Out of work, out of pay
She knows she'll be measured
Paradise should be hers
She's got dirty feathers

Lab – When Heaven Gets Dirty

Chapter 28

Less than perfect

"More wine, please," I said in Tuscan and took a bite out of my apple. Everything tasted so good, the soup, the pies, the grapes, the bread, the cheese. I hadn't really eaten human food after becoming a vampire, it had tasted terrible to me, but now I couldn't get enough of it. I was starving, like I wouldn't have eaten for weeks and I was enjoying every bite so much that I wanted to purr with delight. Most people in the tavern, especially the men, kept glancing at me, but I didn't care, I felt euphoric.

The simple thing like being able to walk into a tavern by myself without someone asking was I lost and where my parents were had felt amazing. I loved for not getting the usual "oh, aren't you a cute little doll" looks; instead I got some very lustful looks from men. They probably thought that I was a courtesan or someone's mistress; no honorable woman would have been here by herself. This certainly wasn't a safe place for a lonely woman, but why would I be afraid, I was stronger and faster than any of them.

I had ridden a horse by myself and enjoyed every second, so far everything had been perfect. What next… The thought of going home crossed my mind, but I quickly decided against it, I didn't want to see Kol. This could have been our day, but I certainly wasn't going to spend it with someone who found me disgusting. Well, that was his loss, I was gorgeous and today I would kiss someone who would want me to kiss them.

It certainly wouldn't be anyone in the tavern, although I would have had no trouble finding a volunteer. Most of these men were toothless old drunks who didn't seem to like bathing; all the younger men were probably working at this hour. There were so many things I wanted to do today and I wanted to get started right away. I emptied my goblet and stood up; I had spent enough time here.

"Excuse me," the innkeeper said harshly and stepped in front of me when I headed towards the door. He was a tall and sturdy man who had small piercing eyes. "Are you planning to leave without paying?"

I looked into his eyes and smiled.

"I do not have to pay."

His eyes narrowed, he looked furious.

"What? I don't know who you think you are, but no one eats in my tavern for free!"

I was stunned, was he on vervain… No, I couldn't compel him because I wasn't a vampire. Oh no… He grabbed my arm harshly and pulled me close, I tried to free myself and experienced another shock, I didn't have my strength either. Of course I didn't, how could I have been so stupid? I had been a vampire for so long that my abilities were a part of me; I couldn't even remember my life without them.

"Do you know what happens to thieves around here, little harlot?" he asked and smiled, revealing his rotten teeth. I swallowed and tried desperately to think.

"I…I can pay," I managed to say. "I have a horse."

He looked at me disbelievingly.

"You offer me your horse for payment?"

I nodded.

"Yes, he is right outside."

"Alright, let's see."

He didn't let go of my arm when we stepped outside. I had left the horse next to a trough, but now he was gone, someone had taken him. This couldn't be happening.

"Well?" the innkeeper asked impatiently.

"I…my horse was right here…"

The innkeeper didn't let me finish, he dragged me back inside.

"You think you can fool me, little harlot?" he snapped. "You will pay your food with work."

Oh no, I really didn't want to spend my day cleaning and washing dishes…

"Gentlemen!" the innkeeper announced before I managed to finish my thought. "Can I have your attention, please!"

Everyone turned to look at us; I couldn't understand what was going on.

"This…'lady' cannot pay for her food, so she wishes to offer her services to anyone who pays her debt. Is anyone willing to do that?"

Suddenly there was a racket in the tavern, almost everyone wanted to pay my debt. It took few seconds before I understood what was happening, the innkeeper was selling me to these men. I gasped in shock when I looked around, they were yelling like wild beasts. Suddenly their lustful looks felt everything but flattering, I was about to panic. I tried desperately to free myself again, but the innkeeper tightened his grip, he was hurting me. No, no, no, I couldn't let this to happen.

"Please, sir," I pleaded. "My-my family has money; I can go and ask them, please…"

"Your family?" he snorted mockingly. "A whore has a family? Oh, please, spare me from your lies…"

"Unhand her at once!" a man's voice shouted from the door.

The innkeeper turned around angrily and was about to say something when he saw the three soldiers standing in the doorway. They were all wearing dark tunics and they were carrying the same symbol, a black eagle. It looked very familiar, but I couldn't remember where I had seen it before.

"How dare you!" one of the solders shouted, he seemed to be their leader. He was tall and muscular, maybe in his thirties, his eyes were just as dark as his short hair and he had a long scar on his face. Everything about his appearance said that he was an experienced warrior. "That is Lord Demetrio's daughter!"

The innkeeper gasped in shock and released me immediately; the next thing I realized was that he was on his knees.

"Please forgive me, my lady," he pleaded. "I beg you; I-I-I did not know…"

For a moment I was too confused to react, what… Wait, Lord Demetrio… Lord Demetrio the warlock. My loan body belonged to his daughter. Oh no, how could I have such a terrible luck. The leading soldier marched in front of me and bowed briefly.

"Are you alright, my lady?"

"I…yes," I muttered. "This was…a misunderstanding."

No one in the tavern was certainly shouting and whistling anymore, all the men looked like they would have tried their best to be invisible.

