Page 96 of The Serpent's Bride
“Yes, you did.”
“Yeah, I did.” She sighed.
“Come.” Still holding her hand, he took her toward the house.
“I—I guess this means—this is how I die.” She winced. “You drinking me dry.” Was this the opportunity she needed? Closing in on her neck, he’d be too distracted by his bloodlust to notice her pulling the knives from where they were tucked into her bustier and slicing open his throat. Then, it’d be the simple matter of removing his heart, then his head…
“It is also how vampires are turned. I would drain you to the edge of death, and you would drink my blood in exchange.” He studied her expression thoughtfully as if reading every flicker of emotion like a clue. “But no. I am not going to kill you in this moment, or turn you. No matter how addictive your blood threatens to become.”
How oddly flattering. “Thanks?” She paused, furrowing her brow. “What do you mean, addictive?”
“I admit…after tasting you, I could not imagine letting you go. My own personal stash of a drug more potent than any powder?” Raziel led her into what looked like a grand parlor. The furniture was still there, though it had seen better days. It was clear the staff had come through and tried to clean it, or at least make it usable—drop cloths had been thrown over sofas and chaise longues. “I had brief thoughts about turning you into my own thralled fountain of blood, but my family wouldn’t have it.”
That shouldn’t twist a knot of excitement in her stomach. But it did. “So…you keep saying you aren’t planning on killing me,but…seriously…I just want to know how panicked I should be right now.”
“Not until after dinner.” He chuckled. Raziel brought her over to a sofa in the center of the parlor, closest to the windows where they could see the ocean. He sat down before pulling her in front of him.
“What if you don’t stop? What if thisisthe sacrifice and you’re just tricking me?” She felt the same eager anticipation twist in her stomach. There was something so inherently sexual about his bite, it felt just the same as when he was threatening to tie her up and have her.
“Then, I suppose I will eat dinner all on my own.” His lopsided smile didn’t make her feel any better. It bloomed into a laugh as she glared at him. “I’ll stop. I give you my word.”
“Right…” If he was going to kill her, though, maybe this was the best possible way. She had no idea what it felt like to be bitten. But she’d heard stories of it from humans who had been turned into thralls, addicted to the bites of their masters.
What would it feel like to be bitten? Would it hurt? Maybe it was agony to her kind. That would make more sense than not.
His hands slid up her thighs, riding her black silk dress up her stockings. Pulling her forward, he urged her to straddle his legs. She did, kneeling on the sofa before sitting on his lap. He was still taller than her like this.
“You’re nervous again.” His fingers trailed through her hair, combing the strands, the points of them scraping against her scalp.
Gods, that felt good. It lured her eyes half shut. “Hard not to be, when you’re likely planning to kill me at any point.”
Let him get in closer…let him just get a little closer…
“I gave you my word. In this moment, you are safe with me…” Leaning in, he kissed her throat. It was the same spot where he had bitten her before. The mark had almost entirely healed.Too fast. He hadn’t brought it up. “I have more plans for us this evening to simply let it end here, I promise you.”
That twisted a knot in her stomach that was part fear and part anticipation.He just needs to be a little more relaxed…
Resting her hands on his chest, she took a deep breath and tried to relax. He slowly stroked a hand up and down her back, shushing her quietly as he kissed her throat. With his hand in her hair, he gently tilted her head away from him, giving him more room.
That’s it. Kill him now! Kill him n?—
He began to purr.
She’d heard it from him before. But she’d been concussed the last time. And it hadn’t feltreal,blending into the scenery like everything else. Fuzzy and dreamlike.
But now, there was no question about it.
The sound rumbled in him. Deep and primal, resonating through her. It robbed her of breath. But like some kind of magic, all tension fled from her limbs at the sound of it. His hypnotism didn’t work on her—butthatdid. It was like a lure, calling her closer. Shining in the deep, whisperingIt’s safe. It’s okay. Come here. Come to me.And she did, powerless to resist. Unwilling to even try.
Resting against him, she surrendered to his strength, no longer fighting against his grasp. All thoughts of resistance left her. All thoughts of hurting him fled. All she wanted washim.
He rolled his tongue over her throat, sensuous and slow, taking his time. How long he lingered like that, both of them basking in the moment, she had no idea. Her thoughts were muddled.
Then it happened.
A brief sting.
And for the length of a single heartbeat, nothing but the purr.
