Page 33 of The Vampire Debt

I will kill the vampire tonight.

Though it’s something I have been telling myself I would do since Kitty asked it of me, I hadn’t thought of what it would truly cost me. Kitty.

And so I am finally ready to give up the life I have planned and waited for. I must be ready, or my attempts will amount to nothing but angering him, and I will die accomplishing nothing.

If any vampire finds out I’ve killed him, it will mean instant death. But I have seen neither hide nor hair of any other vampires since he brought me here. And while there is an extra room on the third floor, none of the staff has ever mentioned any visitors, nor did Alaric when he gave the tour. The only warning he gave was of demons.

I imagine sinking this dagger into his heart and what it would mean.

The three servants would be free, no longer forced to pretend to love him.

And I will be free.

Chapter Fifteen

Clara

“Ouch,”I hiss through my teeth and suck on the tip of my finger.

Demon shit, that hurts.

It’s the twentieth time this evening I’ve pricked my finger sewing a pocket into this dress. My back aches from doing this all day. I only have a few more to do, and then no matter what I choose to wear, I will be ready for him. Kitty was always the better seamstress between us. She had the patience and grace for this kind of work.

A gentle knock on the door startles me.

“Who is it?” I ask.It’s the housekeeper, Clara.

And sure enough, Mrs. Westfield’s voice calls sweetly through the door. “Miss, the master requests your presence in one hour for dinner.”

A thrill runs through me. I’m silent for a long moment.Alaric is back?The thought of being around him again ratchets up my pulse and my nerves hum.

“Miss, did you hear me?”

“Y-yes, thank you!” I call. “I will be right there.”

I have been waiting for this moment. A fact I now need to remind myself of.

Setting down the sewing, I run my hands up and down my arms, trying to regain some warmth.

I waste no time in putting on a clean gown and running a brush though my hair, I have no talent for creating a fashionable style, so I opt for something simple. As a last second thought, I even dab a little perfume on my wrists and neck, going with one of the lighter scents. It smells of warm amber and jasmine.

There’s something perverse about trying to look as appealing as possible for a man I intend to kill.

Once I finish getting ready, I stand before the door. I inhale a single breath, hold it, then slowly release it. I reach again for the handle of the dagger in my makeshift pocket then smooth down the sides of the blue silk dress. Delicate lace accents adorn the edges, and the cut of the neck is straight, leaving most of my chest and shoulders bare.

My fingers grip the hilt of the blade then release it. I am outmatched in all ways, but I will wield my claws in every way I can.

I hate what this horrid dress symbolizes, that it is one of the most exquisite things I’ve ever seen, let alone touched, and it’s because of that vile beast waiting for me. A monster that would kill my sister and I for sport, just like one did our mother when we were barely old enough to understand.

Squaring my shoulders, I banish thoughts of the past from my mind. I must focus on my task.

With that, I open the door and stride out of the room. As per usual, the halls are void of the three servants that live here. In the last hour, the sun began to set so I don’t expect I’ll be seeing them until morning.

I pause at the entrance to the dining room. He sits in his usual spot, reading. As soon as I step one foot into the room, he folds the newspaper and sets it aside. His plate is still covered. He was waiting for me.

He lifts his glass and takes a sip of the thick red liquid.

He is painfully beautiful. More so than I remember… and it’s only been a few days.