Forever Touched (Touch of Vampire #5)

CHAPTER 13

13

ADALYN

Mistress was yelling. Screaming .

Despite my precarious position, I took comfort in knowing that nothing had happened to Pepper while I was away. I desperately wanted to see her, to scoop her little body into my hands and pour out my emotions to her, but Mistress had pounced on me the second I’d entered the house.

“Are you listening to me, Adalyn?” she shouted, grabbing my chin. As her fingers dug into my flesh, no doubt leaving bruises, I struggled to remain calm. “You were gone for hours after Rocky called and reported you missing. We thought you were dead . I demand to know what happened.”

Georgina and Octavia shuffled into the kitchen, still in their pajamas and blinking sleepily. They definitely hadn’t lost any sleep over my disappearance.

“What did she do this time?” Georgina muttered with a yawn, nudging her sister aside on the way to the fridge.

“She didn’t come home last night,” her mother spat, her brown eyes slowly bleeding red. Wow. She was livid . I didn’t know if I would survive this conversation.

Georgina threw me a nasty look. “Bet she was meeting a client for a secret rendezvous. We all know how much she likes to spread her legs. Guess she’s not getting enough sex at the club.”

Heat burned my cheeks, but I firmly bit my tongue .

“Is that true, Adalyn? Were you secretly meeting with a client?”

It was purely a question, not a command . Mistress hadn’t used thrall on me yet, and I couldn’t let her. If she tried and found out it wasn’t working, she’d know that I’d consumed vampire blood.

“I was attacked,” I evenly replied, my gaze steady on hers. “Someone jumped Rocky in the parking lot and broke his neck, then went after me.”

Mistress narrowed her eyes, searching for a lie. “And then what happened? You have blood on your sweater, but your neck bears no marks.”

Georgina turned from the fridge with a blood bag in hand, ripping it open to drink straight from the bag. Octavia struggled to grab her own breakfast as her sister leaned against the open fridge and watched us with a bored expression.

“I can’t remember everything. It all happened so quickly. He bit me and drank a lot of blood, I know that much.”

“Why didn’t you stop him? For heaven’s sake, Adalyn. Why do I give you the ability to defend yourself if you’re not going to use it?”

“I’m sorry, Mistress. I really did try, but I got disorientated when he hit my head against a tree. I passed out soon after that, then woke up in the woods hours later, my neck fully healed.”

Almost the truth. Enough that she might not detect the lie.

She tilted her head, as if listening to my heartbeat. It remained steady.

After a long, uncomfortable moment, she released my chin with a huff. “Guess I can’t entirely blame you for that. It was probably just an overeager client desperate for more of your blood. At least they did the proper thing and let you live.” She huffed again, only looking mildly put out at the thought of someone almost draining me. “I wonder who it was. Rocky didn’t see a thing. Did you get a good look at his face?”

I quickly shook my head. A little too quick. Her eyes narrowed again, so I hastily replied, “He was wearing a mask.”

“What color?”

“Gold.”

“Hmm . . .” She reached up to tap her chin. “One of the males you recently tried to secure was wearing a gold mask. Rocky told me he was furious when his session was canceled.”

I nodded. “He grabbed me last night while I was table dancing.”

Her expression turned thoughtful. “I heard about that too. And then our newest, extremely generous client, Benjamin Osborne, intervened. He’s already become quite possessive of you, Adalyn, which is a good sign. He’s an earl, making him our highest-ranked client yet. He’s also close friends with Prince Everett. Your job will be to target that connection. Make him reveal anything that could help further our cause, you know the drill. But don’t push him too hard. We want him hungry , so focus most of your effort on keeping him happy and wanting more.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Good. Heath and I will look into the male that attacked you and see if we can figure out who he is. We don’t want him causing any more trouble. You said he carried you into the woods?”

I nodded again.

“We’ll send Rocky out this evening to search for clues. Maybe your attacker dropped something while feeding on you.”

At that, everything in me went cold.

My knife . I’d spent a lot of money on that weapon, a purchase that Mistress didn’t know about. Since I could only partially access my magic—and only when I was with a client—having a weapon made me feel a little less helpless. I’d tried to find it earlier when Everett’s brother had dropped me off, but all I’d been able to locate was my phone.

Well, and Benjamin Osborne’s decapitated head and body. Since he’d been a Venturi, his remains hadn’t burned up in the sun. If Mistress found him, she’d definitely use thrall to pry more information out of me.

