Page 91 of Trapped for Her Blood
“Leave us alone, Tavi,” Ryker says. “You’ve won. I’m trapped down here. There’s no way out. You got the revenge you wanted.”
“Oh, but I didnotget what I wanted,” she says. “As you well know, my dear Ryker, my appetites areboundless, and there are a great many things I yet desire.”
Ryker groans, and it’s hard to see from this angle, but I’d guess from the sound he made that she grabbed his cock.
“And you, Zuben,” she says. “Why areyouwith this pirate? Thistraitor? This man I left burning in silver and sunlight?”
“You are the one who ordered me returned to this place,” Zuben replies flatly. “Have you forgotten?”
“Did you give Ryker the key to day walking? Is that how he survived?”
“No, Octavia,” Zuben says. “I assure you,Idid not give Ryker such a gift.”
“Don’t lie to me,” she says, her voice gentle again. “When will you learn that I can sense deceit? Iknowthat you have found the key to day walking. How can you keep your discovery from me after I gave you so much?” She tsks, her tongue clicking against her teeth. “Especially after I granted you entrée to every library, every secret stash of knowledge an organization like DEFTA can access?”
“The logic of your assumption is flawed,” Zuben says. “If I had found the Illuminant, would it not stand to reason that I would have shared that information with you to gain my freedom? How would it serve me to remain down here? And if I had such knowledge, would I not do anything I could to maintain my freedom so that I might make use of it? There is no sunlight down here.”
Zuben’s tone is sarcastic and biting. I’ve never heard him speak like this. And I didn’t think he was capable of lying. Although I realize he posed hypothetical questions, without actually telling her lies.
“Your impertinence is unacceptable.” Octavia’s voice is tight now, her frustration fully revealed. “But it has exposed the truth. Your research was a foolish quest. You’re like a child searching for a fairy tale prince.” She laughs, her tone mocking.
“It is your right to believe what you will,” Zuben says crisply.
“What Ibelieve,” she snaps, “is that, although you have been useful, I have tired of you, Zuben. Perhaps I will kill you.”
I peek out from under my covers.
More vampires move out of the darkness, carrying stakes—at least one has a crossbow—and all the weapons are pointed toward Zuben’s chest. It’s hard to stay still, but I can’t do anything to stop her.
“Tavi,” Ryker steps toward her. “Must you kill the professor? The guy’s annoying as fuck, but essentially harmless.”
“Ishethe lover you left me for?” She glares at Ryker. “Is that it? Have the three of you formed a little fuck family down here? Is that why you rejected me?”
“Tavi,” Ryker says, “be reasonable.”
“Reasonable?” Her voice echoes through the cave and I start to tremble.
I’m shaking so much that, if she even glances toward the blanket, my lame hiding place will be discovered.
“I amdonehaving men tell me to be reasonable,” she shouts. “The days of any man telling me what I can and cannot do arelonggone. I am the one in charge now. I am the one who makes the demands! I am not a child and will not be dismissed as hysterical whenever I show my displeasure.”
Her voice echoes through the cave, fierce with anger, and if she weren’t threatening us, I’d almost feel bad for her.
“Calm down,” Ryker says, throwing fuel on her fire. “No one called you hysterical, Tavi.”
“Silence!” she shouts. “I have reached a decision. You will all die.”
The guards shift and more appear, aiming their weapons at all three of the men.
“No.” Octavia shakes her head. “My mates will not have the pleasure of staking you. I have a much better idea.”
“You,” she continues. “The big hairy one. Come.”
Axel growls low in his chest.
“That’s right. There is no use in trying to resist. And you too,” she says glancing past him. “You. The female hiding under the blanket.”
I freeze, trying to control my body’s shaking. I don’t dare even breathe.
