“Witch. A powerful one.” I lifted my chin, heart still racing.
His harsh laughter bounced off the stone wall. “You’re no witch.”
The hairs on my neck bristled. I was normally quick on my feet, ready with an answer, but there was something about him that unnerved me so much, I could barely maintain eye contact.
And he knew it.
“I am. Luna Negra Coven. Newly initiated. I’m sure you’ve heard of them. Us.”
He leaned closer to the bars. “They wouldn’t let someone like you in.”
I bristled. “What is that supposed to mean? Someone like me?”
“You’re not their type… too skittish.”
“What do you know about Luna Negra?”
His eyes darted back and forth. “I know better than to get mixed up with them and their radical views.”
“What views?”
He chuckled. “Shouldn’t you know?”
I flushed, hoping he couldn’t see me.
“Come closer.” He reached for me through the bars.
“I can’t help you escape, if that’s what you’re looking for.” I glared at him.
His smile was really starting to get on my nerves.
“What is your name?” The accent was thick now, and if I had to name it, I’d say French.
“None of your business.”
Another chuckle. “How rude of me. I do apologize. I haven’t formally introduced myself to you. I am Gerard Bergeron.”
He fell silent. Waiting for my reaction? Testing me? If he was some well-known vamp and I was claiming to be part of the extraordinaire community, I’d have some knowledge of him.
“What are you in prison for?” The words spewed out of me.
His head shifted slightly, the movement catching my eye. “Drinking blood from humans.”
I sucked in a breath. It wasn’t a surprise, no, but the casualness of his words startled me.
“A false accusation, of course.”
“Of course,” I grunted.
“Humans think their blood is superior, so irresistible to us. But it’s not true.” His eyes flashed. “You know what’s irresistible? Witch’s blood.”
There was that grin again. I shuddered.
“Rose!” Brady’s voice made me jump.
“I’m here!” I hissed.
The vampire stilled. “It’s nice to meet you, Rose.”
Fear spread through my veins. I didn’t want him to know my name much less say it. Holding my breath, I tried once more to back up, but my feet were still not moving.
My eyes snapped up to meet his. Clouds passed by the moon, casting shadows over him that obscured my vision.
“Let me go,” I demanded.
“Uh, uh, uh. You didn’t say the magic word.”
Irritation flared inside me. I’d had enough of his mind games.
“Rose?” Brady held a flashlight up, the light blinding me.
“Turn that away!” I threw my arm over my eyes.
“Sorry,” he murmured.
The light landed on the vampire next. He hissed and backed up from the light, but not fast enough before I made out his face.
Apart from the giant fangs, he looked… normal. Maybe a little abnormally good-looking, but not like the monster I’d pictured in my head.
Brady motioned me away. “What are you doing? Let’s go. We still have to find your cousin.”
“The boy?” the vampire spoke up.
I turned back to him. “Have you seen him?”
“Let me out and I’ll take you to him.”
My hands flew to the bars, my dead flashlight falling to the ground, but even under his compulsion, I couldn’t do it. I didn’t know how the cells unlocked.
“What the hell are you doing?” Brady grabbed my wrist.
Before he could pull me away, the vampire was there. His arm snaked out and wrapped around my neck.
My body slammed against the metal bars. Pain erupted in my forehead at the collision. Why the hell didn’t they build the cells better?
His hot breath was on my face. Up close I could see the frightening gleam in his eyes and the sharp fangs that were too close for comfort. False accusation or not, he was still terrifying.
Fear shot through me. What was he going to do?
“Let her go,” Brady’s voice rose behind me.
I shuddered. His bare arm was ice cold against my skin. I wanted nothing more than to break out of his hold, but my body refused to obey my commands.
Do something, Brady.
“Let me out. Or I’ll bite.”
My eyes widened. No. I tried to move, to struggle, put up a fight, but my body didn’t budge.
“Let go! Get off of me,” I roared. “Brady? Do something!”
“Hold on. I’m trying.”
I relaxed slightly at his voice. At least I knew he hadn’t abandoned me.
He swore. Panic flared inside me.
“Brady?”
The vampire stared into my eyes. “He’s gone.”
My heart leapt into my throat. Tremors ran through me.
“Get me the key,” he demanded.
“I… I don’t know where it is,” I choked out.
Time seemed to stand still as he stared at me. Trying to compel me to do his bidding? How the hell was I supposed to find the guard’s keys?
His fangs moved closer. I clenched my eyes shut.
“Release her. Now,” a new voice called from behind me.
20
I whipped my head to the side to see, but it was too dark to make out the shadowy form. It sure as hell wasn’t Brady, though. Anger stirred within me. The coward.
“Another student? What is this? Some kind of prison tour?” the vampire growled.
“Do I need to remind you what happens if you hurt another human?” the voice responded.
Grayson, I realized. It was Grayson.
The vampire tightened his grip on me. “I have never hurt a human.”
“Hurting one right now!” I coughed.
“Do you want to die in this prison, vampire?” Grayson continued.
What the hell was he thinking? He was only pissing my captor off more and would probably get me killed in the process.
“Are you going to be the one to kill me?” he scoffed.
“It’s your choice. Death or life? I’m sure even a monster like you has a reason to live. A family?”
My eyes flicked up to see his reaction. Something dark smoldered in his eyes. I suppressed a shudder. I was trapped. Vulnerable. At the mercy of this creature.
“There is no choice. You will keep me here until you tire of torturing me. And then my body will join the millions that you’ve mutilated and tossed aside.”
I flinched.
