2023-02-21 08:15:25
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INDIGO (RISE OF CRIMSON) CHAPTER 75
.She clutched an armload of pink cloth to her chest and approached Natalie without looking up. When she spoke, hervoice sounded as weary and strung out as she looked. “The mistresssends you this, with her compliments.”Natalie stood quickly and blinked in surprise as she realized this must be a real servant and not a joke.Reluctantly, she took the clothes and noted with an almost abhorrent disgust that bandages were also on the woman’s neck and chest, peeping out from beneath the dress, and held on by large quantities of white medical tape. She looked like she’d been muggedby thieves wielding a letter opener as a weapon.Natalie turned her attention to the dress she'd been given. It was a light, creamy pink with no sleeves and a knee length skirt. A swath of pink lace decorated the bodice, along with a broach set with pink stones that caught the light. The dressprobably cost more than she made in a week! The thought bothdelighted
INDIGO (RISE OF CRIMSON) CHAPTER 76
Natalie’s head swam with the realization of what she was witnessing, and she’d have fallen if Gabriel hadn’t held her up. Patra seemed to enjoy Natalie’s horror. Her cold, cruel laughter echoed through the evil nursery.“Enough, Patra,” Gabriel snapped. “I don’t know if you're trying to impress me or intimidate Natalie, but either way it's pointless.”“Impress you?” she asked mockingly and took a stepforward. “Hardly. And as for your snack...” she smiled cruelly andadded, “She should already be properly intimidated, if you’ve done your job correctly.”Natalie whimpered, and Gabriel bit back, “I don't require kowtowing servants like you.” His eyes moved to Mara And her peculiar outfit. “A creative punishment, I suppose, if you find holding power over the weak so interesting.” His eyes moved back to Patra. “But it’s of no concern to me. What matters is what you’ve done. I’ve granted this woman my protection, and by doing this, you ha
INDIGO (RISE OF CRIMSON) CHAPTER 77
Gabriel offered her a patient smile and continued to stroke her cheek with his thumb. “I didn’t say that I wasn’t one,or that they weren’t. You didn’t ask, and I didn’t volunteer theinformation. Omission, fine, I’m guilty of that; but a lie?” Heshook his head. “No, I did not lie.”Her thoughts became distracted at his touch, likethey always did. This time she refused to allow it. She shook himoff and pulled away. “No, you’re not going to confuse me withthis.”He smiled so that his glistening teeth showed andhis eyes sparkled with secret amusement. “I wasn’t trying toconfuse you, but it’s nice to know I have that effect.” In onefluid motion he moved to sit next to her on the floor.She flushed quickly and looked at her lap, unsurewhat she was feeling anymore. “So,” she began uncertainly. “Aiden,he’s your… What?”“Fledgling?” Gabriel asked with some amusement. “Yes,he is. And don’t ask me why. I often wonder that myself
INDIGO (RISE OF CRIMSON) CHAPTER 78
Natalie lay on the bed and tried to calm herself until Gabriel returned with another microwaveable dinner. She greeted it enthusiastically, despite the fact that it tasted like cardboard. She’d had less to eat in the last few days than her last diet had allowed. A sick smile flickered across her face as she thought of a way to make a fortune: “the all new Vampire diet! Guaranteed to lose pounds in only a few weeks by spending your time with the undead. In fact, you’ll be lucky to get any food at all.And, as a limited time offer, it’s free, so long as you’re willing to give up your entire life.”As she ate, she snuck quick glances at Gabriel from under her eyelids. He was a vampire. The statement seemed detached and unreal, no matter how many times she repeated it to herself.He, Gabriel, was a vampire. He was not human. He did not need to estas she was eating. He was immortal. He was not human… He glanced up sharply and her thoughts stopped abruptly. His dark
INDIGO (RISE OF CRIMSON) CHAPTER 79
Gabriel shifted uncomfortably. His hands clenched andthen dropped uselessly to his lap. “Perhaps I do feel some...guilt,” he said slowly. “But that’s not the reason I contactedyou.”“Then why did you?” Though she asked, part of herdidn’t want an answer. How much could a person deal with in onenight? Could people take this many revelations in three successivedays without cracking up? Yes, insanity was a risk, but she neededto know. She was sick of secrets and omissions. He wanted her totrust him but gave her very little to base it on.“I told you why already. I felt you had a right toknow.” His shifting gaze gave her the distinct feeling that he waslying, but it also said that he wasn’t going to tell her the truthno matter what she did.“Hmmmmmm....” Her temporary defeat was signaled asher eyes dropped away. She told herself that she wasn’t reallygiving up. She’d force the information from him later when he wasmore pliant.
