Page 32 of Caller of Crows

"Your mortal?" the tall vampire repeated.

"That's right."

The tall vampire glanced at Sven and then smirked. "I think you should share with the rest of the coven."

Altair didn't reply. He just moved forward, his hand closing around the tall vampire's throat and pinning him against the wall.

The tall vampire coughed and choked, struggling futilely against Altair's grip.

"S-stop," the other vampire gasped. "L-let me go."

"No."

Altair's eyes glowed red, and Sven watched with a mixture of horror and fascination as he ripped the other vampire's throat out.

The tall vampire fell to the ground, clutching at his neck, and then he was still.

Altair knelt and wiped his hand clean on the dead vampire's shirt, then rose and turned his attention to Sven, his eyes returning to their usual color. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah."

"Let me see."

Sven winced when Altair tilted his head to the side, his gaze focused on Sven's neck.

"His fangs didn't touch you," the vampire observed, his tone relieved.

Sven's breath hitched as Altair's fingers traced his skin, sending shivers down his spine.

"Why are you here?" Altair asked.

"I…"

"Marla was supposed to bring you food." Altair narrowed his eyes. "Did she let you go?"

"No. She gave me the food. I don't know, she forgot to lock the door."

"And you took advantage of that fact."

It wasn't a question.

Sven met Altair's gaze, trying to read his expression. He didn't know whether he'd made a terrible mistake, but it was too late now for him to hide what he'd done. "Yes," Sven admitted.

Altair raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you have a death wish?"

"No."

"I struggle to believe that when you choose to sneak around a coven full of predators. As loyal as my vampires are, not all of them can resist the smell of mortal blood." Altair glanced at the bloody vampire at his feet, and Sven couldn't tell if he regretted hurting one of his own or not… or if he was blaming Sven for the actions he'd had to take.

It wasn't Sven's fault, though. He'dhadto try the door. "You can't keep me locked up forever. I'm not your property."

"You are until I decide otherwise." Altair's tone was hard, but his gaze was searching.

Sven crossed his arms. "I'm a person. You can't treat me like this."

Altair moved closer. "You are mine. Or would you have preferred I let this other vampire take you?"

Sven swallowed, his heart pounding against his ribcage. Altair was standing too close. But Sven refused to be intimidated or to let the vampire win this argument. "Maybehewould have turned me." He gestured at the corpse, though if he was really dead or not, Sven wasn't sure. His head was still attached to his body, after all, even if his throat was not.