AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The warmth was gone, but there was still no hint of malice. Winter felt chastised when Hilda left the room without another word. Winter sighed, noting her provisions: uniforms, hygiene kits, and little snacks. Then she scanned the room, which was less flashy than the one she had been stuck in and made her feel like she was a prisoner all over again.
But there was a mattress, soft and airy, and she groaned when she lay in it. She closed her eyes for a while, basking in the comfort, then peered at the front. There was a door, too, not cell bars, so it wasn’t as bad as the prison chambers. Curiosity got the better of her and had her approaching the door, delighted to find it unlocked.
A quick peek outside confirmed that she wasn’t alone as she glimpsed a figure lurking in the corner. She noted the broader build and surmised it wasn’t Nate.
“I’m not going to try to escape,” she called out and was rewarded with a head turn. She couldn’t see his face in the dark, but the stillness of his body language screamed one thing: a vampire.
There was no response, so she shrugged and returned inside, plopped on the bed, and was asleep soon after. She woke up sometime later, disoriented, then surprised to find a tray of food and water already laid out beside her bed. Winter ate fast and waited for Hilda. When the woman didn’t come, she took the tray and stepped out of her room—only to be blocked by a figure. She looked up and was surprised yet again to see that while he had the palest eyes, his skin was tanned as if he had been out in the sun for too long.
“Mr. Bodyguard, I assume you have a name?”
His expression was unreadable. Scars riddled his cheeks and neck, old and faint. “Maddox.”
“Human or vampire?” When he didn’t reply, she sighed. “Mr. Maddox, I’m just going to take this tray to the kitchen and get acquainted with the staff. Then I’m going to explore the castle—or parts of it that Hilda deems safe,” she added when he looked ready to protest. “Surely Hilda can be trusted?”
There was a prompt nod, but the silence stretched on. Reluctance shone on his features, but he finally stepped back and let her leave, and she felt his eyes on her back the whole time.
“Three turns to the left, stairs headed downstairs. That’s where the kitchen is.”
She shot him a beam and followed his instructions but found the kitchen no longer bustling with activity. The smell of yeast permeated the air, a welcome scent. When she spotted Hilda arranging items on a tray, she hurried in that direction.
“Who are you sending that to?”
Hilda was visibly startled to see her but didn’t seem to mind. “The master has a guest and—”
“Can I send it up instead?”
The woman didn’t seem to mind getting interrupted, either, but now looked suspicious. “Why?”
Because I’m bored as hell.
“Because I want to make up for how I acted earlier. I am lucky to be under Master Nate’s employ, and I would like to take this tray up to show that I am willing to cooperate.”
Hilda considered her, then shrugged.
“Fine. But make sure to call him Master Nathaniel in front of others.” The tray was handed, but Hilda didn’t let go yet. “He has plans for you. I’m just waiting for instructions. But the number one goal is to make sure that you are not harmed.”
“Right. Okay.” She smiled. “Tell me where to go.”
A set of instructions and plenty of turns in the castle later, Winter finally found the room where she was supposed to drop the tray off. She placed it on the dresser beside the door, then slipped in when the chandelier caught her eye. Unlike the ones peppered around the castle, this one was made of glass balls and looked like it didn’t have any wires holding it up at all. She admired the rest of the furniture, sleek and in deep colors, reflecting a style that made her think simple but probably mindbogglingly expensive.
Sounds were coming from somewhere inside, so she ventured further until she found a bedroom separate from the private living room. Nate’s voice was soft but clear as he spoke with someone else.
“Yes. That’s it.”
The croon was apparent, like invisible fingers thrumming in her senses. Then a female voice answered.
“Are you sure it’s safe?”
“It’s safe. It’s very safe. Trust me.”
Winter moved just enough so one eye can view what was inside, and the sight before her had her stilling. There was Nate, the vampire who made very specific deals with her, dressed in silk robes and fresh from a shower with his hair slicked back. He wasn’t alone…and he was very busy, it seemed, with his head buried on a woman’s neck and her expression set in the throes of passion.
Sucking sounds ensued, intensifying her look, and it took her a while to register that it was the same woman she had saved before. Her mind told her to leave, but somehow, her body was frozen in place as she gawked at the scene of the vampire feeding from the human—both of whom were very willing. She waited for the scream, for the woman to snap out of her reverie, but it didn’t happen. Nate continued sucking and the woman continued arching as if wanting more.
“Easy, darling. This is enough.”
A hand settled on the woman’s waist, gripping firmly. The woman rubbed against him, in clear heat, before he tilted his head and changed the angle of his fangs. Pleasure exploded on the woman’s face, so sheer and wild that it shot straight down Winter’s belly and squeezed tight.
