Page 32 of Auctioned for Her Blood

“Ancient? I’m in my mid twenties.”

He leans toward me. “There are myths, legends about a goddess and a coven of witches who hide her.”

Goddess? “Okay.” I stand again, trying to look confident while my body trembles inside. “This has been fascinating.”Vampires, goddesses, witches, oh my!“But I don’t believe any of it. No offense.”

He stands. “No offense taken. But your belief in something does not impact its existence.”

“Look.” I gesture toward the door. “Thanks for stopping by, but I am expecting someone.”

“Ryker Stone.” His eyes narrow.

“Yes.” I raise my chin, trying to look confident. “So, if you don’t mind.”

I walk toward the door. But he beats me there, shifting positions so quickly and gracefully I didn’t detect any movement until he was ahead of me.

He looks down into my eyes. “Do not go out with Ryker tonight.” His tone is pleading and serious.

“He won the auction.” I blink, surprised that I’m even arguing about this. “Plus, you can’t tell me what to do.”

Zuben’s hand slides onto the back of my neck.

I gasp. He’s completely invaded my personal space, but for some reason nothing about it feels threatening. Instead, his touch is warm and gentle—I could easily pull away from his hold—and it’s so intimate. It’s the first time I’ve had a man hold me this way, and I’m shocked at my body’s reaction, more turned on than frightened, as I struggle to normalize my breathing and heart rate, both soaring.

“There is something else you should know.” He looks into my eyes. “Ryker, he is a vampire.”

His words snap the spell, and I pull away, stepping to the side and crossing my arms over my chest. “You really are something.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re nothing but a sore loser.” I raise my chin. “You lost the auction. Deal with it.”

“But that is what I am doing.” He tips his head to the side. “Iamdealing with it. Today, I helped your boss with the gold bars, and now I am helping you—attempting to help you, that is.”

“I don’tneedyour help.”

“Yes you do.’

Anger and determination rise inside me. This guy is certifiable. And I can’t believe my instincts ever claimed otherwise. I can’t believe I was attracted to him, trusted him.

“First you claim Ryker’s a pirate,” I snap, “even though he made a generous donation to Sanctuary House, and now you say he’s avampire? You certainly can come up with original accusations against your rival. I’ll give you that. A-plus for effort.”

“I have not madeaccusations,” he says. “I have stated facts.” He swallows, hard, as if he’s trying to tamp something down. “And Ryker will use you, enslave you. He only wants you for—”

“For sex?” I raise my chin.

“For your blood.”

I scowl at him. I can’t begin to understand why these two men have decided to compete over me. I’m no one special, and I refuse to be a pawn in Zuben’s little game, whatever it is. “I think you should leave. Now!”

“Ember. I am warning you. If Ryker discovers what you are—”

“What Iam?” I shake my head and thump my first against my chest. “I am awoman. Ahumanwoman who wants you to get out of her apartment.”

Taking another step back, I run into a chair, and then grip it to steady myself. “Leave. Now. Please.”

“But.”

“Now!”