INDIGO (RISE OF CRIMSON) CHAPTER 80
She stared at his small, pointed face in surprise.She found it hard to believe that the pale strange vampire child,who only spoke to certain people, had gone to all that trouble just to ask her to play?“What?”“I asked if you would like to play with Vera ,” he repeated patiently. The woman child smiled at the mentionof her name. “It’s been awhile since we’ve had anyone new to playwith. I like playing with humans. You always have such interestingideas.” He smiled so that his miniature fangs gleamed.“Oh?” Natalie swallowed. She found herself wondering if Vera’s position was to guard anyone coming in or to keep her from getting out, which was what the logical portion of her brain told her to do.“Oh yes!” he enthused, oblivious to her discomfort.“In fact, our newest game came from a human – it’s called dungeon.It’s a lot of fun, I promise! We haven’t gotten to play it in along time,” he added sadly but then perked up i
INDIGO (RISE OF CRIMSON) CHAPTER 81
Gabriel’s refusal to meet her eyes set alarm bells off in her head. “How does he know what I look like? How did they know where I lived?”“I already told you once, if Marcus knew then they knew.” He let out an unhappy breath. “Besides, Troy has been there.” He closed his eyes and absently massaged his forehead.``He’s seen you.”“What? How could he... He was at my house?” Shedidn’t like where this was going. The thought made her feel sickand violated. She took a steadying breath, and then she rememberedGabriel mentioning Troy last night. Something to do with an“unfortunate incident” where they discovered Gabriel’s involvement.No.“And how do you know?”He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he pressed his fingers silently between his closed eyes. When he did speak, his voice was slow and resigned, “Because, I was there, too.”“What? You were at my house? When? What were you doing there?”“I w
INDIGO (RISE OF CRIMSON) CHAPTER 82
The panic in his voice left her wide eyed and terrified. She held her breath, but she still couldn’t hear anything except the buzz of blood in her ears and her heart beating. What was going on?She paced the room, wringing her hands for something to do. Minutes passed like hours and silent fears assailed her. Shepeered through the window but saw only a wall of blackness outside,while inside she was alone; waiting and scared. Her fingers fluttered to her lips, but she stopped herself from actually biting her nails.Her head snapped up as the door opened to a disheveled Patra. She was desperately clutching the vampire baby in one arm and hanging on to Elvis’s small hand with the other.Her dark hair had fallen from its dramatic updo, so that long,loose tendrils fell around her pale, scared face. Her dark eyes were wide and terror shimmered in their once mesmerizing depths.“What’s – ” Natalie began, but Patra cut .“Come
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CHAPTER 95
Natalie shuddered with fear as the dark demoness stepped forward. “Aren’t you happy to see me?” Latoya asked in mock innocence.Gabriel glanced over his shoulder at Aiden and Latoya, and gently laid Natalie on the floor. He pulled his long black coat off and carefully wrapped her in it before he scooped her up.Natalie tried to ignore her throbbing body as he stood and shifted her in his arms. The pain from everything Ellish had done to her was still fresh, though not as sharp as it should have been. Her shoulder screamed when she was jostled, was the “inner” pain that hurt most. All of her blood vessels shook, and the underside of her skin trembled from the seizure-like state and the burning sensation that had coursed through her. Her mind still reeled from Ellish’ invasion, and she was so weak.Somehow what he’d done to her body paled in comparison to the rest of it. She remembered him laughing at her “primitive fears” and saying that he could do something much more terrible to her.
CHAPTER 94
He shook her violently so that her teeth clacked together. “What do you have to say to that? Do you still want to insist on your innocence? Where is that device?” He clawed at her body with his free hand.“I don’t have any ... device!” she cried. Tears Stabbed her swollen eyes and the room swam. She didn’t understand why he was doing this again.“Liar!” He threw her to the floor. Her elbows locked painfully, but she saved her face from slamming into the concrete.She tried to roll away, but he knelt down quickly and grabbed a handful of her hair in his fist. He used it to pull her head back and force her to look at him. “Where is it?”“There isn’t one! I don’t know what you’re talking about!”Cain stood behind them, his arms crossed over his chest and a sneer on his face. “Then how did he find us?”He? Could they mean…? A white hot spark of hope filmed inside her. “He’s here?” she asked, unable to stop he
CHAPTER 93
The vampire who’d spoken a moment ago asked, “How doyou know she was ever at his den? Surely Aiden is smart enough to keep her in a less incriminating place?”“Now you’re suggesting Miles lied?”Ellish asked lightly. “Or do you suggest his brother lied to him?Do you think he made up a false location, intending to go andretrieve her himself and return her for his freedom? Are youimplying he intended to let his brother die for his sins?”The vampire looked exasperated. “I don’t know whatI’m implying. I wasn’t here when you interrogated Miles.”“You’d be sorry you missed it,” Cain commented,snickering. “He screamed and begged– ”“Enough.” Ellish motioned him to silence. “Miles Informed me that the plan was Aiden’s from the beginning, as part of our little war. He and Marcus were brought into it, so to speak.”Natalie tensed at the mention of Marcus’s name,but she tried hard not to make her interest obvious. Did this h
CHAPTER 92
The room was a large one, like an open basement complete with cement floor. A glowing chandelier hung above her andin front of her sat a large wicker chair. Draped lazily in it was ayoung man who might have been sixteen. He had blonde hair, coldgreen eyes and a face made for boredom, snobbery, and cruelty. Hewas flanked by two large men. A host of others were visible outsidethe ring of light, all moving closer and gazing curiously at thenew prisoner.“Who is she?” the boy in the chair drawled. Hisvoice was bored and peevish.Cain answered from behind Natalie’s prone body,“It’s Marcus’s human, the one Gabriel’s claiming now.” He snickeredand prodded her in the side with the toe of his boot.“Interesting.” The blonde stood from the chair andwalked towards her languidly. “What’s so special about her that twomen would go to such effort?” He walked around her in anever-tightening circle and finally bent down to examine her faceclosely.
