Corrupt Cravings (3 page)

“Tell me, my queen, do you feel any connection to us as past lovers?”

Trying her best to focus on his words, she searched her scattered brain for a memory or vision, but still she stayed blocked. “Not lovers.” The sound came out more as a moan than a response. Pressure gripped her ankle and jerked her forward. Fingers inched up her leg, pushing the dress up as he leaned toward her. Breathing became almost impossible with the searing currents pulsing to her clit.

“No, we never got that pleasure. Now, if you want to change that, just say the words. You know how long I’ve wanted you. Let me make you mine, once and for all.”

“Yours?” The word gave her enough strength to pull away from him. Why, when he had said that, did she grow angry? So much meaning was wrapped up in his words. Mine. Yes, with that response came such a deep-rooted rage.

A loud laugh filled the room. “You’re very smart. I won’t share you. I’ve already told you that once before. It’s the reason you’ll see no memories. You’ve always refused to give up your men, just as I know you will not free yourself of them now.”

Even the thought of letting them go caused enough sensation to stir her collector. Cobwebs circled her ankles, barely catching her attention. The realization of a change brought her irritation to a crashing halt.

“You’re right. I won’t give them up. Ever.”

Something flickered over his face but vanished instantly. “I didn’t think so. Is there anything else, or am I free to go?”

“You should know I leave tonight. I’m going to Donavon.”

“I trust your men to protect you well. Everything will be fine.”

“They’re not going. My mind tells me to go alone. Marcianna tells me.”

Samael paused midway while getting off the bed. “Are you sure it is she who tells you? What if you’re confused?”

“No, I feel this. I must go alone, but I need you to take me to the dungeon later this afternoon. I must release my demon before I go. She’s the last person I want showing up. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone, but I won’t risk anyone’s safety.”

“Of course. I’ll be back later. My queen.”

Samael bowed and then vanished, leaving Marcella alone. Clearing her head, she opened the door and headed down the stairs. Everyone should be ready for the meeting, and she couldn’t get over the nervousness she felt. Yeah, they had spent the last week
hanging out
, but as for the meetings, that had only happened once before. It was when they first arrived. She had explained why she had killed Gwendolyn, and that was basically it. The vampires still needed to be shown what she could do. It was also imperative for them to know that she needed them as much as they needed her.

Noise and laughter flowed heavily from the great hall. Upon her arrival, everyone grew silent. Anxiety hit full force.
Deep breaths. Just look forward and sit down. Jason!
Marcella used their connection to speak to him in her mind.

“What’s wrong, babe? You okay?”

“Not really. I hate this.”

Marcella looked over at him as he followed Dominic and Ambrose to the chairs next to her throne. Since her and her other half found out they could communicate if in close distance, she took every opportunity to share her feelings with her boyfriend.

“You never did like being the center of attention, but you’re going to be their queen. They need to see you in action as an authority figure.”
He paused.
“They need to fall in love with you, Marcy. Something that’s going to be impossible with you leaving.”

Giving him a quick look, she took her place. “Thank you for all coming. I’ve called this meeting because Ambrose has informed me you were all told why I need you. For those of you who have a desire to place your soul in good hands, I ask that you give me the chance to prove myself.

“Most of you, I understand, believe your soul to be damned or not exist at all. Some of you even think that since you’re immortal, you don’t need it. I want to show you how wrong you are.”

Marcella walked to the front of the group. A guy in his early twenties looked down at her nervously. His green vampire eyes grew wide as she placed her hand over his heart. Brown hair fell forward as he looked down at the contact.

“Your heart beats extremely slowly, but it beats, true?”

“Yes,” his voice answered shakily.

“And it is possible that you can die. Am I right?”

He hesitated and shot his eyes to Ambrose. “She’s not going to kill me, is she? I really don’t want to be a guinea pig to some experiment.”

“No, she’s not going to hurt you,” Ambrose answered calmly.

“Yes, I can die.” His gaze came back to her face, and she let the pressure of her change make its way up her body. Gasps echoed through the large stone expanse as she looked around.

“How did you do that? You’re not a vampire.”

“I want you to calm yourself. No, I am not one of you, but as a collector, I can turn into any supernatural creature that exists.”

Hypnotizing him with her powers, she watched his face become void of any expression. “You will not fear me. I mean you no harm. The only reason I became a vampire was so you could see that I can change form, and, of course, to calm you.” Marcella broke the spell and watched as the nervousness left his body.

“I’m going to turn back into a collector now. I want to show you something else.” At mentioning the words, she could feel her true self take over. When gold blurred across her vision, she blinked to bring everything back into focus.

“You have a soul. Would you like to feel it?”

The vampire looked around at the surrounding crowd, and then turned his attention back to her. “Yes. Please.”

