Page 76 of Their Blood Rite

As he heads to the door, he crouches so he’s eye level with me.

‘As much as I enjoy seeing you in my clothes, I’m curious if you have chosen to wear them because you’re covering the marks we’ve discovered on your body or if it’s to get a reaction. The truth now.’

‘I’m sorry. You have no questions today,’ I smile, tilting my head to the side. ‘Try again tomorrow.’

His eyes narrow as he sees the bracelet on my wrist.

‘I could get you some dresses from the village that cover the scars if you like. Ones with long sleeves? They’ll cover the Kindred markings, too.’

‘If you find my scars disgusting, don’t look at them.’

‘I don’t give a shit about them, Pixie. Except for the fact that someone dared put them on you. So, as I said, I will get you some dresses ifyouwant to cover them up.’

‘Don’t do that,’ I reply, meeting his intense stare, my smile faltering.

‘Do what?’

‘Be nice to me. You’re not nice.’

‘We might be nice.’

I stand, the chair legs scraping as the chair slides back. He rises to maintain eye contact.

‘I don’t want to be walking on eggshells here. Be you. Be what I expect. Don’t be kind because when you go back to being a dick head, it will be a disappointment.’ I look at them all. ‘Thank you for the meal. I’ll clean the mess up. Tell my coven I say hi.’

Shaw grabs my elbow as I turn to deal with the dishes. He points at me.

‘You do not antagonise anything you meet.’

‘Anything?’ I repeat.

‘If a door is closed, you do not open it. You can get some air, explore the grounds, but don’t go too far. And if you try to run-’

‘I know. You’ll hunt me down and kill me.’

‘No. We’ll hunt you down and make you sorry. Understood?’

I hiss as his bite burns my shoulder.

Like I have a choice. He’s just compelled me.

‘Yes,’ I grind back through clenched teeth.

‘Yes… what?’

‘Yes,Master.’ I offer him a sickly and incredibly patronising smile.

The snake hisses at him, so he looks it straight in the eye.

‘You protect our Pixie. Keep her safe. I’ll bring back something delicious for you if you do. Deal?’

The snake fucking nods and slithers another loop around my arm.

Traitor.

‘Archie will be staying here.’ Shaw side-eyes Archie. ‘Hands to yourself, Archie. We need her in one piece.’

Archie gives a very patronising salute as he leans back and rests his feet on the table.

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