Page 98 of Collared by the Vampire Prince

“Gerald says I’m to move into his city apartment once I’ve graduated.”

“That’s very…considerate,” I say, not really listening.

“Yes, he’s always been very considerate,” Eliza agrees, smoothing her fingers over the diamonds at her throat. “You’ll understand if you meet him.”

We get no further. The classroom door opens. A middle-aged vampire strides inside, greying at the temples and dressed in a dark business suit rather than Academy clothes.

Eliza brightens, standing taller with her hands folded neatly before her and her smile settling into something carefully composed.

“Why, Lord Gerald Vauclair, Mayor of the Capital!” Zott exclaims, clapping his hands together in delight. “How very kind of you to grace our humble classroom.”

“Apologies, Professor Zott,” the vampire says, checking his timepiece. “I can only stay for a few minutes. There is a meeting at the town hall.”

“Of course, of course.” Zott hurries forward, all smiles. “May I take your coat?”

“No. I shan’t be long.” He glances around the room. “Where is she?”

“There.” Zott gestures towards us, still standing in the window alcove. “Ready and waiting for you. We are covering positioning today, but do as you please.”

The mayor’s eyes find Eliza. He does not smile or greet her. He only beckons. She releases my hands at once and crosses the room before lowering herself at his feet. He rests one hand on the top of her head while checking his timepiece again.

My gaze strays towards the classroom door again. Some part of me still expects Nathaniel to appear, somehow summoned as the vampire responsible for my collar.

Thankfully, it remains firmly shut.

I move a little closer to hear Eliza’s conversation with the mayor, trying not to look at Felix grunting as he moves against Jane.

Nearby, Victoria has her feet propped upon her desk, filing her nails while three wolves lie forgotten on the mats before her, obediently waiting with their legs spread.

Beyond the desks near the centre of the room, the mayor fidgets with his timepiece as he looks Eliza over. “Have you been behaving for Professor Zott, Eliza?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Right. Very good.” His attention returns to the watch. “Well. On your back, I think.”

Eliza lowers herself onto her back and smooths her skirt upwards without being told, opening her knees into the position Zott demonstrated.

“Isn’t she perfect?” Zott says dotingly, dragging an armchair from behind the blackboard and settling into it with an expectant smile, making no pretence that he intends to do anything but watch.

“Indeed,” the mayor murmurs, pushing Eliza’s skirt the rest of the way to her waist. The fastening of his trousers gives a small metallic click.

I look away, but it does not spare me the sounds. The shift of clothing. His low groan as he enters her. Eliza’s sharp intake of breath. The mat compressing beneath their weight. The shallow rhythm of their ragged breathing joining the others as he takes her, far too hurried and businesslike to resemble affection.

Mercifully, Felix finally finishes, thrusting into Jane one last time before he goes still. He remains motionless on her for only a few seconds before climbing off her.

Victoria does not appear to notice. She spares him no glance as he straightens his clothes. It is only once he has returned to his desk and slumped into his chair that she clicks her tongue.

“What?” he asks, smoothing his hair back.

“I forgot,” she mutters, almost to herself.

“Forgot what?”

“My room.” She examines one of her nails. “What am I going to do with all those flowers?”

Felix smooths his hair back into place. “Show your friends again.”

“Yes, but then what? You saw them in my room at lunch—it’s a nightmare.”