Page 47 of Bitten By Chaos

“It could be centuries more,” Elsa said, spinning him back to her by the shoulder and pinning his larger frame to the rock wall behind him. “She wouldn’t want you to torture yourself. Surely, you’ve not been celibate? It would be such a waste.”

“No. But only in bloodlust or by command. I’ve not chosen to be with anyone consciously since her passing.”

Elsa laughed and parted her robe, letting it slide to the floor. “I’m not asking for your heart, just your cock.”

“Silas—”

Elsa pressed two fingers to his lips to silence him as she guided his hand to her breast. “I will make the introduction if you admit you want me.”

Then next moment they were on the bed, her legs curled around his hips and his mouth over her nipple. I spun away, stomach lurching with hurt I knew better than to feel. I knew it had happened. And there was no reason he shouldn’t have given in, but I didn’t need to see these details.

A swirling sensation overtook me, and when I blinked, the floor was no longer stone. Instead, I stood on a cobbled street with stalls lining the sides like a marketplace. Julian sat on a bench of sorts dressed in his finery with Elsa by his side, leaning into him as though they were a happy couple. They both wore far more clothing in public, he with thick robes over shirt and pants with large, embellished sleeves that fell to the floor and a hat with a feather I may have laughed at if he hadn’t somehow pulled it off so well. Elsa was cinched into what must have been a corset forcing her upright like a stick and pressing her breasts flat. She had a full skirt and a vest with gold embroidery tied tightly around her middle.

Another couple stood before them, also dressed in what I assumed was wealthy attire judging by the velvet layers in bright colors that also draped their bodies. I recognized the man immediately and my stomach dropped. Merlin. The other was a woman with beautiful ebony skin and a long black braid fashioned of many smaller ones. Her dark eyes were huge and hooded, the pupils rimmed in gold. Her aura matched Merlin’s. This had to be Kayora.

“I will arrange for Silas to be distracted for three days time,” Kayora said in a deep melodic voice. “And my brother wizard will guide you to safety while masking your trail. Your sire will be unable to find you. Not for at least another century.”

Julian licked his lips. “I just cannot see this type of magic working on him. Although I have witnessed witchcraft keeping him away from certain homes…”

“Wards,” Merlin said. “Most of our kind don’t think outside our initial education. But I will be able to ward you as opposed to a home or building. He won’t be able to locate or touch you.”

Seeing Julian’s face, filled with a battle between fear and hope, made me want to pull him into my arms.

“I’m tired of this life,” he said, then rose and held out a hand to the other couple, Elsa smiling broadly behind him. “I will attempt it. If I fail, then perhaps I will finally be relieved of my torture through death.”

Merlin and Kayora placed their hands over his, their auras mixing and sinking inside of his hand then out. They’d bound him with magic in this deal.

“What did you pay?” I whispered, knowing it had to be a steep price.

The scene changed again, rapidly shifting between flashes of Julian’s wrists being slashed, his blood collected in clay pots, too numerous to count, and him knocking on village doors and ripping out the throats of those inside.

I understood. They’d drained him multiple times and given him a kill list. The answer made bile rise to the back of my throat. But then I appeared back in the stone room I’d first visited, where Julian waited alone, staring into the fire. A woman I didn’t recognize walked into the room. Tall and slender, she carried herself with the deadly grace of a vampire and certainly had the palor to match. But her clothing was both modest and unadorned, though one could clearly see it was still well made.

Julian turned and smiled. “Good morning, Erzsi.”

“Where is Elizabeth?” The woman demanded narrowing her eyes at Julian. She didn’t trust him.

“She’s asked me to wait while she speaks to Silas alone. If I am a bother, I shall move to another room in the castle.” He straightened as if to leave.

“Not necessary. I was merely here to help her choose a gown for the ball the Voivode is throwing in Silas’ honor. I will return when she is available.”

“Actually—” Julian shot her one of his panty-melting smiles. “I was hoping you might help me with something. I would very much like to impress the lady, and I thought perhaps I’d present her with some jewelry fit for the occasion. There are two pieces I’m torn between and thought maybe, as you know her so well, you might deign to give me a hint at her lady’s preference?”

Erzsi stared at him for a long moment. “I am no expert on jewels, I’m afraid, Master Carver.”

“Surely a woman as beautiful as yourself knows what is gaudy and what is befitting of royalty?” Julian reached into his pocket and pulled out two strands of breathtaking beauty. “And Elizabeth speaks so highly of your opinion, I know it would be invaluable.”

With a purposeful sigh, Erzsi moved closer, gaze fixed on the offerings. One was pure gold with an enormous ruby dangling from the end, and the other, beads of ebony interspersed with glittering diamonds the size of my thumbs.

“Fair warning,” she said, “Elizabeth has taken many lovers, and even someone as alluring as yourself will not sate her tastes for long. You needn’t bother with finery and gifts. She can afford anything she wants of her own accord.”

Julian laughed easily. “I’m sure you are right, Madame. But I do so enjoy spoiling her while I’m able.”

With a grimace, Erzsi selected the ruby and lifted it. “Perhaps you can do me a favor now and enlighten me as to your sire’s purpose. How did he get an audience with the Voivode?”

Julian pocketed the rejected diamonds. “I am afraid I’m under strict instructions never to divulge any of my sire’s secrets. I would tell you if I could, but I can say it won’t matter as far as your future is concerned.”

“It matters to me,” Erzsi growled.

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