Chapter 14
“General, welcome back to Madam Rice’s.” The same hostess who’d greeted her yesterday smiled and bowed her head. “My name is Callidora, and I shall be your hostess again.”
“Thank you.” Dru took in the club. Music throbbed, low and primal, each note a seduction.
Dru’s gums stretched to accommodate her fangs descending.
She didn’t know why she was here—she knew but didn’t know why so soon.
She’d just fed the day before, and it had been fulfilling.
She’d left very satisfied. Tomesha had sated the hunger that had burned inside her.
So why was she back already?
She should have been fine for another day or two.
“Would you like a private alcove or open seating?” Callidora asked.
“Alcove.” Dru had left the inn with the promise to return soon. She hadn’t told anyone where she was going. She’d taken one of the vehicles and had driven herself to the club. She inhaled deeply and caught the scents of the humans, tempting and all available for a price.
Her gaze roamed the room, seeking out a certain brown-skinned beauty. Was she entertaining another? A growl rippled through her at the thought of another touching Tomesha. Drinking from her. Tasting what was between her thighs.
“Follow me.” Callidora smiled and turned on her heel.
Dru cleared her throat and hoped the hostess didn’t hear her growl. She followed Callidora in the direction she’d been seated yesterday. They arrived at another alcove that was nestled in the corner.
“Please have a seat. Would you like to review the menu or would you like to be presented live donors?”
Dru, dressed in her fighting leathers, sat on the cushioned bench.
She scanned the room and ignored the vampires who leaned over their chosen partners in plain view or the gasps of ecstasy that carried over the music.
Others were sprawled on lounges participating in the sins of the flesh.
A male vampire rested back on a chair while a female rode him.
Her cries reached Dru from across the room.
“Is Tomesha working?” Dru zeroed in on the hostess. She tried to appear calm and collected.
“I’m sorry. She’s not.”
There was a hint of something in her eyes that Dru couldn’t read. Immediately, alarms went off in Dru’s mind. She recovered quickly with a wide smile.
“If you desire a human donor, I’ll arrange—”
“Give me the menu,” Dru interjected.
The moment the hostess had mentioned another live donor, Dru’s stomach quivered.
She was unsure why she suddenly felt sick to her stomach at the thought of drinking from a donor.
She’d done it countless times in her two hundred and twenty-five years on this earth.
Why all of sudden would she feel ill to her stomach at the thought of feeding from a random human?
“Certainly. Give me a moment to grab one.” Callidora bowed her head and disappeared.
Dru blew out a deep breath. Was it Tomesha’s scheduled day off? Or was she home recovering? It had been the first time she’d been fed from. Dru had ensured she’d tipped Tomesha well. The woman had left an impression on her.
Clearly.
Which would explain why she was trying to see her again after she’d said she needed to focus on her mission—not the human.
“Here you are, General.” Callidora reappeared and slid the menu onto the table to Dru. “Would you like me to recommend—”
“No,” Dru snapped. She cleared her throat and reached for the menu. She softened her tone. “Let me look it over first. If I have any questions, I’ll ask.”
“Of course.” She tipped her head to Dru before leaving.
Dru picked up the menu. She glanced at it but could barely read the words.
She should leave. If Tomesha wasn’t here, then maybe she could come back on another day when she worked.
Her breaths came faster at the thought of seeing the human again.
Maybe she could just ask when Tomesha worked.
Then she could come back for a direct feeding and more.
Her breath caught in her throat at what more entailed.
Since she was here, she might as well have one glass. That wouldn’t hurt. She eyed the menu again. She read the selection she’d almost ordered last time.
The Dionysian – From donors who indulged in red wine before offering, imparting lush berry undertones and a heady warmth.
She might as well get it this time. It at least sounded more appealing than feeding from another female. Dru looked up and caught the eye of a server. She flagged her down. The woman navigated her way over to Dru.
“Hello. I’m Viessa. Can I get you something?”
Her husky voice grated on Dru’s nerves. She held back a wince and pointed to the selection she’d chosen.
“A glass of the Dionysian.” Dru eyed the human who smiled widely. Her sheer uniform revealed all that she had to offer. Her thin frame and high, small breasts would certainly attract anyone’s attention.
“You sure you want prepared? I’d be willing to sate your hunger,” Viessa murmured. She leaned her hip against the table. Her gaze raked over Dru. The interest burned bright in her eyes.
