Ten, p.38
Ten, page 38
“Mina, how many entertainers are we fielding?” Lorcan hissed.
“Over one-hundred-and-twenty licensed and vetted humans, my love. Enough so that no human will be taxed beyond his or her capabilities. Before you get all huffy, the Azarola fronted forty and the Jaeger ten because they didn’t feel like we could provide live food up to their standards.”
“Why didn’t you have me help with the vetting?” Lorcan asked.
The trio moved from a rather enclosed hall into a wider foyer.
Paige gasped as she saw a dragon made of agate set into the floor.
Her gasp turned into a genuine jaw-drop as Mina clapped her hands and light flickered from below. The floor glowed a brilliant crimson.
“In my centuries of existence, I’ve found few things more amusing than the Clapper and a priceless gemstone floor,” Mina said before clapping again to make the magnificent lights disappear. “Lorcan, darling, you were finally taking some time to rest after everything that happened with Geoffrey, and I know you despise party planning, so I did this solo. The sheriff has assured me that she has a special task force ready should any of the entertainment prove unreliable—”
“You mean my great-grandfather,” Paige said. She cringed the moment the words left her lips, but Mina only grinned wider.
“Smart as a tack!” she said before waving her hands and giving a little bow before a set of doors carved with even more dragons.
“Now, these doors lead to the main ballroom, but I want that to be a surprise; so why don’t you follow me, and we’ll get you settled. Oh, and if you see any of the young men or women with a white ribbon on their necks that means they are fair game for whatever sexual pleasures you can dream of, dearie.”
Paige blinked. Lorcan on the other hand rolled his eyes.
“Isn’t that a trifle nineteenth century?” he asked.
It was Mina’s turn to roll her eyes. “Our guests expect a certain level of tradition, my love. Anyway, white means they are up for a shag, red is blood only, and pink, well, pink is for the girls who have an extra special delicacy available for our vampire guests, unless of course you have some sort of kinky—”
“Mina!” Lorcan snapped.
“Aww, so protective of your sweet, little servant. You know, I was thrilled when father told me that you were taking a human along as a show of support for your son, but I hope it doesn’t make you dreadfully dull all week. Paige, do please let me know if I say anything that offends you—”
“So, she can promptly ignore it,” Lorcan muttered.
“I’m really OK,” Paige muttered. “I think I just want to get a nice bath and an early night.”
“Of course, but just in case, I’ll send some of the white ribbons by. Do you have any preference?”
“Um—”
“Male? Female? Tall? Short? We have all shades and body types
—”
“Mina, please,” Lorcan growled.
“I’ll loosen you up later, my love,” she sighed. “Here we are on the second under level. Wait until you see the room we picked out for you!”
Mina led Paige around to the right and to a door with a magnificent unicorn carved into it. The horn, mane, tail, and hooves were all beautifully embossed in gold leaf, while a malachite made up the eye. Mina flung open the door with her usual gusto.
“I wanted to rename this the Catherine the Great suite, but Lorcan thought it might be slightly bad taste,” Mina said as the door creaked open.
Paige actually had to squint as the light of dozens of candles reflected off four polished brass horse statues that made up the posters of her sparkling canopy bed. Paige’s inner-princess had to coo at the fluffy pile of pillows in red, gold, and violet. She gawked at the gold-accented changing screen as well as a nest of the world’s most plush and shiny beanbags making a lounge on the other side of the room. A changing table, wardrobe, and mysterious horse-carved door rounded out the far wall.
“Oh, you’ll be happy to know that unlike some vampire castles, we truly anticipate the needs of our human guests,” Mina said proudly. “You have a bathroom with running water, and I even remembered toothpaste. I would strongly recommend the Roman bath, however. Not everything modern is better.
“Thank you,” Paige said as she circled the bed. She blinked a few times as she saw her roller bag neatly tucked by the bathroom door.
“How did—?”
