I stared out into the city, watching as beacons of fire lit up the never-ending darkness, over and over until it looked like the entire city was burning. Screams echoed in the night and buildings groaned under the weight of the devastation. I walked out onto the balcony of my chambers, feeling the scorching heat of the flames against my skin. It hurt, but I ignored it.
This wouldn’t end until he found me. I didn’t want that much death on my hands.
“Cain. I’m here,” I yelled out into the wind.
The fires went out all at the same time and the sudden embrace of the dark was as chilling as it was terrifyingly ominous.
“I’ve been looking for you,” a voice spoke behind me.
It was him. He’d come for me. Quickly, I hid the collar using my body and carefully turned myself around, keeping it shielded from his view.
“I haven’t wanted to be found,” I answered.
“I can see that.”
He paused and looked around, cocking his head to the side as he finally settled his gaze back on me.
“They recognize your power here. You’ve enjoyed being seen as royalty, haven’t you? Not having to answer to anyone, being able to make your own rules, spending your day how you wish, you’ve thrived here,” he observed. He shrugged a bag he was carrying off of his shoulder, placing it in a corner of the balcony as he watched me.
He was right. I had.
He took a step closer and I took one back. Cocking his head to the side, he coolly appraised me.
“I need you to understand something,” he began. For a moment, he was quiet, silently watching me try to stand my ground before him.
“I would destroy the world to take you back. I would burn this city to the ground, and I would make you watch the devastation until there’s nothing left but ashes left in order to make you understand that you’re mine. No matter where you run or hide, I will always find you. I sired you, little vampire. I don’t think you fully grasp what that means yet,” he purred, and I felt my knees go weak.
“I will never be yours,” I replied forcefully, my upper lip rolling in defiance.
He simply chuckled and strode even closer to me. I backed up several feet until I felt the railing against my backsid
e, stopping my retreat all at once. He placed each of his arms to either side of me, capturing me with his large frame. He used his feet to kick my legs wider, forcing me to spread myself for him. His lips traced the curve of my cheek and his body pressed more tightly against mine. I could feel his length hardening against my hip.
My pussy clenched tightly. My body wanted him as much as he wanted me.
I gritted my teeth. I had to remember myself. This wasn’t a rendezvous. I had a mission. I needed to weaken him so that he couldn’t use his magic against me. I had to make myself more powerful than him and this collar was the way to do it.
I maneuvered my arm from behind me, careful to avoid touching him with the metal object. I slid it along his side until I had wound my arm around his upper back, just glancing along his shoulder. I stilled, knowing that the exact instant to strike would have to be perfect. I couldn’t rush this. I would bide my time until the opportune moment presented itself.
“You think you have the upper hand, don’t you, little vampire?”
I didn’t answer. I wasn’t going to bend to him, not this time.
I stared into his eyes, challenging him. His lips curled up at the edges. My continued defiance amused him. My rebelliousness was an open dare that drew him in like a moth to flame. He seemed to grow even larger, my behavior egging him on.
He lifted his right hand and traced his fingers along my jawline until his thumb glided along my lower lip. He tightened his hold and pressed firmly against my mouth.
“Such a feisty little creature you are,” he murmured.
I growled in return.
His expression darkened and his grin grew even wider. My inner walls fluttered with need as his cock throbbed against my hip. I drew in one breath after the next, feeling the heat from my body rising to his call. I hated that he could do that to me.
“I can do a great many things to you that will leave you so very wet and so incredibly needy that you will be left begging me to fuck you,” he warned.
“I don’t need you. I can take care of myself,” I countered.
His grip tightened around my throat, just a hair too tight as a reminder that he could hurt me if he wanted to. I wanted to kick him, but I knew my mark would prevent it. If I could, I would have kneed him in the balls as hard as I could.