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“I am sorry, but I must advise against this, Lady Damina!” Vonnie shouts behind me, pulling my arm. Her grip is strong and there is an unusual and stinging ache at her touch which stops me as I grab tight onto the door leading to the Civility Center. “Please, Lady Damina! It was both Lord Nashoba and Marchand’s orders to keep you here and safe behind the walls of the mansion,” she pleads.
Pulling away from her hold, I rub my arm, trying to cool the throbbing ache of her grip. Vonnie is much stronger than her small frame suggests.
“Then tell me, Vonnie. You are a Bulwark, right? My Bulwark?”
“Yes,” she whispers in response, her lips barely moving, and her eyes locked on me.
“So how are the words of Dalcour or Jackson stronger than mine?” I counter.
“Please, Lady Damina. Do not do this. Don’t put me in this position. Besides, this is only for your safety!” She objects.
“My safety? Well technically, the CC is within the grounds of the mansion, so you aren’t breaking any agreement. I just need to talk with Dalcour. It shouldn’t take long. I promise I won’t stay longer than necessary.”
“You don’t understand, Lady Damina. There will be others there. Scourge. Altrinion-Vampires. You are a pure-blood Altrinion. It is hard enough for Braelyn and Lord Nashoba to control their impulses and bloodlust around you, but to put you in the company of others is simply dangerous!”
“Well then it is a good thing I have you to protect me.”
Vonnie’s eyes grow wide in alarm and her bottom lip quivers at my words. Taking a deep breath, she bows her head and sucks her teeth. Gazing back up at me, her sky-blue eyes sparkle like diamonds in an almost blinding hue. Shimmering rays of light beam through her pores and she grabs both my arms, locking her eyes with mine once more.
Her hold is tight, but the stinging ache from earlier is now replaced with a warm glow of light that hovers over me like a forcefield.
“What is this, Vonnie? What are you doing?” I question, watching the glittering aura cover me like a blanket.
“It’s a barrier light. As long as you are close to me, no Scourge or Altrinion-Vampire can touch you without enduring the pain of the sun.”
“But what about Dalcour, Vonnie? Are you saying even he can’t touch me?” I snap.
“Look, Damina, it’s either this or nothing. I will not risk your safety. Not even for Lord Marchand. You said you wanted to talk to him. Talking doesn’t require touching. Not unless you want to see him scorch and burn. Besides, it won’t be the first time this barrier made you untouchable to Lord Marchand,” Vonnie states with a stubbornness I thought was incapable of her.
“What do you mean I’ve been untouchable to Dalcour before?”
“That night during the fight with Mikkel and the others here at the mansion. When you saved Jackson, the Altrinion force within you created a barrier such as this to protect you. Only Jackson and I were able to care for you initially. Neither Braelyn nor Lord Nashoba could come in inches of you without feeling the lingering light of the sun upon your skin.”
“I had no idea,” I quietly reply as painful memories of that night echo through my mind. I still don’t feel I have a true handle on everything since my awakening.
Vonnie squeezes my forearms, hoping to regain my attention. “Damina, if you still want to go to the Civility Center, these are the terms.” Her voice is resolute, as Vonnie’s gleaming eyes search my face for agreement. She is not backing down.
I am impressed.
“Well I suppose we have a deal, Vonnie. After you,” I answer, extending my hand for her to lead us down the steps toward the Civility Center.
We make our way to the arched wooden door of the CC in no time and my heart flutters. Tinges of trepidation erupt goosebumps all over me as I fear what I’ll see when the door opens. Thoughts of Titan clearing the room at Trieu’s arrival my first night here send tremors through my soul. Like me, Trieu is an Altrinion and both Dalcour and Titan took precautions to ensure her safety. Even my aunt’s words about the savagery of Decaux and her implication of Dalcour sharing such a trait grip me with fear.
No matter. I can’t turn around now.
Taking a deep breath, I sigh, forcing down my remaining angst. The last thing I need is for Vonnie to sense the turmoil brewing within me.
“Are you sure about this, Damina?” Vonnie questions. Her luminescent eyes sparkle in the dark corridor, giving me a modicum of comfort.
“Let’s do this,” I quickly reply, hoping to the moon I sound confident. Even though Aunt Delia’s words hang over me like a dark cloud, I push every thought aside. Dalcour is not Decaux. Like a mantra, I inwardly chant to myself as the doors open.
The doors open instantly at Vonnie’s first knock, and a man I’ve never seen here before greets us both with a cagey grin. His bloodred gaze is chilling, but it’s Vonnie’s bright and diamond-like stare that keeps him at bay.
