Page 7 of House of Vampires and Flame

My stomach grumbling, I rushed up the stairs. It was time to hunt for food.

A plan formed. I’d pose as a new servant who came to the kitchen to ask for a full plate of food for my master. If the kitchen staff asked me which master, I’d scowl to intimidate them. Under usual circumstances, I always did my homework first to make things go smoothly. But right now, I was spent, and I needed fuel urgently.

I jogged faster, the scent of delicious stew nearly making me cry with joy. Not wanting to bump into anyone and raise suspicion, I avoided the main hall and detoured to the back of the kitchen, following the smell.

I paused at the double swing-doors, took a deep breath, and raised my chin, ready to dive in and demand a plate of food for my “master.”

Just as I was about to shove the door open, I spotted a blur of movement in my periphery. Before I could react, a strong hand grabbed my throat, slamming me against the wall by the doors.

The impact knocked the breath out of my lungs. I snarled, my fists striking out, but they were both caught and strung up above my head. Next, I found myself glaring up at cruel eyes, a gorgeous face, and sensual lips.

My opponent was tall and well-built, dressed in a white button-up shirt and a pair of dark trousers. Silky blond hair flowed down to his broad shoulders.

“My, my,” he purred, his lips curled up. “Look who I caught.”

How had he gotten past both Sy and me?

We’re spent, and we were distracted by the delicious smell of stew and cakes, Sy said, not even slightly concerned that a stranger had cornered us.

She peeked out and nodded in approval at his good looks and strong frame. She always had a weakness for powerful men.

“Who are you?” I demanded as I tried to even out my breathing. My heart rammed into my bruised ribcage.

‘“Now that’s interesting,” he said, a predatory smile widening on his lips and sending a bad shiver to the nape of my neck.

I’d blurted out the wrong question.

He tilted his head and studied me like I was an intriguing pet. “I followed your trail. You vanished for a minute before reappearing again. I was almost afraid that you might slip through my fingers.”

I frowned at him, as I hadn’t felt anyone tracking me. Was I getting rusty, or was he too good?

“Why did you follow me?” I grated. “That’s stupid.”

“Stupid?” He let out a low chuckle. “No one dares to talk to me that way. I’ve killed for lesser slights. You obviously don’t know who I am.”

“I asked and you refused to tell me,” I said. “Now let go of me. My master sent me to fetch food for him.”

“Which master?” he asked, a taunting smirk dancing below his pale blue eyes.

Fuck, he was persistent!

“I’m not at liberty to say,” I said, thinning my lips. “But if he learns that you interrupted me and delayed his mealtime, you’ll get whipped. Let me go now, and we can forget all about it.”

He grinned as if he’d just won a prize. “He’ll whip me? That’s kinky. Do you promise?”

Shit! He was toying with me, which could only mean one thing—he must be a power here. Just looking at his designer shirt and expensive shoes, anyone could tell that he wasn’t some nobody.

This time, I might not be able to bluff my way out.

“I won’t tell. I won’t get you into trouble,” I said, my voice softening a notch to show him my submissive side as I changed my strategy. “Let me go, please.”

“What’s your name, boy?”

I wasn’t a boy, but I bit my tongue. I understood where he got the impression.

My short golden hair was curled like a horde of soft snails. Also, I was dressed in an oversized stolen male servant’s uniform, and I spoke in a low, husky voice, as I didn’t want to draw any more attention to myself.

“My name?” My voice remained husky. “Why do you want to know?”

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