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SERENAI

“What is it? Did you catch it?” Serenai asked in a trembling voice when her new bodyslave came back into the bedroom.

He shook his head—a gesture she could barely see in the dark room.

“Afraid not—the bastard went into the closet and disappeared.”

“The closet?” She couldn’t keep the horror out of her voice. She’d just been in there, looking for a nightdress to wear! How close had she come to the awful thing that was stalking her?

“Afraid so. Whatever it is ran or flew in there and then just vanished.” His deep, rumbling voice sounded frustrated. “ I’m sorry, Mistress — I don’t know how it slipped past me.”

“I don’t think it came past you at all. The eyes just suddenly appeared on the other side of the bed. This was the…the closest they’ve ever…ever come!”

Serenai could hear the tears in her own voice. She hated to cry again so soon, but the fear and frustration she felt was overwhelming.

Brax must have heard the tears in her voice too because he came to kneel beside her bed. His pale eyes were glowing slightly but they didn’t frighten her like the red eyes did. Mostly because she knew he was there to protect her, not hurt her.

“I’m sorry, little one,” he murmured and from his shoulder, Cheeky cheeped sadly too. “ I failed you.”

“No you…you didn’t.” Serenai sniffed. “ At least you chased it away—whatever it was. But what are we going to do about it?”

“Well, to start with, how about if you go sleep somewhere else?” he asked reasonably. “ In a penthouse this big, I’m sure there are more bed chambers. We can move to one of those.”

“There are plenty of spare rooms.” Serenai nodded and swiped at her eyes. “ I’ve just been sleeping here because this was my mom’s bedroom and I wanted to feel close to her. But if that thing is in her closet…” She shivered. “ Then I’m more than willing to move.”

“Come on, then. Lights on dim,” Brax said loudly in an authoritative voice. The overhead lights came on in a soft, golden glow, lighting the dark corners of the room and making Serenai feel slightly less frightened.

At least I’m not all alone with it—whatever it is, she told herself. Looking up at Brax , she tried to smile.

“Thank you for chasing it away.”

“I wish I could have caught it.” He frowned fiercely. “ Anyway , we’ll make a thorough search for it tomorrow when it gets light again. For now, let’s get you out of here.”

He put out a hand and Serenai took it without thinking. She let him help her out of bed but then, somehow, she kept holding his hand. She liked how warm and big it was wrapped around her own and she felt less frightened when she was touching him.

Brax looked down at her but didn’t say anything. In fact, he laced his fingers with hers and was about to lead her out of the room when he stopped and frowned.

“The remote to my pain collar? Where is it, Mistress ?” he rumbled.

“Oh— I almost forgot it. I , uh, took it off when I lay down to sleep.” Serenai nodded to the ornately carved nightstand. She’d left the small black remote and the silver chain link necklace it was hung on there, within arms reach.

Brax’s frown deepened.

“Put it on and keep it with you, Mistress ,” he directed her. “ That way you can feel safe with me.”

Serenai didn’t tell him she was already feeling safe with him. She only nodded and put the necklace back around her neck. Then she allowed her new bodyslave to lead her out of the bed chamber.