Chapter 14

I hide my bare feet under the gown as i sit awkwardly on the very edge of the sofa, unable to help the slight tremble in my hands. I'm afraid, i have no idea what to expect. I don’t know how i am going to make it through dinner with my head still attached to my shoulders.

I need to be careful, really fucking careful, and i need to keep my smart mouth sealed shut.

Voices echo down the corridor, the tremble in my hands getting more violent. I look at the Nati vampire, but he isn’t paying attention to me, his eyes are on the door, and all emotion has been wiped from his face.

I don’t think I'll ever admit it allowed, but the black tailored suit he wore looked amazing on him, i could see every muscle in his chest and arms, and his ass was to die for. His hair was combed back, and his eyes were dark and cold, if it weren’t for the fact he could snap my spine in less than a second, i may even find myself attracted to him.

The first vampire to enter the lounge was a blonde-haired god, his skin a pale brown, and his eyes the same shade as the sky in summer. He wore a buttoned white shirt and pale blue pants, the top three buttons of his shirt left undone.

“Soryn.” Mihai says, shaking the man’s hand.

“My lord Mihai.” He says, slapping his shoulder, “It is good to see you.”

The Nati vampire nods, a smile forming in the corners of his mouth, “please take a seat.”

Soryn smiles back, nodding his head and he moves away from the door and further into the room, his eyes locking with mine, and once they do, he inhales, his eyes turning pitch black.

“And who is this lovely thing you have brought?” He asks, turning back to Mihai, “Is she a snack before dinner?”

My entire body tenses, ready to fight for my life, my heart hammering in my chest.

“No.” Mihai says, his eyes also black, “She is mine.” he turns to me, “show him your hand.”

He means the brand; he wants me to show him that i have been branded by him. I hold up my hand that holds the single letter M burnt into my skin with a vine wrapping around it, a small bat also burnt into my skin. I had refused to even look at it, but truly, it was unique.

Soryn nods, slowly lowing himself into the chair closest to me, “It looks new.” he says, looking at me, but talking to Mihai.

“It is.” He says, his eyes never leaving mine, “I only acquired her a week ago.”

There are so many things that i want to say, and i badly want to say them, but i know that i can’t. I cannot embarrass Mihai in front of the others, i imagine the punishment for that would be worse than what i have already faced at his hands.

The second and third vampire to enter were watching the entire conversation, the one of the left had black hair and eyes to match, his suit a deep crimson red. He had a scar across half of his face, and it was gruesome. Whoever did it came close to taking his head off, I'm sure of it.

The one on the right had light brown hair and hazel eyes, though i knew they’d turn black the moment he saw blood, they all do. It is an easy way to tell the Nati apart from turned vampires, their eyes turn red with bloodlust, not black.

“Lonut.” Mihai says to the one on the right, “I’m glad you could make it.”

Lonut nods, “This is my brother, Vasil, you have yet to meet him, my lord.”

Vasil steps forward, clasping Mihai’s hand, “It’s an honour to be invited here.”

An honour. He thinks it is an honour to be here when all i want to do is flee from this room and run as fast and as far away as possible.

Fuck honour, i want my life back.

Vasil and Lonut take the other two chairs, Mihai carefully positioning himself next to me on the sofa. I know that they can al hear the frantic beating of my heart, but none of them mention it. They don’t have to, i suppose that they see human slaves a lot.

My father talked about them, but i had never met one, some become so loyal to their vampire that they would kill their own kind just to gain some favour with their master.

I'll never be like that. I'd kill Mihai and all the others before i hurt another human. If i can even class myself as such.

“She smells different, Mihai. Is there a reason for that?” Lonut asks, his eyes roaming over every edge and curve of my body.

Mihai smiles like he knew the question was coming, his hand wrapping around my hip and pulling me closer to him. “Her name is Mae williams, her father is the hunter who has been trying to track us down for years.” his voice is thick with humour, though i do not find it funny at all.

If only my father had succeeded and destroyed them all.

All three of their eyes turn black at the mention of my father and my name, it is clear that they know exactly who i am and what my family has done.

Vasil growls, leaning forward, “We should detach her head from her shoulders and send it back to him.”

Yeah, i really don’t like him.

“I’d like to keep my head where it is, thanks.” I growl back, not realising what i had done under Mihai’s hand is wrapping around my throat.

He turns me towards his, cutting off my oxygen, “I did not say you could speak, little hunter, be careful, otherwise i may do exactly as Vasil suggests.” he leans so close to my face that i can smell the stale blood on his lips, “Do you understand?”

My eyes widen, my lungs burning from being unable to breathe, “Yes.”

He releases me and i cough, hard. Each small breath i take burning my throat.

“On your knees.” He orders, pointing to the floor in front of him.

I pale, terrified of what he is going to do to me. “W-what?” i stammer, shaking my head, “I don’t think-”

“On your knees!” He says louder, the walls trembling under the power of his voice.

I instantly obey, dropping onto my knees in front if him, my eyes on the cream carpet. If he spills my blood here, he is never going to get the stain out.

“You will stay there until dinner.” He says, and i manage to breathe a sigh of relief.