She grimaced. “I don’t think I can.”
“You can with my help.” I’d repeated that many times, but I wasn’t sure she believed me.
“Because you’re responsible for me? The other wilis were appalled by your being my master.”
That. We hadn’t clarified all the details.
I wiped my mouth with a napkin. “When Myrtha creates a new wili, she gives the woman her blood. In your case, I gave you mine.”
A horrified expression tightened her face. “Excuse me?”
“A small amount, but enough to bind you to me. Do not worry. You won’t become a vampire.”
“What does it mean to be bound to you?”
I postponed answering her by sipping the wine. “It means that if I employ my power over you and give you an order, you’ll feel compelled to obey. In fact, you won’t be able to oppose my will even if you want to.”
Her horrified expression became sheer disgust. “Do you mean you could order me to kill someone, and I wouldn’t be able to say no?”
“Precisely.”
She straightened, her eyebrows knitting together. “Is this what you plan to do?”
“No!” I lowered the glass with too much strength, and the wine spilt on the white tablecloth, reminding me of the day Irene had arrived in her bloodstained gown. “I would appreciate it if you showed some trust. I’m not a beast. I would never abuse my power. When I said I would help you, I meant just that.”
I put the napkin on the table and scraped the chair back. I wasn’t angry because of her lack of trust towards me—not entirely—but because I meant nothing to her. I was a brute who had drunk from her without her permission and who wanted to control her.
And I couldn’t hug her or hold her hand without feeling sick.
She shifted on the chair with a soft swish. “Don’t go.”
Two words from her and I was compelled to obey. Who was the master?
“I’m sorry.” She rose, and the fabric of her skirt flowed down her legs. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“You didn’t offend me.” I tried to find the right words. “I want to help you. You helped me when I was sick, and I won’t forget that.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“I do, and I’ll do anything to make amends for having drunk from you.”
We stared at each other until either she spoke or I held her. Since the first didn’t happen and the latter was impossible, I left.
I stepped out of the dining room where Logan’s and Myrtha’s loud voices carried from the other side of the corridor.
“This is outrageous!” Myrtha’s white glow preceded her.
“Shut up, hag.” Logan strode into view, wiping blood from his mouth.
“Ravenhill!” She marched towards me, a storm in white silk. “Logan almost killed a woman by brutally drinking from her. I won’t tolerate his barbaric behaviour any longer. When I agreed to join your Dark Court?—”
“Because your power was fading.” Logan licked his bloody fingers.
“—I made it clear that women shouldn’t be hurt, especially to satisfy your revolting urges.”
I felt Irene close to me through our bond.
I crossed my arms over my chest, forcing myself not to lose my temper in front of her. “Is it true, Logan?”
