A Foreboding Allure

Chapter 2 - Part I

Notes From the Author: Alrightyy so this part begins Chapter 2 of the story and this chapter is a little different from the last. Chapter 2 is entirely in LUCCA's POV. So just in case you were a bit confused, that's what's up. =]

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I jogged through the halls and down the stairs. I knew exactly where and who the call for me came from. Sonya was lounging lazily on a red velvet day bed in her immaculate bedroom. She was wearing a black silk nightie that came to her mid-thigh, a sheer 3/4 sleeved open cardigan of the same color was draped over her shoulders. Smooth brown locks cascaded over the arm of the day bed.

"There you are Lucca." she purred as she sat up, daintily placing her crimson painted toes on the lush red carpet. "Come sit by me" she persisted. My god she was gorgeous, but even so, I loathed her. If it was up to me, I would have been long gone from this place four years ago, after the second I stepped foot in the doorway but no, I couldn't do that now. My life was literally in her hands. I had to please her, to do all that she asked, unless I had a death wish I soon wanted granted.

I ambled over to the sofa and sat beside her, leaving more than enough room between us but she inched closer, and in no time she was pressed against me and on her knees, whispering into my ear. "I've been so very lonely without you." she said. "Mother and Daddy have been talking non-stop about their newest find that they haven't said a word to me all day." I rolled my eyes. She was 23 years old and she was wining like a six year old. I knew her act, she liked to play the sad little abandoned girl to get me in the mood to please her. After four years of not feeling sorry for her and falling for her games, I wondered why on Earth she thought I would start now.

"What do you think of the new girl?" she asked with a sweet little smile. "Do you think she'll please Antoine and Dante?" I stiffened and pushed her away from me. Sonya cackled and leaned back against the arm of the sofa. "Now, now Lucca, you've been with us long enough now. You know how things work around here. It seems as though you get attached to every little blood whore that walks through these doors.

I felt my muscles shake. It was taking everything in my power not to slap her right then and there. "You know damn good and well that those girls did not choose the end they were given. They didn't chose to become captives of this house of the damned and neither this Lia." I bellowed, springing off the sofa.

A sudden flash of anger swept over Sonya's face and disappeared as quickly as it had come. "Calm down dearest." she said calmly as she walked over and pulled me close to her, kissing my neck. I remained stiff and unresponsive. I hated the way she acted like the innocent people that came knocking on their door were asking for trouble. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I had been in the service of the Santoro's for over four years and sometimes I got a bit too comfortable with my situation and over stepped my bounderies. I did have to remember, after all, that in any moment, I could end up like the rest of their previous servants - history.

I loosely put an arm around Sonya and she kissed me on the lips, smiling. "I'm feeling a little thirsty..."she breathed into my ear. I could feel her tongue slowly tracing shapes on the side of my neck, just by the pulse point.

Sonya dug her fingers into my arm, her nails making indentation in my lightly bronzed skin. Then, I felt a jeering pain, shooting through my body, a hot, tingling sensation over took the pain, spreading slowly at first, then faster and faster until I moaned with ecstasy. Then the brief moment of pain and pleasure was over. Sonya pulled away from me, wiping her cherry red lips with the back of her hand and smiled her best innocent smile.

I could only glare at her and when she said nothing, I turned on my heel and silently left the room, Sonya didn't attempt to stop me. Automatically, my hand went to the side of my neck, feeling for blood or some sort of a mark, but as always, there was nothing. It was like it never happened. I had lost count of the number of times Sonya had used me as a feeder. I tried not to think about it. I had long since decided it was better to be fed from then released to roam the house than to be devoured - never to see the light of day again. But then again, I had watched so many feeders get caught up in the ectasy to the point where they would do anything to get bitten again and when they were on withdrawal, it was almost like those that suffered from a morphine addiction. They became delusional, distant and completely devoted to the vamps - almost kind of a blood bond. I had, when I was first introduced to the Santoros been intrigued and willing to participate in their desires but the first time I saw them kill, my trance was extinguished. I had been alone for many years. Even though new girls and boys were brought in, they disappeared within a few days while I remained Sonya's possession.

Now, there was Liana. A sweet, beautiful girl that had fallen into the wrong hands. Already I found myself growing attached to her and I knew that there was no way her fate would end well. When Nadia had told me of the new addition to the household and put me in charge of feeding her, she had warned me not to get attached. I could only assume she would not last long. Most likely she would be a toy for Antoine or Dante when they returned from Rome and even they would soon tire of her company.

I sighed as I walked through the empty halls. I didn't have the heart to tell her about the Santoros but I knew it would be better heard from me than by finding it out from experience. No, I would tell her everything so that she would be prepared. Perhaps I would be her "mentor" of sorts, guide her, teach her ways to please so that maybe, just maybe, her life would be spared.

My thoughts were interrupted when Lorenzo suddenly appeared in front of me.

"Lucca." he said sternly. "My sons have arrived home much sooner than expected so my wife wishes you to get Liana ready for presentation. We have decided she will be a gift for Antoine. Nadia says she has left the dress she wishes her to wear outside of the servant's room."

I nodded and changed my course, heading back our quarters. My heart raced. The brothers were back. Sonya was tolerable compared to the attitude and morals of her older brothers and I feared for Liana knowing I now wouldn't have any time to prepare her for what was ahead.