Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
“It’s not the first time someone’s been taken from me by a vampire.” He lays me back down on my belly and his hand runs soothing circles on my upper back where the whip landed only hours ago, yet I don’t feel any pain. He leans lower and continues to heal my body. It’s then I realize just how at ease my body feels. The pain slips away with his touch, and I’m filled with gratitude. “Thank you.”
“Continue your story, my little treasure.” I close my eyes, loving the name. As if I could possibly be something to treasure. I wish I didn’t warm to his affection so quickly.
“Our town isn’t protected, so I’ve gotten used to things…happening. People missing, or…” I don’t finish the thought. I’m sure he understands. “We were planning to leave, as soon as we heard the protests and debates starting. But the process to be admitted into another town is long. It didn’t happen in time.”
“Where did they take you?”
“I don’t know,” I answer, hating the vision that flashes in front of me and wishing I could stop the memories or erase them altogether.
“Do you know why they took you?”
“To drain, like I said. They were taking blood from the humans to sell. Apparently using humans is efficient. We regenerate our blood fast enough to take what they need, then they come back and take again. Reusing us for their profits.” I remember the cages, the leather straps that held us down and bit into our skin…the needles. It smelled like shit and blood. The thought has bile rising in my throat, but I push it down.
“They told me I was too thin to reuse so I’d need to eat more.” I shrug my shoulders as if it wasn’t the most horrific moment of my life, remembering how they tried to force me to eat. “Even when they put a tube down my throat, I was able to throw the food back up. I didn’t want to live like that. I’ll never let someone use me.”
There’s a long moment of silence and then he’s no longer there; the warmth vanishes. The bed dips and groans as the insecurities run rampant through me and Drago climbs off the bed. I question my decision to tell him everything. It was foolish; what was I thinking? As the silence continues, I wonder if he no longer wants to keep me, to heal me like he said he did. I swallow thickly. It’s fine if he doesn’t, I tell myself. The thought makes my chest hurt and I’m not sure why. It’d be better if he didn’t; I’d have my freedom.
“You’re safe now.” I turn slightly so I can see him and when he doesn’t tell me to remain as I was, I turn fully over, covering myself with my arms as best as I can. He walks in front of me and leans down to move the hair from my face. “I’ll take care of you.” Maybe I should be ashamed that I’m skeptical that he’ll take care of me, maybe I should be ashamed that I feel a slight reprieve from his statement.
I don’t know anything anymore, let alone what I should think. All I know is that I’m exhausted and beyond my depths.
The light of the fire lining the walls of the room casts a shadow over his tall frame, making the deep lines of his muscles appear more rippled as he walks to an antique dresser. The sight of his bare back flexing as he opens the drawer makes me turn onto my side and face away from him. I can’t take the fire he ignites deep in my core. My cheeks flame as I push the dirty thoughts away. I think of the teachings in school. The letters of the ancient languages. Anything to keep the thoughts of him on top of me, ravaging me, out of my head.
My body jolts as his large hand comes down on my shoulder, bringing me back to reality.
His hand stills and his tone is gentle when he says, “I didn’t mean to frighten you. Wear this until I can find something more suitable.” He places a large, button-down shirt next to me on the bed. Without hesitation, I grab the fine fabric and hold it tight to my chest, hiding me from his prying eyes. He gives me a tight smile and turns his gaze toward the door. “I’m going to get you something to eat.”
I watch every move he makes and do my best to judge his thoughts and reactions, but I’m left with nothing other than insecurities I wish didn’t exist.
As he nears the door, he takes a key out from just below the knob. I hadn’t realized that he’d locked the door…and left the key in it.