Page 90 of Wicked Allure
Almost.
The stench of the blood that marred her clothing was a blaring reminder of what had occurred not too long ago. She just hoped that all of the blood that had been on Dru wasn’t hers. She made her way into the washroom. The clawfoot tub that had been out of sight before came into view. Steam lingered above it. The light scent of roses floated through the air.
Tomesha removed her dirty clothing and walked over to the tub. She stood next to it, trailing her fingers through the warm water. The quietness in her quarters allowed her to get lost in her thoughts. She caught sight of her partially obscured reflection in the fogged mirror. Her hair clung to her skin while her eyes were shadowed with worry. She quickly reached up and braided her loose hair to keep it from getting soaked while she washed.
She slipped into the warm water and settled down. The aches she hadn’t known she’d carried were immediately loosened. A deep breath escaped her as she rested back. She reached for the cloth that rested on the edge and dipped it in the water. She ran it down her neck and across her shoulders. The warmth of the water soothed her, but her mind refused to rest.
How would she get used to the fact that her mate would always be in danger?
Once I claim you officially, you’ll walk through eternity at my side. Dru’s words echoed in Tomesha’s mind.
All eternity? How? The thought of forever with Dru both thrilled and frightened her. Would she need to be changed into a vampire? How else would “eternity” be obtained for two individuals who were separated by mortality itself?
A shiver ran down her spine. Could she become a vampire? Bite someone? Drink blood? If that was what it meant in order to be with Dru—then so be it.
Thunder rumbled faintly in the distance. Was Dru safe? Lycans were powerful and had attacked their town before. If anything happened to Dru…
Her throat tightened. She pressed the cloth to her face and breathed in deep to calm her racing heart.
Dru was a powerful warrior. The fact that she was a general had to mean something. She’d be fine. Tomesha straightened in the water and exhaled. She couldn’t be a woman who lived in fear. Dru would want her to be strong.
“Come back to me,” she whispered. She cleared her throat as if Dru could hear her. “Come back to me whole and unharmed.”
Tomesha curled up on the bed. A yawn escaped her. She’d finished her bath and had dressed in the clothing provided for her. Silvanna had returned as promised and allowed her to write out a note for the warriors to take to Tarek. She only hoped it would be enough to assure her brother that she was protected and fine.
While waiting, Tomesha had drifted off to sleep. She wasn’t sure how long she’d slept. She was surprised that it had been restful. No nightmares or dreams that she remembered. She shifted higher up in the bed and leaned back against the pillows. She glanced over at the windows. The shutters were lifted, hinting that it was now nightfall. The steady beat of the rain comforted her. She always did like a good rainstorm. She only hoped that it didn’t impede Dru’s mission.
Her stomach rumbled, announcing her hunger. It had been a while since she’d eaten. She wondered if there was food here. Being that it was a vampire post, would they even have food for a human? She rolled over and reached for the telephone on the nightstand. She lifted the receiver and placed it to her ear.
“Yes, Miss Clay. How may I be of service?” a warm male voice asked.
“Hi. I was wondering if I could get something to eat.” She reached up and brushed the few strands of hair that escaped her braids away from her face.
“Certainly. I’ll send someone right up with the meal. Will there be anything else?”
“Has there been any word on the general?” It wasn’t like she could call Dru and check in on her. She wouldn’t want to anyway for fear of causing a fatal distraction.
“No. There hasn’t been. I’m so sorry.”
She warmed at the niceness he displayed on the phone. She exhaled and didn’t need anything else but for Dru to return to her.
“That’s all then.” She placed the receiver back on the cradle. She slid from underneath the blanket and went into the bathroom to answer nature’s call. She finished her business and stopped over at the sink and washed her hands. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and was happy to see that the dark marks underneath her eyes were gone. Maybe rest was truly what she’d needed.
She made her way back into the room. She glanced around and wished there was something she could do to occupy her time until Dru came for her. There was no television for her to catch the news to see what was going on.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Well, that was fast,” she muttered. She padded over to the door and turned the handle. She pried it open and gazed through the opening. Silvanna awaited her on the other side. She opened it completely. “Silvanna.”
“Miss Clay, I’m so sorry to bother you.”
The vampire’s solemn expression didn’t sit well with Tomesha. The bottom of her stomach gave way. Something was wrong.
“What is it? Where is Dru?” Tomesha took a step out into the hallway.
She paused at the sight of the large men standing behind Silvanna. They were dressed differently than Kristoph and the other warriors of the post. They were intimidating, large, and looked as if they were made of stone.
“We do not have word on the general as of yet. But there is a slight problem.” Silvanna sighed. The woman seemed drained, and she glanced over her shoulder at the males before turning back to Tomesha. “It would appear that when we sent the warriors to check on your family?—”
