Purebreds and Power

“You can drop the pretense now, sweetheart. This sugary facade kind of gives me the creeps,” Dax picked up Lilly’s hand and placed it into the crook of his arm.

“Hey! I think I resemble that!” Lilly laughed as she snagged a passed hors d’oeuvres and popped it into her mouth. “Dis foob is fowking dewishos.”

“Glad you are enjoying it,” Dax laughed again before wiping a bit of from the corner of Lilly’s mouth. “You looked like an angel dancing out there.”

Han stood with his back to Lilly’s. The heat from her body seeped into his cold bones despite the space between them. He closed his eyes and breathed in and out, hoping to be blanketed by his new favorite scent, lavender.

But he couldn’t find it. Han started to turn when someone grabbed his hand.

“Han, darling, where have you been?” Sera stepped into Han’s side and placed an arm around his back.

“He has been mingling with all the riff-raff this evening, Sera.” Chamberlain puffed cigar smoke up into the air as he moved in beside them.

“I can’t believe you opened your house to these people.” Sera rolled her eyes as she noticed Adorna and Charles gliding around the dance floor.

Chamberlain pulled the cigar from his mouth and picked a small piece of tobacco off his tongue. “I see your father has made some of the connections he desired. Seems he’s serious about amalgamating your bloodline.” He tipped his chin in the direction of a laughing Gideon. He stood with Liam and Adorna’s father, Arthur Geand.

“My father will do what he believes is best.”

“He proved that with your mother, for sure.” Sera lifted her goblet to her mouth.

“Say that again.” Han’s hand squeezed Sera’s throat, and her eyes began to bulge. The sharp clang of her goblet on the marble floor stopped all other sounds in the room. “I dare you.”

“Han,” Lord Chamberlain grabbed Han’s arm. “Stop this instant.”

A small pale hand reached in and touched Han’s shoulder. The vampire lord felt a strange sensation spread across his body. Like a gentle ocean breeze, the feeling floated over him, and his anger dissipated.

“Shall we dance, Lord Kang?” Rhia smiled up at Han.

Without ceremony, Han dropped Sera, and she clutched her throat as she gasped for breath.

“We shall. Rhia, I believe.” Han stepped over Sera’s limp form and held out his arm while Chamberlain bellowed at the servants to help her.

The duo began to dance with the restart of the music. Rhia stood facing the fourth button on Han’s shirt. His hands dwarfed hers in hold.

“How did you do that?” Han guided his partner without looking down.

“Do what, Lord Kang?” Rhia careened her neck to try before turning it back to the side.

“I don’t enjoy obtuse, Rhia.”

“I have gifts. That is but one.”

Han looked down at his partner and quirked an eyebrow. “You are not a witch.” He looked back up and steadied his hold. “You are not even human. What are you?”

Rhia cleared her throat and straightened her posture. “It’s too early in our relationship to divulge that, Lord Kang.”

“Call me Han.” He looked down again at the petite woman in his arms. She felt like a china doll under his hands--sturdy, yet delicate. “Are you here to secure a match as well, Rhia?”

The little woman burst out in laughter before squeezing her lips together and smiling up at Han. “While you are quite attractive, I have seen your future. It does involve me, but not in that way.”

Han crooked his head and furrowed his brows. “Tell me then. What did you see?”

“Han, you should know that all visions are just that.” Rhia cleared her throat again and moved her head back and forth, scanning the room. “There are many wondering ears here, but I chanced a trip to see you for my friend. Can we chat elsewhere?”

Han nodded, rolled his shoulders back and tipped his chin up. He led his partner in a perfect waltz, searching the room for the one face he yearned to see.

Lilly stood with Adorna and Charles. Liam lingered in the periphery, chatting with Dax. Dax had a fisted hold on the back of Lilly’s dress while Lilly smiled and laughed at an animated Adorna.

Han closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then looked down at Rhia. “Shall we then?”

Rhia nodded, and the pair broke hold to wander onto the veranda. Han pulled a beverage off a passing tray and handed it to his companion before grabbing and chugging a goblet of blood himself.

The cool night air refreshed the avid dancers, and several partygoers stood idling, complimenting the pristine premises when Rhia and Han made their appearance.

“Lord Han!” Instant company surrounded the pair, and they began to introduce themselves. Hands, shoulders, thighs, a cheek--each brushed some part of the powerful vampire. The pressure started to mount.

The putrid smell of aroused women boiled Han’s blood. Their scents, combined with their perfume and alcohol threatened to overwhelm the lord. He wanted, no needed, none other than Lilly. Thoughts of her began to consume him. He bit his lip and clenched his hands.

But the incessant prattling continued.

“Leave us!” One pointed glare sent the group scattering.

