The Sacrifice Read online

  Immediately I dial Lexy’s number. It seems to take forever and the phone makes a hollow, ratcheting sound with each sweep of its ancient dial but finally I hear it ringing. I only hope my cousin will pick up—this line is going to show up as an unknown number on her cell. I wish I would have brought my own cell to the Sacrifice Ceremony but I hadn’t had anywhere to put it and hadn’t wanted to risk losing it in the rowdy crowd.

  Lexy answers on the fourth ring, sounding cautious. “Hello? Who is this?”

  “Lexy, it’s me!” I can’t disguise my relief at hearing her voice.

  “Emma?” she squeals. “Oh my Goddess, I was so worried about you! How are you? Was the Sovereign magnificent? Did he ride you like a stallion?”

  “I’m fine and he’s okay,” I say, deliberately ignoring the last question. “I’m calling you from his house right now.”

  “Is it amazing? Is it fabulous?”

  “As a matter of fact it is,” I say. “He’s definitely not hurting for money.” Then again, what vampire is? The fanged set are notorious for having more money than God and the Republican party put together.

  “Why did he pick you?” Lexy wants to know. “Did he say?”

  “He hasn’t really told me yet. Although he did say that…” I clear my throat, almost too embarrassed to go on.

  Lexy clearly senses some juicy gossip. “Come on, Emma,” she urges. “What did he say?”

  “That he, uh, wanted me from the moment he first saw me in the store,” I say in a rush. “I mean, I have no idea why. I tried to tell him I’m a dud but he acts like he doesn’t believe it.”

  “Maybe he wants you for more than your power, did you think of that?” Lexy demands. It’s so exactly like what Aiden himself said to me that I feel a strange sense of déjà vu.

  “Maybe…” I say reluctantly.

  “Maybe nothing—you’ve got the figure of a goddess and he obviously likes women with curves,” Lexy assures me. “So where is Mr. Mysterious now?”

  “At his office, I think. He said he had work to do and left.”

  “So he just left you there all alone after a night of passion? How rude!” Lexy sounds indignant. “Someone should tell him he can’t just fuck and run like that.”

  “Why not? You do it to guys all the time,” I point out. “And besides he hasn’t actually, uh, done that yet.”

  “What?” Her shriek nearly deafens me. “You mean he accepted you as his Sacrifice but he still hasn’t claimed you yet?”

  “I wouldn’t say he hasn’t laid claim to me,” I say, thinking of the collar I’m currently wearing. If that isn’t a mark of ownership, I don’t know what is.

  “Well, why hasn’t he fucked you? Is he gay or something?”

  “Most definitely not,” I assure her. There’s no doubt that Aiden likes females. “He’s just…taking his time. He seems to think the anticipation will, uh, heighten the experience.”

  “Weird…” Lexy sounds almost thoughtful. Then she switches gears again. “So can I come over and see his place?” she asks, sounding as playful as a puppy eager to explore.

  I’m tempted to say yes and ask her to bring me a selection of clothes from my apartment. Aiden promised to fetch them for me but so far that doesn’t seem to be happening. However, two thoughts stop me. One, I’m not sure how Aiden would feel about me inviting someone over to his house without asking his permission first. In fact, I think the odds are that it would piss him off—a lot. And two, I’m still wearing this stupid harness. If I sit very still, as I am now, I can almost forget the damn dildo is up inside me. But the idea of seeing someone I know—even Lexy—while wearing it, is just too freaking weird. Even if I kept it hidden, I would still be able to feel it up there and I’m sure she would notice me walking funny and then it would all come out and…uh-uh, no way.

  “Sorry,” I say reluctantly. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea right now. Maybe I can ask him later.”

  “Oh.” She sounds crestfallen. “Well, how about we just meet for lunch? I can at least pick you up, even if I don’t go inside, can’t I?”

  “Uh, I don’t think I’m allowed to go out,” I say. The thought that I’m a prisoner in this house gives me a sudden lump in my throat. “I…I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to stay in the house.”

  “What?” Lexy sounds pissed. “He can’t do that to you—order you around like that!”

  “Actually, he can,” I say. “I mean, that’s pretty much what being the Sacrifice means, doesn’t it? I’m his…his property.” I swallow hard but the lump won’t go down and suddenly I want to cry. “I’m…I’m stuck here for a year. I can’t even go out to attend any classes.”

  “Oh, Emma!” Lexy sounds genuinely worried about me. “Honey, please don’t cry! I wish I was there to give you a hug.”

  “I wish you were too,” I say, sniffing. “I could use a hug right about now.”

  “I’m sure you could and Mr. Bossypants Vampire Overlord is too high and mighty to give you one, isn’t he?”

  She’s completely serious but her new nickname for Aiden makes me want to laugh instead of crying. “That’s one way to put it.” I sigh. “Look, I probably shouldn’t stay on too long. This is one of those old fashioned land lines and I’m not sure if he has the phone monitored or something creepy like that.”

  “What are you going to do for the rest of the day? Just file your nails and wait like a good little girl for Daddy Vamp to come home?”

  “Right now I’m exploring,” I say. “Trying to figure out a little more about him. I thought maybe if I understood him things here might be…well, a little easier.”

  “Of course they would!” Lexy sounds excited again. “I’ll try to dig some dirt on my end too.”

  “And how will you do that?” I ask. “You going to start frequenting the blood bars?”

  “Of course not, silly. I’ll just sleep with a few of his fellow vamps. There’s nothing like a little pillow talk for getting information.”

  “That’s very sweet of you, Lexy,” I say. “But you don’t have to sleep with half the vamps in the Bay Area just for me.”

  “Who says it’s just for you? I’m kind of on a vamp kick right now.” She says casually, as though confessing she’s been craving a certain type of latte at Starbucks.

  “Really? And what happened to the werewolf you were lusting after last night?” I demand.

  “Booooriiiing.” Lexy yawns. “You know he didn’t even last five minutes before blowing his load? Ugh—at least vampires are never premature ejaculators. Most of them have had years to learn to get it right.”

  “Whatever you say,” I tell her. “But look, I really should go now.”

  “Okay. Just try and call me when you can. I’m saving this number under Emma’s master’s house. Okay?”

  “What?” I jump as though she stuck me with a pin. “Why would you call it that? Who say he was my master?”

  “He did, when he claimed you last night,” Lexy says cheerfully. “Talk to you later, cuz.”

  And with a click, she’s gone.

  Chapter Ten

  After Lexy hangs up, I have a moment of dejection. She’s more than my cousin—she’s my best friend and biggest cheerleader. I wonder when I’ll get to see her again. I guess I’ll have to ask Aiden about it tonight.

  Just the thought that I have to ask permission to see a friend pisses me off and I go from depression to irritation in an instant. Then I catch myself—Goddess, I’m really going through a wide range of emotions lately. I’m sure part of it is due to my new life situation but I’m also afraid my frequent mood swings might mean the onset of one of my rare but horrible periods. I’m really irregular and usually don’t get them more than three or four times a year but believe me, that’s more than enough.

  Well, on the bright side, if I do get my period, Aiden will have to let me go home—at least for a while. I have a certain herb brew that I keep ready, which is the only thing that keeps the cramps bearable. I usually t