His low chuckle, huskier now, brushed against her ear again. “It is a title of honor among our kind. You will learn in time, when you have grown accustomed to our ways.”
“I have no desire to grow accustomed to the ways of monsters!” she snarled, anger taking a front seat to fear. “Why did you lie to me? If... If you really are a monster, why try to... why trick me?”
What she wanted to ask was why he hadn’t just forced her instead of going through the scam of her “procedure,” but despite her anger, she didn’t think it wise to antagonize him too much. No one said he couldn’t change his mind.
He hummed in an amused tone. “Demons, Selma. We are demons, not monsters. I ringed you to ensure your cooperation once your mate’s won you at auction. I blinded you because it would have been easier to accept your fate if you didn’t realize what we were for a little while longer.
“You must understand, the Breeders who find their way to this place are as scared and convinced that their minds are damaged as you were. They are slowly introduced to life with us so that the transition is minimally traumatizing. Of course, it’s a little too late for you. I should have known you’d see the mark, but it’s been so long since I have been around a Pure Breeder.”
If he truly was trying to explain, he wasn’t doing a particularly good job.
“But why me?” It was the question she’d asked herself so many times over the years, oftentimes while huddled in her bed crying, only to be answered with silence.
“Ah, I cannot answer that, I’m afraid. All we know is that women who can see through our human disguises are biologically compatible with us. Since our own females are... shall we say, less compliant, we look for mates among your kind. It’s my job as a procurer to find these women and prepare them for their auction.
“And you, sweetheart… you’re a perfect specimen. You may still be too scared to appreciate it, but your sweet little cunt will bring the strongest demons across the world to their knees. They will come from far and wide for a chance to win you.”
The pride in his voice, as if she were a particularly precious pet, made her cringe. “Please... let go of me!”
“I will, if you promise to stay calm and not attempt anything stupid.” The demon gave her body a squeeze, a gentle reminder of how superior his strength was to hers.
“I promise.” As if she had any other option. No one had come when she’d screamed for help before, and she would not be able to make it to the door and out before he caught her.
Besides... as confusing and terrifying as this evening had turned out to be, a not-small part of her hungered for any answers he might possess. Answers she’d been too afraid to hope for all her life.
Marathin’s strong arms loosened their grasp and she quickly stepped away, spinning around so she could keep a watchful eye on him.
The lazy smile spreading over his face as he leaned against the wall told her that her mistrust was not particularly well-hidden.
She didn’t care.
“What are you going to do to me?” Selma stared into his coppery eyes and decadently handsome face, not bothering to keep the accusation out of her tone. “Are you just going to kidnap me from the hospital?”
He shook his head and folded his arms across his chest as he took in her stubborn, but frightened expression. “Missing girls lead to investigations, and it’s crucial that we keep a presence in as many mental institutions as possible; Breeders are often sent here by ignorant humans. You will remain in my care for the next ten days, and then I’ll sign off on your paperwork before transferring you to the governor’s house.”
She gaped at him. “You expect me to keep quiet and just go willingly?” Demon or not, he must be insane. The second she laid her eyes on another human being, she would be screaming for help. He expected her to keep up pretenses of everything being all right for an entire week? Well, he had another think coming!
Something shifted in his eyes—something dark. Selma shrunk back from his suddenly threatening aura, any rebellious thoughts evaporating as he stared her down.
“That is exactly what I expect, Selma. Did you hope to rouse the humans to the fact that demons walk among them? Do not be foolish; they locked you in here for that very reason. Now, play along nicely and I will make your time in my care very pleasant. Fight me, and you will regret it.”
7
Selma
“You promised not to hurt me!”
It was a silly thing to cling to—the word of a demon—but it was all she had as his dark presence grew, forcing her to accept his control over her.
The shadows in his eyes and around his body faded as he took in her shaking form. With a soft sigh he raised a hand and brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “My sweet, you will never need to fear for your personal safety; but I will not hesitate to silence any nosy humans, should you go running that pretty little mouth. Do you understand?”
Her eyes went round at the warning and she quickly nodded. Other people’s pain always made her ache to help—it was the reason she’d run after that girl to save her, dumb as it was—and the threat of being the cause of someone’s death…
No, she would have to find her own way out of this mess.
Which required knowledge.
“You keep saying I am meant for ‘a Lord.’ What are they? Demon royalty?” Her forehead furrowed at the thought of monsters having nobility.
