Page 27 of Fangs and Family
The rest of their conversation was cut off by the front door as it closed behind me. I looked at Nina, still pale, as she rested in my arms. This was not how I envisioned taking her to my apartment for the first time, but as long as I got her there, nothing else mattered.
Chapter 9
Adam held me like his life depended on it, and I gave in, basking in his embrace. I should object and assert my strength, but exhaustion had leeched away my ability to find any reason to reject him.
Do I even want to anymore?
My thoughts were filled with so many conflicting emotions that I simply switched off and let him bundle me into the car, then drive through Gdansk to Granary Island. I had a lot to process after the latest revelation, but for now, it was all going to be locked into the deepest, darkest pit in my mind till I had the energy to deal with it.
There was one memory I especially shied away from. Sapieha’s biting me. When we’d broken through the mind control, my memories from the moment flooded back, but that bastard’s attack and the way I reacted to his venom? I flinched as shame burned through my body.
The rational part of me knew it wasn’t my fault. I’d fought with every fibre of my being until I couldn’t fight anymore, but the shame was still there. Whether it was his mind-control magic or that weird vampire venom, I surrendered to the pleasure until something broke inside me. I gave him whatever he wanted, and my body enjoyed it.
I felt dirty, so utterly broken. Adam must have realised something was wrong because I could see the concern in his glances reflected in the window I was pretending to look out of. Part of me craved his compassion, wishing he would just hold me. I knew he would never judge me for what had happened and that he was willing to look after me, which made the entire experience feel less… tainted.
Another part of me hated that he knew. I could no longer be the haughty Nina, looking at the world with a strong, unbroken spirit, claiming I would never yield to a vampire. All it took was one man, one bite, to break me.
I’d insisted on knowing, but now I almost wished we hadn’t broken the geas. Tension rose in my chest again.So much for cramming my emotions into the back of my mind,I thought, realising I was hyperventilating. My breath was so fast and deep that my fingers started tingling, and my muscles spasmed.
I exhaled slowly, focusing on the changing panorama outside of the car as if I were seeing it for the first time. Granary Island was the most exclusive area in Gdansk. It was an island in the middle of the Motlawa River, connected with the old town by countless bridges and walkways. For years, it stood empty, the ruins of medieval granaries enticing adventurous artists who created a community of misfits and rebels, until a mysterious corporation bought it from the city and built ridiculously expensive apartment buildings with exclusive shops and businesses.
Even though the island had been thoroughly gentrified, the corporation left the majority of the vegetation alone, creating an almost wild, untamed haven for the rich and famous that incorporated the medieval buildings almost seamlessly into the modern, sleek architecture. It was a place of beauty and harmony, and as I studied the exquisite surroundings, I came to a sudden realisation.
‘Leszek did this, didn’t he?’ I asked, finally distracted from my panic. Adam’s reflection nodded before he spoke.
‘Yes, we knew it would happen. The city council wanted to revitalise the economy, and several companies were competing to ruin the island with concrete and glass. We simply changed their minds and invested our own money, ensuring that any so-calledimprovementswere palatable to the Elder Races.’ He answered.
‘We?’
‘I designed the outline and provided security for the island. Because of our reputation, it was difficult to get the city council to approve the purchase unless I promised them it would incorporate the old medieval granaries. The island looks so much better from above. I will show you when we get to my apartment,’ he said proudly, but I couldn’t contain my sigh.
‘So it’s happening, then? My jail time in your custody?’ I meant it as a jest, but Adam’s shoulders instantly stiffened. He didn’t say anything, but I knew I’d hurt him. We drove the rest of the way in silence, and I opened my mouth a few times to apologise, but something always stopped me. The bitter old part of me, so afraid to be hurt again, prevented me from saying those precious words to let him know I never meant to hurt his feelings.
He parked the car in the underground garage. ‘Wait,’ he commanded when I reached for the door handle.
The authority in his voice stayed my hand. I frowned, but it was his place, so I waited. Much to my surprise, Adam walked around the car, opened my door and reached inside to help me out like a gentleman from an old-fashioned movie.
It was sweet, and not entirely out of character for an almost two-hundred-year-old vampire, so I took his hand, enjoying the gentle warmth that spread inside me. My muscles trembled when I stood up, and I used his strength to avoid falling.
‘Thank you…’ I hadn’t finished speaking when he scooped me up, closed the door with the kick, and marched toward the elevator. ‘Adam, put me down. I can walk.’
‘Oh yes, that’s why you held my hand so hard that I felt my bones creaking. It is time for your incarceration, remember? So I advise you to follow my rules, and don’t forget that I will do as I please in my house.’
‘Oh yes, Master, your captive is at your command, oh Dark One! What kind of medieval bullshit is this?’ I quipped, rolling my eyes.
‘If you insist on calling me Master, do it in the bedroom, chained to the bedpost, like a blushing virgin in good, old medieval times,’ he answered with a smirk, nuzzling my temple with his nose, and it instantly piqued my interest.
‘You have a bed with bedposts? Like a real vampire?’
‘Oh gods, give me strength… I am a real vampire!’ He muttered, but I saw a corner of his mouth twitching before he turned toward the elevator control panel and barking out the command. ‘Penthouse.’
‘Voice recognition confirmed, access to penthouse granted. Welcome home, Mister Lisowczyk,’ the elevator announced at its arrival.
We entered the plush interior, gliding towards the top of the building before the door opened onto the enormous hallway.
‘Lorelai, soft mood lighting and run the bath for Nina. Use my herbal blend.’ He said impatiently, kicking his shoes off, only slightly tightening his hold on me as he did.
I expected the housekeeper to appear and greet her boss. Instead, an overexcited voice shrieked from the speaker on the ceiling.
