Chapter 15
Tomesha entered through the employee entrance of Madam’s.
She inhaled sharply and could admit she felt much better.
Rest and relaxation were what she’d needed.
She’d need to prepare for tonight’s shift, but before she did, she had to make a stop at the healer’s office for an exam.
If Lamaya felt she wasn’t ready to work, there would be a problem.
If she wasn’t working, she wouldn’t get paid.
She hefted her bag up on her shoulder and jogged down the stairs to the lower level.
She anxiously made her way through the winding hallway to Lamaya’s office.
She arrived at the open door and peered inside.
It carried the same elegance as the club above.
Velvet curtains draped between each bed, offering privacy, lessening the feeling of being in a hospital, and the bedding itself was soft silk but still clinical white.
Golden sconces held candles that burned with a warm glow, making the room inviting.
The scent of herbs carefully masked the faint undertone of antiseptic. Tomesha stepped inside the doorway and paused.
“Hello?” she called out.
At the back of the infirmary stood a large, partially open oak door. It swung fully open with Lamaya walking through it.
“You certainly look much better,” the healer said.
“I feel like myself.” Tomesha chuckled. She couldn’t believe how weak she’d become after Dru had fed from her. Today, she was able to walk to work as she normally did.
“Well, let me take a look at you. Mistress will want to ensure you’re back to normal.” Lamaya waved her over to one of the cots.
“I’m sorry if I scared everyone.” Tomesha placed her bag on the chair next to the bed before hopping onto it.
“You humans are a delicate lot. Allowing a vampire to feed from you can be taxing on your body. That is why we have to prepare you beforehand.” Lamaya went through the motions of examining Tomesha.
She was very thorough and even took a small sample of blood.
“I’ll be right back. I want to test this to see how high your blood levels are.
This will ultimately decide if you can donate again. ”
Lamaya slid open the curtain and stepped away with Tomesha’s blood sample.
Tomesha settled back on the comfortable cot and tried not to be nervous.
What would happen if she was unable to donate?
Now that she’d no longer be on reserve, it would be expected for her to donate as she performed her services.
But if she was deemed unable to work by the healer…
She’d been saving so if she needed to take off a few days to recover, she’d be fine, but she didn’t want this to jeopardize her job. She wasn’t sure if Mistress would keep her on as a server only if she couldn’t donate. The health of the humans was very important, which Tomesha understood.
Movement outside her curtain caught her attention. She leaned over and took in who’d come into the infirmary. Concerned filled her when she saw who it was.
“Conner?” She jumped down and padded over to the curtain.
He was escorted over to the other private areas by a security guard.
He glanced over at her and winked. She followed him so she could find out why he had to see Lamaya.
They had spoken plenty of times during downtime in the club.
She’d even consider him a friend. He’d shared everything he’d learned.
They had started together, but he was made a donor much faster than she was.
“Fancy seeing you here.” He held his arm to his chest. It looked bruised. He grimaced as he sat on the cot.
She paused by his curtains.
He nodded to the large guard. “Thanks, man.”
“No worries. Let me know if you have any other problems.” The guard brushed past her and disappeared through the doors.
She turned back to Connor who looked paler than normal.
“What happened?” she asked softly.
“This is nothing. Just a client who got a little rough with me. I was with another client, and he just didn’t want to take no for an answer.” Connor blew out a deep breath. He leaned back against the pillows and smiled, but the stress around his eyes revealed there was more to the story.
“It’s not broken, is it?” She moved to the foot of the bed.
Connor was much younger than her, and he’d lived a life that was far beyond his years.
“I don’t think so. Just bruised, and it hurts like crazy, but nothing I haven’t been through before.” He combed his hair with his uninjured hand.
Life as a human in this world was hard. They were accomplishing so much since the war, but it was still a challenge.
She thought of when she was his age and how lucky she’d been to have Tarek shielding her as best he could.
She was able to help with odd jobs here and there until she’d gotten her seamstress job.
She hadn’t even thought of becoming a donor or working for the madam until times had gotten desperate for them.
But Connor was only twenty-four, still a kid, who was on his own. He was surviving, but at what cost? He never mentioned a family, and she knew not to bring it up.
