“An interesting proposition,” the vampire’s posh accent drawled. “What would you be promising?”
“Nothing!” Robin’s shout made my heart seize. “Take me. She won’t come back, I promise!” Hysteria seeped into his voice.
It appeared he feared a blood oath with a vampire even more than death. I totally agreed. At that very moment, fear arrowed through my heart, making it hard to breathe. But I couldn’t let that show . . . not now, not when I was so close.
“I’m a grown woman, Robin. You can’t stop me,” I said.
“Yes, she is, and apparently a newly formidable one at that.” Sherwood moved to stand in front of me. “Now, as you were saying, Marian. What would you promise me in return for your life?”
“Like I said, I’ll give you what you’ve always wanted. If you spare me, I’ll work in your whorehouse.”
Sherwood’s eyes gleamed. “How can I know that you won’t run off?”
“If I ran off, you’d be able to track me down pretty easily. That’s how blood oaths work, isn’t it?”
The vampire’s lips twitched. “Yes, that’s how they work.”
He turned and began pacing again.
“And you, Robin? What would you give me in exchange for your life?” Sherwood’s eyes snapped to Robin, who puffed his chest, no doubt preparing to tell Sherwood off. But then the vampire’s eyes trailed over Munchie and Will. “And theirs, too.”
The guys had been silent, which was normal for Will, but not for Munchie. They were probably too terrified to speak.
“Robin, you can’t condemn the others to death,” I whispered.
Robin’s eyes met mine. There were unshed tears there, which made my heart break. He was trying to be strong to save me. This wasn’t how he’d wanted things to go, and I wished more than anything that I could tell him I had a plan.
Now that I faced losing him—losing him forever—I could think of nothing worse. If we got out of here, I’d listen. I’d learn about the man he’d become and not who I thought he was.
I’d forgive him and pray that he’d forgive me for how I’d acted too.
“You should make the oath too,” I urged. “It’s what a good leader would do.”
“And I’ll always have use for a man of your talents,” Sherwood added, as though this were a business deal.
Robin’s eyes latched onto Sherwood, and for a moment, I was terrified that he’d deny the vampire. Will and Munchie shifted from side to side. Seconds ticked by, and the tension in the room thickened. My blood pounded in my ears, louder than any other sound.
Finally, Robin’s shoulders slumped, his head lowered in defeat. “Fine. If you leteveryonein this room live, I’ll take the oath and work for you.”
My heart leapt. We had a chance. Even if Robin had to be bound—hopefully, it wouldn’t be for long.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a deal!” Sherwood clapped his hands together, and anticipation bloomed inside me. He wanted me to make the oath first. Even better. Perhaps Robin wouldn’t have to be bound at all. “Let’s get to making them. Ladies first.”
“Do you know how these are performed?” Sherwood asked as he came to stand directly before me.
I shook my head. I’d heard of blood oaths, and the results of the oaths, but had never seen one done.
“I’ll bite open my arm, and you’ll slice yours open. Then we’ll allow our blood to drip into the other’s wound and speak our promises. You are relinquishing your freedom for your life. I will take care of you, and I vow not to murder anyone in this room. Are we clear?”
“Yes.” I said, my voice trembling. I had seconds to make this work. I placed one hand over my heart so it would be closer to the necklace.
Sherwood noticed, and his face softened, taking the gesture to mean I was nervous. “I promise I will not be cruel. But Iwillbe fair and serve punishments should they be warranted.”
“I understand,” I said.
The vampire pulled a dagger from his boot. “It’s not silver,” he assured me, handing it over.
I took it, the weapon trembling in my hand. Beneath my other palm, the outline of the arrow burned my skin. The dagger might be sharper, but I didn’t think I was strong or fast enough to decapitate Sherwood with it. The silver arrow was our only hope.
