Page 17 of The Vampire’s Prey

Her breathing stops for a moment, and her whole body tenses. Looking up, I see fear back in her eyes.

“Is it your neck? Do I need to leave that area alone?”

She nods rapidly. Anger and fear churn in my stomach. Something or someone has made her afraid. If I find the bastard that’s harmed her, they will never see another sunrise. Evangeline’s quick intake of breath brings me back into the moment. Her small frame is crammed as far back into the chair as she can go. A faint acridity of fear taints the air, and I realize I must be looking every inch the monster.

Forcing myself to release the tension in my face and hands, I plaster on an easy smile, hoping to lure her back into a state of ease with me. One moment passes then another. Finally, her own tension lets up just a touch. Releasing her hair, I smile and run my thumb along her bottom lip.

“That’s fine, love. I will not touch your neck.”

“Just your lips. You can touch it with your hands if you want, sir.”

She looks down at her feet, the blush returning to her cheeks.

“Oh, I’m allowed to touch with my hands, am I?”

It’s so easy to slide back into a state of banter with her. She almost makes it too easy. I slide my palm up the front of her throat before slowly curling my fingers around her neck.

“Like this?”

She doesn’t answer. I look down to see her eyes close and a smile curling up her lips. She looks so beautiful and serene. However, she still has punishments in store, and who am I to deny her the right to repent? Pulling away, I ease her off of the stool.

“Are you ready for the rest of your punishment?”

Her large eyes blink up at me. “But didn’t I just get it?”

“What, the spanking? No, no my dear. That was its own separate punishment for mouthing off. I’m referring to the one I promised you earlier. However, I’ll make another deal with you. Receive your punishment without a fuss, and I won’t call Tiberius back in here.”

She ponders for a moment. My little brat is cooking something up in that brain of hers, I can tell.

“Yes sir. I’ll submit to my punishment with honor and dignity.”

My heart swells with pride. Maybe it isn’t a lost cause after all. I will not allow myself to think that I’ve won. That will make me lazy and complacent. Instead, I will view this as winning a skirmish and not the war. Turning her around, I quickly undo the rope and slide it back into my pocket before massaging her wrists and turning her back around.

“In that case, strip.”

Even as the words leave my mouth, I can feel my possessiveness rearing forward. It’s a dilemma of my own making. Before, I cared nothing about this morsel, but now, the thought of sharing her delights with the rest of the club has me edgy.

I can’t give in though. From what little I’ve seen from her, she’s a proud woman. The only way to fully break her and bend her to my will is to have her stripped of all pride and dignity. I watch her closely. I see the war that’s raging inside her. This is the right move. I can feel it.

Sliding my hands into my pockets, I feel the bracelet against my fingers. She’s obviously very religious. What better way to free her than to literally and figuratively strip her of her inhibitions. They do her no good and will only stand in her way. I want her free to explore herself. It would be selfish of me to do otherwise.

“We can stop this right here, right now. I won’t even call Tiberius on you. Will you trust me though?” She looks behind her to the door. One more carrot to dangle in front of her. “The only way you’re seeing what’s down there is with me. And the only way I’m taking you down there is if you actually obey me without a fuss. I will not allow the naughty behavior you exhibited to go on down there. I will not hesitate to immediately correct you if you disobey.”

“I have to strip, sir?”

“Yes, my pet. The only way to heaven is through hell. Consider this part one of your penance. Down here, I am your god, and I fully intend to have you worshiping me before the night is through. Will you go through hell for me?” I see her looking back at the door. “Let me clarify. If you want through that door, you will beg me to take you there. Pray to your God and see if he will answer.”

* * *

Evangeline

Sacrilege. Pure and simple. This is most certainly my test, and yet, I somehow already know I’m going to fail. Why has God forsaken me? Why am I made to carry such a hard burden alone? My pounding heart fills my ears with a steady, fast beat. I can feel the blood pulsing through my body.

What do I do? The man before me is a vampire. A cold-blooded killer. I know this; yet, I can’t seem to control my body. Breathe. Just breathe. Goosebumps explode over my skin as his hands skim up my arms.

I look up at him, his gaze fixated onto me. I know what he wants. I know what I want. How can I make both come true? I turn again to look at the door. This is the one obstacle that separates me from becoming part of The Family. Can I truly give myself to this thing? What would Father say? Would I ever find forgiveness from not only God but myself as well?

This is truly the conundrum. In order for me to serve, I have to intermingle with his kind. But by doing so, I damn myself for all eternity. Does God actually forgive sins done in His name? Snorting in my mind, I know sleeping with him is certainly for me and no one else.