My stomach turned and I walked over, grabbing my pillow. I’d seen an extra set of blankets at the top of his closet when I’d been looking for clothes. I took them down and got dressed, placing them on the floor. There was no way I was sleeping in the same bed with him.
As I pulled up the blanket, I let Hunter consume me. Not the part that longed for him. I couldn’t go there; it would hurt way too much. My curiosity of an us was fading by the minute and I was losing all interest for anything that wasn’t my Master. It killed me, but there was nothing I could do. What I focused on was what I saw of the upcoming war in Marko’s memories. Hunter’s appearance scared me. The dark clothing, the face paint. How had he gotten so bad? Did I have to ask? Was it just from not being able to help me, or was something else going to happen to destroy the loving, selfless man I’d known?
He’d been ready to die or kill in his state of mind. And from Marko’s impression during the vision, Hunter might very well kill us all. Us…because I was one of them now. If my Master died, I very well would, too. I knew this. Not only from stabbing Marko and being so close to death, but because I could feel it. My life really was in Marko’s hands and his survival meant my own. Suddenly, I didn’t want to die. I meant what I’d said while he was fucking me. If the old Marko returned, I wanted to continue on and see what happened between us. I knew there could be love if we truly gave it a shot. Well, if he ever did. Love. Yes…the emotion was strengthening within me and I was starting to drown in it. Every second that went by made it grow. The bond had me and I was its prisoner. For life.
****
Knocking had me groaning as I turned and pulled the covers over my head. Shuffling sounded and I tried to push it away as I fought to get back to the dream of Marko I’d been having. He’d been telling me something, but even now, I couldn’t remember. It was frustrating and I tried to block out the voices humming in the distance.
Darkness began to pull me back under and the weightlessness of unconsciousness beckoned. The nudge against my leg had my eyes flying back open and my body jolting from the surprising fear.
“What do you think you’re doing sleeping down here? Get in bed.”
I pulled the covers down to see my Master holding some sort of outfit against his side. My head shook and I brought the covers back up.
“That wasn’t a request, ma minette. Ass in the bed.”
A frustrated sound left me as I pushed to my feet and collapsed to the far side he’d left unoccupied. I didn’t want to be in the bed with him, but his order was clear and the slave in me obeyed.
“Take off the clothes. You will not sleep wearing any. That is also an order, in case you missed that.”
I didn’t bother opening my eyes as I stripped off his big T-shirt.
“Do slaves usually sleep with their Masters?”
“This one does.” The bed shifted and my body slid the distance that separated us as he climbed in and pulled me into his side, curling around me. The need to fight wasn’t there. Sleep was already coming back, regardless of the closet light he’d left on, and something about the closeness made me feel protected when I should have feared it the most.
“Your dreams invade me. I can’t sleep but off and on. I find it fascinating what runs through your mind when you’re so deep under.”
My eyes opened, but their weight left me fighting to stay awake. “What was I dreaming? Me and Marko…” I forced myself to glance back, “we were talking. What about?”
He laughed and I immediately frowned.
“You have such high hopes for a future between us. You do realize, with my status, I will have to take a concubine and probably find little use of you after that, right?”
My pulse spiked through the pain filling my heart. Humans aren’t concubine material. How many times had I heard him think that?
“Will you release me then?”
“By death?” He snuggled in closer and all I could do was blink past the question. “I will not kill you, ma minette. I like having you to come back to. Besides, concubines are far from love matches. We’ll feed from each other’s power. That’s it. It’s a marriage of convenience, more than anything.”
My mouth opened, only to shut.
“You want to know if we’ll have sex. I’m sure we will. And maybe I’ll even like her. Possibly fall in love. It’s been known to happen at times.”
“Can a bond be undone?”
Marko got quiet behind me. “I will not release you, Tessa. Ever.”
“But, can it be undone? I know Marie spoke of one being taken over before a bond was set into place, but ours is done. Can it still be erased?”
His arm settled between my breasts while he gripped my shoulder. “It can, but the vampire would have to be stronger than me. There’s not very many of those, and let’s face it, the chances of one strolling through and picking you out of everyone else is slim to none. They’ll feel my attachment to you. Their request would be enough to kill over.”
“But…if I found someone and they wanted me, would you let me go?”
I tried to turn to face him, but his grip tightened. I almost couldn’t believe how compliant he was being to begin with. I hadn’t expected that. Rage, yes. Punishment, possibly.
“No. You stay with me. Until death.”
I wanted to fight, wanted to go at him with everything I had, but I didn’t. The slave in me felt quite the opposite. She wanted to turn and thank him for not wanting to be separated. Fuck, had I fallen so far in only a few short hours of sleep? At his behavior, maybe we both had.
Chapter 6
Marko
I was weak. Even after all the hours of healing, I could still feel where the dagger had caused damage. The pressure around where the wound had been left a hollow feeling. Left me pissed, even more than I already was. And there was really no reason other than the change going on within me, but it was enough to have me snapping at Tessa for the second time in the last ten minutes.
“Hair out. I want it to show.”
