Page 56 of Burn for Her

Lena chewed her lip. She’d always been violent. Always been impatient. Always liked meat. But… there was something she never craved before and a few months ago the desire to go down the deep end of fetishes had led her here. Was that enough of a clue? Was it a clue or a coincidence? Was she suddenly trying to make herself fit in this situation for Dorian’s sake, or was she exactly who and what they said she was… a mate.

“Healing tends to be faster—physically speaking.” Malachi tapped his temple. “The mind is another beast entirely.”

He was staring at her bruises.

“Dorian thinks he’s a monster.” Malachi leaned forward. “Do you agree?”

“I don’t know him.” She hated how her voice trembled.

“You were locked in a room with him. Dressed in the color of our favorite meal. Tied like a slab of meat ready to be served.”

Lena swayed. Holy shit, was that why they demanded she wear red? To signal the hosts that she was fresh meat? No. No way. Her friend wouldn’t have suggested that place if people died there.

Malachi’s voice rumbled as he said, “You were blindfolded, were you not?”

“Yes.”

“Your senses are heightened by now, Lena. Your body knows when you’re in danger and will act accordingly. Tell me.” He leaned in, his gaze intensifying in the mirror. “Did you wish to flee when you felt his presence? Whimper at the sound of his voice? Cringe at his touch?”

“N-n-no.”

“I thought not.” He leaned back with a satisfied grin. “Fighting one’s fate is futile. Dorian’s learning that lesson now.”

“This is real,” she whispered more to herself than him.

“As real as the heart beating like a jackrabbit in your chest.” He took another sip of his drink. “Dorian’s incredibly special to me. I can’t afford to lose him. No one here can, though half would never admit it.”

“Why?”

“He’s willing to do what most are not.”

Lena rolled her shoulders back. “What does he do here? Is he your right-hand man or something? And what is this place?”

“Vampires are separated into Houses according to laws, bloodlines, and honor. Dorian is the executioner for the House of Death.”

“Exe… cutioner?” She said it slowly to let the word roll off her tongue in hopes it sounded less terrifying. It didn’t work. In fact, it backfired.

Malachi’s nostrils flared and a true smile spread across his handsome face. “Go to your mate, Lena. Allow him to prove his worth.”

“He doesn’t have to prove anything to me.”

“You’re right. He must prove it to himself.”

The tension snapped, and Lena could finally move her feet again. She headed for the door and was almost there when Malachi said, “Don’t let him die, Lena. I cannot bear to lose one as pure as him.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat and beelined for the exit.

“Dorian! Lucian! Get in here.” Malachi’s voice boomed. Lena’s chest rumbled with it. The door swung open.

Lucian and Dorian staggered into the room. Murderous thoughts rocked Lena to the core. Dorian looked worse than he had five minutes ago. Now he was covered in blood and welts. Lena ran to him on instinct. “What happened to him?”

“Easy, Lena. Give him a second to calm down.” Lucian strained to hold Dorian back.

Holy motherfucking Hell. Dorian looked positively insane. His eyes were wide and completely black. His fangs dripped with blood and saliva. He hissed, the tendons in his neck straining as he dragged Lucian across the room. With as big as Lucian was, Dorian was stronger. His torso bulged with a crazy amount of muscle as he pitched forward, hellbent to get into the room. To get to Lena.

“She’s not hurt, Dorian. Can you see her?” Lucian moved forward cautiously, keeping Dorian restrained. “Smell her. Read her body and know she’s unharmed.”

Dorian let out a painful groan. His voice cracked as he said her name. “Lena.” He swayed once Lucian let go of him. “Lena.”

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