Of course, threatening a Master
Vampire in the heart of his lair probably wasn't the wisest idea
I've ever
had. “I apologize,” I acquiesced. “I am a guest in your home, and I spoke out of turn.” I was just so tired of being jerked around. I knew that no matter how much he wanted me, it wouldn't stop him from killing me right here on the spot. I had to mind my manners. Jared swallowed his anger and dismissed my apology with a wave. “Don't give it another thought,” he said politely.
Apparently he wasn't going to come right out and say who betrayed me. I had to take the long way around. “Jared,” I said carefully, “why did you bring me here? Why did you rescue me?" "It seemed the chivalrous thing to do,” the Master Vampire replied, then let out with a gentle laugh. “You were the damsel in distress. It was my duty to rescue you." I, like every girl, had visions of a white knight galloping in to save me, but rarely did he wear full riot gear and pack an automatic weapon. “But how did you know I was there?" "I maintain a vast network of...” He paused and tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Let's call them information brokers."
"Spies?"
"That would be another name,” Jared confirmed. I shook my head in disbelief. I had no idea the lengths he would go to. “You were spying on me?" "Keeping tabs,” he corrected me as he took another sip of the blood. “Sounds less nefarious that way.” Jared cocked his head slightly. “Is your beverage not to your liking?" I looked down at the mug of warm blood and realized I had been too wrapped up in the conversation to even acknowledge it. After what he just told me, I wasn't sure I wanted it anyway. Probably laced with a knock out drug or something of the like. I placed my fingers on the mug and spun it gently. “Just not very hungry."
"Ah,” Jared said with a nod. “Too bad. Good vintage this morning. Twenty-five year old Filipino girl. Very smooth."
His comment made me shiver.He kept humans like wine now? I could only imagine what his collection looked like. I wiped my hand over my eyes. Sometimes it felt like Jared and I were from completely different species. Although probably, in reality, he reminded me of the Vampire I used to be. Maybe that's why I hated him. It was like seeing a reflection of who I once was, and completely capable of becoming again.
"I can sense that something's making you uncomfortable,” Jared soothed me. “Perhaps we can continue this discussion later?"
"No,” I said a little too quickly and paused. “I'm fine,” I assured him. “Please, let's continue." Jared forced a smile. “If you wish.” He took the final drink of blood and set the empty mug back on the coffee table. “Someone is trying to subvert the Brimstone Syndicate."
had. “I apologize,” I acquiesced. “I am a guest in your home, and I spoke out of turn.” I was just so tired of being jerked around. I knew that no matter how much he wanted me, it wouldn't stop him from killing me right here on the spot. I had to mind my manners. Jared swallowed his anger and dismissed my apology with a wave. “Don't give it another thought,” he said politely.
Apparently he wasn't going to come right out and say who betrayed me. I had to take the long way around. “Jared,” I said carefully, “why did you bring me here? Why did you rescue me?" "It seemed the chivalrous thing to do,” the Master Vampire replied, then let out with a gentle laugh. “You were the damsel in distress. It was my duty to rescue you." I, like every girl, had visions of a white knight galloping in to save me, but rarely did he wear full riot gear and pack an automatic weapon. “But how did you know I was there?" "I maintain a vast network of...” He paused and tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Let's call them information brokers."
"Spies?"
"That would be another name,” Jared confirmed. I shook my head in disbelief. I had no idea the lengths he would go to. “You were spying on me?" "Keeping tabs,” he corrected me as he took another sip of the blood. “Sounds less nefarious that way.” Jared cocked his head slightly. “Is your beverage not to your liking?" I looked down at the mug of warm blood and realized I had been too wrapped up in the conversation to even acknowledge it. After what he just told me, I wasn't sure I wanted it anyway. Probably laced with a knock out drug or something of the like. I placed my fingers on the mug and spun it gently. “Just not very hungry."
"Ah,” Jared said with a nod. “Too bad. Good vintage this morning. Twenty-five year old Filipino girl. Very smooth."
His comment made me shiver.He kept humans like wine now? I could only imagine what his collection looked like. I wiped my hand over my eyes. Sometimes it felt like Jared and I were from completely different species. Although probably, in reality, he reminded me of the Vampire I used to be. Maybe that's why I hated him. It was like seeing a reflection of who I once was, and completely capable of becoming again.
"I can sense that something's making you uncomfortable,” Jared soothed me. “Perhaps we can continue this discussion later?"
"No,” I said a little too quickly and paused. “I'm fine,” I assured him. “Please, let's continue." Jared forced a smile. “If you wish.” He took the final drink of blood and set the empty mug back on the coffee table. “Someone is trying to subvert the Brimstone Syndicate."