Page 240 of Flirting with Darkness

“Nope, because you won’t know what the runes mean or how to use them, and until I trust you, you aren’t leaving my side.” Dav’s grin did funny things to my insides until his words registered.

I swallowed, the bread getting stuck in my throat. “Or the Count ends me?”

Dav’s grin fell. “Something like that.”

I pushed my fear away. I couldn’t escape. Every time the thought entered my head, it floated away as if I couldn’t form any thoughts around leaving. I looked at my butter knife, rolling it between my fingers and thumb. I frowned. I didn’t want to use it, not to hurt the vampire sitting within striking distance of me. I put it down.

“Eat, Elliot.”

While I did, I went over my disastrous attempt at killing someone I’d never had a hope in hell’s chance of ending. I wondered why I’d even been sent. It didn’t take much to realise Victor had looked so pleased because he knew I’d fail. I’d been a message, that was all. A dispensable asset. I slowly put my knife and fork down.

“What’s the matter? Aren’t you hungry?”

“They used me didn’t they?”

Davlov put his own cutlery down. I stared at his plate. Didn’t Originals feed on blood like Mades? I’d always believed they did. But it seemed much of what I’d understood about vampires from Victor was bullshit.

“They did. Your ring has no poison on that sharp spike. If Victor hadn’t wanted us to discover you, he wouldn’t have mixed the blood on that spike with garlic, which he knew the Count and I would scent.”

“Garlic…” I interrupted. “But I thought garlic didn’t kill vampires; that it’s an old wives tale.”

He sighed and met my gaze with a pitying smile. “Whoever told you that was partly right. It won’t kill an old Original. It will burn like a bitch, but we can recover. Younglings and Mades can be poisoned by it though.”

“Oh.” Had Victor told me it was harmless because he’d thought I’d use it to kill him? Victor had done more than abuse me all these years, he’d lied through his godsdamned fangs.

Awkward silence settled. “Elliot, Victor lied to you. A lot. You were sent here as a message.” My fingers rolled into fists as my suspicions were confirmed. “One he knew we’d intercept…and kill.”

I nodded and picked up my knife and fork, cold hatred settling in my belly. I’d do whatever it took to survive this. I’d tell Davlov and the Count whatever they wanted. Somehow I’d get back to Victor. And then the man who’d killed my mother, abused me, and sent me away to die, was done. I’d do whatever it took to end the evil bastard. Even if it meant I’d die too.

“Hey, now.” A big hand covered mine. “You’re bending the cutlery,” Davlov cautioned, gently, prying the bent knife and fork from my fingers.

“Sorry,” I said, my voice tight.

There was a beat of silence. “Here, use mine. I’m done.”

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry anymore. “

I could literally feel his eyes boring into the top of my head from where he sat opposite me.

Ancient power brushed over my skin. “Yes, you are. Now finish it all. If you want revenge you need to build up your physical strength.”

My head snapped up. His steady, cold stare held mine. I shivered. A merciless killer stared back at me.

I swallowed, common sense telling me that his wrath wasn’t aimed at me, but I couldn’t stop that instinctual need to recoil, my breath catching. It wouldn’t be long now until the blows fell.

“H-how do you know what I’m thinking?” I asked, my gaze locked on my plate. Maybe if I showed him I was no threat, that my need for revenge wasn’t aimed at him, he would at least pull his punches…

His chair squeaked, and gods help me, I couldn’t help but flinch. I’d taken so many beatings in my life that I was never surprised by an attack, but expecting it didn’t make it hurt any less.

“Because that’s what youshouldbe thinking about.”

Firm fingers gripped my chin, forcing me to look up and meet his now ruby eyes; eyes that promised pain to anyone who crossed him.

“Elliot, I promise you, no matter what you tried to do to the Count, you will not be mistreated, beaten, starved, or used for pleasure while you are in this castle, not by me, or anyone else. You are under my protection.” There was a pause. His eyes stayed cold, a slight snarl to his upper lip revealing his fangs.

The sight did something to be. Liquid heat flooded my limbs, and I leaned towards him, unable to take my eyes from his.

“Even from the Count. Do I make myself clear?”

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