Bloodbloom

By Kate Hill

Lance Bloodbloom: For years I’ve served as an agent for the Sovereign Vampire of the USA. Since the demon occupation, I’ve fought on the side of the rebellion. Now I’ve been reassigned to the Savage Sage Club, which is also a safe house for refugees. My dilemma is Cupid -- a former prostitute who now runs the club. From the moment I freed him from a sadistic flesh peddler, he stole my heart, but in my line of work, one can’t have a heart. Despite this, when I finally see Cupid again, I doubt I can control my passion for him.

Cupid: The night Lance rescued me from the dungeon where I’d been forcibly turned into a vampire and mercilessly used for blood and sex, I knew I would love him forever. He sent me away, though, to a place where I could recover and build a new life, and I have. I’m no longer a prostitute, and I run a club that is also a haven for members of the rebellion. Lance Bloodbloom is back, and I want him more than ever, so I’ll need to convince him that love is possible, even for a centuries-old warrior.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Aug 14, 2020

Kate Hill

Kate Hill is a vegetarian New Englander who started writing many years ago for pleasure. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, watching horror and action movies, working out, and spending time with her family and pets. She also writes under the name Saloni Quinby.

Book preview

warrior.

Chapter One

I stop my car outside of the Savage Sage club and glance at the gray brick building made in the image of a medieval tower. My sigh is more a snort of indignation. Here I am -- one of the finest warriors in the rebel army, reduced to nursing his wounds while managing a modern-day brothel.

I can’t keep the wicked smile from my lips. If Lucas heard that thought, we’d probably end up dueling. My bitterness isn’t directed at this place. Not really. It’s just that I’m already restless, and right now my pride stings more than my healing wound.

I received this almost lethal injury while protecting Blaxton, the Sovereign Vampire of the USA. I suppose he thinks he’s being kind, removing me temporarily from his personal guard, or more likely, he can’t have a half-healed soldier by his side. Can’t blame him there, not in this demon-infested world, and not when he’s such an important part of the rebellion.

Fortunately, this is more than a mere brothel. It’s to be a checkpoint in an underground rescue mission that guides the most vulnerable of Earth’s creatures -- human and otherwise -- to a place called Beaver Bay in New England. It’s only recently that the evacuations have started in the northeast, because until just a short time ago, Beaver Bay was nothing more than a hideaway like most others. Then things changed. Angels now work with the witches of Beaver Bay. Anyone who travels there is whisked away to a refugee camp guarded by angels, where they can safely await the end of the war against the demon occupation here on Earth. Blaxton sent me here to evaluate the club, to make sure everything is as safe as possible. In a few days, an angel, Tad, will arrive to meet with rebel leaders in Baltimore, and I’m to report to them.

It’s been a long trip from Indiana, where the Sovereign Vampire had a meeting with a coven of witches -- also part of the rebellion. Demons attacked, and --

And the rest I don’t want to think about, even though the twinge in my chest is an irritating reminder.

I drive into the parking garage attached to the club. A tall Indian man with a shaved head and a long, raven beard approaches. I peer at him over the rims of my dark glasses and offer him my identification.

He inclines his head. Welcome, Mr. Bloodbloom. Your personal parking spot is over there.

I nod and he raises the gate so that I can drive in.

By the time I park and approach the private entrance nearby, a nondescript young man in a club uniform approaches my car to take my luggage. The assistant manager and my main contact here waits by the open door.

Cupid. He’s as beautiful as ever. Six feet tall, broad-shouldered and slim, he’s smooth shaven and youthful -- not surprising since he was made a vampire at the human age of twenty-two.

I nearly smile. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. I’d arranged for him to come here a little over five years ago. He’s like a different person now -- so poised -- not like the timid boy I’d found chained and bleeding in a house of horrors.

Hello and welcome, Mr. Bloodbloom. He offers a little bow, but his angelic brown eyes hold my gaze with confidence. When we first met, he rarely met anyone’s gaze.

Hello, Cupid. I pause in front of him and he continues staring. His heartbeat quickens and there’s something in his scent -- something that mingles with his mint cologne and natural musk that takes me aback.

That scent is familiar, but unwanted for our present situation. The last thing I need right now is complications from this beautiful boy. I can only hope that Lucas has trained him well enough to know his place.

I’ll show you to your room, sir, and then give you a tour of the club. I’m told it’s changed since your last visit.

Although that visit wasn’t too long ago by vampire standards, it’s more than enough for significant changes, especially considering all that’s happened since the demon occupation.

That will be fine.

He motions for me to follow him inside. We stroll down a dark hallway to an elevator. While we wait, I stare at the door, lost in thought. Blaxton didn’t merely send me here to recover, but to see that this place stays safe and operational in Lucas’s absence. He’s currently undercover. While Cupid is quite capable of running the club -- and has been for several weeks -- he’s not ready to lead a full-on battle against demonic intruders. Yes, the club’s security team is competent, but even they lack my experience.

