Disclaimer: Charlaine Harris owns all.
Rated M for several reasons.
Chpt 2 The Vampire
EPOV
They see my bored and dissatisfied expression as further demonstration of my superiority. And so it is to a degree. But tonight it is also because I am trying to calculate my tax return in my head while I enthral the vermin. I am annoyed. Pam has lied to me. Her wardrobe for Fangtasia is not tax deductible, at least not by me.
I am attached to this bar. The first business I have legitimately been allowed to own as vampire. So much so that I am prepared to sit here most nights on my faux throne so the customers can either gaze at me in awe or grovel for my attention.
"It is time for your refreshment break Master." My child murmurs, arriving just behind the throne to relieve me.
"What have you chosen Pam?"
"Something new I think you will like."
Reaching back I pet her hair briefly as she takes my place on the throne. She knows me so well there is very little chance I will be disappointed.
I can smell the human from the end of the hallway leading to my office, she is light and sweet, and nervous, her heart pounding in her chest. I can feel myself stirring into life, there is nothing like a little fear to inflame all my desires.
I sweep open the door to find a petite and fresh looking brunette fidgeting nervously on one of the hard chairs before my desk.
Mm. She does smell good.
Folding myself into my own chair I stare at her in silence. She is pretty and does not seem anything like the usual women who offer themselves willingly to us as food and recreation, although she has made an attempt to dress like one.
Her fear is increasing as she shifts in her seat, unable to maintain eye contact with me.
And now I know I am going to enjoy myself, Pam has made an excellent choice.
"Come here." I order, letting my fangs run out as she moves hesitantly to comply. "Look at me."
Her liquid brown eyes rise to mine and a bit of resolve stiffens her spine, pushing her breasts out nicely.
"Do you know why you are here?"
"The Mistress said you needed to feed." Her voice is soft.
"Did she tell you what else I needed?" I enquire, raising an eyebrow.
Her eyes dart down to my erection which throbs in anticipation, her voice dropping to a tentative whisper as she confirms her understanding.
Excellent. If she tastes and feels as good as she looks I may even consider extending my break for an hour or two . . . .
…..
"Satisfied?" Pam questions, relinquishing my throne.
"Very enjoyable." I confirm, wiping the smirk off my face and allowing bored disdain to take over again.
"I am glad she pleased you." She chuckles moving away.
"Pamela." I call her back.
"Master?" She enquires.
"This does not get you out of our conversion regarding your wardrobe allowance."
"Of course not Master, I did not for one moment imagine it would."
The corners of my lips twitch slightly as I fight back my smile and wave her away. I made an exceptionally good choice in making her my child.
Our clientele changes over the course of the night. When we first open they tend to be mainly tourists, curious and filled with trepidation and awe. As the night wears on they make their way back outside in search of less risqué pleasures and the ones we call the Fangbangers, the true vermin, occupy the vacated space. These are the ones desperate to be with our kind, who will give anything and not just their blood to earn favour from us. They come seeking sex, danger and in some cases, immortality. In the meantime they drink and dance, my business partners and I reaping the profits.
Though I respect their money I have very little respect for these customers, even for humans they seem especially unworthy . . . .
The bar is filling up nicely when Pam catches my eye and directs my attention toward the door.
Bill Compton, a recent arrival in my area. Not a vampire of any particular note, other than formerly having been part of my Queen's court, avid mainstreamer according to the gossip. My fealty to my Queen is freely given but that does not mean I trust her and while I have no reason to suspect her of any nefarious deeds in my area, that does not mean I am not paying attention.
However his presence in the bar is hardly a surprise or cause for concern and my attention is about to slide away again when I realise he has brought a human with him. And what a human. A little bit of fang slips out as I drink her in from the painted nails of her toes to the golden crown of hair atop her head. Her curvaceous body is all woman. Her demure dress and countenance all innocence. Her flawless, tanned, golden skin is glowing with vitality. She belongs here about as much as I belong in the pulpit of the local Christian church.
Noting my interest Compton steers her abruptly away toward the bar. My nostrils flare and I inhale her, the clean fresh scent of her blood, the warm rich aroma of her body and the lotion she has used to moisturise her skin. Lust rips through my startled body like electricity.
Vampire Bait.
After a few minutes Pam appears at my side.
"She is asking questions about dead fangbangers Master." She whispers. "Apparently her brother is suspected of murder. She seems extremely naïve about our ways and customs. She tried to shake hands with Long Shadow."
As if drawn by the power of my will she flicks her eyes to mine and immediately I use my glamour to persuade her she is better off asking her questions of me. To my surprise she merely blinks a few times and looks away.
Interesting.
I transfer my attention to Compton and after a few moments he caves into temptation and turns to glance at me, showing his inexperience, an older vampire would have ignored me until I was forced to approach him directly.
I beckon with my finger and favour him with one of my more predatory smiles. His poker face is admirable but the eyes betray his concern.
"Is she his?" I ask in my native tongue as they approach.
"No Master. There is but a faint trace of him in her blood and nothing between her thighs." My child responds in kind.
…..
Done with my chores for the night I flip my booted feet up onto the desk and tilt back the chair, lacing my hands together on my stomach.
What an interesting evening.
A telepath. Limited to humans by her own admission, I detected no evasion there, but still, incredibly useful. How much time and money has she already saved me simply by sensing the undercover cop in the bar?
Why? That is what I cannot understand.
Why would he bring her here? By no account is he a complete fool, despite his youth and inexperience.
She is vampire bait. No doubt about it, but with her gift too? Many of our kind, no matter their age, would behave foolishly in order to possess her.
He named her as his but has clearly not yet made her so according to our conventions. As his superior in every way I could quite easily usurp such a weak claim. Is that what someone is expecting me to do, and I if I did what would they gain from it? More importantly, what would I lose? I do not find it credible that such a tempting little morsel will have crossed my path by accident.
No, while I would not object to fucking her, feeding from her and utilising her gift I have no intention of owning her. Such a possession would be in constant need of protection from those who would seek to take it from me and I cannot be bothered with the drama. I am sure some monarch who already has such possessions to accommodate will come along and pluck her out of Compton's grasp soon enough.
In the meantime if I have need of a telepath I know where to find one and I am more than happy to compensate her financially for her time, unless of course there is something else she would like to be compensated with.
"Pam!" I call.
"Yes Eric." She responds, blurring into my office.
We are much less formal when we are alone. I have no use for the more archaic vampire practises when there is no one to judge us for them.
"Commission a full report on Compton's human, I would like it by the end of the week."
"Anything else?"
"Yes. I have been over the books twice and someone is definitely stealing from us."
"What do you want me to do?" She purrs, dropping a little fang at the idea of catching and punishing the miscreants.
"Glamour the usual suspects and report back tomorrow evening."
"Just glamour?" She pouts.
"We are out of the coffin now." I remind her. "We actually have to find the guilty party before any punishing can be done."
"Fine." She huffs. "If we're done here I have dinner and some shopping to get on with."
I am happy to dismiss her, I have plans of my own before dawn.