“The best host anticipates her guests every need and the servant’s elevator is newer and faster than the main,” Mina confessed. “Now, Lorcan, please help your servant get settled in, while I get the boys. I’ll meet you in the dining room in an hour. Ta-ta for now, Paige!”
The moment Mina left the room, they both let out a sigh of relief.
Paige couldn’t resist flopping onto the extremely soft bed and sinking into the mix of down and silk. Every cushion smelled slightly sweet and freshly cleaned.
“I can’t smell a single bedbug,” she said appreciatively. “And she even used unscented candles in here. It’s quite the setup.”
“Just try to stay—”
“Out of sight and out of trouble,” she sighed as she reluctantly hopped out of bed. Lorcan’s face remained strangely pained as he looked at Paige in the flattering candlelight. He put a heavy hand on her shoulder.
“Paige, I am still very weak. If the others figure that out, I won’t be able to protect you,” he said softly.
“I don’t need your protection, remember?” she asked as the flicked out her claws. “I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”
“I know you think I am being overcautious—”
“I know that we are surrounded by terrible odds, but we just have to stay calm, stay together, and you have to accept that, for once, I’m going to have to protect you. Also, I just realized that I have to figure out how to handle a Roman bath. . . with a tail.”
27
GEORGIA SAT in stunned silence as she surveyed her magnificent black and white canopy bed. She cringed at the fur throws and the ivory inlay of foxes and wolves but couldn’t resist curling her toes on an actual bearskin rug in front of the enormous fireplace. She peeked at three mannequin forms hidden under a shroud of silk and breathed a sigh of relief as she saw undamaged hems and a distinct lack of wrinkles.
“Do you require anything else, Miss Sutherland?” a deep, silky voice with a trace of a Scottish accent asked. As it turned out,
“Ashley” was a six-foot-two highlander with a light brown man-bun and perfect stubble.
“You said there are bathrobes in the loo?” she asked.
“Yes, miss. Oh, and I should advise you that Lord Pendragon and Young Master Edwin’s companions have arrived as well. You may have company in the bath tonight, though Lord Pendragon’s escort seems a tad bit on the shy side.”
“Are they both—?”
“Human, miss?” Ashley asked. “Lord Pendragon’s is. Young Miss Winona is actually a commoner from Long Island and may be one of the few vampires here who is less experienced than Young Master Edwin is. So far, she’s expressed an interest in meeting someone more of her peer group after having to have dinner ‘at the grown-ups table’ last night. I suggested that you might be more accessible.”
“Well, I do love meeting new vampires,” Georgia sighed as she snatched a fluffy Turkish robe from the bathroom door. “Speaking of which, has there been any word from the vampires that are supposed to accompany Mr. Lambley and me?”
Ashley whipped out his super-sleek, latest-generation phone.
After a few taps of his manicured fingers, he made a little “ah-ha”
noise. “The train with the Jaeger delegation has already departed Munich, and after a quick changeover in Paris they should arrive in London right around noon. Show offs,” he said.
“Yeah, that must be awkward to arrive, while your hosts are sleeping,” Georgia said before hopping behind the screen to change.
“Oh, Lady Pendragon won’t receive them. She’s too busy with her preparations so they will be entertained in the London town house until they are ready to join us for the opening ball—” Ashley said. He trailed off as he saw Georgia’s bare leg slide out from behind the screen.
Georgia laughed a little and rubbed her knee. “Say what you want about vampires, but they do the greatest leg wax I’ve ever seen,” she said. “I guess literal centuries of practice pay off.”
“Yes, miss,” he said, still looking at her leg. “Shall I escort you to the bath now? I’m getting a message that it’s close to ideal temperature and that Lady Pendragon has provided for your entertainment.”
“Oh, not that again,” Georgia said. She padded over to slip on some slippers. “I know she means well but human beings brought in as food and sex slaves—”
“Oh, they are not slaves, Miss. Everyone here is a paid employee with a strict code of conduct and consent. Of course, if they choose to walk around wearing a ribbon—”
“Yeah, well it’s still awkward. I guess I’m just dreadfully American.
