The Adept jerked in her golden pillory. The hairs on the nape of her neck stood up as she heard several sets of footsteps behind her. The sounds of multiple people entering the room had her twisting in her padded restraints, evoking laughter from the newcomers.
"So, this is the pretty thing you've been playing with all evening is it, Saint?" said a new, rougher voice behind her. The smell of absinthe and roses wafted into the room, tickling Jocasta's nose. Yet there was something new underneath the perfumed fragrance...an iron tang that made Jocasta's nose wrinkle. "It is," agreed the vampire that tormented Jocasta earlier, whom Jocasta now realized was called Saint.
"Good of you to share her with us then," came a voice from over her shoulder, one that seemed softer and sweeter than the other two. The owner of the voice walked around the pillory, and then Jocasta was confronted with a strikingly beautiful person. They were possessed of delicate, almost feminine features, with large golden eyes fringed with thick lashes, and a soft rosebud mouth that curled upward in a beatific smile. Their hair was a fetching, rich chestnut shade that fell about their shoulders in lovely curls. Jocasta felt awestruck at the sight of them, and she had to close her mouth forcefully to prevent her from gaping like a fish.
"I like the look of her. Come around and see her, Andras," said the captivating stranger, who gestured for their unseen companion to approach.
"I can tell I like her from right here," replied the so-called Andras, but who came around anyway to stand close beside the androgynously beautiful stranger. Andras, by contrast, was rougher looking than either of the two she had previously seen. The vampire was possessed of heavy, dark brows, and sharp angular features that made Jocasta think of a beast of prey. His hair was black as a crow's wing and wild, and his eyes were solid onyx. She also noted that his mouth was unusually red for a man's, but shoved that thought aside.
"I see what you mean, Aster. She's one of the prettier ones Saint's had. Looks like he already made a mess of her face though," said Andras, his voice deep and resonant. Jocasta's face became hot; she was all too aware of the nightwalker's cooling semen decorating her face. She cast her eyes down, feeling hot shame burn in her body.
A laugh sounded behind her, clear and musical. Then, Saint swept around the pillory and Jocasta was confronted by the triumphantly grinning vampire.
"I'm glad you agree, but we have more than just a pretty face at our tender mercies; we have a witch from the Meyer's Guild," said Saint, and the eyes of both Andras and Aster went round.
"A Guild witch?" asked Aster, turning to look up into Saint's face, "But what is she doing here? I've never seen a Guild witch even near this part of town."
Saint's grin turned mocking. "Yes, I'm inclined to think our little magician got on someone's bad side. Isn't it delicious?" asked Saint, his bloody gaze flicking down to Jocasta's dripping face. Jocasta did not look up, and kept her gaze determinedly on the floor.
"That depends. Does she come with any strings attached?" asked Andras, who had obviously recovered from the surprise and was now scowling down at the Guild witch. His stare was so intent upon Jocasta that she flinched involuntarily. Aster's expression changed from one of wonder to worry, and they glanced at Jocasta dubiously.
That idea didn't seem to trouble Saint however, who shrugged it off airily. "She didn't come with any instructions, so I've been using her as I see fit. And clearly the Guild isn't on her side, otherwise they wouldn't have had her restrained and presented so...appetizingly," replied Saint, who already seemed bored of all the questions. Hearing that, the other two vampires regarded Jocasta with a thoughtful expression.
"You're sure we won't have any Council men on our tails if we play with her?" asked Andras, his deep voice making Jocasta feel unusually small. She glanced up at the wild looking vampire under her lashes, wondering what he could possibly mean by 'play'. The witch repressed a shudder, certain that such a rough looking vampire must have a vastly unconventional definition for that word.
"Even if we do, we'll out-run and out-fox them as usual," replied Saint tightly. His expression soured, and the corners of the pale vampire's lips pulled down into a frown.
Andras glanced back at Saint and chuckled, obviously familiar with Saint's impatience and entirely unconcerned with it.
"Can't hurt to be cautious, Saint, but we'll get on with it. I know how you hate waiting," placated Andras, his hawkish face looking eager.
Saint seemed mollified by the answer, and his face resumed the same expression of sensual cruelty it had when Jocasta first saw him. "Excellent," purred the pale nightwalker, and his velvety voice sent a tingle down Jocasta's spine.
"Does anyone want to have a first turn with her?" asked the pale vampire, his tone generous and expansive, as though he were a nobleman offering his largesse to the commoners.
Aster considered her for a moment before shaking their head, causing their chestnut curls to bounce.
"While she is lovely, Saint," said Aster, who walked smoothly over to the long couch on the side of the room and seated themself before continuing,"I think I'm of the mind to watch your play rather than participate."
Andras' lips quirked at one corner. Eyes twinkling with mirth, Aster added, "And anyway, Andras has been in a mood all night to show off ever since I won our bet at the bar and I think this little witch is the perfect canvas for him."
"Aye, I think you're right," replied Andras, who had walked away from the restrained Adept and was considering the wall of fearsome implements. "You've already had her with the paddle, is that right Saint?" asked the hawkish vampire, who was staring intently at the length of the coiled leather whip. He took it down and pulled the supple leather through his fingers, his flinty black eyes intent upon it.
"I have. Oh, and you should also know: she mewls like a kitten if you hurt her nipples," replied Saint, eyeing the whip that Andras was admiring. The pale vampire seemed slightly apprehensive of Andras' choice of toy, and became visibly more relaxed when the hawkish vampire put the whip back in its place.
"If I whip her now, she'll bleed all over the place," said Andras smoothly, almost nonchalantly, "Which, while good fun, would be wasteful; we've eaten already, anyway."
Jocasta's ears perked up at that little remark. So they'd eaten? Her heart began pounding in her chest as images bubbled up in her mind. Little horrific vignettes of these beautiful creatures tearing into throats and lapping up the blood that spilled from their victims. Jocasta's nearness to death became all too apparent, and she felt as though she had glimpsed a yawning abyss open at her feet.
