Pick a companion. Any companion.
I’d refused. Until now.
I wonder what Thomas would do to the vampire who made the companion I’d chosen after such hardship slip through my fingers. Would he torture him? Demote him?
The possibilities were endless. It was quite entertaining to consider.
Chadwick looked physically ill by this point.
I batted my eyelashes at the two men, wondering how long it would be before Chadwick caved. Ten seconds? Twenty?
Quiet fell as Thomas walked out of the crowd. “I’m sure there’s been a misunderstanding. Chadwick would be happy to renounce his claim on the human. Wouldn’t you, Chadwick?”
The predatory smile Thomas shot the other vampire made it clear he had no choice in the matter. Very bad things would happen to him if he continued to press.
He nodded. “Of course, Lord. I didn’t realize your yearling’s intentions. The other human will do just as well.”
Drake stepped forward, making his way quickly to the vampire’s side.
Thomas shot me a fond look. “There. You see, my dear. All is well.”
I’d feel a lot more satisfied about my victory if Thomas wasn’t acting so damn delighted.
Of course, he was. He was getting exactly what he wanted. Me, finally acting like a normal vampire and falling in with his plans.
For a second, I questioned my impulse to step forward.
If I didn’t know better, I would think this was a trap orchestrated by Thomas to force my hand. Only, I’d seen the surprise and unhappiness on his face at Dominick’s arrival. There was no way he’d planned this.
It was all me.
Feeling a little irritated at the situation, I raised an eyebrow at Deborah. “What do you say?”
As the person in question whose life was about to be upended, it was only right I ask her opinion.
She didn’t hesitate, nodding her head frantically. “I agree.”
I guess that settled it then.
“Wonderful.” Thomas looked pleased, clapping his hands. “To celebrate—both the establishment of your house and the choice of companion—I’d like to leave you with a small gift.”
Sienna glided forward to hand me an envelope.
“A house,” Thomas announced without giving me the chance to open it. “I know you’ve been looking. This is perfect for your current and future needs.”
I glared.
Please tell me this wasn’t a deed.
“I hope you like it,” he said with a cunning smile. “We can always tear it down and build a new home if you don’t.”
Son of a bitch.
I’d said no so many times already. With Thomas, there were always strings. You might not see them at first, but somehow, they always got wrapped around you in the end.
I moved my glare to Liam, hoping for help from that quarter. I didn’t find any. My lover was unmoved by my plight, amused instead as he quirked his eyebrow at me.
The traitor.
