“I am sure the Sire will understand. Maybe he will give her to me as a reward if I slay you now.”
“She does not enjoy the company of men,” I said plainly. “She is a bit of an invert, quite Bostonian. You will not find as much joy in the conquest as you may think.”
“Ah, here I thought you didn’t visit your youngest sibling, as you couldn’t see the gem by her side this whole time.”
“That is not true. I know my sister well. She is just often alone.”
“You thought your sister did not have friends?”
“I knew she had one friend.” I sighed. “It took my sister years to quit the habit of meddling in her friend’s love life. They are more alike than they care to admit. I did not know that Alina wasthefriend until after.”
“All I heard is that you and your sister have the same taste in women.”
I rolled my eyes at him and walked away. There was no point in allowing him to taunt me. He was only there to instigate, banking on some sort of conflict so he had an excuse to gut me. I had a new plan to get out of this mess, one that I coulduse Luka for.
50
THE POISONER
The routine was so rigid that it made it hard to tell the days apart.
Was it a week later or a few days? The only distinguishing part was the menu. Everything else was wash, rinse, repeat.
They still limited me to the second floor. Sometimes I would hear people downstairs. Sounds of celebration, storytelling, drinking, eating, dancing, music, everything.
This must be how bears felt in hibernation. Every day was bland and covered in white, with nothing to tell the days apart. The only thing to do was sleep.
They did not allow me any objects. Nothing to comfort me. I was just waiting for my next guest, though it was rare that I had visitors. It was like a lethal game of chance. Would I get Phoebe, the maids, or one of the two creatures that tormented me?
As I lay curled in the middle of the bed, the night was like any other. Quiet, drifting through my thoughts and dreams until they bled into one another. Every once in a while, I would have dreams that I’d escaped, running across that elongated field, thewind whipping my hair against my face and my legs taking over for me as I fled to freedom.
Then I awoke, cried, and slept again. This happened many nights.
Amid my slumber, the bed dipped on one side, then the other.
Hands, one set—no, two.
As I lay on my side, two bodies pressed me between them.
I could feel lips against mine, soft and familiar. I kissed him lightly, knowing that it would be Silas. He was so real, so warm against me. His fingertips left hot trails across my skin that made me shiver.
The body behind me could be none other than Luka. The soft curls of his hair tickled my neck as he left kisses across my skin, letting his bottom lip drag as he moved to my shoulder.
Could this be a dream? Must my mind play tricks on me to pass the time?
Silas moved from my lips down to my breasts, gently taking my nipple between his teeth before wrapping his lips around it. Electricity shot through me when he nipped at me.
Luka’s hands wrapped around my waist.
In that moment, Silas hissed at Luka.
My eyes snapped open. This was no dream.
Their touches were becoming rougher and more possessive as the moments passed. It was like they were both playing a game of territory, and I was stuck in the middle, their hands marking what was theirs.
“Stop—” I barely got the word out in a whisper before Luka sank his fangs into my shoulder.
The pain was like no other. It was like he did not possess the venom necessary for numbing or did not care to use it. Knowing the sadist he was, it was most likelythe latter.
