Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Don’t think that way, Zari, she scolded herself. Her Master may be a lot of things, but one thing he was not was rude. A man who insisted that she avoid cursing, carry anything heavier than a kilo, and open doors without assistance would never be discourteous enough not to let her know she could go ahead without him.
Right?
But Zari forgot her troubles soon enough when she heard a commotion at the edge of the courtyard, which was near one of the school’s main gates. There were lots of shouting, and the sense of urgency surrounding the men who came running into the courtyard was unmistakable.
They were carrying a stretcher with a bloodied and injured man on top of it, and one of them kept shouting “Ajuta” over and over.
She understood enough of the language now to recognize the word ‘help’ and Zari didn’t hesitate, hurrying towards the men. She kept one hand behind her, making sure that her skirt didn’t inch up and expose her cotton undies as she ran. The preppy uniform LSL insisted on was ridiculous, the way its buttoned-up top was so tight and its skirt so short.
When she reached the men, she asked, “May I be of assistance?”
“You’re human, aren’t you?” The one who appeared to be the leader asked, a desperate look on his face as he gestured for his men to lower the stretcher on the ground. “Are you Unclaimed? Lord Erou has lost a massive amount of blood, and he needs to feed right away. It’s the only way he can fight off the poison that’s entered his body.”
She was not Unclaimed, but---
Zari looked down at the man on the stretcher. He was extremely good-looking, she noted absently, but what made her swallow was how pale he looked. Vampires were extremely strong, and even that was putting it mildly. She could only imagine what this man had gone through in order to be near death.
“Miss? Could you tell me if---”
Zari wordlessly offered her wrist.
“Thank you,” the man said feelingly.
She expected him to use a knife or any other sharp object to slice her flesh, but instead he pulled her forward, and she found herself falling on top of the man on the stretcher.
A second later, she felt warm breath warming the side of her neck before fangs pierced her flesh.
In her mind, she heard Alexandru hiss in displeasure. Who dares taste my pet?
Chapter Three
“Before I read to you the next line, I want you to promise me that you won’t freak out.”
Her Master gave her an arrogant look. “I am not the type to freak out.”
His pet looked unconvinced. “Well, if you say so…” She glanced down at her proposal. “In the interest of equality, a Pet must also have the right to terminate a Claim and choose another Master---”
He roared, “No!”
She winced. “See? I told you not to freak out---”
“The fuck I won’t freak out! You are asking me if I will ever give you the chance to choose someone else over me---”
“I’m not asking that,” she hurried to say. “This is not for me---”
“No.” He yanked his pet to him. Another yank and he had her imprisoned between his body and the wall. “Anything that could free you from me will never get my support.” And his lips slammed down on hers, putting a stop to whatever else she had to say.
“What is it that you want to say, Sir Richard?” Alexandru wasted no time asking the moment his pet was out of earshot.
“It is best we speak about this in private, milord,” the headmaster answered, a grave expression on his face.
Sir Richard led the way to his quarters, and Alexandru followed behind. As was his habit in recent times, his mind searched for Zari, a part of him wanting to make sure she was just nearby and nothing untoward had happened to her. He didn’t care if it meant he was being overzealous. She was his pet, after all.
When he was assured of the soul seer’s safety, Alexandru relaxed and allowed himself to enjoy the school’s picturesque landscape. Although the school itself was built like a fortress, with its heavy walls and brick structure, efforts had been made to make the rest of the property beautiful. Trees ranging from pines to mahogany created natural shades everywhere while rows upon rows of flowerbeds added dazzling color to the scenery. Benches made of marble lined the pathways and every so often, there would be an ornately designed gazebo with its own set of tables and chairs that the girls could use as a study area. Around them, birds sang from a nearby aviary while fish of every size and color swam lazily under floating lilies in manmade ponds.
Words like ‘serene’ and ‘exquisite’ were definitely an understated way of describing the scene before Alexandru, but he knew all the beauty in his surroundings was only meant to hide one essential fact: this school was not completely safe.