Page 74 of Blood Lust
“Says who?”
“The witch. Fate. Destiny. Take your fucking pick.”
I wokeup screaming for Sor, images of her being blood raped and used against her will filling my head. I heard the thump of the bed and her screams as I woke. I blinked, unsure what was going on or where I was. Loud music drummed a hard beat, making my head pound. My mouth was dry and my eyes scratchy, but it wasn’t the realisation that I was at the Gambit that sent ice through my veins. No, it was the silver cuffs around my wrists and the way my body wouldn’t obey me.
What the actual fuck!
My eyes found Bal, who sat on his raised throne, eyeing the crowd as if they were all beneath him. Because they were. We all were. I’d been stupid to think otherwise. I glared up at him, willing the fucker to feel my hatred. Around me, others who’d earned his wrath gyrated, as naked as I was. But whereas they stood, waiting for their fate, I was fixed in one position.
On My Knees!
I’d vowed never to break for anyone, and I wasn’t going to now. He’d chosen this position to humiliate and crush my spirit.
The Made was right. I was Bal’s enemy, and he’d manipulated, even learnt to control me, with what I’d needed most. At first, it was my base instinct for sustenance and sex. Then he’d seen my subconscious need for respect and love. He’d cleverly turned my emotions into a method of controlling me without the need for chains, drugs, or compulsion. Maybe he hadn’t known about the connection I’d have with Sor, but he used her just the same when he’d seen how we’d grown closer even before my bloodlust hit.Just as I’d needed his power and dominance, I’d needed kindness and understanding. And Sor was the epitome of kindness. A woman who’d given me love and compassion, someone I wanted to protect.
Now, he had me on my knees in public for everyone to see. It was his purpose, of course, to subdue me by making me do the one thing that I’d sworn never to do ever again. Not going to happen.
I held his gaze, pouring every bit of the icy hate I had for him into my eyes. My wolf rose, no longer willing to submit to the vampire who’d broken my heart. Bal’s eyes widened a fraction, and I could have sworn that respect glinted in his gaze. It didn’t matter; he was still willing to demean me and ultimately give me to his king. I shoved my wolf back and started to fight the spell that held me immobile, because I knew Bal’s compulsion couldn’t hold me like this. It was a witch’s spell, like the one that kept the others imprisoned on the poles.
Bal’s compulsion could control their behaviour and actions, but not mine, which was why I was immobile. Only Minerva’s spell could hold my body prisoner. Just thinking about her and the way he’d fucked her so brutally… I blinked and took a steadying breath. Fuck it hurt. But I dismissed it. I dismissed him. He was dead to me now—he had to be. Sor needed me. I’d failed to keep her safe, but I wouldn’t leave her in Nicolai’s clutches.
I took a deep breath, and encased my heart in a shroud of ice so cold that it would keep the broken pieces together and beating until I could find my beautiful little bird, get her to safety, and let her fly again. I’d find a way out of here. I just hoped I could find Sor in time—before Nicolai broke her completely.
Hold on, baby, I’m coming for you. Survive. Just survive.
To be continued…
