Page 12 of Rescued By the Vampire Assassin

“Pity,” Joshua said, but he didn’t sound concerned.

"Now what?” she asked, exasperated.

"We wait for our captors to return. They'll be eager to see the results of their little experiment."

“Yeah, me too,” she muttered. “I’m surprised they don’t have cameras set up to watch us.”

“The wards interfere with electronics. They could either have cameras or they could have protection. Sadly, they chose protection.”

“Speaking of protection...we didn’t use any.”

“You’re not on the pill?” At her expression, he grinned. “You have no need to worry about disease or pregnancy. I cannot give you either.”

She probably could have come up with a smart-ass answer to that, but she heard two sets of footsteps approaching the dungeon’s entrance. Meeting Joshua’s eyes, she realized he heard them as well.

“We need to act as though we're under the influence of their drug,” he said in her ear. His low voice caused her to shiver.

“Problem,” she whispered. “We don’t know what outcome they’re expecting.”

“Let’s go with compliant and docile and play it by ear. Can you do that?" he asked.

"Sure, what about you?”

"I'll take my cues from them, but if you see an opportunity to strike, take it."

Strike what?

Before she could respond, the door to the dungeon opened. Keri turned to Joshua and clung to him as if she needed him to stand up straight.

Two vampires — a man and a woman, both pale and sharp-featured smirked at them as they stopped outside the cell.

"Looks like our little lovebirds survived." The woman unlocked the cell door and stepped back. She beckoned to Keri. "Come here, sweetness. Let's have a look at you."

Keri hesitated, then tried to shuffle forward, but Joshua didn’t let her go.

The female vampire frowned. “Tell him to let you go.”

“Let me go,” Keri said.

Reluctantly, he opened his arms. She kept her eyes downcast. Every instinct screamed at her to fight, to run, but she forced herself to remain passive. She crossed the threshold of the cell, and her eyes darted to find a way to escape. The female vampire circled her, inhaling deeply.

"Mmm. You do smell divine. I can see why our guest couldn't resist." She jerked her head towards Joshua. "And how are you feeling, assassin? Ready to play nice?"

Joshua's voice was a low growl. "What do you want from me?"

The male vampire laughed. "What you do best. The Vasile family has big plans, and you're going to help us realize them. Whether you like it or not." He reached out, gripping Keri's arm. She fought not to flinch at his cold touch. "After all, we wouldn't want anything to happen to your pretty little mate, would we?"

A snarl ripped from Joshua's throat. For a moment, Keri thought he would lunge at them, wards be damned. But he mastered himself, shoulders slumping in apparent defeat.

"Fine," he spat. "I'll cooperate. Just don't hurt her."

The female vampire clapped her hands in delight. "Wonderful! I do love it when a plan comes together. Sweetness, tell your mate not to attack us.”

“Mate, don’t attack us,” she said.

“I will not attack,” Joshua said bitterly.

“You fell right into our hands, Nicolau. Now, Sweetness, tell your mate to obey us.”

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