wicked grin, and became convinced that she had.
“This collar is the sign of my house,” she said, reaching down to tug at Doug’s collar, which I now noticed was identical to my own. “A sign to any vampire that sees you that you are mine, that you are not to be touched—”
“Wonderful,” I said. “Is there anything else, or can I go now?”
“Oh, there’s just one more thing,” Savannah said. She leaned forward in her chair, looking at me with hungry, hungry eyes, and I swallowed. Surely… surely she didn’t think…I was going to actually give her blood?
“Now, Dakota,” Savannah said, licking her lips. “Strip.”
12. PROTECTING DAKOTA
“Excuzme, what did you say?” I said, tugging at the steel collar.
“I said, strip,” Savannah said. “What are you worried about? It’s not like you’re in any danger,;” she said, lifting her skirt to reveal a set of metal ‘panties’—a chastity belt, connected by glittering chains to her thigh bands. “You’ve already seen Doug’s safe, so relax. So, Dakota, strip—” and for the briefest moment I actually considered doing it “—and pleasure yourself.”
“What?” I said. Had she actually said that with company? “No way! I mean, good grief, what is wrong with you, Savannah? You two are horny, strapped in and can’t play with each other, so you decide to play with me, is that it?” I adjusted the collar. Again. “Look, I don’t care what you and Doug do when Darkrose leaves the two of you alone. Just don’t involve me.”
Savannah and Doug looked at each other in shock, then started laughing. “You think I—I mean, with him—” Savannah laughed. “Dakota, you’re the one who likes boys.”
“And I’m not about to come between two lovers, much less two vampires” Doug said. “I’m just here for the training, at the request of Sir Charles—”
“Sir Charles?” A whole forgotten world re-opened in my mind— a road not taken, or at least not traveled in a long while. Sir Charles had been a kindly old Santa Claus looking fellow who was just as comfortable chatting your ear off for hours on end as he was with whipping you until you cried and felt warm and goosy inside. It had been Sir Charles who had introduced Savannah to bondage and puppy play. The last I’d seen him, at least a couple of years ago, he was looking about a hundred and quite unwell. “How is he? Did he ever…”
Savannah lowered her head. “Well… no. He’s still on the heart transplant list. He’s not doing so bad beyond that, better than before, but he’s definitely still on the list.”
“I’m sorry to hear that but… look, I’m on a mission, Savannah,” I said, tugging at the ring on the collar. “I don’t have time for games. Let’s just stipulate that you’ve made me remember that you’re hot, that you’ve put me in my place, and move the fuck on—”
“But,” Doug said, confused, “if she won’t give blood… and she won’t, um, you know, how are we going to get a sample?”
My jaw dropped. “How are you going to get a what, Pup?”
“A bodily fluid sample,” Savannah said, and all I could do was stare at her while she tripped over her words in the rush to explain. “It’s not just part of the ritual. We need them to tell if any vampire has drained you—”
“Can I spit on you? Will that do?” I said. “Hold out your hand—”
“No,” she said, in all seriousness. “We need a sample more… charged with your aura. And since I know you’d rather die than give me blood—”
“Savannah! This is the twenty-first fucking century!” I said. “If you really need samples you can get a finger stick or some swabs from any medical supply house. Between all your bondage games and this ‘Vampire Consulate’ crap you’ve probably got one on speed dial!”
“Yeah” she said. “Actually… yeah. It’s not the usual form of the ritual but… Doug, you think he would go for that?”
“I think he almost certainly would,” Doug said. “After all, it is your court.”
“Who would go for what?” I asked, suspicious. “Anyway, you’ve had your little fun. Now take this thing off and—”
“We can’t,” Savannah said. “Darkrose has the keys.”
My eyes bugged. My fingers reached up and felt the lock: it was solidly closed.
“You have got to be shitting me,” I said. “Take this fucking thing off!”
“We… we can’t,” she said, suddenly apologetic. “We used the same lock that she puts on Doug and me, and only she has the key—”
“You idiots,”