I considered the source of the blood and doubted it was from a willing patron, but Sol and I accepted the offer in an effort to avoid any undesired attention. We knew we would eventually be forced to drink to maintain our cover, but it was an action that neither of us took lightly.
“Gentlemen, drink up. There is plenty more where that came from,” a lovely, blonde vampire said as she joined us. The jade green evening gown she wore matched her eyes perfectly and she seductively slithered next to me before adding, “I don’t believe we have met. I’m Gloriana, Vincent’s sister.”
I looked at Sol and then reached for her hand before bringing it to my lips to kiss. “Thank you for having us in your home. I am Michael Garrett and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” I gestured toward Sol and continued, “This is Phillip Andrews.”
“Are you friends of my brother’s?” Gloriana asked before she lifted her crystal glass of blood.
“No, we have not had the pleasure,” Sol answered.
“Don’t worry, gentlemen, it’s a long night,” she laughed. “You’ll have the opportunity to meet Vincent a little later. We have something special in store for our guests tonight, so don’t even think about leaving before you have had the opportunity to partake. It’s guaranteed to blow your mind.” She watched me attentively as she spoke and I knew it was my reply she wanted to hear.
“The promise sounds intriguing and we wouldn’t dream of missing out on a mind blowing experience,” I said as I raised an eyebrow at the blonde vampiress.
“Excellent, gentlemen. Unfortunately, duty calls and I have other guests to tend to so I will speak with you a little later,” she said as she seductively looked up at me through her long brown lashes.
She slithered on to visit with her next guest and Sol said, “Wow, Michael Garrett, does your wife realize you are a total babe magnet?” Sol laughed.
I glared at Sol and said, “Not one word, Phillip Andrews. Is that understood?”
He laughed mischievously, a sound I knew well, and I repeated, “I mean it, not one word. Are we clear?”
“Clear as a bell, Michael” he answered, but continued to laugh.
“One word to Chansey and it will be your funeral. I’m not kidding you,” I threatened.
“I’ve got it, Bro.”
As we socialized and mingled through the endless crowd of vampires, we made note of how all of them seemed to be young, under 100 years old. As we quizzed the vampires we met, there was one common denominator among all of them-they were all in the dark about what the special presentation would be.
The speculation among the guests ranged anywhere from minimal to unrealistic expectations and I worried about the reaction of so many enclosed vampires when Avery’s blood was presented. Sol and I alone would be unable to control a frenzy among them and I hoped the intake of the offered blood during the wait for her appearance would prevent a hysteria.
We finished our flutes of blood and a waiter appeared immediately to my left offering a refill. Gloriana returned to visit just as I was about to decline a second glass, so I accepted the offered blood to prevent a red flag from being hoisted.
Gloriana took another glass of blood from the tray and said, “Vincent is about to reveal the surprise, but I want you to meet him before he does if you haven’t already.”
“No, we would very much like to meet Vincent.”
“Wonderful.” She took my hand and led me across the floor. “He’s over here.”
The touch of her hand on mine stirred nausea in my gut and my instincts screamed for me to recoil, but I couldn’t risk making her suspicious so I obediently followed her toward her brother. Solomon walked closely behind me per our agreement to not be separated, but she was obviously only interested in introducing me.
Even if Jenn had not described Vincent to a tee, I would have been able to pick him out of the crowd because his arrogance was tangible. He looked up from his conversation with a lovely red head as Gloriana and I approached and said, “Well, dear sister, who do we have here?”
“This is Michael Garrett and Phillip Andrews,” Gloriana introduced with a broad smile upon her face.
He inspected each of us, no doubt sizing up each of us, but appeared pleased with his sister’s catch of the day. “Welcome to my humble home, gentlemen, and I must add that the gods are smiling upon you tonight because you are most certainly in for a treat like none you have ever experienced.”
“We keep hearing about this special treat and I must say that my curiosity is definitely roused,” I said.
