Heart of Darkness Page 4

  Oh, please! I thought to myself. As powerful as he is, he would’ve sensed the moment I left. “I apologize for leaving last night. I had an urgent matter I needed to attend to.”

  “More important than your new guardian?” he asked.

  “I mean no offense by saying this, but yes, my lord. It was a crime scene, and I had a lead.”

  Technically, I wasn’t lying...much.

  “Is that right? I thought perhaps I had upset you by taking over for Amoria. I understand how you must feel, and it’s alright to hate me. From what I saw last night, I take it you, Amoria, and Dan are close friends?”

  Yes, we are. But before I could respond, or even blink, he was in front of me. Damn! He’s a fast one.

  “I do hope we can become close friends as well in the near future,” he said.

  Never happen, I thought to myself, but out loud, replied, “Hopefully.”

  “Well, Valentino,” he said, “I must go now. I’ll leave you in peace.”

  “Of course, my lord,”

  “Oh! And Valentino? I require your presence tonight,” he added, his tone clearly conveying it wasn’t up for discussion.

  And then, just as suddenly as he’d appeared, he was gone.

  After a few moments standing in place, frozen again with the shock of such comings and goings, I laid back down on the grass and forced myself to try to relax once more.

  ~

  By one in the afternoon, I decided to call and set up a lunch date with two friends I’ve had since high school. Pixie and Jess are owners of the Silver Beetle, a popular occult store with a mini café. Their business is both magical and sociable. Both are powerful witches, and the only ones, beside Amoria and Dan, who knows my secret. They are also the ones who help me hide from wandering eyes with the assistance of an enchanted sapphire necklace, shaped in the form of a crescent moon. I always wear it.

  “Hey, Val! You came!” Pixie cried out with excitement when I arrived.

  “You know I wouldn’t miss a lunch date with my girls, especially when I’m the one who set it up!” I teased, and wrapped my arms around her when she flew into my chest.

  “Sure, you would, if you happened to run into some juicy man-meat on the way.”

  “Since when?”

  Tall and voluptuous, Pixie was a sight for sore eyes. With her long dark hair, and her wonderful Latina complexion, she was the classic version of a gypsy fantasy, which had made her very popular with the boys back in high school. She is always sweet and friendly, but don’t let that sweetness fool you. She’s an absolute Amazon when it comes to a battle. She taught me Brazilian martial arts, which has come in pretty handy a few times in my life.

  “Where’s Jess?” I asked her, as I looked around for my other friend.

  “She’s in the bathroom. By the way, I’m sorry about Amoria leaving. That blows.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  About that time, Jess joined us. She was also tall, but unlike Pixie, she was not so voluptuous, but very lean, with beautiful Asian features. Her midnight black, short haircut and her porcelain skin made her look like a beautiful Asian doll.

  “Hey, Jess!” I greeted her as I stood and gave her a hug.

  “Hi, love! It’s been so long, but look at us, having lunch just like old times.” Her face beamed with joy.

  When we first met in high school, we were the best of friends, long before any of our powers had developed. I knew I was different when I was still a rather young child, and so did they.

  Pixie and Jess’s powers manifested around the same time mine had. Since most powers are tied to emotions, we had to be extra careful, as the slightest anger could set them off. Like that time Pixie set a girl’s hair on fire for calling her a slut. Or when Jess made a classmate soil himself in the hallway for trying to grab her breast.

  They were the ones I ran to when I first found out I was half-incubus. Turns out, whoever my mother was, she was a succubus. My dad finally told me the truth about her just before he died, not long after I had my transformation. Up until then, I’d always believed my mother, who had died while giving birth to me, had been human.

  I knew how the spawn of demons were treated. I knew that I had to hide myself. Like most incubi and succubi, I had the ability to feed on sexual energy and souls. I tended to stay away from eating souls, because I knew once you crossed that line, there was no going back, and I intended to hold on to my humanity for as long as possible.

