Chapter Five

VICTOR

“One more word, and I will gut you like the sniveling swine you are,” Runa snarled against my back. The blade she’d pressed to my kidney dug deeper.

With her generous curves pushing against me, her inner thighs grazing my hips, and her spicy scent plundering my senses, I was beyond distracted.

That, combined with the knife play, had many disturbing urges prodding my psyche.

The experience was a first for me as I believed myself above such animalistic drives.

“Such charming words falling from honeyed lips. Do you intend to woo me, sweet sorceress?”

“Bleck,” she gagged.

I fought a smile.

“Please know, you are everything I hate most in a mate.”

“How so? You don’t even know me,” I couldn’t resist saying, more intrigued than offended.

“Oh, I know you. Like so many leaders, you’ve used your authority to further your personal agenda instead of serving the people.

Full of arrogance, you believe the world owes you their loyalty without having earned it.

Perhaps you started out with good intentions only to be corrupted by a broken system, falling into a never-ending cycle of lies and deceit.

Like the rest, the power you fought so hard to obtain corrupted you. ”

“Ouch,” I said, unable to refute her accusations. Despite her blatant disgust for those in authority, I found I didn’t hate sparring with the sorceress. She had a keen mind and sharp wit despite being an inhabitant of this land. My darker side urged me to challenge the opponent it sensed in her.

After a restless night spent beneath Carcerem’s twin moons, my captors had set out before sunset, planning to enter Rottwood, some small backwoods village known for being a criminal stomping ground.

Drazen and Kronk rode beside us, one on a horse, the other on a massive bovine, while Runa and I rode together.

The sorceress sat behind me, dagger poised, should I attempt to escape.

And I would.

All I waited for was the right moment.

The effect of the submission rods had worn off shortly after sunrise. My injuries from my tumble off the cliff were healing at a rapid rate, far faster than they would have back home. Though I continued to feign weakness.

Given my superior intellect, it was only a matter of time before I escaped.

Still, I waited. Why struggle when they were taking me exactly where I needed to go?

Into a village where I might find shelter, provisions, and information regarding portals.

As a bonus, my bandits were protective of their prize, providing me with the security I needed.

Despite their inadequacies, they’d proved surprisingly resourceful.

Again, I allowed my body to list as though I was too tired to even sit on a horse.

“Steady, you fool,” Runa growled. “Fall, and I’ll drag you behind us. ”

I had no doubt the little thief would follow through on the threat.

Though my legs were unbound, my hands remained shackled.

She had draped me in a hooded cloak, likely to prevent anyone from recognizing me and attempting to steal—or kill—her prize.

Both were real possibilities, considering how many criminals I had sent to this place.

“Tell me about this barrier you discovered while invading my mind,” I demanded of my so-called captor. Since our journey together neared its end, I’d use the time left to gain all the information I could to ensure my survival in this gods-forsaken land.

Runa stiffened behind me. “What does it matter?”

It mattered a great deal. In all my years and dealings with the supernatural, no one had ever claimed there was a binding placed on me. I had no idea who could have done it without my knowledge—or for what purpose. Perhaps my mother put it in place, before she abandoned me.

An image of my mother flashed in my mind. Blood spilled from her lips. “Leave this place and never return. Stay and you will only know pain. As I have.”

Growling low, I shoved the image aside. “Have you ever seen the like?”

“Never,” the sorceress admitted.

“What can you tell me about it?”

“Nothing.”

“Out of spite or ignorance?”

“ Flark you, vampire.”

Spite then.

“I sensed the strength of your magic.” Among other things I cared not to think about. Like the way her essence seemed to caress my spirit before she attacked me with a mental battering ram. How, despite the pain, my heartbeat had skipped to match hers.

As my thoughts drifted down a twisted and outrageous road, I almost laughed out loud. The idea that the fates had bound me to this female was too absurd to even contemplate.

“Do you really expect me to believe you know nothing of this shielding spell?”

“Believe what you want.” She shrugged against my back, the movement making my teeth clench. “It makes no difference to me.”

Frustration battered my composure. “You’re not curious?”

“Not in the least.”

“What if it’s shielding some valuable secret? Something that could benefit both of us.” But mostly me. What if it was something that would help me return to the mortal realm? Information about a portal, perhaps.