CHAPTER 91
Natalie sought a nonexistent escape and tried to figure out what she was going to do. Despite LaToya’s concern,she doubted Gabriel would return in time to save her. He’d alwayscome before, just when she had no hope left, but somehow she couldfeel that he wasn’t going to this time. And when he didn’t whatwould happen? Would they really take her to Ellish? Would he kill her? Was this really how her life was going to end, to die in a pool of blood and terror?LaToya stood over her looking thoughtful, then suggested casually, “She has enough blood on her to look like a battle, but you should rough her up a little to make it more convincing.”Cain nodded in the affirmative and grinned. “Don’tworry. I’m sure she’ll be plenty roughed up by the time we getthere.” He turned his head and called over his shoulder, “Won’t sheboys?” Two voices agreed with him from the obstructed depths of themotel room.Natalie’s stomach dropped at the sound of
CHAPTER 90
Natalie woke. She blinked in the dimness, her eyesdrawn to the open bathroom door. Light flooded out of it and gaveshape and depth to the small motel room.Gabriel was still next to her on his back, his arms under her head. His dark lashes lay on his pale cheeks and hisraven hair pooled against the crisp white pillowcase. He wascovered from the waist down in the ugly bedspread and the bathroomlight gleamed on the smooth expanse of his chest.She looked away from him to the water stainedceiling. She closed her eyes tightly to blot out the world andasked herself the requisite “what have I done?” morning-afterquestion, only she truthfully felt no regret. It was simply a gameshe played out of habit, a society imposed guilt complex thatfailed to actually make her feel guilty. No, she knew what she’ddone and she wasn’t even slightly sorry, only vaguely excited atthe warm memories.She rolled towards him and tentatively brushed hisnaked f
CHAPTER 89
After the strange silence in the warehouse, the car seemed too loud. Gabriel’s anger was palpable; the air seemed to pulse with it. Natalie didn’t know what to say to make it better.She stuttered a question, “Aiden wouldn’t really…” but couldn't bring herself to finish it. Would Aiden really kill her because his wife had been killed? As if it was all Gabriel’s fault.“No,” Gabriel said with force. “He wouldn't dare.”She nodded but found no more words for fear of enraging him more. She wasn’t afraid that he’d hurt her, or even be mean to her. In truth she wasn’t sure what she was afraid of, but she didn’t want to make him any angrier. They pulled into the motel and, after parking the car, walked around behind the building to their windowless room.Once they were inside, Gabriel shut the door and clicked all of the locks into place. He absently ran his fingers through his long,dark hair before he threw himself on
CHAPTER 88
The silence was so thick she felt she would choke on it. Her ears strained for every tiny sound: a rat scampering across the floor, the breeze whistling softly through the broken windows,the flap of a sheet of plastic that hung against the wall. Her eyes searched the gloom and she tried not to jump at every shadow.Really, she didn’t understand why Gabriel’s business couldn’t have been in a nice restaurant, or at least somewhere with electricity!She was so busy eyeing a pile of mysterious refuse that she didn’t notice Gabriel stop suddenly and ended up bumping into him. He held his body rigid, so completely still that Natalieswore his heart had even stopped beating.Her search for the gloom revealed nothing, but her clutch on his sleeve grew tighter. She opened her mouth to ask what was going on when he broke the silence with a single word,“Latoya.”The woman seemed to appear from nothing. Her dark skin gleamed in the pale light, a
CHAPTER 87
Gabriel joined her. “Here,” he said as he handed her one of the motel keys. “Go on in. I have something to attend to but then I’ll be alone.”She opened her mouth to ask him what pressing errand waited for him elsewhere, but thought better of it. She didn’t see anyone in the gloomy shadows, but how did she know that some creature of the night wasn’t camouflaged in the darkness? Ifvampires were real, then what other monsters from the nightmares of humanity were lurking and listening to them?He walked down the sidewalk and she watched him until he turned sharply, and disappeared around the far side of the building. Her curiosity piqued, she thought about following him,but resisted the urge. The memories of the vampire manor were still too fresh in her mind.The key didn’t want to fit into the scarred lock,but finally it surrendered with a groaning click, and she opened the door and was met by the smell of stale cigarette smoke. Shewished she
