He's blocking the exit.

Although, if I really, really wanted to escape, I could. My speed is something to be reckoned with. I have always been good at running away.

But that would mean leaving Eli here alone and to the big, bad vamp's mercy. Shit. I don't want to leave her to get into trouble. And judging by the way he's leering at me, there would be trouble whether I'm here or not.

Long legs cross the space between the door and our table in just a few unhurried steps and then he's there with those ghastly-pale green eyes peering at me, confidence and satisfaction radiating from his posture.

"I believe," he says, his voice silvery and with a tinge of a command, "we haven't been acquainted yet." And his smile looks like he could take a bite out of everyone here after I get a glimpse of white fangs peeking out of wide lips.

I don't know what to do. I have no idea how to act in this situation. I have no reference on how to react. Nothing at all. I've always managed to escape those vampire gatherings where I would be in a position to suck up to a stronger individual of my kind.

Eli's life might depend upon how I play my cards.

I should smile. But if I'm insincere he'll know. He looks like a guy who has experience with dealing with the most treacherous of people because that kind of power brimming under his skin doesn't come overnight.

I smile, imagining that he came for a make-up session. Heavens...that's the first thing that came to me, the only way to get this done right.

"Indeed." I somehow manage to find confidence and turn my seat toward him. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."

I don't rise from the beige armchair. The first rule of vampire etiquette: If you're not stronger, make yourself look smaller. Ok, I tweaked it a bit, but the meaning is still the same.

"Ah, such a lovely lady," he says, offering a hand with long fingers. Shit! I don't like touching unknown vampires.

I put my right hand in his, praying I'm doing this right because his face reveals nothing with that pleasant expression hiding his thoughts. His grip is soft, yet unyielding and strong. I feel like I've been caught.

"I would love to learn your name." His murmur is loud and clear to me, and maybe because the music stops right at that moment, I notice Eli's eyes shining with excitement because apparently, she heard it too. Heck, now she'll pester me. She wants to find me a guy as she so generously informs me each time we go out for drinks.

But then my eyes are back on him as his head lowers slowly and like a whisper over the skin of my knuckles, he leaves a faint kiss. A few cinnamon-brown hairs framing his face tickle my hand in a gentle caress, but those green eyes are locked tight on mine, almost as if he's telling me, just where I want you.

Eli is practically squirming in her seat, sitting on the edge, her attention glued on the scene in front of her.

I must give it to her, you don't see such archaic behavior that one may consider romantic just every day, but I only hope my face holds the same expression from seconds ago. I'm terrified. Blood is pumping, rushing to my head, I feel like fainting.

Oh, boy. He must be older than I thought. And I don't even know how old I pegged him as! Isn't this delightful. I'm going to die today, I think to myself a bit hysterically, because I know what's happening in the near future, maybe...

"Shawna," I breathe out, trying not to sound as cautious and scared as I feel.

Who knows what he hears and how he takes my breathlessness, but it seems I managed at least something right given how his lips twitch into half-smile right over my hand.

Then, he straightens, not letting go, although his grip turns gentler than before, skin both rough and soft against mine, and he sits down on the unoccupied chair on my right.

"I'm Kazimir, but you may call me Kaz."

Is that a test? A strong vamp giving me both name and nickname, though I have no idea which one to use without offending him. Do I go for formal, or casual? Usually, those kind of mind games are damned tests. Aagh!

It's official. I die tonight--

He shifts his head toward Eli and I decide I won't die. Not until she's safe and sound.

"I apologize, my attention was occupied with your friend," he addresses Eli. "I didn't catch your name."

That's because you didn't give her an opportunity to introduce herself, you buffon! I want to scream in his face, but I don't think he would take it well.

Eli has a playful smirk on her face, one that tells Shawna, you lucky bitch. I don't think I'm lucky at all. Cursed, doomed, jinxed, and many other words come to my mind. Lucky is definitely not on the list.

"I'm Eli," she says and then her eyes zero on something behind us and she gathers her bag and jacket. "Sorry, I can't stay longer. Andy is waiting for me."

Ah, yes. The mysterious Andy, who I must say is as real as my nonexistent courage, has wildly appeared.

No, Eli, don't leave me here with this guy.

She practically jumps to my side, hugs me with one hand and whispers in my ear, "Have a nice romp in a shack."

Oh, god. Why me?

