Thrall

Chapter Six

The funeral home was a large two-story brick plantation-style house, complete with Corinthian columns holding up a pediment.

As Adalyn walked up the steps, the large veranda held several rocking chairs and benches.

Stepping inside, she was hit with a very musty smell.

A piece of wet clothing slowly mildewing.

Marble lined the foyer floor, with a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceiling.

A table in the center held a huge bouquet of flowers.

Their sickly-sweet smell only underlined the musty odor, like rotting apples in the sun.

A tall, thin man wearing a dove grey suit emerged from behind the curved staircase. His immaculately styled white hair reminded her of the pictures of eighteenth-century fashion of wigs.

“Hello,” he said softly. Kindness and compassion shone from his eyes. “May I help you?”

“Um, yes, please,” she replied. “I was told my friend was brought here.”

“I’m truly sorry for your loss,” he murmured. “What was your friend’s name?”

“Marilisa Rogers.”

“Ah, yes, she was brought to us last night. She should be ready for viewing tomorrow.”

“Oh. Um. I don’t think we need a viewing. I’m her only family. How much is her funeral going to be?”

He blinked. “It’s already been paid for, miss. And a viewing was expressly asked for.”

“What?” Confusion swirled through her. “I think there’s been a mistake.”

“Oh, no mistake,” he assured.

“But who paid?”

“Lord Huntley.”

She sighed. Of course. Just one more thing added onto her bill.

“Is there something wrong?” he asked.

“No.” The last thing she wanted to do was tell him her financial woes. “You said tomorrow?”

“Yes, miss. At noon.”

“Okay. Thank you. I guess I’ll be back.”

He nodded his head and she turned, leaving the very opulent funeral home. At this point, she would have to sell the store in order to pay Lord Huntley back. She doubted he would allow a payment plan. Going back down the steps, she came to a halt when she saw Chester waiting by the car.

“Why are you still here, Chester?”

“I was told to wait for you.”

“Oh, that’s very sweet.” Adalyn looked around, not seeing a taxi. “Do you think you could take me one more place?”

“Of course, Miss Adalyn.”

“May I sit up front with you? I don’t feel comfortable being in the back.”

“You can sit anywhere you’d like.”

She smiled, but when she went to open the passenger door, Chester beat her to the handle and opened it for her.

“Thank you,” she said as she sat down. “Can you take me to Fourth and Cedar?”

“Of course,” Chester said. He sat behind the wheel, started up the car, and took off.

She stared out the window, getting lost in her memories.

Selling Marilisa’s dream would break her heart all over again, but what choice did she have?

She didn’t have what it took to be a savvy businesswoman, and she knew Marilisa wouldn’t want her to stress too much.

Once she had the sale of the store complete and settled all her debts, she needed to deal with Lori.

The question was how. Did she just walk up and shoot her sister?

Where would she find a gun? Maybe she should stab her.

Knives would be cheaper, and they were easier to find, but could she be strong enough to slice and dice?

How much pressure did it take to get past the breastbone?

“We’re here, miss.”

Adalyn blinked. She daydreamed the entire car ride into the city? The windows of the store had been boarded up, and seeing its demise hurt her heart.

“Um, yes, thank you,” she said, unclicking the seat belt. “It was nice to meet you, Chester. Perhaps you can let Lionel know that I plan on selling the store to return Lord Huntley’s money.”

He frowned. “I’m supposed to bring you back to the chateau.”

“I think there might be some confusion,” she said. “All of you were so kind to me, and there’s not been much to smile about lately. Lionel. Mrs. Brenda. Amy and Jessie, you. I will never forget your kindness.”

“Are you sure I’m not supposed to bring you back to the chateau?”

“I’m positive.” She patted his arm. “I’m going to assess what’s salvageable in the store. It’ll take me a while.”

“Very well,” Chester said. “You take care now.”

“Thank you.”

With one last smile, she exited the car and then waved him good-bye.

Walking around to the back, she intended to use the door but realized she didn’t have the key.

So instead, she climbed up on the air conditioning unit to pry open the small window.

Not many people could fit through the thing, but since she was ultra skinny, it worked in her favor.

Falling onto the stair landing, she shut the window behind her and then headed into the shop.

The filtered light through the window grate allowed her to assess the shelves, although she knew nothing else had been disturbed.

Still, it was a way to not go around the cashier counter and see the spot where Marilisa had died.

It was like nothing had happened. All the merchandise was still on the shelves.

Nothing broken. Nothing disturbed. Finally, she couldn’t put off going to the area she avoided like the plague.

Closing her eyes, Adalyn took a deep breath and braced herself as she rounded the counter and saw the pool of dried blood on the floor.

As much as she thought she was ready, she really wasn’t.

She staggered back, tears welling up in her eyes.

When her back hit the wall, she slowly slid down.

For a long while, she just cried as she stared at the blood, her heart completely broken.

Eventually, her tears trickled off, leaving her completely drained.

She spent the next couple of hours cleaning.

Scrubbing the blood off the floor took the most time.

It had already gelled and soaked into the tile grout.

On hands and knees, with a bucket of warm water and rubber gloves on her hands, she used bleach in order to abrade the cruor.

She refilled the bucket three times because the water turned sanguine too much, and the task seemed never-ending.

Over and over the bristles scoured the grout, until she realized she was crying.

Abandoning the chore, she sat back and took off her gloves as she broke down once more.

Eventually laying on her side when her emotions were too heavy to bear.

The bleach stench permeated the air, and it only made her cry harder.

This was the last physical remains of her friend, and she was literally scrubbing Marilisa away.

