Forbidden Blood: A House of Comarré Novella (3 page)

Chapter Four

M
arissa inhaled, trying to buy time. Instead she succeeded only in breathing in Dominic’s dark spicy scent and further discombobulating herself. He’d said the word
freedom
. Was that the sign she’d asked for? Nothing about him meshed with anything she’d come to expect from a vampire. “I belong to another. And what you ask is against comarré rules. You know that.”

“And I don’t care. As I told you, my house, my rules.” Suddenly, he backed out of her path and held his hands up. “I do not wish to make you uncomfortable and I see that I have. Go to bed, Marissa. We have much ahead of us tomorrow evening.” He turned to go.

“Wait.” Why she’d said that, she didn’t know, but she wasn’t ready for him to leave her. Not yet. Not with her emotions a jumbled mess and the possibility of escape so close.
Liar
. Escape was the last thing on her mind.

“
Si
?” He faced her, his eyes flecked with silver and his body tensed. There was no question he felt something, too, just…what?

She didn’t know how to ask him to explain what he was doing, not without sounding foolish, so she changed the subject. “What time should I be ready for you?”

His eyes flashed completely silver, then went back to mossy green. “As soon as the sun sets, come to my laboratory. A servant can direct you.”

But that wasn’t really the question she wanted answered. She found her tongue. “What exactly is Arnaud paying you to do to me?”

Dominic hesitated.

“I have the right to know.”

“
Si
, you do.” He sighed. “I did not wish to discuss this now, but I will not withhold the truth from you, either. He wishes me to alter your blood.”

“Alter it? Isn’t it good enough the way it is?” The thought of undergoing such a thing doubled her with fear and hatred for Arnaud. She was truly nothing to him but a possession.

“He wants your blood to make him impervious to sunlight.”

“That’s impossible. And if you somehow accomplish it, you will relegate every other comarré to the same procedure.” She ground her teeth as her anger grew. “That pompous fool, he wants too much, thinks too little—” The realization that she’d just spoken her thoughts aloud stopped her abruptly. Her strength drained from her. She collapsed back into her chair. “Please, I beg you, forget I said those things.”

Dominic pulled out the chair next to hers and sat. His knees brushed hers. “Arnaud is everything you said and worse. I am sorry for what I must do, but I have no choice.”

She frowned. “Of course you have a choice. Refuse his money.”

“He isn’t paying me. He has forced my hand by obtaining information about me that, if revealed, would ruin me.”

She stared at him. Why would Dominic willingly share such facts with her? “He’s blackmailing you?”

“
Si
.” He smiled weakly. “And now you are wondering what I have done.”

Her mind raced. “No, I—”

“It’s all right. I would be wondering myself. I can assure you, I did nothing that wasn’t wanted, nothing that caused anyone trouble. But it was enough that should Arnaud wish it, he could destroy me.”

He seemed so genuine she couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him. But he was still a vampire and she’d known enough of them to know they couldn’t be trusted, no matter what her instincts said about him. “So you will destroy me instead.”

“Marissa, I give you my word, I will do nothing to harm you.”

Without thinking, she snorted softly. “Your word?”

He rested one arm over the back of the chair. “Because I am a vampire, my word is no good?”

“Would you trust a vampire if you were me?”

His smile spread slowly. “Excellent point. How do I convince you otherwise?”

She didn’t return his smile. “Find another way to give Arnaud what he wants.”

“I intend to, but I am an alchemist, not a magician.”

“Then how can I trust you? I can’t.” She stood and started past him. She’d find her room on her own. If she even stayed the night. Running seemed more and more like her only way out.

His fingers wrapped around her arm. “Sit.” The gravity in his voice hadn’t been present before. “I will tell you the crimes Arnaud holds over my head.”

She went back to her seat. “You would do that?”

“It will earn your trust, no?”

“Why do you care if I trust you?”

His brows furrowed. “You ask much of me. So much explaining.” He shook his head. “I do not wish to spend four weeks with an angry woman. And I like the”—he waved his hand between them as he seemingly searched for words—“the easiness of speaking to you. Catarina does not want conversation with me. Or much else, for that matter.”

“Why is she like that with you?” A comarré was supposed to provide companionship if her patron desired it.

