Page 36 of Nightshade

As I turned back to my intended path, she lurched toward me again. “I don’t want another. I want you.”

I twisted to face her fully, my patience growing thinner by the minute. “This arrangement was never binding, nor permanent. I’ve made that quite clear.”

Head lowered, she nodded. “You have. I was never under any false impression. I just …. I’m sorry. I’ve grown quite fond of you.”

“I suggest you turn your affections elsewhere, for they are lost on me. Now if you’ll excuse me.” With those parting words, I kept on toward my study, my body still tense and brimming with unsated hunger.

Once inside my office, I closed the door, rubbing a hand down my face as I made a beeline for the liquor. Hades in winter, I couldn’t afford the distraction. Not then.

There was unfinished business and old vendettas that plagued my mind, and the imaginary female winding through my head like a poisonous vapor would muddle my thoughts. I grabbed a small, stemmed glass, and an absinthe spoon, which I placed across the mouth of the glass. After setting a sugar cube on the spoon, I poured the absinthe over top, into the glass, then lit the cube aflame. Once bubbling had dissolved, I swirled the louche with the spoon, not bothering with the ice-cold water with which most diluted the spirits.

The ancient, leather chair creaked as I lounged back and sipped the drink. Warm liquor settled the untamed flame still burning inside of me.

My obsession over the mystery female had grown to a concerning level, but there was something about her I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I knew her body like a painting on which I’d have doted every day. Every curve. Every inch of her skin. Even then, I could see, smell, and touch her so vividly, as if she lay across my desk in that moment. Yet, her identity remained a blur. An image out of focus. No matter how much I reminded myself in dreams to concentrate and remember, I found myself lost in the pleasure of her, too occupied to recall the features that eluded me.

Should I have ever stumbled upon the creature, she would’ve been lucky to leave my bed.

A quiet knock on the door left me inwardly groaning. “What!” I growled, annoyed all over again.

“My apologies for disturbing you, Master Van Croix.”

At the sound of the head housekeeper, Anya’s voice, I sank back into my chair with relief. “Come in.”

The older woman wouldn’t be so affected by the need that had my body pumping out pheromones like a rutting stag, thankfully, which made her a much more welcomed visitor.

“I won’t keep you, Sir. I just noticed the light on.”

“It’s fine. What is it?”

“It’s, um. Well, it’s the dogs. I’ve not … been able to locate their caretaker. Again. He’s the third to go missing.”

“You had maintenance search the grounds.”

“Yes. All Garic found was a bone in Fenrir’s mouth. We’re all praying it’s the carcass of an animal, at this point.” Hands clasped, she sighed. “They’re a bit out of control.”

“And what is the purpose of your report?”

“I …. Well, I’m at a loss. It seems we’ve run out of options.”

“So, find a prisoner on death row.”

“Forgive me, Master, but you can’t … you can’t just assign a prisoner with the expectation that the dogs might eventually … consume them. As much as I appreciate one less criminal in this place, I don’t think it’s wise to equate human meat with dog kibble or we’ll be serving up prisoners every other day.”

“I believe in innocent until proven guilty,” I dismissed, giving little care for the demise of a few useless rapists.

“Those animals are far from innocent, that much I know. The fact is …. Well they need discipline and a strong hand.”

“Get to the point, Anya.”

“I think they might do well with a bit of direction from you. I understand your affections toward them, I do. But perhaps you might …”

“What?”

“No bother, Master. I’ll seek out a prisoner. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and they won’t think of him as dinner.”

“Good. Keep me advised.”

“Master … is everything okay? You seem somewhat tense this evening.”