An Elegant Weapon Read online

  An Elegant Weapon

  Dark Underbelly, Book 4

  Candace Blevins

  eXcessica publishing

  An Elegant Weapon © November 2017 by Candace Blevins

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.

  This book is for sale to ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

  Excessica LLC

  P.O. Box 127

  Alpena, MI 49707

  To order additional copies of this book, contact:

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  Cover design © 2016 Willsin Rowe

  First Edition August 2017

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

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  Contents

  Candace loves hearing from readers!

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Epilogue

  Also by Candace Blevins

  I. Excerpt from Bash

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  About the Author

  More From Excessica!

  Candace loves hearing from readers!

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  Website – candaceblevins.com

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  Blurb

  Life becomes hell when The Abbott gives Holly to the sadistic Bran, but she survives because there’s no other option.

  This story picks up on Holly’s part of the story in LEASHED. It’s recommended you read these two books together.

  1

  Holly

  I looked to Abbott, Spence, and Bran with my heart skittering in my chest. Spence’s look said he was sorry it’d come to this, Abbott had his usual poker face, and Bran’s eyes seemed to look inside me. Or rather, seemed to appraise me, as one would a new suit he was considering. Or a horse.

  “What can I do for you?” I wasn’t in the habit of giving Abbott the manners and civility he expected, but something wasn’t right and I fell back on Spence’s teachings.

  “We don’t believe we’re a good fit for you,” said Abbott. “I promised you a choice at six months, and we still have a little over six weeks until your decision to stay or leave. Bran can make you a similar offer to mine, though he lives by a different set of morals.”

  My stomach sank unto my gut, and I could only stare at Abbott. I could’ve told him I wasn’t a good fit.

  “Sit in the chair, Holly.” Spence’s voice had an icy bite of warning, and I took two steps and sat with my legs together. I’d still not been given underwear, and I hated these stupid shoes. When they’d caught me walking around barefoot, they’d locked them on. It took a stupid key to take them off. Abbott told Spence I’d never learn proper behavior and class if I didn’t live it, and Spence was determined to do everything Abbott told him to.

  It was all total bullcrap — the shoes, the table manners, the way they wanted me to talk, the things they thought I should learn. It was like, if we give you class and help you pretend you’re rich, you won’t do drugs. Didn’t they read the gossip rags? All the rich people do drugs, but they get away with it because they’re rich.

  “There are a few things you need to know,” said Spence. “We’d have explained them before you made your decision, but you’ll need to understand before you go with Bran.” He looked at the other men and back to me. “You’ve been kept away from windows because you’re in a vampire’s home.”

  I started laughing and couldn’t stop. I already knew they were trying to brainwash me by not letting me know when it was day or night — I’d seen it in movies. Now they expected me to believe Abbott was a freaking vampire?

  Spencer stepped to Abbott, sat in his lap facing me, and tilted his head to give Abbott access to his neck. Abbott opened his mouth and his eyes went creepy. Like, horror movie creepy. Too late, I realized two of his teeth had grown longer, and I sucked air into my lungs as Abbott sank his long fangs into the side of Spencer’s neck. I tried to get up and run, but my legs were frozen.

  Sit still, Holly. I won’t hurt him or you. He comes to me willingly. I won’t drink from you unless it’s given willingly, either.

  Difference in morals — the words went through my head a half-dozen times before it hit me. Holy mother of God. Abbott was going to give me to a vampire who’d drink me when I wasn’t willing.

  My pulse raced as it dawned on me Abbott had spoken in my freaking head again. He must’ve heard my thoughts, because his voice was suddenly there again, with the answers to my unasked questions.

  If you decide you don’t want to stay with either Bran or me at the end of your time, I’ll send you to a rehab facility. You’ll need to stay four days for them to spend some time with you, but they’ll all believe you’ve been there the entire six months. The records will reflect the same. You won’t remember me, my house, Spencer, or your time here — you’ll remember deciding to get clean at rehab. You’ll leave with the facility declaring you’re ready to enter society again. If your parents talk to them, they’ll hear how well you’ve done in therapy and how you’re looking forward to finding a job and living a sober life.

  “I hate being sober.”

  “I have a fix for that,” said Bran.

  No one spoke for several long moments. Abbott pulled out of Spence’s neck, his movements slow and gentle. He licked the spot he’d bitten, kissed it, and rearranged Spence so he was more comfortable but still in the vampire’s lap.

  Spencer sighed and snuggled in, took a breath, and gave me a drowsy look.