“Aren’t most comarré that way? Keeping to themselves when possible? I just assumed it was your way.”

“Not if their patron wishes otherwise. If you don’t drink from the vein, how does Catarina maintain her youthfulness and her stamina? You know the bite works both ways.”

“I said I rarely drink from the vein, not never.”

“I see.” She nodded, wondering if Dominic had done something to Catarina or if Catarina just didn’t appreciate the patron she had in Dominic.

“I like drinking from the vein very much.” His gaze flickered over her throat. “Do not mistake that.”

She leaned back, raising her chin enough to give him a little more to stare at. “So, these crimes of yours. What are they?”

He rested his face against his hand and stared directly into her eyes. “I am a killer.”

“You’re a vampire. That comes with the position.”

He inched closer and planted his elbows on his knees. The twinkle in his eye was unmistakably devilish. “
Si
, but I kill other vampires.”

She straightened. “You’re
caedo
?” The word was rarely spoken aloud, but all knew and understood the role of the
caedo
. Even vampires needed assassins once in a while.

A barking laugh answered her. “
Mamma mia
, no! But I am honored you think me that dangerous.”

“Then explain.” She felt far too comfortable around him, despite what he’d just confessed. Or perhaps because of it. A vampire who killed other vampires? Exactly just how different was he from the rest of the nobility?

“There are those among us who grow weary of eternity. Those who lack the will to face the sun. I provide a gentler alternative. No pain, just one last, final daysleep.”

“But it’s still breaking the rule all vampires live by.”

“Thou shall not kill your brethren.” He nodded. “With this information, Arnaud could cause me to become anathema. Or worse.”

“So you either do what he tells you to do—”

“At your expense,” Dominic interjected.

“Or lose everything.”

He nodded. “Now you understand my dilemma.”

“I do. And I thank you for sharing it with me. I will not betray that trust. And I believe that you are worthy of trusting as well.” She canted her head at him. “You are unlike any vampire I have ever known.”

He smiled broadly. “Imagine what you’ll think of me in a few more days.” He stood and held out his hand to her. “It’s late. I’ve kept you up too long. I’ll show you to your room.”

She took his hand and let him help her up, but then pointed to the untouched goblet of blood, now congealed. “I’m afraid I’ve ruined your dinner. Catarina will not be pleased.”

“Catarina will never know.” He pushed both chairs in before offering her his arm.

She looped her arm through the crook of his elbow, every moment becoming more surreal. “Are you like this with all your guests?”

“Like what?” he asked as they headed down the hall.

“So…accommodating.”

“I never have guests, but if I did and they were as beautiful and charming as you, I guess I would be.”

“There you go again.” She tried not to focus on the way his hip subtly brushed hers, how the breadth of his body accentuated the slenderness of hers. How being this close amplified how very male he was. “Being accommodating.”

He stopped and the first thought was that he would try to kiss her again and how this time she might not refuse him. “Your room.”

“What?” She blinked, trying to parse out what he’d said.

He released her arm and opened the door before them. “Your room. If anything isn’t to your liking, please let me know.”

She didn’t take her gaze from his face. “I’m sure it’s fine.”

“Until this evening, then.” And with that, he was gone.

Chapter Five

“
S
ciocco
,” Dominic muttered to himself as he entered his suite. He’d been a fool in more ways than one this morning. He’d let Marissa’s beauty and intelligence sway him into revealing far more than was prudent. He’d let his desires get the best of him. He’d been without willing companionship for so long that the smallest encouragement from her and he’d become a blathering loon with the libido of a schoolboy.

He’d even been so distracted he’d ignored an entire goblet of blood. Now he would face the coming night hungry. And that meant he’d be even more vulnerable to Marissa’s charms.

He threw his suit jacket onto a chair. His valet rushed forward to retrieve it. Dominic waved the man off. “Leave it until this evening. I wish to be alone.”

“Yes, my lord.” The man ducked out.

Impatient with the buttons of his shirt, Dominic tore it off and added it to the pile. The rest of his clothes followed. He tugged on a pair of silk pajama pants, then headed for his bed. He stopped as he passed a floor-length mirror. The gold backing meant he’d see whatever face he wished, human or vampire. Tonight, both sides had betrayed him.

