I snatch the maid’s hand and jerk it to my face. Baring my teeth, I sink into her warm flesh. The burst of fresh, human blood nearly has me orgasming again. I moan as I greedily drink from the source.
I want it all.
I want all of her.
“Three, four, five…”
Laurent’s counting is annoying, but it clears the blood lust in my head. I count along with him, dreading every second closer to ten. When we reach ten, I groan but reluctantly pull away. I lick at her wrist, mesmerized by the way the wound closes up.
“Good girl,” Laurent praises. “You may go now, Dara.”
I whimper, still starved for more, but then Laurent’s mouth is on mine, praising me with a kiss. Just when I think I’ll die of thirst, he spreads my legs and pushes his dick inside me again. My senses obliterate as I find my way from starvation to sexual need.
He fucks me right into a stupor.
I close my eyes and I see Jude.
He groans but smiles at me. Hades wags his tail, jumping up on Jude’s legs. He whines and cocks his head to the side.
“Is this a dream?” I ask, confused as to where I’m at.
“You’re already dreaming, baby vamp. I’d say I was proud, but that’d ruin my reputation here at E.V.I.E.” He leans forward and kisses my cheek. “Glad you’re still around, kiddo.”
The kiss doesn’t feel real, but it warms me nonetheless.
“I think you ruined your rep when you hired Ricardo,” I say, curling my lip up.
“Ricardo and I have similar goals. Besides, I need a strong replacement. I’m pretty sure I just lost my favorite one.” He sighs, but he’s smiling. “Hope retirement treats you well, kiddo.”
Retirement?
The idea of spending my days playing with Mercy and loving Laurent without vengeance dictating my every move sounds quite lovely.
“Come see me when you’re not naked, Casti.”
I look down, shocked to see my nude body. “W-What?”
“Take her home, Laurent,” Jude says, chuckling.
Strong arms wrap around me, pulling me back.
I’m suddenly back in the bedroom beneath the silky sheets. No longer a dream but in reality.
“I love you, Castilla.” Laurent always says all the letters in my name like they’re important to him. Reverent. And musical, like a song. He says you can hear music in everything.
I can hear the steady beating of the drum like organs inside all seven maids as they flit around the massive home that belongs to Beck. I can hear giggling from far away, the sound like tinkling bells. Wind whistles outside, soft and alluring. Laurent hums, somehow harmonizing to the sounds that I shouldn’t be able to hear but can.
“I can hear the music,” I tell him, grinning. “It’s beautiful.”
He kisses my lips. “And so are you.”
“Why do I feel sleepy?” I ask. “I thought vampires never slept.”
“We reenergize during the day. The sun is rising. Just rest, my love.”
“Thank you, Dara,” I say after I lick her wound closed. “You taste yummy.”
The maid laughs and shakes her head. “Never been called yummy before, but thank you. Mr. Zargonian takes care of me and my family. It’s a pleasure to serve.”
It’s been days of learning to curb my thirst. There were times I thought I would die, but Laurent always got me through it. Each night, I’ve visited Jude in a dreamwalk, those times with clothes on. I’ve learned I can fuck Laurent a million times and never grow tired. I also learned I can spike and glamour too. Once I learn to teleport, I’ll find Mercy. I miss her terribly, but Laurent doesn’t think I’m ready.
Dara leaves and I continue my pacing. I’m full of nervous energy. Laurent says that never happened to him, so he’s unsure what it means.
I know what it means.
I need my daughter.
I won’t rest until I have her in my arms.
I’m afraid that I’ll want to sink my teeth into her tiny neck, but I trust that when that time comes, Laurent will intervene.
Something flies into the bedroom through the door Dara left open. It flaps around the room before landing on a table. A bat. Not just any bat, but—
“Dracula!” Mercy shrieks.
I freeze, shocked and overcome with joy when my daughter runs into the room. She runs. My little baby girl who was so fragile and weak runs.
“Sorry, Mommy,” Mercy says. “He’s a bad bat. Flies all over the place. Are you better yet?”
Laurent is tense and ready to pounce, but I don’t need him to protect her. That’s what her mother is for.
I squat down in front of her. “I sure am, sweetie. How did Dracula learn to fly?”
“Beck!” She grins her toothy smile at me. “Did you know Beck can visit me in my dreams? He said one day you can too!”
Beck, the man in question, appears behind her, his red eyes flashing when he realizes our proximity.