Page 93 of Vampire so Virtuous
“Beheading? That works in all the stories.”
“I wouldn’t know. I wasn’t in France during the revolution.”
She shook her head in exasperation. Everything was a joke to him. “We’re done here,” she said, rising. “Are you going to let me leave, or are you going to pin me to the door and bite me again?”
There was hunger in his eyes—but something deeper, too. Primal. Possessive. It made her want to shiver, but her anger kept it in check. Just.
“Would you like me to?” he asked, his voice low and dangerously smooth, almost caressing her.
She didn’t respond, turning for the door.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
Bastard.
She half expected him to stop her, breath hitching as she anticipated the press of his body, holding her helpless while he subjected her to pleasure she couldn’t possibly know any other way. But instead, he let her leave.
Utter. Bastard.
“We hope to see you again soon, madam,” Marcel said as he held the front door for her.
“Not a goddamn chance.”
She walked out into the sunlight.
Twenty-two – Antoine
That evening, Antoine dressed again in his black jeans, t-shirt and leather coat. Comfortable, practical, familiar clothes. Maybe he liked the image, too.
“Do you have the list?”
“Indeed, sir. I have already sent it to your phone.”
“Thank you, Marcel. Efficiency as always. How many are there?”
“Ten on this list, sir, and I have more available should you feel it necessary.”
Antoine made a face. “It’s likely more will be necessary, unfortunately, but let’s start here. Ten will take me at least a night or two.” He didn’t know if he even had the capacity for ten; there was a limit to how many thralls a vampire could maintain at once. Until now, he’d never seen a need to test that limit.
“Very good, sir. May I suggest you begin with the parks in the Cottage Farm district of Brookline.”
“Finding homeless people is never the problem in Boston. It’s finding the right ones.”
“Indeed, sir. Good hunting.”
“Are you ready for them all?”
“Of course, sir. I’ve stocked enough food for a small army, and equipment for the first dozen at least. More should arrive tomorrow.”
Antoine laid a hand on his shoulder, and the old retainer stiffened at the rare physical display. “Thank you, Marcel. I am sorry it has come to this.”
“I understand your reluctance, sir, but I, for one, am not sorry. In fact, I will be glad when your territory is better protected.”
Antoine let his hand fall away. “Even at the cost of the freedom of innocents?”
“It is regrettable, sir, but we will give them a better life than they had, homeless on the streets. Who knows, maybe even a longer one.”
“Or a shorter one, to die at the hands of some of Minh’s thralls.”
