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Cypress scoffed at that. “You don’t think I understand misery? Really? You want me to tell you about misery?” He moved closer again, his presence suddenly imposing, and Haven felt a chill shoot down his spine. Cypress was larger than him in stature and bulk. There was no doubt this man could kill vampyres when properly armed. Perhaps Haven should arm him and leave him to it. Oh, the trouble it would spare them both.
“When I was ten, my mother was killed for trying to stop a vampyre from feeding from me. It was the first time I’d ever been fed from, and I was terrified. She tried to prepare me, but I was too afraid. I panicked, and like all mothers do, she tried to come to my aid. She put herself in between us and offered herself instead. So, they took her. And slaughtered her in front of me.
“They drained her of all her blood before putting her body on a stake just outside the only window in the pets’ quarters. So every time I went for some sunshine or fresh air, her body was there in front of me. I watched it decay and wither away. Sometimes, the vampyres would make me look at it as they fed from me. It was a game to them. And I was a toy for them to play with.
“By the time I was fifteen, I’d seen all my friends murdered in horrific ways. My first lover was mutilated for sport. Her vampyre master found pleasure in torturing her. He pumped her full of Ambrosia and then slowly stripped off her skin while he raped her. These were people I cared about, people I loved. The vampyres have taken everything from me.” He paused, and Haven swore he could hear his own minuscule heartbeat.
He knew what humans underwent—he didn’t live in ignorance. But still, hearing it from Cypress’s own tongue made Haven feel queasy inside. He did his best to avoid the slaughterhouses, to keep away from the pets’ quarters, to avoid watching other vampyres with the humans that belonged to them.
Tears formed in Cypress’s large brown eyes. God, those eyes, now swimming with wetness, were like pools of darkness one could get desperately lost within. For a moment, Haven’s chest panged at the sadness reflected in those depths. Because in them, he saw a pain just like his own. Cypress’s pain called to his, like a friend beckoning in the darkness, begging to make contact.
Flashes of the past filled his mind. He couldn’t shut them out.
“Haven, I promise you I’ll protect you. I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again. I promise.”
Tobin’s eyes. Brown like Cypress’s. The same shaggy curls and burnished tan skin. But where Tobin was boyish and soft, Cypress was hard. Masculine, all thick muscles and sharp lines. A permanent scowl plastered on his face. He was like Tobin but completely his own man as well.
And he made Haven’s heart ache.
“What do you want me to say to that?” Haven hardened himself. He had to. Or this man would seep inside what was left of his heart and break it.
“I know my words hurt you,” Cy said, his voice smaller than Haven had ever heard it. “Our suffering still resonates with you. I know you hate it. I know it affects you.”
“Stop it.” Haven turned away in discomfort. He needed to leave, needed to get the hell away from this human.
“Talk to me!” Cypress shouted, and Haven froze, blinking. “Tell me you’re exactly like them, that you enjoy human pain, and I’ll give up. I’ll hate you just like I hate the others.”
He deserved it. He deserved Cypress’s hatred. But for whatever reason, Haven’s stomach clenched at the thought of Cypress looking at him the way he looked at the other vampyres, hating him in the same way. Because as much as he tried to deny it to himself, he knew that he and Cypress did not hate each other.
There was something else there instead. Something brewing, bubbling under the surface.
“You say you’re like them, but you’re not. Your heart is still human. As human as mine is, isn’t it? Tell me the truth, Haven.” Cypress’s eyes implored him. For a moment, he almost considered it.
Backing away, Haven turned toward the door. “Have a good night, Cypress.” He left to a stunned silence, Cypress gaping wordlessly as the door shut in front of his face.
CHApTER NinE
Haven
The banquet hallwas filled with vampyre nobles, all of them already buzzing with excitement. Around the room, pets and cattle were bound at feeding stations, drugged with Ambrosia, their eyes glazed and their heads lolling on spindly necks. Their differences were marked by the color of chains they wore around their necks. The pets were to be used, played with, drunk from, but not killed. The cattle would not be so lucky. Their lives would end this night.
As Haven moved through the room, he felt eyes upon him, observing every inch of him. He wasn’t unfamiliar with those glances, lewd eyes that undressed him and caressed him and fondled him without propriety. They wanted his blood; even as it was, it still enticed them. But they knew to whom he belonged. Haven belonged to Thorne. No one would touch him nor approach him without Thorne’s express permission. No one would dare challenge that established order. No one but one.
“Hello, pet,” the familiar voice purred into his ear like a phantom he hadn’t heard approach.
“Lord Gaius,” Haven breathed.
A soft chuckle. Haven spun to meet the gleaming crimson gaze. Shocks of red hair fell down Gaius’s back and over his broad shoulders. His height dwarfed Haven, making him feel small. But those eyes landed on him, assessing him as if he was the most beautiful treasure. The most delicious meal. “Please, just Gaius. Are we not that familiar, Haven?”
Haven bowed his head, attempting a demure expression. “Of course, Gaius.”
The older vampyre smiled at hearing his name on Haven’s lips. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again.”
“I have as well.”
“I had hoped we’d be able to spend some time alone. Without the prying eyes of others. Though I doubt Thorne would like my being with you unsupervised.”
“Thorne only wishes to please you.”
