The piercing wail of old hinges rings in my ears as the door flies open. Henri, still dressed in his gray suit and gloves, stands there, eyes hooded and expression bored. But when his gaze finds me, a grin curls his lips.
Slowly, methodically, he pulls off each glove as he crosses the room, but instead of coming towards me, he strolls behind the desk. I follow his every move, my heart beating erratically in my chest.
“Haven, it’s normally polite to greet a person when they enter a room,” he says, hovering near the window.
I grit my teeth. I hate when he speaks to me like I’m some kind of savage and know nothing of manners. “But you are hardly a person.”
He tucks his gloves into the inner pocket of his jacket,still seeming indifferent. His dark gaze drifts out the window. “You missed a delightful party. You would have enjoyed yourself if you’d stayed.”
“I promise you, I wouldn’t have.”
He moves too quickly for me to see, a smear of colors. In the next second, he stands before me, his sickening smile fully on display. I jump, the back of my legs hitting the desk.
“We had an agreement,” he starts, his tone dropping to a low rumble. “I’d spare that pathetic human’s life if you stayed.”
I swallow to regain my nerve. “That pathetic human is my father,” I reply, but even I can hear the quiver in my voice.
His head tilts as his gaze sweeps over me. “Why can’t you just admit your true feelings for me? Why all these games, Haven?” He frowns, almost pouts, and I’m not sure if his disappointment is sincere or he’s mimicking what he thinks the emotion should be. One thing’s for certain though—his man has lost his mind.
“Tell me you love me,” he purrs.
I bark a laugh. “Idespiseyou.”
His icy hand shoots out and snatches my wrist, making the rope wound burn again. A whimper escapes as he jerks it to the side, yanking my entire body with it.
“You belong to me, you little wench. I’m tired of your lies and this chasing game,” he snaps. “You will give yourself to me. Youwilllove me.”
“You’re mad!”
His pupils grow, swallowing his irises until blacknessis all that stares back at me. When he speaks again, his fangs flash.
“I have given you everything,” he says. “Exquisite jewels, beautiful gowns, everything. And this is how you repay me? By running off when I turn my back?”
“I never asked for any of it.” I lean against the desk, desperate to get farther away from him.
“I won’t have such ungratefulness.”
When my hand moves farther back on the desk, it meets something cool and smooth. Glancing down, I see a glimmer of silver. A letter opener. Thinking fast, my fingers wrap around it the same time Henri lunges for me. His hand snatches the neck of my nightgown, tearing the fabric.
I hold my breath and swing my weapon with all my might.
Henri staggers backward, hissing, and I know instantly that I’ve made contact.
“You bitch!” He clutches his cheek, but blood leaks between his fingers.
I feel the sting of his slap before I realize what’s happened. The pain is so sharp and sudden, I stumble from the desk and fall onto my knees. Colors dance before my eyes, and my jaw aches terribly. Is that coppery taste in my mouth blood?
“How dare you!” he yells.
I rub the throbbing spot on my face and wince. Tears spring up in my eyes, but I force them back, refusing to show this monster any more weakness.
A strike of lightning ignites the room in violet, and in the flash, I notice the thin, silver letter opener not too faraway. I reach for it again, but before I can grab it, he grabs a fistful of my hair and hauls me to my feet. Something cool touches my neck, and I freeze. Henri’s holding the letter opener now with the tip pressing against my throat.
Heart in my throat, I don’t dare move, don’t blink, don’t breathe. With just a little more pressure, he can kill me. And he’s crazy enough to do it.
This close to him, I watch as the gash across his cheek knits together and closes until nothing is left but perfect pale skin. I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
“What are you?” I gasp.
