“After the display you put on last night atCeleste’s house, I must show beyond a doubt that you are mine.Biting you and feeding on your blood in front of Roderick is thequickest way to do that.”
I could see that what he said madesense—fresh fang marks are seen as signs of dominance and ownershipin the vamp community. But I still didn’t like it.
“Fine,” I said. “But you can use my arm ormy wrist—not the neck.”
Corbin frowned. “None of those areas arewhere I need to bite you—I will be taking blood from your innerthigh. Which is where the added height from your new shoes comesinto play—when I am on my knees before you, I don't want to stooptoo far to get a good bite.”
“What? No!” I exclaimed, pressing my thighstogether. “Why my inner thigh? Why would you need to do that?”
“Taking blood from a more intimate spotshows my ownership of you.” He cupped my shoulder in one large,warm hand. “Don’t worry, I know you’ve had pain in the past whenyour friend bit you but I assure you I can make it a very pleasantexperience.”
“There’s no way I’d consider letting youpush up my skirt and sink what amounts to two sixteen gauge needlesinto my inner thigh in front of a bunch of sadistic vampires a‘pleasant experience’,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
Corbin’s eyes narrowed. “Nevertheless, youwill have to submit to it. And other things as well.”
“What other things?” I was beginningto dislike this more and more. What exactly did Corbin haveplanned for me?
He sighed again and a look of frustrationpassed over his face. “You will not like this, Addison, but youmust let me glamour you—at least a bit.”
“No,” I said at once. “No, absolutely not. Itold you before, that’s a deal breaker. I’m not letting youinto my mind.”
“Yes, you will.” Corbin took me by bothshoulders, moving too fast for me to step away. “Look at me,Addison,” he demanded. “I have told Roderick I can glamour you andhe will expect to see me do just that.”
“You also told him you could…could fuck mewithout breaking me,” I shot back. “And we saw how well that wentlast night when you nearly lost your cool.”
“Were you harmed?” Corbin demanded. “Otherthan the tiny scratch on your throat, which I healed, did I hurtyou in any way?”
“Well…no,” I admitted grudgingly. “But Istill don’t want you inside my head. Why can’t we justpretend to let you glamour me?”
“Roderick has been on this Earth for oversix centuries,” Corbin said grimly. “He will know if we attempt todeceive him. Addison…” He cupped my cheek in his hand and lookedinto my eyes. “Don’t make me force you, darling.”
“You couldn’t even if you tried,” I said,trying to ignore the way his gentle touch made my heart drum fasterin my chest.
Corbin just looked at me.
“Could you?” I asked, my voice falteringjust a bit.
“You have a strong shield around your mindbut I could tear it down if I had to.” He caressed my cheek, hisbig hand warm and deceptively gentle. “I don’t want to do that. Itwould be very much like rape.”
“You wouldn’t,” I whispered, feeling coldall over.
“Do you know what will happen if we don’tput on a convincing display?” Corbin asked. “Roderick has the rightto exact a tribute from every vampire whose territory he examines.I have prepared something for him that I think he will findirresistible but he could refuse it and name his own tributeinstead. He could take your friend Taylor and give her back toCeleste or keep her for his own. Her torment would never end.”
“You’re just trying to scare me,” I accusedhim, my voice coming out breathy and high. “You’re holding Taylorover my head so I’ll cooperate and you’ll be able to keep your ownterritory with no trouble.”
“Do you really think so?” He shook his head.“I’ll admit I have no wish to lose my territory but I am strong—Icould easily find another. However, no other territory that I couldfind would have you as its Auditor.” He let his hands dropand stepped away from me as his voice grew colder. “Also, it’s verytiresome to have to start from scratch. I don’t choose to do that,so you will let me glamour you, Addison.”
“But why do you even have to?” I asked,still arguing. “I mean, what will it really achieve?”
Corbin sighed. “It will help you do whatneeds to be done in a sincere and non-offensive way.”
I put a hand on my hip. “And whatexactly needs to be done?”
“You’re going to have to apologize toRoderick for your behavior last night and for speaking insultinglyto him.”
“Like hell I will!” I said hotly. “He rapedand tortured my best friend! He’s lucky I don’t put a bullet in hischest.”
“Your precious gun won’t help you with avampire Roderick’s age,” Corbin said grimly. “And no matter what hedid, he is still the Inquisitor and I am still underhis jurisdiction.” He took a deep breath. “Therefore I will glamouryou just enough to enable you to speak politely to him, even thoughwe both know you have no wish to.”
“And that’s all you’ll do to me?” Idemanded, narrowing my eyes at him.
“That is all. After you speak your piece toRoderick, I will release you.” He looked at me sternly. “But—and Icannot stress this enough—even without my glamour on you, you arestill acting as my consort. Your job is to strengthen my positionand not jeopardize my standing with the Inquisitor. You will obeymy every order without question or complaint while we are withRoderick. If you do not, there will be consequences. Do youunderstand?”
“I understand,” I said bitterly. “I have toplay the good little consort and make nice with Roderick or you’llmake me pay.”
“I’m trying to save you—to save both of us.”He ran a hand through his hair in a very human gesture offrustration. “Why can’t you see that I have your best interests atheart, Addison?”
“Because no vampire I’ve ever met has,” Isaid. “Other than
