Page 1

Prologue

“Sold to number one-eighty-four.”The auctioneer’s gavel slammed the podium with the finality of a guillotine blade, and the black curtain slid closed, plunging Alexandra Stevens into darkness.

Sharp breaths wheezed from her lungs.Sold!The word thundered inside her skull. All those years of hiding, only to end up as a vampire’s dinner?

No. No. No!

Red satin pinned her arms behind her back, tied in a bow no less. She sawed her wrists against the fabric and gained a precious inch.Have to get out of here.

On the other side of the room, item twenty-two on the auction docket growled, echoing Alexandra’s thoughts. Scrabbling claws screeched against steel. The seller had imprisoned the creature in a solid metal box sturdy enough to contain a Velociraptor. Like her, the beast was a hot commodity on the black market—both considered dangerous, their existence illegal.

Fists hammered, the noise deafening, and the wall dented. What the hell was that thing? Two guards carrying dart guns rushed past her.

In the confusion, one of them bumped into her. The toe of her stiletto slipped from the rung of the stool.Crap.She lurched forward, barely saving herself from a faceplant.

Blond tendrils tumbled over her forehead, and she puffed a strand from her lashes. She cast an eye to the storage room with its assortment of cages and antiquities. With the guards distracted, maybe she could—

“Don’t even think about it,” a menacing voice warned. “You won’t like what happens if you force me to chase you.”

Her guard—orGuido—as she’d come to think of him, had been posted to ensure her cooperation during the sale.

She shot a defiant glare over her shoulder. “What’s the matter, big guy? Afraid you can’t keep up with a little fast food?”

He took a threatening step, flashing dagger-like fangs.

Right. Back on the stool, then.

What was she thinking? They’d trussed her up like a three-year-old’s Christmas present because no one in her situation would be stupid enough to run. Even if she found a way to get free, she didn’t stand a chance against a roomful of supernatural monsters. Too well, she knew what they were capable of.

Images of her father’s broken body flickered through her mind.She squeezed her eyes closed, pushing back the memory.

Can’t fall apart now.

Her keeper’s gaze slithered over her body, and she swallowed the bile crawling up her throat. The tiny black dress they’d forced her to wear dipped low in the back, revealing the pale, iridescent mark along the length of her spine.

Never had she felt so exposed.

Her entire life, she’d hidden theglyph, just like she’d hidden her ability. But Alex hadn’t been sold for her freaky talent. No, they’d sold her for the power running through her veins. To the vampires, she was the veritable fountain of youth. To others, a versatile source of magical energy.

The brisk clip of Italian loafers sounded behind her, followed by the plodding thump of a second, much heavier tread. Thick cologne filled her nostrils, a nauseating scent she associated with the owner of the auction house.

“Congratulations, sir. It’s unusual to come across such a delicacy these days. Then again, we do specialize in the rare and exotic.” The owner’s voice resonated with pride.

Sick bastard.

Their footsteps drew closer. Heart pounding, Alexandra lowered her head and locked her gaze on the floor. She’d eat glass before she let them see her bottom lip tremble.

Would her new captor end her life or choose to prolong her misery? How long would she last as a deviant’s chew toy—weeks, years? She smashed her knees together to hide their shaking.

“Rest assured, she’s proven to be quite unskilled, so you’re in no danger. We can have her delivered to your home if you like.” For all the consideration he showed her, you’d think he was selling a sofa instead of a flesh and blood woman.

“That won’t be necessary.” The gruff response caused Alexandra’s ears to twitch.

Adrenaline sped through her veins. That voice.No, it can’t be. Stress must have made her delusional.

Heavy boots and dark denim filled her vision. A broad hand reached for her chin. She braced for the jolt of unwelcome emotion his touch would bring. Warm, calloused fingers brushed her jaw. Emotions blazed over her unnatural senses. Angry. Familiar.

She gave in to the pressure beneath her chin, dragging her gaze along the length of his powerful body. Furious green eyes locked her in place. The subtle squeeze of his fingers warned her to remain silent.