(DANE POV)I tried to feed Jo, but Dominic's actions initially hijacked her attention, locking her focus on the distressing scene unfolding. Bite after bite, she followed my lead even though her eyes remained fixed on the slave side of the room.Adjusting our position to block her view of Dominic, I continued to feed her, whispering reassurances. "Shhh... remember the deal we made? Yeah? Now eat more and don't worry about what's happening anywhere but here. Shhh, kitten...shhh, don't worry about him."Remarkably, she managed to eat most of the plate I had prepared, much to my surprise. Despite the distractions around us, her ability to focus on the task at hand spoke volumes of her strength and our growing connection.Everything progressed smoothly until she reached her limit and said, "I can't eat anymore."Drawing her close to me, I embraced her, feeling her whisper against me, "You're not burping me." My response was soft, meant only for her ears, "I'm just hugging you," aware that
(JO POV)Sitting in the dining hall, the scene before me was unsettling. The vampire Dane clearly had issues with was treating his slave harshly, and the sounds of her distress filled the air. My butt still burned from Dane's discipline. The impact felt more intense, making me wonder if it was because we were in front of others or if he'd really popped me that much harder. Despite my irritation with him, I had to concede he was right about insisting I wear the underwear. Without it, I would have been utterly exposed."Can we go back to the room yet?" I whispered to Dane. He leaned back deliberately, maintaining a distance between us, and responded, "In a few minutes, kitten." I cringed as Dominic's slave cried out again, and I thought I saw Dane's eyes soften just a bit."Do you want to sit in my lap, kitten?" he offered. I lunged toward him, and he caught me, positioning me so I faced the room but was securely in his lap. This wasn't exactly what I had in mind, and I began to pout.
(JO POV)The dream was startlingly intense and vivid. Although I was blind to my surroundings, my senses were heightened, attuned to his presence. I felt him around me and within me, his love infiltrating every pore and saturating every emotion. The sensation of his fangs grazing my neck was so tangible that it blurred the lines between dream and reality.He honored his promise in this dreamscape, which I had failed to earn while awake. Yet here, in the boundless realm of my subconscious, there were no conditions, no failures.Only fulfillment.This dream isolated us from the chaos that framed our waking hours. The harrowing dynamics, the threats, and the fears that permeated our reality faded into nothingness. It was just him and me, an oasis of connection. Untouched by the complexities of our situation. We were intertwined in a way that defied the risks, a perfect union free from the consequences that loomed over us outside this dreamscape.He guided me to a climax that was both s
(DANE POV)Getting Jo ready for her first class was an exercise in precision and care. I braided her hair, meticulously ensuring each strand fell perfectly into place. She needed to look flawless, the epitome of perfection. Beneath my meticulous preparations, I harbored a quiet optimism that she would embrace her role more gracefully today.I couldn't help but amuse myself by her reluctance to tell me anything about her dream. She didn't know it and hadn't mentioned it, but I was already privy to its contents.I'm the one who created the content. The realization that I had the power to shape her dreams and was acutely aware of them was something she hadn't pieced together yet. In time, she would understand that there were few secrets she could keep from me, least of all those firmly in the fabric of her subconscious.Stepping into her first class with her was an experience that bordered on the ethereal. I quietly observed, a silent guardian in the background, watching her assimilate
(JO POV)Upon our return to his room, Dane playfully tossed me onto the bed. Flying through the air, covering what felt like an impossible distance before landing perfectly in the center of the bed, was terrifying and exhilarating. As the initial shock faded, replaced by a rush of excitement, I couldn't help but bounce on the mattress. "How did you do that?" I asked.With a smile, Dane showcased his vampiric speed again, pulling the table up to the bed and laying out all the food instantly. He even plucked a rose from the bushes outside his window so swiftly that I barely registered the movement, only feeling the gust of wind it created as he handed it to me. "Wow," I breathed out, genuinely impressed."I'm really old, Jo," he explained, his smile still in place. "I've had literal centuries of practice and mastery over just about every vampire trick you can think of."Curious, I took a fry and asked, "Then why don't you do that more often?" as I munched on the food."Don't talk with f
(DANE POV)The entire ordeal was tearing me apart inside. Every fiber of my being screamed to go to her, to wrap her in my arms and assure her that everything would be fine. Yet, I lay rooted, constrained by the necessity of the lesson at hand. While her rebellious spirit was one of the traits that drew me to her, it now posed a risk to our future within these walls. Her defiance and her unfiltered expressions of anger could jeopardize our chances of leaving this place behind. If any trait needed curbing to ensure our success and safety, it was her tendency to speak without restraint.As Jo's tears began, my resolve began to erode. I told myself that this harsh lesson was necessary, that it was for her own good in a world that wouldn't coddle her. But as the minutes ticked by, each second heavy with her quiet sobs, the consequence of my actions pressed down on me.For an hour, I listened to the sound of her crying, each sob a crack in my facade. I knew I had to maintain a pretense o
