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“Never,” the sorceress admitted.

“What can you tell me about it?”

“Nothing.”

“Out of spite or ignorance?”

“Flarkyou, vampire.”

Spite then.

“I sensed the strength of your magic.” Among other things I cared not to think about. Like the way her essence seemed to caress my spirit before she attacked me with a mental battering ram. How, despite the pain, my heartbeat had skipped to match hers.

As my thoughts drifted down a twisted and outrageous road,I almost laughed out loud. The idea that the fates had bound me to this female was too absurd to even contemplate.

“Do you really expect me to believe you know nothing of this shielding spell?”

“Believe what you want.” She shrugged against my back, the movement making my teeth clench. “It makes no difference to me.”

Frustration battered my composure. “You’re not curious?”

“Not in the least.”

“What if it’s shielding some valuable secret? Something that could benefit both of us.” But mostly me. What if it was something that would help me return to the mortal realm? Information about a portal, perhaps.

Runa snorted. “I seriously doubt there is much of anything in that brain of yours that would interest me.”

“Revealing the shield’s origins is likely beyond your ability, anyway.” I found myself unable to resist taunting her.

“Nothingis beyond my ability,” Runa grated, thrusting her blade deeper into my ribs, forcing me to stifle the stab of pleasure that ran through me. “Best you don’t forget that.”

Despite my body’s confusing response to being the sorceress’scaptive, I couldn’t help but enjoy her ire.

“No worries. Once I’ve escaped, I’ll find someone more capable of uncovering the mystery.”

Again, the blade twisted, pain spearing my ribs and stirring my cock. Inwardly, I cursed at the defiant appendage. Runa was a commoner and a lowly thief, to boot. Sure, she was beautiful and intelligent. That didn’t mean I’d lower myself to bed someone of her ilk. Unless said seduction could provide me with something I needed in return. Once more, my blasted cock twitched at the idea. Rebellious bastard had turned on me.

“First of all, no one escapes Vex. Second, nobody in their right mind would help the likes of you.”

“First, I don’t plan to escapeVex. Second, I can be rather persuasive once you get to know me, little thief.”

Runa’s exasperated groan rumbled through my back, and I delighted in her irritation.

“I could still gag you, you know. I’m certain Kronk would even sacrifice one of his socks for the task.”

“And miss out on my charming conversation skills?”

“It’s no wonder your world was eager to be rid of you.”

Before I could respond in a way that was sure to get my kidney speared—and my cock standing at attention—Drazen appeared at our side.

“Enough with the questions, vampire. We’re here.”

Lights twinkled ahead of us, and a small village rose out of the mist. The place was positively medieval. The buildings were constructed of mostly rustic materials with thatched roofs, rough-cut timber, and earthen walls. Down the center of the village, rows of buildings sat close together, the streets winding and narrow.

“Listen up, leech,” Drazen said, menace in his fiery gaze. “Plan is, we enter the tavern, meet with Vex, and make the exchange. What you do after is between you and Vex. Until then, you keep your head down and your mouth shut. Draw attention, and I’ll turn you to ash faster than Runa could spit on your sizzling corpse.” He snapped his fingers, flashing flames.

“Noted,” I agreed. I’d likely make my escape long before the exchange, anyway.