The Taste of Blood Read online

  Evernight Publishing

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2011 Jenika Snow

  ISBN: 978-1-926950-19-8

  Cover Artist: LF Designs

  Editor: Marie Buttineau

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  This is to new beginnings!

  The Taste of Blood

  Jenika Snow

  Copyright © 2011

  Chapter One

  I knew what I was about to do would forever change my life. Maybe not in a bad way, but it would definitely be changed. When I had agreed to take on this job I knew the dangers it would entail. You see, I am an entrepreneur by heart, but most would call me an escort. I’m not a prostitute, which is a very big misconception of the professionals in my career. This is not to say escorts don’t have sex with their clients, but I most definitely do not, well, not on every occasion.

  I never envisioned myself doing this line of work. I actually aspired to be a teacher, but when I found out I had terminal cancer I let my feelings and emotions fall into a deep hole in the pit of my soul. It wasn’t until I met my current employer, George Santino, that my depression started to lift. He must have seen the desperation and despair that encompassed me, because when he offered to help get me out of the rut I was stuck in, I didn’t think twice before accepting. It was as if something inside me snapped awake and I could see clearly. I don’t know how it happened, but I knew I wasn’t going to waste the time I had left.

  George wasn’t a pimp, which I know most people would assume him to be. He was more of an equal opportunist. Maybe he saw something that no one else saw, or maybe he knew what would erase the cloud of unhappiness that surrounded people? Whatever it was, he was good at it. He showed me what the work entailed, even went as far as to explain what would and wouldn’t be expected of me. He assured me I was not getting paid to have sex with men, but to be their arm candy, to make them look more powerful, more desirable. If I had any bad feelings about what George offered, or that he was lying to me, I would have bolted out of there. He was honest. After a year of going to expensive dinners, parties, even balls and operas, I knew my gut had been right about him.

  My job wasn’t easy, not in the least. Having to entertain a man for an entire evening, laugh at his obnoxious jokes, even play house with him while in the company of his esteemed colleagues really wore a girl out. I was good at looking like I enjoyed myself and making a man feel like he was the only one in the room. I'd even kick out my hip and pout my lips enough to have all the other men jealous that I was on my date's arm, and not theirs. Maybe I could have gone back to school, fulfilled my dream of being a teacher, but I liked what I did, liked being envied by all the other females and lusted after by the men. It was empowering and made me feel alive which is exactly what I needed at this junction in my life. The newest assignment offered to me was going to prove to be my most challenging yet.

  It all started when George offered this once in a lifetime opportunity to entertain a private and discreet party over on East Collins Street. At first I was stunned. Why hadn't any of the other girls with higher seniority jumped at the opportunity? Every house on East Collins was elegant, ritzy and screamed of old money. The payoff was sure to be big, so the fact that I had been offered it, and not Holli or Sara, who had five more years in the business than I, did seem odd and I’ll admit, slightly fishy.

  It was then, when George was actually rambling off the details that I realized why no one else wanted to take it. You see, not only would the lucky girl get to entertain four rowdy men, but said men would be vampires. I wasn’t too shocked at the whole four guys scenario, what the real problem was, and why no one wanted this particular job I concluded, was the fact that it was four vampires.

  In my world, the supernatural was the norm. Creatures of myth and lore walked right beside me on a daily basis. I had been out with the supernatural species, knew what they were capable of, how strong they were. The whole conundrum of this sticky situation was that we all knew what a vampire lived off. When one of them—or in this case, four of them—wanted to have a little company, a girl could get a little drained. Pun intended.

  The other girls may have been able to turn this job down, but I needed the money. I had plans for myself, ones that didn’t include letting any more drunk men grope me or offer to “fulfill every deepest desire I ever had.” I had stashed away the majority of my earnings, but this job would allow me to finally go away—for good. I wanted to live out the rest of my days in peace, to be able to die comfortable and in solace. No one at work knew about my cancer and that was exactly how I liked it. I would only get their pity which was not something I thought I could handle.

  Cancer could really put a kink in a girl's plans, and even though I didn’t want to die, I knew my time was running out. At first I was afraid of dying, feared the physical and emotional pain that came with it. I thought about everyone I would leave behind, all of the things I would never get to accomplish, never get to experience. My life hadn’t been one of wealth and riches, hadn’t even been all that happy or exciting. My mother and father had divorced when I was young, but not too young that I didn’t remember the daily yelling and screaming, punches and scratches. Maybe they had fought because my father had been an alcoholic, maybe because my mom had boyfriends on the side. Maybe it was just that they didn’t love each other anymore. It didn’t matter because whether they were together or not, my life hadn’t changed in the end.

  Growing up I had wished for a better life, wished for loving parents who helped me with my homework and tucked me in at night. Even after school activities to get me away from their constant arguing would have been preferable than being at home. I didn’t have any of that because my parents either didn’t have the money or could care less what I was doing with my time. Now as an adult, I look back and wonder if I truly did want a different life. I didn’t take anything for granted and tried to experience what I could with what I had. Sometimes I succeeded and sometimes I failed. I suppose that was just the way of life.