Adalyn laid there, staring at the spot until she had no more tears to shed. Until her head pounded with a headache. She was lost. Adrift in a world that had taken away more than it had ever bestowed. For a brief while, she had a future. Now, she was once more all alone without a direction to steer.

She was done. Without a plan, she had to go with her gut. Rising, she put away the cleaning supplies and made her way upstairs. After a quick shower, she brushed her teeth before falling onto her bed. The weight of her despair dragged her into sleep.

****

Tumultuous dreams invaded her slumber, causing her to toss and turn.

Marilisa blamed her for her death, pointing skeletal fingers at her.

Adalyn fell to her knees, begging for forgiveness, only none would be given.

With a cry, she sat up in bed, and that was when she realized she wasn’t alone in her room, and screamed.

Her heart jumped wildly in fear but then the shadows moved and Lord Huntley sat on the edge of her twin-sized bed.

“Sh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Wha...Why are you here?”

He pushed some hair off her forehead. “You have a gift of getting me to seek you out. Why did you come back here?”

“I have to pack up Marilisa’s things,” she replied. “Learn how to sell the building. Please be patient with me. I promise to pay you back for everything, it’s just going to be a little slow.”

“You don’t need to pay me back,” he admonished. “The money isn’t important.”

She blinked. “It is important, Lord Huntley. I don’t want to take advantage of you. I only came to the Crimson Den in order to pay off the debt my sister had accrued. They used Marilisa against me, and now that she’s gone, they have no leverage.”

“You know that’s not true. Those men last night were only soldiers.”

She hadn’t thought of that. “That means their boss still wants the money.”

“Yes, which means you have to come with me. You’re under my protection now.”

She was confused. “Why? I’m nobody.”

He ran a finger over her cheek. “Do you know how long I’ve been a member of the Crimson Den?

Longer than you’ve been alive and every night I searched for something.

Someone. And then you walked in with innocence and fear in your eyes, but so very brave despite how terrified you looked.

I’ve never bought a human female before, so I thought it was going to be only a transaction, but then you gave me my money back. ”

“I was only there for one reason, and that was to save Marilisa.” The tears she thought had dried up ran freely once more down her cheeks. She wasn’t going to tell him about her vengeance. “Thank you for taking care of her body. I’m going tomorrow to say good-bye.”

“You’re welcome,” he murmured. “Adalyn, I have an offer I’d like to give you.”

“An offer?”

“I would like for you to become my thrall.”

His offer shocked her. “Oh. Um. Wow. I didn’t expect that.”

Thralls held a special place within society.

Technically, they were companions, providing sexual pleasure as well as everything from sustenance in the form of blood to confidential trust. Thralls were bonded to the vampire for life, and in return, were well cared for.

It was almost like a marriage, and some perceived being a thrall a tighter commitment than holy matrimony.

They had social status and were respected, more than a simple lover.

“You’ll be spoiled with lavish clothes. Jewelry. Trips. Anything your heart desires.”

“That stuff isn’t important to me.”

He smiled. “I know. That’s what makes you so unique. Beauty, bravery, and a heart of gold. You could’ve easily kept that money and bought your way out of this place. But you came back here for a friend, and loyalty like that is rare.”

Adalyn couldn’t wrap her head around that he wanted to be with her.

Being a thrall was as high as a human could elevate themselves in the vampire world.

She’d never considered it for herself, but Marilisa always said when one door closed, another would open.

This tragedy had ended this chapter of her life, and perhaps the next chapter was already being written.

“Could you tell me what would be expected of me? I know there’s sex and sustenance, but what else?”

He smiled. “Yes, sex. You will travel with me everywhere I go. We would spend about half the year at Obsidian North. As nobility, I have certain obligations that require me to stay there for extended periods of time.”

In North America, the vampires established their capital in Canada, named Obsidian North.

It operated as a type of parliamentary kingdom, passing laws that benefitted most. Vampires recognized the value of happy humans, since they were the working class.

As much as they tried to take care of the majority, some of the human world was neglected.

It made the underbelly of cities a perfect breeding ground for gangs to rule.

“You would be free to pursue anything you wish. Music, art, social functions.”

“Why me?” she asked, cocking her head.

He pushed a lock of hair off her forehead. “Most women would jump at the chance of becoming a thrall, not questioning it.”

“I’ve never really thought about it.”

“And that’s precisely why I’m offering.”

He confused her.

“Like I said, loyalty is a rare commodity,” he continued. “It’s a virtue that is deeply important to me.”

She laid her hand on top of his, and he turned it over so their fingers could intertwine.

“May I think about this?” she asked. “All I have in my head right now is getting through tomorrow without breaking apart.”

“Very well,” he said softly. “I’d like for you to return with me.”

“I don’t mean to offend, but if I go with you now, I won’t be able to think rationally.”

He studied her for a moment. “Very well, let’s compromise. I want to place one of my men here to make sure you stay safe.”

“I can live with that.”

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend the funeral, and I do apologize for that. But I’ll send Chester to pick you up, and this time, he is going to stay with you until you return to me.”

“Okay.” She knew a losing argument when she heard one. “Thank you, Lord Huntley.”

“Call me Gareth. After all, you’re going to be my thrall.”

He winked and she couldn’t help but grab hold of the hope it sparked in her soul.

She didn’t care about his money or any of the things he said she could pursue, but being around people who cared about her meant more than anything.

He leaned forward and placed his mouth on hers, giving her a soft kiss.

His cool lips heated her body, but he pulled back before anything more could come of it.