Vampire Masquerade Read online

  Vampire Masquerade

  by

  Olivia Starke

  Vampire Masquerade

  Copyright © 2014, Olivia Starke

  ISBN: 9781940744056

  Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc.

  Electronic Publication: January, 2014

  Editor: Pamela Tyner

  Cover: Fantasia Frog Designs

  eBooks are not transferable. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  Back Cover Copy

  It may be too late for Natasha to escape two she-vamps with one big secret…

  You are cordially invited to the event of the year

  The Vampire Masquerade Ball

  Sincerely, Aleese and Eaven

  When Natasha Edwards receives a personal invitation to the exclusive Vampire Masquerade, it’s exactly the break she’s been waiting for. It’s her chance to impress national news syndicates, not to mention an opportunity to do some snooping into the disappearances of several women who were last seen within the Underground sect. But the two she-vamps have other plans for her.

  Aleese’s infatuation with the sexy news reporter cannot be denied, and Eaven has never been one to ignore her wife’s desires. The blonde beauty is perfect for their plans, and once she’s inside their home, the trap is set. Natasha is easy prey. She’s responsive to their touch, and sweet as honey to taste. They want nothing more than to indulge their fantasies in every way imaginable.

  Natasha finds exquisite pleasure of a kind she’s never experienced with the two dangerous vampires. But when she stumbles upon the truth behind the missing women, will it be too much for one small-town reporter to handle?

  Content Warning: contains explicit language, graphic sex, F/F/F+ ménage, BDSM, oral sex, spanking, toy play, and voyeurism

  Dedication

  As always, this is dedicated to my readers.

  Chapter 1

  “What do we think of her?” Aleese stretched out on her stomach, running her hand over her lover’s belly. Eaven’s bare, dewy skin glowed in the candlelight, its satiny texture competing with the silk sheets they lay upon.

  “Mmm, I’d like to do things to her she’d never forget.” Eaven’s eyes glittered as she licked her lips, her attention fixed on the flatscreen television opposite their headboard.

  “And I’m Natasha Edwards reporting for KZOL Channel Four News.” The reporter flashed a white smile that sent a shiver of awareness through Aleese’s blood.

  “Can we have her?” Aleese asked.

  A smile tugged Eaven’s lips. “Are you having a craving, my love? We have several new outlets for you to indulge whatever you need.”

  “I want her, though. She leaves me wet.” Aleese rolled onto her back, slipping a hand to her pussy, playing her fingers through her folds. Still sensitive from her and Eaven’s hours of play before, her fingertips teased around her swollen clit. Her blood hadn’t cooled; arousal still pulsed in her core.

  Eaven had paused the screen, leaving the woman’s smiling face in view. Wide, dark blue eyes; long, blonde, curly hair tied back; tall, lean figure hidden behind business casual attire. Aleese would much prefer to see the reporter naked and spread out on the bed.

  “I hear tales we’ve a traitor in our midst.” Eaven’s husky voice whispered against her ear, her hand replacing Aleese’s. “You know how I dislike such gossip.”

  Waves of renewed pleasure washed through Aleese as Eaven focused her strokes. “I’ve heard the murmurs of dissent in our sect,” Aleese managed. “A certain someone has been talking when they shouldn’t have been. Boys can be so tiresome.”

  Aleese arched, spreading her thighs wide, a silent plea for what she craved most. Eaven moved down, her tongue slipping within her pussy, lapping over her clit in a fluttery rhythm until choked whimpers passed Aleese’s lips. Orgasm approached fast and she clutched the sheets, trying to hold it back to extend the enjoyment.

  “And what shall we do with this lovely reporter who has heard too much?” Eaven asked against Aleese’s labia.

  The pooled sensations burst within Aleese, driving a gasp from her throat. She swallowed, collecting her thoughts, focusing on the image on the television screen. Such a lovely woman… “Let’s invite her over to play and see what she knows. I’d love to have her taste on my tongue and her face in my pussy. Perhaps she could come in handy…for one reason or another.”

