Chapter 5
FIVE
the monster inside
Cyrus grips my arm tightly, leading me away from the river and back toward the Garden District. “Are you taking me back?” I ask.
“You ask a lot of questions, don’t you? No wonder you weren’t his type.
He’s not a fan of strong women.” He huffs a laugh at a private joke.
“No, Violet, I’m not taking you back. My driver is waiting outside Chamberlin’s house.
There are clothes inside the car for you to change into.
” He steps back, assessing my wardrobe. “Why must he always dress them like a slut?” His question isn’t meant for me to answer.
Seconds later, we’re standing in front of the familiar Garden District home.
“What if he sees us?”
Cyrus’s deep laugh echoes off the surrounding buildings. “He’s a vampire and your maker. He knows exactly where you are at all times.” I turn, staring at the home that, from the outside, looks like every other home in New Orleans. How many others are there?
“Get in,” he demands, opening the door of a shiny black vehicle.
“Where are we going?”
Cyrus smiles. “Please get in, Violet.” I slide into the seat without another question. “There are clothes in the bag.” He points at a black bag on the floor. “Change into them.”
I’m grateful for clothing that is from this century, as I slide into the wide-legged pants and button-down shirt. Everything, including the black heels, fits like they were purchased for me.
“We will have that ridiculous color stripped from your hair tomorrow. Unfortunately, nothing is open this time of night.”
I stare at my captor or rescuer…I’m not sure which.
His eyes are a color of blue that can only be compared to the ocean, not the murky water from around New Orleans but the crystal blue of pure water.
They are the perfect contrast to his nearly black hair and neatly trimmed beard.
His clothes are high fashion and tailor-made for his frame.
“Why are you staring?” he asks, drawing me back to reality. I look away quickly, not sure what the proper response should be. Cyrus turns toward me. “Did he hurt you?”
What a strange question from someone who just paid twenty thousand dollars to purchase me. “Depends on your definition of hurt,” I answer truthfully.
“Did he…force himself on you?”
“No,” I answer. “That’s the one thing he didn’t do.”
“I don’t know your story, Violet, and to be honest, it’s best that you don’t tell me.” Sitting perfectly still, I cross my hands into my lap, mimicking his perfect posture. I don’t know what’s happening, but my instincts tell me this man is safe.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask after several minutes of silence.
“My God, you do ask a lot of questions.” He sighs before answering. “If you must know, we’re going to my home in the city.”
“What are your intentions with me?”
Cyrus turns toward me. “Nothing more than to teach you how to be a vampire and make money on my investment.”
On cue, the car stops, and Cyrus steps out, reaching a hand toward me.
I take a deep and unnecessary breath before stepping out behind him.
I recognize the street we’re on immediately.
Bourbon Street has quickly become the hot spot of the French Quarter.
He motions toward a wrought iron gate nestled between two buildings. “This way.”
I follow him through the locked gate and into a beautifully manicured courtyard. Brightly colored flowers make the area feel more like a botanical garden than a building in the middle of New Orleans.
He leads me up a narrow flight of stairs to a door with no signifying symbols or marks. “This is where we’ll be staying for a few weeks.”
“We’ll?”
“You’re an investment. One that I’m not willing to lose money on.” He unlocks the door, leading me inside.
The room we step into is not what I imagined a home in the French Quarter to look like. Dark woodwork lines the open room. In the far corner is what would be considered the kitchen. A modern ice box, electric stove, and all the conveniences I’ve only seen in magazines.
Next to the door is a couch, two chairs, and a large radio. Instead of each room having walls like a house, Cyrus’s home is one room.
“Your room is through there.” He points at a closed door on the other side of the living area. “You’ll find anything you need inside.”
My stomach growls, making me lean over slightly. “Violet, have you eaten?”
“Yes,” I whisper, refusing to give more information. Images of Dorothy’s body flash into my mind.
“Dammit. Let me guess. That bastard brought you a donor and expected you to control yourself.” I don’t answer. He sighs. “Let me get you something.”
“No, I can’t do that again.”
“You don’t have to take a life to eat.” He moves to the kitchen, returning seconds later with a glass bottle in his hand. “This is fresh.”
I take the bottle, smelling its contents through the glass.
