I sighed as I realized I was right. I needed to seize every opportunity that I could. Now resolute in my decision to make as much of Sinjin’s visit as possible, I honed my attention on him. I would put to good use the skills gifted to me as an Elemental and I would read his thoughts, hopefully uncovering a few morsels of information that would benefit me and my current situation. Luckily for me, I was good at what I did and usually no one had any idea I was invading their thoughts. I could only hope such would be the case with this vampire.
“I have heard,” Sinjin started as he eyed me knowingly and winked, “that one of the best remedies for a good night’s sleep is an … orgasm.” He smiled as soon as my mouth dropped open. “Perhaps I could be of service to you.”
I immediately shook my head, but didn’t reply, still not able to find my tongue. Instead, I repeatedly attempted to access his mind, but kept slamming against a wall. “Does Jolie know you’re here?” I asked, hoping to get past his bulwark, but my third attempt was just as fruitless as the first two.
Try again! I yelled at myself.
The problem I was coming across wasn’t because I couldn’t read Sinjin—I’d managed to the first time I’d met him when he’d entered our camp to release my sister when she was our prisoner. But although I had managed to read his thoughts then, they were never very clear. Oddly enough, they came across as feelings rather than words, which was unusual. Most times people thought in words and images together, with the occasional emotion thrown in for good measure. It was rare to encounter someone who merely thought in terms of feelings but nothing else.
“To answer your question as to why I am here, the queen has requested that I visit you,” Sinjin said. “Consider me a vamp bearing gifts,” he finished, holding his arms out. That was when I realized he was carrying a pile of folded clothes. I’d been so surprised by Sinjin’s visit and then so enamored of his looks that I hadn’t even noticed he was carrying anything.
“Gifts?” I repeated, my tone slightly angry in response to the disappointment and irritation I felt with myself. A handsome man shouldn’t have had this reaction on me. There were plenty of good-looking Elemental men in my tribe and I’d never afforded them a fluttered heartbeat. I was seriously off my game …
“I came to deliver apparel to you, milady, the Bête Noire, herself,” Sinjin sang in his nonchalant manner that I found highly exasperating.
“You came to deliver apparel to who?” I repeated, frowning because I didn’t understand what he was talking about. That, and I was still upset with myself.
“To whom, my little fury,” Sinjin corrected me with an impish smile. “To the Bête Noir,” he repeated again.
“It wasn’t my auditory processing that was in question,” I retorted as I speared his smile with a frown. “I don’t know what that word means.”
“Ah,” Sinjin responded as his eyebrows reached for the ceiling. He shook his head like it was a big shame. “Perhaps someone did not perform to her full potential on the vocabulary section of the SAT.”
“Ha-ha,” I replied sarcastically, surprised he even knew what the SAT was. I didn’t imagine England followed the same testing standards that the States did, and Sinjin was about as English as they came. I crossed my arms over my chest when his gaze immediately settled on my bust.
“I will leave those two little words a mystery for you to solve,” Sinjin replied as his eyes met mine again. “Consider it your homework assignment.”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head before inspecting the clothes he carried in his hands. “I already told Jolie I’m not interested in all the crap she insists on trying to give me. I’m not about to become her newest charity case.”
“Unruffle those feathers, princess,” Sinjin said with an animated smile. He shook his head and made a clicking sound with his mouth that, when paired with his gaze as it roved my figure, revealed approval.
“Do you have to keep doing that?” I inquired, throwing my hands on my hips as I glared at him.
“Doing what?” he repeated with a shrug.
“You keep looking me up and down like a perv and it’s pissing me off!” I answered. “How would you like it if I kept staring at your … package?” I shouted, feeling my anger spiraling out of control. There was only so much incarceration, hunger and unwanted visitors that I could deal with. Apparently, I’d reached my limit.
Sinjin shrugged again as if he weren’t in the least bit put off by my question or my abrasive tone. “I would not mind in the least and would even invite you to admire me, as I am quite proud of my … package.”
“Oh, God,” I grumbled, shaking my head. “Just listening to you is giving me a headache.”
