Page 37 of Caller of Crows

"You don't seem like the kind of guy who likes it easy," Sven replied before he could stop himself.

Altair's laugh was softer this time. "Maybe you're right."

Sven's heart skipped a beat, and his cock twitched with renewed interest. Fuck, why did this vampire have such an effect on him?

"Tell me," Altair murmured, his voice soft, "are you doing all this to convince me to turn you?"

"Would it work?"

Altair looked away. "I'm not easily played." He moved to sit on the armchair opposite Sven's, his eyes traveling over Sven's body. "But I suppose the effort is appreciated."

"That's not an answer," Sven pointed out.

Altair's gaze focused on Sven's, making him shiver. "I don't have an answer for you."

Sven's stomach tightened. Was Altair trying to make him give up or did he genuinely not know?

"I've got something else for you, though," Altair said, pulling a phone out of his pocket. Sven's phone.

Sven jumped up and tried to reach for it, but Altair pulled his hand out of the way.

"Did you think I would just give it to you?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Sven scowled at him. "You're an asshole, you know that?"

Altair's lips curled into a smile. "Many people have called me that, yes. Not all of them got away with their heads still attached to their necks."

Sven swallowed. Altair wasn't joking, was he?

"Here's the deal," the vampire said, holding out the phone. "You can write to your mother, but only if I can see exactly what you're writing."

Sven gave the vampire a long look. "What do you think I'd tell my mom? That you're holding me captive?"

"You've already tried to escape once today," Altair reminded him. "I should not grant you access to your phone at all, but I'm not a monster."

Sven scoffed. "The only reason you're being so generous is so my friends don't come looking for me."

Altair gave a slight shake of his head. "You realize if that was all I wanted, I could simply text in your name. But if you do not appreciate my generosity, I do not have to offer it."

Sven glared at him.

He hated the fact that Altair was right. He didn'thaveto allow him any contact.

"Okay, fine. I agree to your conditions," Sven relented.

"Good."

Sven expected Altair to hand the phone over, but the vampire wasn't doing that. Instead, he shifted in his armchair and then gestured for Sven to sit in his lap.

Sven hesitated. "Why?"

"Because I want you close," Altair said. "Where I can monitor what you're doing with your phone, and intervene if I need to."

Sven's breath caught at the thought of settling in Altair's lap, but he did as the vampire had ordered. At this point, what else could he do?

He moved over to the vampire, heart racing.

Altair wrapped an arm around his waist, holding him in place, and the feeling of Altair's closeness made Sven's pulse race even faster, his body remembering how close he'd been to release earlier, and how much he still wanted it.