  “So, who’s the new guardian?” Jess asked me as she took a bite out of her veggie burger.

  “Aladar. He’s a vampire, and a very powerful one.”

  “How powerful?” Pixie asked poking at her Caesar chicken salad.

  “Oh, I don’t know. Powerful enough he was able to take a little stroll outside this morning in his pajamas.”

  “Whoa, that strong eh?” she said, her eyes wide as she took a sip of her drink.

  “So, is he hot?” asked Jess.

  “Jess!” I exclaimed and gave her an exasperated look. “This isn’t the time to ask about that. But if you must know, yes, he is very gorgeous.”

  “Does he know?” Pixie asked her tone suddenly serious. “Considering how powerful he is?”

  “No, he doesn’t.” I reassured her. “I’m certain he doesn’t. I highly doubt I’d still be alive if he did.”

  “Please be careful.” Jess said. “Amoria used to satisfy your hunger, but now that she’s gone, what are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know, but I’ll manage.” I answered honestly. “So last night, after she left, I ended up running home like a fucking toddler having a tantrum. I just couldn’t stay, even though he had just requested my assistance. I didn’t even tell anyone I was leaving.”

  “No way!” Jess said, her eyes wide with shock.

  “He wasn’t mad?” Pixie asked.

  I shrugged. “He didn’t seem to be. In fact, he said he wanted to become friends.” I shook my head. “Like I’m going to trust him. But still, I have to go back.”

  The girls nodded, understanding I really had no choice in the matter.

  We finished our lunch date with Colombian coffee and chocolate gateau, while talking about our old high school days.

  “Well, it has been great, girls, but now I have to go home and change, then meet the vamp later tonight,” I said jokingly as I got up to leave.

  “Better wear something sexy,” Pixie called after me as I walked away.

  “Not a bad idea,” I yelled back.

  ~

  It was about five o’clock when I parked my car outside the mansion and walked to the front entrance.

  “Sir Valentino!” a woman called out as she came toward me. “Shall I attend to your needs for the gathering ball tonight?”

  Whoa! Amoria always had servants, and they were always willing to help, yes, but not to that extent.

  “Um no, that’s quite alright. Thank you, though,” I quickly added. “Just tell Lord Aladar I’ll be there shortly, if he should ask about me.”

  For a split second, a look of fear crossed her face, but just as fast as it appeared, it was gone again.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked.

  “Oh, nothing! I will make sure to do so,” she said, then hurried away.

  Well, that was weird. Maybe Master Aladar wasn’t so nice after all.

  When I arrived at my room, I was relieved to find that everything was still intact. The same covers on the bed, the drapes by the window, even my books where exactly where I’d left them.

  For a moment, my eyes began to tear up. Dan would usually be seated on my sofa, reading one my books. He found Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles very interesting.

  I forced my thoughts back to the present. The gathering ball tonight was an event to welcome the new guardian of the city, and the most elite of the elites would attend. But it wouldn’t start until sunset, so a quick nap might provide me with just enough strength for tonight.

  I laid down on the bed, and after a l
ittle while, fell asleep. I dreamed of a lush green valley, and meadows of flowers under the summer sun. I could feel myself smiling. I knew I was in the land of the fae. I walked until I came across a small, clear river glistening in the sunlight. I knew if I crossed it, I would be in the realm between, and if I called to Amoria, she would come.

  Suddenly, my dream evaporated, as a presence inside my room forced me to wake instantly. I leaped out of bed, ready to kick ass. But when I looked, there was no one around. Still, I felt a presence lingering.

  “I know you’re still there,” I shouted. “Just show yourself.”

  Nothing.

  Okay. Plan B.

  I took off my shoe and threw it in the direction where I felt the presence the strongest, only to see it caught in midair.

  “When did we get a ghost in this house?” I asked.

  “Not bad,” a voice said out of thin air. “You’re not as useless as you look.”

  A shape materialized, and I was surprised to see it was Robert.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.

  How dare that fool underestimate me!

