Leisha wanted to scream from boredom, but kept the perfectly polite smile plastered on her face as she listened to Duke Harrington, Elliot Winthrope, ramble on and on about what amazing prospects he would bring into a marriage. She was glad tonight was the last night she would have to tolerate his narcissistic presence. 

Ptah had asked her to study him and see if he would be a good candidate to join them. Leisha had been playing the role of potential wife while she investigated him. He wouldn’t do, of course. Duke Harrington would not be able to take orders from anyone, but that was a thin excuse to take to Ptah, so she’d had to look into his finances. She was more than ecstatic when she discovered that he was hugely in debt and had no investments paying in the near future. That was the limit for Ptah. He only wanted people who could donate all of their riches to him. It helped keep them free from any obligations and helped Ptah make political connections that the vampires ruthlessly used to their own advantage.

That meant Elliot was out. Now Leisha just had to force niceties for twenty more minutes and she would never have to interact with him again.

“Wouldn’t you agree, my dear?” He asked in a buttery voice.

“Sorry?”

Elliot’s pale smooth brow drew into a frown. “I was wondering if you would agree that we would make a perfect match.”

For a split second Leisha was sorely tempted to drink his blood and rid his useless existence from this earth but forced herself to patience. She kept her smile in place. “You have been most kind to me, Elliot. However, I am perfectly happy being a rich widow. I do not mind confiding in you that I love my freedom and do not plan to remarry. Ever.”

Elliot’s face flashed a montage of emotions. First surprise, then disbelief, shock, and finally outrage. He recovered quickly and smoothed his features into complacency. “Why, I did not realize a woman could have such a perspective on matrimony.” He went to the side table and poured some sherry. “Would you like a drink, my dear?”

“Certainly.” Leisha knew he was up to something. He had accepted her rejection much too easily. She smiled when she caught suspicious movement from his left hand. So he was going to poison her. She almost laughed out loud. She had been waiting for any excuse to be rid of him, and he was literally handing it to her at that moment.

Leisha drank deeply, letting him think he was going to win on this count. She had been poisoned plenty over the centuries and knew that she would be back in his house in less than an hour to take her revenge.

The Duke smiled with satisfaction as he watched her drink. “It is a shame you would not like to marry again.” 

Leisha gave a delicate shrug.

“You see,” he continued. “I already have our marriage certificate with witnesses saying that we married in secret not three days ago.”

“Excuse me?” Leisha had not anticipated Elliot to be so innovative.

“Yes, I have made all of the proper arrangements.” He sat next to her on the sofa and placed a consoling hand on her knee. “While I was looking forward to bedding you, it is not that much of a disappointment to me.” He grinned broadly. “The money I inherit from you will pay for a wonderful mistress.” He sighed as he leaned back and rested his feet on the ottoman. “Money is an incredible commodity, no?”

Leisha’s ready retort died on her lips when she felt immense pain in her abdomen. “What poison did you give me?”

If he noticed that she was more curious than scared, he didn’t show it. His dark eyes sparkled at the question. “It’s amazing stuff, and so simple, really. Just glass. That’s all it is. Ground up to a fine powder to be stirred into your drink.” He sat forward in his excitement. “The best part is that it’s so painful. Right now, your insides are being torn to shreds and there is absolutely nothing to be done about it! Marvelous, isn’t it?”

Leisha felt a knot of panic at his explanation. Would she survive from something like that? She had never consumed ground glass before. This was an untread path and she was somewhat frightened that this imbecile sitting next to her might actually get away with his scheme.

“Bastard!” she screamed as she turned to punch him. Her fist didn’t make contact with his face, unfortunately. She felt a pain so strong and so deep that she’d had to clutch her stomach and bow her head.

The blood rushed out of her gag reflex so quickly that she had no time to turn away. She had thrown up blood and bile all over her gown, and was starting to feel humiliated. She refused to cry out in front of him, though. She would keep as much of her pride as she could, no matter what. More cramping came, and it was excruciating. The pain filtered through from her chest all the way down to her lower stomach. She sat hunched over, feeling completely helpless as all her energy was focused just on surviving the agony she was going through.

Leisha paid little attention to Elliot lifting and carrying her into his gardens. It was late and none of his servants were around. She blinked when she saw the open grave waiting for her just past the green house. He had been planning to murder her from the beginning. She wanted to scream at her own stupidity, but a small groan was all that escaped. She could not believe she had so fully underestimated him.

The Duke dumped her uncerimoneously into the dirt. She barely felt the pain from her fall since the powdered glass was doing its job all too well. She raised her hand when she felt dirt hitting her face. She really did not want to be buried, but she was too weak to move. She felt tears of frustration swell within her eyes, but would not give into them. She would survive this, and when she was better, she would give Elliot a true nightmare. She looked up at glared at him to silently give him the message.

Elliot paused at her furious glance. “Sorry, love. A man’s got to do what is best for himself.” He continued with pouring the dirt over her. Leisha felt the weight of the soil slowly increase while the pain was mounting new scopes. She really worried that this would be her death. She wanted to gasp and moan at her torture, but kept her mouth closed and did not breath to keep the dirt out of her lungs. She vomited up blood and other things she couldn’t identify a few more times.

When the violent pangs became unbearable, she finally lost consciousness….

Leisha awoke to find that she was utterly weak. The pressure over her seemed more than she could bear, but the wretched agony had finally left her. She used shaking hands to push through the dirt and dig her way out. It was vexingly slow as more soil fell from above her prying fingers. When Leisha finally cleared her torso from the ground, she lay on her grave, trembling. She needed blood to regenerate herself. She could feel the Hunger lurking within her mind, wanting to take over her body.

“Not yet,” she whispered.

Her mouth was so very dry. 

She forced herself to get up and move. She was filthy, but did not care if the servants saw her tracks.

She entered the house and saw easily through the darkness as she painstakingly made her way up the stairs and to Elliot’s bedchamber. He was snoring. She laughed, though it came out as wheezing. Nonetheless, it startled the Duke out of his slumber.

“What?” he looked at her and paled. “No, this can not be!”

Leisha smiled. “Oh yes, it can, you whoreson’s bastard. You chose the wrong victim. You wanted a wedding night, yes? Well, I dare say I can give you one that you will never forget.” The Hunger was getting stronger and pushing to take over. She reigned it in.

“Now you will pay the price for your selfish machinations. Goodbye, Elliot. Or rather, good riddance, you filthy pig!”

For the first time in her long life, Leisha willingly unleashed her mental control and let the Hunger take over. It immediately took the reins of her body and she moved swiftly to Elliot’s bed. Leisha reveled in his terrified screams as she replenished her body.

Categories : Lisha's Past