Please, come and bring Papa and Beau with you as well. I miss you all so dearly.
With Love,
Cecilia
N
Ten
“Eventful day, Little Dove,” Silas remarked, head resting on his hand. He smirked, taking occasional sips from his wine, glass filled with blood of a presumed innocent, his plate empty despite the feast on the table.
Disgust filled me.
Forcing a smile, I said, “You could say that.”
I sliced into the lamb cutlet, forcing my face to remain stoic despite how glorious the food tasted. Even Eden had its darkness, whereas the devil appeared as a snake. Mine was a cunning demon with the looks of a man.
“You never told me that there was a town. Am I to assume that I am to be restricted to the castle grounds?” I remarked.
“No, you are not restricted to the castle. However, I’d be careful in the company you keep there. Many of them do not take kindly to strangers.”
“Or murderers,” I muttered before taking a bite and relishing the taste. “They say you prey upon the town, gorging on blood and plaguing them with death after death. Quite the story, don’t you think?”
Silas cocked his head, sharp features defined under the low candlelight. Shadows played across his cheek, dancing upon his masks, gold eyes narrowed. “Is that so?”
I pointed my fork at him. “They were even so bold to name you as the Death Incarnate. Imagine that. It’s curious, though, they consider you a plague on their town, considering you as a disease rather than a killer.” I envisioned my fork stabbing into his flesh just as my statements crawled under his skin.
Silas sipped, twisting his lips into a scowl, and stretched his glass out. Ebony floated by with a pitcher, filling it with the dark elixir. “Aren’t you curious as to why you cannot leave on any of the roads besides the castle and the town?” I placed my fork down. “You must be curious, and I imagine you aredyingto know.”
He enunciated death as if in delight at the suffering he causes in others.
“The thought has crossed my mind.” I sipped my wine, appearing disinterested. I was curious about the mystery behind the fog and even to the fact that all the roads lead back to the castle. That was a fact. If I am to leave this place with my life intact. “I imagine you did not want your little pet to go so soon, huh.Seeing as your blood supply is dwindling, you have resorted to kidnap—”
He disappeared from the other end of the table, and the cold touch of death whispered across my neck.
I didn’t move, aware of fingers caressing the soft skin, brushing dark strands away. I shuddered, willing my body to move to no avail as his breath tickled my ear. “I could’ve tasted you long before now. But I haven’t. Why do you think that is?”
My heart pounded against my rib cage, thumping louder as Silas traced his finger against my neck. I elected for silence, pursing my lips together, and bit the inside of my cheek as his mouth lowered to my ear.
“The only reason I haven’t has been out of kindness and respect. Do you wish to test me? Because I could always...”
Silas’s voice was so hypnotic and deep I didn’t realize I was yielding my neck to him until his smile brushed my skin.
I fluttered my eyes closed, groping the tablecloth to the cool metal. I waited for the burning pain, for his lips to spill my blood. Silas tenderly kissed the soft spot. Goose bumps raised along my skin. I should’ve been disgusted. I should not have wanted to touch him. I resisted the urge to weave my fingers through soft strands and let his lips part to sink into my flesh.
I brought the knife to his chest, throwing my entire weight into stabbing it in. Blood bloomed on his white blouse, Silas staggering back, clutching the knife. Long white strands fell gracefully across hisface as he peered down at the blade. “So, it seems my wife has a habit of stabbing her husband.”
Silas threw it aside, the clattering coming to a stop out of reach.
“I am notyourwife,” I snarled.
Silas slammed me against the wall, hand wrapped around my wrist, his other at my waist. He hovered over my neck, bloodlust flickering behind his mask. “The ring on your hand says otherwise.”
I pushed Silas away.
Truly diabolic—I kept my itching hand at my side, as slapping the vampire would not be the way to go. Body flushed head to toe, embarrassment surged through me.
As I clenched my teeth together, I gritted out, “I’m going to bed.” I stormed out of the dining room, heels stomping against the tile.
