Crimson Rain

"I have done as you commanded, my Lord," Gareth, who was once a proud English Soldier, reported to the Dark Lord that had forced him away from that former life and family to become the foul God forsaken creature that he now was. "The woman Rain is never to be found alone away from Belle Morte's chambers, but I did happen upon Asher as he reclined in the garden. I recalled a story of his lost Julianna and gave him my sympathies for his dreadful appearance...just as you commanded, Sire." The blood in his stomach turning over the petty intrigues these ancient Vampire Masters reveled in.



"Yes, yes...What was his reaction?" The Master of Beasts pushed away the Wereleopard Emily from his lap to lay on the floor and lick her wounds. Gareth looked away from the blood and thicker fluids that stained Emily's fur.



"Sire, he became upset and made some excuse to hurry away. I fear he is rather unsettled, that one," Gareth replied, faking his excitement at the master's game. Looking down at his former wife Emily, he shuddered for what the fine Englishwoman had to endure since being brought forcibly into this life. If only Padma had been contented with just his service, but no the evil Indian took a great deal of pleasure it seemed from playing with others true loves, forcing him to be a witness to her torment. Forcing him to watch as his young wife was violated over and over by not only his master but by his master's other servants and strangers even. He tried to force memories of her being tied down in the kennel out of his mind.



"Are you paying attention, Gareth?" his Master asked as he grabbed his wife's tail and pulled her rump up in the air. "Or should I punish this one again do you think?"



"Please...No, My Lord, I beg forgiveness, Sire. I was merely contemplating the best method for continuing your game with Belle."



"Very well, don't let it be said that Padma is not a merciful man," he replied, dropping Emily and then standing to press his foot down upon her furred head.



Gareth knew this game and forced himself not to react, any sign of distress would only make it worse for her. As it was now, when Padma finally let her regain her human form, he worried about how much humanity she would even have.



"Excellent, Gareth, maybe there is hope for you. Now I want you to start telling rumors about Jean-Claude. Make them about grand parties and happy times, even after Asher was brought back to heal. Make up some story about Jean-Claude nearly falling in love with another Vampire. That would be good I think." Padma stroked his styled beard in thought.



"Yes, my Lord." Gareth bowed and fled, failing to miss the mournful look in Emily's feline eyes.



What is Rain's mystery? he wondered. She smelled perfectly human but clearly she was more. What was Belle hiding in those chambers of hers. He had no illusion of what would happen if he tried to force his way in to get the supposed mortal that had him so enthralled.



Could it be? Padma kicked away the leopard and walked over to his desk. Opening the wooden box that he kept on a shelf behind his chair, he pulled out the old decomposing skull. The old Aboriginal shaman had told him many interesting things before finally dying. Could Rain be the prophesied mother of his son? The Shaman had predicted that the woman would have dark hair and might not be human. Padma, of course ignored those rants as a desperate attempt to save his life. What were the other claims? He wished now that he hadn't killed the man, but really, who was to believe that an ancient vampire could find true love, a woman to be by his side for eternity, a woman who would miraculously give him a son. A man was not a man until he had a son. Padma knew hunger at those words from long ago, often spoken by his own father.



The only question that mattered now, Is Rain the one? Of course he would have to purify her from all of those touches she endured from Belle's slaves. But he could see it, he could see Rain as his Queen, draped in jewels and laying naked and willing by his side. A partner, a mate. Yes, Rain could be the one. He had to rescue her from them...and he would, he would.



Calling Emily to him, he changed her back to human and then took out the fantasies he had in his mind upon her. He gentily carried her to his bed, laid her upon it and spread her naked thighs before burying himself in her soft white skin. Emily never once even considered asking the cruel Overseer why he kept calling her by the name Rain...