Page 87 of Stalked

What game is he playing?I asked myself.

One thing was clear?—we shared the gift of telepathy. It amazed me how Roland could still use his powers after being turned into a vampire. Not to mention, he heard my thoughts without me deliberately projecting them. I wondered if it was just that gift alone that he could use or if there were more abilities he still had in that form. I also hoped that when I projected my words to Dorian, he may have heard me after all.

Roland looked away and focused his eyes on Maurice.

What’s he planning?

I turned to Maurice. “You have to let me go. You can’t just keep me here. I’m not some kind of servant to your insane whims.” I needed to distract Maurice somehow.

“Clearly, the reality of your situation hasn’t quite set in,” Maurice said and leaned forward until I felt his breath fan my cheek. “I can do whatever I want to you, Akasha,” he warned, “And I’m very much looking forward to it. The sooner you realize you’re just a thing and not a person, the easier all of this will be for everyone.”

My heartbeat thumped so hard against my chest that my breath caught.

“I can hear your heart beating,” Maurice hissed. “Is that excitement, or have you finally accepted your fate?”

“Look, asshole—”

“Easy, Mercy. Just let me drink from you,”Roland told me telepathically, cutting off the rest of my insult.

“You’re out of your fucking mind,”I projected.“Get out of my damn head.”

“You’re quite brave to run your tongue like that in my home. I’ll forgive you just this once,” Maurice said, licking his lips.

Roland spoke aloud, “Mercy, your blood is very much desired here in this clan. Maurice has allowed me, and only me, to drink from you, other than himself. That was the deal for me giving your location.”

“You son of a bitch!”I silently screamed.

I folded my arms over my chest, that time, speaking out loud. “No, thank you.” I glared at them both.

Maurice laughed again. “Isn’t she adorable? She’s so defiant.” His demeanor quickly changed as his face grew stern. “I never break a promise, and I won’t start with Roland. He gets the first drink.”

“How could you do this to me?”

“Trust me, Mercy.”

“Well, I don’t!”

Shit. I’d said that out loud.

I was getting confused about what was in my head or from my lips.

“Excuse me?” Maurice asked, puzzled.

“I … I said I don’t want anyone to touch me.”

“You still don’t get it. Do you?” Maurice snapped.

“Well, I get that you’re a sadistic creep whom I can’t wait to slay someday.” I waited for a slap to come, but all he did was laugh.

I understood Roland wasn’t warning us earlier at the safe house; he was fishing us out of there, so I could get caught. I suspected he had a plan, but I wasn’t sure if it was in my favor or against me.

“Just think, moments from now, I’ll get to enjoy the warm rays of sunlight on my face,” Roland gloated. “It’s the only thing I despise about being a vampire.” He looked at Maurice, and they laughed in unison. “But I guess that won’t be a problem anymore, will it, Mercy?” Roland flashed me a mocking grin.

There was a moment of silence while two strikingly handsome bloodsuckers stared at me. A shiver ran down my spine. I was more disgusted than afraid.

Roland stood up and walked toward me slowly while Maurice held both my shoulders in a tight grip, his nails digging into my skin. “Seriously, Roland, don’t do this,” I pleaded. There was no hint of love or compassion in his eyes. He wanted my blood?—and he wanted it badly.

I’m not ready for this. It’s a complete violation.

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