He stared at his reflection, scowling. “You chose this life. And now one woman makes you question it? A woman who belongs to another? A woman who could be your undoing? She would laugh if she knew your thoughts.” Or would she? Marissa made it plain her life with Arnaud was less than ideal. He growled at his image. “Travel and lack of blood has muddled your brain.”

He stalked to the bed, got under the linens, and stared into the silk canopy draped from its four posters. How was he going to appease Arnaud without hurting Marissa? Nothing he’d done in the past gave him any answers. Even alchemy had its limitations.

His choices in this were narrow. Do as Arnaud commanded, or spare Marissa. Both had consequences. If Dominic succeeded in this task for Arnaud, the man would never leave him alone. Nor would any other vampire who heard of it. Spending his life turning vampires into daywalkers held no appeal. He knew his kind could be monsters. He still had
familia
in the world, generations removed, but blood was blood. He felt duty bound to protect them from what he’d become as much as he felt duty bound to protect Marissa from harm.

But sparing her meant his days as nobility would end. Arnaud did not make empty threats. He’d expose Dominic without compunction. Once that happened, Dominic would have little time to flee, leaving behind everything he’d worked so hard for. Or worse, if they captured him, they’d turn him to ash.

No matter how much life was behind him, he wasn’t ready to give up his future so quickly. Not when he’d just remembered how enjoyable the company of the right female could be.

Daysleep closed in as the potion he’d taken wore off. Perhaps the twilight would bring him an answer. But even as his eyes closed, he knew what lay ahead would change his life forever.

Evening brought him no solutions, so as he did most nights, he secluded himself in his laboratory and went to work while he awaited Marissa’s arrival. She didn’t keep him waiting long.

His head lifted from his tools at her entrance. “
Buona sera
. I trust you slept well?”

She nodded and greeted him with a weak smile. “As well as I could knowing what I’m here for.” She closed the door behind her and leaned against it. “I don’t blame you for it, you know. You are as much a pawn in this game as I am.”

“I appreciate your understanding. You would be well within your rights to be cross with me.”

She laughed, a sad sound very different from the one he’d first heard on the plane. “I am a comarré. I have very few rights.”

He put his things down and moved away from his workbench. There was little he could say that would make her feel better. Instead, he fell back on his heritage. “Would you care for an espresso? I don’t drink it, but I still enjoy the smell.” He smiled. “That must seem foolish to you.”

“No, not at all.” She came toward him, her gaze flitting from the overflowing shelves to the stuffed-until-they-could-barely-close cabinets. His laboratory must look like a junk shop to her. “I imagine there are a great many things you must miss. Thank you for the offer of espresso, but I’m still full from breakfast. I’d rather we just get on with whatever it is you intend to do.” She raised her brows as she leaned against his workbench and gave him an intimately appraising look. “What
do
you intend to do? Did you come up with a plan?”

“At the moment, the only plan I can think of is trying to introduce my existing daywalking serum into your bloodstream. There will be testing required, but it should give Arnaud the desired effect. It won’t last, of course, so the next time he attempts to breach the day, he’ll be in for a shock.”

She frowned. “He’ll be furious with you.”

He shrugged. “I’ve already told him what he wants is impossible. If he calls me back, I’ll simply tell him I’ve done everything I can.”

“And then he’ll turn you in to the Council of Dominus.”

Dominic arranged a few things on his bench, trying to focus on something else. “I will deal with that when it happens.”

He stopped moving when her hand alighted on his arm. Her burnt-sugar scent rolled over him, making his body tighten and his gums ache. She tipped her head toward him. “You’re putting yourself in danger for me.”

The softness of her voice combined with the warmth of her touch and his growing hunger made it impossible for him to think. “
Si
. No. I mean…” He pulled away from her, his face shifting from human to vampire. “You have me at a disadvantage.”

“Because I ruined your dinner. Should I get Catarina?”

“No.” He turned abruptly.

Marissa made a derogatory sound. “You need blood. That’s her job. If she’s not doing it, you can return her to her house and pick another.”

“I didn’t buy her blood rights. I inherited them.” He was glad for the distraction. “Her former patron was one of my clients.”

“One that you killed?”