Everything about the Civility Center seems different to me than before. It’s darker. Murkiness shrouds my vision, leaving all my other senses heightened. Headiness is ripe in the air, as is the thick and putrid smell of blood permeating the atmosphere. Rihanna’s song, Disturbia, plays through the sounds system, fully mirroring the vibe of the CC.
As I’ve seen before, the bar is once again filled with vampires, both Altrinion and Scourge, delighting in the fountains of blood that pool at their whim. Yet, this time is different. Their bloodlust is more exaggerated than before. Not only do some lick the trails of blood from the floor, but now their lust is on full display. Pouring streams of blood into each other’s mouth and kissing to delight in its shared taste sickens my entire being.
In the open lounge area, others are feeding on humans. Some seem somewhat coherent as they gaze off distantly while their wrists linger in the venomous snare of the vampire’s mouths. Other humans lay still in the lap of their emptor as two or more take pleasure in the outpouring of blood from their necks, wrists, and ankles.
My heart sinks at the revelation: this is Dalcour’s world.
Grabbing my forearm, Vonnie stops our pacing as she peers through the foggy view of the CC, likely looking for Dalcour. But he is nowhere to be found.
As strange as it sounds, even that is a glimmer of hope. Perhaps Dalcour chooses not to indulge in such depravity. I can only hope.
“My, my, my, twice in one day, Lady Damina. Tell me you’re not stalking me,” Titan says with a haughty smile as he rounds a dark corner. His luminous gray eyes shine through the murkiness, as does his lustrous Cheshire smile.
“Hello, Titan,” I answer flatly. I can’t tell if he’s flirting or joking, and that bothers me.
“Aww don’t sound so glum, Damina,” he says, his brow lowered with disappointment. “I’m quite aware you didn’t come here to find me. However, I am surprised to see you here. Your praesidium must know it’s a Bulwark’s duty to protect an Altrinion. Even a young one such as you, Vonnie, should know better.”
Vonnie steps forward, away from me, squaring her shoulders and eyes blazing. A low grumble rumbles through her, and I see she takes no pleasure in Titan’s admonishment.
Pulling her arm to keep her at my side, I smile, hopefully to douse some of her irritations with Titan. “Titan, please. I am a grown woman. I come and go as I please. And if you must know, Vonnie was not happy about me coming here either. I see you have some interesting company.”
“Interesting company indeed. Why do you think you don’t see my sisters here? It is not an ideal spot for you tonight. Besides, I do not feel like getting into it tonight with Dalcour if anything were to happen to you. And if your junior praesidium here thinks her little barrier shield will be enough to keep you safe in this place, then you’ve certainly miscalculated your odds,” Titan scorns, shaking his head in annoyance.
“Titan, look, I’m only here for Dalcour. Have you seen him? Or could you get him for me?” I ask.
“And who shall I say is looking for my sire?” A slithering, sultry voice calls to us from beyond the shadows, echoing through the veiled hallway.
Vonnie quickly moves in front of me and Titan even parries her motion, blocking us both.
“Hey you!” Titan begins with a lilt of pretense in his tone. “It is your party, isn’t it? Why don’t you continue entertaining your guests? I’ll take care of this little intrusion.” With his broad back to us, Titan sways side to side, keeping us out of sight of the woman.
“Why yes, Lord Titan, it is my party. That is why I wanted to know who is seeking my sire. Who better than me to protect his interests?” She replies.
The budding inferno within me grows noxious at the sound of her presumptuous stance. I feel the force within me quicken and I am jolted to Titan’s side in an instant, coming face to face with the most hauntingly beautiful woman I have ever encountered.
“Damina, stay calm,” Titan’s rebuke implodes my mind as his gray eyes darken while deepening into my own, and I realize his mouth never parted.
Uh-oh! This means he too can break into my thoughts. I have got to get a handle on this!
As I turn from Titan, my eyes nearly pop out from my sockets at the sight of the hauntingly gorgeous woman before me. Her thick, long fire-singed ginger curls hang to one side of her strapless shoulders as her piercing Timothy green eyes stare at me with a strange and disturbing familiarity. Her skin is dew-kissed like Jerrica, but her milky textured skin is void of any presence of the sun. The silhouette of her frame is too perfect! Not even a cola bottle could rival her enviable shape. But it is the evocativeness of her presence which sends a rippling current throughout my entire being.
Much like my night in the alleyway with Mikkel, this woman sets off a sinister alarm within me.
Likely sensing my apprehension, Titan throws his hulking arms around me, pulling me closer to his side.
“Well aren’t you lovely?” The woman says in a low and sly tone as she spies my obvious irritation in Titan’s tight hold. “And she smells delightful, Titan! Tell me, is she dinner or dessert?” She adds, biting her long pointy red nails through her cherry-stained red lips.
“She’s neither! Keep your distance leech!” Vonnie yelps, coming to my side. A bright shimmering aura hangs over Vonnie, and both Titan and the woman turn slightly.