“If you feel insecure with your bosoms, of course, I will cease my attention at once,” the annoying vampire finished with an eloquent and victorious grin.
“I’m perfectly fine with my bosoms!” I roared at him, immediately feeling idiotic because the word “bosom” didn’t even exist in my vocabulary.
“And so you should be, my paramour,” Sinjin responded, giving me the once-over again. “Your proportions are quite … spectacular.”
“Anyway …” I interrupted while gesturing with my hands that I wanted him to get on with the reason why he was here and to do so quickly.
He placed the pile of clothing on the bed. “Perhaps our queen …” he started.
“Your queen,” I clarified.
Sinjin smiled insincerely. “Perhaps our queen hoped I would have better luck in swaying you to accept her generous donations and to …” he glanced at my untouched tray of food before addressing me again, “eat what’s on your plate,” he demanded with a winning, almost boyish smirk. “Have not you heard of those starving in Ethiopia?” His smile turned into a chuckle.
“You won’t have any luck getting me to eat, period,” I ground out. His easy, flirty, casual manner had gone way beyond grating and was now bordering on the territory of infuriating.
“So you say,” he replied before clearing his throat and glancing down at the bed again. He unfolded the first article of clothing and held it up. “The first specimen requiring your approval appears to be an oversized, red jumper,” he said. My eyes rested on the pink sweatshirt. Apparently someone was color blind.
“Next,” I muttered. Placing the pink sweatshirt aside, he produced a pair of matching sweatpants, but I shook my head. “I don’t do pink.” Hearing me call both articles pink, and not red, Sinjin studied them quizzically before raising his eyebrows in obvious surprise and moving on to the next item.
“Very well, Lady Macbeth, I am quite certain there will be something to appease even your fashion tastes,” he said as he sorted through the pile of pastel-colored clothing. He frowned, as if agreeing his task was as useless as I’d already deemed it.
“I’m not interested in anything Jolie has to offer me,” I said, jutting out my chin in blatant defiance.
“Yes, I see … well, I cannot blame you for your fashion preferences,” Sinjin announced as he smiled at me again. He clapped his hands together after he eyed me up and down for the umpteenth time. “I, personally, prefer the shade of death as well.”
Inspecting him, I noticed he was completely dressed in black, including a button-down, collared, long-sleeved shirt which he’d tucked into his fitted slacks. “Thanks for the unrequested visit, but you can leave now,” I told him as my eyes sought the door.
But Sinjin just stood there, studying me. “May I remind you, my dear, that cleanliness is next to godliness?”
Suddenly mortified, I wondered if he was accusing me of being dirty or was I starting to stink? I could feel heat flooding my face. “I have showered, thank you,” I managed to reply, not able to hold his gaze.
“Perhaps,” Sinjin responded stonily, “but I daresay your clothing has not indulged in such a luxury.”
“This coming from a glorified corpse?” I spat back at him as he dropped his head back and laughed heartily. I, meanwhile, couldn’t get over the fact t
hat he’d basically just told me I stunk. Even after accepting Jolie’s offer to shower each day of my imprisonment, I hadn’t washed my clothes, purely because I had nothing else to wear. Instead, I’d relied on magic to keep them clean each day. However, there was only so much magic could accomplish as far as cleanliness was concerned. Tide and a good washing machine went a lot further.
“At any rate,” Sinjin continued, “I, the glorified corpse, shall personally claim the responsibility of providing your clothing.”
“Please don’t,” I nearly interrupted him. “Just as I refused to become my sister’s charity case, there’s no way in hell I’m going to willingly become yours.” Looking down at my clothing before looking back up at him again, I added, “I’m perfectly fine wearing what I have on.”
“Another day or less and no one will want to visit you,” Sinjin pointed out with a lofty expression that turned into a large grin.
“Hopefully that includes you,” I muttered but figured he was right—I didn’t want to be relegated to wearing dirty clothes for who knew how long?
“It is wise, little heathen, to pick your battles,” Sinjin started, eyeing me purposely. “And the subject of your clothing should not be one of them.”