(DANE POV)Her next observation caught me off guard, sparking a burst of laughter that resonated through the silent expanse of our connection. "Well, it's far more empty in here than I thought it would be," she remarked, a playful jab at the vast, uncluttered landscape of my mind. Laughing together, we returned to the present, our eyes meeting in mutual amusement. I pierced my finger once more and extended it to her. "I didn't know you could do this," she said, a smile lighting up her face."Years of practice, kitten," I replied. "Now, like I said, take it slow, okay?"Once more, we retreated into the sanctuary of my mind, her curiosity undimmed. "Is it always just white?" she inquired, her gaze sweeping across the endless expanse."No, it's not always white. I'm just not showing you anything yet. I was hoping to see some of yours first," I admitted, the idea of exploring her memories, fears, and joys an intimate prospect."You can see in my mind, too?" Her surprise was evident, matc
(DANE POV)A chill enveloped me, as if the mere mention summoned the darkness of that night. Summoned him. "No," I said, more sternly than intended. "You will never see that one."Her face fell into a pout, but this was one area where my resolve was ironclad. "Jo," I started, struggling to keep my voice even, "my transformation into what I am was... violent. Revisiting that memory requires a strength I can't muster at the moment." The truth was, some scars ran too deep, their edges frayed with a violence that threatened to unravel at the slightest touch. "And besides, it awakens certain... impulses that are better left dormant."The warning in my voice was clear, a boundary drawn from years of wrestling with the beast that transformation had birthed within me.As our argument unfolded within the bounds of our shared dreamscape, I realized the intensity of our connection. My finger remained in her mouth, drawing upon the essence of my being long after the wound had sealed. The realiza
(DEIRK POV) The struggle had been almost overwhelming for hours. Mag was vulnerable and weak, and all I could think about was how easy it would be to rip him apart. Every time I tried to push the thoughts away, the memories came flooding back, vivid and sharp, slicing through my mind like the knives he used on me for centuries.I leaned back, trying to escape the constant loop of flashbacks. Percy lay beside me, close enough that I could feel his heartbeat against me. He always knew when I was close to breaking. His touch was steady, tracing shapes across my chest.He was trying to remind me I was still here, still in control. But the memories were relentless.The first time Mag strapped me down, I thought I'd die from the pain. I could still feel the cold metal biting into my wrists, the restraints cutting into my skin as he stood over me. The blade he used wasn't sharp. It was dull, dragging across my chest just deep enough to make me scream but not enough to kill. He enjoyed it
(DANE POV) I stood outside the room where Mag was held, feeling the moment's gravity. For 1,200 years, this man had been my "Daddy," inflicting pain, manipulating me, and shaping my life in his twisted image. Yet, there were times when he provided care and shelter, giving me some stability in the chaos. Now, the roles were reversed, and it was my turn to take care of him. A responsibility I never imagined. I opened the door and stepped inside. The air was thick with the smell of blood, remnants of the recent horrors that had unfolded. Mag lay on the floor, battered and broken, his once formidable presence reduced to a fragile shell. "Mag," I said as I approached. "It's time to get you cleaned up." He didn't respond, his vacant stare fixed on the ceiling. The man who once controlled everything now seemed utterly defeated. I crouched beside him. "Let's get you up and into the shower," I said, offering my hand. "I'll make sure it doesn't hurt more than it has to." Mag's eyes f
(DANE POV)I didn't want her to deal with my insecurities right now. She had enough on her plate. Between last night's chaos and everything still unresolved, burdening her with my doubts felt selfish. But I couldn't shake the nagging thought clawing at me for what seemed like forever.She pulled away slightly, her expression shifting as she processed what I had said. "What? No, Dane, you know I chose you. How long have you been dealing with that and not said anything? What the hell?"Oddly enough, seeing her getting worked up over this made me feel a little better. It was like a reminder that she did care, that this wasn't just something trivial to her. I shrugged, trying to downplay the unease that had been messing with me for days. "I didn't want to upset you more."Without hesitation, she pulled me down until I was practically kneeling in front of her so we were at eye level. She gripped my shoulders, and the intensity in her eyes forced me to focus on her and nothing else. "I ch
