“Eighteen as of yesterday, Sire.”
Well, she was of age.He had a hard rule that none of the servants could be supped from until they were eighteen.The Vampire would be banished from his Coven if the rule was broken.Early on, after the catastrophes, and they had to come together from all parts of Earth, Amaros was aware that certain individuals of his kind had strange habits and customs, but feeding on children under his rule would never be allowed.
“You volunteered tonight?”
“Yes, Sire.”She twisted her fingers at her waist.He could tell it wasn’t because of nerves but just Zita's way of attempting to control her excitement.
“What expectations do you have as reciprocation for your service?”He waited.
“None, Sire.Only to serve you and the other leaders in residence as thanks for providing a safe place for us here.”Her dark, round eyes revealed the honesty of her words.
“This is always by your will.You have a say.If you’re violated in any way, you come directly to Vice Marceline or me.Understand?”
Zita exhaled.“Yes, I understand.”
He nodded.“Come forth.”
She stepped close and tilted her head to the side.Clearly, Marceline must have directed them about where he enjoyed biting.Since the beginning, he’d always relished the intimacy of the act and the closeness of contact.
Amaros felt her body heat and smelled her light scent that reminded him of gardenias and aloe vera, and he knew she worked in the property gardens.The rapid beat of her heart rate was proof of Zita’s innocent joy, a perfect specimen.However, when he cupped the back of her neck and prepared to lean down and sink his teeth into her carotid artery, his body froze, and a wave of what he could only describe as nausea swept through him.
The thought of aligning the young woman’s body with his as he placed his lips on her neck and drew from her tender flesh tightened his throat, threatening to seize up if he even attempted to sup from the delicate column.
Quickly, he stepped away.
Zita gasped, and her once joyful gaze was now clouded with concern.
Amaros saw the other servants glancing at each other, and he could hear the overlaying questions in the air.Since he had partaken of each of the others gathered at least once, he could hear their thoughts, and at that moment, he shut out all the voices.There were enough questions in his mind, and the last thing he wanted was to field those from others.
“Sire?”Zita questioned, her lips quivering.“Did I do something wrong?”
He could not walk away and call for a pig; he had to do this, besides his mate needed him to.
Amaros swallowed because he wanted to ensure he could still do so.“No.I’ve decided I’d prefer to drink from your wrist instead,” he rushed out.“Everyone, roll up your sleeves and be prepared once I call on you.”
Turning away from the group's curious stares, he spotted a bench that faced the window at the perfect angle to allow him to watch the setting sun.Amaros took a seat and waved the young woman over once again.
She had already pushed up the sleeve of her periwinkle blouse that matched her shoes and earrings.
He palmed the back of her hand and pulled her onto the bench to sit beside him, ensuring some distance between them.The only part of her body he needed to handle was her hand.Wasting no further time, he brought her wrist to his mouth and bit right into the area where the pulse of her heartbeat leaped under her skin.
When his teeth pierced her deep-sable skin, he waited a beat to see if the young servant would flinch, scream, or try and pull away.If she did either, he would release her and let her return to her other duties.However, she only let out a small hiss but remained steady.So, he drank.
Forty minutes later, satisfied and bloated with blood from all five donors, he took the final step to the hall that led to his suites.He grasped the handle, removed the supernatural seal he had set on the door, and then entered.
Only to quickly close the door and duck as his Snowflake Blue Yongzheng Vase came sailing toward his head.In a flash, he shifted to the side and out of the way as it shattered in pieces against the ornate door before raining down onto the floor around his feet; his only thought was, ‘At least it wasn’t my Pinner Qing Dynasty Vase.’
Shortly after the wars broke out, he rescued his entire vase collection from Sotheby’s auction house, museums, and collectors' homes.It would have killed him to see such priceless artifacts destroyed.
“Honey, I’m home,” he teased as he stared at the raging beauty standing by the now-empty pedestal next to the window where the vase used to sit.Michaela wore one of his robes wrapped around her tall, thin frame, but the length was still too long even with her height, causing the hem to pool around her feet.
“Why am I locked in here?”she demanded.
“In short, for safety reasons.”
Evidently, she didn’t care for his short response and started toward the next closest pedestal, which held his Ruby Ground Yangcai Vase.
Damn, she had so much fire in her; it caused his core to heat in response.It had been ages since anyone challenged his word or authority.There was a tug at one corner of his mouth, and his lips curled into a half smile.A smile he immediately controlled so his little angel would not think it was directed at her mockingly.