“Well, let us keep you in suspense no longer,” he said so formally. Everything about him was formal-the way he spoke, the way he carried himself and the way he snapped his fingers to summon a pair of fledgelings. They immediately appeared at his side and he instructed, “It is time.”
Without further direction, the pair was gone and Vincent turned his attention back to us. “It will only be a moment, gentlemen. Come, sister, and bring your new friends. Let us take our place at the front of the crowd.”
We were led by Gloriana and Vincent through the maze of vampires and reached our destination in front of what appeared to be some type of medieval looking throne. I was not shocked to see that Vincent thought himself worthy of being seated upon a throne and I laughed to myself at the ridiculousness of his grandeur. As I fought against the urge to laugh aloud, he began to speak for his loyal subjects to hear.
“Brothers and sisters, we have come together tonight to celebrate a magnificent discovery and I will be introducing you to a lovely young lady in a moment.” The waiters began passing out small vials as Vincent spoke and Sol and I knew what was contained within the tiny vessels.
I lifted my vial from the serving tray and Gloriana ordered, “Don’t drink it yet.”
Solomon and I swapped looks with one another and wondered how we were going to get out of drinking the blood of The Blood Jewel. Standing next to the hostess during the toast was not part of the plan.
Vincent held up the vial and continued, “This is the most exceptional tasting blood you will ever find and that I will guarantee. All other bloods pale in comparison and the euphoria you will experience as a result of consuming it will be like no other. Now, I would like to present the donor of this delicacy. Please join me in welcoming my Blood Jewel, Avery.”
17 Sweet Avery
Everyone turned their attention in the direction of twelve armed vampiric guards as they escorted a young, human female into the banquet hall we occupied. She was dressed in a deep red strapless ball gown and her long, blonde hair flowed over her bare shoulders onto her upper back. She was extremely pale because of her recent draining and afflicted with dark circles under her pale golden brown eyes. She was a lovely girl and I saw the family resemblance to Jenn, but her face was void of emotion and I knew the look well. She had accepted her fate of death.
The guards led her to the throne as they surrounded her, ready to strike at the first sign of threat. The incredibly heavy security was unexpected and it threw a whole new wrench into our plan to rescue her.
Vincent went to stand at Avery’s side and motioned for his sister to join him, making it possible to pull off the deception of Sol and me drinking her blood. I was relieved, because otherwise, I would have been forced to drink the addicting substance or risk blowing our cover.
Vincent raised his vial into the air and said, “Now, let us all partake of the precious Blood Jewel together.” As he and his sister toasted their vials together, Sol and I lifted ours as well and then pretended to consume Avery’s blood.
Waiters with trays walked through the crowd collecting the empty vials as the murmurs became louder about the delightful taste of the blood.
I saw Gloriana work the crowd as she inched her way closer to me and I dreaded the moment she returned to my side. I could only think about how uncomfortable she made me and I thought of how pissed Chansey would be about another woman getting this close to me.
I lost sight of Glor
iana and searched the crowd for her. As I scanned the room in search of her, I took notice of a bizarre expression on Vincent’s face. He watched Solomon curiously and I immediately feared our motive had been discovered, although I couldn’t guess the source.
I tensed when I heard Vincent call out to Sol from where he sat at Avery’s side. “You there, was it Phillip Andrews?”
Solomon was deeply distracted by something and failed to hear Vincent’s summons, so I elbowed him. “Vincent is speaking to you, Phillip.”
He slowly turned his attention to me and said, “What?”
“Our host is calling you, so why don’t you go see what he wants,” I gritted through my teeth, a clear indication for him to get his ass in gear.
“Oh, sure, sure,” he stumbled out then very cautiously walked to where Vincent lounged on the ridiculously grand armrest of the throne where Avery was seated. Solomon was silent, waiting to hear what it was that Vincent was up to and I listened from across the room.
Vincent reached out and stroked Avery’s cheek slowly as he said, “I couldn’t help but notice your special interest in my sweet, sweet Avery.” He looked up at Sol and asked, “Did you enjoy her blood?”
