Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“That’s up to him. Not our business, Kit. Where is the club? Do you know?”
I close my eyes. “I can show you.” I’ve already betrayed my master. In for a penny, in for a pound.
“Good girl,” he murmurs, tearing me in two. I shouldn’t feel good about helping my master’s enemy, but I do.
I stay silent as I finish his back.
When I’m done, I wait as he takes the mirror down and checks out his back at all angles. “Thanks, Kit. Should heal faster now.”
I wait on his bed as he showers. I should try to run and warn Augustine, but something makes me stay. I tell myself it’s his orders, but he hasn’t given me an order in a while. I wish he would, so I could turn off the thoughts buzzing like angry bees around in my head.
Grizz enters barefoot, wearing a soft-looking pair of sweatpants and nothing else. Even though I know it’s a lot better, his chest still looks bad. I wince at the red marks.
“Like raw meat, huh?” he says. “Don’t worry, I know my chances at a modeling career ended long ago.”
He picks up the clothes on the bed—the ones we bought. I folded them but didn’t know where to put them. With an arched eyebrow, he clears out a drawer in his dresser and drops my clothes in. I should comment on this, but I’m too tired. His movements are fluid and graceful but seem to fill the room.
The fighter returned home. The conquering hero. His presence saturates the air, making me aware of how small I am. How female. The perfect prize for a warrior.
I tuck my knees under my chin and hug my legs. “What now?” I ask.
He looks back at me, his eyes still bright. Oh yes. His bear’s aware of how fragile this situation is. How he wants me. How right it would be. I belonged to Augustine, and he took me. The strong rule over the weak, and if you want something and you’re strong enough to take it, it belongs to you. That’s the way of the jungle. And when shifters and vampires are involved, everywhere’s a jungle.
“Do you want me to take you to the secret club?” I ask, trying to diffuse some of the tension.
His eyes dim like a light switches off. “Not tonight. Tomorrow. Tonight we sleep.”
Oh.
“Don’t worry, Kit, I’m not gonna hurt you.”
“I didn’t think you would.”
He prowls to the bed and lays his hand on my neck. A gentle move, but even a human would recognize it for what it is. I can snap your neck, but I won’t. Another way to stake a claim. Being powerful enough to be violent, but being gentle instead.
I shiver.
“Sleep, Kit. That’s all.”
As I lie down and he turns out the lights, I don’t know if I’m disappointed or relieved.
Chapter 7
Jordy
The dream starts as soon as I shut my eyes, like it was waiting for me. A dark monster in my head, snapping its jaws, swallowing me whole. I’m in the secret vampire club. Augustine is there, a menacing presence. That’s not right—he should be a comfort. I strain to remember the times when he was a comfort before. But in this dream’s time and place, Augustine is not benevolent. He’s not my friend. He’s just my master.
“This her?” another vampire asks. Augustine confirms yes. Their voices are muted in that dream state, but I know they’re talking about me. Hands begin to crawl up my flesh, stroking and probing, taking liberties. I should lie still—Augustine orders me to—but I can’t. I fight and get restrained for my trouble. Not with ropes. With hard hands.
“Feisty little thing,” the other vampire comments.
“Not usually,” Augustine grunts. His voice drips disgust. I know he despises shifters, and in this moment he makes no effort to hide his feelings. I feel small, inferior even as the hands on me dirty my skin. “Be still,” my master hisses again.
“Let me.” The strange vampire says and digs his fingers into my skin. I arch and try to cry out but my throat is a tomb. The aura of this predator is so strong, it’s suffocating. The air’s too thick to breathe. “That’s it,” the vampire says in mocking reassurance. “Be easy.” His fingers are claws now, slicing my skin. The blood flows. “Be still and give me what we want.” His lips find my chest. I jerk once, and still again. This isn’t a dream. It really happened. “Good girl,” the one-eyed vampire croons, and, lowering his head to my left breast, begins to feed.
Grizz
I lie in the dark, trying to rest. Jordy’s breathing funny, soft puffs against my bare chest. It is not helping. Every time I try to relax, she whimpers and presses close to me, and it’s all over. I’m sprung.