Chapter Seven #2
“Uhhh, but you don’t have to—”
He was already gone.
The seating assignments had arranged themselves with the Sins on the platform, their gang lackeys seated nearest to them, and then those considered strongest in the class going all the way down until the “weaks and freaks” were by the door.
The random guy with a humanoid body and a lion’s head carried our plates to the table directly in front of Ronin.
Slowly, I followed after him—to get our food if nothing else—and I noticed something strange. All of the disgusting catcalling had completely stopped.
Peering around, I met dozens of pairs of eyes who stared dumbfounded at the tattoo, flicked up to my face, then spun away with expressions ranging from angry to annoyed.
Nik pushed into the mess hall. He was dressed in his usual mossy, earthy, foresty clothing and carrying his ever-present notebook.
“Oi, Nik,” I called, perking up. “Over here...” I trailed off.
I didn’t see at first because of the fur, but beneath it, Nik looked terrible. Twin black eyes, a cut on his ear, and a swollen nose told the tale of a savage beating.
“Oh my gods, Nik, are you okay?” I rushed over.
Nik snapped his head up, and over my shoulder. He locked on to something and naked fear washed over his face, making me trip in my haste. “I can’t talk now,” he cried, turning away and rushing in the opposite direction from me.
Nik claimed a seat at the “freak” table with his back to me. He didn’t react when I called.
“Nik?” Frowning, I glanced in the direction that caught his attention, but there were dozens of people milling about, and none were glancing back. “Okay,” I called. “Talk later.”
Returning to Dora, I took her hand and we went to our table.
Raven started in on me before my butt hit the seat. “What the fuck are you doing with that on your arm?” She snapped her fingers and was by my side in a blink. I shrieked when she seized my arm.
“Hey!”
“Did you draw it on?” Raven demanded, roughly scrubbing at my shoulder with her inch-long fingernails. “Wipe it off!”
“Are you nuts! Get off me!”
Raven whipped us both around so fast, her hair slapped me in the face. “Ronin, explain this thing!” She shook me at him. I was the thing. “Why is she walking around wearing your true name?”
“Because she’s my new pet, of course,” Ronin drawled without opening his eyes. “Why else?”
Raven flushed dangerously red—her cheeks competing with her copper curls. “Your pet? Your pet what? Pet sacrifice?”
Ronin opened an eye. “Hmm. Now there’s a thought...”
I went stiff as a board. What? He can’t be serious. He wouldn’t turn around and kill me after every—
“But no,” he finished. “I don’t need to sacrifice the mortal. I’m powerful enough already.”
Ursula scoffed. “No one’s powerful enough. Seriously, if you’re not doing anything with her, give her to me. I was already planning to kill the bitch for stealing my win with the shade and making me run laps.”
Stealing her win?! Were these pampered brats for real?!
“No, give her to me,” Sauda spoke up. “She’ll be great for target practice. Right, ladies?”
A bunch of lady demons all dressed in various shades of yellow from gold to lemon cream all chimed in with their agreement. I assumed they were all pledged to serve House Greed, and Sauda.
“No, I’m taking her.” Eris was suddenly by my side, yanking on my arm. “Lots of rumors going around that she’s a witch, but she’s been clever enough to deny and hide her powers up till now.” She grinned into my eyes. “We’ll see how long that lasts under torture.”
“Did you all not fucking hear me?” Ronin’s voice dropped the temperature a hundred degrees. “She’s mine.”
Raven bristled, lips peeling back from her teeth. “Well, look who’s all possessive.”
Ah, so you hear it too.
“What’s your deal with the mortal, Ronin?” Raven demanded, her voice getting louder. “Huh? Answer me!”
“It’s not a deal,” Ronin drawled—a smirk tugging at his lips. “It’s a bond.”
Raven rocked back, dropping my arm. “A bond? You don’t mean— Not the sub bond,” she cried. “Ronin, are you insane? No one does that anymore! The downside if you break the bond is brutal! You might as well go out murder-suicide-style than pay that price!”
“What?” I blurted. “Ronin, what is she talking about? What’s the downside?”
He sighed, finally sitting up and opening his eyes. The guy dared to look at us like we were irritating him out of his sleep. “Nothing you need worry your pretty little head about, pet. There will be no downside because we won’t be breaking the bond.”
“But you—”
My phone went off, buzzing against my leg. “Tristan?” I broke free of Eris and Raven, turning away. It had to be Tristan. Only two people knew this number, and the other person was sitting right in front of me.
I answered without looking. “Hello? Tristan, is that you?” I asked. “Is everything okay? I’ve been trying to reach you, but—”
“You haven’t tried nearly as hard as I’ve fought to get to you, honey.”
