Page 89 of Stalked

“I don’t want to waste any more time, Maurice. I need to make arrangements.” Roland licked his lips and then wiped the remaining blood from his chin with a kitchen towel. “It was nice doing business with you, as always.” They didn’t shake hands, and Roland didn’t say goodbye to me. He spun around and headed toward the front door. The vampires in the room shielded themselves from the light outside as the door opened and closed.

I wasn’t a person to any of them. I was property, and this was a vampire testing out the merchandise. I closed my eyes and fought back the burning tears. I felt violated and alone in that quiet, dark moment, but I refused to give Maurice or his friends the satisfaction.

My wounds healed over before Kyoko could tend to them, but I was still covered in my blood. Dorian helped me to my feet, and she moved to grab a wet rag from the kitchen. He dabbed at it with another damp towel, but Maurice yanked the rag from his hand and signaled him to move away from me.

“We need to burn this rag, Kyoko,” Maurice said, “Then escort Akasha to her room to clean herself up. Noah, find someone to mop the floor until every drop of her blood is gone.”

My strength was coming back to me, and I was able to stand straight again. I looked over at Dorian, but he wouldn’t even look at me.

Is he ashamed he hadn’t helped me? Could he help me?

I didn’t want him to risk his life for me, but I needed to know if I really had an ally inside these walls.

Maurice turned to exit the room, but I needed him to know I was going to be the worst prisoner he had ever had. I wasn’t afraid; I was fucking angry.

“What are you waiting for, you piece of shit?” I asked through gritted teeth. “For someone as egotistical as you, I’m a bit surprised you let someone else feast themselves on something you think belongs to you.” Maurice hissed, and for some stupid reason, it fueled me. “Drink from me, asshole. Get this ridiculous shit over with.”

I wasn’t sure where my bravery was coming from, but a week ago, I would have cowered under his control.

Maurice’s laughter came out over the top as if mocking my defiance. I honestly thought he’d strike me this time, but it appeared my insult only amused him.

“The first time I take a drink from you, my love, I do it as part of a ceremony.” He stepped forward, his eyes sizing me up. “It will bind you to me. Once I feed on you,” he said, stepping even closer. “You’ll then feed on me.”

The fuck I will!I felt sick.

“I have a loyal witch that performs a ritual while I take my first drink. The magic will bind us to each other. I’ll always know where you are and what you’re feeling, just as you will for me. Don’t worry, any disgust you might have for me won’t linger. You’llwantme to feed on you.” He stepped closer. “You’ll want me to fuck you.” The smile he held slowly flattened into a heated, animalistic scowl. “You’ll crave it as much as I’ll crave you.”

No, I didn’t like the sound of that.

“Tonight, we do the ritual,” he exclaimed excitedly. “And to ensure you don’t fight it, Noah is bringing me some leverage.”

My eyes narrowed as I stared at him. “What kind of leverage?” I gulped.

“A little human friend seems like a nice appetizer for me, don’t you think?”

No! She was supposed to be safe. I was supposed to keep her safe!

“Maurice, I swear I’ll kill you if you touch her.” My hands balled into fists. “I promise you, I’ll make you a pile of ash before dawn, and I don’t need my magic to do it.”

Anger flashed in his eyes as his hand swung back to strike, but he stopped the back of his hand at my cheek. I flinched, turning to him with a look of pure, raw hatred.

Before I knew it, Maurice had smoothed over his anger and replaced it with his usual expression of haughty, contemptuous amusement. He smirked as he leaned into me and whispered, “I know that’s meant to be threatening, but believe me when I say I would love to spar with you.” My fingertips dug deep into my palms as he moved even closer, his breath chilling my neck. “I’m going to bathe you in Shannon’s blood.”

Without thinking, I leaped out of my chair and lunged for Maurice. My magic might not have been working with the bracelet on, but I still had my strength. Also, I learned a little kickboxing from my training session with Caleb earlier, and I used everything in my body to knock Maurice flat to the ground.

I went down with him and didn’t waste a moment, turning to kick him in the face and making his skull crack against the tile floor. He was up on his feet before I could kick him again, trapping my hands with one hand, twisting painfully as he wrapped his other arm around my neck in a chokehold. He slammed his knee into the back of my legs, and I winced as my kneecaps hit hard against the floor.

“You’re no match for me, witch. I’m eight hundred years old.” He let go of me by shoving me to the floor. I heard Maurice stomp out and signal Noah and Kyoko to follow, but Dorian stood by the wall.

He walked over to me slowly, reaching out his hand. “Let me help you up.” Dorian’s familiar voice calmed my nerves.

“Um, thanks.” I took his hand in mine, relishing his touch, and pulled myself to my feet. My heart clenched painfully as he let go of my hand and turned to walk away. I grabbed his wrist, keeping him from leaving me again. He turned around but wouldn’t look into my eyes.

“Look at me, Dorian,” I pleaded. “You know who I am, don’t you?”

He looked up, his eyes meeting mine. “Of course, I know who you are?—you’re Akasha. The one who can save us.” He wiggled his wrist from mine, releasing my hold.

“The one who can save you? Why are you pretending to not know who I am? Dorian!”

---