Page 88 of Stalked

At that moment, Dorian entered the kitchen to inform Maurice that everything was set for tonight. “Perfect,” Maurice said. “Send Noah in as well.”

Dorian’s eyes passed over mine and then continued out the door, as if he hadn’t even realized I was in the room.

He did.But he didn’t care.

Roland was now by my side and placed his hands on my shoulders, every muscle in my body tensing the instant he touched me.

“What’s going on? Do you have an update?” Roland asked Noah, who stood at the door.

Noah didn’t say a word. After a few more minutes, Dorian walked back in. He looked at me nervously and drew a deep breath while Noah approached Maurice. I kept my eyes on Dorian.

What is happening?

Maurice placed his hand on Noah’s shoulder. “Where’s the rest of the coven? You said this morning that you saw more than just a couple of witches. I want your full report.”

Noah straightened up. “I counted three other witches, a human, a vampire, and two werewolves. The witches and werewolves were the ones helping her escape. I didn’t see the other elements there.”

A disapproving sigh came from Maurice’s mouth, and he grimaced. “Werewolves, Akasha? Really? You have werewolf friends?”

“At least they would never turn their backs on their own kind.” I glared up at Roland, who just shook his head at me.

Noah cleared his throat. “Once the wolves could smell me, they took off toward the tunnel. They think we don’t know about the stupid tunnel; it was too easy to follow them. I don’t know what they’re up to, but after Mercy—” He stopped and cleared his throat again. “After Akasha surrendered herself, they returned to the safe house. They didn’t sleep all night. They are planning … something.”

“You surrendered yourself?” Maurice paused. “Interesting.”

I kept my lips shut.

“Maurice,” Roland interrupted, and I couldn’t have been more relieved to have Maurice draw his attention to someone else. “I’d like to test daylight while we still have it. May I feed on her now?”

“Yes, of course, Roland. A deal is a deal.” Maurice gestured toward me. “Go on,” he instructed casually, as if I were just a tasty appetizer he was serving a guest.

“You mean, right now?” I cried out.

No! This can’t be happening right now.

Roland’s lips parted. “Relax, Mercy. It won’t hurt you if you relax.”

So, I’ve heard.

Roland pulled my ponytail to the side and leaned down toward my neck. I felt a cool chill from his breath crawl up to my ears. The only thought going through my head was,why the fuck was I just sitting here?

Without thinking of the consequences, I pushed the chair back, toppling Roland over and onto the ground, and sprinted for the door. It took only one second before Noah had his massive hands on my shoulders and yanked me back, placing me back in the chair.

Dammit!

“Noah, allow me.” Dorian walked up to my side and Noah stepped back. He pulled my ponytail once again to the side and gently tilted my head, keeping me in place. His touch was soft and gentle, and I immediately relaxed. With my eyes closed tightly, I took a deep breath, picturing Dorian comforting me. It was like all those times in the past when I was scared. I held on to the feeling of his fingers touching my skin, keeping me safe.

Roland walked up behind me while Dorian continued to hold me still. That was when I felt sharp fangs pierce my skin.

CHAPTER 26

THE BITE DIDN’Thurt as I had anticipated. If anything, it was weirdly pleasurable. As my blood was being drained, I felt the pulse of it moving through my veins. Now and then, the skin around Roland’s fangs tried to knit back together. A sudden wave of relief hit me when I realized I could still heal quickly, even if the bracelet blocked my powers. After he let me go, a brief cloud of euphoria hit me, and I lost my balance, falling to the floor.

Dorian moved quickly, reaching out to catch me before I could hit the tile, and then he pulled me close and cradled me against his chest. I looked up, staring back at the familiar face. The face of someone who no longer loved me. I hoped the moment wasn’t real; I longed to reach up and touch his face?—and feel his cold skin against my fingertips. But I couldn’t.

He isn’t mine anymore.

In his arms, I was at peace. I could block out the pain. I could ignore the fact that he worked for monsters like Maurice. That wasn’t the Dorian I knew and loved. Maurice was always the type of creature he fought against becoming. He hated that he had to feed on humans to survive. Even from the moment Dorian was turned, he never had the urge to drink from humans. At least, he never admitted that to me.

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