Page 66 of Bitten Vampire

My stomach tightens. Beryl. And I’m a walking, talking anomaly. At this point, what I haven’t done seems more relevant. Perhaps I should have received a Do’s and Don’ts brochure the day he branded me. Unaware of these rules, I have been breaking them as though it were a sport.

“Seven. Conflict resolution. Duels require authorisation; grievances must be filed formally. Street fights and assassination attempts are frowned upon.” James glares.

Baylor gives a soft growl, which I mask with a cough.

“Eight. Allies and beasts.Human servants, thralls, pets, enchanted objects, all are the legal responsibility of their keeper. Misbehaviour will be punished accordingly.”

I nod at Baylor. “He’s very well behaved,” I say sweetly.

“Nine. Curfew and conduct. All members must remain within assigned quarters during daylight. Surveillance ensures safetyandcompliance.”

I glance at Valdarr; he avoids my eye.

“Ten. Final death protocol. Any member who breaks the law will be summoned to the Hall of Silence for trial. If found guilty, ritual execution follows. Formal blade, open and public ceremony.”

I nod. “Cheery.”

James snaps the tablet shut. “We are quite civilised when rules are followed.”

Valdarr leans forward, softening the mood. “It’s a lot, I know. But don’t worry. I’ll walk you through the important bits. Just don’t burn anything down and don’t kill anyone.”

“Again,” James mutters under his breath.

Baylor stands and stretches, positioning himselfbetween James and me. He doesn’t growl this time, but he stares with unwavering focus. A silent warning.

I reach down and ruffle his ears, never breaking James’s gaze. “I’ll remember the rules.”

And I’m sure they will trip me up sooner or later.

Especially with James, after his oh-so-friendly welcome, watching for the smallest infraction to see my head lobbed off.

But panicking now won’t help. I nod, smile like a dutiful little vampire, and follow Valdarr down the hallway to my suite.

We pass striking pieces of modern art, abstract shapes in blood-red or void-black. Baylor’s claws click across polished parquet, then tap-tap on marble.

Valdarr stops before a heavy oak door. “This is you.”

He enters first, setting my bag on the dressing table. The suite could be in a luxury hotel with its polished mahogany, deep blue velvet upholstery, warm lamplight. I unclasp Baylor’s lead; he circles, sniffs, then flops beside me with a huff.

“I’ll let you settle in.” He smiles—almost shy—and leaves, closing the door behind him. The suite has a vault door, like the one in the townhouse. It must be a safety feature in all his properties.

Ah, young love,Beryl sings as she zips out of the bag.He likes you.

I scowl. “He does not, he only pities me.” Huge difference.

Chapter Twenty-Six

The suite is beautiful,clearly designed for human guests. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass door overlook a walled courtyard paved with broad slabs and dotted with oversized planters. If I can beg some mulch from the gardener, I could create a discreet loo for Baylor.

Alongside a tiny kitchen that boasts a fully stocked fridge, there’s a dining table with four chairs, and a bedroom with a king-size mattress that felt like a cloud when I tested it. Valdarr has even arranged a wardrobe of designer clothes, each piece tailored to fit as though made for me. In one corner, a book-nook cradles a deep-seated chair and footstool.

I select a book with a worn leather binding and settle into the chair. I dare not risk my phone in case scrolling triggers another vision, especially when I’m in no positionto help anyone. If it happens, I need someone beside me to stop me doing something dangerous or simply stupid.

I miss House. I miss my home.

As dawn breaks, my heart gives its first sleepy thud. Baylor, however, still refuses to use the courtyard—the flagstones clearly fail his Husky standards—so he resorts to the frantic I-need-a-pee shuffle, whining for emphasis. Reluctantly, I clip on his lead. I’m supposed to stay indoors during daylight, but his needs must take precedence. Breaking rule number nine.

I’m coming with you,Beryl announces.