“You clearly know the truth of the arousal a vampire can choose to give, or you wouldn’t have taunted my pet and myself with it. If I told you I always cared for my prey’s consent, I would be a liar as you well know. I need food, as do you. I will not apologize for it. I can tell you I tend not to drain my prey. I can tell you I will kill those who seek to harm me or those I care for, but I try not to kill simply for pleasure. I can also tell you I will not take anyone to my bed who is not willing to be in it.”
Crowe and Draven were both staring at me now, their dark eyes wary yet heated as I trailed the pencil down my leg and back up again, highlighting the slit of my dress that showed the skin all the way up my thigh. Draven’s hand was clenched so tightly on the handle of his dagger that I wouldn’t have been surprised to see that design repeated on the skin of his palm. “I can reiterate all of those words to you in any form I choose, but you won’t believe me, so tell me what it is you want me to say. Or is that you don’t want me to say anything?” My lips peeled back, displaying my fangs in their full glory as I dropped the pencil back on the table. Sebastian stiffened beside me, his breath catching in his throat.
Draven’s nostrils flared, scorn digging lines into his face. “The truth. There’s no way a vampire would go without bedding their pet if they didn’t have another motive. Vampires revel in pain and suffering that they balance with pleasure to ensure the control of their victims.”
I pushed to my feet, tugging at the strap for my dress so it pooled at my feet, leaving me completely bare to the three men. I lifted my chin, letting a sly smile curl my lips as I traced my hands down my body under the enraptured gazes of the males as the scent of arousal spiked in the air. I breathed deeply, filling my lungs as though it were a drug. Three pairs of eyes perused every inch of my body, their pupils dilated in arousal. “I assure you all, my bite is not what keeps those I choose in my bed. It can give pleasure, and I prefer the taste of pleasure to pain, but I don’t need it to please those I select. Just as I don’t need to force anyone to pleasure me.”
I moved quickly, nearly too quickly for their vision to track, as I scooped my dress from the floor and darted around the table, wrapping it tightly around Draven’s arm and plucking his dagger from his grip in the same motion and angling it to his throat. “Tell me, Draven, Crowe.” I met Crowe’s furious eyes across the table as I stroked the blade lightly against his twin’s throat without letting it bite into the skin. “Which part infuriates you, witches? The idea that my pet has been between my thighs, bringing me pleasure? That I would refuse to take you to my bed? Or is it simply the fact that you see me not as a woman but a creature, and don’t think I deserve an orgasm?”
I stepped back from Draven, though I didn’t release the blade, taking it as my prize. “My body is my own. My pleasure is my concern. My relationship with my pet is not up for discussion. You have worn out your welcome for the day. You are not welcome at the family meal tonight for bloodletting. Leave. Now.” Crowe was shaking slightly as he gripped the back of his brother’s neck, dragging him from his seat in a feat of strength I hadn’t expected.
“My knife?” Draven demanded, lightning sparkling across his skin in jagged arcs.
“Call it the price of your disobedience.” I tilted the blade, studying the light sheen of blood that colored the metal. Crowe’s eyes glowed red as he lifted his hand into the air and the blood disappeared from the blade. I smirked, inclining my head at the other witch. Wise of him, though he didn’t know I had no interest in the blood. It seemed his spell had also pulled his brother’s blood from the dress I had used to wrap his arm as Draven tossed the fabric aside to pool on the floor, the wound stitching closed beneath the electricity of his magic. Draven was nearly spitting, he was so angry, his magic flaring under his brother’s restraining hands. Crowe’s chest rippled underneath his shirt, the muscles in his arms flexing as he fought to confine his twin. He inclined his head in a mockery of a bow as he hauled his swearing twin from the room. Before the door was slammed, I waggled the dagger, licking my tongue over the blade. I could hear Draven’s howl of fury even through the thick wood. Well, that had been fun. A quick glance at the wall showed it was nearly time for family dinner, and I needed a few moments with my parents. Wasn’t this day turning out to be entertaining?
Chapter Seven
Elsie
“Mistress?” Sebastian’s voice was husky as I turned back to study him. He held up the white satin robe from the hook beside my bed.
“No need, pet. I must attend dinner shortly, so I may as well dress.” Mother and Father would not be impressed as it was, let alone if I showed up attired inappropriately. The muscle in Sebastian’s jaw flexed as he headed for my wardrobe, sorting through my gowns as I watched, making no move to cover my body. He had seen it already, and he would see it again even if he chose not to join me in bed—it was simply the nature of our relationship. My clothing would frequently be bloody, and I would not waste time having him turn his back every time I needed to change. “The black,” I decided as he held out a few dresses for my selection. The stains wouldn’t be as significant on the darker color as they would be if I wore one of my lighter gowns. Too bad Crowe wasn’t able to teach me that blood collection spell he had used, it would certainly come in handy, however vampires didn’t possess magic in the traditional sense. Our speed, longevity, and our bite were a magic all their own. No vampire I had ever heard of had been able to access the same type of magic that allowed for spellcraft, though many had tried.
“Yes, mistress.” Sebastian strode forward, confidently helping me into the dress. His hands didn’t linger on my body, though I could hear his breath hitch and the way his heartbeat sped up as his fingers grazed my exposed skin while he adjusted my gown.
I turned to face him, running a hand down the silk and lace fabric adorning my frame. He had already moved away after fastening my dress, quietly and competently organizing the stacks of books and his notes. He cocked his head over the notes the witch twins had left, his brow creasing as he studied the illegible script as I headed toward the bathroom to fix my hair. If I styled it up, I’d likely have less to wash, although leaving it piled on my head for extended periods also led to headaches. “Mistress?” Sebastian’s voice drew me back into the main room, even as my mind lingered on the dinner I was expected to attend. Normally, I only went to the rare family dinner, but if I wanted to question my parents about how Crowe and Draven had been granted access to the castle—let alone directed to me for their research—then they would expect me to participate this evening. I wasn’t patient enough to wait the several days I usually spaced between those meals. The twins were a puzzle, and I enjoyed solutions. I had refrained from killing Draven for the moment, but if his behavior continued, I couldn’t promise how long his luck would hold out. I wasn’t foolish enough to think Crowe would allow that either, so taking out one twin would mean taking out the other. I preferred to murder only when necessary, and I liked to know whom I was killing. The diplomacy needed after shredding certain people to fragments was something that took time away from my own goals and was not to be taken lightly. It didn’t mean I wouldn’t do it, just that I preferred not to. I was getting tired of handing out warnings, although taking his little knife away had been satisfying.