“I did. It was mesmerizing, just as you promised,” Sol lied.
“I know it was everything I promised it would be and more, but what did you think of it?” Vincent persisted.
Sol looked from Vincent to Avery and gazed at her angelic face as he softly answered, “She is perfection like nothing I’ve ever known before now.”
“Her blood used to be better, if you can believe that,” Vincent explained.
Sol had a puzzled look upon his face, but turned back to look at Vincent curiously. What kind of game was this fiend playing and why had he chosen Sol as his puppet?
“I can’t imagine it being better,” Sol complimented.
“You see, my sweet Avery has become somewhat desensitized to us. We no longer frighten her and she doesn’t produce the adrenalin high she once did. As you can imagine, I want that sensational high again. As hard as I have tried, I can’t seem to achieve it anymore,” he admitted.
He was baiting Solomon and I didn’t know why. “I’m sorry, Vincent. I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Phillip, I noticed the way you looked at my Avery.” He placed two fingers under her chin and lifted her face upward and stroked her carotid with his free hand “You noticed too, didn’t you my sweet angel?”
Avery made no response and Vincent continued, “Don’t you smell her fear and hear her fluttering heart, Phillip? It’s been months since this has happened. She might as well been dead to the world until she saw you in the crowd and then her pathetic little human heart began to race. Now, adrenalin is coursing in her blood and seeping from her skin. Isn’t it magnificent?”
Solomon responded by saying, “She is a splendid creature and you are very lucky to have such a rare commodity.”
“Come closer to her, Phillip,” Vincent ordered Sol. Sol’s expression didn’t hide his astonishment of Vincent’s request, but he did what was asked of him and stepped closer to Avery. Vincent motioned with his hand as he said, “Closer, I want you to touch her, Phillip.”
“Okay, this is getting a little too weird,” Sol replied as he began to back away and I prayed he wasn’t about to blow our plan by not playing along with Vincent.
Vincent rose from the armrest and said, “I said for you to touch her, and you are a guest in my home, so please show some respect for your generous host that shared her blood with you tonight.”
Sol moved closer to Avery and pressed the back of his hand to her cheek and slowly stroked down her cheek.
“It is glorious what your touch does to her,” Vincent said and broke the spellbound appearance upon Solomon’s face. I had to give it to him, he was quite the actor. He almost had me fooled.
“I’m glad you are pleased,” Sol replied as he turned to walk away.
Vincent raised his voice as he added, “Stop, we’re not done here. You’ve accomplished what no one else could and I need to reward you for your achievement.”
Sol stopped and turned back to Vincent as he said, “I need no reward.”
Vincent motioned with his hand and laughed as he stretched out in a threatening tone, “Phillip...come...back.”
Sol hesitated for a moment and then turned to walk back to Vincent and Avery.
“I have just one more request,” Vincent whispered to Sol.
“What do you want?” Sol questioned.
“Bite her,” he ordered and then studied Sol’s face for a reaction. “I see you are questioning my seriousness, but I am quite serious.” Vincent reached for Avery’s carotid and caressed it with his thumb. “Bite her, now!”
Vincent’s face turned more devious as he challenged Sol to try to defy him. I saw the struggle within him as he wrestled with the command of our lunatic host. He was sickened by the thought of harming this young girl we were here to rescue, but also feared the certain addiction of her blood, as promised by Jenn.
I waited for his response for an eternity before he silently walked toward her, as only a predator like us could, and slowly lifted her wrist toward his mouth. I knew in this moment that he was freely sacrificing himself to save this girl and I couldn’t say that I would do the same. Not only was he was giving up years of sobriety for her; he was exposing himself to the powerful addiction of her blood.
Just before Solomon was about to take her wrist to his mouth, Vincent stopped him and I breathed a sigh of relief until he added, “No, not like that. Stand up, Avery.” Vincent took her hand when she stood and led her to a huge gothic mirror on the wall. “Come join us, Phillip.”