  So Aladar’s guards seem to have some special powers of their own. I didn’t know shifters could go invisible.

  “Nothing,” he said as he leaned against the door. “The master requires your presence.”

  “Tell him that I’ll be there shortly,” I snapped at him.

  He looked me up and down, as if I were a ripe fruit waiting to be plucked. I felt myself growing hard by that look, and quickly crossed my hand in front of me. When he saw my movement, he chuckled lightly.

  Deep in my mind, I could hear my other self, my incubus side, growl its hunger. It wanted to lay with him, fuck him, and drink his soul until the last drop.

  Not now! I mentally shouted.

  “I would like to be alone please,” I said to Robert, who was still staring at me.

  “Sure. I’ll wait outside, since I was supposed to bring you back,” he replied, as he gave me one last look, winked, then closed the door behind him,

  “I’ll see you soon, little human,” he whispered, and as much as I hated to admit it, the guy was hot.

  Human, he’d said. I laughed out loud.

  If only he knew.

  I took a quick shower and swiftly dressed. Robert was still waiting outside. I had a feeling if I invited him in for a quickie, he would gladly accept the invitation. I got a couple drops of rose oil in my hand and rubbed them on my hands and neck. If I was going to make a good impression as the human consort, I had to look and smell good.

  I dressed in a dark suit with a blood red tie. With a quick look at myself in the mirror, I knew I was ready. I opened the door and found, to my surprise, that Robert was already dressed.

  Not even going to ask.

  I knew he had been waiting for me in this same spot the whole time. But damn, he looked good. The pale gray suit went great with his copper eyes.

  “Like what you see?” he asked me.

  “Not bad at all,” I admitted, as I looked him up and down.

  “Trust me, I’m not ‘not bad at all,’ and maybe one day, I’ll just have to prove it to you,” he said with a sexy smile.

  “Will you lead the way? Or do you want to keep him waiting?” I changed the subject, and his expression sobered.

  “Follow me.” Robert turned and led us down the hallway.

  I followed him to the dining room, which looked quite exquisite tonight. The room was full of people I didn’t know. Some were humans, and some weren’t.

  I spied a well-dressed satyr, his horns covered with gold dust, talking to an alabaster nymph, who looked like a petite version of a fairy tale snow queen. And she didn’t seem to mind at all that he was leering at her.

  Next, my eyes found a handsome werewolf, with glowing chartreuse eyes, having a drink with a black-haired female elf.

  Over in a corner, a group of stylish vampires were sharing a laugh. They looked Gothic and beautiful, their steps silent.

  Scattered among them, humans chatted to each other.

  Everyone was dressed elegantly and traditionally, according to their kind. On the buffet table sat silver jugs with ornate details, which I assumed contained warm, fresh blood. Next to the jugs, there were trays of food for the non-blood drinkers.

  I looked up to see Tamara, Aladar’s female bodyguard, approaching us. Like Robert, she was elegant in a sexy, sparkling red dress, which looked perfect against her pale skin.

  “Hello there,” I said politely.

  She didn’t even look at me, but instead, raised her nose as if she smelled something foul, and directed her attention to Robert.

  Fucking bitch.

  “You’re late!” she exclaimed, looking at Robert, who also noticed her rudeness. “Is the consort ready?” she asked in an even more annoyed tone.

  “Yes, he is,” he answered coldly.

  “Well then, the master is waiting. Let’s go, human!”

  Lovely!

  She just got here, and already she’s giving me an attitude. I don’t think so.

  “Excuse me?” I called out, stopping her in her tracks. “I have a name, you know. Don’t talk to me as if I’m one of your pets or your blood whores.”

  She turned to look at me with a shocked expression.

  “Yeah, you heard me,” I continued. “How would you like it if I called you ‘fang girl?’ ”

  At that, her eyes glowed red.

  “Doesn’t feel so good, does it?” I said with a glare as I walked past her. I could still feel her eyes on me, shooting darts of hatred. If she really wanted the fight I felt she did, she was soon going to get one.

