Somehow,she would escape Arnaud’s clutches and persuade Dominic to helpher.
Shejust had to make him fall in love with her first. Or at least desireher deeply enough that he would come to her aid. She told herself shewasn’t using him, even though she knew that was a lie. Or partof a lie. Dominic would use her, too, for blood or for…otherpleasures if that’s what it took.
Butshe had a child to think of. A child who didn’t even knowMarissa existed. A daughter who at this very moment might be underthe fangs of her own patron. If Marissa did nothing else with herlife, she would find a way to rescue her daughter from the comarrélife. If only her son had lived…but perhaps he was the luckyone.
Itwas her heart’s desire to see her daughter set free, and theonly reason she’d not run from Arnaud. The break had to beclean. She couldn’t build a safe place for her daughter if shewas being hunted. Because Arnaud would hunt her down, of that she wassure. No one crossed him without paying.
Whichled her back to Dominic and the price Arnaud would extract from him.She swallowed down the guilt already clogging her throat. Maybe therewas a way for both of them to escape.
Wouldhe go? Would he leave this life behind?
Sheturned her face into the pillow. She already knew that answer. No.What vampire would willingly leave the noble life to live as ananathema? Because they would cast him out, if not for his crimesagainst his brethren, then surely for helping her.
Pushingupright, she sighed at the enormity of what lay before her. Maybe sheshould just run. Could she get Dominic to tell Arnaud that she’ddied during an experiment? The thought lightened the weight pressingdown on her. Yes, that might work.
ExceptArnaud would want to see a body.
Theweight grew heavy again and she covered her face with her hands. Shewas a fool. How would she make Dominic fall in love with her? Withwhat skills? Being part of the comarré love with her? Withwhat skills? Being part of the comarré breeding program onlymeant she’d been impregnated; it hadn’t educated her onthe finer points of male/female relationships.
Sheknew nothing about love, except what she felt for her child. Kneweven less about men. Her heart felt like lead in her chest as hopereceded. Liquid welled in her eyes. She squeezed her lids tightly,trying to make the tears go away.
Thedoor to her room burst open and Dominic flew into the space. “Iam not going to bite you.”
“What?”
Asif he’d just realized he was on the edge of losing control, hestraightened himself, calmly closed the door, and came toward her,his voice low and even. “I know you expect me to bite you inorder to test the sunlight serum, but I’m not going to.
You’llsimply drain some blood into a glass for me.”
Shepushed off the bed to stand before him. She took a breath and focusedon his eyes. He really was a handsome man when not in full vampiremode. “That’s not how it works. You know the comarrébenefit from the bite. Would you allow me to weaken during the timeI’m to be here? What if your potion doesn’t work and I’mforced to defend myself against Arnaud?
Whatthen?”
Fora moment, he said nothing. Then he shook his head. “It isn’tproper. You are not my comarré. And you’d have to drainthe blood anyway. I know how the comarré system works. Toomuch blood in your system and you’ll become sick.”
Shedecided on a different tactic. “Hmph. You’re afraid ofArnaud.” She leaned in and poked her finger into his hardchest.
“You’rea fool.”
Hegrabbed her wrist, the tiniest shards of silver dancing in his eyes.She hoped it was desire and not anger. “And you’re asdisrespectful as Catarina. If you’re not afraid of Arnaud, thenyou’re the fool. He could ruin me.”
Sherefused to back down, puling herself up a little taller
“Andhe’ll kill me.”
Thesilver resurfaced in Dominic’s eyes. He turned and paced acrossthe room, muttering in Italian and waving his hands. She sat on thebed, waiting for him to stop. When he did, he glared at her. “Youwill be the death of me.”
Sheslid back her sleeve and extended her bare wrist to him.
“Idisagree.”
Hisface shifted and his eyes went full silver. “I am too hungry toargue with you now.” He put his hand up and headed for thedoor.
Shegot up and stepped into his path. “I’m not Catarina. Idon’t care if you bite me.” She cared if he didn’t,though. She knew what kind of bond the intimate experience couldcreate between a patron and his comarré. At least she’dheard about it.
Herbond with Arnaud was nonexistent. Based on Dominic’s lack ofinteraction with Catarina, it was doubtful they shared any connectioneither.
Dominicclosed his eyes briefly, as if steeling himself; then he Dominicclosed his eyes briefly, as if steeling himself; then he took her bythe shoulders. His voice was calmer when he spoke.
“Caramia, I have work to do. Your willingness to provide me with bloodis”—he shrugged—“not what I am used to. Butyou belong to a very dangerous man. For both our sakes, it is betterif we don’t do this. I’m sure you understand.”
Shedid, but her need to save her child overrode all that. “Ifthat’s what you wish.”
“It…is.Because it must be.” His eyes betrayed his lie.
Shestepped aside and opened the door. “I’m sure you’llcall me when you’re ready.”
“Si.”He looked disappointed. Had he expected her to fight harder? “Untilthen.” He left.
Shewaited, thinking she should have asked him how long until he neededher, but the serum couldn’t be tested until the sun rose, soshe had plenty of time to strengthen her plan.
IfDominic wasn’t willing to bite her yet, she’d give him abetter reason to. She’d make him need her.
Byeliminating the competition.
* **
“Comein.”
Marissaentered cautiously. She could imagine how Catarina would respond toher visit, at least initially
Theother comarré’s eyes narrowed. She set her e-readeraside and leaned back on the sofa. “What do you want?”
“Toapologize.” She pointed to an empty chair in the sitting room.“May I sit?”
Catarinanodded, still wary.
Marissatook
