"A life without love," she says. "Is it worth it?"
"No. No it's not. But love is nothing. A color in the sky before the dawn. Beautiful, fleeting. Dissipates as quickly as it comes."
"Like humans. Like us shifters." Her eyes are closed again, pain creasing her face. She's so young, to be so aware of death. To be fearless in the face of it.
"What's it like? To have a cause?"
She opens her eyes. "Lonely. In some ways I'm as lonely as you."
"Such honesty." I shake my head in awe.
"Well, I thought I was about to die." Her gaze slides to me as if she's still waiting for me to strike the killing blow.
Instead I take a firm hold on her hair, drawing her head back. "All creatures are close to death. You're mortal. Death is only a matter of time. Now, tell me. Why are you trying to kill me? Who put you up to it?"
She presses her lips together.
"I'll get it out of you," I tell her silkily. "One way or another."
"You could just compel me," she looks me straight in the eye. So daring.
"I told you I wouldn't compel you. I keep my promises." Lest she think I am all altriusm, I add, "Besides, if I compel you, our game is over. Where's the fun in that?" I tug on her hair, using it like a leash and marching her forward.
She's silent all the way back to the house. Docile as a lamb. Most animals accept their fate when a larger predator catches them Selene isn't one to accept, I suspect she's more curious about what I'm going to do.
I chain her to a column on the patio while I go inside to make preparations. It's not until I have her lying on her back, tied to a table I've set up inside, that she becomes chatty again.
"Why did you make so many vampires if they're only going to turn against you?
"Because, pet, as you are so fond of reminding me, I am alone. Despite the truth of what love is, I hold out hope that I will one day have a family who loves me."
"That's sad." She drops her eyes, perhaps realizing I wouldn't be so honest with someone who had longer to live. "Are you hurt by what I've done?"
"What?" I inhale, fighting the urge to laugh again. "No, pet. I knew from the first that you were sent to betray me."
"Since the auction?" she seems horrified.
"Of course."
"Then why did you bid?"
"Seemed like it would be fun."
"So that's all I am? A bit of entertainment?"
"Yes." I cock my head, remember what she blurted earlier. I'll never love you. "Why? Did you think you could be more?"
"No," she mumbles and relaxes. She's limp and compliant as I hook up the TENS unit, checking the electricity flow against my own skin. If she thinks tonight will be fun and games, she's in for a big surprise.
When I step back, the corners of her mouth turn up.
"Why are you smiling?"
"Because." Her shoulders sink down as she sighs. "I've done what I came to do."
"Kill me?"
"Or die trying."
"You're not dead yet," I point out.
"I expect you'll take care of that, soon."
"Oh no, pet." I raise the TENS unit with dangling lead wires and shake it in front of her wide eyes. "I'm not going to make it so easy for you."
Selene
I LIE BACK and try to relax as Lucius places patches on my arms. It's just torture. I expected this.
"Let's start with something easy," he murmurs and holds the square box right where I can see each button. He twists the dial and electricity zaps the skin under the patch. Breathe, just breathe. If I relax, the sensation doesn't hurt as much, even when he thumbs the dial further and makes my arm jump.
He places more patches on my hips and tops of my legs. The restraints keep me from closing my legs, but he ignores the thin, sensitive spots on my inner thighs... for now. The current goes from nothing to the highest voltage, making me jolt My muscles contract, spasm, and finally relax, overwhelmed by the current. He's avoiding any tender places that got pierced with cactus spines, and stimulating my large muscles. It doesn't hurt--it actually feels good, like a massage.
A few minutes of getting used to electricity buzzing over my skin and he moves the electrodes, covering my nipples with patches.
"This should be interesting." The first surge shoots straight between my legs and detonates there.
"Fuck me," I throw my head back, gritting my teeth.
"No, pet. Not until you earn it." Lucius isn't playing. He moves the electrodes closer to my labia. My pussy is plump and aching. Each pulse of electricity makes my inner muscles spasm.
"So wet," Lucius tsks. "I wonder…" The buzzing comes in short bursts, tingling in my sensitive bits, driving my arousal higher. By the time he turns the unit off, I'm whimpering, my hips working helplessly. I don't know if I want him to stop or give me more...
"Look at you," he murmurs, running a finger through the sopping mess between my legs. "You love this." He toys with my clit, watching my face closely.
"Stop…" I whisper.
"Why, pet? Because it hurts? Or because you like it?"
I bite my lip so I don't answer, Both. His dark chuckle raises hairs on my arms. He holds the unit in front of my face so I can watch him turn the dial all way up. The current buzzes along my lower lips, making them plump. My body reads the electric current as painfully pleasurable, responding to the stimulation. My clit is a lightning rod. Another minute, and my climax sears through me, my brain blanking with white heat.