A few people stepped back while her hands rose up to cup his pale cheeks. “Kiss me.” Marcella whispered the words and watched while he didn’t hesitate. He lowered and gently placed his lips against hers. Coaxing his mouth to part, she kept her eyes open to watch his reaction. An instant tug jerked against her stomach to what lingered deep within. Information and images poured through her mind’s eye, momentarily blinding her from seeing his face.

Within seconds, she knew his life’s history. She also didn’t miss how large his stare had become since regaining her vision. Leaving his soul and breaking their contact, she took a step back.

“Your name is Joshua David Mathis. You’re eighty-one years old, and you have been a very naughty boy.” Marcella tried not to laugh as she saw him blush bright red. “You were born in California but didn’t become a vampire until you came to Texas. You were twenty-two when you were turned. Did you feel the connection I had to your soul?”

Long fingers rubbed his stomach. “Yes. It was like I had butterflies.”

Nodding, Marcella walked back to her throne. “You see, your souls are still deep within you. When you all were changed, you severed the tie to choose your eternal resting place. I can be your link. If you let me store your souls, I promise to keep true to where you belong. You have to know that if you decline to have a collector care for you, you’ll remain stuck in the place you die. I promise it’s not something you want.” She paused. “There is just one thing I ask of you.”

Taking in the mass of their reactions, she took a deep breath. It was time to drop the bombshell. “If I fight to keep you safe, you fight to protect me.”

Murmuring erupted in the great hall as they talked amongst each other. Raising her hand, they became silent once again. “You do not have to make a decision today, but be aware there is one to make.

“Now, for the next thing I want to speak about. Most of you know I’m missing one of my knights. With thanks to one of you, we’ve possibly located him. I’ll be leaving you with Ambrose, Dominic, and Jason. I ask that you please listen to what they say. You are used to Ambrose being your leader, and he will remain so. Are there any questions?”

“How are we supposed to trust you?”

A dark haired vampire’s hand was raised. Inwardly, Marcella groaned. Weeks ago, when she’d been looking for Ambrose, this exact guy denied ever knowing him. The last night she arrived at the club, he tried to convince her to leave with him for the information. She’d been beyond unpleasant, but then again, so had he.

“Come closer”

“Sebastian.” He quickly pushed through the people to make his way to the front.

Marcella turned to look at Ambrose, shocked by the announcement of his name. “He’s the one who was below Gwen on the chain to take over from you?”

“Yes.”

Turning her gaze back to Sebastian, she grabbed the black silk material of her gown and walked toward him. The sound of her men standing from their chairs caused everyone in the room to shift. Slowing her advance, she gradually stopped and turned to look at her knights.

“Men, you may sit. Sebastian and I are not going to fight.”

They paused in nodding, but ultimately obeyed her orders. Turning back to the vampire, she continued her approach. “I don’t expect you to trust me, Sebastian. I’m a stranger and also someone who denied your advances for a one-night stand.”

“Now, wait one minute. I told you I would tell you about Ambrose. I never said anything about fucking. You did.”

Marcella narrowed her eyes angrily at his tone. “You said you wanted to take me home.”

“To tell you about Ambrose.”

“Well, if you ask me, giving over information about your master to a possible enemy can be considered betrayal. Treason. Is that what you were going to do?”

“Absolutely not! I meant to turn you in to him.”

“You could have done that the first night. Why wait a week? Either you were looking for sex or you were going to betray your master. Which is it?”

“You fucking bitch.” Sebastian lunged at her but didn’t make it an inch before she lifted him in the air using the room’s energy and immobilized him.

“It’s imperative all of you listen. If there’s one thing I won’t tolerate, it’s a liar. I don’t care what you did or what you think you might do. You always tell me the truth the first time or else I show no mercy. I love my people, and I treat them just as dearly as I would my own child, should I ever have one, but liars could get any of you killed, and I won’t stand for it. Not once.”

Marcianna surged through her body, leading her words. The pure acceptance was almost immediate. Marcella couldn’t do this on her own. She wasn’t ready, but Marcianna mysteriously knew just when to take control.

“Since all of you are new here, this will be the only time you will ever see me show mercy to a liar. You all must wonder how I know what his intentions were that night. It’s the same way I know the blonde woman, three persons over, is almost excited that I might be ending his life. There are things I just know. So I’m giving you the opportunity to vote. Does he live or die?
Your
lives depend on it. Is he trustworthy or not? Only you can decide.”

Walking back to her throne, Marcella turned to Ambrose. “What is your vote? Do you trust him?”

“I’ve never trusted him, but I think we need him.”

“But can I gain his trust? If I can’t learn to trust him, Ambrose, I’m not sure how I can let him live. God, I hate saying that, but I can’t risk any of your lives because he might be a good fighter.” The vampire master turned to look at the still-floating Sebastian. For endless minutes she waited for his response but didn’t get one.

The sound of a throat clearing brought her head around. The rate of her heart increased as Ben, the young vampire who knew of Donavon, stepped forward. The look on his face was one she couldn’t comprehend.

“We have come to a decision.”

Marcella stood, as did her men. “And what is your choice?”