  “Honestly? Going with Bran will be trading one bad habit for another, but he’s right. Bran’s bite can give you a high better than drugs. Abbott’s can, too, but…” He shrugged.

  “But what?”

  “I agree with him. We’re not sure you’re a good fit here. Not all of Abbott’s flock go to college and are preparing for the day they’ll be able to leave, but many are. The ones happy here, who want to stay as long as Abbott will have them, fill their days with volunteer activities, or use the time to paint, write, or follow some other pursuit of the mind. They’re making plans for the day they turn thirty-seven and will have to leave. They know how they’ll support themse
lves.”

  “They have to leave at thirty-seven?”

  Abbott shrugged. “It’s an arbitrary number. Somewhere before thirty-five, the blood isn’t as sweet. The life-force of youth is completely gone and I gain no energy. Many vampires kick their flock out at twenty-five, most kick them out well before thirty. I’ve learned the older ones can help me mellow on a stressful day, when I need nourishment without power. I only allow a few to stay past thirty, but not many want to so it works out.”

  I looked to Bran, who said, “I have few hard and fast rules. Most everything’s on a case-by-case basis with me.” He looked at my shoes. “You have trouble with two and a half inch heels?”

  “They’re awful.”

  He shook his head and looked to Abbott, who shrugged. “We have different methods, mon ami.”

  Bran clearly thought the heels should be higher. I met Abbott’s gaze since this appeared to be his decision. “I don’t want to go with him. He scares me.”

  “As he should,” Abbott told me, his eyes sad. “It’s only six weeks. You’ll be alive and in one piece when he finishes with you and you’re given the choice to stay or leave.”

  My gaze met Spence’s and I knew my eyes were begging him not to abandon me. I couldn’t say the words, but it was in my head.

  “He isn’t abandoning you,” Abbott told me. “This is my decision, and one he’s struggling with. He agrees you aren’t a good fit here, but he worries about you with Bran.”

  “You told me you’d take care of me!” I told Spence. If all else fails, pull out the guilt.

  His eyes opened more and his voice didn’t seem as drowsy. “I told you I’d do what I could to help you. I’ve done my best, and I’ve agonized over decisions of what to teach you and how to encourage you. My old Master would’ve had me whip you, and I’m glad Abbott didn’t order me to, but I have to wonder if you might be better off if I had. I’ve failed you. I hope Bran can do better.”

  My heart fell into my stomach. “Whip me?” I looked to Abbott. “You wouldn’t dare!”

  He chuckled. “I’m thousands of years old. If you were worth my time I’d get you straightened out in no time with a whip and some restraints, but as you aren’t a good fit for my flock, I won’t put any more resources into rehabilitating you. Bran is willing to give it a go, so I’m giving you a last chance, so to speak.”

  I looked to Bran and considered him. He was handsome, but not beautiful like Abbott and Spence. In a photo he’d have been average, but in real life he was almost mesmerizing.

  “How old are you?” I’m not sure why it was the first thing I asked, but his look was disconcerting and I wanted to do something to interrupt it.

  “On the off-chance you’re a fit for my household and I decide to keep you, we’re going to execute a little ritual to make sure you can’t tell anyone our secrets.”

  Bran explained what I needed to say, touched the edge of a sharp tooth to my finger before I could stop him, and squeezed a few drops of my blood into some water. He handed the water to Abbott, put a glass of wine into my hands, and told me, “You’ll need to say, ‘I’ll keep your secrets,” and think about the fact we’re vampires while you say it. Drink the wine, and Abbott will do the rest.”

  I started to argue, but they seemed to think it important and there’d be other things to fight with them over. I said the words and downed the wine.

  They made me try to write Abbott is a vampire on a sheet of paper, and I freaked when my hand wouldn’t obey.

  My lungs wouldn’t work and my heart was stone in my chest. I couldn’t breathe, and panic threatened to take over.

  Spence was immediately on the floor, kneeling at my feet, his hands on my legs. “It’s okay, Holly. It’s the promise made real.”

  “You know I’ve been in your head,” said Abbott. “I know your thoughts and can look through your memories. I’ve shared the relevant information with Bran.” He sighed and looked at my feet to Spence.

  “Spencer, why don’t you go check on the flock and make your nightly rounds? Say your goodbyes to Holly first. She’ll be leaving soon.”

  Spence stood and pulled me up with him. My arms went around him and tears came to my eyes. Stupid emotions. No one had cared for me like Spencer had in a long time. He’d made sure I got food I liked, tried to teach me, and had held me and comforted me during the worst of the withdrawals.

