Chapter 13 Near Seduction
An excerpt from The Violet Series Book 1: The Water Nymph’s Tale.
Violet stepped out of the spaceport and got on a train. When the train stopped near the edge of the preserve, she stepped off and started walking. The castle loomed out in the distance. She had read the stories of how people were found outside the castle dead and their bodies completely drained of blood.
She shuddered. It was a cruel way to kill someone. She didn’t stop walking towards the castle. She knew Antoni was inside. Why pick on her? She didn’t know the other water nymphs. She only had guesses as to how they were as a group. Her Uncle Clyde could only tell her what little he knew about her mother. The only other source of information on water nymphs was from her grandfather Herbert Mineur’s diary. From what Violet had learned from him, he worked with Ophelia, who was a scientist. He didn’t spend as much time with the other water nymphs.
She reached the front door and it opened for her. She raised an eyebrow, then stepped inside. The torches were lit. She could see a few people in the dim light. She scanned the room and recognized Victor. She wasted no time in walking up to him.
“Ahh, such a brave one. I wonder what your blood tastes like?”
“Yeah, you would, wouldn’t you? Did my grandfather Herbert Mineur’s blood taste sweet? No, wait, he was such a curmudgeon that it was probably too sour for your taste.”
The vampire scowled at her. “How would you know about that?”
“I’ve read and listened to everything my grandfather recorded. He mentioned getting bit by a vampire. He was afraid he’d become one of you when he discovered he had the virus which causes vampirism.”
He flashed his fangs at her. “He didn’t become one of us. He’s something far more hideous now.” He turned to walk away from her.
“Where’s my friend, Antoni?”
Victor spun back around to face her. “Why do you care?”
She raised her eyebrows. “I just told you he’s my friend. What have you done with him, Victor?”
“He’s our guest for now.”
“Really? So you expect me to believe that you didn’t kidnap him and he went with you willingly?”
Victor scowled at her. “You are very difficult.”
“I’m very perceptive and it drives you crazy.”
He bared his fangs. “You can’t see him!”
“Why haven’t you attacked me? In fact, if you know where the water nymphs live and you don’t like them, then why haven’t you attacked them?”
“You’re impertinent.”
“I sense there’s a reason you can’t attack them.”
The vampire’s face softened and relaxed. He spoke in a soothing, melodic voice. “Violet, would you consent to being my new bride?”
It hit her like a ton of bricks. “Your bride? What’s that nonsense? You’re older than my grandfather. What are you thinking?”
“That you would be the loveliest, most beautiful bride of them all.”
Violet answered him in her most melodic tone, “In that case, Victor, dear, perhaps you should release your prisoner to me. If you want me to be your bride, I will need a servant to look after my needs.”
“In that case—”
“Victor, what are you doing? You should know better than to pit against a water nymph, even if she’s just a half water nymph.” The vampire had a cold hard stare for him.
“Oh, Ursula, dear, you were always the jealous type.”
“Jealous? It’s not hard to figure out how she will win against you. Let me at her. I won’t let her escape.”
“Perhaps you’re right. Water nymphs are dangerous. Tabitha is pretty dangerous, as I recall.”
“Yes, she is.”
The other vampires came near to watch the fight.
“I just came to save my friend.”
“Too bad. He’ll die just as you will soon. Victor, let’s not toy with her.”
“Ursula, you always had the best ideas.”
“Yes, and I am quite thirsty now.”
“First we indulge in the half water nymph and then we go for the prisoner. You can’t imagine how bad he smells.”
“Smells? Really. I thought you said he was human. Only were creatures smell bad.”
“He seems human. We’ll know if he changes shape.”
“Or we hear him howling.”
The vampires slowly surrounded Violet.
