Page 245 of Vameer

He’s… massive.

My teeth start to chatter as I try to get away.

“You think getting closer to the druid is the safer option, Johnstone?”

Druid?

I glance over my shoulder.

The other man is close. Too close.

My mouth opens and closes.

What the fuck is a druid?

He lifts his hand, palm up, near his face.

“Boo.” He blows, and sparks of glowing gold fly toward my face.

I stumble away from him, my feet shuffling backward, until I bump into the back of the couch.

Trapped.

“Wh-what do y-you want?” I hate how my voice cracks.

Vameer stops in front of me, an arm’s length away.

He sighs. “I want people to take me seriously, Johnstone.” Black smoke rises up around him. “I want people to understand that my threats are real.”

I nod frantically. “I g-get it. I can help you. They’ll b-believe me.”

“Yes. I believe you will help people to understand,” Vameer says casually.

My next breath is a little more even.

Then a low growl fills the house as Vameer leans closer. “Your death will help them to understand.”

I reach out to push him away.

I need him to get away.

But smoke wraps around my wrists. And my legs. And I can’t move.

“Did you know, Druid, that a vampire’s bite is usually painless?”

I struggle, but the binds around me just get tighter.

“I did not know that.” The druid steps closer.

Vameer nods. “For our mates, our bites are… pleasurable. But I think I figured out what our venom is for.” Vameer leans so close to me I can feel his exhale on my skin.

“Oh? What’s that?”

Vameer smiles. “Making it hurt.”

Something drips from his mouth. Pain explodes against my hand.

Then the vampire lunges.