Page 104

The serious expression on his almost-pretty face didn’t change as he said, “I would like to know if I may claim you as my pet.”

Chapter Four

Leaning back against his seat, Alexandru picked up the latest draft of his pet’s proposal and read aloud her newest amendment.

“A Master’s commitment to his or her pet must be shown beyond financial and material means.”

An inelegant snort escaped him, and grabbing his pen from the desk, he began to scribble.

DENIED. THIS IS JUST A FANCY WAY OF SAYING YOU WANT A MASTER TO KEEP SAYING RIDICULOUS THINGS TO HIS PET.

EROU DAMASCHIN, ONLYson of the Earl of Avere, was contemplative when he left the school’s infirmary. There was anunknownfeeling in his chest, and if he had to use a word for it, then it would be...curiosity.

Unlike other vampires, the time he spent with humans had not been restricted to feeding or sex. Work had required him to live among humans, eat with them, talk with them, and do everything else that allowed Erou to pretend he was like them.

Surrounded by humans, he had learned one essential thing about them: everyone’s loyalty could be bought for the right price.

Or at least he had always thought so untilthatgirl.

The thought made him hesitate for a fraction, his hand on the knob turning still as the last words he had exchanged with the young Zari Baltimore replayed in his mind.

“Can you...what?”It was obvious she had heard him perfectly, and it was just as obvious she doubted she had heard him right.

He repeated himself patiently, his face remaining impassive as he made his offer. All the while, his own gaze remained on her. Even though he had drunk so much of the girl’s blood – the only way for him to survive his injuries – he had not been able to retain any clear memory of the episode except for one thing: her scent.

It was what he had clung to the whole time he had been in limbo in that gray world between life and the afterlife, a scent that was an addictive mixture of freshly bloomed primrose and almost-ripe strawberries, a unique fragrance that hinted of innocence and budding sexuality.

When Erou had woken up, his men were eager to tell him about the beautiful girl whose heart was so pure she had fed him despite being the much-envied human pet of their race’s most skilled hunter.

“Alexandru?” he had scoffed then. “He’s never taken a pet before—-”

“But he has now. Perhaps like the great Alexandru, you, too, will change your mind and find yourself a pet.” His second-in-command, Mathieu, had given him a sly look. “Perhaps you might even want to steal this one yourself.”

Then, Erou had been dismissive of Mathieu’s words. But now that he had finally met the lady who had saved him?

She had the most interesting face, every feature of it expressive, from her wide gray eyes, pert nose, and pink rosebud lips. He had learned she was eighteen, but her coltish body made her appear younger and boyish even. It was a little hard to believe that someone who appeared as innocent and unsophisticated as this girl could be the human pet of someone as jaded and wicked as Alexandru.

The human girl was shaking her head. “I’m sorry, but...”

“I know you belong to Alexandru, but I thought you should know you have a choice. It would be my honor to have someone as courageous and selfless as you as my pet.”

She started to wring the ends of the bed covers, the action indicating her distress, which he regretted. Seeing it, he came to his feet his gracefully. “I apologize if this has distressed you.”

“It didn’t.” The girl was utterly unconvincing. “It’s just that...” A discomfited expression fell on her face. “I will always belong to Master Alexandru.” This time, she spoke the words simply, but each and every one of them rang with sincerity. When she said her Master’s name, her gaze had also softened, and the look on her face had made Erou stiffen.

He wanted her to look at him like that as well. He did not understand why. All he knew was that he wanted a girl like her to see him with the same eyes.

Remembering that look on Zari Baltimore’s face had Erou expelling his breath. No, he had to be considerate of her condition. He should allow her time to fully recuperate before approaching her again.

Turning around, he shut the door, and that was when he noticed another vampire’s presence in the hallway. When he raised his head, he saw none other than Alexandru himself coming to an abrupt halt as he turned around the corner and found Erou standing outside the door of the infirmary.

WHEN ALEXANDRU SAWthe younger vampire coming out from the infirmary, his first instincts were to throw the other man against the wall and demand that he stay away from his pet.

One second passed, both of them staring at each other, sizing each other up.

The baby vampire was tall, perhaps only an inch shorter than he was. And pretty. Too damn pretty to be allowed too close to his pet. If he hadn’t known the other guy was a vampire, Alexandru would have been willing to bet the boy had gone as far as dyeing his hair to make it even more eye-catching.

Although more of the same thoughts ran through his head, none of it showed on Alexandru’s face as he started forward.