The silk hood that covered her head fell back at her push and she glared at my reflection as we stood in front of the mirror together. She hadn’t spoken to me once since we woke up in each other’s arms. I’d liked it, until I realized just how much.
“Here,” I said, spinning her to face me. “It’s not that hard to listen, yet you make everything impossible.” I pulled her long hair from the back to the front, allowing it to cascade down her chest. A long curl fell over the member’s brooch in the middle and I fixed it, feeling a smile pull at the corner of my lips. “There. Perfect.”
I lifted my eyes, taking in the green silk before staring into her green depths. Her eyes were a darker color than what she was wearing, but it made them glow. She was beautiful, even more so than I could remember. I swallowed hard and she leaned forward, kissing me before she spun and padded out of the bathroom, barefoot.
I took in her ass, barely hidden from the black shorts. They’d turned more into panties, thanks to George, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t wait to show her off.
“Ma minette.”
Tessa turned, silently looking at me as I tugged at the collar of my button-up shirt and came forward. “Best behavior. Obey every single thing I say. It doesn’t matter what it is. Understood?”
“Of course, Master.”
Distaste pulled at my lips, but she was right. I was her Master and addressing me as Marko couldn’t happen in public anymore. How she knew that was beyond me.
“Follow behind and close. You will hold your head high even as you keep it down. You are of more worth than you know and you will act like it. You’ve probably seen that you’re the only slave who will be at our table.” I messed with her hair, keeping my attention off her face. “The concubines sit the closest at the table next to ours, but they don’t join in our seating. When we get to our table, you sit only after I do. Unless I tell you otherwise. You are not to look around, especially toward them. It is an insult because even though you have status over
the commoners, you will never hold their rank. Do not mess with your hands or fidget in any way. I need your obedience. We have a far ways to go, you and I, and if you want us to both find some form of peace in this arrangement, you’ll be the epitome of elegance, grace, and…” I trailed off, meeting her eyes. I wasn’t sure why I was rambling or where the nervousness was coming from. It wasn’t her. She was as calm as could be. Something was off within me and I wasn’t sure what it was. I wasn’t acting at all like myself, but I knew it wasn’t the old Marko either. “You know what I speak of. You know how important this is. You can feel it here,” I said, resting my hand over the member brooch.
“I will make you proud,” she said quietly. “And when you get a concubine of your own, you will release me. Others will see I’m a good fit.”
Once again, her thought threw me. How in the hell had she accepted this life so soon?
My jaw tightened and I stopped myself from throwing her over the bed and lighting into her ass. No matter what she thought, I’d never give her up. I couldn’t even grasp why she’d think I’d even want to. But I couldn’t worry about that now. I had enough on my mind. Like appearances. My chair would lift tonight and I’d move up in seating. How far, was what concerned me the most. Just how powerful was I becoming compared to the rest?
“Let’s go,” I ground out.
I adjusted my jacket and opened the door, waltzing through. I tuned into ma minette’s presence and slowed my pace until I felt her right behind me. The large tables were already occupied and I caught Marie’s stare for the briefest moment before I focused in on Julius and two other higher ranking members already standing in their places. Standing, because we wouldn’t sit until I was seated, according to Julius’ decision.
“Stay behind me while we wait.”
Tessa remained quiet while we came to stand behind the tenth chair. Julius’ eyes found mine and I noticed his were slightly narrowed as he took me in. Fear or anxiety was no more. I wouldn’t let my nerves get the best of me. I was meant for this part. To thrive in power. Nothing and no one would get in my way and I’d continue to prove that as I made my way to the top.
Three members exited the far tunnel in the back, where the strongest of the Masters were held. I’d be moving there now. I could feel it as I took in their uneasiness. The vampire within flared, causing my power to surge throughout my stomach and chest. To tap into what I held would have been heaven, but I wasn’t there yet. Wouldn’t be until Julius felt for himself. Which he had every intention of doing shortly.
Valencia and Beatrice took their positions, as did Demetrius. John and Zachariah followed shortly behind. Their heads stayed down as they took their positions.
“We all know Marko has been reborn. His powers grow and there’s to be a change in seating. First.” He held out his hand. I removed my jacket and walked forward, forcing my energy back on Tessa so she’d know not to leave my chair. As I took off the cufflink and rolled up my sleeve, I held my head high. Julius’ nails extended and I stopped, lifting my arm.
The cut was deep and fast. I remained transfixed to his stare as his lips connected with my skin. The slight widening of his eyes was followed by his head tilting the smallest amount.
“Interesting.” He licked over the wound, sealing it shut. I stepped back, fixing my cufflink back into place. “Take Demetrius’ place for now. Your power comes in faster than I expected. You’ll change again in the next few days. We’ll monitor you at each meal time.”
I held in the smile. Number seven, and I wasn’t done. Not even close, I could feel it.
The shift in seating was followed by Tessa coming to stand behind me once again. Julius took his chair first and the rest of us followed. Ma minette was all grace as she lowered to kneel at the side of my chair. Two nude suppliers were already sprawled out on the table, the soles of their feet touching. And suddenly, my mind sputtered. Thigh. My feeding position had gone from neck to thigh.
