Blood Match

Chapter 37: Fun and Games

Marlowe and Gideon stepped out of the car at the entrance of the hotel, with Gabriel trailing a few steps behind. As they entered the lobby, Marlowe’s sharp eyes caught sight of Harrison lounging in one of the sitting areas. He was surrounded by two strikingly attractive young men and three stunningly beautiful women. Marlowe didn’t miss the way Gideon’s attention sharpened the moment he took in the scene.

Harrison stood as soon as he saw them approaching.

“Marlowe, Gideon — allow me to introduce my little entourage. This is Heather, Anica, Beatriz, Aurelio, and Stephan. They work in the donor department at the VHA. Thought it might be fun to bring them along for a bit of a party. Don Antonio gave them the day off, so no one needs to worry about an early morning,” Harrison said with a sly smile. “Shall we head up to the suite?”

Gideon grinned, his eyes glinting with anticipation as he offered his arms to Heather and Anica. “Absolutely. I’ve been looking forward to some fun.”

Marlowe glanced toward Gabriel, who stood quietly off to the side, as if waiting for a cue.

“Gabby, go to your room. Don’t leave until we come for you tomorrow evening. Order room service if you’re hungry,” she instructed calmly.

Gabriel nodded and silently made his way to the elevators.

Marlowe watched him go, then turned to follow Gideon and the others toward the private elevators that serviced the penthouse floor. The ride took less than two minutes, and when the doors opened directly into the suite, the two women on Gideon’s arms let out soft gasps at the sheer opulence laid out before them.

Gideon whispered in Heather’s ear, “You should see the bedrooms.”

Heather let out a low, throaty laugh. “I do love being fed on by an immortal. The pleasure is… unforgettable.”

Gideon’s fangs glinted as he led them into the bedroom, the door closing on a chorus of laughter and anticipation.

Gabriel closed the door to his room and let out a long breath. It seemed that for tonight at least he was safe. As he removed his jacket, he felt the slight weight in the inside pocket. Reaching inside, he pulled out a small slim cellphone. A thin piece of metal — but it felt like it weighed five tons. Was this a life preserver, or a millstone tied around his neck that would pull him under in the sea of torment his existence had become?

Could he trust Leonidas De La Cruz?

Tristan, Leo’s personal assistant, had told him he could. In fact, Tristan had been the one to give him the phone, slipping in during Gabriel’s transfusion. Gabriel remembered the soft-spoken, kind voice — a pleasant change from the cruelty and arrogance that dripped from Marlowe’s every word.

Were there really vampires in the world who believed humans deserved respect and equality? Was there something more than the blood farms and pleasure pits of Gideon and Marlowe’s domain?

If only he could believe he could escape them. But what if this was nothing more than a sadistic test orchestrated by Marlowe to see if he would betray her?

His head was spinning; so many things to consider, and yet — could he really miss this opportunity?

Liam sat in front of the fireplace beside Leo when a soft knock came at the door.

“Come in, Tristan,” Liam called.

Leo raised a brow. “How did you know it was Tristan?”

Liam smiled faintly. “The more I connect with you, the more I feel the connections around you. You and Tristan share a unique bond. You are sensitive to him and can feel him when he is near. I’m starting to pick up on those sensations as well.”

He shifted closer, and Leo instinctively wrapped an arm around him.

Tristan entered and settled into an armchair opposite them.

“Gabriel called,” he began. “Marlowe and Gideon met Harrison at the hotel. He brought five mortals from the VHA’s donor department. Gabriel said it looked like they were planning to have a party. He also said this didn’t look like a spontaneous encounter but more of something arranged in advance.”

Leo’s gaze narrowed. “Interesting. So there’s clearly something brewing between those three. Have Alexi use his resources in the hotel to keep an eye on them. Also, did you give Gabriel instructions on disposing of the burner?”

“Yes. I told him to leave it under the mattress on the right side. The housekeeping staff are all Corona de Fuego operatives. They’ll take care of it, no risk of it being traced to him.”

“Excellent.” Liam straightened, his tone sharpening. “We can’t afford to let our guard down. The coming Longest Night will test us in ways we haven’t imagined.”

Behind the closed doors of the penthouse suite, cries of pain and pleasure mingled with the scent of blood. Gideon’s whip left red welts across pale flesh, and he licked at the wounds as his companions moaned in delirious abandon. The room became a theater of excess — fangs flashing, mouths eager, the air thick with desire and bloodlust.

It was a carnival of decadence, where cruelty and ecstasy became indistinguishable.

At last, Gideon emerged into the living room, his hunger not yet sated, prowling for whatever new amusement the night might offer.