A Kiss of Blood (Vamp City #2)(42)

Lily’s pulse raced, as she knew the other female slaves’ did. She could almost smell the fear, and knew the vampires, at least those who were fear-feeders, could taste it. And most of the vampires at Castle Smithson, along with their master, Lazzarus Nica, were fear-feeders. From what she’d heard, fear-feeders were the most common of the emotion-feeding vampires. Lazzarus, thank Heaven, apparently disliked the taste of pain. And while he enjoyed pleasure immensely, he was a male who preferred other males. From what she’d been told, new male slaves were sent either to the yards to work, or to the hall, to be prepared to pleasure the master.

The females were put to work as house slaves and blood donors though the hetero male vamps were free to use them at will.

“Many of you are new to Vamp City,” a feminine voice rang out, and Lily had to peer around Jazlyn’s shoulder to get a glimpse of the woman speaking, a vampire by the name of Marguerite.

On the dais at the end of the hall, the vampire master, Lazzarus, lounged on a chaise, surrounded by the three well-built, half-naked males who seemed to accompany him everywhere. Other males, fully naked, sat or lay upon pillows around his feet, most with the phosphorescent hair of Slavas.

“Some of you came to us through the slave auction, many of you did not. For those who are not familiar with the auction, let me explain. Because within the next couple of days, half of you will be transported back there.”

Gasps and small cries sounded throughout the gathering, one girl breaking into sobs. Most of the slaves, Lily included, merely looked at each other with wariness and trepidation. It was clear who’d come through the auction and who hadn’t.

Marguerite continued. “Within Castle Smithson, you have known relative safety. In the slave auction, you will not. You will be enthralled or knocked unconscious, then shackled to the other slaves at the ankle. In recent months, it’s become customary to kill a slave or two in front of the others to feed the gathering vampires.”

Behind her, one of the girls whispered in a broken voice, “It’s really like that. It’s just like that.”

Lily’s head began to pound at the description of the violence. She knew Vamp City was bad, but she’d never seen anything so barbaric in Castle Smithson.

“When the vampires’ hunger has been satiated, the shackled slaves are led to the auction dais where, one by one, their finest attributes are displayed for the bidding horde, whether that means br**sts or bu**ocks, courage or screams. You’ll be sold to the highest bidder to be used for food, labor, sex, or simply to be tortured and killed for your master’s feeding pleasure.”

Lily’s stomach began to quiver badly enough that she thought she might be sick. Why were they telling them this? But a quick glance around the room told her. The vampires all appeared to be in the throes of incredible pleasure.

Lazzarus and his vamps fed on fear. And the hall was now wild with it.

Was it possible this gathering was just a setup to create the fear? Or were many of them really doomed to experience the slave auction firsthand?

“Over the next few days, we will be deciding which of you to sell and which to keep. Work hard, cooperate with your masters to the fullest, and you’ll remain a Smithson slave. Do not, and I guarantee you will find yourself wishing you had. Now, go!” She clapped her hands. “Return to your duties.”

The women rushed from the hall, scattering in all directions as they ran to prove themselves worthy of remaining. Lily mimicked them—the worst thing to do in such a case was to stand out, especially as one who didn’t believe what they’d been told. But the fact was, she didn’t. Oh, she believed they’d sell slaves to the auctions. That part was true. But not those who weren’t working hard enough. Hard work wasn’t something the vampires particularly prized, from her estimation.

No, what Lazzarus and his vampires prized most was fear.

Hurrying back up to the bathroom where she’d been working, she pulled out her bucket and resumed her scrubbing.

Most of the female slaves in that hall today had come into the kovena within days of Lily. A new wave of terrified captives. The only two that Lily knew had been here for a while were perpetually terrified creatures. But over the past few weeks, most of the new wave had settled in. And settled down. Many had become enamored of their vampire hosts, eager for their attention. Over the past weeks, most of them had all but lost their fear. Until today. The threat of the slave auction had stirred their anxiety, but that would only last so long. Soon, they would all be sold. Lily was sure of it.

She didn’t intend to be here when that happened. Which meant she had to plan her escape. And fast.

She’d heard rumors. Not all of the girls had been new to Vamp City when they were brought here. Some had escaped other masters and been caught again. They’d shared stories of slaves escaping through the sunbeams, and stories of a man called the Guardian who protected slaves and helped them escape Vamp City altogether.

Lily figured she could decide whether or not to seek the Guardian once she was on her own. And she could get out of there, she was almost positive. The trouble was Jazlyn. The girl wasn’t small, quick, or quiet. Trying to get them both away without the vampires’ noticing might well reduce her chance of success from one in ten to one in ten thousand.

Lily took a deep breath, dipping her brush back into the soapy water as she exhaled slowly, with a heavy sigh.