Chapter 4 #4
My chin shot higher as anger flashed through me.
“What? You truly believe I would help him? That…” I wanted to swear, but I couldn’t do it.
It had been so ingrained in me that ladies didn’t swear that, even now, I couldn’t force the names I had for my previous master out between my lips.
“...that flea? You want to know what I’m doing?
I’m doing as I was taught by him. Waiting as vermin should for my punishment. ”
My gut twisted. It hadn’t even occurred to me that I didn’t have to kneel subserviently to this other vampire.
It wouldn’t make any difference to the severity of my punishment; I already knew that.
I’d trusted him, far deeper than I had Nikolai.
With Nikolai, I’d only had a few hours before the abuse started.
Yet, I guess this was my own fault. I’d wanted to see that tapestry again.
Tears burned my eyes. But wasn’t it curiosity that killed the cat?
“What do you prefer, Sir? To break my arms, put one of those cigars you like to smoke out on my skin, or shall I just strip so that you can use me until you get bored before you give me to your men to feed from?”
The Count’s eyes flared to a bright crimson, and his jaw muscles popped. “Which of those punishments do you prefer?”
My shoulders slumped, his voice was quiet, controlled in a way Nikolai’s had never been.
I’d still held a little hope that he wasn’t like Nikolai in his cruelty.
“Whichever you do, Sir.” Tears dripped down my face and off my chin, but I forced myself to swallow the ache in my throat and stop crying.
I wanted to trust this powerful vampire, to believe there was some kindness in him.
Gods, I really was stupid. No vampire was trustworthy.
They did nothing but lie and cause pain.
Yet, I couldn’t deny that I shouldn't have been sneaking around his home.
“Get up, Sorcha.”
I was surprised by how close his voice was.
A pair of expensive, shiny black shoes appeared in my line of sight.
Slowly, I looked up into his face. He loomed above me, his eyes still broadcasting his anger.
Trying to hide my fear was pointless when he could scent it and hear my heart racing, but I still kept my spine straight.
I’d survive this. I always did. Still, I couldn’t seem to move.
“Sorcha. Up.”
Why was he holding a hand out to help me to my feet?
My tormentors didn’t usually do that. It was usually a kick or a shove to get me to move where they wanted me.
Utterly confused, I placed my hand in his, feeling a familiar tingle of energy against my skin as we connected.
He pulled me to my feet, and even when I stood tall, I ended up staring at his chest. I felt small and insignificant, with no idea what was about to happen.
I braced for the pain that would surely follow, fixating on the buttons of his silk shirt.
Gentle fingers lifted my chin. “I have no intention of hurting you, Sorcha. I can sense a lie, and you did not lie. So tell me, what were you looking for?”
My voice stuck in my throat. No punishment?
There was always a punishment for making a mistake, no matter how minor.
I stared into his red irises. Up close like this, I could see how pretty they were.
I clenched my jaw as his smooth scent surrounded me.
I had a sudden urge to lean my forehead against his broad chest and absorb his strength, to feel his arms around me, protecting me from a world that had done nothing but lie and cause pain.
But that wasn’t possible. I was a human, nothing to a vampire like him.
Despite the past months of relative safety, I had no reason to trust his words.
No, I had to brace for him to laugh cruelly and punch me to the ground.
His eyes faded back to the almost colourless state that usually made my heart race. This close, I could see those tiny flecks of red turn a nearly colourless ice blue that gave them their arresting appearance. The ring of black that surrounded his irises made a startling contrast.
“Sorcha?”
His voice was so gentle, I felt tears prick my eyes, and my body began to tremble. This was cruel. “Don’t pretend, Count, please. Just do it.”
His jaw ticked, and his eyes narrowed. “I am not going to hurt you.”
I blinked, my brows drawing down. “What? Why not? I betrayed your trust.”
He huffed. “You did, somewhat.”