“I could go now and look,” I offered, trying not to sound too eager. How I would dispose of Benjamin’s body, I didn’t know. I just needed to get it out of the woods before the sun went down.

Mistress waved a jeweled hand dismissively. “There are a mountain of things that need to be done around the house, so that should be your priority. Besides, I don’t want you wandering off into the woods after what happened. Maybe I should have Rocky drive you to and from the club from now on. At least until we figure out who attacked you.”

“Really, Mother?” Georgina said with a toss of her messy curls. “The troll needs extra protection? I still think you should make her live at the club instead of letting her come back here every morning.”

“Don’t forget who cleans your room every day, dearest,” her mother gently replied.

“Why can’t we just keep human servants like we did before Daddy died?” Octavia spoke up, not noticing her sister’s eye roll as she turned to pour her blood bag into a crystal glass.

“Sometimes I wonder if you live under a rock, Tavia,” Georgina responded before her mother could. “Remember when the royal family made an alliance with the SCA six years ago?”

Octavia paused in her pouring to consider. “The Supernatural Containment Agency? Yes, I remember. I’m not stupid, Georgina.”

“No one’s saying you are, dear,” Mistress cut in, throwing her eldest child a chastising look, one that she ignored. “Vampires are no longer allowed to keep humans as servants against their will. Doing so will earn you a one-way trip to an SCA holding facility. I hear the cells are lined in silver and they only feed their vampire prisoners blood every few days to keep them docile.”

Octavia turned from the counter with a gasp, nearly spilling her drink. “That’s barbaric! Why would King Ambrose agree to such a thing?”

Her mother’s eyes hardened. “Because he doesn’t care about our quality of life. Venturi can afford to pay for their blood however they wish, and now that the curse has been broken, it’s even easier for them. But Feltore must continue to live in the shadows, scraping out an existence as best we can. Our suffering doesn’t matter to him, his sons, or the other Venturi. Only his youngest son cared, and look where that got him.”

“Daddy too,” Octavia whispered, blinking back sudden tears.

“Yes. Daddy too.” Mistress swung that hard look my way, and I wisely cast my eyes to the ground. “He died to give us a better future, and we will do everything we can to honor his sacrifice by continuing that noble cause. Isn’t that right, Adalyn?”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Good. Now see to your chores, and no nap this evening. I want you to leave for the club early so you can show Rocky where you woke up in the woods.”

I nodded without comment, dismissing myself so I could do her bidding. Maybe, just maybe, I could leave early enough to beat Rocky to the club. If I did, I could at least wrangle Benjamin’s body into the trunk of my car before he saw it. And the head, of course. Couldn’t forget that.

He’d smell the blood, though. Benjamin had no doubt bled all over the forest floor after being decapitated .

As I left the kitchen, I pulled out my phone to check the weather app. Please, let there be rain. Please, let there be rain . I perked up when I saw there was a thunderstorm forecasted for this evening. What if it didn’t arrive in time, though?

Choosing to hope for the best, I tackled my chores with gusto. The sooner I finished, the sooner I could leave and cover up the evidence of my eventful morning. After an hour, though, it became clear that Georgina was leaving me messes on purpose.

“ Troll ,” she called for the umpteenth time. “Come clean my rug. I spilled nail polish on it.”

I sighed through my nose, fighting back several choice words. The sheepskin rug in her bedroom was white . Although she often wore neutral nail colors, she’d probably spilled hot pink polish just to spite me. Whenever I received too much attention, making my life hell was her signature move. At least she didn’t have male company over today. I’d much rather deal with her pettiness than watch the Faircroft sisters have a threesome.

A few minutes later, though, the front doorbell rang. Guess I’d spoken too soon.

“Get the door!” Georgina shouted.

Great. She’d probably make me clean the rug while she and her sister had sex a few feet away with their newest escort. They always chose a human male and never the same one, hiring up to five per week. Neither of the sisters had shown an interest in finding more serious relationships, and their mother turned a blind eye to the sex workers traipsing in and out of her home.

Probably because she was too busy selling me .

Plastering a smile on my face, I set down my cleaning supplies and made for the front door. Greeting the escorts was always a bit weird. It made me uncomfortably aware of how awkward Rocky and the other bouncers must feel when they sent clients up to me. Did they secretly hate that part of their job the same way I hated opening the front door?

