Silk Over Razor Blades by Ileandra Young

Author:Ileandra Young
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: vampire fiction, female protagonist, black author, vampire adventure, black british, vampire attacks, vampire attraction, black female character, black female lead character, egyptian vampire

Chapter Seventeen

8 May 36 BC

Despite the hood shielding his face, Saar stole glances left and right before entering the building. Inside, he saw a woman, round through the stomach, with blue and green smudges around her eyes and a long string of green beads around her neck. She hauled her heavy body off a pile of silks and cushions and bowed to him.

‘Good evening, how may we entertain you today?’

Saar lowered the hood. ‘Good evening, Gyasi.’

‘Back so soon?’ She smiled. Rather than enhancing her beauty, the gesture nulled it, highlighting the wrinkles around her eyes and the teeth missing from her upper jaw.

‘What happened?’

She sighed. ‘One of the men became violent.’

He arched an eyebrow.

‘We dealt with him.’ The stubborn set of her jaw dared him to question how.

Saar advanced, grasped her chin and angled her face to the light. A bruise hid beneath the blue and green paint.

‘He hurt you.’

‘We hurt him more.’

A stab of concern tightened his stomach. ‘How fares the child?’

Gyasi cradled her stomach. ‘I have some pains, but no more than usual.’

‘Let me bring you to the palace,’ he began.

‘The queen would never allow it.’

‘But I can—’

‘No. You can’t save everyone.’ She tossed her hair and fisted her hips. ‘Now . . . are you joining us today?’ The arch of her eyebrow let Saar know what she really meant.

In answer he pulled off his cloak and slung it over one arm.

Gyasi grinned. ‘Good. I have a surprise for you.’ Passing through an arch on the right, she led him through the building.

As he walked, Saar glanced into various rooms. On high tables and pedestals, beautiful girls pranced and swirled their trailing gowns. Acrobats, often seen outside at festival time, played with leather balls, long ropes and chimes. In other rooms, men and women beat drums and plucked sweet-sounding strings.

Many faces he didn’t recognise, but those he did belonged to high-ranking officials in law enforcement, finance and construction. Most ducked away or tried to hide their faces, but Saar felt no scorn. He knew what it was to need more and require less than savoury means to get it.

Since returning from the Pharos, his appetite for many things, including flesh, had blossomed to the point that Kiya complained of fatigue and soreness. He needed more. Of everything.

Gyasi chose a room at the rear of the building where few of her customers ventured. It was plain but for a low bed and a window in the far wall.

‘Wait here.’ She darted out once more.

Saar sat on the bed, stripping away his dagger and sword. He heard Gyasi return long before he saw her.

The white hangings in the doorway twitched, then pulled aside, revealing his host who wore a smug smile. ‘This is Kontar,’ she murmured.

Saar’s breath caught in his throat.

Looking up through thick black lashes, Kontar flashed a bright smile. ‘The great Captain Saar. At last.’

Gyasi continued. ‘When I mentioned your last visit, Kontar insisted on joining you, should you return. I hope that suits you?’

Struck dumb Saar simply nodded.

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