Chapter 5

Tara

[Dinner in the view of Tara]

Dinner was… not how I expected. The guest, or shall I say guests, were not either. I could only glance as I must keep my head bowed, but what I saw did not disappoint.

The male guest was tall, at least six foot six, and well built. His shoulders were decently broad and flowed into a muscled chest and down into hips that commanded attention. His black hair with tips dyed blood red was longer on top than on the sides and laid in a wave like coif that felt more natural than styled. With porcelain skin and strong facial features, he was like a god. Whether he is an evil or good one has yet to be determined.

Then there was the woman. Elegant. Angelic. Yet, her aura as I pass gives me a sense of fight and mischief. She has straight brown hair, almost black, perfectly cut just below her shoulders. With an oval face, I can see from the side of my eye a soft jaw accompanied by dark well defined eyebrows, quirked at the end. Her skin tone is pale like the man’s but with a hint of an olive hue. She isn’t tall and her head barely reaches the man’s shoulder. Her body is more lean and thin, but I wouldn’t underestimate her.

Not only was the dinner situation unexpected, but my wolf paced restlessly in my mind. Alora, my beautiful reddish-brown furred wolf, mumbled under her breath constantly. She mentioned mates but then acted confused and said they weren’t mates. I definitely felt a pull to both of the strangers, but it was weak. I agree with Alora’s confusion. The guy was a vampire and the woman smelled like a human yet not, code for witch in my senses. There is no way I could been mated to either one of them, never mind both!

When the man pulled out the seat for me, I was flabbergasted. That is not typical stature. Of course Lorez made that abundantly clear, and I was then made to kneel on the floor.

During the meal, the man slipped me food, which again is not the norm. He is an odd one, both of them. The conversation turned to the ritual that Lorez has gone on and on about for as long as I can remember. By the end of it, it seems he will get his way. He always does, and I roll my eyes internally. The vampire, who I now know is Duke due to the conversation, doesn’t seem particularly happy about it. How curious.

Overall, the dinner was pleasant enough for being a kneeling slave. It is extremely different from the last time, and for that, I am grateful. However, the night is not over, and as I’m gestured to follow from the dining room, I am anxious.

[Back to the Present]

I entered the room of the Duke and move to the wall to stand in submission. I do not know what exactly to expect as I’ve never dealt with a vampire feeding. I have never been the meal, but from what I’ve read, it is either extremely painful or extremely pleasureful. At this point, I don’t know which I prefer.

The woman followed us in, and I surmise she will be watching. Oh goody. I love to be watched while I’m made to do things against my will. Yet as soon as they enter, they don’t say anything. A few minutes pass, and they finally do something.

The woman turns to the Duke with hands on hips. “Well, this is fucked.” Wow, such crude language. My senses were on point. “We both felt it. I saw it on your face. What are we going to do?”

“Are we really going to talk about this right now?” The Duke tilts his head slightly in my direction.

The woman turns to me and approaches, stretching her hand out in greeting. “My name is Melanie. Don’t worry about bowing your head or anything. We don’t care for formalities and hierarchy when alone.”

I pause for a second, but I figure what the hell. I mean, they worst they could do is kill me. At least I would be rid of Lorez if that were to happen. I lift my eyes from the ground and stare into hers. Her eyes are gorgeous. They have a hazel tint to them, and they look as if they are glowing a little. Maybe it’s a trick of the light.

“Tara,” I say plainly. I may be willing to speak, but I won’t push it. The smile she gives me at my response is dazzling.

“She speaks! How lovely!” She squeaks and after releasing my hand, she gently cups my cheek. I flinch at the unexpected touch but keep my face otherwise composed. She notices and slowly lowers her hand.

The Duke frowns and walks over to us. “Apologies for her lack of subtlety.” She rolls her eyes.

“Sorry for his stuffiness,” she mumbles.

“Excuse me? You just went up to her and touched her face right after!”

“Well you were just going to be silent the entire time, pondering how to start a conversation!”

They continue to bicker back and forth, and I’m quite entertained. They are all up in each others faces. The Duke bending down and Melanie looking furiously up still. When they get to name calling, it gets even more ludicrous. Bloody Mary, Miss Abra cadabra, and so forth. At some point, I can’t contain myself and double over laughing. They turn to me with baffled expressions.

“What?” They say in unison.

“You both bicker like an old couple.” I wipe a tear from my eye, my chuckles finally coming to an end.

The Duke straightens up, brushing off his suit. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. We are friends. Have been for a long time.” Melanie nods at his assertion.

“Duke Everwood, if I may be so bold, are you going to drink from me tonight?”

He stares at me, stunned like I had asked him to strip and run through the woods. “Call me Silas when we are alone please. And no, I do not plan to. I’m sated at the moment, so there is no need. Even so, I would not want to take from you unless you are willing.”

Pondering that for a moment, I speak once more, “What do you plan to do with me then?”