Page 14 of Into The Light

It sounded simple enough. It’s not like I had a lot of other options. Still... a live feed bag? The thought made me shiver.

“And if I decline?”

“Your memories will be wiped, and you will awaken in your bed.”

My eyes moved to Aiden’s. The thought of him clamped down on my neck both enticed and terrified me. The lure of the money called to every cell in my body. I had nothing to go back to or anyone who would miss me.

Am I seriously considering this?

“The only catch is that to protect his secret, you won’t be allowed to leave. No phones. No computers. No contact with the outside world. Not until your memories have been erased. You don’t need to decide tonight,” Mark said, interrupting my thoughts. “Why don’t you stay the night, explore the mansion and see your room. Take some time alone to think this through. Tomorrow you can let us know.”

Mark’s plan made sense. My head started nodding though I wasn’t sure I was in control of the agreement. A sigh lifted my shoulders. What was one night sleeping in a mansion? Things could be a lot worse.

Unless he sucks me dry in my sleep. Decapitation, strangling, stabbing... those were all deaths I imagined as possibilities from this encounter. Getting drank to death by a vampire? Nope. That one never occurred to me.

“Come with me. I’ll show you your room... and your closet.” His smile grew with his eyes.

Wait... clothes are involved?

“I have a closet?”

“Oh sweetheart, you have no idea what awaits you.” He practically shook with excitement.

“Okay, let’s see it.”

Mark hopped up and tugged me to my feet. Aiden sat unmoving in his chair as he watched us go. I looked over my shoulder one last time at him before we left the room and those translucent blues met mine.

He’s gorgeous. Creepy... terrifying... but gorgeous.

And a vampire.

Mark skipped up the stairs with me in tow. He got to the last door on the left and smiled when he pushed it open. “This is your room.”

My mouth dropped as I stepped inside. The warm tones of the wood floor matched the posters of the bed towering to the top of the vaulted ceiling. White scarves twirled down around the crisp white bedding. Egyptian... had to be.

Silk drapes dangled from the windows and added to the elegance dripping off every expensive piece in the room. It was a bedroom fit for a queen. It was also bigger than my entire apartment.

“Ready?” Mark bubbled as he stood in front of a closed white door.

I nodded, excitement gripping me tight. He whipped open the door.

“Ta da!”

My mouth dropped further, drool threatening to leak out. I walked past Mark into the closet twice the size of my bedroom at home. Couture outfits of every texture, color and fabric rolled out in rows up and down each wall. Walking in stunned silence I pulled a tag dangling from a red dress on my left. The tag flashed me the price. Sixty-four-hundred-dollars. My eyes popped wider.

“Is this... Carolina Herrera?”

“Gucci and Prada and Chanel, oh my!” Mark sing-songed behind me. He seemed as excited about this as I was. I’d known he was all style when I’d first seen him. His appreciation for beautiful clothes had been apparent. That knowledge also secured the certainty I wouldn’t have to worry about him sneaking into my bed at night. His door didn’t swing my way.

“Shoes!” I squealed and raced forward to the wall at the end. Dozens of pairs of designer shoes glowed in the lit cubicles.

“Wait for it,” Mark said as he stepped up and pressed a button on the wall. The wall rotated, revealing more and more shoes as it spun around.

“Holy. Shit.” Further words stalled in my throat.

“It’s like the mother ship has called you home.” Mark stood in open admiration as the shoes spun before us. “I think you could be happy here with us, Emilia. I really do.”

I nodded. Who wouldn’t be happy here? Hell, I was just going to live in the closet. He could take all my blood in exchange for one night in those Manolo’s.