Her face went warm again, and she looked down at the table. “Why? I know what you now want from me, but why do you wish these things from me? To what end? What would I become to you?”
He opened his mouth to answer then paused. It took another second for him to speak. “I will respectfully decline my answer for the time being.”
“Loyalty brokered by terror is a fragile thing. It shatters on the first display of weakness from he who holds the end of the leash.”
His smile broadened at her words. Something glinted in his crimson eyes. “How lucky for me that I have never shown such a thing as weakness, then. And I do own quite a number of leashes if you do care to try one on.”
“I will also respectfully decline.” She shut her eyes and rubbed the back of her neck. It was tense, and the knot there was threatening to give her a headache. He was not helping the tightness.
“Remove your hair pins.”
“What?” She looked to him and furrowed her brow. “Why?”
“I prefer your hair down.” He paused. “Please.”
Maxine swallowed thickly and did not move. She glanced to the rest of the people in the restaurant but remembered they cared nothing for what she said or did. If she stood atop the table and screamed for help, they would carry on blissfully aware.
“You hesitate. Why? You have already touched my hand twice so far at my request.”
“Yes, for my own curiosity’s sake. This is different.” She kept her gaze averted from him. “I am of the distinct impression, Count Dracula, that you are not the kind to give up an inch once it has been given.”
“You will call me Vlad.” He chuckled darkly, pleased, and reached out to touch her cheek and turn her face back to him. She jolted at the contact. She was not accustomed to it, and it was jarring each time. “I returned you to your bed unharmed. I had you in my grasp. I had your lips against mine. I could have taken you, yet I did not. Why do I then let you roam free now? Why do I sit to converse with you? I could have you on your knees.” He grazed the tips of his sharp nails over her skin, and she shuddered in response. She knew she was blushing by the warmth that washed over her. “And such a beautiful sight that will be, my Lady of Souls.”
Her blush deepened, and she pulled away from him. “I do not know the reason behind your actions.”
“Because as you said, fealty by terror is a fragile leash. I do not want to break your knees—I want you to bend them. I want you to kneel of your own accord.”
“And why would I be inspired to do anything of the sort?”
“Because you wish it.”
She pulled out of his grasp. “No. I do not.”
“Are you so certain?”
“I am.” She paused. “We could trade. My life for the life of this city.”
He seemed intrigued by that. He watched her curiously, ponderously, then shook his head. “No. You would hold it against me all the same. You would bemoan my cruelty in time, claiming the only reason you succumbed to me was under duress. No, my darling. You are drawn to me, Maxine. In time, I will have you.”
“My blood and my body, very well. I admit those might be inevitable. I have never known a man, and you have a distinct advantage in your unique ability to touch me. But—”
“Is that the only reason you desire me? Oh, Maxine, again you lie to me.” He tsked, smiling wickedly at her.
She continued as if he hadn’t interrupted her. “But do you think you can win my heart? My soul? Do you think honestly believe you can if I choose not to give them?”
“You will offer them to me in time.”
“I am not so certain. You threaten the lives of everyone in this city. Thousands of lives. I have felt what it is to die, Vlad. I do not think you understand how deeply I wish to prevent this fate for others, especially if I can help it. I want to know you, Vlad Tepes Dracula. I wish to understand you. But I cannot do so while you plan to murder thousands.”
“I seek to feed my wolves. Do you bemoan for the fish you have eaten? Do you weep for their families? You are short-sighted. You think mortal