Page 10 of The Vampire Debt

I know what I saw. He is so much more than just a man. Already my mind is forming doubts. A ray from the rising sun flashed just right causing the effect—a lingering lesser demon causing mischief.

Father’s hand wraps around my upper arm, dragging me back out of the way.

Vampire…

No… no, don’t let him in!

Father is giving me a murderous look, he will beat me the second this man leaves, but I don’t care. My gut is telling me he’s dangerous. The two men walk to the center of the room, and I am left with my back against the door.

“I am afraid, Mr. Devereaux, you didn’t leave me with sufficient time to gather the funds I owe you,” Father says cajolingly, his false pleasantry dripping from his words.

One more punishment I will suffer once our guest has left. I know he will blame me for taking the morning off.

“I regret that more pressing matters have come up and I must leave sooner rather than later.” Mr. Devereaux looks at me, taking me in from head to toe, stark hunger in his eyes.

His gaze is unrelenting. I feel exposed, even with all my layers of clothes. Once more his eyes flash with the thin ring of crimson around his irises.

Mr. Devereaux wants me to know him for what he is.

He is looking for weakness or fear from me. If I didn’t know better, with the way he holds his shoulders,I would say he’s looking to make me cower in his shadow, trying to cow me into submission, ready to be manipulated, ready to be used up… and killed, as though I was nothing more than some dumb animal bread to slaughter. Though, I suppose compared to them, that’s all we really are—a simple and powerless food source.

I can feel his ire as though he were running his fingertips over every inch of my skin. This monster that doesn’t know a thing about me has found displeasure in my very existence. It makes no sense. Though, when has a monster ever been known to behave or feel logically?

I close my eyes and pull in a shuddering breath and sigh inwardly, careful not to let signs of my fear go any further than thoughts.

My eyes flick to Kitty then back at him, and I could swear that his eyes sparkle with ill intent.

I glare at him and focus on calming my breath, focus on slowing my heart to a slow and steady beat. I chase the fear away.

Or at least I tell myself that’s what I’m doing. My body has gone cold, chilled to the bone. I only manage to keep my pulse in check due to all those years of practice from hunting, forcing my body to relax so my arrows don’t fly off target. But vampires aren’t mind readers. He can only sense my physiological responses to him.

He lists his head to the side, and I notice the slight narrowing of his eyes, the corners crinkling. His mouth twitches, not quite forming a sardonic smile.

We stare at each other a long moment before he turns away, facing my father once more.

“Perhaps, when you return this way—” Father tries.

“No.” The vampire cuts him off sharply, returning his attention to Father and taking a menacing step toward him. “I will not be back this way for some time, I must collect the debt owed to me and be on my way. I’m sure you can think of something…”

I glance to Kitty, as she keeps her head down, working on her stitching and trying hard not to notice the tension in the room.

“My daughter,” Father blurts out, waving a hand toward Kitty. “Take Katherine, she will make a lovely wife.”

“Your—” Mr. Devereaux starts and seems to nearly choke on the words.

“No!” I know I shouldn’t interrupt, but I can’t allow him to give away my sister as if she means nothing. I can’t allow her to become a meal for one of these monsters.

Mr. Devereaux once again swivels his attentions in my direction, and I know from the curve of his lips before he schools his features that he will accept.

“No,” I say again, glad my voice doesn’t shake this time. “Not Kitty, she is too young. I will go instead.”

The words shock everyone in the room just as much as they shock me, but I dare not take them back. I lift my chin as our guest steps closer. He studies me once more with the same look he had earlier, but this time he doesn’t attempt to hide it from anyone.

“Not Clara,” Father says. “She’s—” But he doesn’t get to finish.

Mr. Devereaux slices his hands through the air to silence him. “She will do. Our debts are settled.”

“Sh-she is worth more than the debt I owe you!”