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)
“She spoke the truth,” Xander admitted. “The guards would make an example of anyone who aided a domina to freedom. Once, four guards captured a group with a domina, and they tortured everyone except her and hung their bodies on the outside of the castle’s gates.”
Something crept on to my fingers. I shook my hand. “Then I’m really glad I left. I would never forgive myself if something happened to innocent people and it was because of me.”
We traveled through the sewer for two silent minutes.
I had to admit. I was happy someone was with me, even for a few seconds. I wished he could stay with me the whole time, but surely the other humans needed him more than I did.
I can’t be selfish.
“If you could tell me how to get out of here,” I offered, “just to make sure I’m going the right way, then you can go back.”
He flashed me a mocking smirk. “Is that my only option?”
I’m beginning to hate that expression on him.
“I’m sure the other humans need you.”
A sigh left his lips. He placed his hands on my waist and stopped me. “You need me too. Trust me. You’re exhausted. You’ll only end up getting caught or killed if you continue on your own.”
“Why do you care? You were pretty annoyed with me many hours ago.” I faced him.
His full lips curved into a smile. His hands remained on me.
“I’m impressed you left to keep everyone safe.” He tenderly massaged the area above my hipbone with his right thumb. “I’ve seen vampire men cry and piss their pants after one hour in the sewers by themselves. You’ve been walking most of the day and all alone.”
“Is it almost dusk?”
“Soon.”
My shoulders slumped down and relaxed for a second. “How close to the opening am I? Could you show me?”
“I’ll take you there.”
His right hand slid a few inches down my hip. I could hear his breathing increase. My bottom lip quivered.
I stepped back. “What do you want if you show me?”
He instantly removed his hand and combed his fingers through his hair. “You already paid, domina.”
My hands toyed with the end of the shirt, wrapping it around my fingers. “Please, call me Camille.”
“Okay, Camille.” Xander made a movement. “Wait.”
I paused as he jumped in front of me. “What?”
“I hear something.”
I strained, but didn’t catch any noise.
“Stay close to me as much as possible.” He held my hand and guided me around the corner. “There will be more of those starving vampires ahead. When they’re in groups, they tend to get a little more courage to defy me. As long as you stay near me, I can attack them without having to worry about your safety.”
“O-okay.”
We rounded the corner.
And when I glanced up, panic pulsed through me.
Hundreds of wrinkled, withering bodies crawled on the ceiling above us. Most of their faces had sunk into themselves, resembling old circular husks. Their sickly gray skin stirred.
They paused and watched us—their bodies constantly swayed in a sluggish motion, slithering from side-to-side like snakes as if remaining still would cause them agony. Long fangs stuck out from their gaping mouths.
I gasped and clung to Xander. Shivers of fear crawled up my body.
One hissed close to us. “Can we taste her?”
Another’s hungry eyes went to my neck. “Please.”
Xander’s body hardened under my arms. His deep voice rose loud and high, delivering quaking terror through me. “She belongs to me!”
All of them shrieked.
Within seconds they scurried away on misshapen legs and crooked feet.
If I had been alone, they would have just dropped and feasted on me. No one would have known.
I could have died. Right here.
I hid my face in the soft texture of Xander’s skin and lost control of my emotions right there in the sewer.
So stupid.
I just snapped and cried into Xander’s massive arms.
Idiot.
“It’s okay.” He patted my back. “You’ve been traveling in this filthy tunnel all day. You’re probably exhausted, hungry, and thirsty.”
I don’t have time for this. What is wrong with me?
I wiped away my tears.
“I just need a minute and I can walk on.”
He chuckled and squeezed my shoulder. “You’ll need more than a minute. You haven’t slept or eaten in over twelve hours.”
“I’m fine.”
“You need to rest.” He lifted me up by my waist and slung me over his shoulder.
“No! I can walk,” I said with my bottom in the air. I struggled to get off his shoulder. “Xander, I’m serious. Put me down!”
“Just go to sleep.” He gently smacked my behind. My flesh shuddered with the action.
“This is—”
“Quiet. If I haul you to the opening, I can move faster. We’ll arrive outside the gates in an hour.”
“But you’ll be tired and I can’t—”
He spanked my bottom again.
“Don’t hit my behind like that.” I battled to keep my eyes open. “It’s ridiculous. I’m not a child.”
“My apologies.” He repositioned me so I was no longer over his shoulder but being carried in his arms.