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The oppressive atmosphere, heavy with the scents of blood and flesh, was hypnotic. My fangs pushed through my gums, and I ran my tongue over them. It had been a while since I’d satiated my need to drink naturally.

Uniformed men stood sentry in the corners while others patrolled the expanse. I nodded to one, Macius, and focused until I found the overly confident maid.

She sat chained to a chair in a small cell, her head hanging forward, and her strapped hands bleeding onto the stone floor. My Cassia was quite fond of this human. She’d want her hands healed.

That wasn’t something I could do without causing an uprising.

“Katarina,” I said her name. She lifted her head and tried to shrink back but there was nowhere she could go.

“Cassia requires your friendship,” I stated. She flicked a glance at me before gazing at her lap. “She has asked me to spare you.”

She looked at me again. “I am altering the terms of your punishment. No one will feed on you any longer, and you will remain mostly intact.”

A small glimmer of hope colored her aura. She hadn’t meant any harm, not truly. She held no treason or duplicity. I suspected she genuinely liked the woman.

I lowered my voice. “I cannot pretend to understand why you would defy commonsense and put Cassia at risk. This is your one and only chance. I will not hesitate to remove your heart myself.”

Her eyes widened but she remained silent.

“Tell me you understand and will obey.”

She nodded and whispered, her voice harsh from either crying or screaming, I didn’t know, “Yes... I understand.”

She appeared sincere, and her energy flickered as if it had let out a long breath. I waited for a change, but she seemed steady and sure.

Then, I walked away. I had a woman to placate.

CHAPTER 14

Lukas

“What did you do with Katarina?” Cassia jumped up from the couch, her skin pale and shoulders shaking.

“She will be fine,” I stated, walking over to her. Her hands were empty.

A soft sigh left her lips. “Well, where is she? No one’s brought me any food.”

Her observation gave me an idea, and I turned around and walked out, listening to Cassia swear under her breath. The verbal vomit didn’t hit as hard as she intended, her usual voice drowning under emotional exhaustion.

A passing slave received instructions from me to pack a lunch that included donuts, wine, and plums.

“I thought you were busy again,” Cassia said. She walked across the room to the large window and stared out. I would have loved to know what she was thinking. Probably bemoaning her circumstances once again.

Standing behind her, I placed a hand at her waist and leaned down, letting her unique honeyed scent fill my nostrils. She stiffened slightly, but then she relaxed, letting her back rub against the silk of my shirt and tie.

I’d been patient, and I knew I was running out of time. Soon, very soon, I would have to claim her. God forbid anyone challenged me for her flesh.

“Leave it outside the door,” I called, turning my head.

“Who are you talking to?” Cassia’s eyes were glassy as she peered up at me.

My hand slid from her waist as I turned to retrieve the food. “I ordered food.”

A leather satchel sat on the narrow table just outside the entrance. “Grab a coat. I’m taking you out.”

She froze and stared at me. “You are? Okay, that’s cool. Where are we going?”

“Don’t worry, you won’t be disappointed.” She had changed into leggings and a casual shirt, which were perfect.