Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 52247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
I crawl into the fireplace, ignoring the creepy crawly sensation running over my skin, and feel around for a lever, a false brick, anything. I don’t know what I touch but one minute I’m standing on the painted brick--too pristine to ever have hosted a fire--and the next I’m sliding down a slick tunnel, mouth open in a silent scream. I land on my feet and bound upright, groping blindly in the dark passage. Above my head, light from the bedroom winks at me. I’ve found the secret passageway to Lucius’ lair. Yes!
The panel above snaps shut, sealing me in the dark.
Shit.
I jump and wedge myself in the tunnel so I can bang on it. It doesn’t budge. I dig my fingers around the seal, looking for cracks. Nothing.
I drop to my feet and explore the lightless tunnel. It’s tight and narrow. Could it even fit Lucius’ massive frame? I extend my arms and legs and measure it. It’d be tight, but the Vampire King could fit. At least, I hope so. Otherwise, I’ve found a false passage. A trap.
As minutes tick by, the walls seem to close in. The air is stale and stifling. I’ve got a bad feeling about this. How long has it been? Surely it’s after dusk. Lucius must be awake. He’ll see the destruction I’ve wreaked on his house, and know what’s up. If he finds me I’m dead.
I drop to the floor, curling around my legs. Maybe he won’t come for me. If he knows I’m a spy, he could leave me here, in this dark, airless prison. A little wait, and I wouldn’t be his problem any more. It would only take three days…
Light cracks above my head and I heave in relief. Fresh air flows over my face. I launch myself up and scrabble through the tight space, desperate for the light. I emerge from the tunnel, half hyperventilating, half crying, and heave myself over the fireplace threshold. Sweet freedom.
Someone clears their throat above me. Lucius’ bare feet stand a few feet away. I push to my feet and lunge.
The stake slices through the air. Lucius blurs away. Fucker’s so fast. I flail off balance. A big hand hooks around my leg and makes me crash to the floor. A kick to my wrist and I drop my weapon. He kicks the stake away. It rolls into the fireplace and disappears in the trap with a clatter.
I flop on the carpet like a caught fish and squint against the bright light. Not daylight, not anymore. The sun is down. My time’s run out.
Lucius’ leans over me. . “You’ve been a busy little pet,” he murmurs without amusement. “Sticking your cute nose where it doesn’t belong. How shall I punish you?” The coldness in his tone makes me shiver.
I pant on the carpet. I played my card, and he knows I’m his enemy.
I am so fucked.
Lucius
My sweet pet quivers on the floor. The past few nights, I’ve been in this position often, looming over her while she lolls in ecstasy at my feet. BDSM is a game where everyone wins.
Tonight, it’s no game. I knew she was here for something, but I didn’t think she’d be so brazen as to believe she could best me.
Now I know. The gloves have come off.
“I’m flattered, pet. You’ve gone through so much trouble to find me.” I sweep a mocking glance over the room’s destruction.
She flops onto her back and glares up at me. A fighter to the last. “Get this over with.”
“What do you think I’m going to do?”
She shrugs and rolls away, coming into a crouch. Even standing, she’d be no match for me, and she knows it. “I don’t know. Kill and torture me?”
“So you do expect the Spanish Inquisition.” I smirk as I reference her Monty Python joke.
She doesn’t smile.
“Maybe I will torture you. Find out the real reason you’re here, but a vampire against a shifter is hardly sporting odds.” I tilt my head to the side. “Who put you up to this?”
“No one,” she snarls.
“No?” As smart as Selene is, the auction, getting me to bid on a woman who looks like my lost Georgianna--the whole plan stinks of vampire. My sired have to be behind this, along with Xavier. “So you want to kill me? Why?”
“Revenge.”
That makes me pause. “Revenge?”
“For the ones you killed.”
“Ah, pet. You’ll have to be more specific,” I mock. “I’m very old, and I’ve had many victims. Are these humans I’ve killed? Did I first suck their blood?”
“Fuck you,” she snaps, rolling to her feet. Her gaze darts longingly to fireplace. She’s wishing for the stake.
“Perhaps later. Right now, I’m in the mood for a game.” I step back and unbutton my shirt.
She frozen, ready to flee. “What are you doing?”
“Getting ready for the game.” I drop my shirt.