  “I love the way you think, my love.” Eaven buried her canines into Aleese’s inner thigh, the sharp pain mingling with the receding waves of desire. Aleese peered down at her lover, Eaven’s lips a rich scarlet from her blood.

  A smile curled her own lips. “Do you think she’ll survive the way we play, Eaven?”

  Eaven’s eyes lit up in a wicked way. “Does it matter?”

  * * * *

  “You’re insane, completely insane.” Dana stomped back and forth across the room. The soles of her tennis shoes squeaked against Nat’s freshly polished hardwood floor, leaving the ugly black streaks of scuff marks. It’d taken hours to make the beloved dark cherry gleam and only minutes to track it up.

  Nat sighed at all her hard work so quickly degraded then flashed her friend a confident smile. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to report on one of the sects. No one has done anything like it before. How could I pass it up?”

  Dana plopped down on the couch, and Nat felt relieved her friend’s anger seemed nearly spent. Regardless of the bright flush still covering her cheeks, she’d wound down. The cherry wood might live to see another day. Her friend’s gaze bore into hers and Nat looked down, picking at a piece of lint on her t-shirt.

  “I think we’ll finally get answers for what happens in the Underground. Supposedly, they’re a peaceful group, but we know about the…disappearances.”

  “Why would they invite you in, a reporter, just like that?” Dana snapped her fingers. “It’s fishy if you ask me. You could be walking into God knows what.”

  Nat didn’t have a reply that would settle her friend’s nervousness. “They want to clear their names of any ill-doings is my guess.”

  Dana shook her head, apparently not falling for the lame response. “And do you believe they’re innocent?”

  Nat shrugged, wishing she had an answer to the million-dollar question. “This is our chance to find out, right? No one else has been able to get close enough to know one way or the other.”

  Silence wrapped around them, both mulling over the question of guilt or innocence.

  The invitation was tucked into a manila folder with the notes Nat had taken on the Underground. She took the invite out, tracing a fingertip over the red satin ribbon weaved along the edges of the fine paper.

  You are cordially invited to the event of the year

  The Vampire Masquerade Ball

  Sincerely, Aleese and Eaven

  Short, sweet, and delivered to the news station two days ago with a PO Box where she could RSVP, along with expected attire, and when a car would come to collect her. Her heart leapt into her throat each time she read the delicate handwritten calligraphy.

  Why me? The question had danced in her head since receiving the personal invitation, the curiosity overriding any fear she had with seeing the Underground firsthand. This was the story of her career, and if played right, it might land her a spot on a nationally syndicated news program. She nearly salivated at the thought. No way would she miss out, even if her closest friend thought her crazy.

 
“Have you told Ken?” Dana asked, cutting into her thoughts.

  Nat tapped her fingers on her knee. “No, why should I? We’re no longer seeing each other.”

  “Maybe he would want to know, Nat,” Dana pressed.

  She placed the notes on her lap and leveled her gaze on her friend. “We are no longer dating. And even if we were, he wouldn’t have a say in what leads I pursue.”

  “I know he cares for you is all I’m saying.”

  Guilt nipped at her conscience; the relationship with Ken had been a dead-end street from the start, a show for the newsroom producers—nothing screamed straight-and-narrow like dating the channel’s dowdy weatherman. When he had wanted to take the relationship to the physical level, she’d backed off.

  “And you know why the relationship was doomed from the start, Dana.”

  Dana looked away and fiddled with a loose thread on her sweater. “I only wish you’d settle down with someone decent and stable, regardless of gender.”

  “I’m twenty-five, and too driven to settle for anyone. I mean, who knows where I’ll be in five years? Maybe New York City or Washington DC if I play my cards right. My career comes first. There’d be too much heartache for me to have a serious relationship at this point in my life.”

