A Whisper of Eternity - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,52
meet a - what did one call a bunch of vampires, anyway? Inspecting her feelings as Dominic drove toward thevillage, she found that it wasn't fear that made her heart pound, but curiosity. Dominic would protect her. She had no doubt of that.
He parked the car in front of a bar on a quiet side street.Tracy grimaced when she saw the name of the place.The Catacombs.
With a shake of her head, she put her hand in Dominic's when he opened the door.
The inside of the bar was dim, filled with shadowy corners. Someone was playing a soft, bluesy tune on the piano in the corner. There were no mirrors; the windows were painted black. Candlelight flickered off the walls and cast shadows on the faces of the customers. She wondered whatkind of drinks were served at a vampire bar, then giggled softly.Bloody Marys , no doubt.
Dominic frowned down at her. "Are you all right?"
"Fine."
The piano fell silent as they moved into the room.
Dominic led her to a small table and she sat down, aware that many pairs of eyes were focused on her. She hadn't been afraid before, but a sudden case of nerves sent a shiver down her spine.
She folded her hands in her lap to still their trembling.
Murmurs and whispers filled her ears.
A pair of women dressed in sparkly black midriff tops, short black skirts, black fishnet stockings, and short black leather boots moved up on either side of Dominic.
The blonde put her hand on his shoulder and smiled up into his eyes."Dom." She trailed her long red fingernails down the length of his arm."Long time, no see."
The brunette took hold of his other arm. "Who's this little mortal you've brought with you?" she asked in a sultry voice. "Have you brought us something sweet?"
With slow deliberation, Dominic lifted their hands from his arms. "This isTracy ." His voice was low, yet it carried to every corner of the room. "She is my woman, under my protection." His gaze rested meaningfully on the face of each person present. "She is not to be harmed, or toyed with in any way."
The blonde and the brunette backed away from him, then turned and disappeared into the shadows at the far end of the bar.
Tension seemed to drain out of the room.
The piano player took up where he had left off.
Dominic sat down across fromTracy . He looked relaxed, but she noted the fine lines around his mouth, the wariness in his eyes.
She leaned forward. "Brought them something sweet?" she whispered. "Did they think you'd brought me here to... for... ?"
He nodded. "It is done, from time to time."
Tracyglanced surreptitiously around the room. "Is everyone in here a vampire?"
"Just about."
"Just about?"
"There are mortals who bind themselves to vampires.The girl in the red dress at the next table. Her name is Gina. She belongs to Marcus."
"Like I belong to you?"
"In away."
"He drinks from her, doesn't he?"
"Yes, but it is her choice."
"What happens to mortals who wander in here?"
"That rarely happens."
"Why's that?"
"There are wards set about this place..."
"Wards?"
"Think of them as supernatural shields. Most mortals pass by the place without ever realizing it's here.
"And those who innocently wander in?What happens to them?"
His gaze met hers. "Do you really want to know?"
Unable to speak past a throat gone suddenly dry, she nodded. She needed to know it all.
"The vampires feed on them, and then let them go."
"How can you let that happen?"
"How can I stop it?"
"I don't know. You said you were the oldest vampire around. Doesn't that make you the king, or the boss, or something?"
He smiled faintly,then shrugged. "Vampires are not ruled by kings, nor do we adhere to a democracy. There is only one thing a vampire respects, and that is power. This is my domain and they will adhere to my rules so long as I can enforce them. I have forbidden them to hunt in the village, but I cannot keep them from following their instincts. Any mortal who comes in here is considered fair game. I ask only that there be no killing."
"And those two..." She started to saywomen ,then hesitated."Female vampires?"
"What of them?"
"They seemed mighty chummy."
Dominic smiled. "Are you jealous, my best beloved one?"
"Of course not," she said quickly, but they both knew she was lying.
" Zarabethand Petrina . Petrinabrought Zarabeth across last year. Petrina has been vampire for five hundred years. Both have asked to be my concubines, you might say."