offer to help her if he wasn’t already overloaded with worries of his own. Cassia was his main priority and her safety came first. He was already in hot water with the prince regarding his feelings toward Cassia. He couldn’t engage in a battle over Kiera as well. It seemed Modez was watching out for her, though. Hopefully that would be enough.