Chapter 12

Rhea

I couldn't breathe. Hell, I couldn't believe my ears, and no matter how many times the words echoed in my ears, I just didn't want to believe it.

The hunter's escaped. Do we have your permission to kill her on sight?

I knew for a fact that it wouldn't be long before they found out I was gone, but it was what? Barely an hour since we escaped, and they were already on the hunt for me, why?

My blood ran cold as realization pressed into me. The only reason why they'd figured out I was gone so quickly, was because I was supposed to get drained next. I was supposed to be drained of my blood, just so I could feed these monsters, or worse.

Shit.

The knock thundered against the door again, and my heart nearly launched itself from my chest.

“My Lord,” the muffled voice came through the doors again. “Do we have your permission to kill her on sight?”

The words made me freeze where I stood. They weren’t asking if, they were asking when.

Without thinking, I snapped my gaze to Alaric. He didn’t look rattled, not even a little. If he was bothered, he didn't show it at all, and I had no idea how I felt about that.

His expression was carved from stone, lips set in that same infuriating line of authority. He didn’t move toward me, didn’t shield me, didn’t so much as blink either. He just stood there, as if deciding how best to play his game.

“Well?” I hissed, my voice sharp and trembling all at once. I made sure to drop my voice to a whisper as I spoke up again, because as adventurous as I was, dying in the hands of a vampire wasn't how I planned on exiting the world. “Say something. Or are you going to let them cut me down the second I step out of here?”

His eyes flicked to mine, and I hated how he could silence me with just a look. After a second, he turned his head toward the door.

“Stand down,” he called, his voice smooth and commanding, each word slicing the air like a blade. “No one touches her until I say so. She’s mine to deal with.”

“But, sire…” the guard let out again. He didn't get to construct a very long sentence, because Alaric cut him off almost instantly.

“Are you questioning me?” His voice was cool, but I knew it was nowhere near calm. “Undermining my authority perhaps?’

“Not at all, my Lord.”

“Good.” Alaric chimed, and that was it.

A pause followed, and then a quick, obedient “Yes, my Lord,” before footsteps retreated down the hall.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding the moment I confirmed he was gone. It came out a little shaky, and too close to a sob, but all I could focus on, was Alaric glancimg at me, as if daring me to thank him.

“I’m not yours,” I spat instead, the words slipping out like venom. “Don’t you dare use me as some possession to parade around.”

“Would you prefer they knew you were here and dragged you out by your hair?” The faintest twitch tugged at the corner of his mouth, but his voice stayed cold. “Because I can call them back if your pride insists.”

I hated him. Gods, I hated him, so damn much. And yet my body shook at the thought of those guards breaking in here, hauling me back to the cages, to the screams….

“Damn you,” I whispered, turning away before he could read the truth in my face.

“Already done,” he muttered, and I heard him moving across the room.

I didn’t turn until I heard the grinding shift of stone. My eyes widened, as he stood by the far wall, one hand pressing against a hidden socket. The marble slid aside with a reluctant groan, revealing a narrow corridor behind it. It was dark but I could see the shadows curling within, thick and suffocating.

“Wait?” My stomach dropped. “You had this planned?”

“Did you think I would walk you straight through the front gates?” His gaze cut to me, sharp and unreadable, like he was addressing a silly child.

The nerve of him, to act like this was normal. Like risking everything for me was just another strategy in his endless schemes.

“You’re insane if you think I’m going in there with you.” I shook my head, my chest tightening. “Bloody insane.”

“Then you’re insane if you think you’ll survive without me.” Alaric’s jaw flexed, as je took a step closer, his voice low and dangerous.

He wasn’t wrong, and that was the worst part.

I wanted to argue, to tell him I’d rather die clawing my way free alone than be dragged along like his chained pet,but the memory of the blood bank was still raw in my veins, every scream etched into me

The truth sat heavy on my tongue, and I hated that he saw it. Of course he did.

“This is your choice, Rhea,” he said, though the edge in his voice suggested otherwise. “Stay, and they’ll find you. Come, and you’ll live long enough to keep hating me.”

I glared at him, my pulse pounding so hard I thought he’d hear it. I wanted to stay put, but my feet betrayed me, carrying me forward, one reluctant step after another, until I stood before the gaping opening of the secret passage.

“If you betray me again, Alaric,” Just before stepping inside, I muttered. “I’ll finish what I started in this room.”

“I’d expect nothing less.” His smirk was a shadow of itself, more dangerous than amused. “Now, if you will.”

I rolled my eyes at him, and once I'd confirmed that the deathly glare I was throwing in his direction wasn't going to do shit to him, I stepped inside.

The stone ground closed behind us immediately, swallowing the chamber, the firelight, and the world I’d known. Darkness wrapped around me, pressing close, and for the first time, I realized the real pri

son might not have been the blood bank.

It might be him.

I was doomed. Literally.