Chapter 20: twenty

Cole

Raven and I ascended to the top floor, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of the vampire who had attacked Olivia. I was certain he would be here, there was no way he could have slipped past Kaden or Brayden.

The top floor was reserved for a select few vampires and housed numerous offices. Everything was falling into place. Raven would freshen up and stay with my pet. It’s a sad state of affairs when you can’t even trust your friends or family with your most precious possession.

I had ordered a new collar for Olivia, one that couldn’t be easily torn from her neck. It was due to be delivered today, along with Raven’s. I anticipated Raven’s resistance, so I had a more delicate, choker-style one made for her.

I handed Raven over to Kaden. “Listen, warrior human, get cleaned up and Kaden will escort you to my room. I’ve ordered a collar for you, it’s quite dainty.”

Her glare was as sharp as a blade as I continued to speak. I mentally sighed, but in a strange way, I empathized with her anger. I had never understood or condoned the concept of pets. That’s why I had never had one before.

Even now, Olivia isn’t my pet, she’s my love. “It won’t be much longer. Once I can leave and go home, we can take you wherever you wish.”

“I go where she goes.” That was all she said before turning her back and walking with Kaden into his room.

I shook my head at her. Was this plan even going to work? Could I trust this wild creature? I walked a few steps to my room, punching in my code. I should change this.

I heard panting and the soft patter of feet against the floor. I turned to see a tall, skinny human servant doubled over. Most of them were male, but there were some females who worked in the kitchens.

“Lord Vallen, I have been searching for you everywhere.” He was clearly out of breath. I tried to be patient, but my day was already full.

“And?”

“This came for you,” he handed me a square box. It must be the collars. I nodded at him and turned back to reenter my code and go inside.

“Also, Lord Cain requests your audience immediately.”

I wasn’t surprised, but it was sooner than I had anticipated. “Fine. Tell Lord Cain I will arrive shortly.”

He nodded and sprinted away. I opened the door to see her sitting on the windowsill. Her long, wavy hair cascaded around her. She was still in her green dress, but she looked better.

The bruises had faded to a yellow color, she wasn’t completely healed yet. Once she was healed and feeling up to it, I decided to take her out. It was no secret that fae creatures are drawn to nature.

They crave the sunshine, trees, the soft grass, and even though Olivia is only half-fae, I knew she was feeling that pull too.

I placed the box on a table, mind linking Kaden to bring Raven and his paperwork right over. I knew that didn’t give Raven much time to clean up but I was sure she wouldn’t mind being rushed either.

I ran my fingers through her hair, moving it from her face and tucking it behind her ear. I cupped her beautiful face in my hands and slowly sat down in front of her.

She just looked at me with her beautiful grey eyes. Eyes that reminded me of the ocean. Her heartbeat was steady, and her breathing was even.

Her mind was at ease, telling herself that she was safe here, safe with me.

“There is so much I wish to tell you, little dove. So much you deserve to know.”

She parted her lips, about to speak but I moved my thumb over her lips. “Not right now, my love, but soon.”

I let go of her face, her eyes filled with questions. Questions I couldn’t even answer. A knock on the door reminded us that Kaden and Raven had arrived.

***

Kaden and I set out for Marcus’ office. Raven had refused to shower with him in the room, so I briefly explained everything to Olivia in hopes she could persuade her friend to clean up.

Who the hell wants to go around smelling of blood and shit every day is beyond me. Having Raven around had multiple benefits. She could protect Olivia but also coax her out of the meek little shell she was in.

“Do you think Brayden is responsible?”

I just looked at him for a moment.

“I don’t know, do you?” I really didn’t know but maybe Kaden did.

He shrugged. “Don’t know. But I do know he’s always around and now he’s not.”

It was true that I hadn’t heard from him yet. It made me wonder but I couldn’t speculate, not when it came to my best friend.

It didn’t take long to reach Marcus’ office. We could have used our speed to get here within seconds but what fun is that?

Before I could knock, a human servant, the same one from earlier, opened the door.

“Cole! And I see you brought Kaden as well,” Marcus bellowed. He tried to be the most powerful vampire in the room but that would never happen.

“Yes, he came over right as I was about to leave,” I said as we sat in the chairs in front of Marcus’ desk.

“You boys hungry?” he asked with a smile. It wasn’t really a question as the doors opened and two human girls were ushered in. The human boy nudged and pushed them forward.

One stood next to me, her brown hair falling over a rather short dress. You could tell she was in rough shape just by looking at her. The other one, with dirty blonde hair, stood next to Kaden.

Kaden had a very large appetite for fresh blood. However, I didn’t even have to mind link to tell him not to touch her.

“Thank you, but I just ate,” Kaden said casually.

I seize both girls by their wrists, steering them towards the door. “Escort them out,” I command the human boy with a stern tone.

Marcus pipes up, “What if I get hungry?”

“I didn’t come here to watch you feed,” I retort.

He simply grins, nodding at the servant. The three humans obediently exit the room.

“Now, I’ve summoned you here because I’ve been informed that a slave was released from the cells in my dungeon. My dungeon. Explain,” I demand.

“With pleasure. You see… that slave is my cousin Kaden’s property. She’s his pet,” I reply, crossing my leg over my knee with a smug air.

“You have evidence of this?” His teeth grind together. He knows I have proof. I never act without a plan or thorough consideration.

“Right here. These are her sales records from Martin at the Carrington District shop,” Kaden informs him, handing over the documents.

He scrutinizes them meticulously, likely searching for a date. Knowing that Raven was in the shop the same day I acquired Olivia, I had Martin record that date.

After a few minutes, he finally sets the papers down.

“Very well.”

***

Unknown

My palms are slick with sweat as I push open the door and step inside.

There, lounging on the sofa, is my master. He sits with an air of nonchalance, seemingly without a care in the world. Must be nice. I feel simultaneously free and enslaved.

“I’m done,” I blurt out.

They simply gaze up at me. Slowly, my master, my tormentor, rises to his feet. He tenderly strokes my face, looking into my eyes with a deceptive tenderness.

I close my eyes, savoring this rare moment of gentleness. I wish it could last, but I know it won’t. The soft hand that was caressing me is now wrapped around my throat.

My eyes snap open, meeting nothing but anger and hatred.

“You’re done when I say you are. Everything is almost set in place. Now that that pathetic human is dead—”

“She isn’t dead,” I manage to gasp out before I’m hurled to the ground.

“What do you mean she isn’t dead? Weren’t you ordered to drain her and leave her body for him to find?” They snarl down at me.

“He was searching for her. He was getting close. What if he found me? Please, let me go! He’s psychotic. If he discovers the truth, he won’t just kill me, he’ll torture me.”

“I won’t. Once she’s dead, then you may leave. Until then, you’re mine.”