Page 121 of Plug and Tame

She froze on the spot, dread filling her.

She was not alone.

Someone was here.

If she hadn’t been in such a hurry, she might have sensed the stranger sooner, and would have smelt the significance of the sickly-sweet perfume reeking of roses.

She stopped breathing, ears strained for any possible sound as she sent her magic pulsing through the room.

Not one stranger, but two. Her shoulders relaxed as she recognised who the intruders were: friends.

She should have rushed for the door. But like a fool, she trusted them, even though she was fucking confused about what they were doing here.

And then it was too late to run.

She screamed as rough hands seized her from behind and dragged her across the room. A moment later, the fireplace roared to life with green flames as she was wrestled to the ground.

She jerked her head up, teeth bared as she glared at the woman sitting in the tall-backed armchair, her legs crossed, and slender arms draped across the armrests.

“Sweetie, there you are. I was beginning to worry.”

Kira snapped her human teeth at Felix who was holding her down before snarling at the woman. “Victoria…What. The. Fuck?”

“We’re going to take a little trip to Wintermaw Keep,” Victoria said, dangling the heel of her shoe near Kira’s face. “I’m going to ensure Henrikk receives his wolf toy. That’s you, sweetie.”

Kira tried but failed to hide her shock. “Why? I don’t understand—”

“Henrikk and I are soon to be an item,” the vampiress said happily. “I slept with him when he visited the academy the other week—I would have told you all about it if you’d hung out with me more—and he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I’m super excited.”

“You slept with—?”

“Yes. And I reassured him. He was concerned Nathaniel wouldn’t follow through on his orders to deliver you to Wintermaw. Nathaniel’s always had a soft spot for wolves.”

“So Henrikk asked you to make sure I get to the wedding,” Kira said through gritted teeth.

“Yes, exactly!” Victoria smiled, clapping her hands together. “In return, he promised to make me his wife.”

“He’s a little too old for you, isn’t he?” Kira growled, trying to mask her shock.

Victoria shrugged. “Thirty-two years my senior. But I always did prefer them older.”

“It doesn’t bother you that he wants to have sex with me?”

“Nope. He wants to breed you. But he needs a wife. Someone he can respect, like me.”

Kira’s mouth dropped. She had not realised Victoria was so ambitious. Kira had thought her friendly and cunning, but not conniving. “And you want power.”

“What I want is to bring my family honour. And can you imagine? I’ll be Queen Consort Victoria. Ugh, I’m beyond excited. Oh, and Henrikk said you could be our ringbearer.”

Fuck that.

“And Felix is fine with all this?” Kira asked sceptically.

“Felix understands, don’t you honey?” Victoria said, without waiting for him to answer. “After all, we’re talking about the Vampire King. I mean, Henrikk will abdicate tonight, but we all know he holds the real power at Wintermaw. I’m looking forward to spending lots of time with you, sweetie. And look, I have a gift for you.”

Kira’s heart lurched as the vampiress held out a large metal toy.

“Do you know what this is?”