Page 97 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

The way his bite had felt, the pleasure, my orgasm, the physical reaction he had to drinking from me.

“I have to go,” he rasped again. He seemed to struggle with himself, jaw clenching. His breathing gradually slowed, and when he spoke again, his voice was steadier. “The others are waiting.”

“Okay. But you’re still holding onto me.” My lips were so close to his they nearly brushed his as I spoke. I was still clutched in his arms, and no part of me was frightened by it.

His tongue darted out, licking his lips, nearly licking mine.

He gave his head a tiny shake, then set me down and stepped away. I wanted to run right back into his arms, but I pushed that dangerous thought away.

He said nothing else, simply watched me a moment longer before disappearing through the library door. I stared at the empty place he’d been and wondered if I had imagined that entire encounter. My hand lifted to my neck. The skin was smooth. Zola’s words came back to me, that a vampire’s saliva could heal the bite they inflicted.

Heat flushed my cheeks with embarrassment. I rubbed my thighs together, still aching with need. Did he know? Had he felt my orgasm? Tasted it in my blood? I placed my hands over my face to cool my skin.

When I finally regained my courage, I walked back to the entry hall and found it empty. My heart didn’t slow. I’d given Laurent my blood when I’d sworn I wouldn’t, but if it would help get Zola back, it was worth it.

That’s why I’d done it. Right?

I sank down onto the stairs, waiting. I didn’t know how long it would take. I’d sit here all night if I had to.

I leaned my forehead against the bannister. My eyes drooped. I let them fall closed for a moment⁠—

“You should be upstairs resting, Miss Shaw.” Vittorio took a seat beside me.

My head jerked up. How long had I fallen asleep for? I glanced down at the watch on Vittorio’s wrist. It was thirty minutes past one. They hadn’t been gone for more than two hours.

“You didn’t go with the others?” I suppressed a yawn.

“I stayed.”

“Oh.”

“It’s late. Why don’t you go upstairs and get some rest.”

“No. I… I want to be here when they get back.”

“All right. Shall I make you some tea while you wait?”

“That… I would love that, thank you.”

Vittorio departed, heading down the side to the kitchen. I waited, trying not to let my mind run away with itself. I couldn’t picture a life here without Zola. She had become my rock. I needed her so that she could fuss over me and call me darling.

A clatter echoed from the kitchen.

I frowned, peering down the hall. “Vittorio? Everything all right?”

Glass shattered. My hand tightened on the bannister and I jerked to my feet. “Vittorio?” My voice was hardly a whisper.

The shadows across the hall writhed. The hairs on the nape of my neck lifted. There was another clatter, as someone cried out. I tried to move, but couldn’t get my feet to comply. The shadows opposite me coalesced into a figure.

“This was almost too easy,” a male voice chuckled. “I didn’t believe the rumors, but here you are. An amplifier.”

“Don’t come any closer,” I squeaked, as if my demand meant anything.

The man—some sort of humanoid creature—laughed. As he came into the light, it was like looking at a nightmare. His skin was leathery and black. His arms and legs spindly, not quite properly proportioned, with knobby joints. He had slits for a nose.

I sucked in a breath. I’d never seen a demon.

“You can come willingly or not. But either way, I’ll be taking you.”