Corbin? I looked around for him but Icouldn’t see anything, just the shifting, silver-blue sea aroundme.
I am here, you cannot see me but I am withyou.
Who was that girl? She was gone nowand there was nothing but waves as far as I could see.
I heard what sounded like a mental sigh.I should have known glamouring you would have consequences. As Ilook into you, you are also able to look into me.
But who—?
One who was once dear to me. It isn’timportant now. What is important is that you must apologize toRoderick.
But I don’t want to! He’s a bastard!
Yes, but he is also my superior—my boss, asyou would say. He wields more power than I do and as such, he mustbe placated.
He ought to be shot, I said, or sent,or whatever you wanted to call this weird mental conversation wewere having.
You will apologize. There was iron inCorbin’s tone now and I sensed he was through reasoning with me.You must say to him that you ask forgiveness for your rude wordsand for your actions last night when you offered to commit adulteryin front of him.
I offered to give Taylor some blood thatshe very much needed, I protested. I never meant todisrespect you, especially not with him watching.
Tell him that, then. Respectfully.
I’ll try, I sent back withirritation. But I don’t know how respectful I can be to a snakelike that.
You’ll be able to manage. Corbin’smental tone sounded certain. Simply open your mouth and thecorrect words will come out.
I’ll do my best, I promised, grindingmy teeth. And you promise after this is over you’ll get the hellout of my mind.
Do you really dislike having me here?He sounded wistful. Communicating this way is so much moreintimate than speaking aloud. And so much more revealing…I can feelyour emotions from here, Addison. Your trueemotions, the ones you prefer to keep hidden from everyone, evenyourself.
That’s it! I snapped. I’m going toapologize to that evil asshole and then you’re releasing meimmediately afterwards. All right?
There was a pause and then I felt hisreluctant agreement. All right. I am bringing you back now. Youwill see the room and everyone in it.
And just like that, I was out of the oceanI’d been floating in and standing in front of him, looking into hiseyes. I made myself tear my gaze away and saw that Celeste andRoderick were standing there, perfectly motionless and waiting withthat inhuman patience all vampires seem to possess.
“Roderick,” Corbin said, taking my arm andleading me closer to the raised dais where the vampire Inquisitorstill stood. “I believe my consort has something to say toyou.”
Yeah, I’ve got things to say to you, allright. You sick, sadistic son of a bitch…
I opened my mouth and was shocked to hearsomething completely different than what I was thinking comingout.
“Inquisitor,” my mouth said, apparentlycompletely independent of my mind. “I wish to offer my apologiesfor my words tonight as well as my actions the night before.”
“Hmph.” Roderick crossed his arms over hischest. “Go on.”
“I haven’t been Corbin’s consort for long,”I heard myself continue. “And I didn’t realize that offering myblood to another was wrong. I never had any intention ofdishonoring my master, I simply wanted to heal my friend, Taylor.So I am on my knees, asking you…”
On my knees? Oh, no, I’m not! Ithought fiercely.
Oh, yes you are, darling, Corbin sentback and suddenly I was getting stiffly down on my knees—not aneasy task considering the ridiculously tall heels I waswearing.
“I am on my knees,” my mouth continuedindependently of my brain. “Asking, no begging, for yourforgiveness.”
Begging? REALLY? Inside I was so madI could have spit. If Corbin was anywhere near me I would havekicked him out of sheer rage, even knowing that I was much too weakto do any damage to his impenetrable vampire hide.
The Inquisitor must be placated. Hispride must be soothed. This is the only way. Corbin’s mentalvoice was implacable.
And apparently, he was right. Roderick wasactually looking at me with what probably amounted to benevolencein someone as monstrous as him.
“Again, I am impressed.” He nodded at Corbinas though acknowledging a man who had trained his pet to do aparticularly clever trick. “I would not have thought it possible toglamour one with such a strong mental shield. Truly, you have agift.”
“Thank you, Inquisitor.” Corbin inclined hishead modestly. “She is rather…fractious at times but as you see,Addison is most certainly worthy to claim as my consort, humanthough she is.”
“Indeed.” Roderick nodded and raised aneyebrow at Corbin. “And you are able to handle her body as gentlyas you do her mind when you fuck her? Your precision with such afragile creature truly is amazing.”
Corbin smiled slightly. “Addison is worththe trouble.”
“So I see.” Roderick looked at me, a strangelight in his eyes. “I will accept your apology, little human.”
“Thank you, you’re very kind,” my mouthsaid. Inside, however, I was shouting at Corbin. Let me go now!You said you would!
I don’t know… He was frowning. Weare in a perfect position right now. Perhaps you should stay as youare until after Roderick and Celeste are gone.
No! If I could have glared at him Iwould have but I seemed to be incapable of anything but a sweet,penitent smile. Feeling the fake look on my face while the rageseethed inside me only made me angrier. You let me gonow! I mentally yelled at Corbin. You sworeyou would. If you don’t release me from this fucking mindcontrol this instant I swear I willnever trust you again. And I’ll put a bulletin your worthless hide the minute I get a chance! Do you hearme?
He sighed. Very well. Losing your trusttroubles me more than your threats of harm. I will release you butyou must remain calm. Keep your cool, as they say in this century.At least until Roderick is gone.
Just let me go, I sent tensely.
In answer, Corbin came around and raised meto my feet. Then he took my face in both his hands and looked intomy eyes.
“Addison,” he murmured. “I release you.”
Immediately I felt my mental shield, whichhe had so carefully peeled away, fall back
