Page 8 of Feeding Frenzy

“I put the best courtesans in front of you, and nothing, butthishuman made you falter?”

The way she stared at me made me want to huddle into myself and die, but I stared at her in silence, gripping Asher’s arm.

“Well, if you lot are so possessive of your blood-whore, I’ll give you time to get used to the changes that will happen. You.” She waved over Maddy. “Come here to feed me.”

“No,” I retorted, struggling to keep my voice even. “Maddy is not a meal.”

Asher’s grip on my hip flexed. Imogen stilled and slowly turned to face me. Stunned and shocked that I would dare to speak.

“Excuse you?” She stilled preternaturally. It made the hair on my body rise. She was creepy.

Asher tsked and gripped the back of my neck. His fingers pressed into the column, like a warning.

“We’ve allowed her free reign, Imogen. We enjoy the little human’s outbursts.” His thumb rubbed the side of my neck. I lowered my eyes to the floor. How humiliating. When he said I would need to give them time, I didn’t know it meant that I would be reverted to a simple blood-whore.

Tobias cleared his throat.

“Imogen. I’ve contacted Alistair. He’s opening the department stores for you tonight.” Tobias focused his gray eyes on Maddy. “Madison, take her to Crimson Nights once she finishes with her purchases. Imogen, this human can escort you to feed to your hearts content.”

“Yes, Mr. Crimson.” Maddy tugged the apron tie from behind her back and pulled the fabric off. She hung it on the hook next to the stove.

I opened my mouth to say something, to say no, but Maddy shook her head slightly.

“And do not kill this human. She is our housekeeper.” I relaxed at Tobias’s order. At least Maddy wouldn’t die while with the crazy bitch.

“Fine,” she huffed, crossing her arms. “You will have to brief me, once I return. Especially about that parasite, Bastien?—”

“It didn’t take you long to get back to your charming self,” Ren drawled. He seemed almost derisive, but she didn’t react like it was abnormal.

“Have you done away with him?” she continued like Ren hadn’t spoken.

My lips thinned and I couldn’t control my eyebrow’s furrowing. “Oh, the human is glaring at me.” Imogen’s eyebrows raised and the corner of her mouth tipped up. “Go ahead, speak up, human. I can tell something is just bursting to come out.”

“Keep Bastien’s name out of your mouth,” I said the words quietly, without too much force behind them. Asher exhaled, oh so quietly, near my ear. He said something in his language, and it didn’t sound good.

“You new-age blood-whores are another breed.”

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Imogen lunged at me. An arm banded around my stomach and pulled me back. I flinched, peeking through my slitted eyes. Ren, again, had a hold of her hair which stopped her midway toward me, while Tobias held her arm. Everything went scarily still.

“Fine.” She huffed. “That disgusting emaciated blood-mad vampire doesn’t deserve my time.”

Bastien? He was the furthest thing from emaciated. She yanked herself free of the two vampires and shook her hair out.

“You.” She snapped her fingers at Maddy. “Let’s go.” She strutted out, her hips swaying provocatively.

That was hot.Maddy mouthed as she left, her gaze flipping from me to my vampires.

I had to agree.

Their footsteps retreated; the hollow thump of the door slamming echoed down the hall.

“She’s left,” Tobias announced, his tone sounded unsure, weak.

“You,” Ren snarled, lunging toward me, his strides wide and angry. “We let you get away with things, but remember, you are human—weak.” His lips raised in a snarl again.

I flinched, clamping my lips into a thin line. My eyes filled with tears. It dragged me back to when we first met. When he’d been so cruel.

I deflated, feeling helpless. Talking back wasn’t me, being bitter wasn’t me— jealousy caused all of it. A tear trekked down my cheeks. Tobias was suddenly in my space, clasping my hands in both of his. I stared up into his smokey gray eyes. “Imogen’s presence must be hard for you.”

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