Chapter 10
Dru attempted to relax as best as she could. There was no reason for her to be in the madam’s club and scowling. She understood the postmaster was trying to make a good impression on her. She was quite impressed with the fort.
Dru’s gaze swept Madam Rice’s club. This establishment wasn’t merely a place to sate hunger—it was a haven where desire and temptation met in equal measure.
Every touch, every offering, was consensual.
Blood from a willing donor was always better than a human filled with fear.
Here, predator and willing prey could come together, free of judgment, free of fear.
If she wasn’t here in town for a purpose, she’d probably enjoy the club for what it was worth.
Callidora had offered her seating with the postmaster, but Dru declined.
The hostess had escorted her to a single alcove that gave her a full view of the place while also shielding her and providing privacy should she desire.
She settled into her comfortable chair with a small round table in front of her.
From her viewpoint, she took in Talbot across the room speaking with a human female, while Orenda had disappeared with her donor.
Dru had opted to be served from the club’s prepared blood. She picked up the menu and scanned the title and description.
The Crimson Cellar – A curated selection of rare and exquisite offerings, harvested with reverence and consent. Each pour celebrates the union of taste, experience, and intimacy.
The menu presented house vintages, specialty reserves, and more. One of the selections caught her eye.
The Dionysian – From donors who indulge in red wine before offering, imparting lush berry undertones and a heady warmth.
She reviewed the rest of the menu and decided she’d go with the Dionysian. She scanned the room to track down a server and caught sight of Callidora headed back her way. Dru froze in place as the human trailing behind the hostess came into view.
It was the human from the street.
Only she wasn’t in regular clothing.
Tonight, she was dressed as a donor for Madam.
Her dark hair was left flowing around her shoulders, and her makeup was flawless, allowing her smooth brown skin to glow.
Her dark eyes, almond in shape, had a smokiness to them.
Her figure was curvy, and the white sheer dress did nothing but highlight all of the assets the woman had been born with.
Dru pushed up from where she was seated inside the alcove and strode forward.
Her gums burned and stretched, then her fangs slipped through. Dru inhaled sharply as the female drew closer to her. She stepped outside of the intimate area to wait. Where was the hostess taking the female? Surely not to the postmaster? Or any other vampire in the room.
“General,” Callidora murmured. A teasing glint entered her eyes. She stopped in front of Dru and bowed her head. “Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong.” Dru stared at the human who had yet to look at her.
The woman glanced over her shoulder before finally turning to face Dru. Her beauty hit Dru straight in the chest. The air in her lungs escaped.
“It was brought to our attention that you had requested to dine off the menu tonight, but Mistress Beatrix refuses to allow such an esteemed guest to dine off the menu when she’d reserved such an exquisite treat for you.” Callidora moved to the side and held out a hand to the woman.
She slipped hers inside Callidora’s and allowed her to guide her forward. The woman stopped in front of Dru and tipped her head back to meet her gaze. Dru’s lungs burned; they screamed for air. She finally inhaled, and in doing so, she breathed a scent that she attributed to the female before her.
It was captivating. She carried the aroma of soft fruit and golden honey.
A sweetness clung to her skin like perfume.
Dru’s composure faltered. She, a tough warrior, a general, was almost willing to beg the woman for her name.
Her fangs throbbed, while her hunger sharpened to an intensity that shook Dru to her core.
Her gaze fell to the leather collar around the woman’s neck.
She was a virgin to the bite of a vampire.
An almost primal need rose in Dru—to be the first to sink her fangs into the woman’s artery and drink her life-giving ambrosia. She blinked, unsure of why she was having this reaction to the human. She’d never cared about being the first to drink from a donor.
“General, may I present to you, Tomesha,” Callidora continued.
“Tomesha,” Dru breathed.
She took the woman’s hand from Callidora and brought it to her lips.
She pressed a soft kiss to the back of her hand.
Her skin felt as soft as Dru imagined it to be.
Her gaze skated down and lingered on her dark areolas pressing against her sheer dress.
She ran her tongue across her fangs. The need to sink them into Tomesha grew.
Instead of acting on her savage nature that flared to life, she smiled.
