Page 47 of Collared by the Vampire Prince

My throat goes dry.

“And the third?” I prompt.

“And the third—me.”

Of course. Curious, though, for a prince who insists he has no interest in owning me.

“Now,” he says, “one final piece of advice regarding Susie.”

“I liked her,” I say at once, chin lifting.

“Hmm. Yes, well. Before you decide she is some great revolutionary, you should know her teachers consider her one of the most tractable wolves in the Academy. Her Pet Obedience teacher, Professor Zott, has often said she is eager to please. She’s the best student he’s ever had, apparently.”

I wince, and he nods as though it’s precisely the reaction he wanted.

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, my voice wavering again. I’m so, so tired. Why won’t he just leave?

“To ensure your transition to student life is as smooth and uneventful as possible. And to prevent any further incidents that might require…disciplinary action.”

My face heats. All I can think of is the foyer: Arken’s fist in Susie’s hair, the gold collar at her throat, her body jostling with the force of his. The way she stood there afterwards, flushed and obedient and trying so hard to seem unbothered.

I want to change things, she’d said.

A sick feeling creeps through my stomach, and my hand rises to my throat without conscious thought, fingertips grazing the leather collar. Is that all I am now? Something to be used for another creature’s pleasure?

“I’ll leave you to settle in,” Nathaniel says. “But first…” He holds out his hand. “The locket.”

My fingers fly to the gold chain, no longer shielded by my tunic. “What?”

“The locket,” he repeats. “You are not allowed personal possessions.”

I clutch it harder, the locket warming to my touch.

“That’s a bullshit school rule,” I growl.

“It isn’t a school rule.” His eyes hold mine. “It’s my rule.”

I have every intention of refusing. He is not taking my last connection to my parents. I’ve already lost my freedom. I may never see Byron or Mary again. I might not even recognise myself when I leave this place.

Because I will escape, I’ll find a way.

Until then…

Something in me goes cold and quiet. Defiance has cost me enough tonight.

I lift the chain over my head, carefully working it past the collar. The gold snags on a buckle before slipping free.

Crossing the room feels immensely difficult.

“You’d better not lose it,” I growl, still holding the locket close.

“You’ll get it back at graduation.”

As if that is meant to comfort me. I don’t hide my contempt as I place the locket in his palm.

His long fingers curl around it before he slips it into his pocket.

“Returning to Wintermaw?” I ask bitterly.