Knox’s words hung inthe air long after he left. Despite his bravado, worry flickered across his face for a split second when he mentioned someone would kill me if they found out I was his mate. I won’t be able to avenge anyone if I’m dead. So I decided to take his advice. I will give him what he wants and play the brain-dead Familiar he needs me to be.
Nothing and no one will stand in the way of me finding my mother’s killer and exposing every single vampire here for the monsters they are. I’m in full undercover slayer mode now.
The skirt of my oversized emerald green dress brushes both walls on each side of me, the taffeta fabric soft against my skin. I walk quickly through the hotel corridor, alone, searching for the dining room. Of course, Knox didn’t tell me where it actually was. Probably another tactic to piss me off. He likes games—which honestly thrills me more than troubles me.
I wander on and on through the dimly lit halls. Each time I round a corner, I’m met with the same hallway I had just walked down. It’s not until the third time I pass the painting of a haughty-looking woman that I actually realize I’m not getting anywhere.
I try not to let my frustrations rule me as I stop and lean against the wall opposite of the painting. I take a few deep breaths in the stillness. When I open my eyes, a door appears in the same spot as the painting.
I turn the handle and push a little harder than I intended. It ricochets off the wall behind it, the thud piercing the silence.
“I love a dramatic entrance as much as the next person, but try not to leave a path of destruction in your wake.” Knox’s deep voice vibrates through me, sending goosebumps up my arms.
“I thought this was a group welcome dinner. Where is everyone else?” I ask, closing the door slowly.
“I postponed it until tomorrow. After our conversation earlier, I thought we should get to know each other better first.”
I nod and try not to look disappointed.
The dining room is smaller than I imagined, almost intimate. A fireplace with a great, roaring fire is embedded into the exposed brick wall in the center of the room. The soft amber glow illuminates the left side of his face, making his bone structure fiercer and more prominent.
He is quite beautiful in this light. Everything about him lures me in.
The perfect predator.
His lips quirks to the side in a devastating half-smile while his eyes devour every inch of me.
My body ignites at his lustful leering.
“Sit.”
The chair closest to him moves out from beneath the table, which I notice is only set for one. I guess I’m about to find out exactly what he eats.
The thought brings a new fear swimming to the surface as I remember how I got here in the first place. Kidnapped by vampires, held against my will in some unknown realm. And yet, the bond between us hums in delight. As if I’mmeantto be here. I attempt to ignore it, failing miserably.
“I’m not a dog,” I bite back, staying rooted to the spot.
He tilts his head to the side. The tension between us simmers delightfully.
“No, you’re right. Mongrels have better manners than you.” He sighs, a bored expression stealing away his amusement. “If you won’t sit, then I’ll make you. I usually don’t make a habit of compelling people, but for you, I’ll gladly make an exception.”
Compelling people? My brows knit together right before his eyes swirl into a whirlpool of deep, shimmering red.
“Sit.”
His voice echoes in my head, a soft caress against my skull as the rest of my body eagerly responds.
My feet move, but I don’t tell them to. I remind myself that despite the fact Knox is utterly gorgeous, I need to put a thousand miles between us, if only I could break free. He doesn’t release his hold on my mind until my ass is planted firmly in the ornate wooden chair. I slump forward, bracing my arms against the table while I wait for a lingering wave of nausea to disappear.
“I thought you’d have more control over your mind, given how stubborn you are. Quite disappointing.”
I focus on the fancy plate in front of me, bone white with shiny golden rims. It looks brand new, like it’s never been used.
“What was that?” I ask, a little breathless.
“I compelled you to fulfill my desire. I did warn you.” I hear him click his fingers and the door opens instantly.
“You had no right,” I mutter, my body still suffering through the aftereffects.
