Page 82 of Auctioned for Her Blood
Ryker’s face is red, like it’s been sunburned and his hair seems less full, but I start to question that observation as it returns to its normal lush state before my eyes. Has Ryker been burned? Is that why he was screaming? Why?
Ryker and Zuben are quickly surrounded by about ten other people, one a petite female, the rest male and huge—presumably vampires—and so I heed the warning looks the men sent me. Ryker puts one hand behind his back, and gestures down with his palm, like the way one might tell a dog to stay. Then he gives me a thumbs up and an okay sign.
The gestures flash by quickly, and then the group disappears in the dimly lit hall, but their meaning was clear. Both men saw me. And if it was safe to come with them, they had an obvious chance to tell me.
They disappear, swallowed by darkness and turns in the tunnels, and I press myself back against the stone wall, cold at my back. I fold my arms over my chest. I have no idea what happened to my shoes—I haven’t seen them since I undid their straps while Psycho threatened me—and this skimpy evening gown does nothing to hold back the damp chill in the air. I should get one of the blankets or furs from the room that Zuben and I were in. Better yet, I should hide under the furs there until he returns for me.
Because hewillreturn. Neither Zuben or Ryker would leave me down here.
I head back in the direction we came, but almost there, I hear voices coming from around the corner. I freeze.
A group of vampires, male and female and in various states of undress, are filing into the room Zuben and I were in.
Waiting until they’re inside, I creep down the hall, moving past the closed doors, trying to listen from outside, hoping to find one that’s empty. But it’s too hard to be certain, and there is no chance I want to interrupt—or worse—get dragged into some kind of blood drinking sex orgy.
Thinking about sex, my insides tighten, reawakening my still unsatisfied urges, but as heightened as my sex drive remains, I won’t settle for just anyone—only Zuben or Ryker will do.
Reaching the end of a passage, I hit a three way junction, and fight to remember the limited amount of the dungeon’s layout I’ve seen. But Zuben was carrying me when we came this way before—assuming Ihavebeen this way before—and I have only my instincts to guide me.
Hearing faint voices from one direction, I follow my gut to choose between the other two, and then move quickly and quietly, stopping at each closed door, but too frightened to open any without knowing what’s inside.
Around another bend, light streams from an open archway. Warmth comes from the opening, and a faint smell—almost like a campfire.
Drawn toward the warmth and the light, I creep forward, hoping whomever is in there is friendly. Until Ryker and Zuben get me out of here, I need a safe place and allies to protect me.
As I draw nearer, the scent intensifies. It’s definitely wood smoke, mingling with the unmistakable smell of cooking meat. My stomach growls as my hunger wakens and I continue to creep forward. Vampires eat food, based on what Ryker told me, but they don’thaveto. Vampires eat only for pleasure and to blend in with humans. Are there other humans down here? I hope they’ll protect me.
Zuben claimed I could pass for a vampire, but the effects of his blood might have worn off by now, and closer inspection would reveal my humanity.
Reaching the opening, I pause to gather my courage and then peer around the corner. Relief floods in to temper my fear. Humans. At least I’m pretty sure they’re not vampires because a beam of sunlight shines into the cave-like space from high above, and no one seems bothered by it, calmly passing through the light.
If I spotted this group of mostly men on the streets of Philadelphia, I’d change direction, but here, even this rough looking crowd, tattooed, shaggy haired, and dressed like a motorcycle gang, seems safe. Or at least safer to me than vampires right now.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” One of the women glares at me, striding forward. “This is a vamp-free zone.”
“I’m not—” The rest of my intended sentence is trapped inside of me. Three of the men transform into wolves.
Massive wolves, with bright shining eyes that seem to emit light from within and snarling lips revealing sharp teeth.
Turning, I run.
“That’s right, baby vamp!” the female shouts after me. “You’d better run. And stay out of wolf territory you blood-sucking whore!”
Fear and adrenaline drive me to keep running, dashing recklessly through multiple turns until I have absolutely no idea how I would find my way back to where I started.
Rounding a corner, I hear a voice that freezes my bones and stops my heart, halting me dead in my tracks. It’s Psycho.
“Fuck, I need blood,” he says loudly. “Human blood. Hammering Gracen’s cunt took a lot out of me.”
“Won’t be long,” says a voice I don’t recognize. “Only be a few days until we get humans.”
“Can’t wait that long.” Psycho’s voice echoes through the halls, making it harder for me to be certain which direction it’s coming from. “Where’d that little human bitch go?”
“Why didn’t you feed from Gracen when you fucked her?” the other voice asks, and I realize it’s probably that guy named Corney.
“Idid.Do you think I’m an idiot? It’shumanblood I crave now. And human pussy. Should never have let that little tramp in the red dress go.”
Certain now of which direction his threatening voice is coming from, I head the other way, trying to think, to curb my panic.Where can I hide?
