Page 89 of Wicked Allure
But he never did.
Tears rolled down Tomesha’s cheeks at the memory of her brother’s face when he’d come down to the cellar where they’d hid. That haunted look in his eyes had stayed with Tomesha all of these years.
She reached up and wiped the wetness from her cheeks. Had her father suffered? Did he have a quick, painless death? She hoped for the latter. Even though he’d been a shell of the man he once was, he was still her father and she’d loved him.
The truck rocked as they turned onto a dirt road. This was a part of town she didn’t recognize. They flew down the bumpy road. She held on to the door handle tight. Soon a large building came into view. She’d heard of the vampire post but had never had reason to come this way before. She stared at it with wide eyes. She wasn’t sure what to expect from a vampire military base, but this certainly wasn’t it. The driver parked in front of the building. It loomed above her like a fortress carved from shadow and stone. The large doors burst open, and a few warriors rushed down to stand on the stairway.
The vampires escorting her exited the truck with one of them coming to her door. It opened, and a hand was held out for her.
“My lady. Allow me to assist you,” the warrior said.
She nodded and slipped her hand into his. He helped her down and guided her to the stairs where the greeting party waited. These warriors were intimidating with the amount of weapons on their bodies. She tried to remain calm. Dru wouldn’t have sent her here if she didn’t think she’d be safe.
The air carried the faint scent of rain, metal, and something darker. The guards watching barely moved as she was escorted toward the entrance, their uniforms black as midnight with blue insignias printed above their hearts. Eyes watched her, assessing, and though none of them spoke, the air pulsed.
“Miss Clay, please come with me. We’ll get you settled.” A young woman dressed in a soft, pale-pink blouse and a black skirt stepped from behind those gathered on the stairs.
This was no warrior. Tomesha relaxed at the sight of her. She came down to stand in front of Tomesha and stuck her hand out. Her welcoming smile revealed her fangs.
“My name is Silvanna Webb. I’m the postmaster’s aide.”
“Please. Call me Tomesha.” She took Silvanna’s hand in a firm shake before releasing it. She nervously glanced around at the men standing to attention.
“I received a message from the postmaster regarding the attack. Please come. You’ll be safe here,” Silvanna said.
“Thank you.” Tomesha smiled. She had to pull it from the depths of her belly. At the moment, worry filled her. She followed Silvanna and entered the building.
“This post has been here for centuries. No lycans have ever penetrated these walls,” Silvanna shared.
Tomesha walked alongside her and nodded. She blew out a shaky breath and glanced around. The interior was elegant with its black stone floors polished to a mirror shine, walls lined with brushed steel and the occasional gold banner that bore the insignia of the royal house. Her footsteps echoed off the stone floors as she was taken deeper into the stronghold.
“So you have known about the lycans longer than we have?” Tomesha asked.
The quick look given to her by Silvanna had her wishing she’d held her question. Of course they’d have known. Humans had only known about vampires since the beginning of the millennia.
“Vampires and lycans have been mortal enemies since the beginning.” Silvanna guided Tomesha to a small corridor, where the lighting was softer. Candles burned in sconces lining the walls. It was apparent that this was an area of living quarters. She stopped in front of a heavy door of dark oak reinforced with steel bands. “Your quarters. We also have orders to ensure you get cleaned up and rest until the general arrives.”
“But what about my family? My brother? My grandmother? I need to know they’re safe,” Tomesha said.
“I can have warriors go and check on them,” Silvanna offered.
Tomesha shook her head. There was no way her brother would answer to vampires. He’d see them and immediately worry. “I need to go home?—”
“We have direct orders to keep you here. You will not be allowed to leave until the general arrives, my lady.” Silvanna reached out and opened the door to Tomesha’s room. “I can assure you that the warriors will be respectful and can provide protection to them if need be.”
Tomesha bit her lip. If they wouldn’t let her to leave, then she’d have to allow them to send someone to check in on her family. Something was better than nothing.
“I’ll send a note. Tarek will worry otherwise if I don’t at least communicate somehow with them.” It reminded her that now they were in a better financial state that maybe they should get a telephone as a way to communicate. Before it had been one extra expense they couldn’t afford.
“Of course. I’ll retrieve some paper for you, my lady.” Silvanna nodded.
A tall figure ambled down the hallway dressed in the warrior uniform, a sword on his hip and a gun strapped to his thigh. Silvanna motioned to the warrior who stopped next to her.
“This is Kristoph. He’ll guard the door for you. Everything you need has been provided, including clean clothing, but if there’s something else you need, please don’t hesitate to pick up the phone by the bed.”
“Thank you.” Tomesha hesitated for a moment inside the doorway. She glanced at the two and blew out a deep breath. She just hoped Dru wouldn’t be long. She stepped inside the room and found it small but thoughtfully arranged. A narrow bed dressed in dark linens. A dresser. A low table with a single lamp that gave off a warm, golden glow. To one side was a door which led to a private washroom. Steam already fogged the mirror above a basin carved from stone. Someone had anticipated her arrival. Clean clothing waited folded on the bench at the foot of the bed.
Tomesha exhaled slowly and allowed the tension in her shoulders to ease. The door sealed quietly behind her, leaving her alone. She could almost pretend she was away on a vacation, somewhere she could relax and enjoy.
