Ironic Sacrifice by Brooklyn Ann

she would know. Further humiliation ate at her as she realized that everyone around her was a success, except for her. Hell, Akasha looked to be in her early twenties and she managed an auto shop. Akasha’s friends were a world renowned heavy metal band. And here Jayden was, homeless, half crazy, and at the mercy of all of them. Still, it was better than where she was yesterday. And they were all the most interesting individuals that she’d ever encountered.
    She studied them one by one. What was the story behind Akasha? Where did she get her incredible strength? How did she meet Silas? And was their love as real as it looked? It sure seemed to be. The Scottish vampire held more kindness and gentleness in his eyes and voice than Jayden could imagine Razvan possessing. But could Silas help her? And if he did… if she managed to get back to normal, what then? Her mind shied from the question.
    The combination of a full stomach and the boring conversations around her made Jayden drowsy. Her eyelids drooped and she dozed off.
    “I think it is bedtime for my pet,” Razvan’s voice rumbled in her ear. Jayden jolted awake and raised her head from his shoulder. The moment of truth was coming.
    Silas stood up. “Very well, Akasha and I shall show you to your room.”
    As they followed Silas and Akasha down the stone steps to the secret chambers below, Jayden’s heart tried to beat itself out of her chest. It was time to test Razvan’s honor. As much as he fascinated and attracted her, she must be strong. When they reached their bedroom and he tried to pull her into his arms and enslave her with his seduction, she would refuse him. And then what? Will he rape me? What will it prove? It seemed that with each step she took, a thousand questions screamed in her mind, the most frightening was: what if he gets angry? Will he hurt me? She had no doubt that, vampire or not, he could make her previous longing for death more paltry than a candy craving.
    She bit back a startled gasp when Silas opened a door, jerking her back into reality. “I wish you both a good day’s sleep. And Jayden?”
    “Yes?” she did her best to sound casual.
    “Your lessons begin tomorrow.”
    “Oh. Okay.”
    Razvan led her down the hall into a room that put the Resort’s suite to shame with its sumptuous carpet and California king-sized bed. A wall-clock framed with silver curlicues read 4:30 A.M.
    He set her bag on the bed. “I will be back shortly.”
    Jayden sat down on the mattress hard as the door shut. Where the hell was he going? Then it occurred to her. He needed to feed. He was going out to hunt. Why didn’t he feed from me? She wondered. And how often do vampires need blood? Do they need it once, or is it three meals a night, like people? How much blood could she lose in a night? Jayden had no idea; she’d never donated blood before. It wasn’t that she was selfish; she just wasn’t at the right place at the right time.
    She changed into one of her new nightgowns and brushed her teeth, all the while psyching herself up for what would happen when Razvan returned. She sat back on the bed and watched the clock slowly turn closer to five. What time did the sun come up this time of year? Five-thirty? Six? Just as she was about to slap herself for dozing off again, she heard his footsteps on the stairs. It was time to refute the vampire’s advances. The door opened.
    “You are still awake,” Razvan said. “If I had known you meant to wait for me, I would have brought down some books from Silas’s library.”
    He turned down the covers and patted the mattress. “Come, now. You have a busy evening ahead.”
    Cautiously, she lay down. He turned off the lamp and pulled the covers over them as he put his arm around her. Now’s the time.
    “Good rest, Jayden,” he whispered.
    And that was it.
    ***
    Razvan breathed in Jayden’s delicious scent and congratulated himself on his restraint. Gently he whispered to her mind, coaxing her to relax