Page 13 of Dark Flame

“Bite me, obviously,” I reply with a bit of a huff. “That’s why I’m here, aren’t I? You want the cure because you’re tired of being a vampire. Poor little soulless creature, forced to endure forever…” The kidnapping is a bit much when he could have bitten me in my bedroom and gotten this over with. “What a fucking cliché.”

He makes a humming noise that reverberates through my body and straight to my core. My eyes clench again, only this time for a reason other than fear.

A moment later, he takes my offer and lowers his head towards my neck. I hold my breath when his hair tickles my cheek. I never believed I’d ever invite a vampire to bite me, but the sooner he’s human, the sooner he’ll release me. And if he doesn’t let me go, at least I have a fighting chance.

Lips cold as ice but silky as water cruise my neck in the space below my ear before dipping into the curve of my shoulder. My heart races both in fear and anticipation. A vampire’s never bit me—for good reason—though I’ve been curious what it’d feel like from time to time.

Hooking a finger in my shirt’s collar, he slides it as far as the material allows, clearing a space for his mouth. His lips part, and sharp pricks slide over my skin. His chilling lips freeze me pressed against the poles, waiting for him to jam them into my skin.

Up and down, he teases me. Taunts me. My hands clench the bars, tapering the storm of emotions brewing—frustration, disgust, anger…desire.

Then he pauses, and I grip the poles even tighter in anticipation of the bite. My thighs press together. Any second, he’ll?—

His chuckle, dark, dangerous, but also musical, blows against my skin. “Oh, Hellion…” He pauses, his tone trailing off towards the end before he lightly huffs. “Hellion. Yes, that’s much more fitting for you.”

A freakingnickname? This asshole’s taunting me for the cure, chasing me around my neighbourhood, and now he’snamingme.

“Thought you’re not supposed to name your food. Makes you grow attached.”

He smirks, his lips brushing against my clavicle. “You are very far from being my meal. Your first mistake was assuming I’d like to end my immortal life. I’m at the top of the fucking food chain, so why would I give that up?”

“What?” My eyes fly open and I rip away from him, shoving into the bars hard enough my hips will likely bruise. A bruise is better than anything he has in store for me, because if he doesn’t want my blood, why am I here?

The vampire cages me in with his arms. He ducks until he’s eye level, his fangs catching my attention. They’re so intriguing, mystical, and entirely attention-stealing, despite his next words deserving all my focus because they suggest my downfall.

“I won’t be drinking your cursed blood because I’ll besellingit.”

Five

ALEC

“There arenumerous of my kind who’ve been trying to get to you, but unfortunately for them, I’ve succeeded, which makes you mine. Which also makes you my property to do with as I see fit.”

In the past few hours, I’ve been excited to return and break down what her future will hold. To watch her pay for crimes she’s technically never committed, but rather will be held responsible for what her ancestors did. It should be no different than the rest of her life. Witches are notorious for following family and coven tradition.

“No,” she breathes. Her pupils constrict, and she somehow manages to lean farther away. If I didn’t have faith in the bars, I’d be worried they’d break against the force. But considering these are the very cells that once held criminals much more dangerous than a mere magickless witch, they’ll do.

I let her work through her new reality. My limited experience with humans—which is essentially what the powerless Sinclair is—tells me they require processing time. And considering she’s about to spend the rest of her life in this small box, I’ll grant her the few moments.

I lower my arms and back away a couple paces, the space more for me than her because being around her is…unsettling. It’s the simplest term to describe the tension in my body.

Sinclair’s attention darts to the cell’s door, which I left open. No matter what she tries, any pathetic escape plan she comes up with will fail.

“Don’t do it.”

Please do it. Make this fun.

“Then let me go. If you don’t want to be human, you have no need for me.”

“Did you not hear me moments ago, or is your hearing that bad? You are too valuable for me to release. You truly have no idea how many vampires seek to end their immortality.”

“I have an idea.” She glances towards the open cell again, her jaw working back and forth. Surely she realizes she won’t beat me, but her fragile hope will likely tempt her into trying regardless. “Why? What have I ever done to you?”

“You’re paying a debt owed.”

She grunts, shifting her feet. “What else can I offer you?”

“Nothing.”