I lifted my gaze to the blonde resting on the table before me. Her body was curvy, her face, attractive…yet, I couldn’t imagine feeding from her. And especially her inner thigh.
Fuck. At the jump of my pulse, I pushed the thought away. I’d have to feed from her. I was not weak for my slave, and no one at this table would think I was. Not for a second.
The gesture was given by our leader to begin feeding, but he didn’t move. He waited, watching…me. I knew I had all rights to feed from Tessa here, but I couldn’t if I wanted to stay in control and show them I was meant to rule.
My hand settled on the woman’s ankle and her thighs spread wider. She already knew the routine. Beatrice moved in, already taking her position, as did everyone else—everyone but Julius and me.
“Marko, send me your slave.”
I stopped my slow advance and turned to our leader. Possessiveness flared, causing me to tense. Tessa didn’t move, but I could feel her anxiety. We both knew what Julius’ intentions were and although I could deny him, I wouldn’t.
“Go.” My voice was stern as she glanced up and met me with fearful eyes. She didn’t want to go to him. Didn’t want to leave my side. And fuck if I wanted her to. She was my slave. “Go, ma minette. Now.”
Tessa stood, keeping her head down as she walked to Julius. I could feel the eyes of the community on her while she made her way to his chair. There wasn’t a moment of hesitation on Julius’ part as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap. Her hood fell back and the glance into his face was enough. My mind fizzled out and I lost our connection as he kept her eye contact. Words poured from his mouth, but I couldn’t hear them. No one would have been able to. He had her in his own protective bubble and he could do whatever he wanted to her. No one would have been able to stop it—especially not me.
Sickening churned in my stomach as his lips drew even closer to her. My nails extended while I breathed through the rage pushing its way through. Feeding became nonexistent. I couldn’t do anything but watch every move he made toward my slave.
Slowly, he brushed the hair from her neck and traced his fingers over her throat. Her lids drew down lower and burning filled my throat as I watched Julius move in and sink his fangs into the one spot only mine should ever breach.
Tessa’s body jolted and then melted into his chest as he cradled her close. I could see his eyes flickering through different emotions. The fascination he had with my slave’s blood was something I didn’t like. Something…I feared. What were his reasons? What was he trying to see or discover?
A small cry came from the supplier and it pulled me from the murderous frenzy taking me over. My grip disconnected from her ankle—she was lucky I hadn’t crushed the bone. To sit still was taking everything I had. Ma minette was gone from me completely in the moment and I couldn’t stop the mourning tugging at my heart. How, in one day, did I go from not liking her, to feeling my old self’s emotions of love? It wasn’t full blown yet, but I knew if I kept Tessa with me for a long enough period, she’d win this new version over, just as she did the last. She was mine, no matter the mindset, and no matter how much I wanted to push her away. I wasn’t sure it would work in the end. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to keep her at a distance, even though I knew I should.
Minutes stretched out and even though Julius finished, he still kept the two of them isolated as he continued to speak with her. His eyes came to me at random moments, but barely. Whatever they were conversing about, it was in-depth enough to steal his attention.
I leaned back in the chair, crossing my arms over my chest. I didn’t miss Beatrice’s raised eyebrow. She was surprised by my lack of feeding, but I didn’t care what she thought at the moment. I only had hunger for one and now I’d miss feeding from her too because of Julius. He’d taken enough blood from her that I’d have to wait a few hours before I could take more.
“Are you going to let the Black Prince feed from your slave, too?”
A warning came from my throat as I scowled at Beatrice. “Sayer will not t
ouch my slave. He is not my leader.”
“We’ll see when the time comes.” The vampire’s attention stayed on me, but I went back to Julius as he sat Tessa up higher on his lap. Her lids were still heavy and I could tell she was barely able to stay upright. My teeth slammed shut at how much he’d taken from her. She still wasn’t all the way healed from our incident and I’d bled her out enough last night. Now this? She’d be out of commission for at least two days. Unless…my cock hardened instantly.
I shifted in my chair, noticing vampires were already leaving the area. While I waited for Julius to finish, I forced myself to focus on the pairs, taking in every little gesture they made regarding their slaves. A frown came to my face and I could see their longing. They didn’t like not feeding or being close to what was theirs any more than I did. Why had I not noticed this before?
Tessa’s voice broke through in agreement to something and my head jerked around. She stood with Julius’ help and her face lowered as she tried to walk. I pushed from the chair, catching her as she started to fall after only a few steps. Her weight wasn’t even felt as I glared toward my leader. The smile on his face was enough to stir the evil within me and I tore my gaze from his before I got out of hand.
“Let’s get you to bed.” Without concern as to what the community would think, I swept her into my arms and walked at a fast pace toward my room. The moment my door shut, she sobbed, burying her face in my chest.
“I’m sorry. I tried to walk.”
Confusion had my eyebrows drawing in as I lowered her to the comforter. “Shh. It’s not your fault.” I removed my jacket, pulling the buttons of my shirt free in my haste to take it off. My heart was racing and I swallowed hard as I let my nail lengthen. When our eyes met, my pulse spiked harder than I could ever remember. The cut on my forearm felt like nothing due to my impatience. “Drink.”
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