“Fine!” I responded, exasperated. “Get me whatever you want as long as you’ll leave now!” I was annoyed with myself for caving.
“You are welcome,” Sinjin replied with an elevated brow before shaking his head. “And regarding my departure, I must first discuss one more topic of conversation with you.”
“What?” I grumbled, rolling my eyes again. I couldn’t wait for him to leave.
In a split second, Sinjin was instantly in front of me, as in: no more than six inches of air lay between us. He materialized through the air faster than I thought possible. But, points for me because I didn’t gasp or flinch. I was accustomed to the speed of a vampire. Having sparred with enough of them in the past, I knew what to expect. I narrowed my eyes at him to let him know I wasn’t impressed.
“You saved my life,” he started just as a flash of lightning lit up the sky again and illuminated his face. My attention was riveted onto his ice blue eyes, which appeared to be staring right through me. It was difficult to hold his intense gaze but I forced myself. I knew Sinjin for what he was—someone who would only respect strength and power. That meant I couldn’t back down.
“I saved your life because there was no alternative,” I managed in a low voice, not even daring to blink.
The truth was that I had saved Sinjin’s life, but doing so had gone against every moral fiber in my body. After Sinjin had been captured by my people, he was fried by one of our sunlight beams and nearly died in the process. Afterwards, he was taken to our hospital ward where he was hooked up to a blood transfusion machine so we could drain him and donate his blood to one of our sick Daywalkers.
By the time Jolie and I located Sinjin, he was halfway depleted. But, Sinjin hadn’t been my concern at the time. Only Jolie’s. Instead, my attention had been focused on our camp which was merely seconds away from blowing up, thanks to Jolie’s people breaching it. My main focus had been securing my sister and myself in our bomb shelter. But Jolie had staunchly refused to leave Sinjin’s side. Once I realized the two options I had—either losing my sister or saving the vampire, I opted for the latter. In so doing, I committed an act I always swore I never would: I allowed a vampire to feed on me.
“Regardless of your reasons,” Sinjin said as I took a step back, not comfortable with his proximity. He gripped my wrist and pulled me back to him, even closer than we were before. In fact, we were so close I could feel the frigidity of his breath on my face. “You cannot deny that it was only because of you that I continue to live.” Then he chuckled. “Or, perhaps it is more fitting to say that because of you, I continue to live as much as a vampire is capable of living.”
I tried to pull my wrist out of his iron grasp, but he wouldn’t release me. “You shouldn’t thank me,” I started.
“I am not thanking you, little hellion,” Sinjin responded as his eyes bored into mine and any semblance of a laugh or smile bled from his lips. “All I am saying is that if ever you land in a similar situation, I will return the favor.”
“Don’t bother,” I spat back as I wrestled to free my wrist. “I can take care of myself.”
“I do not doubt it,” he responded and a carnal smile turned up the ends of his lips. In a split second, he yanked me forward, pressing my face up against his chest. Before I could fight him, he gripped the back of my neck and pulled the long strands of my light brown hair to the side, exposing my neck. My heart lodged into my throat as soon as I realized my carotid artery was openly exposed.
But before I could formulate an escape plan, I was overcome by an onslaught of emotions. It took me a second or so to realize I was now channeling Sinjin’s innermost feelings. When I recognized them for what they were, I had to swallow hard. I could feel his lust like an insatiable hunger. As he held me, every fiber of his being tingled, urging him to touch me and taste me at the same time.
And much though I hated to admit it, something inside of me responded. There was a tingling sensation deep in the pit of my stomach, which seemed to be growing. I clamped my eyes shut tightly and attempted to fight the feeling even as it refused to be suppressed. My hands fisted at my sides but I couldn’t deny the feelings of excitement as they flowed through me.
“The flavor of your blood on my tongue was a magical experience,” Sinjin whispered into my ear, causing shivers to race down my spine. “I cannot recall another moment when any woman tasted quite so good as you.”