Runa snorted. “I seriously doubt there is much of anything in that brain of yours that would interest me.”

“Revealing the shield’s origins is likely beyond your ability, anyway.” I found myself unable to resist taunting her.

“ Nothing is beyond my ability,” Runa grated, thrusting her blade deeper into my ribs, forcing me to stifle the stab of pleasure that ran through me. “Best you don’t forget that.”

Despite my body’s confusing response to being the sorceress’s captive , I couldn’t help but enjoy her ire.

“No worries. Once I’ve escaped, I’ll find someone more capable of uncovering the mystery.”

Again, the blade twisted, pain spearing my ribs and stirring my cock.

Inwardly, I cursed at the defiant appendage.

Runa was a commoner and a lowly thief, to boot.

Sure, she was beautiful and intelligent.

That didn’t mean I’d lower myself to bed someone of her ilk.

Unless said seduction could provide me with something I needed in return.

Once more, my blasted cock twitched at the idea. Rebellious bastard had turned on me.

“First of all, no one escapes Vex. Second, nobody in their right mind would help the likes of you. ”

“First, I don’t plan to escape Vex . Second, I can be rather persuasive once you get to know me, little thief.”

Runa’s exasperated groan rumbled through my back, and I delighted in her irritation.

“I could still gag you, you know. I’m certain Kronk would even sacrifice one of his socks for the task.”

“And miss out on my charming conversation skills?”

“It’s no wonder your world was eager to be rid of you.”

Before I could respond in a way that was sure to get my kidney speared—and my cock standing at attention—Drazen appeared at our side.

“Enough with the questions, vampire. We’re here.”

Lights twinkled ahead of us, and a small village rose out of the mist. The place was positively medieval.

The buildings were constructed of mostly rustic materials with thatched roofs, rough-cut timber, and earthen walls.

Down the center of the village, rows of buildings sat close together, the streets winding and narrow.

“Listen up, leech,” Drazen said, menace in his fiery gaze.

“Plan is, we enter the tavern, meet with Vex, and make the exchange. What you do after is between you and Vex. Until then, you keep your head down and your mouth shut. Draw attention, and I’ll turn you to ash faster than Runa could spit on your sizzling corpse.

” He snapped his fingers, flashing flames.

“Noted,” I agreed. I’d likely make my escape long before the exchange, anyway.

Rottwood was a bustling community, even at night.

Though primitive, cobblestones paved the roads.

Instead of flames, torches with glowing crystals cast amber light onto the buildings and roads.

Beings from all different races strolled along the walkways.

Some had massive horns curling over their heads, and others leathery wings hanging down their backs.

“Shit. Look over there,” Drazen muttered .

Kronk swiveled to pin an eyeball on the trio of men who ambled down the street. “The false king’s guards.”

Their eyes had an odd, milky quality. Purple capes hung over their shoulders. Feathers fluttered atop their helmets.

“Don’t be so obvious,” Runa hissed.

“Friends of yours?” I taunted. Now, this was an interesting development. It came as no surprise that my bandits were wanted criminals. Perhaps I could use this to my advantage.

“Trust me. They’re no friends of yours either,” Runa answered, digging the tip of her blade into my side.

I heaved a heated sigh. She really needed to stop with the seduction, for both our sakes. “Have I mentioned how much I love a bit of knife play in the bedroom?”

“You’re disgusting,” she spat, easing up on her dagger. Pity.

While I sat, portraying that of a weakened lump, Runa and her team dismounted, tying their beasts to a post outside the tavern.

That done, Kronk heaved me out of the saddle before dropping me to the ground like yesterday’s trash. I staggered as though my legs wobbled, swallowing a harsh reprimand. They’d soon learn how badly they’d underestimated me.

Bawdy music trickled from the open door along with the low rumbling of voices.

Inside, the smell of greasy mutton, unwashed bodies, and sour ale burned my nostrils.

Dim lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting the room into shadows.

Not since I was an aspiring squire to a drunken knight had I set foot in such a place.

Kronk kept one granite hand clamped around my biceps while Runa remained close to my back, the small knife she held hidden by the folds of my hooded cloak.