Page 124 of Collared by the Vampire Prince

I know he wants me. I have simply been too proud to use it. Too frightened of my own response…or what I might feel now if I let myself dwell on it. But it is the only advantage I have left.

I think of the others. Susie. Harvey. Clara. Becky. Jane. Eliza.

I am only just beginning to understand what they already know about this place. These are the vampire games we must play, in whatever ways we can bear to play them. However we can justify them to ourselves.

I thought I had swallowed my pride, but I had not. Not really. But the time has come. I will kill the Vampire Prince. And to get close enough, I will make him believe this place has finally broken me. That I want him. That I am his for the taking.

To do that, I need to seduce him.

Chapter 20

Kira

When the golf tournament arrives the following week, Nathaniel does not come.

I am not surprised. What does surprise me is how much pleasure I take in the whispers that follow—the anticipation of my classmates as they wait, curious to see whether the prince will appear.

Becky seems especially disappointed on my behalf, while Professor Bomcroft approaches me as I am helping pack the equipment away and says, “Well, never mind, dear. These great men are always busy, you know.”

I do not care. From what I have seen of Nathaniel at mealtimes of late—firmly avoiding so much as a glance in my direction—I have managed to draw attention to him. And if he is busy explaining himself to other people, all the better. It means he is distracted.

After all, I have nothing left to lose. I am already as low as I can fall. But Nathaniel is a prince. Vampires typically have little objection to keeping pets for blood and sex within marriage. King Henrikk himself is known for having multiple pets. A pet is not supposed to be a romantic rival. His fiancée, however, seems to think I might be. As much as I enjoy getting under Victoria’s skin, all that matters is that I have managed to rattle Nathaniel. And now my hunt begins.

It’s after dinner, and I am on my way to Headmaster Arken’s office.

“The prince told me to meet him in his rooms tonight,” I say once he has invited me inside. “But he neglected to mention where they are.”

Arken removes his spectacles and begins polishing them with a square of cloth.

“He did not tell you where his quarters are?” he asks mildly. “What a regrettable omission.”

I wait.

He continues polishing.

After a long silence, I realise that is all he intends to say.

“Never mind,” I mutter, and leave.

Susie is no more helpful. I wait until we are alone before asking her, keeping my voice casual. She hesitates.

“I think…” Her gaze slides away from mine. “When he wants you to know, he’ll tell you.”

I stare at her.

She suddenly becomes very interested in straightening the books beneath her arm.

I mentally strike her from the dwindling list of people whose company I can tolerate.

By the time I finally ask Becky, desperation has made me careless, but she always seems to know everyone’s business.

“Don’t you know?” she shoots back. “You’re his pet.”

I laugh as though the question is absurd.

If Becky does not know, no other wolf will.

That leaves Victoria.