Page 58 of Dancing With Demons

“Ah!” I cried out, clamping down on my lip.

Ronin stuck his finger past my folds as his thumb pressed down hard on my clit. “Say you’ll tell that walking carcass to fuck off and crawl back into his coffin where he belongs.”

“Ronin, p-please...” Desperation crept into my voice. “I’m not into public stuff, okay? I never have been and—and everyone’s looking at us!” The table linen covered our legs and laps, but nothing was covering the lust in his eyes, or the shame on my face. “They’re going to guess what we’re doing. Please, stop.”

“If you want me to stop”—both hands picked up the pace—“you know what to say.”

I clamped down on my lip, doubling over and dropping my head on the table. Ronin was warm and slick in our hands, and I hated that—even as loathing and embarrassment burned my chest—I was warm and wet in his palm too.

Moans threatened to fall from my lips, but the words he wanted me to say didn’t. I can’t! Vampires are a million times faster than demons. Fast enough to take dozens of creepshots of me in my bathroom without me having a single clue! Without Professor Radu’s protection, I’d be a walking blood bank for every vampire who hates hunger more than they fear Ronin Belphe.

“Say it.” He plunged a third finger inside me and streeeetched me wide, catching my cry with a rough, punishing kiss. “Do it,” Ronin hissed against my mouth, “or I’ll bend you over this table and show everyone exactly who owns you.”

I glared into those otherworldly eyes. It was true. I knew what he was doing. Taking away all of my allies—the few though they were—and making me wholly dependent on him for everything, so he could be sure I could never deny him anything.

Yes, I knew his intentions, but that didn’t mean I knew how to stop him.

Ronin released my hand and grabbed my hips, lifting me up to spread me on the table.

“Wait!”

Smirking, he put me back down. “I’m listening, Charlie, but before you do, understand that if you make a promise to me and break it, I’ll be so displeased that I may lash out irrationally against anyone...” Ronin flicked to Dora. “...in my vicinity.”

My hands trembled. It was then I noticed my right hand was still wrapped around his cock. Head down, I nodded. “I got it, all right? Ease up.”

His probing fingers slowed. “Say it.”

I swallowed through needles, feeling the words that would sign my death warrant rising up my throat. Taking a deep breath, I raised my head—

—and smashed my forehead on his face.

“Argh!” Ronin bellowed, blood spurting from his nose.

“Ahh,” Eris screamed. “What the fuck are you doing to Ronin— Hey, stop! Stop her!”

Shooting up, I grabbed Dora’s hand and tore out of the mess hall—beating it out of there before anyone could move an inch to—

Pain exploded in my face. Clapping my hands over my nose, I screamed—tumbling over my feet and smacking flat on the sticky floor. “Ahhhhh!” Agony tore through my face. Hot pokers up my nose, acid in my sinuses, termites eating away my cartilage, and flames incinerating my bones—I could only wish it felt like that, because all of that would’ve hurt a fuckton less than the pain I felt now.

“Ahhh! Ahhh!”

“Felix?” Dora’s voice pierced through my screams. “Felix, what’s happening? Are you okay?”

“Wow, that was awesome.” I’d only known her for a short time, but I’d recognize that voice, and the lustful sadism in it, anywhere. “Maybe we are all missing out on this sub bond thing,” Raven said.

“Such a silly little thing,” Ronin remarked.

I couldn’t scream anymore for crying, and even that was torture. Every tear felt like my eyeballs were being yanked out through my nose.

“Like she’s the first bonded to try to hurt her bonded and run away. As if the bond would let her get away with either.” A soft hand caressed my cheek. “This odd creature doesn’t stop fighting when she’s trapped, when she’s down, or when she’s beaten. It’s strange...” Ronin’s voice was soft—almost sweet. “But when I see her like this, it makes me want to try even harder—”

A hard, loveless kiss ravaged my lips.

“—to break her.”

Darkness chased me. Pouncing and pulling me under, it took me away from the pain.

Chapter Eight