“Because I can,” he replied. “And you’re my pet. I’d like to know what happened to you to make you forget. It’s a sign of a programming failure, something I imagine society would find fascinating.”
I’m sorry I asked, I thought, swallowing roughly.
“Don’t worry, sweet Willow. I won’t let them touch you. You’re mine.” He brushed a kiss against my mouth, similar to the one he’d gifted me in his sparring room. Quick. Warm. Underlined in promise.
“What am I to you?” I asked, my eyes searching his. “What classification is my role in your world?”
“You’re my pet,” he said, his lips curling at the sides. “Mine to play with and stroke as I please, and in exchange, I’ll keep you safe.”
“Why?” The university hadn’t discussed the classification of a pet, and something told me Ryder had just made it up. Like everything else. Is he even a royal? I wondered again, confused by his antics.
His mouth met mine again, this time lingering for a heartbeat before he repeated, “Because I can.” Those three words scattered heat throughout my body, awakening a forbidden emotion I didn’t know how to handle.
For twenty-two years, I refused to allow myself even an ounce of hope. Until Blood Day, when I thought for sure I would become a Vigil. When the Magistrate had announced my fate, my heart had shattered into pieces, the stark disappointment a nightmarish cloud in my mind.
I remembered it plainly, even though it felt like a lifetime ago.
Hope was a dangerous emotion. Happiness was even more lethal. And I refused to allow myself to feel that way now.
Ryder didn’t intend to keep me. He didn’t intend to protect me. He wanted to play with me for a few minutes, then discard me for his next fresh piece of meat.
“Why are there eleven headless bodies in your driveway?” a deep voice interjected, causing Ryder to smile against my mouth. He gifted me another kiss before sitting up to face the dark-haired male walking into the living area in an all-black suit.
Damien.
But that wasn’t what grabbed my attention. My focus was drawn to the spot where one of the vampires had died. Specifically, to the pristine white carpet that was as spotless as the rest of the room.
Not only had Ryder cleaned himself up, but he’d also taken care of the blood and gore on the floor.
“Because the twelfth intruder still has his head in my basement,” Ryder drawled, replying to the inquiry about the bodies outside. I quivered, both at the mental image his words created and from his palm claiming my side. His thumb slipped along my rib cage to rest just beneath the swell of my breast.
“I see.” Damien slid his hands into the pockets of his slacks as he approached the couch to stand right beside us. “Did I interrupt mealtime?”
“No, I just finished a bag of O-positive about ten minutes ago.” Ryder continued to stroke along my rib cage, his touch possessive and confusing. It made me want to arch into him and run away at the same time. My heart sped up at the conflicting response, my body turning into liquid fire beneath his hand.
I didn’t know how to handle the flame burning inside me.
I didn’t know how to handle him.
“Why are you denying yourself fresh A-negative?” Damien asked, the reminder of his presence helping to douse the flames only slightly.
A-negative was my blood type. While it was part of my records, I suspected that wasn’t how he knew.
“Because she’s recovering,” Ryder murmured, his attention shifting to me once more as he drew his touch down my side to my hip. Both his touch and his gaze felt like a brand. And the implication in his tone suggested he intended to bite me… and soon.
I shivered, both enthralled and terrified by the prospect.
Damien snorted. “You said that the last time we spoke about it.”
“Yes, she’s recovering again,” Ryder replied, his eyes lifting to meet Damien’s stare. “Is there something you want to say to me, old friend?”
His friend didn’t even flinch. “She’s a problem.”
“Because I won’t eat her?”
“No. Because she doesn’t have a designation and the others won’t appreciate that. She’s also not your toy to keep.”
Ryder cocked a brow. “I’m a royal now. Doesn’t that mean I can break certain rules?”
“You’re a temporary royal, and you know what Lilith will do when she finds out.”
So he is a royal, I thought. A very strange royal.
“Lilith can suck my cock,” Ryder retorted, causing my eyes to widen.
No one ever spoke about the Goddess that way. Yet Ryder did it without care, his tone suggesting that he despised the queen of our society. A human would be killed for saying such a thing.
“I don’t give a fuck about this new world rule or their maliciously contrived edicts,” he continued, his grasp tightening on my hip. “And there is nothing temporary about my new position. So either get with the program or piss off.”
Damien sighed. “You asked me to advise you. I’m just doing my job.”
“Consider myself advised, and consider your advice ignored.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.” The two vampires glowered at each other for another beat, then Ryder’s grip loosened, his posture relaxing once more. “Want to meet Intruder Number Twelve?”
“What’s his name?”
“I didn’t ask. But he was the only one who tried to flee after setting foot on my property, which is why I kept him alive. Originally, I intended to play with one of the older vampires, but I changed my mind after observing Number Twelve’s reasoning skills.”
Damien arched a brow. “Of course you did. So does he still have a tongue?”
Ryder snorted. “Come on. I’m not a complete monster.”
“The mess on your driveway says otherwise.”
“I consider that more of a favor than a monstrous deed. They obviously weren’t adding much intellect to the new world, what with trying to attack me and all.” Ryder lifted a shoulder. “I strongly doubt they’ll be missed.”
“Whoever hired them may feel otherwise,” Damien pointed out.
“You mean Janet? Yes, she may be upset, but I’ll be putting her out of her misery soon.”
“Janet sent them?”
“That’s what our friend in the basement said, yes. He also gave me three other names of vampires who supported her assignment.”
“So he’s chatty,” Damien mused.
“Very.” Ryder smiled. “Feel free to run down and meet him. Then we need to discuss next steps. I’m thinking a lesson on hierarchy etiquette is required in the to-be-renamed Silvano City.”
“Seems needed, yes,” Damien agreed.
“Then you’ll help me plan the arrival?”
“Of course.”
Ryder smiled. “Excellent. Have fun with Number Twelve in the basement.”
“Is that your chosen name for him?”
“It’s the abbreviated version,” Ryder explained.
Damien smirked. “Then I’ll let you know if Number Twelve sings anything else useful.”
“Brilliant. Just don’t kill him.”