Page 8 of The Vixen

Another.

We just stare at each other while we both wait for me to make my move. I can feel him ready to flinch for the baton, but I think if he planned to use it, he would have already. He’s only poised to knock it from my reach.

So what then do you do when your captive has made a fuss? One you must control, but never break.

A question I’ve spent hours debating, yet am no closer to the answer.

“I forgive you.” I nod. Stepping from his reach, I wipe the back of my hand across the drying saliva.

Sawyer stares at me with disarming rebellion that screams “problem,” but in the end, it’s a single question that makes up my mind.

What would Sawyer do?

I turn and leave the bathroom where Aiden patiently waits outside. Clearing my throat of any hesitation, I stand up straight and lift my chin. “I’m afraid our guest is not yet ready to cooperate. Please help him cure his willfulness before bringing him down for dinner. I’m sure he’s hungry.”

Aiden is quick to nod. Eager. I could warn him that Sawyer has the baton, but it wouldn’t be necessary.

I wait all of two minutes for Sawyer’s screams to begin before I head to the kitchen. By the time I’ve finished scrubbing myself clean, my skin is raw and inflamed and the oven beeps to signal it’s ready for the vegetables Sawyer will never eat.

Of course, hunger has a way of breaking old habits. As with all forms of pain, it is as simple as it is effective. Usually.

Always.

My nail taps the countertop three times, each jab sharper than the last, puncturing the silence. My chin rises and falls with a slow nod.

“Always.”

CHAPTER 3

SAWYER

Collapse.

I feel it coming as Aiden drags me by leash downstairs. My shoulders hunch inch by inch until there’s nowhere left to sink but the floor.

The metal cuffs around my wrists and ankles are heavy as anchors, and it takes all my strength to keep up. I slog forward like an old mule plowing the field for its master. ForLuna.

A bitter taste fills my mouth—a metallic tinge teasing with Luna’s flesh. Not only the taste of her cheek mixing with my putrid spit, but the memory of her cum on my tongue weeks ago.

I try to swallow the tinge but lose my footing as my knee caves. The leather collar clutches the back of my neck, and I’m jolted forward by a hard yank on the leash.

I stumble. Catch myself on the wall. Cough water from my lungs.

When Aiden jerks a second time, I force myself forward and fight the aches and pains weighing down my entire body.

Until we turn one last corner, and Luna enters my line of sight.

Perched on a long dining table, hands rested in her lap, her back perfectly straight as always. A steaming plate of food sits neglected at her side while she stares at crackling flames boxed inside brick.

Heat crawls up my jaw and traces the shell of my ear, and for a moment I think it’s the fire’s doing. But the longer I stare at the black clothed witch, the hotter I get.

Rule your emotions or they will rule you.

Aiden’s throat clearing draws Luna’s eyes. When he slaps the back of my head, I lower my chin.

“Has the Dreg’s attitude been addressed?”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Aiden says without a moment’s pause. “He’s ready to behave.”