“Ha! How cute!” The woman mocks. “A little light-bright! No need to warm the room, dear. We like it cold and dark. Besides, we’re just getting to know one another.”
Grabbing Vonnie’s wrist, I nod at her and she douses her light. I notice Titan’s arm sizzles as the shield Vonnie placed around me starts to wear on him, yet he only bites his lip, grimacing slightly. Loosening myself from his hold, I step forward and the woman’s eyes widen with surprise.
“Where are my manners?” I begin with a flat tone, faux smile, and a deathly gaze to match. While everything in me says I should fear this woman, I refuse to give her the satisfaction. “My name is Damina N—”
“Yes, yes. This lovely woman is Damina. She was—um—hired by Jerrica to manage the revitalization project,” Titan quickly interjects, forcing himself back to my side. “As you know Dalcour is the benefactor, and she had a few questions about next steps. You know, business stuff. But we shouldn’t really discuss this with you since you are the contending bidder, now should we, Chartreuse?”
Both Titan and the woman exchange laughs that are as pretentious as they are cringeworthy. Titan looks over his shoulder at me, narrowing his eyes and once more invades my mind. “Tread carefully with this one, Damina. Chartreuse Grenoble is no mere foe. She’s the most dangerous woman in this place.”
Before I can nod in understanding, the resonance of her name hits me. Chartreuse Grenoble! She is the woman Jerrica described as her rival. It was clear to me then as it is now. She and Jerrica were not friends. A low snarl rumbles through me at the thought of why she and Jerrica are at odds. The fact she names Dalcour as her sire isn’t lost on me either.
“Ah, Ms. Grenoble, I think Jerrica may have mentioned you before,” I say coolly. Titan’s nose scrunches at my admission, and it doesn’t take telepathy to know he wants me to back down.
“Oh, well, how is Jerrica doing? I hear she isn’t doing well as of late. Please do send her my regards,” she answers with a grubby tremor in her voice as her eyes search my face. “Well, now let me mind my manners as hostess. Can I fetch you something to drink? Do you take it from the vein as does Lord Marchand, or is your preference a goblet or sorts? I know you Altrinions have your predilections as it were.” Snapping her fingers as she speaks, two men bring a young man with fang markings on his neck and wrist to her side. “My treat!” Chartreuse jovially announces, tipping the young man’s head to the side, offering him to me and Titan.
Titan’s eyes darken, and a low churning growl rivets through him and I grab his forearm, allowing the scorching heat from my skin to distract his growing bloodlust. He shakes himself free from my grasp and backs away from Chartreuse, raising his hands in protest. “I’m good, Chartreuse. I had something at the bar earlier,” he adds.
“Oh now, Titan when did you become such a bore? I recall the days when your barbarity knew no end! Those were the glory days! Why shouldn’t you partake in my merriment? This is the day of my making, is it not?” Chartreuse smiles wide, revealing long razor-sharp fangs. Her eyes fade to black as she sinks her teeth into the young man’s flesh, draining the remaining life from him.
I work hard to steady my breathing as I witness his lifeless body fall at my feet. Chartreuse lets out a loud screeching cry and a chorus of menacing snarls and growls echo through the corridor. With her blackened eyes staring at me and a small pool of blood lingering in her open mouth, she smiles once more and snaps her fingers. This time, two more men bring another near-lifeless young man to us with similar bite marks etched on his body.
“Damina, what about you? Will you have a drink with me?” She questions in a dark tone, her voice reverberating through the hall.
“Back away from her, Chartreuse! Now!” I hear Dalcour’s thunderous voice shout from behind me.
Chartreuse trembles at his call and the two men drop the sacrificial young man to the floor, quickly disappearing into the smoke-filled hallway. Her eyes return to their green hue and her fangs retract as she looks behind me, shaken by Dalcour’s arrival.
“Lord Marchand, I—I” she begins, her teeth chattering as she bows slightly at her waist.
“No words, Chartreuse! I’ll hear no words from you! How dare you break the rules of sanctity in the Civility Center? Here in my very presence! You know all too well I will not tolerate any loss of life beyond these walls. Yet you dare make this comparable to a bordello of blood!”
“My lord, I—I was only entertaining my guests. I only wish to commemorate the annual of my second birth. The only birth that has ever meant anything to me—your dark gift to me, my lord!” She says, her stance shutters in response.
“Yet you make me regret the day I granted you such a gift! Your savagery is beyond repair, Chartreuse and your wiles know no end! But your brutish barbarism will pale in comparison to my own should I ever find you within an inch of the Lady Damina Nicaud ever again!” Dalcour roars.
