Page 9 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

No, that was⁠—

Without thinking, I reached over to see if it was a prosthetic. He snatched my wrist, holding on when I tried to reclaim it. So I just sat there in his grasp, processing.

Minutes ticked by, one into the next. The car hugged the city, heading north on the freeway. Until the skyline disappeared, replaced with rolling hills.

“Where are you taking me?” I demanded, finally tugging my wrist free.

“To my home.” His tone didn’t invite more conversation.

“I don’t want to go to your home. I want you to stop this car and release me. I’m a human being and I don’t deserve⁠—“

He growled, lunging for me. A blur too quick to follow. Nobody moved that fast. Not unless he really was⁠—

A vampire.

I whimpered as his hand closed around my throat, tilting my face up toward his. I smelled a faint hint of cinnamon on his breath as he said, “This is not a negotiation. So stop your pointless whining before I lose my mind. Understand?” He stared at me, his eyes flicked toward my mouth, the motion so brief I wondered if I imagined it. “There now. That wasn’t so hard, hmm?”

I scoffed. The sound died in my throat as he brought his face closer to mine. For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. Which was absolutely ridiculous! He dipped to the side and pressed his nose against my throat, breathing me in.

Something tightened low in my gut, immediately followed by mortification. “Get your hands off me,” I said through clenched teeth.

He didn’t. Instead, he inhaled again. I swore I felt his teeth ghost over my pulse. A tiny whimper fell from my lips, but it wasn’t from fear. His low rumbling laugh purred against my skin. “Why should I? When you seem to like it so much?”

“Please, stop.” The plea was quieter this time—halfhearted.

“I already told you, Miss Shaw, I do what I want.” But he slid back into his seat. My body trembled with relief.

He was a monster. A fucking monster.

“Consider this our first lesson together,” he said. “This is my world. You are only in it because I wish it so.”

I stared at him, then turned to face forward, doing my best to ignore him. To ignore the confusion in my body. My mind.

Twenty minutes later, we pulled through a set of ornamental iron gates, up a long drive to a monstrosity that put the Yoshiki mansion to shame. One was loud and garish, the other, classic and tasteful.

The circle drive framed a large fountain. In the dark, the windows glowed with life, a beacon for anyone lost at sea. I could barely make out the vast grounds stretching out on all sides, and the woods far beyond that.

The car stopped before a grand entry. I looked upon a set of wide steps, flanked with gargoyles, leading to a pair of arched doors. I finally glanced toward our driver, Vittorio, noticing him for the first time. He sat motionless, staring straight ahead.

Another vampire. Chills raced down my spine.

“Out, Miss Shaw. And don’t try running.”

My eyes darted toward my captor, who studied me predatorily. “And what if I do?”.

He exhaled through his nose—not to breathe, since apparently he didn’t need to. “All those fancy myths about vampires are true. Most of them vastly underestimate our abilities. Mine, especially. Your efforts would be futile.”

“Am I supposed to be impressed?”

“Miss Shaw,” he snapped. “I want nothing more than to sink my teeth into your delicate little neck and taste your blood. Don’t give me a reason to.”

I swallowed. “You want to bite me.”

Pieces fell into place, like a mathematical equation balancing on both sides. Why was I surprised? He’d claimed to be a vampire—had proven that he was. Something about my blood affected him, enough that he’d stolen me from a party, despite believing I was a party brat. He could have taken anyone, but he’d taken me.

Something pathetic flared to life deep inside me–something that liked the idea of being chosen, even if the circumstances were abhorrent.

“Quit smirking and get the fuck out of the car.”