Page 46 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

A chill raced down my spine. I clenched my fists, ignoring the pain from the gash on my palm. Blood dripped onto the entry floor.

Dominic turned his gaze back to Laurent. “Well, I suppose we have a deal then.”

My situation solidified into crystal clear realization. This was no trick. No bluff.

“Indeed, we do,” came Laurent’s expressionless voice.

“Don’t do this,” I whispered, whirling toward him.

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t acknowledge me, keeping his gaze on Dominic. “She is more trouble than she’s worth. Take her and give me the information you promised.”

“Of course. Soren, Avril, take her.” To me, Dominic said, “I’ll see you soon, girl.”

It was a promise that turned my bowels watery.

The other two witches stepped forward. They moved efficiently, though not as fluidly as vampires might. My wrists were zip-tied. Then they dragged me away.

I screamed, pulling against them, trying to plant my feet against the floor. “Laurent, don’t do this! Don’t! Please!” They dragged me closer to the manor’s front door. It blew open on a phantom wind. Every hope I had vanished in an instant. In my final seconds, I looked over my shoulder directly at Laurent and said, “I will never forgive you for this!”

Laurent finally looked at me then, his silver eyes completely empty. “I never asked for your forgiveness, Miss Shaw.” My lips parted, but he was already turning away. “Come, Dominic, let’s discuss this in my study.”

I was dragged through the manor doors. My breaths came faster. I went limp. For the first time in my entire life, I gave up my fight, allowed the hopeless sting of betrayal to create a yawning pit within my soul. Then I plunged right into it.

13

My witch captors shoved me into a van and buckled me in, my wrists burning from the zip ties. I didn’t get a good look at the driver. “Where’s Dom?” he barked.

“Coming. He’ll only be a few minutes,” Avril said, taking a seat on one side while Soren took the other.

“Should we expect trouble?”

“This is Laurent Sarkas, what do you think?” Soren spat.

“This is all a misunderstanding,” I interrupted. “You have to believe me. The vampires took me, kidnapped me. There are people looking for me.” My pleading hadn’t worked before, but I had to try. “Please.”

“Shut up!” Avril slapped me. Stars exploded across my vision as my head snapped sideways, the taste of blood filling my mouth. “Talk again and I’ll rip your tongue out. It would be a shame to waste your screams, but I will if I must.”

These were the people Laurent had handed me over to? I felt the blow of his betrayal anew. It pressed against my chest, making that yawning pit stretch a little wider.

Avril pulled something from her pocket. A vial of blood. I gulped, eyes widening. She popped the cork.

“Work quickly,” Soren demanded. I flinched as she coated her finger in it and began drawing marks on my bare arm.

“Damn it, Soren, hold her steady.”

Soren twisted his fingers into my hair, giving my head a violent jerk. “Move again, bitch, and I will make you hurt before it’s time.” I kept my mouth pressed closed and whimpered as Avril continued. She made several strange symbols, then quickly drew a couple on herself and Soren. “Just in case they try something.”

A few moments later, the front passenger door opened and Dominic slid in. “Drive!”

“Did you give them what they wanted?”

“A bargain is a bargain,” Dominic barked. “What the fuck do I care? Selling out the demons in exchange for a gift far greater?” The van lurched into motion. “Laurent must be loosing his grip.”

“Or,” Avril said, “he’s just desperate to find out what’s happening to his vampires.”

“Or it’s a trap and he plans to double cross us,” Soren growled.

“You took proper precautions?” Dominic looked back at us, eyes darting to my bloodied arms. “Good.”