Page 106 of No One’s Daughter

I couldn’t get a read on this guy. “Hope you’re not expecting my thanks.”

His smile spread slowly, stretching wide enough to reveal his fangs. It transformed his face completely—what might have been considered handsome to some, turned dangerous and unsettling.

“Would you be that easily pleased?” he mused, tilting his head slightly. “I should certainly hope not.”

His gaze dragged over me. Slow and assessing,

​I was suddenly painfully aware of how I must look.

​My clothes were torn and filthy, smeared with dirt and blood that had long since dried into stiff patches against the fabric. My hair hung in tangled, damp strands around my face, sticking where it has matted with sweat and grime. Bruises bloomed dark and ugly beneath my skin—whatever cuffs they’d put on me stopped all forms of magic working, including the healing properties of vampiric blood. There was a split at my lip, the metallic taste of it still lingering, and I knew I must have stank.

​And yet, the way he was looking at me, didn’t match. If I didn’t know any better I would have guessed he wasn’t happy to see me beaten, which was odd given that he was the reason for my capture in the first place.

​I frowned faintly, unease creeping up my spine.

“Where’s Davien?” I asked, breaking the silence before it could stretch any further, before that look of his could burrow any deeper under my skin.

His eyes flicked back to mine, but he didn’t answer.

He raised a hand and I flinched, my muscles tensing in preparation for the next blow. A blow that never came. Instead, I looked up to see his smile had dropped, replaced with something else completely. Pity? Disgust? No… anger?

“A woman of your blood shouldn’t be treated like this.”

What? A woman of my blood? What the fuck was that supposed to mean? Why did everyone constantly talk in half-truths and riddles?

“You really are ignorant to everything you are, aren’t you?”

I just looked at him puzzled. What was I supposed to say to that? I was no one.

He just stood there, huge wings at his back, unflinching. Watching me. I couldn’t take the weight of his glare anymore. “Just get this over with.”

“I don’t need to tarnish you to get the answers I want.”

What the fuck does that mean? I wish these simpletons would understand that I have no answers. In fact, I’d love some myself.

A smile appeared back on his face then, “I’m sure you’ll find them in time. About that I have no doubt. You will be great.”

I tried not to let the shock show on my face, but it was quite clear he was reading my mind. Are you?

“Yes.”

I swallowed hard. “And did you find what you wanted?”

“Sadly not,” he said, lifting his hand once more, this time allowing it to make contact with my cheek. His touch was surprisingly gentle and almost comforting. “I can take the pain away, if you allow.”

Now you ask my permission? I almost laughed.

“I think, if you remember correctly, you’ll find I never laid a hand on you.”

No, you just brought me here, listened as they did as they wanted and then invaded my mind.

“I like you,” he said, ignoring my thoughts. “I look forward to watching you rise.”

Then he bit into his own wrist like a psycho and before I could protest, he pushed it against my lips. “Drink, darling,” he commanded, and all freewill was taken from me as I did as I was told and drank his blood.

It was without a doubt the best I’d ever had. It was rich, and alive with magic.

I drank and drank, I’d happily drain him entirely given the opportunity.