Page 113 of No One’s Daughter

“Is this a trick?” I whispered, ignoring Davien.

“No. I—I wouldn’t have. I mean I would have never agreed to this if I had known it was you.”

“You’re a vampire… one of them,” I said, trying to cover the tremble in my voice. I was already so on edge, I couldn’t cope with this.

Davien cursed under his breath, putting two and two together. “Him? Seriously?”

“I don’t even know his name,” I rebuffed.

“Leon, by the way,” he interjected smoothly, cutting through the tension before it could snap. “I’ll be your escort tonight,” he said in a strange tone, fake, louder, detached. Like he was performing for an audience I couldn't see.

Then he shot Davien a glare that sent shivers down my spine. But what scared me more was that Davien instantly straightened his spine and plastered an equally cold expression back onto his face. And that alone told me that this conversation wasn’t private, and that I needed to watch my words.

“Like fuck you are,” Davien said, his tone thick with rage. But somehow I knew he was continuing the play Leon had started. They had to keep up appearances.

“She’ll be safe with me, dickhead,” Leon returned, rolling his shoulders with lazy confidence.

Davien scoffed, folding his arms across his chest, puffing himself up like he was ready to tear Leon apart there and then.

I looked between the men—or vampires—and their pissing contest, irritation bubbling beneath my skin. This was all I needed.

“Where is my sister?” I cut in, my voice sharper than I intended, slicing straight through their act, choosing to ignore everything else my gut was feeling.

Leon’s attention shifted to me, his expression flickering with confusion.

“My sister,” I pressed. “She’s the only reason I’m here.”

Not technically true. I mean, I was here because I’d been kidnapped, beaten and then dressed up like a doll, but that didn’t sound as good in my mind. I told myself that the only reason I hadn’t resisted and fought was because I needed to get Claire to safety first. Something I’d miserably failed at thus far. No one had told me anything about her whereabouts despite my constant asking, and the pit in my stomach was growing minute by minute.

Leon scratched the back of his head nonchalantly, “Sorry, sweetheart, I don’t know anything about that.”

I eyed him, unsure if he was telling the truth or if he felt like he couldn’t be truthful.

​Before I could push further, we were being ushered out of the building and into a vehicle.

​A car ride passed in strained silence, Leon in the driver’s seat while Davien and I sat in the back. No one spoke. No one dared.

​When we finally pulled up, Leon stepped out first, rounding the car to open my door like some well-trained gentleman.

​But the moment he disappeared from view the door lock slammed down. Davien’s hand had shot to the central locking button, sealing us in.

“We only have a few seconds. He’s a true born. A dick. But he’s just misguided and decent at heart. But be careful, he doesn’t know about you know what, and he’s not a part of it.”

My pulse quickened.

“Don’t trust anyone,” he added, softer now but not less firm. “Don’t let your guard down.”

He unlocked the door just in time for Leon to open my side and offer me his hand. I took it and stepped out onto a gravelled path, the cool night air brushing against my skin.

A huge manor loomed ahead like something torn from a gothic nightmare—vast and imposing, aged stone covered in crawling ivy. A sweeping driveway curved toward grand double doors, flanked by towering columns.

It was magnificent.

Beautiful.

And utterly suffocating.

“Welcome to Eilidh Manor, sweetheart.”