Belladonna Book 2 Sneak Peek (Patreon)

“We were under the impression that you would be making a bit more of an effort.”

Belladonna forced herself not to roll her eyes. I could see it now. The small twitch along her hairline that said she was hiding the way she truly felt.  While she was a master at keeping her emotions and her ire under locks at these meetings, I couldn’t help but notice it had gotten harder and harder for her over the last few weeks.  Before, she dealt with individuals one on one. Speaking to them beneath mood lighting and coaxing her desires from them with soft touches. These were full meetings. With desks between them and stern looks. While I doubted she was a stranger to such a thing, it was certainly a change in pace.

“And what exactly is it you wish for me to do, Calliope? I have provided our people with blood services. There is very little shortage.”

“Oh please, Belladonna. There is a shortage and you know it. We cannot just go around making thrall after thrall. The Velvet Guard would surely have something to say about that. Even if the mandate comes from you.”

Calliope was a woman of tall and curvaceous stature. She had a stern face and pink hair that was tied back from her honey skin.  I wanted to hate her when I had initially seen her. Taking her to be like all the other vampires out there throwing their little tantrums.  But Calliope, while she did not agree with Belladonna, did not seem inclined to stage a coup.

“For the time being, we have sustainable resources for food,” Belladonna said patiently. “I have a feeling this is far less about hunger and far more about the thrill of the hunt.”

“It is in our nature.” Alright, I would have to give it to the woman. She at least was not trying to bullshit the only vampire Baron they currently had. The only one, from my experience, that seemed to give a shit for the time being.

“Not mine,” Belladonna parroted. “It is not innate to our kind.”

“Your blood is diluted, Belladonna. You are fourth generation and sired by a very sick vampire.”

“Diluted blood. Oh come on,” I said, rolling my eyes for Belladonna.  “She’s probably one of the most powerful women in the entire realm. Diluted blood my ass.”

“A woman,” Belladonna continued, speaking over my own words. “That ruled you for quite a bit of years. So let us not pretend that bloodlines and health mean anything, hm?”

Calliope sighed as if she were having to explain something to a child. It was a look I had seen on her face often.  She was far older than the other vampires and the knowledge she had gained through her life was invaluable. If not just a tad bit outdated. According to Belladonna, at least.

“All I am saying, is the urge to hunt and kill has never been strong with you. But that does not mean it does not affect others. You remember what it was like to be a fledgling. The hunger. The desire. You think a fledgling will sip delicately and woo their meal? Do you believe that the ones that have only known the pride of the kill should be allowed to go near a civilian?”

Molten gold eyes stared across at the milky brown of Calliope’s.  Belladonna had one leg crossed over the other as she stared at the woman, flanked by three burly guards all of which looked as if they had freshly fed.

“As always, Calliope, I will take your suggestions under advisement. But, I am afraid I will have to be cutting this meeting short. I have several meetings with development in hopes of moving out of this dreadful cathedral.”

Calliope rose, staring at Belladonna with pity.  “Do not take long, Baron. There is a war that will be on your hands. And without support, you will not be able to handle it.”

“I have never had support a day in my life. I do not plan to start now.”

Calliope sighed, looking as if she wished to say something, but instead, she snapped at her guards and left the room.

Moving to the window, I saw Belladonna lean against the frame of the circular stained-glass portcullis. It was open to the evening air.  She watched as Calliope existed the cathedral moments later, followed by her guards. They disappeared into the market, having to navigate new paths in the dark given that the walls moved nearly every day. When they were out of both sight and earshot, Belladonna sucked in a sharp breath.

“Bitch,” she muttered.

Turning back to her desk, she sat down in her seat, grabbing angrily at the pile of papers before her. They had only served to get bigger and bigger. Requests. Summons. Invitations to the latest ball.  Though, Belladonna had not been one for parties. Not since that night.

Walking over to her, I placed a hand on her back, wishing I could feel her even just a little. Wishing she could feel me. But her skin was iced in death along with my own and she remained entirely unaware that I was even here. She had from the day I stepped foot back in her cathedral.

“There has to be another way,” I told her.  While I didn’t like to admit it, this Calliope was right. The vampires were not going to give up their hunts. And they certainly were not going to sip their blood from goblets in any sort of civilized nature.  But Belladonna knew that if she allowed them to peruse the streets at their own discretion, they would once again be forced to stay in a small district.  The vampires were prohibited from leaving most of the mists and pleasure zones. Belladonna was actively fighting for so much more.

Leaning forward, she put her head in her hands tiredly. I wanted to comfort her like she had me so many times before.

“Ms. Malady?”

“What?” she snapped, looking at the new arrival.

He was a young man with bright red eyes and stained teeth. “There is a request for you to put out the fires along the waterways.”

“No.”

“Imports cannot get in and…”

She stood slowly. “I have refrained from killing one individual today. I do not think I will be able to do it again.”

He swallowed. “Yes, ma’am.” And quickly, he left.

“Oh, Bella,” I whispered brokenly. As she sank back down into her chair, I felt my heart break a little more.  “What am I going to do with you?” I had to get back to her. I knew that. I just needed her to be patient a little longer. Just until I was done. “I’ll be home soon,” I vowed. “And I promise, I’ll explain everything.”

She didn’t move. Didn’t even look my way. To her, I was officially dead.