Chartreuse stammers back at his words, slowly lifting her face up to meet my eyes, her expression darkening. “Nicaud?” She repeats. “Is this Lady Damina Nicaud?” Chartreuse inquires, malevolence marring her perfect face.
“My lady!” Dalcour shouts back.
Straightening her posture, she resumes a sly smile as she continues staring between me and Dalcour. “Yes, my lord. I do regret however I may have sullied the sanctity of the Civility Center. You know I can be fairly impetuous. For that, I offer my deepest apology,” Chartreuse offers with another nod and bow.
“You have an hour to finalize your festivities here, Chartreuse,” Dalcour demands.
“Yes, sire. We will make our departure expedient.”
“You’d do well to do so. Keep those at your charge away from the Quarter and its borders.”
Chartreuse smiles, nodding this time with her eyes only, yet keeping them fixed on me for the duration.
“Until we meet again, Lady Nicaud. Perhaps in Paris?” She adds with a mischievous sneer before disappearing beyond the corridor.
“Perhaps in Paris? What the heck is that supposed to mean, Dalcour?” I ask, turning to meet his unwanted scowl.
“Damina,” he begins with his eyes closed and skin glowing red. “What in the world possessed you to come here tonight? Weren’t you instructed to stay close to the mansion?”
“Well, yes, Dal, but I—”
“But nothing, Damina! Do you not understand you can’t just go flying about New Orleans at your whim or wherever your emotions take you?”
“My emotions?”
“Yes, your emotions, Damina! At what juncture will you put this flying by the seat of your pants behind you? I will not always be here to protect you! Titan! Vonnie! What good do either of you have to offer if you cannot protect what is mine?”
“What is yours? Well, Lord Marchand, far be it from me to remind your grace that I am not and never have or will be anyone’s mere commodity!”
“Oh please, Damina, you know damn well what I mean! Is it not enough I have to keep peace between Jerrica and Chartreuse that I must now do so with you?”
“How dare you? But since you mention Jerrica, perhaps you would like to explain why it is you haven’t been to see your best friend. She is dying, for goodness’ sake!”
“Damina do not speak to me of things you can barely comprehend! And so it is for the sake of goodness that I do what I do now!” Dalcour shouts back as he grabs me at my waist and takes flight through the CC and back up to the mansion.
I am sure Vonnie thought her sunlit barrier upon my skin would prevent Dalcour from touching me. She was wrong. We both were. Neither my kicking, twisting, nor pounding at Dalcour’s back does anything to thwart his motion as he reprimands me in an unknown tongue with smoke simmering from his skin. Vonnie trails Dalcour’s movements while Titan remains at the Civility Center, watching our departure with fear-laden eyes.
Carrying me over his shoulder, Dalcour tosses me down on my bed and rushes back to the threshold. Without turning back to face me, he leans his head over his shoulder, taking a deep breath. “Damina, you still cannot fathom the ferocity of my affection for you. Someday I hope you will come to understand it. But I cannot—will not allow any harm to come to you.” Dalcour takes in one more gulp of air as he takes hold of the doorframe. “Vonnie, I want you to place a barrier on this door. I don’t want her leaving this room until daybreak.”
“Dalcour! You wouldn’t!” I protest, jumping up from the bed and racing to the doorway.
“Yes, Damina for your protection I would. I can’t have you taking another flight away from safety.”
Vonnie looks at me and back at Dalcour before guiding her hand along the door frame, as she mutters an unknown language, yielding a bright white light around the threshold of my suite. Yet, I do not blame her. I know she is only doing what is commanded of her.
“Dalcour!” I shout, hoping to regain his attention. Once more he looks over his shoulder before opting to turn to lock eyes with me. “You should know one thing. I did not take flight as you may think when I went to the Civility Center. I want you to know that. You need to know how I got there.”
Dalcour’s eyebrows raise with interest and his face softens. Hopeful, I try to peer into his mind, but I cannot. Still, he is blocking his thoughts from me, infuriating me further.
“How, Damina? How did you get to the CC?” Dalcour inquires.
“With my two feet. I walked, Dalcour. I walked. And now you can do the same.”
Dalcour flinches, with his mouth slightly parted. I know a part of him regrets his actions tonight, but he maintains his stubborn stance. His eyes narrow as we stare at one another, and he steps an inch closer to the door. Yet, I dare him to cross the threshold as my now reddened skins warms all over. Watching me closely, he retracts once more, keeping his distance.
“Damina,” he whispers my name past the doorpost. Dalcour’s tone is both pleading and placating.
I know one thing. I am not interested in anything he has to say beyond the mention of my name. And with that thought, the door slams shut at the wind I emit at my will.
Standing with my face to the door, I sense a new and more fiery inferno kindle within me, and I know with all certainty the events of tonight have changed things between me and Dalcour.
Perhaps forever.