Page 3

In her shock, Leah had missed the figures on the other side. Before she could do a head count, they became a blur. Her mind couldn’t comprehend their insane speed.

Vampires.

Seconds later, she flinched, her hand slapping over her mouth to stifle the shriek when blood sprayed on the glass.

Her heart in her throat, she looked closer and swallowed the bile that rose at the sight of a vampire torn in two in the stadium. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the vampire that had spoken earlier studying her like Dr. Peters had back at the Compound during her physicals.

She didn’t meet his stare, knowing the hypnotic power it had. It was safer to keep her attention on the gruesome arena below.

Two more bodies lay on the ground, their life’s blood flowing out under them. Her gaze darted to the blurs on the field. Even though she’d trained hard in detecting vampire movement, they were still too fast for her.

It was over in less than a minute. Another body hit the wall below her in a splatter of blood and gore, making her jump. When Leah looked down again, only one vampire remained standing, a lifeless body at his feet.

“That was boring,” one of the spectators drawled. “They didn’t even scratch him.”

The other two laughed, the cold sound stabbing through Leah. “Wecan’t scratch him, much less those babies.”

The piercing laugh forced a knee-jerk reaction and Leah’s eyes met the lifeless ones of the nearest vampire. Power shot through her with the force of a lightning bolt, infusing her veins with a need to turn into a mindless puddle at his feet. He was her master, and nothing was more important than serving him.

No. She would not lose to them. Careful not to draw blood, Leah bit her lip to stop herself from following the compulsion. She planted her feet and imagined herself as a colossal piece of rock. She would not move, no matter how much the vampire called to her.

The vampires must’ve decided she wasn’t worth it. All of them but Clement left in another second, leaving nothing but a rush of wind in their wake. Once they were gone, Leah could breathe again. The arena was empty. There was no doubt who the winner was.

Julian Blackmore.

An Ancient. If these other vampires, who admitted they were no match for Blackmore, had such an effect on her, how would she resist him?

Leah stilled her trembling arms and drew in a deep breath. Could he break through her mind as easily as tearing apart a piece of paper? Or would the implant protect her?

Hopefully, if she survived this meeting, she wouldn’t have to see him again.

Beside her, Clement straightened. Leah repressed a nervous laugh as Clement’s power brushed her. It was a joke compared to the bombarding compulsions from the other vampires. Even so, she shouldn’t antagonize him. After all, he was still a vampire.

“Ready to go?”

“You mean I don’t have to meet him?” She almost kicked herself for the hope in her voice.

His lips stretched into a slow grin. “We’re going to Mr. Blackmore. He’s taking a shower and will meet you after, unless you want to meet him now?”

“Why bring me here then?”

The answer hit her as soon as the question left her lips.

Fear.

Blackmore had wanted to scare her. To show her who she was dealing with.

And it worked.

Cold fingers of dread danced along her spine. Her pulse thundered in her ears. The urge to run was overwhelming, except she had nowhere to go. She dug her nails into her palms, the pain steadying her. In her precarious situation, she’d be lucky to survive with all her wits at her disposal. Fear would only hold her back and put her even more at risk.

She took another deep breath. It was useless trying to hide her emotions from vampires. Nonetheless, she shot Clement her most confident smile.

“Never mind. Lead the way. I can’t wait to meet Mr. Blackmore.”

Chapter Two

Backinhisroom,Julian washed away the blood, but the scent of death lingered around him. He should have been immune to it by now. He was used to killing, and in the last few decades, dispensing justice as he saw fit, but tonight something changed. A scent of life, of warmth, had seeped through the ice inside him before the fight began.