The beginnings of my smile vanished like a dewdrop in the desert. “What the hell do you want?”
Professor Radu laughed out loud. “I’ve missed you too.”
I rolled my eyes so hard, I made myself dizzy.
“You’ve got a lot of damn nerve.” Grasping Dora’s shoulder, I steered her to our seats and cooling food.
“You sent hundreds of bloodthirsty serial killers after me,” I hissed.
“What would’ve happened if I wasn’t in my room with Tristan at the time? They would’ve drained me dry!”
“I only did what I promised I would do, sweetie. I’d never break a promise to you, nor would I let you slip out of my fingers that easily,” he chirped. “I didn’t send the bloodthirsty serial killers after you until I confirmed you were in your room with the wolf.”
“After you confirmed?” I paused raising my coffee to my lips. “What are you talking—?”
Thud!
I jerked, flicking up as Ronin dropped in the seat next to me. Was it me or did he not look happy?
I frowned at his frown, confusion crumpling my jaw. “—about?” I finished, lowering my voice. “How did you know where I was?”
“Honey, you wound me. I always know where you are, what you’re doing, and who you’re with.” Radu said that so brightly, it took a full ten seconds for the hairs on my neck to rise.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.
A tidal wave of notifications went off in my ear. I pulled my phone away to check, and my jaw dropped to the floor.
Photo after photo of me, me, and more me hit the screen one after the other. Me sitting next to Dora in History of Hell. Me sitting on the library floor waiting for the shade. Me brushing my teeth. And me that very morning, walking to the mess hall.
“—incredible this morning,” he was saying when I stuck the phone back to my ear. “Thank Edward that demon changed up your wardrobe. You’re even more delectable now,” he hissed. “I could just. Eat. You. Up.”
I swallowed hard, shrinking lower in my seat. “What is this?” I whispered. “Is this a threat?”
“A threat?” Radu sounded genuinely surprised. “Why would I threaten you? You feed me, I protect you. We have an agreement much too mutually beneficial to sour with threats, honey.”
He had a point.
“What is with this honey stuff?” I snapped instead. “Since when do you do pet names?”
“Ah, forgive me, but I can’t resist. Every time I say it, it brings up the most pleasant memories. You truly do taste honey sweet.”
“Wait, I do?” My interest piqued despite myself. “My blood tastes like honey? Does everyone’s blood taste like honey to vampires?”
“No, as it happens. Blood tastes like the finest nectar to all vampires, yes, but the flavor is as different as the people. Some taste tart. Some sweet. Some smooth and sharp like a good whiskey. And others playfully saccharine like cotton candy.
“No, it’s not your blood,” he went on, “it’s your pussy that tastes like honey.”
Eyes bugging, my cheeks caught fire.
“Not like any kind of honey,” the lunatic pervert breezed on. “It’s a rich, fruity sweetness with a deep profile and citrusy undertones—”
“What the hell are you, a connoisseur!” I was ducked down so low, I was practically under the table. “Who asked for the full description!”
“Who are you talking to?” Ronin demanded, stealing my attention.
“I... uh...” My first instinct was to lie to him, although I didn’t know why. It wasn’t like I needed to hide anything. “It’s Professor Radu.”
“Hang up.”
“I—”
Radu dragged my attention back. “What I’m trying to tell you, my Charlotte, is that I’ve come around to your way of thinking.
At first, I didn’t think we should have a sexual relationship.
You’re twenty-two-year-old food, after all.
It’s like naming the cute little piglet you plan to slaughter. Morbid.”
What I wouldn’t give to punch this guy in the face.
“But after pleading, and begging, and beating me for sex while I fed—”
“I did that because you drugged me!”
“—I was left conflicted.” Radu went on like I hadn’t spoken.
“Yes, I’m centuries older than you, and yes, our relationship is forbidden, but if a creature as beautiful and tasty as you stirs equal fire in my loins as you do in my belly, what right do I have to deny either thirst,” he said.
“It wasn’t until I broke in your room that—”
“Excuse me?” I sliced in. “You broke into my room? When! Why?”
“Oh, don’t worry,” he replied. “It wasn’t for a weird reason. I only broke in to steal a pair of your undergarments to smell while I masturbated.”
I almost fell off the chair. What the fuck is this guy’s definition of weird?!
“But you see, honey, that’s when I knew,” he said excitedly.
“The pleasure that I felt as I ejaculated in my palm to your sweet, musky, addictive aroma was equal to the satisfaction I feel when you feed me. It’s clear to me now that I want both your body and your body, Charlotte Hunter, so you win.
You needn’t beat me for what’s yours anymore, my love. I am yours wholly and absolutely.”
“Wait, hold on—”