  Dana blew out an exasperated breath. “Has the network offered you any good stories outside of covering local dog walks and 5Ks?”

  “Nope, I’m still doing the grunt work and covering what no one else wants to deal with. After three years you’d think they’d have more faith in me.” The crux of why she’d walk into a hive of vampires who people didn’t quite trust at the moment—including Nat. She deserved better at the news station and was ready to prove her mettle.

  Minutes ticked by. Nat scribbled on a notepad, making lists of things she wanted to cover during the interview about the local sect. Run-of-the-mill stuff about its current public activities and philanthropies, things most people already knew about through gossip and press statements. Nat could use her reporting instincts—her underappreciated reporting instincts—to judge if Aleese and Eaven were hiding something.

  She started a separate list of things she needed to look for during her visit. Maybe a missing person she mentally added. Three women had gone missing in recent months, and all three had been blamed on the Underground sect. But authorities had no evidence supporting the suspicions, so no charges could be filed. She pulled out the women’s photos from her notes, memorizing their faces. Amanda, Madi, and Kalie—all three blonde and all three eye-catching. Amanda had a heart-shaped birthmark on her neck, the only imperfection Nat could find in the group, and even that only added charm to the young woman.

  Nat nibbled her top lip. She’d had a man approach her two weeks prior, saying he had information. He worked for the sect so Nat considered his information reliable. The women had indeed vanished while guests of the Underground, according to him. And he’d had other useful knowledge on the two she-vamps. Apparently Aleese and Eaven had discriminating tastes, only taking the most beautiful women into their mysterious world. Men were nothing more than servants for the two who had a taste for the finer sex. Much like Nat who’d always been attracted to women and not men, though she wasn’t as open about her lifestyle.

  Of course there were less morbid reasons the women might be laying low. While human-to-vampire conversions weren’t unheard of, usually those who chose to take up the lifestyle didn’t vanish off the face of the planet. But if they had families that carried old prejudices against vampires... Nat tapped her pen on her pad of paper. Didn’t make sense all three would blow off everyone they knew, even if they’d taken a blood vow to the Underground.

  The other, and more sickening, thought…vampires had sworn an oath under penalty of death to not feed on unwilling hosts or to kill those that volunteered blood service, but had the Underground done just that? Perhaps the Underground felt secure enough in their wealth and political influence to test the boundaries of the law?

  Dana cleared her throat, making Nat jump. “Well, Nat, we need to go shopping. Your conservative pantsuits won’t cut it at a Vampire Masquerade.”

  Chapter 2

  “What do you think?” Aleese twirled, her skirt flaring out and flashing her long legs. The corset top hugged her torso, accentuating her nubile build. The buttery yellow did wonderful things for her complexion.

  “You’re simply to die for, my love,” Eaven said. “Raul did an outstanding job this year designing our costumes.”

  Aleese giggled, she’d always loved beautiful and elaborate dresses. When they’d fallen out of style in the twenties, she’d been crestfallen.

  “And you, Eaven. That red is ravishing...I want to eat you up. And I may do just that.” She wrapped her arms around Eaven’s waist, gazing up through her lashes. Eaven cupped her face before placing a kiss on her lips.

  “All in due time, we have business to attend to first.”

  Aleese pouted. “You know how I despise business before pleasure.”

  “I know who spoke with our reporter.”

  Aleese cocked a slim eyebrow. “Is that so?”

  “Yes, and I’m afraid we’ll no longer be requiring his services.”

  “What did you do with him?”

  Eaven turned, eyeing herself in the full-length mirror. Raul stood off to the side, ready to make adjustments to the garments as necessary. “I recommended he might find better employment with the Northwood sect.”

  “Oh my.” Aleese laughed. “Does he know about them?”

  “I guess he will, soon enough. They offered him a good sum of money, but he may not want to part with his tight little ass to take it.”

  Aleese laughed again and Eaven chuckled as well. The all-male Northwood sect could be hounds, and they had a taste for nice young men. But it was no longer her concern.