Okay, I was totally confused. My face must have shown it, too. A small smile curled his lips, sending a tight feeling across my chest. “I could have confronted you when I scented you watching me weeks ago. I chose not to.”
My heart thudded against my chest wall at his proximity. I swallowed hard. “Why didn’t you?”
He gave an elegant shrug. “I was curious about what you’d do.
I left the door open to see if you’d follow me in.
” Now he truly smiled, and I couldn’t look away from the stunning sight.
He’d never smiled at me before. “You weren’t quite brave enough, were you, little one?
” His thumb brushed over my lips, his fingers still under my chin.
That light touch was doing funny things to my insides, as was the knowledge that he really wasn’t going to punish me.
Was he truly kinder than Nikolai, or was he just playing with me?
I shook my head in answer to his question. I couldn’t speak, his touch affecting my equilibrium as much as his behaviour. My bare feet brushed over the soft rug as I stepped away a little. I couldn't think clearly when he was touching me. He let his hand drop, but instead, took hold of my hand.
“I am a cruel man, Sorcha, you know that. I wanted you to know, to see how I treat those who betray me. That’s why I gave you a job in my club.
I don’t hide who I am. But I am never cruel to those who have not broken vampire law, tried to hurt me, or hurt those under my protection. You are safe here. Do you understand?”
I nodded, still not entirely ready to believe this formidable vampire had my best interests at heart. Not when he had such a long history of bloodshed and so openly punished others.
He sighed and rubbed a hand down his face. “Go to bed, Sorcha. You must be tired from sitting on the floor all night. We’ll talk when I have more time to spend with you.”
I was tired. But I was more concerned with the raised marks I could see peeking out from under his shirt sleeve, branding his wrist. All worry of trust went out of the window.
My stomach lurched. “Is it Shane? Is that why you look so tired? He’s turning?
Is he in bloodlust?” I wasn’t ignorant of vampire needs.
I’d seen Nikolai turn other humans, and how they’d reacted was a shock at first. Not anymore.
I’d never understood why he hadn’t turned me.
The only reason I could come up with was that he liked me more as his human pet.
I’d soon realised, after Nikolai had bought me, that my parents had lied to keep me compliant, that they’d sold me to the highest bidder.
I’d been a commodity, something to earn them money and attention.
Nikolai had crowed to the party that awaited us, on what I’d naively thought was my wedding night, about how much he’d paid for my virgin ass and the taste of my sweet blood.
And when he’d eventually had his fill of me, he’d passed me on to the higher members of his coven.
Yeah, I knew my place in this cruel world, and questioning Balthazar was not a wise move.
..Except I was worried about him, even if he was powerful and a vicious killer.
Disappointment flooded me when his expression closed down.
“He is. Now, go to bed.”
I squeezed his hand tighter when he went to drop his hold on me.
“No. Shane is my friend. And you are my…” I hesitated.
I didn’t know what he was to me; not a friend, that was for sure, or was he?
What did I know about friends? I’d never had any.
He wasn’t my master, yet he sort of was, even though he’d given me the option to leave, and now paid me enough money that I could go at any time.
Yet he’d given me a job, and a place to stay, and I knew I’d have been eaten alive at that club if he hadn’t made it clear I was under his protection.
He raised a brow as I fumbled over a way to describe him. “Your what?”
I shook my head. It was confusing as all hell to decide what he was to me, or I to him. I mean, he’d given me so much. I narrowed my eyes. What he wanted in return wasn’t obvious yet, but I guessed he’d tell me, eventually. In the meantime, honesty seemed the best policy.
“To be honest, I’ve no idea. But whatever you are to me, you’re Shane’s saviour. You saved him in those caves, and you’ve done it again...haven’t you? That’s why you’re so tired. You’ve fed him, and seen to his—other needs.”
His jaw ticked, and something flashed in his eyes. “I am no one’s saviour, Sorcha. Not yours, and definitely not his. Shane is just another one of my household. No one special. The attention I’m giving him is to continue my alliance with the Shifter King, nothing else.”