Page 51

When he shoved me down and climbed over me, self-preservation took over, and I decided I couldn’t wait any longer.

“Sto—” the single word that could have solved everything didn’t make it out of my mouth.

Mordock’s hand slammed down over my face so fast and hard I was momentarily dazed. I shoved and kicked out uselessly as he lay his body down over me. I drove my nails into his skin wherever I could reach, only to have them break as though I’d tried mauling a brick as the scratches I dealt vanished within seconds.

“What’s this little bauble then?” Mordock asked, lifting the charm from my breast and holding it up between us.

My eyes stretched wide as he rolled it between his thumb and finger. I fought harder, but I might as well have been a fly for all the good it did me. He tilted his head, watching me with a grin on his face.

“Is this how you managed to avoid my glamour, Pet? Well now, let’s just see how you like a taste of your own medicine shall we?” He yanked the charm from my neck and tossed it across the room.

I reached for my earrings, but he used the hand over my mouth to shove my head to the side, shifting so one leg was over one of my arms. And my other wrist, he caught effortlessly in his free hand.

“Clever, Pet.” He leaned over my ear, and his teeth grazed my lobe before clamping on the charm and yanking it out.

My scream was muffled as he repeated the process with my other ear. He proceeded to lick at the warm blood that spilled from the torn skin on one side then the other. Heaving with sobs, my body shook beneath him, and I felt him grow harder against me in response. The prick really did get off on pain and control.

He released my arm and pulled his shirt off one-handed. Then he stared down at me, forcing my face still until I made eye contact. This was it. I was about to be his puppet, and even if Julian gave the signal, it would be too late to do anything about it.

I squeezed my eyes closed.

“Open up, Doctor,” he cooed, tightening his grip on my face until tears sprung from my eyes.

Still, I kept them shut.

Then he pinched my nose, cutting off my air. Panic seized me, and I bucked to no avail. My eyes sprung open automatically, as though if I could see the air, I could somehow get it into my lungs.

“Stop struggling,” he ordered, and my body obeyed even as my chest continued to heave, seeking the release of a breath.

“That’s better. Do not speak unless I order you to.” He removed his hands from my face, and I gulped at the renewed flow of oxygen.

I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out. My best weapons had been taken from me.

“Are you hiding any more charms, Pet?” Mordock asked.

My head bobbed up and down in answer even as I flung every swear word I knew at him in my mind.

“Show me.”

I thrust my hand out with the ring, and he slipped it off my finger and tossed it on the nightstand. I was down to almost nothing, but I still had a few things up my sleeve—or belt, as it were.

No sooner had I thought it than he was busy removing it from my waist.

“I can think of much better uses for this,” he said, pulling the leather through his fingers. “Arms up.”

That’s when the lights blinked twice. It was the signal from Julian. Finally. But there was nothing I could do to enact my part. Try as I might, no words would come from my throat as Mordock tied my wrists to the bedpost with my own belt, pulling it until the leather edges dug into my flesh and cut off circulation.

He stood over me, hand at the waist of his jeans when a thunderous crash came from the hall.

“What the fu—” Mordock roared as the door flew apart, sending shards of wood in every direction.

Julian burst into the room, crimson eyes wild, dark hair disheveled, shirt torn, and blood coating his sculpted chest—the perfect angel of death. He’d never appeared more beautiful as he snarled at Mordock, fangs fully extended, darkened veins pulsing in his neck.

“Where are my brood?” Mordock demanded, his voice bouncing off the walls as he stood to face my vampire.

“Dead,” Julian said, the one word sitting in the air like a promise. “You think I didn’t hear what you were doing? I tore through anyone stupid enough to try to get in my way.”

“Why the suicide mission? It’s not like she’s your mate,” Mordock laughed, placing a hand on my foot.