With Lucas in the front lines at Beaver Bay, it’s not inconceivable that demons discover his connection to them. If he becomes a target, so will everything he holds dear -- including the Savage Sage and all who shelter here.

That means Cupid, too.

There was something about him when we first met -- something in the way he looked and talked. Something in the way he trusted me when he probably should have lost faith in everyone.

How was your trip? he asks, staring at me with eyes like melting chocolate -- his expression is that sweet and enticing.

Long.

If you prefer to discuss business tomorrow evening instead of --

No, I prefer to start tonight.

Yes, sir.

The way he says yes, sir reminds me too much of the situation in which we’d met. Though he’s clearly a long way from the slave I rescued, there’s still something submissive in his demeanor. Something innately eager to please, but at the same time powerful. Arousing. It’s almost like he’s deliberately trying to seduce me, from his soul-stealing eyes to the perfect cut of his suit that shows off his trim torso and long legs.

I need to control myself. None of these lures are deliberate. He’s a vampire. Seduction is part of our nature, and even in his human life he had been --

This way, sir.

We step off the elevator and walk down another gray hallway with a woven carpet of red roses on a black background. We pause at a door toward the end of the hall and he swipes a card to open it. He hands me the card and steps aside, allowing me to enter first.

I stride into the manager’s suite and glance around the spacious sitting room. It has a black leather couch and two matching chairs. There’s a mini-bar toward the back, near the doors that open to the balcony. To the right is a kitchenette, and to the left an arched doorway leads to the bedroom.

I step toward the balcony, but Cupid remains in the doorway.

You can come in, Cupid.

He follows me. The bathroom is attached to the bedroom. Through there.

Yes. I open the door and inhale the dank city air.

Is there anything you need, sir? Food? Wine? Cupid steps closer and those chocolate-colored eyes fix on mine. Blood?

Is it just me, or did his voice get lower, huskier? He’d better not play those games. I’m not here for that.

Nothing. I’ll meet you in the main lobby in an hour for my tour. Then we’ll discuss business. I set the alarm on my watch for forty-five minutes.

Yes, sir. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.

I won’t. Though I want to look at him, I keep my gaze focused on the city.

As he goes, the bellhop arrives with my luggage, places it silently in the bedroom, and leaves.

Finally alone, I glance around the empty suite. Unconsciously, I relax. It annoys me that I haven’t even realized how tense I’ve been. Cupid is still just a boy, not even having seen his first decade as a vampire, let alone his first century.

Despite my age and years of training body and mind, of choosing to harness my vampiric desires, I’m not dead. I still feel, and I have needs.

Cupid is an expert at fulfilling people’s needs. He might not be a slave anymore, but he had always made a living pleasuring others. Even now, he’s an expert in hospitality. Lucas said he was born for this type of work -- pleasing others is in his nature. Lucas has taught him where to draw the line, how to give pleasure without demeaning himself -- at least that’s what I hope. That’s why I sent Cupid here. I trusted Lucas to do what I couldn’t.

With one last glance at the city, I walk to the bedroom, send a quick message to Blaxton, and undress. As usual my mind is in overdrive. I’ve looked over information about every staff member. Just about everyone has worked here since before the demon occupation, except for a few performers who have entertained here for a year or more. There is just one possible newcomer -- a dancer has an audition toward the end of the week. Though he has come highly recommended by a demon hunter Lucas trusts, I intend to interview him personally. No new hires at the club unless they’re cleared by me.

While shrugging off my jacket, I place a call for room service -- a light meal and strong blood.

I hang the suit jacket and trousers in the closet, and then I loosen my tie and unbutton my shirt. After removing them, I toss them onto a nearby chair. Wearing nothing but black briefs, I step into the bathroom and glance longingly at the tub. It would be nice to soak for a while, but I want to get to work, so I tug off my briefs and step into the shower instead. The wound on my chest is covered, but I’m careful not to get it wet.

Room service taps on the door. Cursing under my breath, I quickly towel off and drag on my black robe, belting it loosely on my way to the door.

Cupid’s scent is still strong in the room, or is it my imagination?

I shouldn’t be surprised to find him standing outside my door with the tray I’d ordered, except that I didn’t expect the assistant manager to deliver my food.

Where would you like this, Mr. Bloodbloom?

The table is fine. Are we short staffed?

No. I was in the kitchen when your order came through. His gaze rivets to my chest. That bandage needs to be changed.

I was about to take care of that. I pull the robe closed and tighten the belt, annoyed that he’d seen evidence of my injury.

Come here. He motions for me to follow him to the bathroom where he removes a first aid kit from a cabinet that also contains fresh sheets and towels. He removes his suit jacket, hangs it on a hook behind the door, and unbuttons the sleeves of his crisp white dress shirt. He rolls them up, revealing strong forearms dusted with honey blond hair. I resist the urge to lick my lips as he washes his hands. I’ll take care of it for you, Mr. Bloodbloom.

I draw a sharp breath. Out of habit and propriety, I nearly tell him to leave, but I don’t want to.

He deftly searches through the contents of the first aid kit, takes protective gloves, and pulls them on while