down the side of my neck. I went rigid. “I want you prepared to do anything I tell you to, just to get your first drop of blood.”
He moved away, settled his hand on my shoulder, and began to massage it. “I have other things in store for you as well.”
The sudden change from contempt to sensuality had my head spinning. What was happening?
He turned toward a limousine parked in front of the hearse. “Get inside and sit between Monique and Elizabeth.”
When the three of us were sitting on the bench seat across from Volod, he said, “You’ve met Elizabeth.”
When I looked at the redheaded Vamp, she showed her fangs and hissed at me. Volod gestured toward the Vampire on the other side of me. I turned my attention to her even though it meant putting my back to Elizabeth, and I didn’t feel comfortable with that. But I didn’t seem to have a choice.
“And as you may know, this is Monique,” Volod said.
Monique gave me a pleasant smile. “Welcome.”
I gave a nod. I didn’t know what to say.
She touched my shoulder and said the Elvin word for clean. “Avanna.”
“Thank you,” I said as every speck of dirt vanished from my body and clothing. Considering the situation, I really didn’t care if I was clean or not, but I felt the ingrained urge to be polite.
Volod had an amused look as he reclined across from us. I could feel hatred rolling from Elizabeth—not just toward me, but I was pretty sure toward Monique, too.
It wasn’t long before the limo pulled up in front of a brownstone. Volod had likely been hiding out here all this time.
Volod instructed Elizabeth and Monique to walk in front of us. To my surprise, Monique was leading Elizabeth by a leash. Despite the fact that she must be humiliated, Elizabeth kept her chin raised.
Volod walked beside me, his hand lightly touching my upper arm as if guiding me. I wondered if I still had the Witch’s gift. I had read Rodán’s mind on the bridge, but I hadn’t read Volod’s. I couldn’t hear his thoughts now, either.
As my mind continued to clear, mixed emotions filled me. I felt a warmth like I had when I was walking up to see my family in the Otherworld after being away for a long time. Another part of me wanted to bolt … but I felt a strong contentment here. Like I was home and belonged next to Volod, while somehow I felt disdain for him at the same time.
We walked through the entryway into an enormous room. The downstairs must have been gutted to make the large space.
Fifty or so Vampires were in the room. They went silent when Volod and I entered.
Volod paused at the threshold, and I looked at him. Pure satisfaction radiated from him, enough that my stomach clenched.
“You may remember Nyx of the Night Trackers,” Volod said in a loud, clear voice. “She is now one of us.”
The room full of Vampire paranorms broke into applause. I wasn’t certain if it was because they liked and respected me, or because Volod had conquered me. Probably a little of both.
Volod guided me through the room. My heart leapt when I saw Rodán.
“Nyx.” Rodán stepped in front of Volod, and without seeming to care what the Master Vampire thought, he wrapped his arms around me. “I am so happy to see you,” he said, but I heard his thoughts: I am so sorry. So very sorry this has happened against your will. It will work out, though. I will take care of you.
I hugged Rodán back. “Don’t be sorry,” I whispered in his ear. “It wasn’t your fault.”
Rodán raised his head and looked at me. You can hear my thoughts? he asked in his mind.
With a nod I whispered, “Yes.”
Then know this, he thought, we will rise above Volod and shall end this.
Surprise made my eyes widen. Rodán was planning some kind of uprising. As much as I welcomed the thought, I sensed I could not go against Volod. I didn’t think I had the strength to break Volod’s hold on me.
Volod nearly snarled as he stepped close to us. “You have a team to prepare, Rodán.”
“Of course, Volod.” He gave me one last long look while he thought, Be ready. We have much planned. Be ready. And then Rodán slipped into the crowd.
I followed him with my gaze until I couldn’t see him any longer.
Volod startled me when he said, “Is there something going