Then she's gone, stalking through amassed people and I'm left with one very amused vampire sitting beside me if those twitches of his mouth mean anything.

"Romp in a shack?" he asks, a tinge of humor escaping with those words, his eyes alight with what I would call concealed mirth.

I think fast what to say. And decide on the truth. "She kind of made it her mission to find me a guy." I sigh like I'm exhausted with it and put a little bit of ruefulness in my expression. "Sorry about that."

"I don't mind," he says after a moment. There's a smirk forming on his face. "I must admit, I've never heard that one."

I smile too because it's easy to speak with him so I should enjoy what I can have for now. "This isn't the worst one I've heard," I say and, as elegantly as I can, take a sip of ale, as much as one can do it while drinking from a mug.

He looks at my almost-gone drink. "Another one?"

I stall for too long because he shifts his grip, a thumb now sweeping soft strokes on the arch of my hand. "I could go for a pint of beer myself." He is giving me an expectant look. "It's been far too long."

"Yes, please," I answer his question because a proud vamp with intent to show off his standing isn't the one you should turn down. Pick your battles, Shawna. Also, I'm not sure if he's humoring me or me drinking beer is his own excuse to order some.

Our drinks don't take too long to arrive - with a flick of Kaz's hand a waiter is there and then he comes back with two beers, mine in a pint mug and Kaz's in a larger tulip glass.

I'm guessing the guy in the apron realizes that when someone in nice clothes orders, there's a big chance they'll spend more money if the service is good. And Kaz screams of money with his light grey dress trousers and a black dress shirt with bright red cuffs and buttons. Weirdly, vampires here are more comfortable in casting out any remembrance to old lives than where I came from, there you could still see some of them in old gothic dress-up or even baroque wigs. Talk about issues.

On the other hand, Kaz seems quite content in modern clothes. Well, he does look good and all, but it's still something of a culture shock to me.

Speaking of the mister fashion model, Kaz seems to have no intention of letting go of my hand. I can feel sweat forming where our skin touches. Oh, well, his problem, not mine. I'm all for letting go.

He takes a big gulp of beer, humming contently after he swallows and it makes me think how normal and approachable he is as he enjoys something trivial as savoring beer. No crazy 'elegance' those idiots from back home utilized as a weapon. He did start off with that blasted kiss-the-knuckles stuff but soon turned normal. I can respect that.

"You probably ask yourself why I'm sitting here with you," he starts conversationally, running circles with fingers of his free hand over the edge of his glass and I'm quite aware that tone of voice holds some deeper meaning.

I nod carefully and take another sip to hide any fear that might get out. Just look pretty, Shawna, and everything will be alright.

I sneak a glance at him and see a glinting fang peeking through his full lips. It screams of danger even though it's just a smile on his face.

"I want you to be my concubine."

And I almost spray beer all over his face. I'm quite sure beer shouldn't go down that pipe.

Then he continues, "Miss-entering-Lord's-domain-illegally."

What. "What?" I ask, stupefied, brain short-circuiting in pathetic attempts to restart.

He raises an eyebrow, disbelief, and anger written all over his face. "Why, didn't you know? I've taken over in the last few months." He laughs and it sounds like danger. "Lucius' head looks nice strapped on the wall of my grand chamber."

I blink and probably gape at him like he's some kind of bizarre problem my brain has difficulty solving. Really, like what the fuck? Has my good luck all shriveled up and died? Why do I have to get into these kinds of situations?

Still sitting there like an idiot and gaping at him, something rings inside my head - Concubine. That bastard's just asked me to become his concubine.

I feel him flinch when my power surges up, wild and raging, just like emotions inside me. Just who does he think he is to ask me that?

He doesn't let go of my hand but his expression goes hard. That flinty stare would usually freeze me in my tracks, but I'm just so fucking mad.

"Concubine?" I ask softly and small tremor goes through him, his blood pumps just a bit faster, even if his face stays the same. That hand on mine is a good detector, and even better is that he hasn't noticed it betraying what he's concealing.

His eyes narrow then, upper lip curling to show white, white fangs. "Yes. Don't you think that I'm being lenient enough considering such a breach of codex?

I'm still fuming, but I realize what situation I'm currently in. Shitty won't even begin to cover it.

Reluctantly, I incline my head.

He smiles once more. This time it looks ugly.