“I need to drink.”
In seconds, they were transported deep into the quiet and still forest. Thick evergreens surrounded them and the ground crunched as they walked over fresh snow littered with amber leaves and pine cones.
“Where are we?”
“Maine. One of my homes. It is not far from Steel’s, actually, more inland, and private. I have my head office in Boston, one in New York, as well as a home on the Amalfi Coast. I will take you there one day, if you behave, my dove.”
Roman stroked her cheek and she shoved his hand away. “Why did you turn me? Why not another of your vampires? Or better than that, why didn’t you let me die?”
He darted away and stared around at the vicinity, and she watched him as he crouched low, barely making a sound but touched the ground with his hand. She stepped back, but he flew to stand before her. The speed of his movement was unnerving.
“Ah, the anger, it was to be expected, but Isabella, I will not feel guilty for the decision those who loved you made. Everyone, including your sister Zephra, knew it was the right one. As for my turning you, no other vampire would dare. You are marked and have been from the moment I met you.” He gripped her shoulder and brushed his thumb over her back. She twisted her head to see what he was rubbing, knowing she should push him away altogether, but as his other hand teased and fondled her breast, a yearning and hunger grew.
“Every vampire knows from the scent that covers you and my mark, which looks like an oval, that you are mine. I let you live this human existence for as long as I could. I even walked away to give you the chance of a boring life with your human, and look what you do. Fight the fucking queen of war—alone.”
The venom in his words sunk in. She remembered charging off after a shadow of a woman, determined to strike the bitch while in her human form. Staring down at Roman’s hand as he squeezed her nipple, she hissed and hit him away.
“You fucking branded me. You son of a bitch. What the hell.”
She slapped his chest and flew away, but he flew to join her.
“Giving you the tattoo was necessary, to protect you.”
She zeroed in on him. “I bet you tell yourself that every night, but I am not a possession to be tagged.”
Roman reached out for her, but she stepped away. “Don’t touch me—I can’t think straight, and I need to know everything. I need the truth.”
“Right. You want the truth—well, here it is. You’re a hunter. You live for the thrill of danger, albeit in the name of saving the innocent, but honestly, anyone could be forgiven for thinking you secretly wanted to become a vampire. Many do. You’ve already seen the strength you have after ripping my guest bedroom apart. That bed was a particular favorite. An original all the way from the fucking seventeenth century from Versailles, minus the pompous canopy, but anyway. It illustrates one of the many aspects of your transformation. By becoming a vampire, all your senses are heightened. Everything is bigger, brighter. Every experience sharper. Whether you admit it or not, Isabella, part of you wanted this. You escaped death once, but the second time, you forced my hand. You lost too much blood. Now, it’s my duty as your master to train you.”
“Fuck you. You are not my master.”
“Isabella, it’s the term we use for the person who created you. It is what it is, and as your master, I will guide you. Rein you in when necessary. Because like I said, you’re vulnerable right now and a danger to others. The need for blood will call to you constantly, as well as the need for sex. You’re less inhibited.” He stroked the outline of her breast as it peeked through her dress, and her nipples hardened in response.
“You’re a natural, my love, but gaining control takes time. Until then, I will stay with you day and night. But don’t worry. No matter how much you plead and beg, I will not fuck you.”
She pounced on him, slapping his chest, but he grabbed her wrist and twisted it, dragging her against him.
“Fuck you,” she said.
“It will be my pleasure and yours—when you’re ready and not before.”
A noise to her left distracted her and she slid her gaze to the bushes. She listened to his heated words that drowned out over the steady rhythm of a strong heartbeat. Not checking with Roman, she flew between the trees. Acting on instinct, she reached and grabbed the startled rabbit that sat there watching her before it could race away. She gazed upon the wide brown eyes. In an instant, Roman stood there at her side as she examined the animal. Before the vampire could intercede, she sank her teeth in and drank. As thick blood gushed over her tongue, she met his gaze, unsure what he was thinking.
That you are perfect.
His words entered her mind and she smiled at his praise.
Joined as we are, my love, we share a telepathic connection.
Isabella wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and tasted the blood on her lips. Sparks of rampant desire fizzed through her veins like fireworks erupting. She panted and stalked toward Roman. Her rational thoughts evaporated. She smoothed her hand up over her breast, touching herself as a sex-craved wildness grew like a fever inside.
“Animal blood doesn’t taste as rich as human blood or ours—it’s coarser—but as you can see, it revitalizes and stimulates you.”
Roman walked back as she closed the gap, ready to strip off her torn dress, which was covered in mud and debris.
“I want to fuck,” she said, her voice high-pitched.
Roman grabbed