“I’m sorry.” Her heart went out to him.
Life as a donor wasn’t as glamorous. She was lucky she hadn’t had any issues with her clients.
She’d been worried that some would want to take advantage of her.
That was a fear that always sat at the back of her mind.
The vampires were much stronger than them, and if they wanted to take something—they could.
The madam had strict rules, and many vampires who frequented her establishment didn’t want to cross her.
That was one thing Tomesha had learned since working for her.
She’d never met Madam Bethany Rice who was once a prostitute then turned businesswoman.
She’d opened her first feeding house centuries ago.
She was known as shrewd and had royal connections, hence why many vampires didn’t want to get on her bad side.
“What are you apologizing for? It’s a hazard of the job.
We all signed up for this when we applied to work as a donor.
” His smile vanished, and he suddenly appeared older than his young age.
He grimaced and adjusted his injured arm higher on his chest. “I’ll be okay.
It will heal, and I’ll soon back at work. ”
Tomesha reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear.
He was right. This was a dangerous job. Yes, the vampires may have consequences to their actions, but if a human was mortally injured and died, there was nothing that could be done to bring them back.
She shuddered to think if something like this were to happen to her.
The memory of Valentina’s reaction to not being the first vampire to bite her surfaced.
Would she be angry with Tomesha the next time she requested her?
“Tomesha,” Lamaya’s voice sliced through the air.
“I’m over here.” Tomesha moved to the edge of the curtains where Lamaya could see her.
The healer ambled over to her and waved to Connor. “I’ll be with you in just a minute.” Her gaze swept over him in a silent assessment.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Connor’s smile returned. He gave Tomesha a nod. “I’ll see you later.”
“You take care of yourself. Don’t rush to come back to work.” Tomesha slipped over to the side of his bed and took his good hand in hers. She gave it a squeeze. He was like the little brother she never had. She hoped the vampire who’d done this to him was held accountable for their actions.
“Same for you. I heard you were worse off than a bruised arm. You make sure you’re ready to come back,” he said softly, returning the squeeze.
She wasn’t surprised that news had traveled throughout the club amongst the humans.
“I feel much better. Lamaya has been taking great care of me.” She squeezed him again then released him.
She turned and followed Lamaya over to her area.
Worry was still heavy in her chest. This could happen to any of them.
Even though as humans they obeyed all of the rules and suggestions of the club, that didn’t mean the vampires would.
She hopped back on her cot. Lamaya pulled the curtain closed to give them a sense of privacy. Butterflies in Tomesha’s stomach fluttered to life. What did the test reveal?
“So am I good?” Tomesha asked.
“You are. I want you to continue taking the increased dose of the kenaf weed. After feedings, I want you to also do the ifalla tea each night. Only one donor per shift also. I know some humans may allow multiple feedings, but I don’t think you can be one of them.”
Lamaya handed Tomesha a piece of paper. It held the results of the blood test that she’d performed, but Tomesha didn’t understand any of it.
“But my blood stores are good? Is this what this means?” She looked up from the paper.
“Yes. We want to keep humans who are constant donors with a slightly elevated hemoglobin to account for the loss when you donate. You’re a little below what I would like to see, but I believe with the kenaf weed and teas, you’ll get there and be fine.
I have sent my recommendation to Mistress,” Lamaya said.
“Perfect.” Relief filled Tomesha. She trusted Lamaya to know what would be best when it came to humans and donation. She hopped down from the cot and reached for her bag. She needed to get prepared for tonight’s shift. She already had an outfit in mind—
“Mistress did reply to my message. She’d like to see you,” Lamaya announced.
Tomesha straightened. “Now?”
“Yes. Also, I’ll have the ifalla tea leaves delivered to your suite with instructions. It’s very simple to make. If you need any assistance, just call on me.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. Thank you for everything.” Tomesha draped the strap of her bag on her shoulder. She wasn’t sure why Mistress would be sending for her, but she’d go and find out. It wasn’t like she could ignore the request.
“You’re most welcome.” Lamaya bowed her head then opened the curtain. “Again, call if you need anything.”