Page 36 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

She gulped down the bread. “Oh, yes. Of course.”

Fiddling with the butter knife, she spoke again, curiosity getting the better of her. “How often do you feed?”

Now he smiled in earnest, his fangs glimmering in the warm candlelight. He was dressed casually, a simple white shirt complementing his pale hair and skin.

“As often as I’d like.” A long pause. “Though I onlyrequiresustenance a few times a month, I take as much as I want. Blood quenches more than one type of hunger…”

His words sent a shot of arousal straight to her core, her hand trembling slightly as she set the knife down. Hushed silence filled the room, the High Consul’s ruby eyes penetrating her.

“Who were those people?” Vita’s voice wavered now, all thoughts of the food on her plate long gone.

“My pets. My thralls. They obey me without question. Serve me with pleasure.” The last word dripped off his lips as blood had dripped from them last night.

“Am I… going to be your pet?”

The High Consul grinned wickedly before leaning in close, mere inches from her face.

“Do you want to be?”

A cold shiver slithered down her spine, though it did nothing to quell the tension coiling in her stomach, the heat blazing between her thighs. The High Consul’s pet. Somehow, it wasn’t the most horrid idea she’d ever heard.

But no. No. He was doing something to her. Something in those glimmering eyes that made her pliable, yielding.

“I do not wish to be your pet or plaything,” Vita said defiantly, and that earned her a chuckle.

Better than a scowl, she supposed. Still, she disliked the way he mocked her.

“Is something funny, High Consul?”

The laughter subsided, a flash glimmering in his eyes, though his face was neutral. “I thought I told you to call me Renatus…”

“Renatus,” Vita repeated, tired of the games. “Whyam I here?”

He paused for a long moment, as if trying to determine what to say. She waited, crossing her arms over her chest and not letting herself break eye contact.

Finally, he responded. “I want your company.”

“And what does that entail?”

The High Consul huffed, an eye roll directed at her. “Share your meals with me. Enjoy my home.”

“Nothing else?” Her eyes remained narrowed at him.

After what she’d witnessed last night, she found it difficult to believe he just wanted to watch her indulge in wine and meat.

“Not unless there is something else you’d like.” His smirk returned, though the smile didn’t quite meet his eyes.

Oh, there was something Vita wanted.

“I’d like to see my friend. Verian.”

The High Consul pursed his lips, but nodded. “You are not a prisoner here, Vita. You may see your friends as much as you would like, though I ask that you stay on your best behavior.”

Best behavior? As if she were a child, and not an adult who could make her own decisions.

“And what isthatsupposed to mean?”

“Itmeansno making scenes in taverns. If you want to fuck your guard friends, then please do it behind closed doors.”

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