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“My bad, I admit it. But I won’t lose control again,” he said, licking his lips before he forced himself to dart his hungry gaze from the veins in my neck to my face. “I promise. Now it’s time to name your price, and I’ll grant all your demands.”

“I’m doing you a favor by staying away, sir,” I said. “Or you’ll only be addicted to my blood until one day you won’t be able to function without thinking of drinking from me every second. It’ll fuck you up, and I won’t be safe.”

He knew that my blood boosted his power, so he wanted me even more. My words wouldn’t persuade him to back off, and it was easier to shame a slut than shame a thirsty vampire.

“Don’t be dramatic, little Bob,” he snorted. “We can work this out. Now, come with me back to my house.”

“No means no,” I said firmly. “No one sinks his fucking teeth into my neck anymore. Get out of my way, please.”

“I’ve asked nicely, boy,” he said. “You’re more insolent than ever, and you leave me with no choice but to persuade you the hard way.”

“You’ll regret it.”

“Will I?” He chuckled darkly. “I can hear how fast your heart is racing, which only makes your blood smell more delicious.” He licked his lips shamelessly, hunger burning in his eyes. “Your blood always tasted like nectar from a god’s veins. I’ve missed it. I won’t be denied my drink anymore!”

He lunged, and I darted sideways just as fast, or faster. A flicker of surprise flitted by his eyes, and the muscles under them twitched in anger.

“Run, little Bob, run!” he half-purred and half-snarled. “I’ll give you a head start.”

Vampires loved to hunt as much as shifters. His prey would taste better when the vampire prince caught it after a thrilling hunt. But I was no prey, and it was his mistake to assume so.

He’d once caught me and fed upon me, but the good old days were gone for him.

The strong and powerful did not defend the weak. They took whatever they wanted, insisting it was their right. Louis had no fucking idea that I was stronger, and that Underhill was not his friend but mine.

“Suck my tiny dick!” I shouted in a high-pitched voice in French before dashing into the dark forest.

I bet no one had told him to suck a dick. He was so shocked at my taunt that he didn’t have a comeback, so he growled viciously, promising to make me pay once he seized me.

Wild magic twirled at my feet eagerly as the vampire prince stalked in, all swaggering, passing the threshold of Underhill.

Let’s give the vamp a taste to remember, I told Underhill.

Wild magic hummed, and the dark forest shifted in front of the wild-eyed vampire prince.

Thorny vines broke out on the ground, seizing Louis by the ankles before he could take one more step into Underhill. Several branches shot out from the ancient sentinel trees at the entrance, grabbed his arms and neck, and yanked him into the air.

Suspended in the air, Louis kicked and snarled, slashing at the branches and vines with his wind, but Underhill wouldn’t let him go. The vampire prince managed to get his arm free, a dagger appearing in his hand. But as soon as he chopped off a branch, more replaced it.

Underhill was playing, the wild magic humming a vicious song.

The thorny vines sank into Louis’s flesh, his blood dripping to the forest floor. The branches holding him started to pull him in different directions, ready to rip him apart.

Fear coating his eyes, Louis cursed, struggling harder in vain. A new branch appeared like a stake, aiming toward his heart.

“Don’t take his life,” I ordered. “At least, not yet. Just throw him out.”

You’re no fun, the wild magic purred.

Fun hurts these days, I said. And I don’t want to tip the balance of the houses and realm.

Who cares, said the wild magic.

You don’t want all the vampires coming here, gathering outside with shouts and banners and going on strike, do you?

Will they do that? the wild magic whimpered.

They might’ve joined the union, I said. It’s better to just throw him out. That’s humiliating enough. Trust me.