"Please, I do not want any payment," the innkeeper said. "It was an honor to have you eating here."

The soldier glanced at him carelessly and threw few coins on the floor.

"There will be no saying that Lord Demetrio does not pay his debts," the soldier snapped and offered me his arm. I didn't have much choice but to accept it, although I had a very bad feeling about this. There were three more soldiers waiting in front of the tavern, they had an extra horse with them.

"Your father is not pleased with you," the leading soldier stated and helped me on the horse.

"Oh…" I muttered. "I will definitely speak with him as soon as I get home. Thank you for your help, but please excuse me, I have few things to take care of…"

All six men were on their horses now; they surrounded me like a wall.

"Forgive me, my lady, but my orders were very clear," the leading soldier said. "We shall escort you home right now."

I swallowed and tried my best to look calm.

"Please, I really need to…"

"Now," he interrupted me firmly, his tone told me that this wasn't open for discussion. Oh great… I wasn't sure where Lord Demetrius lived, so I had no idea how long I had to think of a way to get myself out of this mess. Obviously these men weren't going to let me go and it was highly unlikely that I could escape from them, not with this weak human body. Being a vampire didn't seem so bad now, if I would be in my own body, I would be long gone by now. Think, damn it, think…

Unfortunately the ride was much shorter than I had hoped; it didn't take long when we arrived to Lord Demetrio's villa. It was huge and it was surrounded with a high fence. The gate opened when we approached it, there were soldiers everywhere. This was bad… I felt a glimpse of desperation when I saw the gate closing after us. We rode to the paved courtyard, people were coming and going like ants. All the soldiers dismounted and the leading soldier helped me down, I tried my best to look calm.

"Thank you," I muttered.

"Your father is waiting," he stated and led me inside. The villa was very luxurious, but I definitely didn't have time to admire all the small details, I had to find the way out. Suddenly I was in a huge parlor, there were two men sitting there, they both stood up when me and the leading soldier entered the room. I felt like crying when I saw the other man. Papa. I almost ran to him, but fortunately I managed to control myself in time. If Lord Demetrio would find out what I had done to his daughter, he would no doubt be furious and he could hurt papa. I couldn't let that to happen, if papa would get hurt because of me, I could never forgive myself.

"Lady Arianna," papa greeted me smiling politely.

The other man who looked about the same age than papa certainly wasn't smiling.

"Would you excuse us," he said callously. "I must have a word with my daughter."

"Of course," papa replied and walked past me.

"Wait…" I blurted out before I managed to stop myself.

"Arianna!" Lord Demetrio snapped and glared at me. "Thank you, Felix," he added.

The leading soldier bowed and walked out, leaving me alone with my "father".

"I have had it with you, young lady," he snapped and stepped in front of me. He had the same hazel eyes than his daughter and he had very handsome features. "Tell me what happened last night."

I had no idea what he was talking about; I tried desperately to think what to say.

"I…last night?"

His expression tensed and he crossed his arms.

"Yes, last night. Gallo saw you sneaking out from Lord Elijah's room, did you sleep with him?"

My mouth floundered open and closed, I was genuinely shocked.

"What? No! No, that is…how can you say something like that?"

His gaze was piercing, but after few seconds he seemed pleased.

"The truth…" he murmured. "Good."

He could tell when I was lying? This was so bad…

"However, that does not change the fact that you once again disobeyed me and got yourself in trouble," he continued harshly. "I have told you never to leave here unescorted and what was even worse, you left this behind."

He raised his right hand; he was holding a bronze necklace.

"Do you have any idea what could have happened to you without this?" he snapped. "Any vampire could have compelled you!"

I swallowed; I could barely hide my nervousness.

"I…I am sorry, father," I muttered.

"That is not enough," he replied harshly. "Not this time. Clearly I have been too soft with you."

"No, no, please…"

He cupped my face and looked into my eyes.

"I love you, Arianna, more than anything in this world and I am doing this for your own good. You are a young woman; you cannot keep acting like a reckless child."

"But…"

"Felix!"

The leading soldier entered the room with two others; they marched straight to me and grabbed my arms.

"You are grounded until tomorrow," Lord Demetrio said calmly. "I suggest you take that time to think about your behavior."

"What?" I gasped. "No, father, please…"

Lord Demetrio wasn't looking at me; he simply waved his hand towards the door and turned his back.

"No!" I shouted and tried to struggle when the soldiers dragged me to the hallway. "Let me go!"

"That is useless, my lady," Felix said. "We can carry you if you insist."

They dragged me across two hallways and down the stairs; we were going to the cellar. Felix opened a thick door and the two other soldiers shoved me inside, not harshly, but not very gently either. I didn't have time to do anything when the door closed and I heard the key turning in the lock.

"Let me out!" I shouted and banged the door, as useless as it was. "Let me out!"

No, no, this couldn't be happening… After taking few seconds to calm down I turned around and inspected the small room. It was modest but clean, there was a bed, a small table and a chair and few books, a carafe of wine, grapes and bread placed on the table. There were no windows and the walls were made of stone. This was just great. If I couldn't get out of here before tomorrow, I would die.