Dru gave her the once-over again and didn’t feel anything.
“Thank you for the generous offer, but the Dionysian, please,” Dru replied.
“Okay.” Viessa pouted. She spun on her heel and disappeared in the crowd.
Dru leaned back, and her gaze landed on an alluring figure making their way to her.
A woman with pale skin, high cheekbones, lips the color of fresh blood, and large, oval-shaped eyes.
Her chin-length dark hair brushed her cheeks.
Power clung to this woman as tight as the leather dress that was draped over her body.
This had to be the mistress who oversaw this location.
Dru waited for her to arrive.
“General. Welcome to Madam’s. I’m thrilled that you chose to come back so soon. I do apologize I wasn’t here to greet you last time you were here.” Her crimson lips spread into smile.
“You must be Mistress.” Dru stood and waved her to sit on the other side of the bench.
Mistress made her way to the edge of the booth and took a seat. Dru sat back on the bench and eyed the woman.
“I am Romana Beatrix and I am the mistress of this house.” Romana settled back and met Dru’s gaze. This was a woman who may oversee vampires and humans in a feeding establishment, but there was a glint in her eyes hinting there was more to her than what she presented.
“What can I do for you?” Dru asked.
“Oh, but it is I who shall be asking what I can do for you?” Her smile widened. She studied Dru. “I hear that you were asking for Tomesha again.”
“I did.”
“I’d have to say when I saw you had sent a payment, even though she was to be a gift to you, that left me a little perplexed.”
“I’m not a woman who likes to owe anyone anything,” Dru said matter-of-factly. By accepting the gift, that left her open to one day needing to hear a request of the woman before her. She knew the game, and Dru for one, wasn’t one who liked to indulge in little games.
“But you’re an honored guest. The right hand of our warden—”
“What do you want, Romana?” Dru stared at her.
The woman wanted something. Dru was actually surprised she didn’t just come out and say what it was. Mistress barked a sharp laugh and shook her head.
“There is nothing that I want at the moment. All that I want to ensure is that you’re well taken care of while you’re here in Butterbush. It’s not often we have a direct representative from the royal family here in our little town.”
“Well, it may happen more. I am here on business,” Dru reminded her.
“But yet you’re here in my club a second day in a row.” She leaned forward and paused just as Viessa returned.
The human set a goblet down on the table in front of Dru and one for Ramona. She smiled at them.
“Thank you.” Dru reached into her pocket and held a small coin out.
Viessa snatched it up and tossed her a wink.
“The offer still stands if you change your mind,” she said.
“I won’t,” Dru replied.
The human shrugged and walked off, heading to another alcove. Dru picked up her glass and inhaled. She scented the undertone of sweet berries mixed in with the metallic hint of copper. The thick liquid had been warmed.
Ramona lifted her glass and tipped it to Dru.
“To the crown,” Ramona murmured before taking a healthy sip from her chalice.
“The crown,” Dru echoed. She took a small sip then placed hers back down on the table. She swallowed and bit back a grimace. The blood smelled delicious, but for some strange reason the taste was off. It almost tasted as if it were sour. Were the berries they used to infuse with it not ripe enough?
“Is that not to your satisfaction?” Ramona’s perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched. The woman didn’t miss a thing.
Dru smiled tightly.
“It’s fine.” she lied.
“As I was about to say, we do need to speak about Tomesha,” Ramona continued. Her fake smile disappeared, and a seriousness came over her.
Dru tensed. What was it about Tomesha that had the woman glaring at her?
“What about her? I thought she wasn’t here tonight?” Dru’s gaze roamed the establishment again, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Her heart rate increased at the thought of seeing the beautiful woman.
“I gave her the night off because of an issue,” Ramona stated curtly.
“What issue?” Dru snapped. She reached for the goblet to have something to do with her hands. She sipped and held back a shudder. She kept her face devoid of all expression. Would the woman get straight to the point? Why was she tiptoeing around whatever she wanted to stay?
“You almost bled her dry.”
Dru froze, a chilling sensation coursing through her body. Her heart skipped a beat as she flicked her gaze to Ramona. There was no way. She’d been careful when she’d fed. The urge had been strong. More so than she’d ever experienced, but there was no way Dru had taken that much from her.
“What?”