  I made my way toward Aladar, ignoring the glares and whispers around me. He was sitting on the throne chair and scanning the room. When he looked at me, his gaze almost paralyzed me.

  Damn it! I will not be intimidated by him.

  “Lord Aladar,” I said as I formally bowed to him.

  He eyed me up and down with an approving look.

  “Ah, I see Robert has told you about the dress code.”

  “No, my lord, this is how I normally dress for a formal event.”

  Talos muttered something too softly for me to hear, but I was sure it wasn’t a compliment. He was also dressed formally in a sharp black Italian suit.

  “Hello,” I said to him

  Apparently my politeness surprised him, because his eyes widened at my greeting.

  Tamara and Robert soon joined us, and of course, she had her steely gaze already locked onto me. By her attitude and glare, I knew she thought I should cower before her and her position, as if I gave a fuck.

  But I stood with my back straight, my knees nowhere near the ground, and simply looked away with a sense of boredom, much like she did to me when I first met her. I smirked, knowing it would piss her off. If she could breathe fire, she probably would have at this point.

  “Is there a problem?” Aladar asked, sensing the tension.

  “None that I know of,” I said, looking as innocently as I could back at him.

  “The problem is that this human needs to learn some respect!” Tamara spat.

  “Darling, you also need a lesson in that,” I retorted

  “Watch your tongue!” she shouted, then hissed.

  Seriously! This woman hissed like a damn snake...at me!

  “You seem to be forgetting what century we’re living in. Respect is given to those who deserve it, at least that’s how it is in this country. Probably better get used to that, the ‘humans’ here aren’t going to kiss your ass just because you say so,” I fired back, unable to stop pushing her.

  “I said, watch your mouth,” she came to stand in front of me, fury evident in her tone.

  “Piss off! Watch your own, bloodsucker.”

  I looked around and saw our discussion had drawn the attention of the guests, for the crowd had gathered around, and Aladar, Robert and Talos were watching the two of us closely, but all three remained silen
t, and didn’t seem to be about to step in and stop us.

  “Just because your little Sídhe Queen allowed you the freedom to act and do as you please”—Tamara paused to roll her eyes—“doesn’t mean that your behavior will be acceptable with your new guardian.”

  “Why are you even concerned about me?” I asked her. “Last time I checked, you weren’t the new guardian, Lord Aladar is. You’re just his servant and personal guard, but I am his human consort.”

  “I’m not on the same level as a mere servant or guard, human, and I’m even higher than any pathetic human consort,” she spat.

  “Oh, really? I didn’t know you were next in line as the new guardian,” I said with a sneer.

  “Fuck you!” she screamed.

  “You wish I would,” I shot back, then winked at her.

  At that, she finally cracked. Her body began to tremble, and the redness staining her face increased with her anger.

  “Now, now,” I taunted, “somebody sure is quick to anger. You’re making a complete fool of yourself.”

  “I will rip your fucking face off!” she screamed as she started coming toward me, arms outstretched and ending with sharp fingernails, which I know could easily rip through my skin.

  Robert stepped in her way, effectively stopping her.

  “I’d love to see you try, blondie,” I whispered, unable to resist.

  Upon hearing that, she shoved Robert out of the way with her vampire strength, and he went crashing toward the wall. An ordinary human would have had their bones broken, at the very least, or died on the spot, at the very most, but thankfully, Robert’s body would be fine once the shock passed.

  Then she lunged at me.

  Instinctively, I leaped easily out of her way, gave her a swift and very powerful kick in her back, and sent her flying across the room, before landing in a motionless heap on the floor several feet away.

  That’s when I realized my mistake.

  Every single one of the guests, including Aladar and his people, were now staring at me, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, with shock and bewilderment. For all they knew, I was nothing more than a mere human, with absolutely no super-strength, and certainly without any powers. I knew the thoughts and questions ricocheting through their minds, but I just couldn’t focus on any of that right now.