Courts and Cabals 2 by G.S. D'Moore (warren buffett book recommendations TXT) 📗

and a whole mess of problems. For the most part, vamps didn’t even drink from people anymore. They tapped a vein like a blood draw in a doctor’s office, filled up a cup, and drank it while it was still warm. They didn’t need much to keep up their strength, and if they got addicted to the blood, or the feeding, the elders and their kill teams dealt with any junkies.

Blood quality meant something to vamps. You are what you eat was a real thing for them. Snacking on a guy who ate McDonald’s three times a day was like drinking saturated fat from a straw. Compared to someone who ate organically, exercised, and was in peak mental and physical shape; it was the difference between fine dining and fast food.

I didn’t know for sure, but I bet some vamps operated the same as Lilith’s people. They got a group together, but probably didn’t call it a harem; maybe a family or flock. They might drink directly from these willing people, and give them the kiss with a capital K.

Because you couldn’t have people freaking the fuck out during a feeding, the first thing that happened when a vamp bit you was the saliva provided a localized anesthetic to the bite area. When their fangs pierced the skin it hurt, but that sensation quickly faded. Step two was the release of their venom. The venom was what carried vampirism, and every time a vamp bit someone it was released into the bloodstream. Ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the time, the human body’s white blood cells killed the virus with extreme prejudice. For a virus that fundamentally altered the underlying DNA of a human to create an entirely new humanoid species, it was extremely fragile. While the venom had no chance of fully turning a healthy person; apparently, it was one hell of a drug. Complete euphoria was how Makaylah described it. It made crack cocaine seem like Tylenol. Even vamp blood mixed with drugs didn’t have the same hit as vamp venom. It lasted roughly an hour, but for that hour the bitten was off in la-la land, and the vamp could feed from them at their leisure. That’s where the “kiss” part came in; apparently, people were horny as fuck when on venom, and fresh off a feed, vamps tended to be a little frisky.

All of that put together, and it didn’t surprise me a vamp charged several hundred bucks for a human to have the pleasure of being bitten. It was a win-win for everyone. The vamps got fed, probably got laid, and the human got high as fuck. Even better, it was all legal and above board. There were copies of licenses all over the walls from the UN, US, and state of Nevada; as well as signage for an on-site doctor if any humans felt faint, and basic first aid instructions. All of this told me that this was a well put together operation, and something I’d expect from the Venetian Cabal.

There was no question in my mind this place was at least associated with Lilith’s family. There was no way an elder vamp would bow to a teenage girl, succubus or not, unless they knew who Lilith was.

“This place must rake in eight figures a year,” I thought conservatively. “If the cabal gets a cut, and they’ve got businesses all over the world . . .” suddenly the financial compensation portion of my contract with Lilith seemed way too low for all the shit I’d been through.

I tried not to let my frustration show. As a poor townie who’d gone to an elite academy – the past tense was important there – I thought of myself as a bit of a hustler. Apparently, Lilith got the upper hand on that deal.

“Speaking of that,” I turned to her.

“I just want to remind you I fed you in the van on the way to Via’s,” there was no way to casually drop that into a conversation.

“Yes, I know, and it’s been logged,” Lilith replied stiffly. Her hand slipped out of mine and she walked toward a door that led to a section of the spa we hadn’t seen.

“Shit,” I could tell she was mad at me, but I was honestly a little pissed at her too. She’d undersold me. I didn’t like to get played.

Dani gave me a sharp look. “Maybe try not to be too much of a dick,” she whispered so Lilith couldn’t hear. “Shit is about to change. We aren’t in Kansas anymore. Where we’re going, Lilith is someone important; really fucking important to an organization that spans this entire planet. She doesn’t get to be a carefree schoolgirl anymore. She has to be a boss, and she’s not even twenty yet. One of your jobs as her First is to make her feel good about herself, not be an asshole. Get that through your thick skull before we get to Vegas,” the dwarf pointed a finger at me in a clear threat.

It would have been more intimidating a few weeks ago when she could still kick my ass without breaking a sweat; but after fighting the troll, and to a lesser extent, getting the best of Caroline the vamp, I didn’t scare as easily anymore. Still, it was Dani. I respected her. So, instead of getting my panties in a bunch, I took her advice to heart.

“Sorry,” I apologized. “All of this is a little much to take,” I waved at the glitz and glamor.

“You’ll get used to it,” her face softened. “You’ll also get used to getting nothing but the best of the best,” she grinned. “You’re a high roller now, Cam. Don’t get too fixated on the money. Bank your contract salary, and let the cabal deal with all the incidentals. Deal?”

“Deal,” I felt a lot better, and gratefully accepted the smack on the ass I knew