“Indeed it is, my dear. And he is sadly inneed of female company at the moment.”
“Only since you put the one I wanted to fuckout of reach,” Roderick snarled, still staring up at Victor. A lowgrowl was building in the were’s throat and it still looked likeviolence was imminent.
However, I had underestimated Corbin’scunning.
“Come, my dear,” he told the female vamp.“Perhaps now is not the time. The Inquisitor appears to be moreinterested in Taylor.”
“Taylor?” She gave my friend a contemptuouslook. “What does he want with her? She’s so weak she can’teven glamour a human to give her blood. She has to live on thebagged stuff.”
I saw Taylor blush pale pink withembarrassment and Victor’s growl grew even louder. But the femalevamp’s words seemed to have a positive effect on Roderick.
“What?” He turned toward Corbin. “Is thistrue? Did Celeste give me a defective fledgling for a bedmate?”
“Alas…” Corbin sighed and spread his hands.“I fear Taylor was wrongly turned—she simply hasn’t the temperamentfor our kind. I have been trying to get her off my hands ever sinceI was forced to acquire her in order to keep my consort happy.” Heglanced at me and rolled his eyes as if to say, Women.
Roderick frowned suspiciously. “So this wasnot simply a ploy to keep me from having her?”
“I will admit that giving Taylor back to youwould be most upsetting to my consort,” Corbin said. “But I alsohad to get rid of her when the opportunity presented itself. Andbesides, I thought you would be much more comfortable withLucinda.” He nodded at the girl vamp who made a little half curtsyto Roderick.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Inquisitor,”she gushed, batting her eyes at him. “And I understand you’reextremely…creative when it comes to pleasure.”
“That I am, sweetheart.” He turned to her,ignoring the still growling Victor as though the werewolf wasn’tthere. Holding out an arm to the female vamp, he murmured, “Shallwe go? I’m here for an inspection but I’m certain Corbin won’t mindif I take a few minutes from my busy schedule to sample yourcharms.”
“Not at all.” Corbin smiled. “Use my officeif you like—it’s completely soundproof. But please mind the stacksof paperwork on the desk.”
“Of course.” They turned to go but Roderickshot Corbin one last look. “This isn’t over, Corbin. I’ll returnmomentarily and we can discuss your many breaches of conduct.”
“I’ll be waiting anxiously.” Corbin sketchedhim a little salute and watched as Roderick and Lucinda walked outthe door.
The minute they were gone, I think everyonein the room breathed a sigh of relief. Even the vamps who, strictlyspeaking, didn’t have to breathe. Taylor still did because, shesaid it was a habit and besides it helped her smell and taste. Butif she had to hide somewhere, say, underwater, she could easilyhave held her breath indefinitely.
I hoped she wouldn’t have to go to suchlengths to get away from Roderick. Maybe now that he was distractedwith Little Miss Perfect Vamp, he would lose interest in Taylor. Ifhe did, then I owed Corbin an apology…now there was apleasant thought.
Victor was still looking at the door, whichRoderick had closed behind him, and growling.
“I don’t like that guy,” he remarked, hisvoice still inhumanly deep. “Arrogant son of a bitch.”
“Arrogance comes naturally to Roderick,”Corbin agreed. Stepping forward, he held out a hand to Victor. “Mycongratulations—holding your ground against one of our kind,especially one as old and powerful as Roderick—is no easytask.”
“Well, I wasn’t gonna let him just fuckingtake her.” Victor shook his hand and cast an uneasy glancebehind him at Taylor who still looked both unhappy and upset. “Whatthe hell is his problem, anyway?”
Corbin shrugged. “He is, as you said, anarrogant son of a bitch. Absolute power corrupts absolutely andthere are few vampires more powerful than Roderick.”
“Well, he’d better stay the fuck away fromher if he knows what’s good for him.” Victor looked more closely atmy friend. “Hey, you all right?”
“Fine.” She lifted her chin, obviouslytrying to put on a brave face. “I’m fine.”
“Uh…good.” Victor looked at her for a longmoment and it seemed like he might have something else to say. Butat last he simply shook his head and turned to Corbin. “I really dohave to go. Will she be all right here?”
“Now that you have claimed her and Roderickis busy with other matters, there will be no further problem,”Corbin assured him. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you,Victor.”
“Yeah, right. Business.” He shook his head.“What a fucking weird night.”
“I have a feeling it’s only going to getstranger,” Corbin murmured.
“Well, I can’t stay for that.” Victor lookedat Taylor once more. “Uh, bye.”
“Goodbye.” She turned her head, not lookingat him. “I suppose I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah, about that—just let me get my placein order and then…oh hell…” He ran a hand through his hair. “Look,I really do have to go.”
“Go on. Nobody’s keeping you,” I toldhim.
“Right. Okay, see you.” Victor nodded at allof us and walked out the door, leaving the little room feelingstrangely empty without his animal energy.
“Well, that went better than expected.”Corbin clapped his hands together and turned to Taylor. “Myapologies, Taylor, for Lucinda’s rude words. I thought it would bethe best way to get Roderick to redirect his attentions.”
“You don’t have to apologize, Master.Everything she said was true.” Taylor looked like she might cry—ifshe had enough blood left in her system to do so, that was. “May Igo?” she asked in a low voice.
“I’ll go with you.” I hurried to her and putan arm around her waist. “You look like you’re about a quart low,”I told her. I looked at Corbin. “I know you don’t want me feedingher but can’t you send in someone to give her a littleblood? She can’t live on the bagged stuff forever.”
He shook his head. “I’m afraid that nowTaylor is bound to Victor, he is the only one she can drinkfrom.”
“What?” I shook my head in disbelief.“But…what kind of a rule is that?”
“It’s not just a rule—it’s a biologicalimperative,” Corbin said. “For the next three months until the Lawsof Ownership are satisfied, she will be physically