I left Deirk, Jo, and Percy curled up in bed asleep, intertwined after the chaotic night. They refused to sleep in different rooms, insisting on sticking together. They insisted on the same during sex with us, effectively turning it into our first foursome. I didn't dwell on why. Maybe they sought comfort, or perhaps they were afraid of us. Nevertheless, it was the right decision. I had to restrain Deirk more than once to prevent things from escalating. I hoped I had done it subtly enough that Jo and Percy didn't notice, but I wasn't so sure. They seemed more aware than they let on.As I stepped out of the room, I found Dom and Marshall loitering in the hallway. Seeing them there so early wasn't surprising, but there was something different about them. There was a hunger and eagerness in their eyes that I hadn't seen before. Lately, they had been pushing boundaries and testing limits, as usual, but this time it felt different."What's up?" I asked, heading toward my office. I had a
(JO POV) I woke up to the unsettling emptiness beside me. Percy was still there, deep in sleep. Dane and Deirk were gone. I slipped out of bed. The silence weighed heavily, broken only by a distant, rhythmic sound that made my skin crawl.As I moved closer, the noise became unmistakable.Agonized groans accompanied the sharp crack of a whip. My heart pounded as the sound pulled me toward a door I had never noticed before. It was slightly ajar, with a sickly maroon light spilling into the hallway. I pushed it open and stepped inside.The room was a nightmare. Mag knelt in the center, shackled and bleeding. His body was crisscrossed with fresh wounds. Dane and Deirk stood over him, their eyes solid black, their faces crawling with red veins that pulsed with rage. Their need for total vengeance was consuming them. The brutality was terrifying to witness."Did you think you'd escape this, Mag?" Dane snarled in that thick accent, lashing the whip across Mag's back. "That we would just o
(DEIRK POV)The moment I saw Marshall with those knives, everything I thought I had buried came surging back, tearing through the mental walls I had so carefully constructed.I was thrust back into the nightmare, and suddenly, it wasn't Marshall holding the blade...it was Mag.His twisted grin, the way he'd relish in our pain, the unbearable torture that followed. Mag didn't just inflict physical wounds. He cut into our very souls, leaving scars that never truly healed.He always started slow, like he was savoring the moment. The first cut was an intro, a reminder that the nightmare was beginning all over again. He'd look me in the eye, a sickening smile, and then drag the blade across my skin, just deep enough to make me scream but not deep enough to be fatal. The real agony came later, drawn out over hours, sometimes days.The burn of silver seared through my skin, leaving marks that would never fade. The scent of burning flesh, my own flesh, still haunted me. Mag would just laugh,
(DANE POV)Marshall had always claimed to be bisexual, so I decided it was time to let him prove it. It was the only way I'd consider letting him continue attending the male events he enjoyed so much. Tonight was his test, and Mag was about to become his plaything.I turned to Marshall, who was already eyeing Mag with a dark gleam that matched the twisted grin spreading across his face."Have your way with him," I said as I tossed him a set of knives. He caught them mid-air with ease, his excitement noticeable. "Break him from the inside out. Make it count, and don't hold back. You might want to stretch him a bit, loosen up... you know, to get things going in easily."Mag's eyes went wide, his bravado shattering as the reality of his situation hit him. The fear consumed him, and the blackness in his eyes betrayed his panic. He began to unravel, his desperation flooding the room."Dane, please! You don't have to do this!" he stammered out in a rush. "I didn't mean it... I was just tryi
(DANE POV)Mag slid into the leather jacket, his excitement radiating off him like heat from a fire. He looked at me, his eyes gleaming with what he believed was shared anticipation. "I knew you'd like it," I said, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Figured it would help you settle in before you dive into things at the school."He beamed, completely convinced that he had finally won me over. Inside, though, all I felt was cold resolve. I might have been excited...if he hadn't crossed the line, if he hadn't forced Jo into that unbearable situation. But he had, and now, he had to pay.Deirk played his role perfectly, not giving anything away as Mag eagerly shrugged off his sports coat and slid into the jacket like it was a badge of honor. It fit him like a second skin, making him look every bit the predator he fancied himself to be. Deirk and I exchanged a brief knowing glance. The first part of our plan had succeeded. Mag, completely oblivious, was wrapped up in his delusions
(DANE POV) I slammed my phone down, the sharp sound breaking the silence. Two weeks had passed since we found out Jo was pregnant, and now, after what seemed like forever, the message I'd been waiting for finally came through. Mag was coming home.Tonight.Deirk looked up from across the room, his eyes meeting mine. He didn't need to ask what had me on edge, but he did anyway. "What now?""It's happening," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "He's coming tonight.""Tonight," Deirk echoed, a slow smile creeping onto his face. "Perfect. Full moon and all.""Yeah," I agreed, the plan solidifying in my mind. "We're going all out."The hunt had been meticulously crafted, not just as a hunt but as a punishment. Tonight, the academy's halls would become a battlefield. Slaves and wards who had stepped out of line, or those whose masters wanted to teach them a brutal lesson, would be let loose. They could run, they could hide, but escape wasn't an option. The vampires would be released to hu