If they did, they’d never tell me, least of all show it. I’d learned my very best poker faces from them, after all. They excelled at hiding their emotions.

I took my cue from them now and buried my distaste, opening the door to politely greet the newest sex worker. “Come on in. They’re—”

“Thanks.”

A tall figure, one that I immediately recognized, stepped over the threshold. Shocked, I stumbled back with a small gasp, then said the very first thing that popped into my head. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Everett took me in from head to toe as if he hadn’t seen me in days. I knew I must look awful. My hair was a mess, and I was still wearing the bloodied sweater from this morning. But, after thoroughly inspecting me, he seemed relieved more than anything. I could almost feel how relieved he was, like he’d been expecting to find me in a much worse state than this.

Ignoring my question, he said, “I’ve got this, Loch. Go wait in the car.”

My eyes widened. “Your brother followed me here?”

When Everett nodded, panic tightened my chest. I should have known. I should have known he would follow me. Everett himself had confessed his plans to follow me this morning.

“You can’t be here,” I hurriedly said, lowering my voice. “They’ll find out what really happened this morning. Please leave. I—”

“What’s taking so long?” a shrill voice interrupted, making me flinch.

Everett’s expression immediately darkened. “I’m not going anywhere until I get some answers. This isn’t your home, so why are you here?”

My mouth opened, but nothing came out. Even if I’d wanted to tell him, I couldn’t.

“Of course this is her home,” a new voice interjected, making all the hairs on my body stand on end. “Please shut the door, dearest. You know the sun doesn’t agree with my complexion.”

I quickly obeyed Mistress, pausing briefly when I spotted Loch in the front yard. We shared a look, and I could have sworn he sent me a silent apology. I closed the door without acknowledging it, my sole focus on the two vampires facing off with each other in the foyer.

“Your Majesty, it is such an honor to have you visit Faircroft Manor,” Mistress gushed, pausing to deeply curtsy before the prince. Somehow, in the past few minutes, she’d managed to don a plum-colored dress and make her face and hair presentable. She even wore a heavy diamond necklace and matching earrings. “To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?”

“I’m not here for pleasant reasons, Madame Faircroft,” Everett curtly replied. As she straightened, he said point blank, “Are you forcing Star to have sex with her clients at Dreamscape?”

Her expression froze. Only for a moment, though. It quickly transformed to one of appalled shock. “Why, Your Highness, I would never. I’m hurt that you would even consider such a thing. Trafficking is against the new laws your esteemed father has set forth.”

Everett was unfazed by her wounded tone. “Then why is she living here with you? Why isn’t she with her own coven?”

Mistress didn’t miss a beat. “Sadly, the girl doesn’t have parents or a coven. Her father died the same night my dear husband did. I’m sure you recall the tragic losses we all suffered the day the curse was broken? ”

The question sounded innocent but was heavy with accusation. Still, Mistress managed to perfectly play the part of a widow who’d magnanimously taken in an orphaned witch during her time of grief.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Everett replied, not sounding the least bit sorry, “but I still don’t understand why you would take her in.”

Mistress shrugged delicately. “I don’t hold anything against witches personally, and she needed a home. My own two daughters have come to see her as their sister. All three of them were robbed of their fathers that day, after all. They share a bond.”

Sister? Yeah, right. They would sooner walk into the sunlight than think of me as their sister.

When Everett’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, Mistress turned her attention to me. “Tell him, dear. Tell the prince that we see you as part of our family.”

As she looked at me fondly, I struggled to respond. She’d never looked at me that way before. It was strange and awful, a painful reminder that I’d never see my parents look at me that way again.

Swallowing roughly, I forced myself to say, “It’s true. The Faircroft family took me in when my dad died six years ago. This has been my home ever since.”

Not a lie. It was the best that I could do.

“See?” Mistress spoke a little too brightly. “She loves it here. But, forgive me, Sire. Might I inquire as to your sudden interest in Star?”

He was staring at me. Hard . Trying to read my expression. Trying to detect the lie. I didn’t dare meet his gaze.

“Your Highness?” Mistress implored, a tiny piece of her own mask starting to crack. She fidgeted with the rings on her fingers, giving away her nervousness.

Finally, Everett returned his attention to her. “I’m sure you’ve heard about what happened to my brothers at a feeding den over a century ago.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Such a tragic story.”

