Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 111353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“Did you all not fucking hear me?” Ronin’s voice dropped the temperature a hundred degrees. “She’s mine.”
Raven bristled, lips peeling back from her teeth. “Well, look who’s all possessive.”
Ah, so you hear it too.
“What’s your deal with the mortal, Ronin?” Raven demanded, her voice getting louder. “Huh? Answer me!”
“It’s not a deal,” Ronin drawled—a smirk tugging at his lips. “It’s a bond.”
Raven rocked back, dropping my arm. “A bond? You don’t mean— Not the sub bond,” she cried. “Ronin, are you insane? No one does that anymore! The downside if you break the bond is brutal! You might as well go out murder-suicide-style than pay that price!”
“What?” I blurted. “Ronin, what is she talking about? What’s the downside?”
He sighed, finally sitting up and opening his eyes. The guy dared to look at us like we were irritating him out of his sleep. “Nothing you need worry your pretty little head about, pet. There will be no downside because we won’t be breaking the bond.”
“But you—”
My phone went off, buzzing against my leg. “Tristan?” I broke free of Eris and Raven, turning away. It had to be Tristan. Only two people knew this number, and the other person was sitting right in front of me.
I answered without looking. “Hello? Tristan, is that you?” I asked. “Is everything okay? I’ve been trying to reach you, but—”
“You haven’t tried nearly as hard as I’ve fought to get to you, honey.”
The beginnings of my smile vanished like a dewdrop in the desert. “What the hell do you want?”
Professor Radu laughed out loud. “I’ve missed you too.”
I rolled my eyes so hard, I made myself dizzy. “You’ve got a lot of damn nerve.” Grasping Dora’s shoulder, I steered her to our seats and cooling food. “You sent hundreds of bloodthirsty serial killers after me,” I hissed. “What would’ve happened if I wasn’t in my room with Tristan at the time? They would’ve drained me dry!”
“I only did what I promised I would do, sweetie. I’d never break a promise to you, nor would I let you slip out of my fingers that easily,” he chirped. “I didn’t send the bloodthirsty serial killers after you until I confirmed you were in your room with the wolf.”
“After you confirmed?” I paused raising my coffee to my lips. “What are you talking—?”
Thud!
I jerked, flicking up as Ronin dropped in the seat next to me. Was it me or did he not look happy?
I frowned at his frown, confusion crumpling my jaw. “—about?” I finished, lowering my voice. “How did you know where I was?”
“Honey, you wound me. I always know where you are, what you’re doing, and who you’re with.” Radu said that so brightly, it took a full ten seconds for the hairs on my neck to rise.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.
A tidal wave of notifications went off in my ear. I pulled my phone away to check, and my jaw dropped to the floor.
Photo after photo of me, me, and more me hit the screen one after the other. Me sitting next to Dora in History of Hell. Me sitting on the library floor waiting for the shade. Me brushing my teeth. And me that very morning, walking to the mess hall.
“—incredible this morning,” he was saying when I stuck the phone back to my ear. “Thank Edward that demon changed up your wardrobe. You’re even more delectable now,” he hissed. “I could just. Eat. You. Up.”
I swallowed hard, shrinking lower in my seat. “What is this?” I whispered. “Is this a threat?”
“A threat?” Radu sounded genuinely surprised. “Why would I threaten you? You feed me, I protect you. We have an agreement much too mutually beneficial to sour with threats, honey.”
He had a point.
“What is with this honey stuff?” I snapped instead. “Since when do you do pet names?”
“Ah, forgive me, but I can’t resist. Every time I say it, it brings up the most pleasant memories. You truly do taste honey sweet.”
“Wait, I do?” My interest piqued despite myself. “My blood tastes like honey? Does everyone’s blood taste like honey to vampires?”
“No, as it happens. Blood tastes like the finest nectar to all vampires, yes, but the flavor is as different as the people. Some taste tart. Some sweet. Some smooth and sharp like a good whiskey. And others playfully saccharine like cotton candy.
“No, it’s not your blood,” he went on, “it’s your pussy that tastes like honey.”
Eyes bugging, my cheeks caught fire.
“Not like any kind of honey,” the lunatic pervert breezed on. “It’s a rich, fruity sweetness with a deep profile and citrusy undertones—”
“What the hell are you, a connoisseur!” I was ducked down so low, I was practically under the table. “Who asked for the full description!”
“Who are you talking to?” Ronin demanded, stealing my attention.
“I... uh...” My first instinct was to lie to him, although I didn’t know why. It wasn’t like I needed to hide anything. “It’s Professor Radu.”