“One I
assisted
in ending his life. He included her blood rights as part of our contract.” He sighed, remembering the transaction. He’d thought it such a good idea at the time. “Things were fine between us at first, but when she realized that I was not going to dote on her like her previous patron, showering her with gifts and taking her on every trip, she soured toward me.”

Marissa pursed her mouth. “You don’t venture out much, I take it?”

“No more than I need to. And now that my reputation has grown, I go out very little. I prefer my clients come to me. Saves me time.”

She lifted her hands and looked around. “You prefer this space to the ballrooms of the nobility?”

He raised his head. “I do. Does that make me boring?”

She smirked. “Maybe. But I don’t care for them much myself, either.” She nodded at the array of tools before him. “Do you want me to leave you alone now?”

“No. I need you here, at least for a little while.” He tapped one of the syringes. “I need a sample of your blood.” He cleared the notebooks off the top of a nearby stool and pulled it closer to the bench. “Please, sit.”

She did, rolling back the sleeve of her white tunic and exposing her arm. The overhead lighting set her signum on fire.

He stared, transfixed. “Forgive me. I’ve never seen signum this closely before. They are beautiful, aren’t they?” He cradled her arm in his hands, turning her slightly to see the marks better and savoring the heat spilling off her delicate flesh. Every inch of her was a revelation. “Is there meaning behind them?”

“You ask questions I cannot answer.” She leaned closer, enough that her warmth radiated over him. “Would you tell me how to make your potions?”

He looked up from the gilding and met her elfin gaze directly. Was there anything he wouldn’t tell her if she asked the right questions? Each moment with her drew him deeper under her spell. “Which one would you like to learn first?”

She smiled slightly. “I still cannot answer you.” She rolled her arm in his hands, exposing her naked wrist.

Not a single signum marked the skin there, leaving the pale expanse as it had been the day she was born. He stroked his finger over the spot and instantly felt as though he’d touched a part of her he had no right to. “This is…”

She finished what he could not. “Where Arnaud bites me. Yes.”

Unfounded jealousy sprang up in Dominic. He had no license to such feelings and yet they swelled within him like wind filling a sail.

“Does that bother you?” she asked. “Thinking of Arnaud doing that to me?”

More than he cared to admit. Not that he would. He broke contact and picked up a syringe. “It doesn’t matter to me one way or the other. That is his business with you and certainly none of mine.”

“Then why did your eyes go silver?” She fiddled with a nearby pestle and mortar, rolling the pestle back and forth. “A vampire’s eyes turn when they feel emotion. I’ve never known one who could control it.”

This was not a conversation that would do either of them any good. He held up a length of rubber tubing. “I need your blood.”

She stretched out her arm, watching him so intently he wanted to ask her to stop. Instead, he tied off her arm and waited for the veins to rise. It didn’t take long. He took up the syringe. “You’ll feel a pinch.”

“I’ve felt worse.”

He slid the needle in. Blood spilled into the syringe’s chamber, unctuous and deep red. The imagined taste of it caused his fangs to punch through his gums. He had to feed soon or he was going to lose control around her. He stuck a bit of cotton wool on the site and slid the needle out.

“I barely felt that. You’re very gentle.” She bent her arm, keeping the cotton in place. “What now?”

His brain was so muddled by her blood scent he didn’t know if she was deliberately provoking him or not. He chose not to look at her. “Now I see how your blood reacts with one of my existing potions. If all goes well, I’ll inject you with it.”

“And then?”

“Then we see if it works.”

She slipped off the stool and stood very close to him. “How will you know?”

Slightly frustrated by all her questions, he growled softly. “If your blood makes me impervious to sunlight.”

She stared at him, completely unfazed by his snarling. An easy, wicked smile bent her mouth. “So tomorrow morning, then?”

“Yes.” What was she playing at? Confound it, he felt like he was missing something.

“I’ll see you then. I’ll be in my room if you need me.” Smile still firmly in place, she turned and left.

The moment the door shut behind her, the laboratory stopped closing in around him, but the air remained redolent with her. He collapsed onto the stool and let his lids drop. Breathing wasn’t necessary to know the sweetness of her scent or imagine how she would taste.

His lids shot open. How she would taste. Is that why she’d been coy and smiling? Tomorrow, when he tested the serum on her, did she expect him to bite her?

Mamma mia
, she must. In fact, she’d acted like she was looking forward to it.