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Long, sharp, blood-encrusted nails glinted in the dark like silver as the woman raised her hand, ready to slice Zari’s throat.

She screamed, in and out of her mind, “Master!”

Chapter Ten

“Additional grounds must be provided for a pet to use when terminating a claim.” She had read this over and over in front of the mirror, but when it was time to read it out loud in front of her Master, her practice was all for naught, her voice breaking at the end.

With a groan, Alexandru reached for his pet, and when she was on his lap, he pressed a tender kiss on her forehead. “You must stop torturing yourself with this. I know I agreed to it, but if it’s only going to bring up bad memories that hurt you—-”

She shook her head. “It’s all right, Master.”

He flinched.

Her eyes widened in alarm. “What is it?”

“I remember the last time you said that to me...and you didn’t mean it.” He cupped one soft cheek. “You told me it was all fine, but in the end you still left me, pet. So I beg you now – don’t tell me it’s fine if it’s not.”

ALEXANDRU REACHED THEserver room just in time to see the killer about to escape through the window. Without hesitation, he went into attack mode, fangs extending as he made a swipe for the other vampire’s throat.

But the killer was strong – too strong for an ordinary vampire, making Alexandru suspect that the killer had fed on a demon. Demon blood had the power to give an otherworlder incredible strength – if he didn’t go crazy first.

Walls cracked and equipment crashed to the floor as they fought and tussled on the ground.

Slash.Alexandru managed to slice the killer’s chest open.

The other vampire howled as he charged towards Alexandru, managing to leave a long red gash on Alexandru’s arm.

The door burst open.

Erou leapt into the fray when he realized what was happening, and with the younger man’s help, Alexandru was able to subdue the vampire. When Erou lifted his hand to kill the vampire, Alexandru said sharply, “No.”

“Why?” Erou demanded.

“I want him interrogated,” Alexandru said. When his men arrived, he ordered them to take the man to the enforcers.

As the others left, Erou looked around the room, demanding, “Where is Lady Zari?”

“I left her upstairs.” His tone was distracted, Alexandru unable to shake off the feeling that he was missing something here. The flesh of the women had been missing in parts, and in some crime scenes, there had been bits and pieces scattered on the ground. There had to be a purpose for that. Even killers had motives, no matter how crazy, and he just couldn’t understand why a vampire who seemed to lead the quiet life of a librarian would do something so heinous.

It didn’t make sense unless—-

Unless he was doing it for someone else?

His blood chilled.

And that was when he heard it—-

Master!

“Zari.” He didn’t realize he had said his pet’s name out loud until he saw Erou glance at him sharply.

“Something’s wrong, isn’t there?”

He didn’t bother answering, racing out of the room and hurrying the sound of his pet’s screams.I’m coming.

She didn’t answer.

Zari, wait for me!