Beholden by Marian Tee Page B

official?”
    Erou’s lips tightened. Did this mean she had found out that her Master had another pet in another territory? “It’s unfortunate, but such things do happen, and it’s not against the law,” he said finally. “Most likely, a Master does that when he feels the bond between him and his pet is likely to be temporary.”
    Zari felt herself whitening. “I…see.” She lowered her hands to her lap so Lord Erou wouldn’t see the way they were trembling. “That’s a little unfair, don’t you think? When a vampire approaches a human girl, it’s not like she’d have her wits about her.”
    Erou was puzzled. “Why wouldn’t she?”
    “Because he could just use his vampire powers and seduce her into being his pet—”
    “It’s still your choice to refuse—”
    “Ha! Don’t think you can fool me with that. I know about your powers—”
    He interrupted her, asking slowly, “Lady Zari, are you under the impression we’re able to control your mind, perhaps hypnotize you into doing our will?” She didn’t need to answer, the disapproving expression on her face telling him what she believed.
    He shook his head. “We don’t have such powers, Lady Zari.”
    “Of course you have—”
    “No, we don’t.”
    “Yes.”
    “No.”
    “Yes.”
    “Lady Zari, I swear on my life, we do not .”
    Her mouth opened and closed. Now that sounded true. And if it was true, then—
    Either she was a nympho, or she felt more than she should be feeling for her Master.
    Opposite her, Erou remained quiet, wondering yet again if she was aware that her face was like a live TV display. Her eyes blinking rapidly…she was in shock at what he had revealed. Her teeth gnawing on her lip…she was thinking about what it meant. Her cheeks puffing up…she was mustering the courage to—
    “Lord Erou, I would like to ask you something.” Her cheeks were like a balloon that inflated and deflated every second, and it was fast turning a deep shade of rose.
    The vampire’s gaze settled on her. Intent, sharp, and transparent – someone who saw everything but hid nothing.
    Inching forward on her seat, she took a deep breath and brought her face close to the vampire.
    Erou hissed in surprise, not expecting the girl to do such a thing. Her scent wrapped itself around him, and he dared not close his eyes then. If he did, he knew something would happen – the kind that could force a duel between him and Alexandru.
    Zari took another deep breath. She would try kissing Lord Erou, and if she didn’t feel the same thing…
    Lifting herself off her seat, she leaned closer towards Lord Erou, who bent an inch backwards every time she inched closer. She stopped moving, stammering, “Why are you moving back?”
    “What are you intending to do?” He grimaced at how hoarse his voice had become. Did this girl know how much he found her scent addictive? How it was making his cock respond inside his pants? He was this close to forgetting all about playing by the rules. His body begged him to take her and be damned with the consequences.
    She couldn’t believe the vampire was asking her such a question. “You know!”
    “No, I do not.”
    “Yes, you do.”
    “No, I do—”
    “I’m going to kiss you!” She closed the distance between them in one lunge over the library desk.
    The words hit, and his eyes automatically closed in expectation of Zari’s kiss.
    But nothing happened.
    He opened his eyes and saw that Zari had a terrified expression on her face.
    ****
    RED.  
    Everywhere it was red. Red. RED. REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED —-
    The crumbling spines of ancient texts shelved in the corner. The painted lips of the librarian behind her desk. The decorative squares on the tiled floors. The rust on the steel handles of the wheeled book tray—
    Red all over, but like her first vision, it only meant one thing.
    Death.
    So many deaths.  
    People she wasn’t able to help.
    The whole world turned red, everyone dripping in blood—
    Oh God, she