“A beautiful name, for a beautiful woman.”
“Why thank you.” Tomesha’s eyes lowered.
Dru ached to bring her closer, but she didn’t want to scare the human off. The last thing she wanted to do was make this woman afraid of her.
“Tomesha shall be your sanguina for the night,” Callidora murmured. “Curtesy of Mistress and Madam.”
“Tell your bosses that I am pleased by their offer,” Dru said.
“Whatever it is you may desire tonight, it shall be yours.” Tomesha’s brown eyes lifted to meet Dru’s.
“Yes, anything.” Callidora stepped toward Tomesha who released Dru’s hand.
Immediately, she wanted to take it back. Something inside her didn’t like to see another so close to her human, her sanguina. Callidora reached up and fiddled with the collar around Tomesha’s neck. She removed it in a dramatic fashion before also doing the same to Tomesha’s wristbands.
The hunger to drink from Tomesha grew even more.
“I demand to speak with Mistress!” a sharp voice called out.
Dru tensed and reached for her dagger on her waist. A woman with dark hair hanging around her shoulders who was dressed in a leather one-piece outfit strode forward.
Her eyes were narrowed on Tomesha, and immediately, Dru went into protector mode.
She pushed Tomesha behind her as the woman arrived to them.
“Lady Feng, this is not how we conduct ourselves.” Callidora spun toward the new arrival.
“I don’t care how you do business. Mistress should be accommodating her loyal customers above anyone else. Even if they’re a general,” Lady Feng sneered.
She stood the same height as Dru. After a quick perusal of her and her muscular physique, Dru dismissed the female—she wasn’t a true threat.
The clubs security began to make their way over to them.
Dru kept one hand behind her and felt Tomesha’s smaller frame pressed against her.
Dru’s gaze connected with Talbot. She gave a quick shake of her head at his unspoken question.
She wouldn’t need him. She could handle this situation—or the security could.
She doubted they’d want her to truly handle this angry interloper.
“What Mistress chooses to do here at the club is her business, and you’ll respect that.” Callidora’s voice was firm. She rested her hands on her waist.
The large vampires in dark suits arrived and stood behind Lady Feng. Dru slipped her dagger back in its sheath. It looked as if the hostess and her security would be handling this with no issues.
“Now either respect our facility or be banned. Your choice.”
“You don’t have the power to ban me,” Feng sneered.
“Once I share your conduct, I’m sure Mistress won’t have any issues coming here to remove you herself,” Callidora said.
“I’ll speak with her. Have no worries about that!” Feng spun on her heels and pushed her way through the security guards.
They gave the hostess a nod before dispersing. Dru relaxed now that the interrupting woman was gone. Callidora turned back to Dru and smiled.
They had gained the attention of those nearest them, but seeing how there was no fighting or bloodshed, the vampires all returned to minding their own businesses.
Dru glanced around the room and pulled Tomesha from behind her.
The need to protect her was strong. Tomesha hesitated to move at first, then came around to stand next to her.
She brushed a few strands of her dark hair behind her ear.
“My apologies, General. You will not have any more interruptions. As I was saying before, Tomesha will be your sanguina tonight. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to call for me.” Callidora gave a bow of her head.
“I appreciate you handling everything so quickly.” Dru was a little pissed at the scent of fear that hovered in the air from Tomesha. She didn’t want her to ever be afraid while she was near her. The human would always be protected while Dru was around.
“But of course.” She flicked her gaze to Tomesha and nodded. “Tomesha.”
“Callidora.” Tomesha smiled.
Callidora headed off, leaving them alone. Tomesha widened her smile at Dru. The human closed the gap between them. She slipped her daintier hand into Dru’s and pressed her warm body to her.
“Would you like to feed here, or would you like somewhere more private? Just the two of us?”
The fear was now gone from Tomesha’s eyes.
Her wide brown irises touched something deep inside Dru.
Did she want to feed from her in front of others?
No. She wanted the human’s first bite to be experienced by her alone.
Something possessive snuck its way inside her.
The pulse at the base of Tomesha’s neck raced.
“Let’s go somewhere we can be alone,” Dru replied.