Page 65 of The Reveal
His head tilts slightly to one side as if I said something that actually hit him like some kind of blow. I should be happy about that.
Too bad that right now I very much doubt I’ll ever feelhappyagain.
Ariel sighs, but it strikes me as too studied. As if he’s holding back his actual reaction. “Contrary to popular opinion, becoming a vampire isn’t like catching a virus. It isn’t like werewolves and theirbittenminions.” He makes his opinion of that clear without lowering himself to a full roll of his eyes. “Becoming a vampire requires an invitation. The mortal in question must ask. The vampire in question must also ask, because vampires cannot be made without the permission of the king.”
“That’s very hands-on, isn’t it? I thought the whole point was the maiming and the turning and the undead armies.”
“You are thinking of fictional television shows made by humans.” Again, thatalmosteye roll. “All new vampires become my problem, forever. So, no, your brother will not become a vampire because he’s drinking blood from Marbella, because he does notwantto. He iscompelledto. He’ll become high. But vampire blood does not have the same effect on the human body that your nasty street drugs do. You should thank us.”
“I don’t want tothank you. Are youinsane?”
That this is not how a person should speak to a vampire king only occurs to me when his silver eyes darken, and his grip on me tenses. Just enough.
“The more he drinks, the healthier he gets.” Ariel’s voice is cold. “Though I don’t suppose it’s truly healthy. After all, if he doesn’t get his top-up twice a day, well.” He shakes his head, and I decide that now is a good time to remember how powerful he is and how powerful I ... am not. “I’m told the pain is agonizing. Like knives flaying every square inch of his skin.”
All I can see is Augie’s panicked, anguished face and I want to die, but that would be easy.
“And what is it that you think I can do about this situation?” I grit out.
I don’t care that he’s gripping me the way he is. I don’t even look around to see if anyone’s watching this interchange. I shove myselfforward a little, like I’m tough. Like he couldn’t snap me in half like a twig if he felt like it.
If he could bebothered.
“How exactly do you want me to pay?” I demand, since making demands is clearly not what I should be doing. “You’re going to fuck the price out of me? Take it out in ass? Great. Sounds awesome.” I’m obviously high on bravado, so I keep going. “Tell me, exactly how long do I have to be your sex slave to get my brother the hell out of here?”
“It’s not sex that will pay off his debt.” Ariel lowers his face to mine, and I have the uncanny suspicion that he’s actually ... pissed. Genuinely mad, like I’ve managed to get under his skin somehow, and I really should worry about that.
What I shouldn’t do is take it like a victory. But then, I’ve never been as wise as I ought to be.
“Sex is just the cherry on top. And make no mistake. You’re going to beg me for that, too.”
“Over my dead body,” I say.
Foolishly.
His hand shifts from my bicep so fast it’s a blur, and I only realize it even happens when he grips my throat.
Then lifts me, just slightly.
This should terrify me. I know it should. But that’s not what I feel.
I feel it like light and heat, blazing a path through my body to pool in my pussy. I feel want and need all over me.
And most of all, I feel a kick of temper, like fire.
“Do you really think that can’t be arranged?” he asks me in a low, furious voice, that beautiful face so close to mine. “What autonomy you have now exists because you are not my subject, Winter. You should think about what that means before you tempt me to change it.”
“I think it means I can tell you to go fuck yourself,” I bite out at him.
His hand around my throat tightens. I laugh, not because I think this is funny, but because, somehow, it’s all part and parcel of the same rushing mess inside me. Bravado, I guess.
Or maybe I just don’t have it in me to give a shit anymore. About anything. Maybe this is nihilism.
Maybe I’ve finally reached the point where I just can’t care what happens any longer.
“It’s not that I don’t want to fuck you, Winter,” Ariel seethes at me, and all I can see in his eyes is a storm. “Because despite myself, I do. And I will. But what I want as payment for your brother’s bullshit?”
I’m breathing too fast. He knows it as well as I do.