I recognized the double entendre for what it was. And as soon as my brain registered that thought, I acknowledged the situation I was in. Sinjin wanted to taste me again, not only my blood, but the rest of my body. It was as obvious to me as his prurient thoughts, which were now ramrodding my mind. But despite being forced into allowing him to taste my blood once, there would never be a second time.
“Don’t even think about it,” I said in an icy tone of voice as some of my wits returned, and thank God for that.
Sinjin ran the pad of his index finger down my neck, outlining my artery. “Perhaps I could assist you in overcoming your frequent bouts of insomnia,” he whispered as he dropped his head. “Now.”
My mind suddenly went blank and I felt my body revert to autopilot. Without another thought, I brought my knee up into his groin as hard as I could. At the same time, I pivoted on my left foot and attempted to jump away from him. Even though he released his hold on my neck as soon as my knee impaled his groin, it was merely a split second later that he gripped me around the waist and yanked me backward, so I was now bent over in front of him.
“You, my little heathen, have broken the first rule when dealing with an aroused vampire,” Sinjin whispered, his tone of voice both licentious and angry. He continued to grip me around the waist with one arm, while he wrapped his other arm around my shoulders. He yanked me up and backward, so my ass was cocooned between his thighs.
“And what rule would that be?” I quipped, meanwhile devising a way to escape from his hold.
“Do not fight,” he warned me with a hiss. “Fighting only enhances our excitement.”
“This is hardly a fair fight anyway,” I said beneath my breath as my heart pounded in my chest. I strained against him, but his hold was supernaturally strong. “I’m unarmed.”
Sinjin released me and stepped away. I turned around in an instant, not wanting to leave my back exposed to him. He wrapped his arms across his chest and smiled down at me, revealing his extended canines. “I despise any man who does not fight fairly.” Then he chuckled. “Perhaps when next we spar, we shall do so properly.”
“You’ll just find your heart pierced through with my blade,” I spat back at him.
He narrowed his eyes as his smile broadened. “I will hold you to that boast, my little assassin.” Then his smile dropped and he sighed as he turned on his
heel and started for the door. Once he gripped the doorknob, he looked back at me. “I bid you adieu, Poppet’s sister.” With that, he walked out, quietly closing the door behind him.
THREE
There was a knock on my door the next evening, at six p.m. “Come in,” I grumbled from where I lay on my bed. I was in the midst of rereading the eight-volume stack of Vogue magazines I’d found in the closet for the umpteenth time. Although I didn’t want to admit it, I was relieved to have a visitor. Being stuck in this room by myself day in and day out was taking a toll on my mental health.
The door opened and my sister poked her head in, smiling at me hesitatingly. “Hi,” she said, her blue eyes glittering from her very pretty face. I didn’t think I would ever get used to how much we looked alike. If I had shorter, blond hair, we might have been able to pass for one another.
“Hi,” I muttered before returning to the article I was reading about how apricot blush was the perfect color to accentuate all skin tones.
“I have some things for you,” Jolie started. She fully entered the room and closed the door behind her, finding it difficult since both of her hands were filled with two enormous shopping bags. I didn’t bother to help her.
“More clothes that I don’t want?” I asked, shaking my head in frustration as I glanced up from my magazine momentarily, only to return my attention to the article again a second or so later. “I’ll just stay in my own clothes, thanks.” Actually, all I really wanted was to get the hell out of this wretched room. My outfit wasn’t at the top of my list, dirty or not.
“The clothes aren’t mine and they’re not even from me,” Jolie responded somewhat snidely, my foul humor apparently contagious. They’re from Sinjin, she finished in her head as she smiled at me knowingly.
I looked up at her, momentarily surprised that she was choosing to communicate with me via her thoughts. Then I looked down at the bags she held in her hands and couldn’t stop my eyes from widening. “Um,” I started, amazed that Sinjin would go out of his way to shop for me, especially since we’d only just discussed my limited attire the previous evening. Even though he’d said he was going to get me more clothes, I didn’t really think he was serious. In my experience, shopping and men rarely went hand in hand.