Rhia stepped away, not uttering a word. The rigorous rise and fall of Han’s chest began to slow, and when Han opened his eyes, their deep chocolate color showed.

“It seems I lack patience, Rhia. Tell me what you know.”

Rhia leaned against the railing. “I’m not sure how to put this, so I’ll just say it.” Stepping forward, Rhia picked up Han’s hands and looked up into his eyes. “You will kill her. And then you will have to choose.”

---

With legs crossed and eyes closed, Han stroked the head of the slave kneeling beside him. The young woman knelt in a sheer garment that barely covered her femininity. The everyday wear meant to entice and satisfy her master’s most primal needs and urges without delay.

The girl at his feet had always been a favorite.

And yet, Han had not fed.

“Master,” the blonde tilted her head just a touch, and Han’s hand stilled. “Do I not please you this morning?” Without hesitation, she placed her palms down onto the cold floor.

“You have done no wrong.” His petting resumed.

“Then why—”

“Do.Not.Speak.”

The girl nodded and remained fixed in her position. Silence settled in again.

“What the hell is this heartwarming scene?” Gideon sauntered into the dining room--a slave on a leash in tow. “I needed some honest entertainment after the dull show last night.”

“Your father is here, my lord.” James bowed, entering the room after Gideon.

“Thank you, James.” Han opened his eyes and looked up as his father sat down. “To what do I owe this unexpected, unannounced visit?”

“We need to resolve this issue of your heir.” Chamberlain bellowed as he stepped into the room. His hand held a wad of hair as his slave scurried, bent over, at his side. Sera walked a step behind him.

“This topic again?” Han pinched the bridge of his nose and then brushed his hand over his stubbled chin.

“We have gone over this, Jun.” Gideon patted his lap after pushing his chair out. “We need to procure an heir, and we need to solidify alliances.” He dragged his nose across the bare shoulder before him as he hiked his slave’s skirt and shoved his hand under it. “The Fae king has not set foot in this realm in ages, so no one knows his thoughts. And humans continue to increase their technology.” The slave’s head dropped forward, and she moaned. Gideon plunged his teeth into her jugular, and she writhed in ecstasy.

After crossing his arms, Han dropped his head back and looked up at the ceiling. “Didn’t you eat before you came, Father?”

“Where is the fun in that, my lord?” Chamberlain slid his hands up and down the arms of the slave bouncing in his lap. “You know we love a good show. And an audience.” He smiled as he drew patterns with the blood on her shoulder.

Han sighed. “So, what is the next step?”

“I’ve invited Arthur Geand and his children for dinner. Nothing formal.” Gideon licked his glistening fingers before shoving his slave’s head down toward his lap. “I also invited that pompous werewolf, Whiteshadow, and his people.” He squeezed his eyes shut and halted for a moment.

“Get to the point, Father.”

“While I hate the idea of partnering with a wolf, we can’t afford to make enemies of them.”

“Agreed.” Chamberlain turned to Sera, who stood some feet behind him. “Sera, perhaps you need to change the slaves around here. Your master isn’t satisfied.” He gestured toward Han.

Sera sneered and began marching toward the woman at Han’s feet. Han held up his hand.

“I control this castle, Lord Chamberlain.” Han leaned forward, arms on the table. “My slaves and my staff are no concern of yours.”

“If you settled on a proper wife, you wouldn’t have to worry.” Chamberlain looked at Sera and smiled.

“I bore easily.” Han leaned back and resumed stroking his slave.

“Ah, like your father, I see.” Chamberlain chuckled. “Get an heir and get out. That’s how it should be!”

“Guests will be here at seven tomorrow evening.” Gideon pulled his slave from his crotch before fixing the front of his pants and standing. “You will be cordial. Adorna is an excellent prospect.”

“Whatever you say, Father.” Han looked at his nails. “You are certainly the expert on choosing a wife, aren’t you?”

“Ha!” Chamberlain pushed back his chair and shoved his suppliant onto the floor. “Such a waste that one.” Chamberlain grabbed a yellow vial from Sera and handed it to the now crying woman. “You know what to do.”

Chamberlain held the container out and wiggled it in front of her face. The slave did not pick up her head, but her breathing became erratic. Her hands fisted, and she punched Lord Chamberlain before standing and running. “I won’t die for you!”

The young woman didn’t get ten feet before guards grabbed her by the door. “I don’t deserve this! I don’t want this!” She scrambled to rip the jewelry off her body, and she threw it on the floor.

The guard turned the struggling woman toward the table and wrapped his bulging forearm around her neck. Chamberlain nodded his head. “You’ll meet your end, Lord Chamberlain. Just you—”

The snap echoed across the room.

“Red room.”