Embrace the Darkness Read Online Free Page B

I did just rescue you from what I suspect was a very grim future.”
    â€œI am not your pet, and my future is hardly less grim with you.”
    â€œYou do not yet know my plans for you.”
    â€œYou are a vampire. That’s all I need to know.”
    He reached out a slender hand to touch the curls that had come loose from her braid to trail over her cheek. A cool rush of power swept through her body making her stomach clench with sharp pleasure.
    Damn vampire.
    â€œYou believe we are all the same?”
    â€œVampires have been after my blood for a hundred years. Why should you be any different?”
    His lips twitched with amusement. “Why indeed.”
    She pulled back only to be halted by the shackles that dug painfully into her wrists.
    â€œDid you know I would be here when you came?” she demanded.
    There was a momentary pause before he gave a nod. “Yes.”
    â€œAnd that’s why you’re here?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œObviously because I wished to have you.”
    That pang of disappointment returned to stab through her heart. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
    â€œEven after I saved your life?”
    He tilted his head to one side to allow the long silver hair to trail over his shoulder.
    â€œSaved my life? Perhaps.”
    Shay widened her eyes in shock. “What do you mean, perhaps? Edra intended to kill you. I took a spell blast meant for you.”
    He shrugged. “Certainly you prevented a nasty wound, but it is impossible to determine if it would have been a killing blow.”
    â€œYou jackass,” she breathed, beyond caring that she was now his slave and utterly in his power. “I saved your life and yet you came here to buy me.”
    â€œWas there another among the bidders you would have preferred?”
    â€œI would have preferred to kill you all.”
    His soft chuckle floated on the air. “So bloodthirsty.”
    â€œNo, I’m sick of being at the mercy of every demon, monster, witch, or freak who has the money to buy me.”
    He stilled as the midnight gaze searched her flushed face. “Understandable, I suppose.”
    â€œYou understand nothing.”
    His faint smile remained, but for the first time Shay noticed the lines of strain around his magnificent eyes.
    â€œPerhaps not, but I do understand that I am in no humor to battle you this evening, pet. I have been injured and I need blood to recover my strength.”
    Shay had nearly forgotten the stab wounds he had received during his battle with the man. Not that she particularly cared at the moment.
    She didn’t like his mention of blood.
    â€œAnd?”
    The amusement returned to his eyes as he easily read her unease. “And while I prefer to escort you to my lair in a civilized manner, I can keep you shackled and drag you there kicking and screaming. The choice is yours.”
    She refused to show her relief. It was only a matter of time before she became an unwilling donor.
    â€œSome choice.”
    â€œFor the moment it is the only one you have. What is it to be?”
    She glared at him before at last sticking out her arms. There was no point in fighting the inevitable. Besides the iron rubbing against her skin was hurting worse than she wanted to admit.
    â€œTake off the shackles.”
    â€œI have your word that you will not attempt to fight me?”
    Shay blinked in surprise. “You trust my word?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause I can read your soul.” He held her gaze with ease. “Your word?”
    Well…crap.
    She didn’t want him to know that once she gave her word she would never go back on it. It gave him yet another hold over her.
    For a moment she refused to make the pledge. How could she live with herself if she didn’t at least try to put a stake through his heart? She did have her pride, after all. But as he continued to stare at her with that unnerving stillness only a