Page 28 of Wicked Allure
“I’m serious. Enjoy yourselves tonight. Tomorrow, we hunt the traitor.”
A knock sounded at her door. Tomesha turned from her floor-length mirror in her suite at the club. Today she had a good feeling about her upcoming shift. A light fluttering commenced in her stomach. Earlier, her family had enjoyed dinner together, and she couldn’t have been happier. Tarek had even relaxed a bit and cracked a couple of jokes. It had almost felt as if things were normal again in their family.
She’d designed another dress that she was going to wear for the first time. She’d taken the sheer material and wrapped it around herself in a fashion that put her cleavage on display and showed off her soft brown thighs. Her outfits had been the talk of the other donors. A few had asked if she could make their outfits and offered to pay her for her time.
“Who could this be?” Tomesha murmured. She wasn’t late or expecting any clients that she was aware of. She opened the door and found Mistress’s trusted assistant standing in the hallway.
“Aisling.” Tomesha blinked.
It wasn’t often the assistant presented herself. She usually existed in the background while assisting with all of the workings of the club. Mistress was very hands-on when it came to the human donors.
“Tomesha. You are well?” Aisling asked.
“I am. How are you?” Tomesha grew a little nervous. If Aisling was coming to see her, something must be wrong. Had she had a complaint? Tomesha would have known if any of her clients were not happy. She tried her best to ensure they all enjoyed themselves with her. Each of her clients were unique, and their time with her was very different. She chewed on her bottom lip as the worry grew.
“I am well. Thank you for asking. You’re being summoned to Mistress. Please walk with me.” Aisling motioned for her to step out of her quarters.
She was being summoned. Oh, crap. She must have done something wrong. She nodded and pulled the door to her suite closed behind her.
“Of course.” She smiled and attempted to appear calm.
They walked in silence. Tomesha tried to think of the last few days she’d worked and couldn’t think of any issues that had come up. She was sure her clients would have shared with her any disappointments.
But none had ever left her unsatisfied—at least not sexually.
They were all disappointed that she was still required to wear the collar and wristbands. It had been a while since she’d started, and Mistress still wasn’t allowing any vampire to feed from her. Tomesha’s clientele had grown, but she’d a few customers who visited her quite often and paid her handsomely for her time.
“Have I done something wrong?” Tomesha asked. In the past few weeks, her confidence had grown by leaps and bounds, but now that she was being summoned to Mistress, she was having doubts about herself. She was no longer under Starla’s watch. Her mentor had praised her and was always close by if she needed anything.
They descended a stairwell that took them farther underground. The club extended beneath the earth’s surface. Since working here, she’d learned a lot about the vampire underground tunnels that extended across town. It was a wonder to see how vampires used to travel during the daylight centuries ago.
“You shall soon learn. Mistress would like to speak with you.” Aisling guided her through the back hallways of the administration side.
Tomesha held back rolling her eyes. She wished Aisling would give her a little more to go on so she could be prepared for this impromptu meeting.
Well, whatever it is I did wrong, I’m sure Mistress will tell me.
Tomesha sent up a prayer that she wasn’t about to be fired. She inhaled sharply at the thought. She couldn’t afford to not have this job. The money she was making was mind-boggling, and once she was allowed to become a fully fledged donor, it would only increase. Her family needed this.
They arrived at their destination, and Tomesha’s breath caught in her throat. A set of massive double doors awaited her—glossy black lacquer etched with golden thorns. Aisling rapped on a door with two quick taps.
“Come in.” Mistress’s muffled voice came through.
Aisling nodded to Tomesha as she stood back.
Tomesha smiled and reached for the handles. She pushed them open to reveal a chamber steeped in power. Tomesha had never stepped foot inside Mistress’s office until now. She’d heard rumors of it but never had the pleasure of being summoned to her before. Any time Mistress met with her and the other donors, it was upstairs in one of the lounges.
Tomesha’s curiosity got the best of her. Her gaze quickly swept the room, taking in the walls draped in blood-red silk, their folds heavy and consuming, while the marble floor beneath gleamed like dark glass. The sound of the doors closing behind her caused her heart to skip a beat. She was now alone with Mistress in her domain.
Her steps echoed too loudly in the quiet. Gilded mirrors hung at angles that caught every movement, reflecting the room like a watchful set of eyes. Nothing would go unnoticed here. This office was a mixture of luxury, beauty, and power. Tomesha’s stomach twisted in knots.
In the heart of the room, Romana’s desk stood—a colossal black wood monolith intricately carved with serpents and roses engaged in an eternal struggle. Behind the desk sat Mistress in her oversized plush chair. She was a portrait of grace wrapped in feminine elegance. Her dark gown clung to her, the fabric shimmering faintly whenever she moved. She silently watched Tomesha’s every step.
“Mistress.” Tomesha stopped in front of the desk. Her hands trembled. She balled them into fists to keep from revealing her nervousness. She reached deep inside and pulled up all of her confidence. If she were to be disciplined for something, then she’d take it like a woman.
“Tomesha, you look ravishing in your uniform. A new design?” Romana leaned back and eyed Tomesha.
Her heart fluttered. Tomesha glanced down at herself, and pride overtook her. She always worked hard to ensure she looked her best. She’d gained the weight back she’d lost from rationing her meals. No longer did she have a sunken face; there was a little extra meat on her bones now that she was proud of.
