Sorry about the lateness of the next chapter. I hope you didn't lose interest. I think this could be a great story if I can find the time to write. As always, I accept constructive criticism, but hate and nastiness will be deleted without exception. Be nice and enjoy!
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The same lower creature that had attended to Ras when he arrived at the party was also there when he and Dana exited the palatial home of their mutual acquaintances, Solomon and Elizabeth. The smallish form once again addressed Ras as titled, further annoying the superior being.
"Leaving so soon, Sire?" the fawning thing asked as he opened the passenger door for Ras's new companion. "The Master and Mistress will be most displeased if you were not happy with the gala."
"The 'gala' was just fine," Ras replied as he leered hard at the sub-creature. "Tell your Master and Mistress that we had other matters to attend."
"Shall I tell the Master to expect you back tonight, Mrs. Evans?" the bootlick asked as he helped Dana adjust her seatbelt.
"Let Solomon know that I'm in the safe company of Mr. Delevan and I will return tomorrow." Dana replied as she reached for the inside door handle. "Thank you, Damian."
Ras got into his red sportscar and fastened his own safety belt, out of habit if for no other reason. "Damian, huh?" he said to Dana as he fired up the car's powerful engine. "He looks a little like that rotten kid from the movie."
"What movie?" Dana asked as she turned in her seat to face Ras.
"Never mind," Ras responded and put the car into first gear. "How old are you, anyway? And how long have you been living with Solomon and Elizabeth?"
"I'm old enough to drive. And drink, Mr. Delevan." Dana answered. "But if you must know, I'm twenty-eight. And I've been Solomon and Elizabeth's... houseguest since my husband passed. What else would you like to know?"
Ras smiled as he hit the gas and released the clutch, "We'll go over the details later. Right now, I feel like finding someplace that serves a good rare steak. Hungry?"
"Sounds like a good start." Dana replied. Her eyes never left Ras's face as he zoomed the car down the long dirt driveway and she didn't flinch when the tires slid on to the pavement and screeched the vehicle sideways across the pavement. Ras took notice of her calm demeanor in the midst of his reckless driving.
She's either a non-human or she has ice water in her veins,
he thought as he sped down the dark road into town. But he had felt her warmth earlier. And he could smell what was in her veins, and he knew for certain that it was anything but ice water.
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Artemis was still seething with rage as he walked up the stairs to the drawing room where his benefactors awaited. Although he was nearly as powerful as Ras, he was not quite as independent and fell into line quickly when the clan's leaders snapped their fingers. He drew a deep breath to regain his composure then opened the double doors to the large parlor where Solomon and Elizabeth lay on a large mattress with several half-dressed females, some human, some not. Elizabeth was the first to spot Artemis' entry into the room.
"Artemis, we wait much too long," Elizabeth said, her English broken and hampered by her thick Slavic accent. No one in the clan knew exactly from where Elizabeth originally hailed nor did they have the pluck to ask. And Elizabeth gave no indication that she would ever tell.
"My apologies, dear Elizabeth," Artemis replied, his Southern accent equally thick, "but it seems that Ras had another engagement to attend. One with your pretty little Dana, I'm afraid."
At the mention of her name, Solomon raised his head from the neck of a pale brunette form. "Ras and Dana?" he questioned his lieutenant. Solomon's dialect was pure American Midwest, much like Ras's, but his angled facial features were clearly Eastern European, although he also would never tell from where he originated. There were those in the clan that speculated that he may even be descended from The One, though no one dared ask him that either. "Ras and Dana," he repeated to no one, for no reason other than to hear it again.
"I'm sure he 'persuaded' her to go, Solomon," Artemis interjected. "Why would she ever leave the comfort of your wonderful home?"
"Don't be too sure about that, Artemis," Solomon replied as he wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand and ticked his index finger in his subordinate's direction. "Dana can be very persuasive herself." He waved his hand and two attendants appeared from the shadows of the dimly lit room and removed the lifeless body from underneath him. Solomon looked at Elizabeth and smiled a bit. "She did taste wonderful, didn't she, my dear?"
"From outside and in, love," Elizabeth replied as she watched the servants remove the body from the room. The couple then sat up on the bed and faced Artemis, still standing a few feet from the foot. Artemis could now see that Solomon wore only a pair of black pants and no shirt while Elizabeth wore a white robe, open in front revealing her pale breasts and exposing one pinkish-white nipple. She made no attempt to cover herself in front of him.
"Now, Artemis," Solomon continued as he brushed his shoulder-length sandy blond hair from his face, "you did tell Ras we wanted to see him, right?"
"Of course, Solomon," Artemis answered, "most of us still know the rules and follow them. I do as you ask. However, he has always had a mind of his own. We all know that. And I don't think he'll ever change. Not without... a harsh lesson..."