  “Thanks for taking care of me.” It wasn’t enough, but it was all I could manage.

  “I didn’t do a good job. I feel as if I failed you.”

  “I’m a screw-up. It’s what I do. It isn’t your fault.”

  He kissed my forehead and took a step back. “You used to be a screw-up. You can decide not to be in the future. No one can decide it for you though. Has to be your decision.”

  He turned and I watched him leave me in the flowing, sexy way he walked. I’d tried hard to seduce him, but he’d never been interested. With that walk, he had to be gay. I mean, it wasn’t feminine at all, but it was so… I don’t know. Like the way the branches of a weeping willow blow, but still manly. Or, not feminine, anyway.

  I turned my gaze back to the two vampires, still seated while I now stood before them.

  “You’ll be stripped before we leave here,” said Bran, “and you’ll ride to my home nude. Food and clothing are earned in my house.”

  I sat and landed in the chair harder than I meant to. I was speechless — no way would I strip for this asshole.

  He stood, walked to a table, opened a small drawer, and removed a circle shaped… my heart raced when he shook it out and I saw it was a whip. An Indiana Jones kinda whip, but it was black and not brown.

  “You aren’t going to hit me with that!”

  “Stand and remove the dress, girl.”

  I stood, turned, and was pushing off to run away when fire struck my upper back. I screamed and fell to my knees.

  “I’ll count to ten in my head. If the dress isn’t off, you’ll get another. If you stand and begin to run, you’ll get another.”

  “I’m not wearing anything under the dress!”

  Silence. I looked to Abbott. He didn’t seem upset. He’d known who he was handing me over to and what I’d be subjected to. I’d get no help from him.

  “Eight. Nine…”

  “I’m taking it off! Don’t hit me again! Please!”

  I ripped the dress over my head as I yelled, and felt the warm blood on the fabric as I dragged it over my head. I looked at it, saw the line of red, and a shock of adrenaline dumped into my bloodstream.

  “You made me bleed!”

  “I did. I can heal you, if you earn it.” He looked to Abbott. “Do you want the shoes?”

  “I do not.”

  “We’ll cut them off in the limo, then.” Bran stepped to me, and my position made it look as if I were kneeling before him. I sat sideways on my butt because I wasn’t sure I could stand. My knees were weak and my back hurt. I couldn’t believe he’d hit me.

  Bran offered his hand. “You can either accept my help up and we can walk out together, or you’ll crawl to the limo on hands and knees with me behind you, whipping you when you don’t go fast enough or attempt to stand.

  I believed every word he said, and I accepted his hand and stood.

  “Wise decision.” He looked to Abbott. “It appears she can be taught, after all.”

  “Never a doubt in my mind, but I needed it to be her decision. Once, I was the harsher of us. We’ve evolved on our own paths over the centuries.”

  Bran sighed. “We have. I appreciate your methods and your morals, my friend.”

  “As I appreciate yours, when they’re necessary.”

  I stood naked in the horrid heels while the two men hugged. Abbott turned and left the room without even a glance my direction, and I was left alone with Bran and the other man.

  2

  Bran pulled something from his pocket and stepped to me so fast he was a blur. The next thing I knew, my hands were strappe
d behind my back, his hand was on my upper arm, and he was marching me through the house, up several flights of stairs, and across a beautiful home with a breathtaking view of the city at night. He stopped and looked at me a few seconds before walking me to the window.

  “It’s been months since you’ve been outside or even seen a window. I’ve been held captive and I remember the feeling of freedom from leaving your quarters, even if it’s only perceived freedom. Have a look. It’s chilly outside so I won’t dawdle to give you fresh air on the way to the limo.”

  I made out the river, the bridges, the Aquarium. I looked to the right but couldn’t figure out where Fort Oglethorpe might be — if you could even see it from this angle.

  “The accent would’ve told me you’re from North Georgia, even if Abbott hadn’t told me your history.”

  “Is my family looking for me?”

  “Abbott says a few have asked around about you, but they haven’t involved law enforcement. They’re worried, but you’ve been gone for weeks and months before without telling anyone you were leaving. They assume you’ve taken off with another man who’ll keep you supplied.”

  He pulled me along towards the front of the house once again, and I followed because I’d have been dragged if I hadn’t.

  “I know you’ve fucked anyone who’d supply you. You don’t like what you refer to as kinky crap, but you’ll do it if it means another fix. I also know you haven’t had sex since Abbott took you in. Do you miss it?”