Page 17 of Dark Flame

“You think I wouldn’t have found another way to get to you?” He flicks the metal bars closest to him. “These cells were erected centuries ago to keep humans within them. Long before I knew about the existence of vampires or became one myself. I could bend them open if I so desired.”

Centuries. So he’s old as fuck. “How old are you?”

His nose lifts up, as though insulted by the question. “Doesn’t matter, nor is it something you need to know.”

“What about your name?”

“Also does not matter to you.”

“I should know the name of my captor.”

The vampire moves closer, his steps silent over the dirt. He bends slightly, hanging over me, parting his lips just enough the tips of his fangs peek out. Their fangs come out when they’re fighting or feeding, according to all the documents my parents had me read.

“Around here, people have to earn the things they want. So what will you give me in exchange?”

Like I’d give anything to him. My freedom’s enough. “Never mind. I don’t want it that much. I’ll be sure to writethe vampire who kidnapped meon your tombstone when I kill you.”

His lips twitch before he straightens. “You’re much more entertaining than your ancestors.”

“I’ll be sure to add ‘entertainer’ to my résumé.”

Along with vampire slayer by the time I finish here.

Seven

ALEC

There’sno plausible reason for me to be down here, considering the party isn’t until tomorrow night, but something urged me to visit. That difference about her I can’t place. It’s strong. Intriguing. Inebriating, even. Addictive for sure. Something I want to break first.

Her willpower, perhaps.

Whatever it is, it led me down here.

“If you want it on your résumé, you’ll need a reference, no?” I grin, playing into her sarcasm.

“What would you know about that? Aren’t you from before the time of résumé writing?”

“I didn’t sleep my lifetime away.”

“Whatever.” She huffs, crossing her arms tight over her chest and making her shirt pull tight over nipples, which suggest how cold she is. The sight makes my mouth parch—which is physically impossible for my kind. “Why are you here?”

“Humour me, Sinclair.” I settle on the ground across from her and bring up my knees to rest my hands on. I can’t recall the last time I’ve sat in a cell with a prisoner. Never? Socializing defeats the purpose, and it’s wiser to keep distance.

Yet there’s somethingoffwith Harlow Sinclair, and I will discover what. After all, how can one build a profitable marketing plan if they don’t know their product inside and out?

She can’t see me as well as I can her, but based on the way her brows rise, she’s surprised by my seat choice.

“You’ll dirty that fancy clothing of yours.”

“You care?”

“Nope. Just making a statement.”

I hum. “Getting the sense you talk a lot. Use all those words to make yourself useful and tell me about yourself.”

Her face scrunches before she laughs, the sound lyrical and pleasant; a light chime reminding me of a certain harp that was played in the ballroom during my mortal years. Certainly something more pleasant than this dungeon has ever heard. They’re not screams, for one.

“You’re funny for a vampire. When I made the résumé joke, I wasn’t looking for an interview, so how ’bout I don’t and we say I did.”