I mean, would you wear a ribbon and parade around for vampire sex?” she asked.
Ashley gave a little shrug. “I suppose I would for the right person,” he said with a sly smile. “But I would wear a purple ribbon, not a white or a red one.”
“I haven’t seen a purple one, what fluid is that?” she asked as they started wandering towards the bath.
“The refreshment tables have baskets of ribbons so that the entertainment can change as needed. In one of those baskets are pairs of purple ribbons with matching charms. It’s a way for vampires to select an entertainer whom they want to keep exclusively for the night. If you see someone wearing violet, then they are already spoken for.”
“Aww, it’s like creepy vampire friendship bracelets,” Georgia said.
“Let me guess, the penalty is dire if you fake having a partner just to get out of work.”
“Up until the twentieth century it was punishable by death, but I assure you that Lady Pendragon would never allow that,” Ashley said. “Ah, here we are. I’ll be right outside should you require anything. Sanctuary will be granted—”
“At sunset tomorrow, I know,” Georgia said as she blew him a little kiss. He bowed in his adorable English way as she slipped through the glass-beaded curtain that marked off the baths. “Thank you, Ashley,” she called back as the delightful steam warmed her skin.
She stared at the glorious marble bath full of steaming water and rose petals. Piles of plush towels surrounded every lounge chair and buckets of champagne and English strawberries dotted the room.
Georgia made certain to grab one on her way to the steps. She looked to the corners for any stray onlookers before slipping off her robe and easing her body into the delightful bubbling water.
“I really need an ancient Jacuzzi,” she muttered as she slid into a perfectly comfortable spot within arm’s reach of a thoughtfully poured glass of bubbly and more fruit. As the steam opened her pores and she closed her eyes, a strange flutter entered her chest.
She heard the beads clatter behind her. “Hello?” she asked.
“Your entertainment is here, Miss Sutherland,” a proper British voice said.
“Oh, boy, not this again,” she sighed as she was forced to turn around and evaluate the eligible bachelors Lady Pendragon had so thoughtfully provided. “I’m really sorry, but—”
She trailed off at the absolutely spectacular specimen of beefcake paraded before her. His nebbish, older handler had to nudge the stranger’s arm. “Say hello, for Christ’s sake,” the handler muttered.
The entertainment gave an awkward grin. He averted his big blue eyes as if he was totally shy and made a distinct point not to look at the shadows of Georgia in the water. Georgia, on the other hand, did a full sweep of his puffed-up pecs and drool-worthy six-pack. His only flaw, per se, was a fantastically rugged row of five scars that cut across his torso.
“Hi,” he said in the distinctive flat tones of an American. “I would very much like to entertain you tonight, Miss,” he said as he tugged at the white ribbon around his neck.
“You seem very. . . sweet,” she said as she finally took a moment to take in his classic chiseled good looks and perfectly messed-up dirty-blond hair. She held her breath as she took in just how bright blue a human’s eyes could be. “Um, but, I’m not that type of girl.”
“I guess the nerd won’t cut it,” the handler sighed. “Get a new one!”
“Wait, please,” the entertainment begged. “I, um, can entertain you like no one else.”
“Oh, really?” Georgia asked. “What spectacular skills have you got that the others don’t?”
The entertainment shuffled adorably. “I’m a top-rated ping-pong player,” he said with a strange, faraway grin. As Georgia yawned, he fidgeted even more. “I can do your taxes—”
“How. . . entertaining,” Georgia said. “Really—”
“I can quote every Star Wars movie in order,” he said as he was being dragged towards the door.
Georgia raised her hand. “Wait, please,” she said. “You actually have a talent that impresses me, but don’t expect too much more than some drunken fondling tonight.”
The entertainment gagged slightly. His handler took a few steps towards Georgia and gave her a knowing look. “There’s something a little off about this one. He’s one of the new boys, and I think he
might be a fairy. Sorry, but Lady Pendragon thought you’d want something a little more—”
“Me?” Georgia offered. “Thanks, you can go tell Mina not to send any more. . . ever.”
