Page 76 of Wicked Magik

Lucky for me, vampires had balls too. He cupped himself and fell over. I stomped on the other vampire’s privates too, because why the hell not, and bolted for the front yard like my ass was on fire.

Stupid sons of bitches.

Benedict was going to get an earful for not telling me about these creeps.

I touched the back of my head and saw blood on my fingertips, confirming what I already suspected. The moment I got to the front steps, I was knocked to the ground, with two vampires sinking their claws into my arms.

I screamed, or at least attempted to, but one slapped their hand over my mouth. The annoying clicking resumed.

“To the forest. Can’t leave a mess in the yard or he will never feed us again.”

I shook my head and tried to wrestle them off, but it was useless. They were strong, even if they were starving.

Oryx!

Chapter 25

Oryx

Istepped into the library. I have only been in here a few times in a hunt for books for my pet. I never lingered, not wanting to be caught by my Lord. I never left a book out of place, never left prints on the tables. I didn’t want to be seen, not when I had my pet to tend to.

I felt ashamed anyway, why would I be in this room? I could not read, write. No wonder my Lord didn’t care to talk with me. I was nothing but the monster that did his bidding outside these walls.

Too many questions would have been brought up.

It didn’t matter now.

I stepped inside, the blue fire crackling. Its glow cast flickering shadows across the room, painting the walls in shades of sapphire and indigo. The top of my Lord's head, crowned with silver strands, peeked over the tall-backed chair, silhouetted against the dim light. The chair itself was an imposing structure, upholstered in rich, dark leather that gleamed subtly in the firelight.

Suddenly, darkness consumed my vision. When I shook my head my vision returned and my sight was restored, the once dim and musty room was now awash with brilliant light, illuminating every corner with a radiant glow.

My Lord remained seated in the grand chair, his hair cascading down his shoulders like a silver waterfall. He threw his head back, and a triumphant laugh erupted from his lips, resonating through the room with a booming, victorious sound.

Never had I seen him do this.

"Can you believe Osmond actually dared to ask me to assist in abducting a maiden for his hidden harem? He had the nerve to say, and I quote, 'Since you're with the Shadow Court, you do that sort of thing for a shiny coin, right?'"

Laughter, soft and bubbling, intertwined with the delicate tinkling of glass, drifted from somewhere just beyond sight. "And what was your reply, Lord of Darkness?" inquired a voice, its tone as smooth as silk and brimming with amusement.

My Lord rose and moved to the middle of the hearth. "I asked him, if he really believed the Shadow Court committed such sinful acts for other courts, then when would he begin behaving like the Light Court and bring other courts' sins to the light?"

Rather than observing the person approaching my Lord, my perspective changed to that of the individual facing my Lord. I am offering him a drink. My hand, instead of being black-clawed or gray-skinned, is a human one—golden bronze, with dress sleeves that sway and flutter with each motion.

My Lord lifted the glass he took from me and lifted it up to me. I do the same in return.

“To the revolution,” left my lips. “To finally being free and together.”

Our arms intertwined gracefully as we both lifted our glasses to our mouths. Our eyes remain locked, an unbreakable connection. The intensity in my Lord’s gaze is so profound and penetrating that it felt as though he could peer directly into the depths of my soul.

My hearts beat in my chest and when my vision blackens and comes back to the present, I am greeted with my Lord directly in front of my face.

Both of his hands are on my skull and I back away in the closeness.

The touch of his hands on my skull sent a jolt of electricity down my spine. I could feel the power emanating from him, swirling around us like a storm. His eyes bore into mine, a mix of intensity and tenderness that sent conflicting emotions coursing through me.

He hasn’t looked at me like that before, has he?

"I brought you here because I need to speak with you," he said, visibly swallowing. Though he didn't need to breathe or show any signs of life, his breath was coming in short gasps, and he was sweating.