Succubus Unchained - Heather Long Page 0,5

other wing. There were dozens upon dozens of rooms in the keep.

On the steps, however, I paused to glance into the great hall. There were easily half a dozen people moving around, setting up torches, chairs and huge tables. The floors had been cleaned and tapestries hung.

How were the retainers getting here?

Aware of someone watching me, I met the gaze of a younger vamp, his expression rapt.

I could use that.

I smiled slowly, and his own lips turned upward.

I could use him.

Because one way or another, I was getting out of here.

Chapter 2

“Sooner or later, everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences.” - Robert Louis Stevenson

When Maddox said more retainers were coming, he hadn’t been kidding. Over the last three days, the keep flooded with new arrivals. Most were consigned to a different wing. I’d also earned my own room. Look at me, all fancy.

Then again, Eleanor had arrived, so Alfred didn’t need a bed warmer any longer, and I was all transitioned and shit. Lucky me. The chamber assigned to me was tucked directly between Rogue and Maddox’s rooms.

Like everything else in the keep, it had received a makeover. My windows didn’t overlook the mountains. Stained glass framed the eight clear panes in the center, so the sun gave my room a dappled look. Like every other suite, a huge bed decorated the center of the room. Two lounging sofas had been added in a V around the fireplace, and my favorite fainting sofa from Alfred’s room had been moved here.

Well, good to know I didn’t need to return to his rooms.

Ever.

The closet was packed with items, but I ignored most of them. I needed to pack light. My room also boasted a huge copper bathtub, but it would take forever to heat the water for it. So I didn’t bother. Apparently, the bathing room downstairs was reserved for us alone, particularly after the first morning I’d been lounging there when one of our guests wandered in to join me.

The vampire’s name was Jonathon, and he was exceptionally polite, though easily enamored.

Maddox bodily threw him out.

Still, the crush burgeoning in the young vampire’s eyes hadn’t been remotely dissuaded. I caught him watching me as I wandered the keep. I kept myself aloof, anytime I dared to strike up a conversation, one of my keepers appeared.

Despite having my own room, I didn’t sleep alone. Maddox appeared that first night and slid under the covers as he wrapped an arm around me. I half-expected him to pounce me, but was pleasantly surprised when he buried his face in my hair and let out the longest, most profound sigh.

I hated him for that, because guilt began to nibble at me relentlessly. Didn’t stop me from keeping an eye on Jonathon. Or from studying everyone else who arrived.

Vampires. The lot of them.

I’d never seen so many in one place.

The dress that appeared, hanging on the four paneled room divider with an ocean scene painted across it, served as a slap in the face.

Maybe I read too much into it. Maybe I didn’t read enough. But the collar on the dress was comprised of golden links and fell in a straight train down the back like a leash. The rest of it—what little there was of it—was forest green. It would hug my breasts and hips. A cutout triangle in the center would bare my midriff, and it had zero back to speak of and would probably give a hint at my ass.

In a word, it was exquisite and a shackle.

More. Damn. Chains.

“Do you like it?” Maddox asked, and I wanted to kick him, then myself, and then him again.

“It’s beautiful.” Not responding with the acid burning on my tongue took everything I had. I wanted them lulled to complacency. They were all so preoccupied with all the arrivals. Alfred had been accepting offering after offering. They were practically queued up in the main hall. Anytime I made an appearance, he tracked me with his gaze as he sank his fangs into every single one who presented him or herself.

It was a sea of lust in that chamber night and day. Bloodlust. Lust for power. Sexual lust. Straight up greed. The base hungers were there—particularly where any of the guys were concerned, but especially with Fin. It was almost adorable how they panted for him when he utterly ignored them all with a faint smirk on his lips, as if he knew I watched him.

Maybe he did.

I didn’t spend a lot of time on