  So a year ago, when I had found out about the big C and was at absolute odds with myself and everything around me, George stepped in and offered me salvation. I admit one of the reasons I accepted his offer of employment was because of the money, but I also did it for the excitement. What better way to live out your last days then to go out with a handsome and wealthy man?

  The doctors hadn’t given me a lot of time to live, but here I was, a year later, waiting to go to this illicit little party. I really hoped I would come out unscathed. Vampires may like to keep to themselves, but they were still more powerful than anything on the planet. They could snap my neck and feed off of my insides before I even took a breath. I may be dying anyway, but I wanted to do it on my terms, not as someone’s meal.

  The night had finally come for me to give the biggest performance of my life. I had a sneaking suspicion that I wouldn’t need to act, but I kept my mind open. My heart thundered in my chest and my palms became clammy. When I first started working for George I had gotten nervous before going out, but as time passed I become bolder, more confident. Now, standing in front of the mirror and staring at my reflection I felt like this was my first job, my first date even.

  I glanced at myself once more in the mirror before heading do
wnstairs to the waiting car. The men I was to entertain tonight had specified that the “entertainment” was to look innocent. I assumed they didn’t mean literally, because heaven knew they wouldn't find one where I worked.

  I wore a white baby doll dress, strapless, with a light pink silk ribbon tied around my waist. My dark hair was loose around my shoulders and I only applied a small amount of lip gloss, just enough to plump them up. I also nixed the panties and bra, knowing if they wanted a show I was going to give them one. According to George, I was just supposed to be the eye candy. Seemed like a waste of money on their part if you ask me, but who was I to complain? If they wanted a little somethin’ while they shot the shit and got drunk, I would give them what they wanted. This was, after all, my last gig, the fireworks before I turned in the towel. Might as well make the most out of it.

  I pouted my lips at my reflection and pushed my tits up. “Not bad, not bad at all.” For all intents and purposes I appeared calm and in control, but deep inside I was scared shitless. Scared at what might happen tonight, scared that my control would be broken and I would submit both physically and mentally. Well, and frightened because they were vampires, after all.

  I walked downstairs, my heart slightly pounding as I thought of the night to come. It was still daylight and, although the sun hadn’t set yet and vampires couldn’t tolerate it, these boys wanted me there early. I guess they really wanted their money's worth.

  Waiting for me in front of my apartment building was a brand spankin’ new black Town Car. George liked his girls to go out in style. As soon as I sat in the back seat, the vehicle took off. I stared out the window as the city lights started to flicker on. Night life was just starting to come alive. As the driver took me to what would either be my nightmare or fantasy, I knew that this little endeavor could make it so I could leave this too cramped city and live out the rest of my life somewhere else. It wasn't to say I didn’t enjoy my life and what I did, but things weren't going how I envisioned, and I wanted much more while on this planet. Being another identity for the sole purpose of making a living was sometimes painful and unbearable. I liked who I was. Despite my past, and at first, pretending to be someone else, anyone I dreamed of seemed like my own fantasy come reality. Now, I loathed it at times. I stuck through it because I loved the people I worked with. We were like a big family, full of love and happiness and joy. It was everything I never had growing up. If I really thought about it I knew this was the main reason I stayed.

  East Collins was about forty-five minutes south of the city, and the closer we got to the esteemed community, the more the city life dwindled away. The skyscraper buildings shrank until only posh restaurants, law offices, and million dollar houses surrounded me. The mountains seemed to reach the heavens and I couldn’t help but sigh at the beauty of them. You could still see them from the city, but it wasn’t anything like this, so powerful and majestic.

  When the car rolled to a stop in front of a set of towering wrought iron gates, I felt my stomach clench. I craned my neck and watched as the gates soundlessly swung open. I knew they were expecting me, but the feeling of impending doom or that something monumental was going to happen, washed through me.

  We drove past perfectly landscaped property and finally rolled to a stop in front an expensive and luxurious estate. I got out of the car, stared at the twin pillars holding up the monstrous porch and swallowed roughly. No sooner did I shut the door then the car sped off. I turned around, more than a little shocked at the abrupt departure. Maybe the driver knew something I didn’t, felt something I didn’t. I would definitely have to complain to George about this. I stood there, empty handed, and stared up at the three story home. It was imposing and I’ll admit, slightly spooky. It reminded me of an old plantation house, the ones with the massive banisters supporting the frame and the eerie willows surrounding the property.

  I swallowed, my throat feeling as if sand had made a home in the tight confines. I tentatively took the first few steps. I was uneasy as hell, but I don’t know if it was entirely due to the fact that my hosts were vampires. It was just a feeling I had deep in the pit of my stomach. I had kept company with the species many times, but it had only been with one at a time and always in a public setting without the high risk of being bitten and drained dry. This, however, was at their home and on their terms. It scared the shit out of me.

