He looks at me dispassionately, and there are two of those damn bars in his hand, like they’re mocking me. Likehe’smocking me. Even though I just ate, I curse how my mouth waters at the sight of them.
I’m not his fucking pet.
“A game?” he asks.
I narrow my eyes. “You know what I mean.”
He crouches in front of me. “Enlighten me. Please.”
“Are you controlling me right now? With your power?”
His gaze shifts over me. “That’s not how it works.”
“Then how does it work?”
“Eat,” he says, handing the bars to me.
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m full.”
“You feel full because you ate the most potent of our bars. Eat these. You’re still hungry. The black bars are the closest to feeding. These are what we have for snacks and emergencies.”
Glancing at them, I notice these protein bars are wrapped in red with black writing instead. I eye him suspiciously.
“They’re not poison, Monty. You wanted me to feed you. Eat.”
Bitterness rises like bile, but I swallow it down.
“Where’s my friend?” I ask for what feels like the millionth time. “Kayla Evans?”
“I don’t know.”
His hesitation’s so brief, and yet it stands out bright like a beacon. I want to push for the truth, a real answer, but I don’t. Whatever the answer is, he won’t tell me. Besides, I can’t do a thing with it right now. And if she really is dead, then I’ll never forgive him. I’ll find a way to destroy him and take down VMR. Somehow.
“But,” he adds, “I’m looking into it. As I told you before. Now eat.”
With that, he rises and leaves, making me want to hurl the bars at the door.
Inside me, the monster prowls, but to get out, to be the victor, it needs to do my bidding, so I eat the bars.
I couldn’t say how long I remain in here after Lucian’s visit, but when the door opens again, I’m standing, stronger than before, more centered.
It’s not Lucian.
It’s Vittoria. She’s in black, too, which makes her red hair stand out even more.
I scoff. “Great. Lucian sent his lap dog to bother me now? Pathetic.”
Vittoria flies across the room in a blurring rush of speed. Her hand fists in my shirt, and I hit the wall. Colors dance before my vision from the impact. She lifts me, feet dangling in the air, and I try to fight her, to peel her fingers away from the center of my chest where the bullet wound still stings, but she’s stronger.
She fixes a vicious glare on me. “I’m no one’sdog.”
“His go-fer, then.”
She shakes me violently, and the world spins. “Like you, Lucian is my maker, but don’t be fooled. I’ve always had the ability to leave him if I wanted to. IchooseLucian. And you? I think he’s a fucking idiot. All that blonde hair and curls. The big sweet blue eyes. Those things might entice him. But they do nothing for me.”
“Put me down,” I snarl. “Or you’ll regret it.”
She only laughs. “He should have let you die. He wasted the gift on you.” Vittoria sets me on the ground, but she still doesn’t let go. “Hurt Lucian, or even attempt to, and I’ll kill you.For good.”
