Shay widened her eyes in shock. "What do you mean, perhaps? Edra intended to kill you. I took a spell blast meant for you."
He shrugged. "Certainly you prevented a nasty wound, but it is impossible to determine if it would have been a killing blow."
"You jackass," she breathed, beyond caring that she was now his slave and utterly in his power. "I saved your life and yet you came here to buy me."
"Was there another among the bidders you would have preferred?"
"I would have preferred to kill you all."
His soft chuckle floated on the air. "So bloodthirsty."
"No, I'm sick of being at the mercy of every demon, monster, witch, or freak who has the money to buy me."
He stilled as the midnight gaze searched her flushed face. "Understandable, I suppose."
"You understand nothing."
His faint smile remained, but for the first time Shay noticed the lines of strain around his magnificent eyes.
"Perhaps not, but I do understand that I am in no humor to battle you this evening, pet. I have been injured and I need blood to recover my strength."
Shay had nearly forgotten the stab wounds he had received during his battle with the man. Not that she particularly cared at the moment.
She didn't like his mention of blood.
"And?"
The amusement returned to his eyes as he easily read her unease. "And while I prefer to escort you to my lair in a civilized manner, I can keep you shackled and drag you there kicking and screaming. The choice is yours."
She refused to show her relief. It was only a matter of time before she became an unwilling donor.
"Some choice."
"For the moment it is the only one you have. What is it to be?"
She glared at him before at last sticking out her arms. There was no point in fighting the inevitable. Besides the iron rubbing against her skin was hurting worse than she wanted to admit.
"Take off the shackles."
"I have your word that you will not attempt to fight me?"
Shay blinked in surprise. "You trust my word?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I can read your soul." He held her gaze with ease. "Your word?"
Well... crap.
She didn't want him to know that once she gave her word she would never go back on it. It gave him yet another hold over her.
For a moment she refused to make the pledge. How could she live with herself if she didn't at least try to put a stake through his heart? She did have her pride, after all. But as he continued to stare at her with that unnerving stillness only a vampire could pull off, she heaved a grudging sigh. He was prepared to remain in that precise position for an eternity if necessary.
"For tonight I will not attempt to fight you," she said through gritted teem.
He smiled at her grudging promise. "As good as I'm going to get, I suppose."