Page 7 of Stalk the Dark
I bit back the acerbic words that sprang to my lips and forced them to smile politely instead. “How about this. You’ll feedwithoutkilling. You’ll follow the rules of Dracul territory and adhere to the Order’s remit, and I won’t be knocking on your castle door every day.”
His lip curled, exposing the full length of one of hisfangs, and ice trickled down my spine. Could he break his oath? Was that a possibility?
“Your predecessor was wise enough to take my deal, but his predecessor was not. His flesh lined the bellies of the beasts in Silverwood.”
“If you wanted that, then you wouldn’t have had your minions retrieve me.”
“Maybe I’m simply curious to meet the new watcher the Order has sent to guard my actions. To test the merit of the human sent to keep me in check.” He sneered. “A woman.” His gaze burned a path down my face and lower to my heaving bosom. “Soft and pliable. Did they think they could bind me in temptation? Did they send you to seduce me to do your bidding like a pretty little whore?”
My cheeks burned. “If seduction means shoving my blessed sword up your ass, then yes, that’s exactly why they sent me.”
He stilled, his eyes narrowing as they locked on mine. “You’re not afraid.” It wasn’t a question, so I didn’t bother replying. “I can’t kill you. But I can hurt you. Over and over. I can make you wish for death.” He squeezed my throat hard enough to make the edges of my vision darken and my heart flutter like a hummingbird, hard enough for me to choke and wish for breath, then released me, leaving me gasping and coughing before jerking my chin up to stare at me. I glared daggers at him. “And yet, no fear. Why?”
“Fear is pointless unless you can fight or flee. I don’t have the option of either right now.”
He considered my words for a moment, then reached up and snapped the chains holding me bound. My arms dropped like lead weights, burning with the prick of a thousand icy needles as my circulation came back online. Pain followed, bright and sharp, reminding me of the wolf bites I sported.
“Go,” he said. “The door is that way. Take the stairs and a make a right. You’ll find an exit and horses too.”
I tempered the hope that flickered in my chest. “You won’t stop me?”
“I won’t.”
“Your minions?”
“They will not.”
Was hereallyletting me go?
He backed into the shadows. “Hurry before I change my mind.”
Fuck it. I made a dash for the door, about to pass through into the corridor when the air behind me moved. I knew he’d played me even before his hand grasped my nape and hauled me back.
He threw me at the wall hard enough to jar my bones, then pinned me there by my throat, leaning in to peer into my eyes. Agony raced across my shoulder and down my arm where the wolf bites had left me open and bleeding. I blinked back hot tears and stared back at him blankly.
His lip curled. “What is wrong with you?”
“I got bit. Twice. It hurts like a bitch. What’syourproblem?”
Our rapid breaths met and clashed.
“Last chance, accept my offer and live to see another sunrise. Deny me, and my face will be the last human face you see.”
Human? Like fuck. “You’re not human, Ezekiel. You’re a fucking monster.”
His hellish eyes dulled, and the corner of his mouth lifted sardonically. “Would a monster offer you hospitality while you die?”
“What?”
He let go of me and took a step back. “This will be your coffin, little silver. You see, the wolves of Silverwood have toxin in their saliva. Lethal to some. It could be slowly killing you this very moment.” He canted his head, the movement alien and jerky. “Icouldheal you.”
“I’m sure you could.”
He moved close again, caging me in, his breath hot and bloody. “Are you afraid now, little silver?”
“Fuck you.” My tone was flat. Emotionless. Like hell would I give him anything to feed off.
He backed toward the door, his tall frame folding in on itself to pass through. “Godor, if she lives, let her go. If not, feed her to the dogs.”
