Elemental Reverse Harem Quartet (part 1: Earth)

Chapter 15

The irresistible temptation of blood freshly squeezed from a virgin

Varu Vasile

Shortly before the shops closed, I made it to Westfield shopping emporium.

The staff were attempting to usher dawdling browsers out of my chosen store and stared coldly at the people outside to deter any intending to enter when there were only minutes until closing.

Paying no heed, I zoomed past, moving faster than their eyes could track and coming to a halt within the heart of women's clothing.

Glancing at my watch, I approached the nearest female sales assistant, a middle-aged woman—Lucy, according to her name badge. "I only have a minute, and I need a complete new outfit for my friend. In fact, two sets. Including underwear, socks, and boots." Which was why this task needed a female perspective.

At the same time as whipping out my phone to show her the pictures I'd taken, I pulled out my wallet to demonstrate the serious nature of this shopping expedition. "I'd like two more sets of clothes, just like these. The closest match." The photographs showed the labels, so the sales lady had product codes, brands, and sizes.

"We have an enormous range of jeans to choose from." Lucy frowned. "Color, cut, detailing."

"You choose just the closest things to those that I'm showing you. Exactly the same will be fine if you have it, Lucy. And she needs underwear too." I hadn't taken a photograph of her smalls. "Undergarments that are practical for everyday situations. Whatever you'd wear if you were a kick-ass vampire slayer and zombie hunter."

The assistant giggled. "I know the very knickers you're looking for. I'll be right back."

"Should I be worried?" I said to her back as I followed her toward ladies' lingerie.

"Only if you are a zombie or a vampire." She clearly had a sense of humor. The woman knew her job. She picked up items on hangers at an impressive speed, for a human, gathering jeans and tops before we reached panties and socks.

While Lucy gathered clothing, a beautiful red dress caught my eye. It wasn't practical for fighting vampires and demons or for everyday wear, but the shade would look lovely against her skin. I picked up what I guessed to be the correct size and asked Lucy to find shoes, underwear, and a jacket to go with it.

Finally, the entire wardrobe came together. Laden down with bags, I deposited them at home before checking on the Turkish vampires and possibly securing another drop of human blood before sunrise.

After dropping the items in Malka's room whilst she slept soundly, I went out again. I passed through the cemetery, but this time I doubled back along Stoke Newington Church Street to approach Summer House Road from the other side of the divide.

Most of the crowd that had been there earlier had dispersed. There were just a few vampires lingering near the end of my road, presumably stationed there to pick up Malka if she tried to leave. They ignored me as if they hadn't sensed me. Maybe they hadn't. I had nothing about me to draw their attention.

Three vampires loitered on the street, ready to take Malka off my hands if I brought her to them, but there was plenty of time for that. They wouldn't expect me to hand her over anytime soon when they'd allowed me forty-eight hours with the young witch.

No vampire would part from elemental blood sooner than they had to.

Of greater interest to me right then: the scent of the virgins still lingered in the air. They were near, or had only departed very recently. Their odor captivated me, and it would distract all of the vampires in the area.