Part 8 (1/2)

He pointed behind me, bringing my attention to the opening. Eli was escorted in the same way I was.

”Yummy,” moaned Ludiia. I ignored the urge to scowl at her.

”What is he doing here?” I couldn't keep the panic out of my tone.

Lucian's charcoal eyes narrowed in on me as Eli came and stood beside me, but I still couldn't bring myself to relax, in fact, it made me tenser. I could feel the tension radiate off his body. I glanced sideways at him; he was just as nervous about the surrounding vampires as I was. I could tell by his clenched jaw, his clouded, intense eyes, and his lips that were held in an impa.s.sive line.

”You look a little ... uncomfortable, angel,” Ludiia purred. She zipped over to him. ”I'm sure I could find a way to relax you.” She began running her long fingers over his shoulders, causing jealousy to burn relentlessly in my chest.

”I'm fine. Thank you.” His voice was strained and cautious.

Ludiia's lips stuck out in a pout, but she didn't take her hands off him.

”Well, Miss Moore. It just so happens to be your lucky day. I want you to work for me.”

The Job.

I couldn't think straight, I was too confused. The higher power was no longer one of us, he was one of them. I would die before I helped out any vampire.

”No. I'd rather die.” I didn't mean to say it. The words just fell from my lips.

Lucian drifted forward rapidly, his movements too fast for me to realize his cold fingers grasped my jaw tightly. I winced at the pressure I felt under his grasp as all pretense of civility disappeared.

”Be careful what you wish for,” he hissed.

The eyes that bored into mine were deep and black. I shuddered as they searched every inch of my soul. They held no emotion, no life. I felt a lump form in my throat as I thought back to the night my mother was killed, when I was turned against my will. I closed my eyes, swallowing hard in an attempt to hold back the tears that threatened my eyes.

”Let her go,” Eli growled.

Lucian chuckled and released his grip. I opened my eyes as a single tear fell down my cheek.

”Interesting, isn't it?” Lucian said, addressing the entire room.

The surrounding vampires chuckled and agreed.

”Perhaps, you would do it if I -” He kicked Eli to his knees and exposed his throat. Ludiia giggled and knelt on the floor beside Eli. Lucian's fangs shot out of his gums and nicked the skin of Eli's throat.

”Stop!” I shrieked, my voice echoing in the silence.

Ludiia looked up at me, smiling with pleasure. I couldn't bear to see another loved one killed in front of me and the smile that spread across Lucian's face made me nauseous.

”Tell me about this proposition,” I stammered. I swallowed, reminding myself to force confidence back into my voice.

”Atta girl,” a random vampire cheered.

Lucian appeared in front of me once again and Eli rose to his feet, standing closer to me. I could feel his body heat radiating onto me and I relaxed in it. It made me feel safer, it offered me protection, and it soothed my soul. Ludiia appeared behind Lucian, keeping her spiteful eyes on me.

”Ruby,” Eli muttered into my ear. ”You don't have to negotiate with these people.”

I ignored him. ”Your plan?” I prompted Lucian.

He clicked his fingers and a big rust colored chair was brought out for him. I bit the inside of my lip in nervous antic.i.p.ation as he got comfortable.

”You might not know that vampires outnumber your species a hundred to one. If you want to survive, you'll take this offer I'm about to explain to you.”

I nodded.

”I want to harvest both your species' blood.”

I stared at him in astonishment. He couldn't be serious? Did he actually think I'd go along with that? Eli fumed beside me. I could hear a rumble in his chest, building toward a growl.

”If I can provide my kind with your blood without many deaths to your species, then your kind can thrive longer. Your kind will also remain oblivious to what I really am.”

”Why are you doing this? Why do you care if we live or die?”

”When you were a vampire, did you ever taste G.o.d or guardian angel blood?”

I shook my head, but I remembered the smell distinctly. They had the sweetest scent I'd ever had the pleasure of smelling.

”What a shame. No vampire would give your blood up, but if I can harvest it and sell it, your species will survive. If G.o.ddesses, G.o.ds, and guardian angels survive, then as the higher power, I'm doing my job and no one will know.”

”What do I do?”

Eli inhaled sharply, no doubt confused why I was even considering his job offer.

”You will travel to various vampire sectors and impose my will upon them- No G.o.ddess, G.o.d, or guardian angel deaths until I say so. As for your kind, I will issue mandatory blood donation. It shouldn't be too hard. Don't you worry about the technical side of things.”

”And if the vampires don't want to conform to your new law?”

”Kill them.”

A nervous chuckle left my lips. ”I don't know how to fight and I can barely use my magic. You chose the wrong girl.”

”Did I?” His lips separated into a smile, exposing his fangs.

I s.h.i.+vered as he stared at me, like he knew something I didn't.

”You have no idea who your father is, do you?”

What was he talking about? I repeated his words over and over in my mind. Why wouldn't they make any sense? What did my father have to do with anything?

”Did anyone tell you why Hank's venom couldn't fully turn you? Did they tell you why he came back for you a year later?”

I heard a low growl escape from Eli's chest.

”Mr Aleksandrov told me a charm had been put on me as a baby, preventing the venom from turning me completely.”

”How creative.” Lucian snickered, the other vampires joined in. ”And incorrect.”