Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“And where shall you flee to, domina maid?” Xander asked me with a hint of humor.
Or was it sarcasm?
“I want to go to Zumaya.” I maintained a mask of neutrality. “I only need help leaving the city’s borders. I can find my way home after I’m beyond the gates.”
On the right, the bald-headed vampire chuckled to himself.
“My friend, Ty, is laughing because escaping the city is no simple feat.” Xander gripped a tall bottle of blood wine in front of him. “Your soft skin will be scratched and your pretty robe shredded. Gunk will cling to your hair. And that’s just the fun part.”
Xander took a swig of the wine straight from the bottle and passed it over to Ty. “You should go back and clean the Quiet King’s castle instead of hitching a ride with me.”
I gritted my teeth, struggling with myself not to yell or curse at him. According to Octavia, he was the best Path Finder in the city. I didn’t know if she were exaggerating or not, but for me, he was the only person I knew who could aid my path to freedom.
I sighed. “I’ve survived a lot. I can deal with any obstacle in front of me. Right now, I really need your help.”
“To escape the city, it will cost you a large amount,” Xander replied.
“Oh, Ambi. I’ve prepared her for the price. Just get on with it.” Octavia’s voice held an edge of impatience. “Show him the payment, Camille.”
I moved my locket out of the way and took out the two vials of my blood I’d hidden within my cleavage. “I don’t have money, but I do have blood.”
I placed the vials on the table.
They rolled over to Xander.
I stirred. “It’s domina blood.”
“I know what it is,” Xander glared at Octavia. “What game are we playing today?”
“No games.” Octavia slowly fanned herself.
“Whose blood is this?” Xander’s fingers tightened around the vials.
“My domina offered it to me,” I replied.
Xander and Ty exchanged glances, but I couldn’t tell if they thought I was lying or not.
My story wasn’t unusual.
Dominas created unshakeable bonds with their maids since they always spent time together. The most popular play in the theaters now told a tragedy in which a domina gave up her life to save her helper. Songs played all over the city, boasting of a domina’s love for her maids. Even the majority of bestselling books about domina romances and mysteries narrated the story through their most beloved servant.
“How long have you served your domina?” Xander raised his striped eyebrows.
“Long enough for her to give me two vials of blood.”
Laughing, Ty banged the table with his hand. “This one will be fun to bring along.”
Xander didn’t laugh or smile. His gold eyes studied my face and clothes.
Maybe I shouldn’t have lost my patience.
“These two vials are worth a lot more than the price of my services,” Xander said after Ty stopped laughing.
“I don’t care.” I shrugged. “I just want to be free.”
Xander tucked the vials in his shaggy coat.
“If I find out that there is a drained domina somewhere on the Quiet King’s grounds, I’ll hunt you down and it won’t be a pleasant visit.” Xander rose from his seat, appearing bigger than I’d thought, massive in fact. Imposing.
He towered over us with broad shoulders, informing me there was no small frame under his coat.
He stalked my way and gripped my hand. When his fingers finally closed around mine, a bolt of wild energy seeped deep into my flesh and heated my core.
A warm vampire?
He growled, “Let’s go.”
“What do you mean let’s go?” I snatched my hand away from his.
A creak sounded as Ty stood from his chair.
“We leave now, or we don’t leave at all.” Xander crossed his massive arms around his chest. “Second thoughts?”
“No.”
“Good.” He grabbed my hand again.
That same heat hit me.
I bit my lip, fighting the urge to close my eyes.
Meanwhile, a hiss left Xander. His fangs erupted from his gums. He flared his nostrils and inhaled me.
My heart hammered in my chest.
I knew he could hear it.
He quirked his brows and then began drawing a small circle on my hand.
“Let go.” I gritted my teeth. My blood charged everywhere he touched as if he could control my body.
He leaned his head to the side. “Why do you want me to let go?”
“Because, I don’t want you to touch me.” I jerked my hand back, trying not to show my fear, but he didn’t release me.
Instead, he gazed deeper into my eyes with those gleaming gold pupils.
The sharp tip of two fangs peeked out from his top lip.
“Maids smell like cleaning liquid and dust.” He sniffed. “You smell like roses and domina blood.”
I parted my lips.
“Leave her alone.” Octavia got to his side. “I watched her help the domina put the blood in the vials. That’s probably why she smells like one. Besides, it’s a maid’s duty to put roses in her dominas’ hair.”