Crimson Rain

Vampires, lions, bears ,wolves, rats and any other creature that happened to have the misfortune to be found in the way of Padma's wrath suffered for it. "How dare she!" he roared, throwing Anja's lifeless body into the stone wall. Belle had given Rain, HIS RAIN, to the Earthmover. For what? For political gain, for money, for power! He roared again barely missing crushing Claudio's head with the heavy stone sconce he had ripped from the wall and threw with all of his fearsome might.



Wrecking his office was getting him nowhere, he conceded as he tried to calm down. Taking deep unnecessary breaths he righted his chair and sat in it. He shouldn't have killed Anja, a death in pleasure was just another way for a woman to serve, but to mindlessly kill one in anger was just a waste. Gareth answered the summons immediately and understanding the unspoken command, carried away the dead Wolf's corpse, to be cut apart and fed to the more feral of Padma's servants. "How long were they with Oliver?" he asked calmly. His composure fully regained and looking out of place in the devastated office.



"An hour, my Lord," the bleeding Werebear Claudio cautiously responded.



"And tell me, how did the female look when they left his chambers?" the master's voice lowered, grinding out the last few words.



"She had been hurt, Lord. Jean-Claude carried her as she slept. It appeared that many wounds were wrapped and bruises were plain to see." Getting ready to dodge to safety, Claudio knew how fascinated Padma had become of the girl. As far as he could tell, she was just Human. The master had plenty of those. Not that he would ever be stupid enough to question his owner, but he did wonder what was so special about this one?



"Very well, send a formal invitation to Belle Morte," Padma ordered, practically spitting out her name. "Request a meeting, as soon as her convenience allows. The Chamber of Fire or the Midnight Garden, I don't really care where, as long as it's not on her territory. If her man inquires as to the purpose, tell him it is about a proposal on the possible sale of some of her slaves, and make it known that this is important to me." Claudio hurried from the room in obvious relief at having survived.



Padma waited for an eternity it seemed, first watching as his servants restored the room to it's former glory, and then again after Belle's reply came back. The infernal whore of course would have to make him wait here in the Chamber of Fire for her to make a fashionably late entrance. Glaring at any passerby foolish enough to look in his direction he paced among the hundreds of carved columns, each holding a crystal globe containing multi-colored flames. The whole chamber danced in a rainbow of shadows. It probably was quite beautiful he mused. When he had rescued Rain, maybe he would build something like this for her.



"I would not take you for the sentimental sort, and yet here you are gazing upon the fires," Belle Morte said with biting sarcasm as she walked past her guards, they having stayed back at the entrance where his own waited. She was dressed in a shiny dark crimson shoulderless gown that trailed into white at her feet, giving the impression that the dress had been bathed in blood.



"Yes, well we all must be who we are. My gratitude for your timely arrival," he responded, also with sarcasm.



"Go easy, Padma, you called me for this meeting if I remember correctly." Her proper duplicity annoyed him greatly.



"Forgive me, Belle, it has been a tiresome evening, but enough of that. What I desire is a trade. I need to bring variety to my halls and no vampire offers more various pleasures than does the Beautiful Death." He flattered her even though it sickened him. His comments did draw a smile from her and she sat at the bench and signaled him to join her.



"What is this variety that you desire, Padma?" she purred, acting as if they were friends.



"As you know, I am overrun with animals as my power demands. What I need are trained servants. I think Asher, Jean-Claude, and that girl would suffice."



"I hope you jest, my friend, I have had those boys close to me for ages, even with their current difficulties they hold tremendous value to me."



"Well then, just Asher and the girl. He is a shadow of his former self. I could use him as a trainer for my own and to scare the mortal children some of my pets adore." He smiled, playing this game as he must.



"What would the offer be for Asher and the Lady Rain?" She appeared thoughtful.



"Lady is a stretch for someone you found in the mud with no memories, but I appreciate your effort to add value to her," he said, using all of his experience to not give away his interest in Rain. "I would give all of my concerns in Algiers to you, I know you fancied them. I would also offer any four or five cats you desired. Gareth the Tiger and Emily the Leopard have a wonderful little love still between them. It could be much fun for you."



"That is a very formidable offer. I must admit that I was just going to deny what ever you wanted but that offer is rich indeed. I must think on it and I will soon send my answer to you." She rose and waited as he kissed her hand. Then left in a swirl of crimson silk.



Yes, you think on that, Belle, Padma thought, watching her leave. It was a horribly expensive offer but he had decided that patience wasn't a virtue that still existed within him. Best of all though, if Belle simply refused such a great deal, it would be reason for dispute in front of the Council.



He smiled, Rain would soon be his....