Page 5 of Incandescence

Still, she got farther than any other of the previous women, despite the fact my master’s mind control was even stronger when combined with the influence of an infected bite. Maya got within a meter of the elevator doors when her whole body sagged and she stood trembling, unable to go even one more step.

I sighed. She’d learned a hard lesson. Self-defeat and powerlessness were stamped all over her. My master didn’t particularly need to drink from his subjects to make them weak.

The hopelessness and complete lack of control were soul destroying.

I stepped toward her, but knew better than to touch. “Go have your shower, Maya—”

She twisted toward me, her movements slow and methodical. “My name isnotMaya.”

It took great strength to move from the force field of my master’s mind control. She really was mentally tough and resilient. Every other woman had crumpled to the floor. I pulled in a deep breath then slowly released it, wishing I had the right to touch and console her. But I’d never have that right, not while I was in league with the devil. I cleared my throat. “Like it or not, it is now.”

“Why are you doing this?” she whispered hoarsely. “What’s in it for you?”

I blinked. Her words stung and shame suffused me. “I was brought here, the same as you. I didn’t choose this life. Didn’t choose to stay and become addicted to my master’s blood.”

She looked...sickened. “So you’re a blood whore?”

I inwardly recoiled. I’d never thought of it in that way, but that was exactly what I’d become. I’d fallen to the lowest of the lows, my willpower sucked out of me along with my blood.

I crossed my arms. “You’re quick to judge. And yet you’ll be the same as me very soon.”

Her voice shook. “That will never happen.”

“You won’t be able to stop it. It’s a compulsion. A need.”

She lifted her head and crossed her arms, any and all vulnerability shoved aside. “I’ll fight it and your master with everything I have.”

I admired her spirit, but it wouldn’t last long.

I exhaled heavily and said nothing more than, “We’ll see.”

Chapter Four

Maya

Iglared at Alexander, while my belly gurgled sickly and pinched with hunger, despite the huge meal I’d devoured minutes earlier. “Where is your master now?”

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