“As you wish, miss. I’ll tell her that you’re keeping this one!”
Georgia leaned back and tried to get to her comfy position. She raised a brow at the hunk who seemed more interested in studying the wall mosaics rather than the naked woman he was supposed to entertain. She took another gander at his perfect manscaping and well-manicured hands.
“You’re not interested in my tits at all, are you?” Georgia asked.
The entertainment stumbled and nearly fell in the water. “Hell, no!” he said. “Sorry, I, um, don’t have a filter between my brain and my mouth sometimes.”
“You know, I’m actually a lot happier that you aren’t interested,”
Georgia confessed. “But could you at least join me in the hot tub, so if Mina does a surprise inspection she won’t start offering advice?
She’s really trying to make me feel better, and I don’t want her to be disappointed.”
“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” he said.
“Get in the tub.”
The entertainment made a point to shield himself completely with his modesty towel before slipping into the water. Georgia only got the briefest glimpse of his statuesque butt before he disappeared into the frothy bath. He smiled the same awkward smile as before and remained a respectful two-foot distance from Georgia.
“You’re American?” she asked.
“From Georgia actually,” he said before looking away. He began to nod his head strangely, as if he as having some sort of conversation with his inner demons.
“Well, that’s my name, Georgia, Georgia Sutherland,” she said.
“You got a name?”
“Yes,” he choked out.
“And you’re not going to tell me it,” she sighed before sipping some more champagne. “What should I call you?”
He stared at her, dumbstruck. She finally gave up and returned to her regularly scheduled lounging. He finally grabbed a bottle of champagne and decided to forgo the glass and start chugging straight from the bottle.
“So how do you end up a sex toy for vampires? Is there an interview process or what?” Georgia asked right when he was mid-swig. Sure enough, a shower of champagne erupted from his nose and mouth, and he fought to catch his breath.
“Not exactly. I kind of fell into it,” he said once he choked the last drops down.
“Well, that I can understand. I ended up serving my vampire because he thought I was there for kinky sex—”
“I don’t think I can hear any more,” the entertainment said.
“A squeamish vampire sex toy, wow. You know, you might need some help.”
“Oh, you have no idea,” he said as he splashed the water on his face. He winced as the salty water hit his eyes. “Jesus, can’t I get a break here?”
Georgia snagged a towel and swam over to blot his eyes. As she studied his face, a sudden wave of dizziness overcame her. All the rose petals swirled together into a single wave of red, and she collapsed against him as she could hear screams in the back of her skull.
Georgia fluttered her eyelashes open and found herself tucked in a cocoon of towels on top of a lounge chair. She touched her forehead and felt a cool, damp rag. “Too much alcohol in the hot tub.
Thank goodness the hot dork was there,” she said.
She looked over and sure enough, the weirdo who saved her was sitting on the next lounger, having an animated conversation with himself. He had made a point to cover himself as well. He sniffed the air and looked over with a strangely wild look in his eyes.
“Are you OK?” he asked.
“Just a little woozy. You. . . You came to my rescue. . . um—”
“Morgan, my name Morgan,” he said softly. He sniffed the air again and turned deathly pale. “And I really have to go. I need to get you some help!”
“Thanks, Morgan,” she said as he bolted for a side door. She shook her head a few times as once more she heard a beaded curtain clatter.
“Seriously—” Georgia started.
A tiny slip of a girl with oversized eyes and a mountain of curls peeked around a column. She too sniffed the air, prompting Georgia to quickly check her pits.
“Oh, hello,” the stranger said with a slight Southern twang. “Am I interrupting something?”
“No, just got woozy in the hot tub,” Georgia said with a little wave.
She took stock of the stranger’s flushed cheeks and obvious breathing. She noticed that this stranger didn’t have any ribbons around her neck as well. “You must be—”
“Paige,” she said. “I’m here with Lord Pendragon. Um, was there someone else in here just a minute ago?”
