Page 33 of Orion: Galaxy Huntress

He snarled at me, all fangs and luscious, curled lips, that spread a warmth through my chilled limbs. “You’re mine, Little Starlight. Mine to punish for disobedience. Don’t forget that.” A thrill sparked in my stomach at his promise, shooting straight to my sweet spot, flooding it with moisture.

Hades, why was I aroused? This monster wanted me dead. Bargained me to achieve his ends. My body confused lust for treachery and deceit. Either that, or the damn demon cast another spell on me. A lust spell!

Reznor snatched the key from the lock and swept out of the row of cells in a haze, blowing a cold air my way. I rubbed at my bound arms, collapsing on the scratchy bed. Cool air filtered through the bars in the window. Birds crowed outside, making me long for liberty. I didn’t have the strength to get up and look outside when the damn vampire had drunk from me and drained my strength.

Two vampires took advantage of his absence, creeping down the stairs, advancing to my cell, gripping the bars and staring at me. Didn’t take them long. They must have been deaf or ignored their leader’s warning not to touch me.

“You won’t live until the blood moon, fallen star,” one said, licking the bars as if he pretended to do to me. “You’re too good to share.”

A blur swooped in front of my cell and both vampires’ foreheads were slammed against the iron, denting it, and they slumped to their knees. Reznor slowed pace, grabbing one’s head, slicing its throat, then stabbing it through the chest. Skin of the vampire dried and desiccated, peeling off, crumbling like ash in a breeze. Dust hit my face and I wiped it off.

Reznor grabbed the second vampire by the throat, lifting it off the ground. “Tell your brothers and sisters what I did to the vampire that dared threatened my prize.”

The terrified monster hurried away so quickly he created another cold breeze.

“I told you to keep the knife,” Reznor snarled as he retrieved a tray of foods, bringing it to the cell door, unlocking it and entering. Sliced fruits, cheeses, and nuts made my stomach groan as he set the platter on the bed beside me.

I pushed away the meal. “What’s the point in eating if your brethren intend on killing me?” I wasn’t one for glum thoughts, but my fate was sealed, and unless I could overpower the traitor standing near me, all hope was lost for me.

“Keep up your strength,” Reznor warned. “You will need it. The blood moon is in three days.”

“I’m not helping you get free, vampire.” Careful not to spill anything on the tray, I lay down on the bed.

“I wish there was another way, Little Star.” Reznor sounded remorseful. Regretful, even. Emotions I didn’t think someone with a lifeless heart could have.

The vampire shifted the tray to the floor beside me.

I tugged the blanket over my legs, hips and torso. An idea came to mind that might solve my problem and his. “What if there was another way for you to get your freedom without having to sacrifice me?

Reznor leaned against the wall as if he needed it for support. “Nothing can free me from the coven’s bond than the promise and bite of the leader or their death.”

“Promises are just words,” I murmured. “They can be broken.” Like broken pledges of love, honor, and partnership whispered to me.

“Not these.” Reznor bowed his head and stared at his thighs. “The mark binds me to serve Vexlel.”

“Why don’t you kill the leader and set yourself free?”

“To do so would dishonor me.”

Shock rolled through me that he cared about honor, after he’d kidnapped me. Held me captive and glamored me into submission. Drunk my blood against my will. Where was the honor in that?

“Then we’re both trapped.” I rolled over, not wanting the vampire in my vision when he confused my body, made me want him despite hating him.

Reznor’s loud swallow clicked loudly in the cell like the clink of the iron bars. He didn’t want to do this but had to. We’d all been in situations that seemed helpless and no other option existed. Memory struck of the time I had to make my first kill, the pressure from the butcher who took me in, the taunts goading me when I didn’t want to kill the precious little lamb.

“Scared you might miss, little one?” He shook me by the shoulders. “Only cowards walk away.”

“I don’t want to kill the baby lamb,” the five year old me protested, earning a harder shake that made me shrink away.

Darkness swarmed over the butcher’s features. “If you can’t kill an animal, then there’s no point in keeping you, is there? You can go and live with the street rats and scavenge for food!”

Shaking all over, I took my first shot. Missed. Shoulders squared, I aimed again. Closer. Chin raised defiantly, I hit the third time. It felt like my lungs were ripped from my body at the surprised bleat the moment the arrow struck. Then silence as the lamb collapsed on its side. My first kill. Unwanted. Unwilling. Haunting.

Brought out of my memory, I wrapped my arms around my waist. Everyone did something they didn’t want to for survival. I’d taken that lamb’s life. Taken many more monsters’ lives since. That made me every bit the killer as the vampire. I understood his dilemma. Didn’t mean I approved when it was my life on the line.

“What were you doing with the demon, Little Star?” The question surprised me. “Do you love him?”

Vice. Poor Vice. Tossed into the wall and knocked out. After thinking of the lamb, I didn’t really feel like talking when it solidified in my mind that I was next.

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