her-couldn’t sense anyone. It was just me and the stranger in front of me.
“You will not change. You will not contact your future mate or pack members. You will come with me quietly, and offer me no resistance. What I say, you will do. You won’t speak, or move, unless directed. Nod if you understand.” He was authoritative, and my head nodded automatically. I was completely at his mercy.
“Perfect.” He smiled, and taking hold of my elbow began leading me toward the front door. No one saw us, everyone was still in the backyard, and there was no breaking the spell of persuasion I was under.
He hurried us over to his car, sliding me into the front seat and getting in behind the wheel. He locked the doors, turning the ignition before looking at me again.
“Put your seat belt on, Darcy. You are precious cargo.” My hands moved on their own, the sound of the buckle clicking into place loudly. My head hit the back of the seat as my now captor stepped on the gas, and pulled away from the curb. I tried to look at him accusingly, and he smiled at me as if we were the best of friends going for a fun ride.
“By the way, my name is Avery.” He reached over and stroked my leg, lingering long enough to make my skin crawl. I willed my hand to move, but was powerless. “This is for your own good. Show me you can behave, and when we get to our destination, I’ll lift some of the compulsion.”
I glared at him again, causing him to frown.
“I won’t have you looking at me that way. Not when we’ll be such good friends.” Squeezing my leg hard, I knew I made a mistake when I caught his gaze again. “Sleep.”
I don’t even think I heard the full word before darkness descended and I was gone.
Chapter Sixteen
Whatever I was resting on didn’t feel familiar, and the emptiness inside my mind caused me to panic. It took me a few moments to remember what happened, my eyes scanning around the small room trying to gather as much information as possible. I attempted to send a message to Mason, to show him images, but it caused pain in my head, leaving me whimpering.
“I told you no messages, did I not?” A seductive voice floated through the air. Following the sound, I noticed my captor lounging on a chaise as if he didn’t have a care in the world. I went to move, but found my body anchored to the bed I was laying on, propped up by pillows. No restraints bound me, the weighty feeling a result of the compulsion.
I opened my mouth to speak and was infuriated when I couldn’t. He had complete control and it lit a fire in me. I shot dagger filled looks, ranting at him with my thoughts while he sat there and yawned as if bored.
Swinging his legs so his feet rested on the floor, he stood and moved toward me. “Did you enjoy your rest, Darcy? For someone whose been kidnapped, you sure did sleep a long time. I say a good two or three hours. I’d venture a guess the entire Pack is in uproar, tearing apart Woodside Hollow looking for you.” He brushed his hand down the length of his leg, as if dusting himself off. “I know I would if you were mine. You really are exquisite.” I hated watching him reach out and touch me, knowing I couldn’t do anything to stop him.
“I can see why Mason is so taken with you.” His fingers traced a path up my side, slowing briefly by my breast before continuing upward. He placed his palm against my cheek, leaning in to smell the side of my neck. “As I’ve sat here and watched you sleep, a question has plagued me. I wonder what you taste like?”
I willed myself to remain calm, not wanting him to have the satisfaction of knowing how scared I was. The last thing I wanted was to become food for a vampire, a toy to be played with before killing. Regardless of his intent, I didn’t see myself walking out of this alive.
Images from the meeting sprung up in my mind along with the realization this was the person behind everything. He must have sensed it, been able to read the horror in my eyes, because it caused him to pull away, tossing his head back in laughter.
“Finally figured it out? I wondered how long it would take. You don’t know how impatient I get sometimes while I wait for everyone else to catch up. Oh, come now, there’s no need to look so angry. What is two deaths when there is so much to gain?”
I swear I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d added an evil chuckle on the end of his ramblings. Oblivious to the fact I’d yet to answer him, Avery began pacing back and forth alongside the bed.
“So do you know why you’re here?” I watched him come to a stop, glancing at me, waiting for a response. “Any idea?” Annoyance flashed before a look of understanding crossed his face. “You may speak, Darcy.”
I inhaled sharply as I found my voice, the sound shaky to my ears. Pausing to draw in strength, I spat out my request. “Release me.”
“But we are getting on so well. Are you not enjoying yourself? I know I am. Now where were we? Yes, I asked you a question and you failed to answer me. I warn you not to disappoint me. I’ve been known to have a temper. Just ask dear Vanessa.”
“I have no idea why you brought me here, other than it’s something to do with Mason and you wanting to send a message. All kidnapping me is going to do is piss him off, and no one’s fury comes close to his. If you hurt me, he will hunt you to the end of the earth and tear you apart-painfully and slowly.”
“Oh, such confidence in your Alpha. Such a pity it is misplaced.” Avery crooned, his voice mocking.
“I know my Mason. He will not rest until you’re destroyed. By killing Jasmine and Vanessa, then taking me, you’ve signed your death warrant. And if by some act of insanity, he doesn’t get you, Devlin and his enforcers will be gunning for you. That’s not just confidence. It’s fact.” I knew I sounded cocky, but it was everything I could not to make my voice shake and reveal my bluff. Not that I wouldn’t be avenged, but that I wasn’t afraid. I wanted to keep him talking for as long as it took for everyone to find me.
“You talk a convincing game, Darcy. Such a shame your fear wafts around in the air like a heady aphrodisiac. By all means, continue to fool yourself if it makes you feel better. It is definitely entertaining to watch.” He moved his hand about in the air, gesturing for me to go on. Sitting down on the side of the bed, he rested his hand on my leg, the pressure of it wreaking havoc on my skin.
“Why don’t you tell me why I’m here then? Instead of just killing me, why bring me to some room and talk?” I tried to put a pleasant tone to my voice, but it was hard speaking through clenched teeth. My attitude was lost on Avery, however, as he beamed back at me, obviously delighted in himself. All I could think was I was alone with a mad man and had no way of escaping.
“You know, I have been a neglectful host. Here we are chatting and not once have I asked after your wellbeing. Would you care for something to eat or drink?” As he licked his lips, the tips of his fangs revealed, he chuckled. “I know I would not say no to a little sip.”
Fear shot through me, the idea of him biting me causing bile to surge up my throat into my mouth. There was a lot of ways to be violated, and this was one in my mind. I wasn’t opposed to the concept of sharing blood-it was the idea of someone tapping my vein without my consent that caused my stomach to churn.
“No?” he paused, waiting for the answer I wasn’t going to offer. “So I guess we will just talk business then, shall we? Get down to the nitty-gritty of why you are here.”
“Can you release me at least? Give me the opportunity to move and stretch?” I knew it was a long shot, but I was tired of sitting like a helpless duck. I was used to being a predator, the creature who struck fear in the weaker, and there was nothing comforting about being the prey.
“For you to attack me? Escape? Don’t insult my intelligence, Darcy. You will remain how you are until I say otherwise. Besides, our time together is short. Let us not waste it on requests you know I will not approve.”
Avery pulled himself to a stand again, turning to face me as he would a crowd. I inwardly rolled my eyes, hoping he wouldn’t begin grandstanding and give over to dramatics. Fervor seemed to strike him as he began his story.
“You, my delightful girl, are the perfect pawn in my plan. Do you know how insufferable it is to watch a fool govern over my people, leading us away from the old ways because he feels it is best to keep hidden? Vampires were never meant for the shadows, yet as the centuries pass by, that is exactly where we are. We do not reveal ourselves-we no longer keep humans as the slaves they truly are. We do not bend others to our supreme will, and as a result, we have become weak creatures to be mocked and laughed at.”
The look of disgust covering his face was the first real indication Avery wasn’t all charm and madness. He had a