“Then you’ll know that a witch hasn’t been caught dead in a vampire-owned nightclub ever since.”

“Yes, but the curse has been broken. Times have changed, and Star is very well protected.”

My spine slowly stiffened. Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it , I silently pleaded with him.

“Is she now?” Everett said, the words dripping with condescension. “She’s surrounded by dozens of hungry predators every night, very few of whom have ever tasted witch blood in their lifetime. You dangle her in front of them like an irresistible treat, then offer them the full meal if they’re willing to pay the price. I personally know many of the males who frequent your club, and all I can say is, I’m surprised Star is still standing here in one piece.”

Mistress arched a sculpted brow, staring at him with new eyes. Uh oh. She was putting the pieces together, but she was doing it all wrong. She thought he was Benjamin Osborne. Rather, she thought Everett was the mysterious male in the gold mask, the one who’d been turned away, who’d grabbed me off a table and had later attacked me in the woods.

Crossing her arms, she replied in a rather haughty tone, “Be that as it may, Star isn’t being forced to perform at the club. She’s there of her own volition. Ask her if she’s being forced to have sex. Thrall her into giving you an honest answer. You have my blessing.”

Everett didn’t even glance my direction, knowing full well that he couldn’t use thrall on me. Not with his blood still in my system.

Taking his silence as proof that he believed her, Mistress went on, “Star is our main attraction at Dreamscape Lounge, and we value her tremendously. She’s paid handsomely for her work and is well taken care of. And, if I’m not mistaken, hiring blood whores isn’t illegal in this kingdom. Correct me if I’m wrong.”

A muscle jumped in Everett’s jaw. “No,” he said after a lengthy beat. “It’s not illegal.”

“Glad to hear it. Then I don’t see what the problem is here. Did you wish to schedule a private session with Star this evening? I can have it arranged.”

“No,” Everett replied, looking far from pleased with how this conversation had turned out. “Apologies for the intrusion. I’ll see myself out.”

Mistress curtsied as he left, holding the pose until he firmly shut the door behind him. Slowly straightening, she tilted her head and listened to him leave, hearing far more than I ever could. After a few minutes, the congenial expression on her face twisted into a fierce scowl.

“The gall of that male,” she spat, her eyes flaring red. “Storming in here and demanding answers like that. Accusing me of sex trafficking you.”

“Was that Prince Everett?” Octavia called in a distressed wail, scurrying toward us in nothing but a bathrobe. “Why didn’t you tell me, Mother? I could have hurried up with my shower.”

Mistress wrestled her anger under control before calmly responding to her daughter, “It wasn’t a social call, dear. The prince still has no idea you exist and probably never will.”

Octavia stuck her bottom lip out.

“But he knows who Star is,” Georgina said, sauntering into the foyer at a more sedate pace. She was also wearing a robe, clearly still waiting for their escort to arrive. “Sounds to me like he has an unhealthy obsession with her.”

She looked me up and down with distaste .

“You are not to go anywhere near him, Adalyn. Do you understand?” Mistress said, reaching out to roughly grab my chin. “If he’s the male in the gold mask who attacked you this morning, then we must all be on our guard. He could ruin everything we’ve worked so hard to build.”

Surprised that she wasn’t trying to capitalize on the situation, I dared to say, “But what if he demands a private session with me? I could trap him like all the rest. Imagine the possibilities if we secured him as a client.”

Excitement sparked in her eyes, yet she replied, “Tempting, but trapping a Venturi that powerful is too dangerous. He’s clearly obsessed with you and feeding that obsession could quickly backfire on us. If we let him get too close, he could uncover our entire operation before we’re ready, which would leave us vulnerable. Tell me you understand.”

“I understand.”

“Good.” Appeased, she dropped my chin. “It’s unfortunate that the crown prince has taken an interest in you, but he has no legal grounds to stop you from seeing your clients. We’ll have to be extra careful, though. He might try to attack again when you’re alone, so we’ll need to adjust your schedule for added security.”

My stomach dropped. Was she going to forbid me from driving anywhere by myself? It was my only reprieve. My one tiny slice of freedom. The walls suddenly seemed to close in around me, trapping me more than they already were. Caging me. Desperation clawed at my throat, but I carefully swallowed it back down.

Things felt extra dark right now, but I was used to living in the dark. Somehow, I’d survive this. I had no other choice.