  Natasha Edwards was.

  “Was the gift delivered?” Eaven asked.

  “I sent it out early this morning,” Aleese answered. “It’s as beautiful as ours.”

  Eaven grinned. “Perfect.”

  * * * *

  Nat was one good jiggle away from full-on nipple exposure. She frowned into the mirror, tugging the blue brocade corset up, then alternately down. The matching long satin skirt at least afforded her a fair amount of modesty, even with the high side slits. And the platform stilettos she’d chosen weren’t designed for walking, but they made her legs look incredible. She figured showing off her best asset might make her hosts a little more willing to open up.

  She traced her fingers over the gift she’d received hours before. Early that morning a package had arrived, what looked to be a jewelry box wrapped in fragile parchment. A beautiful blue mask was inside it. Clear stones studded the indigo silk, creating a delicate rose pattern. Obviously handmade and simply beautiful, she’d held it up to the light. The rhinestones had caught sunbeams streaming through the window, turning them into dazzling prisms. For a moment she’d wondered if they were real diamonds. Ridiculous. Complete strangers wouldn’t send her something valuable, even eccentric vampires.

  “The blue color sets off your eyes, Nat. It’s almost the exact same shade.”

  Dana stood back, curling iron in hand, ready to fix her hair and later her makeup. Thankfully her friend made a living as a stylist, though Nat doubted there’d be much hope for her headful of long and layered, unmanageable curls. She eyed a collection of bobby pins, some gold to match her hair color, others with colorful stones glued to the ends. Tremors of excitement rocketed through her, butterflies making a mess of her insides.

  “I’d forgotten about buying an actual mask, how stupid is that? I’ve never been to a masquerade party before.” Nat watched in the mirror while Dana took a handful of her curls.

  “Me neither, not a real one,” Dana said. “There was this high school thing I went to revolving around the movie Labyrinth. You know that awesome ball scene in the movie? Boy, was that a wild night…”

  Dana’s voice carried on, but
Nat found she couldn’t pay attention to the story. Nat traced her fingertip over the rhinestones on the masquerade mask. Closing her eyes, she ran through her upcoming interview with the two she-vamps. Hopefully they’d be willing to answer a few questions, and if the opportunity presented itself, Nat would do some snooping. Carefully, of course. Who knew what a couple of vampires would do if they found a reporter digging into their personal belongings?

  No one had ever gotten a good photograph of Aleese and Eaven, and Nat used her curiosity to distract herself from her growing anxiety. Blurry photos showed one to be tall, dark-haired, and the other shorter with light brown tresses. Not much to go on. Most vampires loved to flaunt their eternal youth before the media, but Aleese and Eaven seemed to enjoy playing the mystery card. They were recent expats to the country—well, recent by vampire standards, having arrived in the US from England thirty years prior. They were rumored to have both charm and beauty, but of course, that wouldn’t get in the way of Nat’s professionalism.

  An hour passed while Dana worked, her chatter and Nat’s distracted thoughts somewhat a diversion from the pain. Her scalp was sore and her eyes watered, but when Dana stepped back, the result was amazing. The updo looked complicated, tendrils winding this way and that, silky loose curls accenting the bohemian style. The jeweled bobby pins peeked out here and there, little bits of blue, red, and green to offset her pale, one-toned hair color.

  “You’re a miracle worker,” Nat gushed, wanting to touch it to see if it were real, but fearing if she did, it’d fall apart and she’d have to go through the pain all over again. Luckily, Dana had applied liberal amounts of hairspray to keep everything in place.

  Her friend smiled, unplugging the curling iron and a flatiron she’d fallen back on. “I keep telling you, you have beautiful hair. Now a short break and we’ll do makeup. I’m thinking heavy kohl on the eyes to make them pop, and a glossy nude lip. I thought about throwing some false lashes on you, but with your height I’m afraid it’d scream drag queen.”