Page 95 of Blood Day

Soft light illuminated the siding and highlighted various palm trees throughout the exterior landscaping. Stone steps led up to the opulent doors and the bejeweled interior.

I followed Master Cedric in a daze, my feet moving without my brain processing the action.

He led me through the interior courtyard, alongside a lightly flowing fountain, and through another door. Then up a set of stairs. Down a wide hall. And into a sitting room I recognized.

His quarters.

A human waited for us inside in a bowed position that made him sigh. “I didn’t request blood. Just food. You may go.”

The female shuddered and moved to stand, only to stumble part of the way. He blurred before me as he caught her by the elbow and helped her to her feet.

She swayed, her face paling as she mumbled an unintelligible sentence that sort of sounded like an apology.

“It’s fine,” he replied, his tone clipped. But his touch remained gentle in nature as he helped her move toward the door. “Take a moment to sit in the hallway and stretch your legs. If Mistress Adrienne questions you, tell her I commanded it.”

“Yes, Sire,” she whispered.

“Lily,” he said from the doorway. “Grab the water from the table.” He jerked his head toward the seating area, where a tray of food was waiting on the coffee table.

I did as he asked and brought it to him, my body still moving without my mind processing the actions.

He took it and handed it to the girl. “Drink this between stretches. Don’t go back to Mistress Adrienne until you feel better. Understand?”

“Yes, Sire.”

“Good.” He guided her into the hallway and disappeared from view. He murmured something else to her that I didn’t quite catch before returning and shutting the door.

It seemed quite odd to be so caring of a human. Maybe this one meant something to him. Or perhaps she was another player in his games.

“Go sit, Lily. You need to eat. Then we’ll deal with the sand.” He pointed at the couch and then to the tray of food before disappearing into his bedroom.

I frowned but did as he demanded.

Chicken. Green beans. Rice. Strawberries. My mouth salivated over that last item, my finger automatically grabbing it first. But Master Cedric appeared out of thin air, taking it from me and putting it back in the bowl.

“Eat your other food first.” He set a bottle of water down to replace the one he’d given to the human. “I’ll handle the strawberries.”

My mouth tightened, my taste buds not in the mood to engage in whatever cruel game he intended to begin. I just wanted to eat the berries. They were sweet and unlike anything else the university fed me.

But I didn’t want him to see my disappointment.

So I stuffed a green bean into my mouth instead.

Then I used the water to swallow it down.

Master Cedric sat beside me, his thigh brushing mine as he picked up a knife. My heart skipped a beat, my skin breaking out in goose bumps.

Except he didn’t bring the blade anywhere near me.

Instead, he started removing the strawberry stems.

I ate my chicken while he worked, my gaze glued to his athletic hands and the long fingers wielding the knife. Each slice was precise, the strawberries remaining mostly whole as he removed the green part.

My green beans and chicken were gone by the time he finished, only the rice left. I nibbled my lip, my stomach feeling rather full already from the larger-than-usual meal.

“Do you want the rice?” he asked softly.

“I… I want the strawberries more,” I admitted.