All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,224

my veins and crawls through my bloodstream. My eyes are pulled to a scene in the center of the room, where the man who spoke with Damiano earlier is standing over a woman. Ropes flash in the light as he binds her. Every move of the rope over her body makes my core clench. Would the ropes feel like his hands around me? Warm and safe?

Chapter 6

Dio mio. I’m playing with fire and I know it. She’s so green, yet so attentive and curious. How much should I sate that curiosity? If I’m being honest with myself, I’m pleased that I’m her first in this. But with that comes the massive responsibility of making sure this first time is flawless for her. Her eyes settle on Bentley and his beautiful ropework. Just watching his artistry has her arousal flaring.

Anger and lust war within me. She’s mine, I should be the one getting those reactions. The beast stirs within me and prowls, demanding I take down my prey and show her who’s boss. Things were okay when we were at the apartment. The nice side was able to come out for a bit. The human side. But ever since she agreed to obey me for tonight, my hungry side woke up and hasn’t slept since. I know I need to get a hold of myself before I harm her. She’s not ready for me. Probably never will be, as a human. She’s so fragile and doesn’t even realize it. Holding her throat in my hands nearly undid me. Dear Santa Maria, I wanted to squeeze until she became limp in my arms. But one must be careful with humans, for they are easily broken.

Pain lances through me as she looks back up at me; Alessandra’s eyes beaming through her excitement. They are all so easily broken. Running a hand over my face, I try to rein in my emotions, at least for Dahlia’s sake. There’s so much here that she should experience, and I want to be the one to give her that.

Glancing over, I watch Adrian approach us, his trusty duffle in hand. His black kimono has swirls of red, almost in the shape of clouds, weaving throughout it. It’s completely fitting for him. He’s made no secret of his love for Japan. However, what ties everything together is his dragon mask. Golds, reds, and blues surround his face and flow off behind him. Simple, black pants complete the ensemble, giving him an air of mystery. It’s rather impressive.

“Couldn’t find a Venetian costume, could you?” I tease, tugging at his billowing sleeve.

He smirks and holds his arms in the air for us to inspect him. “It’s a costume party. See, I have a mask.”

“You forgot, didn’t you?”

Adrian’s eyes dart back and forth for a moment before he bows slightly. “I will admit I didn’t get my original costume together in time. I had business affairs to attend to in Japan. One of my bake-onna,” he pauses for a moment, looking for the right words, “blood courtesan, if you will, gave it to me. But no one seems to notice except you, so no harm, no foul.”

“So you wear a robe?”

His eyes narrow to slits. “It’s a male kimono. I at least have the decency to wear something fit for a warrior. You’re dressed like a teen heartthrob taking his girl to a romcom prom.”

“Is it the gel? It’s the gel. Damnit, I knew I put too much in.”

Smirking, he shifts the duffle over to his other shoulder. “Nah, it’s the Axe body spray. I smelled it from outside the club.”

Dahlia’s eyes keep flicking back and forth between us, her pupils like saucers. A small giggle passes her lips before she covers them with her hands. Glowering at Adrian, I lay a hand over my heart. “Now, you wound me sir. Shall it be pistols at dawn?”

A slight quirk of his lips is the only show of emotion in his passive face. “I believe the sun will beat you to it. Now then, I came over because it seems like your human…” Dahlia flashes him a large smile, showing off her fangs. He stumbles a bit over his words, but he’s quick to recover, coughing quietly to muffle any possible sounds of laughter, “…seems to be fascinated by the rope play,” he finishes. “She hasn’t taken her eyes off Bentley. I daresay, I would feel a bit jealous if it were me. Nonetheless, it would be an honor to truss her