As thin as she was, Jacob doubted Carnal let her eat much, just enough steroid-laden meat to maintain her breast cup size. Carnal placed two more drops of his blood in the cup and poured another splash of wine, this time in exaggerated, open movements. "So your servant doesn't have another attack of paranoia, " he ex- plained mockingly. "Perhaps he would behave better if you castrated him. You don't need an inferior human cock when I'd be happy to offer mine. A mortal can hardly be expected to have the stamina to please you. " Lyssa watched all of them as if they were part of a play she'd paid money to attend, a silent member of an audience cloaked in dark- ness. Carnal took several steps forward again. Paused at the invisible ten-foot barrier and extended the cup. "My lady?" The night she'd marked Lord Brian, the ritual had been far more intimate. She'd taken the blood directly from his throat, taunting Jacob as he stood silently behind her chair only a few steps away. But she'd needed more of Brian's blood because he was staying in her territory and was under her protection. For Carnal, all that was re- quired were these few drops in a cup to allow her to monitor his movement through her territory. It was an act of surety, part of the whole manual on etiquette governing vampire interaction, a Book of Shadows embraced by each new Council. When Jacob reviewed it under Thomas's tutelage, there were times he understood why many of the younger vampires made fun of it. However, knowing how quickly vampires could revert to unthinkable brutality, he'd come to understand the uncanny genius of it. It had been surprisingly effective in helping vampires govern their bloodlust, for it imposed a detailed, Sun Kingtype aristocratic hauteur on their personal interactions that appealed to them. This was a simple, standard ritual. In the mundane world, no dif- ferent from someone paying a toll. Yet as she stared at that glass, Ja- cob sensed something rising in her, something as unstable as an atom exposed to forces that could cause it to split and become nu- clear.
"My lady?" Carnal's brow was raised, a slight smile upon his lips. He took a step forward, then another. Coming into her space unin- vited. Her gaze rose, her eyes dark pools holding the capability of destruction. Jacob couldn't tell if it was outgoing, where she might obliterate Carnal, or incoming, something attacking her vital or- gans, destructive to herself. If she wasn't so damn closed off he could tell. His gut wasn't helping him a bit. Something was off. At her lack of response to Carnal, the way she studied him as if he were merely an uncomfortable thought, rather than a physical threat directly before her, it finally came to Jacob. Even when she was shielding her thoughts from him, there was an essence to her that was accessible, touchable. But it was missing right now. A woman who had been violated shut down when con- fronted by her violator. Instinctively, all her defenses would be raised against anything male. Wagons pulling around in a circle, warding against attack from any side. While it hurt him to acknowledge that was what she was doing, Jacob knew it was a survival response. "Don't, " she said through stiff lips, raising a hand to stop Carnal's forward movement. He wasn't sure if she was anticipating him or speaking to Car- nal, but Jacob was already moving, sensing a threat his instincts assured him was there. Formalities be damned; she needed him at her side. A cry split the air, interrupting whatever Lyssa had been about to say. Jacob spun in time to see Melinda drop to her knees and col- lapse on her side, her body convulsing, fingers clutching at the air, throat working. She bucked to her back, her head and heels the only parts of her touching the ground before she flung herself back on her side as if a monster were manipulating her limbs. Jacob lunged to her, yanking the radio from his belt. But it was already too late. Before he could hit the emergency number, her body slowly eased back to the floor, death rattling in her throat, her eyes glazing over. Foam spittle gathered at her lips. "Hemlock, mixed with some other special ingredients to hasten the process, " Carnal remarked. Jacob raised his head, torn between horror and fury as the vampire studied his dead servant with indifference.
"In a vampire, it pro- duces the reputed paralysis, giving another vampire temporary control of him or her. " He glanced over his shoulder at Lyssa, who remained motionless, her pupils wide and dark in the shadows. "There's also an aphrodisiac mixed in, so it's a delightful concoc- tion. Just enough pain to blend with the pleasure of arousing a body restrained by its own muscle paralysis. I thought you might fi nd it enjoyable, as well as appreciate the devious nature of the ploy. I doubt any of your other suitors have been as creative. " He lifted a shoulder, glanced contemptuously at Melinda. "Unfortu- nately, what is pleasurable for us is fatal to a human. But fascinat- ingly painful, even if for a disappointingly short time. Melinda was not a fighter. " He made a face abruptly. "God, the worst thing about human death is the release of the bowels and bladder. However, her blood is still warm and quite tasty, at least for the next few minutes. My gift to you. As you know, young blood is quite sweet. Let me get you a taste. " His eyes glittered at the implication of Lyssa taking blood from his fingers. When Lyssa's attention rose from the girl back to him in reac- tion, he smiled, a slow curve of his thin lips. He began to move toward Melinda, giving Jacob a curt look. "Step aside, servant. " Jacob stood up. Lifting his arm, he fired the arrow from the wrist sheath beneath his sleeve. If he'd gotten the damn adjustment worked out, it would have gone straight through the hellspawn's dark heart. As it was, it lodged in his shoulder, two inches too high, but close enough to wipe that smirk off his face. He had a blink to think another arrow might work and then Carnal was on him, shoving him hard into the wall, a roar of rage blazing hot on him, the vamp's hand on his neck. In the same flash of time, Jacob fell to the floor. Carnal was now on the opposite side of the room, his body plowed into the masonry of the hallway wall. Sheetrock caved in an outline around his body, dust rising around him. Lyssa had hit the side bar in the maneuver and it crashed to the floor, making the thump of his body trivial in comparison to the din of shattering glass on the wood floor next to the carpet runner. Jacob scrambled to his feet.
"Stay where you are. " Her voice was cool, authoritative. Whatever had held her frozen several moments ago was gone as if it had never existed. His lady was fully present, giving him a cursory look that told him she expected him to obey. She turned her green gaze on the vampire she held against the wall with one hand on his throat. "He's dead, Lyssa, " Carnal snarled, coughing against her grip. "I'll kill him where he stands. " "He is my servant, to reward or punish as I see fit. Marked by me and therefore my property. My slave. " Her voice hardened as did her grip, for Carnal gagged against it. "You may seek what recompense the Council feels I owe you for the insult, but they'll laugh at you for your presumption. This is a failed courtship ploy only, and my young, inexperienced servant took it as a threat upon my life. Such loyalty is a boon. Jacob used to be a vampire hunter, Carnal. It is one of his many talents. " "I was nearly successful in my attempt, " Carnal growled. When he reached over Lyssa's hold, she didn't interfere as he yanked out the arrow with a grunt, let it fall to the floor. Jacob wished he'd poi- soned the tip. Carnal made a visible attempt to rein back his temper, despite the fact she continued to hold him pinned. "I knew whether your servant had perverse tastes or an overinflated sense of honor, the little creature could prove a useful distraction. His focus is con- siderable. Your choice is perhaps better than I first thought. But he's a guard dog, Lyssa, not submissive enough to be your servant. He's too young. Too alpha and temperamental.