Clementine's words soothed some of the turmoil in Sugar's soul. She sat next to her. “What you’re saying is my situation could be a lot worse.”
“He didn’t plan to do this. What happened presented itself, and like a man, he didn’t think, he reacted. He loves you so much. How can that be wrong?”
Sugar nodded, unable to form the words to express the level of frustration growing inside of her.
“Take your time. I’m here to help, especially with the feeding part.” Clementine made a face. “I remember it being difficult as a fledgling. The fangs take a while to thicken. I doubt Daedalus or Pallas remember that far back.”
Tonguing her new fangs, she nicked the tip. The sharp scratch was followed by salty goodness. Nausea rolled in her stomach once more. Even her own blood tasted heavenly. “Can I eat anything?”
Clementine shook her head. “But you can drink for pleasure. Blood is your only nutritional requirement.”
“Yay…” Her appetite had diminished in recent months, so it shouldn’t be a huge adjustment. “Can I get drunk? I sure could use a few stiff drinks about now.”
Clementine patted her thigh. “I’m sure you could. I’ll show you the well-stocked bar in Daedalus’s study.”
Grinning, Sugar followed Clementine toward the living quarters where she imagined Daedalus kept the alcohol. She had other plans for her evening though. She was tired of being the damsel in distress to Daedalus’s hero. “Do you know where my cane is?”
“Probably still in the library.”
Sugar's steps grew heavier. She had jumped too many hurdles tonight. Facing the place of her attack could wait.
“I could get it for you.”
“Yes, please, I’d like to still keep it.” Her answer came out too fast and pleasant, making her pain all the clearer. She did want her cane, though. Not for walking, but for the stake inside the shaft. “I’ll find Daedalus on my own.”
Clementine headed toward the center of the mansion to the library, her long red hair swaying with her gait, her presence too pacifying for Sugar's mood. She didn’t want to sit back and accept her fate. She wanted to grab it by the balls until Daedalus apologized.
Open files lay on the tabletop, however Daedalus didn’t see the information written on the papers strewn before him. In his mind's eye, the sting of Sugar’s bite kept replaying as if caught on a loop. The pleasure of those dainty fangs piercing him was incredible. And those little mewling noises she made while sucking on his flesh… A shiver crept over his spine. What would he do if she left?
The dungeon in the basement contained all manner of chains. Keeping her against her will crossed lines he’d never consider. Charm would have to be the weapon he’d wield. He grunted. His plan to gain her forgiveness was doomed before it even began.
“What are you doing?” Pallas limped to a chair across from him.
“Nothing really. Fooling myself into thinking I can concentrate on work.” He pushed away from the table and stretched.
“You should reorganize your company.”
“I haven’t the heart to start tonight.” He opened a different file. “I can’t begin until I’ve reunited my nest.”
“Haven’t the heart?” Disbelief colored Pallas’s question, and he scratched at his bald head. “What does that have to do with it? Your territory was invaded.” He banged the tabletop with his fist. “Take it back. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Daedalus shrugged. Getting Pal Robi Inc. back on track wasn’t that urgent. “The world won’t end if I don’t do it tonight.”
“This is about the girl, isn’t it? You saved her. She’ll be at your side for eternity or until you sicken of her. Get your head out of your arse.”
“I think you’ve overstayed your welcome in my home, Pallas. You should report back to the council now.”
“What am I to report? That Daedalus is so lovesick he can’t do his job?” His gaze hardened. “They’ll make me return and stake you. Pal Robi Inc. is not secured yet.”
“When did you start following orders so well?” Daedalus closed the file and tossed it at Pallas. The imbecile was right. Being Prime meant protecting his people. Dark foreboding crushed what little hope he had left. He’d been too busy playing with shifters lately. His days with the Vasi were over. “I liked you better when you weren’t so compliant.”
“Me too.” Pallas crossed his arms over his chest. “When did things change so much?”
Daedalus chuckled. “About a hundred years ago the humans discovered electricity. Things haven’t been the same since.”
Pallas shook his head. “Not that. I mean us. When did our clan begin losing so much power?”
“When the wars ended.” Daedalus meant the vampire wars. Humans still couldn’t find peace among each other. “Most of you went to sleep. The rest of us forged new paths.” He shrugged. “Some survived as I did doing security, others took less savory routes.”
“I would have thought you’d take the latter.”
“I did for awhile, but my views on right and wrong have altered.”
“Especially now that we live openly with humans.” Pallas frowned.
“This concerns you?” Daedalus didn’t bother masking the surprise in his voice. Pallas had been all about strategizing battles, hunting, and…blood. Maybe Daedalus should be more concerned as well. While Pallas hibernated, Daedalus had continued to live and change. It gave him a chance to curb his bloodlust. He raised his eyebrow at his injured brother who should have healed by now. “Have you depleted my stores of blood?”
Pallas made a face and pointed at the half-healed cuts on his head. “Cold, dead cells don’t rejuvenate as well as fresh. I’m strong enough to hunt, but I don’t trust myself to follow these human laws. Will you, at least, leave your Prima’s side long enough to hunt with me?”
“We’ll both go with you.” Sugar strode into his study.
“We?” The two of them echoed each other and focused on the fledgling who bore herself like a queen. He’d always thought she’d make an excellent Prima. The Vasi pack guarded her like a treasure. Her quiet support of the packs endeavors had given them a home and confidence they’d needed. “Pallas and I were discussing hunting hu—food.”
“I’m going to have to learn how. Might as well start now.” Her gaze narrowed as it met his. “You were going to show him the legal ways, right?”
He sometimes broke the law and fed upon evildoers. Old habits and all. She knew this, and it was a source of many of their disagreements. “Of course I was.”
Pallas rolled his eyes before facing Sugar. “What legal options are open to me in this new day and age?”
Clementine entered and handed Sugar her cane. “When I lived here, I used a feeding service. You pay a monthly fee depending on what you want. I’ve heard some cater to more extravagant needs of hunters.” She spoke of the need to chase prey that burned in his kind.
Daedalus focused his thoughts on Pallas. “Shut up. They’re trying to help. They don’t understand.” The hunt-and-kill was ingrained in Nosferatu society. Pallas would not reform overnight, but with some forceful guidance Daedalus could hopefully prevent the death of innocents.
“They do last-minute orders, but it costs more.” Clementine pulled out her smartphone. “I’m sure I still have their number.”
Sugar appeared paler than when she’d arrived. “Like takeout?”
A smile tugged at his lips. The first night Sugar arrived on his doorstep the guard had asked him if he had ordered a blonde for dinner. Maybe she recalled that evening as well and finally understood the guard’s question. Clementine wasn’t the only one who used those companies, and some did cater to more dangerous hungers. It came with a large price tag though.