Page 34 of High Stakes

Darkness swallowed me.

As soon as I came to, panic set in. I lay in an enormous bed that had sheer, red fabric stretched over the top to form a canopy. A thicker, matching blanket lay over me. My head was perched on a small pillow.

As I sat up, I realized my shawl and dress were gone and my tech suit was exposed. The circuits in my suit sparked, indicating the suit was powered up and trying to stabilize my temperature. I held my pounding head in my hands. Kael really needed to develop an upgrade that prevented the loss of consciousness. I’d make sure to tell him that when I got home. He always wanted feedback, after all.

Wait – how long was I out? Where’s Titus?

“Who are you?” a deep voice inquired. My eyes darted across the room to see a tall man relaxing in a lofty, wooden chair, one leg propped up casually on the other. A single torch on the wall cast eerie shadows over the room. Even as I enhanced my vision, his features were hidden in shadow.

“Who are you?” I countered, gathering the plush, velvet-like blanket over my chest protectively.

He stood and stepped into the light. When his green eyes locked with mine, I knew I was dead. “Enoch.” The name slipped from my lips in a whisper, but he still heard it.

His green eyes sparked from within. Full lips stretched into a smile, revealing his long, pale fangs. His skin was a beautiful shade of olive. His hair was longer than it was in my time, but the dark strands still curled softly around his ears and at the nape of his neck. Just like on the broadcasts, his presence was overwhelming, his power palpable.

Enoch walked slowly to my bedside. Instinctively, I reached for my stakes, only to find them missing. He raised his hand, where my holster dangled from his forefinger. “Tell me: what sort of lady carries a trio of sharpened stakes strapped to her side?”

The kind who wants to shove them through your evil, beating heart, I fumed. “What sort of gentleman removes a woman’s clothes to find them?”

“The kind concerned with your health,” he retorted. “I was checking for boils. Besides, if I am not mistaken, you are still clothed.” He slithered closer. “What a strange garment this is. It’s like your body is the wick, and this... garment, the wax in which you were dipped. It coats you perfectly.”

My tech chose that moment to light up, drawing his appreciative glare. “If you’re going to bite me, go ahead and try,” I challenged. “The very sound of your voice makes me sick.”

Enoch’s eyes narrowed, but the smirk never left his lips. “Does it now?”

I held my breath, taking in the width of his shoulders and the way he stood as if nothing in the world could possibly hurt him.

His smirk finally faded.

For a split second, I thought that Victor was a complete fool for thinking we could kill Enoch. He was the oldest living vampire in existence because he crushed anything that stood in his way. That was why I didn’t understand the tenderness in his eyes as he reached his hand out and brushed his knuckles down my cheek.

“How are you feeling?”

I pulled away from him, confused. “I’m fine.”

He grinned. “You look indignant when you lie. It’s as if half of you can’t stomach the sin, while the other half basks in its glory. I thought we had an understanding. You were supposed to stay in the dungeon until I was sure you were well. I’m not sure if you noticed, but a vicious malady has befallen our people.”

I gasped. “You were the one in the mask?”

“Indeed.” He motioned toward the chair he’d been sitting in. Sure enough, the black bird-like mask sat on the floor beside it.

“Why?” It didn’t make any sense! The man in the mask helped me. He brought me tea and a blanket… It simply couldn’t have been Enoch.

“Because I would rather take the risk of being among those who might have the disease, than ask another to do it for me,” he answered calmly.

A human, he meant. Someone who might die from the plague, where it wouldn’t hurt him at all.

“You can’t die from the plague. Why bother with the mask?”

“How do you know I can’t?” he volleyed; so close, I could smell his rich-smelling herbal soap.

My eyesight sharpened. I suddenly felt stronger than I had since landing in the countryside. The tech in my hand was functioning at full capacity and adrenaline flooded my veins. In the end, it didn’t matter if he had helped me or why. All that mattered was that I was strong. I had to see this through and then find Titus. Together, we could go home.

I threw the blankets off and jumped to the floor, ripping my holster from his hand and taking out my favorite stake.

This was the moment I’d prepared for and practiced for years. This moment.

Faster than I’d ever pushed myself, I lunged at him, plunging the stake toward his heart.

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