  I gripped the cool brass knocker and gave it a few good slams. The noise seemed to echo off the enclosed porch and I took a step back, looking around once more before bringing my attention back to the door. After a minute it swung open and an elderly man stood on the other side, butler attire and all.

  “Good evening, Miss. The masters have been anticipating your arrival.”

  I eyed him quizzically and walked into the house. He shut the door behind me, and if not for the candles alit, darkness would have swallowed me whole.

  “Please follow me.”

  The man I assumed to be the butler, mainly because of his penguin suit, led me through a darkened hallway and stopped in front of a closed door. I glanced around, not seeing or hearing anything, but certain I was being watched. The feeling was there, like a warm breath caressing the nape of your neck. He pushed the door open and ushered me inside. Across from me stood a grand fireplace, lit and all. Despite the warmth outside and the fire going strong, the room was still chilly. Leather furniture shone under the dancing flames, reeking of wealth. The room was pretty barren, but what furniture and decoration were scattered around made it clear the men who lived here were loaded. A full service bar sat opposite the fireplace, bottles of every shape and size displayed behind the bar like prized trophies. A built-in floor to ceiling cabinet made up the far side of the room. The dark cherry wood glistened like newly polished onyx.

  “The masters will be with you soon. Please make yourself comfortable.”

  He shut the door and I looked around once more, feeling uneasy, like when your hair stands on end and you just know you aren’t the only one in a room. The fire crackled and popped behind me and I turned to stare at it. The “masters” didn’t make me wait for long. I turned when I heard the door open and my eyes widened at the men who entered. This certainly wasn’t going to be a night I would ever forget.

  Chapter Two

  I took an involuntary step back as I stared at the four men that entered. They had to be related for their resemblance to each other was striking. They all had dark hair, but the shades varied. They were exceptionally tall, easily a foot taller than my average five foot six. The light from the fire played off their toned muscles that strained against their shirts. I swallowed involuntarily and braced a hand behind me, against the warm mantle.

  Each one eyed me with clear sexual interest, their gazes raking over my body and causing my flesh to tighten and tingle with awareness. The last one in shut the door behind him and took his spot next to the other three. We stood there in an almost uncomfortable silence. I let my eyes travel over each of their faces. They didn’t look like vampires per se.

  They were pale, but aside from that they looked like any other gorgeous and physically perfect man. They hadn’t opened their mouths to show off their fangs, and it was that knowledge that stayed firmly in the forefront of my mind. I needed to remember what these men were, that they were deadly predators, and could kill me with a flick of their wrists.

  After a suspended moment I couldn’t help it any longer, I let my eyes travel down their chests and stopped at their crotches, where the material hugged their already hard cocks. My eyes widened and my heart rate picked up. These men were big everywhere. I brought my gaze back to their faces and saw two of them smirking. The other two, off to the side, were expressionless and seemed almost nonplused with my presence. The one farthest down seemed more powerful and deadlier than the others. I can’t truly explain why he seemed more powerful, but it was clear he was. His aura, the very air around him seemed alive, electrified. He oozed sex appeal, like they all did, just more potent. He had to b
e the leader—he was just too intoxicating to be anything but. I shivered under his gaze.

  “We are most pleased you have made it to our home safely.” The powerful one spoke. His voice was deep, almost husky in cadence. “What is your name?” I picked up on a subtle accent, but I couldn’t place where it was from.

  “Jane.” It wasn’t my real name. It was just easier to be someone else when I was with a client. That was, of course, what I kept repeating in my head as my pussy became wet and my nipples beaded up.

  “So…” I cleared my throat and licked my lips. It was clear these boys had other things in mind if their raging erections were anything to go by. They might be paying me a small fortune for my time, but I was running the show and I would decide how far I wanted to take this party.

  “Would you care for something to drink?” The leader spoke again, his fangs flashing when the firelight hit them. He continued to appear expressionless, stoic in all his mannerisms. I nodded and watched as he made his way toward the bar. “I am Mikael, and these are my brothers, Eli, Jonah, and Benjamin.” His back was to me as he spoke but I could still see him pour me a glass of amber colored liquid. He turned around, glass in hand. “Please, make yourself comfortable.” He gestured to the couch and moved toward me. He handed me the square cut glass and I took it with reservations.

  “What exactly are your plans for this evening?” Their hard-ons were affirmation enough as to what they wanted, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt that they truly only wanted me here as eye candy. I also reminded myself that men got hard at the drop of a hat and it didn’t necessarily mean anything. I cleared my throat and took a sip of the liquor, hoping it would wet my dry palate. When the alcohol made its way down, I sputtered. I glanced at the men and wiped my chin. “Strong.” I wheezed and they all smiled at me. Mikael took the glass and set it on the mantel.