Page 48 of The Sorcerer of Shadowholde

Renatus was smirking. Of course he was. She tried to push away the shame that burned through her, the way his words had affected her with such power.

“Did you enjoy that, darling?”

“Y-Yes,” she muttered, unable to deny it.

She’d enjoyed his icy touch, his cruel queries, but there was so much more that she wanted, so much more need that tempted to ignite her.

He let the hem of her dress fall back to the floor as he removed his fingers, popping them into his mouth and cleaning them as he’d done to her own last night. The sight sent pulses of arousal shooting through her once more.

Was this smile different from his usual smirk? It was difficult to tell in the tower’s darkness, though she swore a strange look crossed his face.

He kissed her hand before turning and leaving without another word. Gone in a flash.

Vita was alone, more confused than ever. She slid to the ground, the wall cold against her back as her mind reeled yet again.

CHAPTER 21

Verian

BEING A CITY GUARD had its perks.

Today was Verian’s day off, and he sat at a table in Shadowholde’s library, open books splayed everywhere. Perhaps not the spotmostwould want to be at in their free time, but he could think of no place better to do some research.

The library was not accessible to the general public of Shadowholde, a rule which vexed him greatly. What right did the leaders have to restrict the people from accessing knowledge, of learning their own history?

Luckily, as a member of the city guard, he was able to enter on “official business” without any questions asked. A white lie, but one that was worth it for the chance to examine the library’s contents.

Thoughts of Vita and the High Consul had taken over his mind for the past week. Well, Vita was almost always on his mind, but now his worry for her had multiplied. Sheclaimedshe was safe at the palace, but the news that vampires were real had his stomach twisting into knots.

Never mind how intrigued she was by the High Consul.

Complicated emotions swirled through his head each night when he had no duties to keep his mind occupied. Could he expect her to wait around forever? Perhaps the High Consul could give her what she wanted, as absurd as that sounded. A steady life, someone devoted to her.

What Vita deserved.

The library was vast, aisles of books running the full length of the space. Verian sat in the central atrium, ornamental columns lining the walls between open shelves of artifacts. A domed altar to Phora, the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge, was the focal point of the room, her raised arm holding an ancient scroll.

He had been reading through dusty tomes of mythology for hours, his eyes tired from skimming the yellowed pages. He’d found some information about “vampires”, obvious things he’d already guessed were true. They could not let sunlight touch their skin. They could create a new vampire, a thrall, by killing a person and feeding them their blood. That fact had sent a shiver down his spine, the familiar worry for his friend returning.

Now, as he skimmed the pages of yet another enormous volume, something else caught his eye. A single word—compulsion.

Verian paused to read.

Vampires are known to enact compulsions on their victims, a supernatural influence similar to hypnosis. A victim on the receiving end of the compulsion becomes highly susceptible to commands, compelled to speak and act based on the intentions of the vampire.

A cold sweat broke out on his brow, his heart racing as he understood the implications. Was the High Consul doing something to Vita? She’d seemed level-headed when they last met, but how could heknow for certain? He remembered the way Drusus had been forced to speak the truth at Ad Noctua, spilling his secrets about her.

The High Consul might not be plotting to make her his thrall, but were there other impulses at play?

He startled as someone tapped his shoulder and slammed the book shut to the ire of the togaed librarian standing behind him.

“Verian Corvinus?”

“Yes?”

“Someone is looking for you outside. A woman named Vita. I sent her to the garden, as she’s not allowed inside the establishment.” The man gestured to a doorway.

“Thank you,” Verian said with a nod, then stood, putting his books away quickly.

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