Page 12 of Prince with a Chance of Darkness

It was far from the first time he thought of such things since she’d come into his existence a week ago. She consumed his waking hours and had even managed to invade his dreams. At first, Vlad had assumed it was his doing, that the strange pull he had to her had manifested in his subconscious mind. Then, he’d realized shetrulywas invading his dreams. A gift very few vampires could do with any success. He was one and he knew of only a dozen or so more. It was a skill that came with age and power.

Ponytail Girl had managed it and she wasn’t even a full vampire. She was something in-between. Something else.

She swiped out at him with her free hand.

He caught that one as well, lifting a brow, impressed with her tenacity. He had to wonder if that would extend to bedroom play as well.

Vlad stiffened.She is too young for us.

His demon chuckled darkly within him.

You are not helping, he pushed out mentally.

It laughed more.

“Master,” said Katarina, worry in her voice. “She has not even had water today.”

Vlad stood between her and Ponytail Girl. “You must drink something.”

Ponytail Girl hissed and struggled in vain against his hold.

He sighed. “Lumini?a mea, enough of this. You will drink something.”

She shook her head and while it was yet another act of defiance, it was something in the wheelhouse of reasoning and understanding. It was hope.

“Yes,” he returned.

She flashed her baby fangs at him again.

He grunted even though he found the act endearing. “Eat or I shall force feed you,lumini?a mea.”

“Master,” repeated Katarina.

“Leave us,” he said, never sparing her a second glance, his full focus on Ponytail Girl.

“Master, you have other matters to attend to,” stressed Katarina, brazenly disregarding his command. “I can see to her needs. You do not have to trouble yourself.”

Vlad kept hold of Ponytail Girl’s wrists and turned his head slowly, his gaze meeting Katarina’s. He exhaled slowly, trying to keep his temper and his demon in check. “Leave the tray and go.Now.”

She gave in and went toward the cell door. She set the tray on the stone floor and exited, but not before looking back at Ponytail Girl with worry in her eyes.

Vlad’s jaw clenched.

Katarina scurried away, leaving the cell door standing open wide.

Ponytail Girl thrashed, wild and desperate, trying to get free from Vlad’s grasp, her sights set on potential freedom.

He pinned her to the wall more to keep her from harming herself than anything else. “Enough!”

She stilled, her eyes still filled with black, her breathing fast, her pulse racing.

He didn’t release her. “Youmusteat something.”

Her nostrils flared.

“Water,” he said through clenched teeth, unsure why it was he cared so much if she lived or died.

Maybe it was misguided guilt over Harker’s plea for him to assist but him being too far to do anything more than aftermath cleanup. Was this a new leaf he was turning over? If so, he didn’t much care for it. Being indifferent was far less time consuming and easier on his nerves.

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