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)
Something flashes in his face. “Not blooded? Not even once?”
Throat too dry to answer, I shake my head.
He stands. I rock backwards, unable to keep from retreating. He’s huge, taller than me by a fair amount, his shoulders broad as Xavier’s. If he’s thousands of years old, he must have been considered a giant when he was human. He looks down at me and I’m Alice in Wonderland, shrunk down. I’m a toy, a doll. I can only hope he doesn’t break me.
A flash of white and I flinch.
“Easy, pet.” He shows me the white handkerchief, amused again. It’s easy to think other’s fear is funny when you’re the most powerful person in the room. I hold tight to my resentment as he gently rubs my lipstick away.
“There,” he murmurs. “That’s better.” By the time he’s done, the linen square is streaked with red. His scent envelops me and I lean closer, drinking it in. His cologne must be specially formulated to intoxicate a victim. I’ve never been this drawn to a vampire. Or any male, for that matter.
“Stay,” he orders and moves around me. I should hate the way he orders me around like a dog, but I’m used to it. Most vampires treat shifters like dumb animals.
The Vampire King moves around me. Prickles go up my spine. The panicked voice in the back of my head warns me of a large predator behind me. I have to close my eyes and will myself to stand still. This is what Lucius bought and paid for: the right to touch me at will.
Long moments pass and he doesn’t touch me. Finally--a soft tug on my head and a coil of hair falls. He’s removing the pins in my hair, one by one. The braid comes undone, easing off my head and I sigh at the lessened weight. My hair cascades down my back, almost to my bottom. I rarely cut it.
Lucius’ hand sifts through the thick tresses. Despite everything, the tension in my neck eases at his touch. He’s petting me. I...don’t hate it.
“Very good, pet,” he murmurs. I raise my head. How long have I been standing here, letting him stroke my hair? Tingles spread through my body, anticipating those strong and gentle hands touching other parts of me.
Then he clamps a hand on the back of my neck and I go still. My pulse hammers under his thumb.
“You’re doing well, pet. Someone has trained you. What I want to know is...who?”
My breath gusts out of me. Xavier and I concocted a story for this. Not far from the truth--not enough that anyone can tell I’m lying. “The vampires who took me from my pack. They taught me how to be a sweetblood.”
“Interesting.” His fingers reaffirm their grip. “Why did you join the auction?”
I gulp. “For the good of my pack.” To avenge them.
“You allowed them to sell you?” His voice communicates disbelief.
“I went willingly, yes. I was sixteen.”
“You’ve been in training this whole time?”
“Not to be a sweetblood. Not until I turned eighteen.” I itch to turn and face him. “Before that, I was allowed to finish school. I was homeschooled.”
“Sixteen years old.” Frangelico muses. “And your pack let you go?”
“I was in foster care. My immediate family was dead.” My voice is flat.
Frangelico drops his hand and steps away, returning to his seat. He signals and I obey, dropping to my knees beside his chair.
“My people are at this moment interrogating everyone involved in this auction. They will verify what you say. It’s not that I don’t believe you, but,” he waves a hand. “I’ve been the target of more assassination attempts than I can count.”
My blood runs cold. Does he suspect me?
“You needn’t fear, pet. If everything checks out, no harm will come to you or your pack.”
I stare at him. I know Xavier is smart enough to cover his tracks, but I hadn’t guessed Frangelico would be so paranoid from the get go. I shouldn’t be surprised. There’s a reason he’s still alive after hundreds, maybe thousands of years.
It’s one thing to know that rationally. It’s another to look into the eyes of an opponent who’s stronger, faster, older and more knowledgeable than you, and make your next move.
One moment, Xavier told me. One moment where he lets down his guard. That’s all you need. Just a few seconds and a stake. If I can make the killing blow, Xavier will find a way to make sure the Vampire King’s organization is dismantled, their evil work finished for good. Xavier promised me that much. I just have to do my part, win Frangelico’s trust long enough for him to give me an opportunity. What happens after is not my concern.
I never expected to come out of this mission alive.
Lucius toys with a lock of my hair, rubbing the silky strands between his fingers.