He gives me a firm nod. “If you need me, I’ll be in the chapel, praying she can win.”
I watch him stride toward the palace, and then I break into shadow and race toward Marabella’s.
32
Confessions of a Blood Whore
ELOISE
“Three months? You knew. Somehow you knew what I was here to do.” I point an accusing finger at Marabella, my eyes stinging with tears.
She shakes her head. “I didn’t know the specifics. I certainly didn’t know you were Damien’s mate! Congratulations on landing that fish by the way, and you’d best know you haven’t made any female friends today.” She winks at me.
I wipe beneath my eyes, my face feeling swollen. “Why three months if you didn’t know?”
“Because, Eloise, no one who looks like you with blood like yours sells themselves to a blood brothel without an ulterior motive. All I needed to know was that you were obsessed with the palace and I suspected you were up to something with someone of means. If I’m going to lose you, I’m going to have three months of top earnings for my trouble.”
I follow her up the steps and back into Marabella’s, through a packed waiting room. I feel a dozen eyes track me through the room. “Please,” I say as she lets me back into my room, “Just Damien. He’ll pay you anything you want. I’m sure he will.”
She sighs. “Look, I like Damien. He was once a very good customer. I’m sure he’ll be visiting me with an offer very soon. But you have three slots a week to fill, honey, and he only needs one of them.”
I shake my head. “I won’t do it.”
She comes into my room and closes the door behind her. “Have you bothered to stop and consider that I’m doing you a favor?”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
She tips her head. “I sent you the best of the best, Eloise. Marcel—the commander of the guard—if he gives the word, the entire army will bow down to you. Everald—a vampire so wealthy he controls the marketplace. He can get you any weapon, anything you need. And George—did he tell you he’s the master of the Liberty coven? They were forced into this hive because they didn’t have the numbers to fight her, but he’s no fan of Valeska’s, I’ll tell you that.”
“So, what, are you trying to tell me you sent me those vampires out of the goodness of your heart?”
She scoffs. “Certainly not. I did it for money like I do everything.” She says it flippantly, and I get the strongest sensation that she’s… lying. But why would she? “I’m just trying to help you see what’s right in front of you. These are powerful men, Eloise. Powerful allies to have in your corner. And they are bonded to that strange and luscious blood of yours. You should be thanking me for holding you to this contract. It gives you an excuse to maintain those connections. They just might prove useful.”
“I’m mated to Damien. He will never allow another to feed from me.”
She narrows her eyes and approaches me. “Then it’s up to you to convince him he must.”
I roll my eyes in frustration.
“You haven’t been in Night Haven long, so let me tell you how this will work. In three days’ time, you will meet Valeska in that silo, and all the elites of Night Haven will gather to watch. They’ll take bets. They’ll cheer you on. Do you seriously want everyone in that room betting on Valeska? Or would you rather have some of the most powerful vampires in her coven cheering your name?”
I’m speechless. I never thought of any of this, and a deep pit in my stomach tells me she’s right. Marabella isn’t my friend, but she does have an interest in keeping me alive. I suddenly realize how valuable that is. I give her a silent nod.
Our eyes meet and hold for a few long moments. She leaves, and the lock clicks into place behind her. I throw myself onto the bed, burying my face in the nest of my arms as the tears flow. The way Damien looked at me, like I’d betrayed him by donating my blood to a vampire, tells me everything I need to know. He was so concerned with me forgiving him for telling Valeska my name. Who knows what else he did with her under her influence? I forgave him instantly. I understood it wasn’t his fault. But when it was time for him to forgive me, to understand what I had to do to save him…
My heart aches as if it’s tearing down the middle. What if I win Damien only to find out he can’t look at me? Can’t forgive me? What if he hates me?
I inhale sharply when I feel a hand stroke down my spine. I lunge away from the touch. Has Marabella given someone my key so soon?
But it’s Damien’s hand that reaches toward me. Damien who sits on the side of my bed. I’m not sure how I can possibly have any more tears to cry, but I do, sliding my hand into his and allowing him to pull me into his lap. He rocks me gently, holding me firm as I fall to pieces in his arms. My monster. My shadow. My mate.
“She can refuse to allow me to pay your debts, but she can’t stop me from using the shadows to be with you,” he says softly.
“I thought you were angry. I thought you couldn’t stand what I’d done.”
Damien’s expression sobers. “As I thought you would detest what I had done in your absence, how I’d taken Valeska’s blood, allowed her to touch me, bent to her will and betrayed your name. You should hate me, little bird. I would not blame you for shrinking from my touch.” His voice is barely a rumble but carries so much emotion. Shame. Anger. Frustration. Grit.
“You had no control over any of it, Damien. I saw the way she tortured you. You would’ve died?—”
