Annie Nicholas: Bait

My legs became rubbery as Rurik brought me to him.

“Master.” Rurik bent down to one knee, offering up my hand. “I’ve brought you a gift.”

“A gift? Why Rurik, you shouldn’t have.” The master’s soft voice cut through all the background noise. His aura and presence made people hush to hear him speak.

He moved in closer and loomed over me. My eyes only came up to his massive chest, a buttoned up black leather vest barely contained it. His pale skin looked translucent, like it hadn’t seen the sun in a very, very long time. A black tribal tattoo wrapped around his bald head, down his neck, and disappeared under the vest. Misshapen pointed ears sported a set of gold loop earrings.

I glanced into his black soulless eyes. Where Rurik made me think all kinds of naughty things, his master made me think all kinds of dreadful things. Most vampires could pass for human with some effort. Not him. I doubted he could ever blend in.

“I’ve never been courted by a man, Rurik. Then again, times have changed.”

The surrounding vampires laughed.

Rurik’s eyes narrowed but a slick politician’s smile camouflaged his face. He gave a little laugh and nod but I stood close enough to hear him grind his teeth.

His master signaled for him to stand up. “Of all my Lords, you’re the last I expected to offer such a gift.”

“I know my duties, Master Dragos. If you don’t like her then Mistress Elizabeth has asked for her.”

I twisted and stared daggers at him. Even I understood Lizzy’s relationship with this vampire was on the rocks. Why bring her up and piss him off?

Dragos frowned.

Then I realized Rurik’s intention. Dragos probably wouldn’t give me to Lizzy now that he knew she’d asked for me. Such a clever, devious vampire my quarry showed himself to be.

Rurik held himself with confidence against these hardened men. Where he was refined and sleek, they were coarse and frightening, like a panther confronting a pack of wolves. Yet they were both predators.

Then it dawned on me that Rurik had called Dragos, Master. I didn’t know a city’s lord could have a master. I’d been taught the cities were independent of each other, like little vampire countries. Unless this Master just took over Budapest. But that couldn’t be it. Rurik still wore the ring. When he spoke of a governing body earlier I thought he meant just Budapest.

What a horrifying theory. Colby really needed this information but my own incompetence had me trapped. It irked me to be so dependent on their rescue. I’d been in an emotional coma for the past year and never cared to accept Colby’s offer to help me master some combat moves. In hindsight, it seemed somewhat suicidal, considering my job description. This experience defibrillated me of my indifference—I wanted to live.

Dragos paced around me. His eyes travelled up my legs, over my hips, and hesitated at my breasts, before glancing at my face. He examined me like a mare. He stepped close to touch my skin, my curls, then brought his face down to smell them.

“Lavender.” His comment sent a jolt of surprise through me. It was my favorite scent to wear. He entwined his fingers with mine and drew me closer.

Rurik held me tight for a moment before he let me go. “Her name is Rabbit.” He observed the surrounding men and I followed his gaze. Some were longhaired, some short, some bulky, some lean—they all looked like fighters. Among all this brawn, I felt very small and fragile, but I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of knowing it.

I ignored a quiver in my chest. There would be no crying, maybe some screaming, definitely no crying. I’d done all the crying I was ever going to do in the past year.

Creatures such as vampires liked to hunt the frail and weak. They probably smelled my fear. I couldn’t help being frail but I’d make them think twice before they thought I was weak.

Movement behind Master Dragos caught my attention. Someone else came up to inspect me. He resembled Dragos more than the others with his bald head and very pale skin. He also had pointed ears and bore a similar tattoo on his neck that extended down under his torn red t-shirt. He and Dragos seemed more monster than men.

Dragos didn’t even turn to see who approached. “What do you think, Tane?”

“I think slick and sneaky Rurik plays at politics too much of late, and forgets to tend to his own.” He looked from me back to Dragos. “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts, Master.”

“We’ve come to Budapest to make peace, Tane. To settle our differences.” He glanced at Rurik. “I like her and I accept your gracious gift.” He pressed me against his broad chest then stroked my hair. His finger entwined in my curls and he gently pulled my head back to examine my face. The pounding of my heart deafened me. It thumped hard against my ribcage in response to his cold touch. Long, sharp nails scraped my scalp as his fist tightened.

I usually dealt with small time vampires, like rogues or gang members, nothing at this level of power. It was like a rookie cop dealing with the mob boss.

I was speechless—I didn’t know what to say to my worst nightmare. ‘Please don’t eat me, ’ came to mind.

He smiled then said something in what sounded like Hungarian.

I tried to shake my head. “English?”

His eyes widened. “American? I assumed you were Hungarian all this time.” He looked at Rurik. “I wondered why you spoke in English.”

Tane stepped up quickly and whispered to the master. “She’s heard too much, she should be destroyed. Feed from her and be done with it.”

I tensed reflexively when I overheard. Struggling was useless, it was like going against Superman, but I couldn’t stop my reaction.

Dragos shushed me by placing a finger across my lips and released my hair. He twisted to face Tane. “You’re scaring my pet. When did you start fearing ... rabbits?”

Tane bowed his head and stepped away.

His smile grew into a grin. Sharp fangs glistened in the pale light as he returned to me. “I remember you from the hot springs on Margaret Island last night. Your presence is hard to forget.” The Master cocked his head. “You’re far from home.”

No shit. I clenched my hands into fists, digging my nails into my palms. The pain drove back the sob that waited in my throat. “I’m on vacation.” I still felt lightheaded from whatever Rurik put in my drink but it could be from fear as well.

“Budapest in spring is quite lovely. Are you enjoying yourself?”

The surreal conversation made my head spin more. “I wanted more adventure in my life.”

“I think you’ve found it.” He traced the edge of my dress ’ neckline. The smooth, icy sensation of his fingertips as they ran along my bosom reminded me of marble. It made me squirm with unease.

“Do you know how to dance, Rabbit?”

“A little.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, I could move to a beat. Rhythm lived in my bones but nothing trained or classical.

He released his hold on me and gripped my hand to lead me away from my so-called ‘protection’.

I looked back at Rurik and he watched us with a scowl. Slick bastard turned the table on me so effortlessly—I’d gone from being bait, to being trapped. I wasn’t the only one giving him the eye, Tane stood to the side observing him as well. I understood completely. Rurik was a clever, devious, jerk who better keep his end of the bargain and protect me. What could I possibly do if he didn’t? Sue him?

We continued moving further away from the entrance. The crowd parted and kept their eyes on us as we moved. Tension filled the air as we passed Rurik’s people. I could see fear in their eyes. They weren’t alone. It was probably visible in mine, too.