“Met the sun, eh?”
“Yes.”
She meets my eyes. “But before, when you were together, you had sex with him?”
“Uh, yes.” A chill goes through me despite the relative warmth of the room.
“Good.” The woman gives a throaty laugh. “We don’t require it of our donors, but you’ll have the option. It’s a benefit that you understand what you’re getting yourself into. Vampires aren’t known for being soft and sweet with their meals.”
My time with Damien flashes through my head. I will never agree to sex with anyone else, but she doesn’t need to know that. “No. Definitely not.”
“All right. You can go. I’ll let you know when I make my decision.” She turns her attention to the woman waiting behind me.
I clear my throat. “One more thing,” I blurt. I have to make her choose me. “My blood is special.”
Marabella turns her attention back to me slowly, her lip curled in annoyance. “Is that what he told you, sweetheart? Everyone’s blood is special when one of ’em wants at your neck.” She gestures for me to step aside.
I lower my voice. “Um, no. I mean I met a vampire when I was in Chicago named Cassius. He’s the one who told me.”
Now I have her attention. Cassius didn’t give me permission to use his name, but I assume his recommendation of Marabella’s was based on personal experience, and no woman would easily forget a man like him. “You’ve known Cassius, have you?” She gives me another once-over.
I nod. “He’s a friend. Actually, he’s the reason I’m here. He said Marabella’s was the best and I should seek you out personally.”
She taps her clipboard. “And he told you to tell me your blood was special?”
“Yes. Unusual. Rare, he said.”
With a lick of her bottom lip, she motions to a bored-looking man standing in the corner. As soon as he moves, I know he’s a vampire. He’s too quick to be human.
“We’re in need of a taster, Perceval. If you please.” She motions to me.
I hold my arm out toward the vampire, wrist up. His oversized amber eyes spark with a sudden curiosity, and he lowers his nose to my vein. I feel air brush my wrist as he inhales. I’m careful not to flinch when he strikes. The bite isn’t deep. Just a nip at first. But as the first drops hit his tongue, I feel his fangs drive deeper and his mouth seal over the wound. I can’t restrain my gasp no matter how much I want to appear an experienced donor in front of Marabella. Perceval is taking a lot of blood, fast. He draws my arm closer to him, cradling it from wrist to elbow. I have no choice but to stumble forward until I’m flush against his side.
A silver blade sings through the air and presses into Perceval’s throat with a sizzle. A bead of blood forms on its edge.
“Let her go,” Marabella demands.
The vampire stops drinking and seals the wound with one last languid lick. The silver has left a burn under his Adam’s apple, but he does not release his hold on my arm.
Marabella grips the handle of the blade tighter. “I said a taste, Perceval. If you ever want to grace my halls again, you’ll leave it at that.”
He reaches out and brushes a strand of my hair out of my eyes. “I’ll buy her,” he declares. “I want her for myself. I’ll pay you anything you ask.”
Marabella grabs my hand and pulls me behind her, that heady laugh filling the air. “Buzz off. You don’t have the coin for what she’s worth. If you want another go at her, you’ll need to wait until she starts work.”
My heart leaps in my chest, pounding hopefully at the promise in her words. Perceval backs away, but not before I notice the bulge in his jeans. He’s hard and still looking at me like he might consider murdering Marabella to get to me.
The madam scowls, her eyes flicking from his crotch to his still-extended fangs. The silver blade is still in her hand, and she doesn’t lower it. Another vampire moves in from a neighboring table and stares Perceval down. He slinks back to his corner.
Marabella turns to me, her face transforming to pure happiness as she tucks the knife away. “Eloise, I’m pleased to offer you a position at Marabella’s, effective immediately.”
“I accept.” I have to stop myself from squealing.
The next girl in line releases a disappointed grunt, but Marabella ignores her. “Grab your bag and wait over there. She points to the queue forming at the back of the room near the red door. I roll my little bag to the back of the line, feeling Perceval’s gaze on me. Every time I glance his way, he’s still staring.
“Damn, your blood must be the bomb.” Olivia steps into line behind me.
I shrug, not wanting to draw attention to myself. “I guess.”