What’s left of my humanity doesn’t want to drink blood, while the monster inside me begs for every drop.
I start slow, taking a small sip. The minute the blood hits my palate, I can’t control my hunger and empty the bottle in one gulp. My eyes close in response.
“More?” Cyrus asks.
I don’t want to be selfish, but my brain isn’t in control. “Yes,” I answer. The timbre of my voice surprises even me. Cyrus is in front of me a heartbeat later, with a second bottle. I drink it as quickly as the first. For the first time since waking, my stomach settles.
“Thank you,” I say, handing the empty bottle back.
“Of course.” He motions toward the Victorian-style couch. “Please, sit down.” I follow directions, making myself small and moving to the end of the couch. “I’m not going to bite you, Violet. You’re safe here.”
“What are you going to do with me?”
Cyrus sighs. “After I teach you the correct way to be a vampire, I’m going to sell you to the highest bidder.”
I stand, moving across the room in the blink of an eye. “I am not something to be sold.”
“That’s too bad. You’ve already been sold, and I am your purchaser.” He’s in front of me a second later. Crystal-blue eyes look deep into mine. “I’m not the one you need to fear.”
“Then answer the damn question,” I demand.
“You are a brave one, aren’t you?” He laughs softly. “I am what they call a ‘middleman.’ My job is to find and purchase new women, such as yourself, and find a buyer.”
“I have a family.” I fight to keep the tears from falling. Dammit. “I have friends, a job, and a future.”
Cyrus stares at me longer than necessary. “Where are you from?”
I don’t want to answer, but what good will it do to refuse? He’s stronger than I will ever be. “Across the river.”
Long arms cross in front of his chest. “That bastard.”
“What?” I ask, wiping a stray tear that refused to stay in place.
“It means I can’t train you here, in the city. If you run into your family or someone you know, that would be traumatic for all involved.”
“Train me?”
“Chamberlin is good at making vampires. I’m good at teaching them how to live.” He brushes a loose red curl away from my cheek. Instinctively, I flinch at his touch. “I’m not going to hurt you. You may not see it now, but you will. You’re safe with me, Violet.”
“Can I see them?”
“Who,” he asks.
“My family. I need them to know I’m okay.”
Bright-blue eyes close. “I’m afraid that’s not possible.” He moves away from me toward a large window overlooking Bourbon Street. “We’ll have the dye removed from your hair as soon as the sun comes up, then we’re leaving.”
“Where are we going?” I whisper.
“St. Augustine.” He turns toward me. “Take a shower. You smell like Chamberlin.” He scoffs with his words. “Not one of my favorite smells.” He walks to the apartment door. “I’ll be back in an hour. Be ready to go.”
He’s leaving me alone? My spirits lift as he opens the door wide. As soon as he’s out of the building, I will be too.
“I know what you’re thinking, and it’s not wise,” he says, turning back toward me.
“You are untrained, brand new, and won’t make it a block before taking the lives of innocent humans.
” I stare at him, refusing to acknowledge his words.
“If you do manage to make it to your family, it won’t be what you think.
One smell of their familiar scent will drive you over the edge.
You won’t be able to control the monster inside. ”
I can’t fight the tears any longer. “I’m different. I won’t hurt anyone.”
“You are stronger than most. The fact that you’re standing in front of me, halfway in control of your urges, says that.
But in the real world, the monster will come out.
If killing the donor upset you, imagine if it were your mother or best friend.
Trust me when I say this, Violet. Your family is safer with you here.
” He closes the door, leaving me alone in the apartment and my thoughts.
“Asshole,” I whisper as the door closes. A faint laugh echoes through my ears as his footsteps decrescendo.
I look around the open apartment, not sure if I should follow directions and take a shower or ignore his warnings and escape. Violet the human would leave without a second thought. Violet the vampire is terrified he’s right.
With my speed, I could be in Algiers in a matter of minutes. I’m strong. I can fight the urge to eat or drink or whatever the hell they call it. I take a deep breath. That’s what I’ll do. I have to see them. My mother needs to know I’m okay.
I wait a few minutes before exiting the apartment and moving down the stairs to the busy street below. It’s the middle of the night, yet humans are walking up and down the sidewalks like it’s the middle of the day. Most are doing things I’d rather not see or hear.