Page 8 of Bound

I don’t know the area. I have zero idea what’s outside thistent, so running seems like a bad idea. I need to figure this place out beforeI run.

Or you could hang out with Beck and see what happens. Imean it’s not like you have a lot going back in Texas.

Inner me is also slightly insane.

Cara laughs gently. Her light blonde hair shakes. She looksat her husband, the gnome named Reeve, and says something in that otherlanguage before turning back to me. “Aye, mistress, they are vampires, butdon’t worry none. We won’t let them bite you. They only want to see what theywill be fighting for.”

She puts a hand on her hip and says something to herhusband.

Reeve rolls his eyes. “Fine then, woman. Meg, my wife wantsto unchain you. We’re taking you to the arena where the tournament will occur.You can watch one of two ways. I can keep you bound and naked like that, or Ican give you a robe and let you sit with us in the stands.”

“I think I’ll take the robe.” I’m not going to let thischance get by. If I can get a lay of the land, then running might be back onthe table. The gnomes are small. One well-placed kick and I might be on my way.

I don’t think about the fact that Cara’s been kind to me.That’s the Stockholm Syndrome talking.

Reeve considers me as though he can hear my thoughts. “Ifyou run, you should know that one of them vampires will be on you before youcan think to shout. They’ll play by the rules as long as you do, but the minuteyou run, they’ll chase you down. It’ll be a free for all.”

Gosh I hope they can’t hear my damn thoughts.

His words make me think about fangs and the looks of hungerin the vampires’ eyes. It sends a shiver through me, and I’m back to wonderingwhere Beck is. “I’ll stay close.”

At least I’ll be out of the chains and clothed. What if Beckchanged his mind? He hasn’t been back to see me, and it’s been hours. No oneelse was allowed to touch me. When they tried, the gnomes explained that ifthey did not follow protocol, they wouldn’t be allowed to fight. I didn’t askedwhy Beck was special. I didn’t have to.

According to the other women, Beck was a king.

Reeve allows his wife to unchain me.

“Where am I?” If this is my reality for the time being, Ineed to figure a few things out.

I’m obviously in denial. Something took me and my brainhasn’t found a way to deal with it.

It’s time to start dealing.

“You truly don’t know?” Cara asks, a look of sympathy on herface.

I shake my head. For the first time, I try to look at thesebeings as something other than figments of my imagination. If this is real andI’m going to save myself, I need them. If this is really happening, I have toget away. I can’t run if I don’t know where I am.

I’m beginning to accept that strange creature who kidnappedme brought me somewhere…else.

Cara brings over a gossamer robe and hands it to me. I pullit over my head, the soft fabric caressing my skin. Though it’s practicallysheer, it feels warm against me.

The dress-like robe cuts a deep V at the neck, showing offmy breasts. I try to tug it closed, but it doesn’t work. Cara moves in behindme and expertly ties it in the back. The garment molds to my curves. It’sutterly unlike the shapeless clothes I prefer to wear at home. The ones I’vetold myself help me blend in so no one notices I’m not enough. Those boringblack pants and shapeless shirts didn’t stopped my ex-husband, Michael, fromalways telling me I need to lose twenty pounds and bleach my hair blonde.Blonde is lovely but not for me. My auburn hair is the only thing I truly likeabout my looks. I’ve tried to lose the weight. It didn’t work.

Beck didn’t seem to mind my weight.

“Bloody hell. You’re gorgeous, sweetheart. Seriously, youare one fucking beautiful consort. Look at that glow.” The words came frombehind where I stand, peppering out in quick order. “Are those tits real? Noone has real tits where I come from. Fucking plastic surgeons screw upeverything. Pretty soon we’ll all have plastic dicks, and what fun will thatbe? Let me tell you something, babe, the day they come for my cock and fangs isthe day I leave my home plane forever.”

The man is one slick-looking vampire. Perfectly white fangspeek from behind sensual lips, so there’s no denying what he is. He’s avampire.

And I’m not home anymore.

The truth washes over me but I manage to stay some sort ofcalm. This is the most ridiculous situation I could ever be in. Datelinedidn’t prepare me for this shit.

I’m apparently going to be forced to be some kind ofbondmate or consort to a man I don’t even know.

So why do I want to see him again? Why am I not fighting myway out?

“Oh, no, Mr. Dellacourt,” Reeve says with a shake of his redcap. “The tourney is about to begin. Her viewing is over. If you wish to buy anentry, there is still time. However, her viewing is done.”