“We can and do partake in food and drink. The problem is that our metabolisms are too fast to be able to consume sufficient human nutrients to survive. For whatever reason, blood slows down our metabolic rate. We need to drink every few days. Also, animal blood doesn’t work, it has to be vampire or human blood.”
“Oh, so Brant will have no choice but to go back to her?” The thought of him with the full-of-it brunette stung still. It was just so unimaginable to her how she could so quickly feel attached to him, in a way that made her feel so much animosity towards the other woman. Confused, she tossed around the idea of leaving again. After all, there had to be another way to save the vampire race. She couldn’t be the only answer for them. Maybe there was a way for Brant to choose again? The idea hurt so badly, that she knew it was pointless to continue these thoughts. Just thinking about it hurt like a paper cut to the eye ball.
“He won’t drink from you?” Stephany sounded surprised.
“No, he says it’s too risky, that I would be in danger.”
The blonde remained silent for a time. She seemed to be contemplating something.
“What?” It stung that the Stephany didn’t want to confide in her any more, although she couldn’t blame her.
She pursed her lips, turning her sea blue eyes on Tanya. “I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He will have to drink from you sooner or later. Be patient and do not let Alexandra get to you. She can be a bitch.”
Tanya laughed, feeling a ton better.
“By the way, we’re going out this evening,” Stephany winked. “Brant wants his people to see the future queen. I’m sure he wants to show you off. I’ll come back later to help you get ready.”
Tanya smiled back. Even though she knew it was pointless, her mind turned back to thoughts of escape again. If they were going to town, then there might be an opportunity. The real problem was that if the time came, she wasn’t sure she could really do it.
****
Stephany’s dress glittered under the street light. “Please remember, our drinks are pretty much neat alcohol. Be sure to ask the bartender for something human.”
She gasped, “Are you telling me that we’re going to a vampire club?”
Stephany laughed, “Of course silly. Very few humans have been permitted to cross the threshold. It’s Brant’s club. Aorta does extremely well, even members of Zane’s coven sneak in on a regular basis.”
“Doesn’t it cause trouble? Fights I mean.”
“Nah. Nowadays the beef mainly exists between the kings. They seem to think the hatred between each other is just as bad between the covens. In reality, we get along just fine with more than our fair share of cross matings.” Tiny diamonds twinkled at the vampire’s ears.
“Cross mating huh? I’ll bet.” She could just imagine. “What happened to cause the original feud?”
Stephany’s eyes narrowed. “Oh no. Brant can tell you but make sure you catch him in a good mood. He hates to talk about Zane on the best of days.”
Zane, an image of the ultra sexy, extra mean vampire came to mind. Dark, haunting eyes. Broad, muscled shoulders. Meaty thighs encased in soft leather. Her heart shouldn’t beat faster, but it did. He scared her shitless. So it was a perfectly normal reaction. Right?
A long crimson rug stretched out from an abnormally high door. There was a queue halfway down the block. Mostly comprising of skimpily dressed women. Tanya looked down at her own attire. Stephany had been quite the busy bee. While Tanya had an afternoon nap, Stephany had gone shopping on her behalf.
She’d picked up many outfits, from sun dresses to cocktail gowns and everything in-between. There had even been a few sets of sexy lingerie, and in all the right sizes.
This dress must have cost more than everything in her own closet combined. The black fabric fit her like it had been tailored to her frame. Normally she would never have had the guts to attempt to pull off something so daring, but Stephany had assured her that it looked perfect. The neckline dipped low in a scoop that accentuated her breasts. The figure hugging fabric topped mid-thigh. At least she had descent legs and the dress sufficiently hid her curvy hips and thighs. High stiletto heels completed the outfit. Due to her height, Tanya had never wore heels and had to grip Stephany’s arm for support. She had to admit though that they looked really good on her. Making her legs look longer and leaner than they really were.
Large golden hoops hung from her ears. They were heavy. Tanya was beginning to suspect that they were real. She’d have to be extra careful with them. She wouldn’t have worn them if they hadn’t looked so darned good on her.