Chapter 49
RAINE
The knife dropped from my hand as I stared transfixed at the horrible scene in front of me. Athan devoured the girl I stabbed, slurping up her blood from the gaping wound in her neck. Once he lifted his head to glare at me through bloodshot eyes, blood dripping from his mouth to his chest.
It was too much. My brain refused to process what I was experiencing, and I felt myself fading away, giving in to the cold, greyness that unfolded me.
When I regained consciousness, I was on the cot, alone in the room. There was no trace of the body, the other girls or Athan, except for the blood stain on the brown carpet. I killed that poor girl. Remorse and guilt overwhelmed-me, and I cried into my
hands.
âYou did what you had to, Raine. It was us or her? Tasha tried to console me, not that it was helping
much.
I went to the bathroom, pulling the chain attached to my foot along. My reflection in the mirror scared
me, I looked pale, washed out. I wanted desperately to change my bloodied and torn clothes and oh, what I would do for a steaming hot bath. Splashed some cold water on my face, but when I straightened the face looking back at me through the mirror wasnât mine.
I jumped back in fright. A redhaired woman glanced back at me. I blinked and it was gone. Have I completely lost my mind?! Stag gering back until my back hit the wall, my heart making somersaults in my chest, I stared into the mirror. But the only face I saw was mine..
I finished up in the bathroom quickly, completely freaked out by what I thought I saw. Returning to the bedroom I found Athan lounging in the chair in the corner, a single floor lamp illuminating his hawkish features.
âCan you not do that?â I clutched my throat protectively. His sudden appearance startled me. He had no scent and moved like a ghost.
âDo what?â he drawled, flicking through the pages of a book he was pretending to read. His eyes skimmed to my face. âIâve brought you some books to while away the time.â He pointed one slender
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finger to the small stack of books next to him.
âI donât need books. I need to go home.â I folded my arms across my chest. My blouse was in tatters.
âAnd I need you to remain here with me. My needs trumps yours, little wolf.â Athan dismissed my statement with a hand gesture. âUntil youâve served your purpose.â
I walked right up to him. âAnd what is my purpose? Tell me what you want so we can be done with this.â
He scoffed at that. âI already told you; I want you to submit to me. Give yourself to me, let me f uck you, drink your blood. Stay with me. Break your bond with the werewolf king. I can make you immortal.â He
grabbed hold of my left wrist.
âNev
âNever!â I ripped my wrist out of his grasp. âI am pregnant with the kingâs pup. You said so yourself.â
He shrugged his narrow shoulders. âA minor inconvenience.â
âYouâre lying! You donât want me.â He was playing with me. I was sure of that because of the way his eyes narrowed, and his lips furled when he looked at me.
He laughed mockingly. âIf that is what you want to believe.â He got up and I took a step back as he advanced.
I had nowhere to run to.
âLet me shift!â Tasha howled in my head. âI can kill him.â
As much as I wanted to, I couldnât. How would we get out of the Vampire Realm if we killed their king? We might as well commit suicide.
âYour wolf is arrogant if she thinks she could take me.â He pinned me to the wall; his breath fanned my cheeks as he bent down to my level.
He heard her?
A flick of his tongue against my neck sent fear coursing through my veins. He hummed appreciatively. âYou should be scared, little wolf. One bite and youâre mine.â And just as quickly, he let me go and
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turned away.
âYou know, actually I should thank Amaris for limiting the number of humans we were allowed to hunt. But now, Iâve acquired a preference for werewolf blood. Theyâre so much more resilient than humans.â He looked out of the window into the grey mists. âThey heal so much quicker. Oh, and letâs not forget, they have awesome stamina in bed as well.â
âWhat do you mean? How could he limit you?â Amaris was powerful, but doubtful that he had this kind
of sway.
âThat was one of the conditions of the peace treaty.â He tapped his tapered chin thoughtfully. âCanât understand his dire need to protect them. Itâs not like theyâre an endangered species. Plenty of them to
go around.â
âSo, all this because you want to hunt more humans?â I shuddered with disgust recalling how he ripped into that she-wolf. Humans would have no chance against even the weakest of vampires.
Athan ran a finger down my arm where the girl had stabbed me. It was healed but still felt sensitive. Goosebumps formed on my skin wherever he touched. I moved away from him to sit on the cot.
âAmongst other things. Amaris needs to be brought down a peg or two. He is much too co cky. I like his brother more.â Athan picked up a shard of the broken bowl that had been left behind. There was still some of my blood on it. He licked it off the shard and closed his eyes, savoring the taste on his tongue. âSomething about your blood, Raine. Itâs different. Like there is a magical quality to it. I want more.â
A feeling of dread wrapped its cold hands around my heart. âAre you working with Sorin?â Amaris was right not to trust his brother. But why use the vampires?
âYou ask too many questions, little wolf. Better get some rest. Iâll have food sent up. You need to eat. I want you healthy when I feed on you.â
âI wonât let you!â I snarled at him, letting Tasha shine through my eyes. âI would rather die.â
He shook his head, clicking his tongue. âSo melodramatic.â When he turned back to look at me his eyes. glowed eerily. âI will have you yet, Raine. I will break through your defenses. Itâs only a matter of time.â
âDonât hold your breath, bloodsucker!â Tasha pushed for control she was getting stronger. My bones
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started to shift, and my claws and canines elongated. I was letting Tasha take over and she didnât waste
any time.
She burst through my skin, ripped through the remains of my clothes. Within seconds she shook her fur and as she launched herself at Athan, he slipped through the oak door and slammed it shut in her face.
âNice try, little wolf.â I heard his laugh echo into the darkness.
At least we were free of the shackle holding us captive.