Page 27 of Map of Pain
When that cold hand drifted further down between his legs, something primal tore through the place he’d hide in his head. Pure panic flooded his system. Before conscious thought could intervene, his teeth sunk into the flesh between Gianmarco’s thumb and forefinger.
The taste of vampire blood—coppery but somehow sweeter, thicker than human blood—filled his mouth. Gianmarco’s hiss of surprise pierced through the feeding haze.
Nick fought the memory, pressing his forehead harder against the kitchen floor.Not now. Please not now.
But the past pulled him under.
Gianmarco’s facetransformed in an instant—shock giving way to a controlled, terrifying rage. He withdrew from Nick’s wrist with deliberate slowness, blood trickling from the wound on his hand.
“What was that, Nicholas?”His voice remainedperfectlylevel—the calm before a devastating storm.
Nick’s heart hammered against his ribs as reality crashed back. The euphoria of his mental hiding place evaporated, replaced by cold, paralyzing fear.“I’m sorry—I didn’t mean—”
Gianmarco examined the bite mark, turning his hand in the light as if studying amildlyinteresting specimen.“You bit me.”He sounded almost curious.
“Please,”Nick whispered, terror rising as he recognized the dangerous stillness in Gianmarco’s posture.“It was an accident.”
“No, kitten. That was a choice.”Gianmarco’s fingers gripped Nick’s jaw with bruising force.“And choices have consequences.”
Gianmarco’s other hand moved to Nick’s mouth, thumb pressing against his lower lip.“Open.”
Nick hesitated, terror freezing him in place.
“Open your mouth, Nicholas.”The command left no room for disobedience.
Nick’s lips parted, trembling. Gianmarco’s thumb slipped between his teeth, pressing his mouth wider. The vampire’s expression remainedeerilyserene as his other hand reached for a small leather case on the bedside table.
“You seem to have forgotten your place.”Gianmarco opened the case one-handed, revealing gleaming dental tools.“Perhaps we should remove what you don’t know how to useproperly.”
Nick thrashed against the restraints holding him to the bed, panic overwhelming his training to stay still during punishment. Gianmarco watched, waiting for the futile struggle to exhaust itself.
When Nickfinallycollapsed back against the pillows, chest heaving, Gianmarco selected a pair of pliers from the case.
“Which one should we start with?”he askedconversationally, as if discussing dinner options.“I think a molar. Less noticeable, but the lesson will be... memorable.”
The cold metal of the pliers slid into Nick’s mouth, scraping against his teeth as Gianmarco positioned the instrument. The vampire’s grip tightened on his jaw, preventing any movement.
“This will hurt,”Gianmarco said, almosttenderly.“But pain is how we learn, isn’t it?”
The pliers closed around a lower left molar. The pressure builtinexorably. Nick’s eyes widened as panic gave way to a new level of terror.
“Please—”The word was garbled around the metal instrument.
The pliers twisted. Pain exploded through Nick’s jaw as roots tore from bone. Blood flooded his mouth, hot and metallic. A scream tore from his throat, muffled by Gianmarco’s hand.
“One more, I think.”Gianmarco’s voice remained calm as he examined the bloody tooth before discarding it.“To ensure the lesson sticks.”
The pliers returned, finding another molar. The second extraction was worse—nerve endings already inflamed, jaw already traumatized. Nick’s vision whited out as pain overwhelmed his consciousness. He came back to the feeling of blood pouring down his chin.
Gianmarco set the pliers aside, studying Nick’s tear-streaked face with clinical detachment. Then, with deliberate slowness, he leaned forward and lapped at the blood pooling in Nick’s open mouth. The gesture was obscene, a perverse parody of a kiss that left Nick shuddering with revulsion.
When he finished, Gianmarco’s expression hardened.“You won’t do that again.”
Nick shook his head, unable to speak through the blood and pain.
Gianmarco’s demeanor shiftedsuddenly, anger giving way to something calm and gentle. He released Nick’s restraints, gathering his trembling body against his chest. Cool fingers stroked through Nick’s hair as he cradled him like a child.
“Shhh, it’s over now,”Gianmarco murmured.“You took your punishment so well.”
