The Elixir Maidens: Scarlet Page 6

  “Quit it before I puke.”

  “What I’m trying to say is I care about you. A lot.” Richie placed a rough hand behind Greg’s head and forced him to meet his gaze. “Call the armorer. I have a feeling you and this guy are meant to be.”

  For a moment Greg almost felt overcome with emotion. He mastered it quickly, forced a smile, and edged away from Richie. “Go find some poor girl to seduce.”

  “Are you going to call?”

  “I…” Greg’s pulse quickened and he drew a sharp breath, his lungs filling with Andrew’s delicious scent. “I don’t think I have to.”

  He and Greg turned to the door as Andrew strode inside.

  “I should make a run for it,” Greg murmured.

  “You do, and I’ll tackle you before you reach the door.”

  Greg couldn’t help smiling genuinely this time.

  “Talk to him,” Richie said, leaving the table just as Andrew arrived.

  “Hey,” Andrew said.

  “Hey.”

  “Mind if I sit?”

  Greg motioned toward the chair across from him. He felt almost lightheaded, both from happiness over Andrew’s return and fear because he decided to confide in him once and for all.

  Andrew sat, his gaze intent and his large hands twisting anxiously in front of him. “Yesterday I shouldn’t have acted like I did. I’m sorry.”

  “No, it was as much my fault as it was yours.”

  “I had no right to explode like that. You don’t owe me anything. I shouldn’t have given you an ultimatum. I sounded like some kind of obsessed nut. Actually, if you never want to see me again, I wouldn’t blame you.”

  Greg smiled and shook his head. “You’re way overacting. I am so glad you came back here tonight.”

  “You are?”

  Nodding, Greg stood. “Come with me.”

  “Where?”

  “My room.”

  “Greg, I really just wanted to talk.”

  “Me too, but in private. You’re right. I haven’t been completely honest with you, and there’s something I need to tell you.”

  Andrew followed Greg out of the club area and up the stairs to his room. Once there, Andrew sat on the bed while Greg paced. “Greg, what’s wrong?”

  “The other night when you said you wanted something possibly… serious between us, did you mean it?”

  “Yes,” Andrew replied without hesitation.

  “Then if that’s the case, there’s something you should know about me.”

  “What is it?” Andrew’s eyes widened. He approached and placed his hands on Greg’s shoulders.

  Sighing, Greg shook his head. “This is really hard for me. The only people who know about this are Richie and Ruby.”

  “You can tell me.”

  “It’s a stupid thing.” Moving away, Greg folded his arms across his chest and began pacing again. “Scarlet could tell you easily. Nothing bothers her, but I don’t have her guts.”

  Andrew’s brow furrowed. “You are Scarlet.”

  “No,” Greg murmured. “Not really. It’s hard to explain. I created Scarlet because she could act in a way I couldn’t.”

  “It’s no different than how I feel when I’m working in the forge. When I’m doing that, I’m in control. Confident. It’s natural to feel like that when you’re doing something you’re good at. Scarlet is a great entertainer, and she is you.”

  “You were attracted to her.”

  “I’m attracted to you. Whatever it is you have to tell me won’t change how I feel about you.”

  “All right.” Sighing, Greg rallied his courage and continued, “I’ve been avoiding sleeping with you because I have… nightmares.”

  “Nightmares?”

  “Yes.”

  “Everybody gets those sometimes. Especially vampires. With all those centuries behind us, we’re bound to have some disturbing memories hidden away that sometimes surface in dreams.”

  “These aren’t just average nightmares. When I have them, it’s like I’m reliving a time in my life that was absolute hell. When I wake up…” Greg paused, and shook his head.

  “It’s okay.” Andrew reached for his hand and held it tightly. Greg squeezed back, grateful for his lover’s calm, reassuring manner. “You can talk to me.”

  “I wake up screaming like a fucking idiot.”

  “You’re not an idiot.” Andrew tugged Greg into a firm embrace. His warmth and scent encompassed him. “Do you want to tell me what the nightmares are about?”

  “No. Yes.” Greg drew a deep breath and released it slowly. Andrew began rubbing his back gently. Finally Greg said, “The chorus master often took advantage of his position by abusing us in every imaginable way. What he did… I can’t talk about it. Not right now. No matter how much time passes or how hard I try, I can’t stop the nightmares. I know it’s stupid for a vampire to still be mentally enslaved by a mortal who died centuries ago, but --”

  “Becoming a vampire doesn’t change the core of who you are.” Andrew took Greg’s face in his hands and gazed deeply into his yes. “What happened to you was terrible. You can’t help feeling anger and fear, even if it was centuries ago. I’m glad you told me the truth. Nightmares I can handle, so don’t worry about spending the day with me. Not ever.”

  Greg closed his eyes and rested his head against Andrew’s shoulder, scarcely believing he’d told his secret to anyone beside his two closest friends. Andrew was even more than a friend. He was something Greg had never thought to find -- a soul mate.

  Andrew guided him to the bed where they lay, wrapped in each other’s arms.

  “Oh, I almost forgot.” The armorer reached into his pocket and withdrew something wrapped in a piece of cloth. “I had intended to give it to you at Christmas, but never got around to it.”

  “What is it?” Greg opened the cloth, revealing a gorgeous chain mail-style choker made of gold. He immediately thought about several of Scarlet’s costumes it would look perfect with. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  Greg brushed his mouth with a kiss, then settled back into his arms. While Andrew stroked his hair, he grew so relaxed and drowsy he nearly fell asleep until the sound of cheering echoed from the club below. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was midnight.

  “Happy New Year, Andrew.”

  “Happy New Year.”

  For the first time in his life, Greg fell asleep in a lover’s arms.

  That night, when he awoke in the midst of a nightmare, Andrew held him close, driving off any lingering terror.

  * * *

  With the Maidens’ contract fulfilled at Burgundy Peak and a month-long vacation ahead of him, Greg happily accepted Andrew’s invitation to move into his house. The two intended to fully explore what they knew would become the most wonderful relationship of their lives.

  The End

  The Elixir Maidens 3: Crimson

  It’s not always easy being the only straight member of the drag queen band, The Elixir Maidens, but the vampire Crimson loves his work and has never had a problem balancing his job with his sexual needs. Sondra loved The Elixir Maidens’ performance at Burgundy Peak, but even better was the slow, close dancing she enjoyed afterward with the sexiest man she’d ever met. Shocked when he reveals his true identity, she can scarcely believe she has fallen for a female impersonator. When Sondra is torn between her growing affection for Crimson and loyalty to her vampiric Creator who has little tolerance for any lifestyle other than his own, Crimson must decide between his career and the woman he loves.

  Kate Hill

  Kate Hill’s fiction and poetry have appeared in publications both on and off the Internet. When she’s not writing, Kate enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her family. Visit her online at http://www.kate-hill.com.

 

 

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