My stomach lurched when I realized he was not finished with Sol and there was more to this evil game of his.
Solomon followed the two and then said, “I don’t know what it is you want from me.”
“Stand here, behind her,” he directed and Solomon took his place behind Avery and looked to Vincent for further directions. “I want her to watch you in the mirror as you drink from her neck.”
My heart went out to Sol as I watched his eyes move to Avery’s. Given no choice, he placed his hand on the blonde curls cascading over her neck and pushed them away. He watched her eyes in the reflection of the mirror and I almost thought I heard him whisper, “I’m sorry,” for what he was about to do to her.
Sol’s incisors lengthened as he lowered his eyes and found the spot he once found so familiar. He quickly pierced Avery’s flesh and a low groan escaped her mouth as her lips pulled away from her teeth as she grimaced with pain. He sucked lightly, trying to be gentle with her, while he waited for Vincent’s permission to stop.
A full minute must have passed and then I heard Vincent say, “Enough,” granting Sol permission to release Avery. He began to clap his hands and said, “That was marvelous. Let the party continue. We have many hours yet, until dawn. Please, enjoy yourselves.”
Solomon released Avery and turned her around to inspect his bite on her neck. He leaned forward and ran his tongue along the site where blood oozed and covered her bite with his coagulant to stop the bleeding. He took her face with his palms and looked deeply into her eyes. I hadn’t known Solomon to use his persuasion in years, but I knew his intentions as he said, “Avery, when you wake in the morning, you will not remember this incident. Your neck will be sore and you will believe it is from sleeping in an uncomfortable position. Do you understand?”
She stared back into his eyes and whispered, “I do.”
Sol took one last look at her and turned, leaving her standing with her guards staring after him. When he returned to my side, I didn’t say a word about what had just happened, but I knew he and I had the same thing on our minds. What was Avery’s blood going to do to him?
18 Someone Say They Need A Hero?
Avery returned to sit on her throne and it was painful for Sol to look at her, so he tried to avoid her, but occasionally his eyes betrayed hi
m and he looked in her direction to verify that his actions had not harmed the girl. Avery seemed to be fighting the same inner battle because I would catch her searching the room and her eyes always seemed to focus in on Sol.
As the next hour ticked by slowly and we watched the guards escort Avery toward the back of the house. As she rounded the corner, she turned for one last look at Sol before a guard gave her an unnecessary shove, causing her to stumble. Sol leapt to break her fall, but she was able to recover on her own and he stepped back, thinking better of his move to approach a Blood Jewel with armed guards.
We didn’t discuss the incident between Sol and Avery, but we began to notice the peculiar behavior displayed by our hosts and other guests. Their strange drunkenness seemed to increase as the minutes stretched into an hour and we waited for the dreaded effects of Avery’s blood to attack Sol.
Sol was anxious and ready to jump out of his own skin by the time the second hour came after consuming Avery’s blood. “Ugh! These drunken fools are driving me crazy. I feel fine for the time being, but I know it’s only a matter of time before I space out, so it’s probably time I left. I can’t be positive I’ll be able to control myself once this thing hits and I can’t bear the thought of hurting that girl again. Everything is up to you from this point.”
I nodded in agreement and then watched Sol leave through the front door without looking back to meet Gia, his getaway driver. The guests began to thin as they sought dark resting places for the day and for passing out. Gloriana appeared at my side, still in a drunken stupor and said, “I knew you wouldn’t find a resting place without me.”
I played my part well, pretending to be under the influence of the Blood Jewel, and seductively said, “Who says we have to find a resting place?” As the words left my mouth, I fought the bile threatening to spew behind them.
She peered at me through her squinted, intoxicated eyes and smiled. “My thoughts exactly. Dawn approaches soon, so why don’t you join me in my bedroom?” Her hand grazed my arm and I consciously forced myself to not recoil because this was my chance to explore the house in search of the girl.