Chapter Seven

It is both a courtesy and precaution for a Master to let his pet know about his coming and going.

For a deeper understanding, please refer to the written apology of Master Alexandru and his pet Zari Baltimore, Exhibit 1.5.1, p. 16

Alexandru spewed his coffee when he read the footer.

Next to him in bed, his pet giggled. Zari knew exactly what made her Master do that.

“What the fuck? You’re going to include it in your proposal?”

“If it’s any consolation,” she said ever so helpfully, “the Duke of Brimstone has already read it and he wholeheartedly approves—-” She gasped. “Master! Did you just call His Grace an old asshole?”

ALEXANDRU’S FANGS GNASHED against his teeth as he did his best to maintain his smile even though he wanted to smash the other vampire’s face to pieces.

“Your pet fainted.” Erou’s lip curled.

His jealousy dissipated at the words, and his eyes went to Zari. “Are you all right?” He strode forward, noting the pallor of her skin. He extended his arms. “I’ll take her to the infirmary.”

Erou stiffened. “I can handle it—-”

“I’m sure you can,” he said casually, “but you may not. She is my pet.”

Erou glanced down at Zari. “It’s your call, milady.”

Without looking at her Master, she mumbled, “It’s okay.”

“Are you sure?” Everything in Erou told him not to let her go, but if she really meant those words—-

She nodded.

Reluctantly, he passed his precious cargo to the older vampire. A part of him hoped that Zari would call his name and ask him to take her back. But she didn’t.

Alexandru easily handled his pet’s weight in his arms. “Thank you, milord. I will endeavor not to trouble you again.”

“She’s never trouble,” Erou said coldly.

“Nevertheless, I shall ascertain something similar will never happen again.”

Erou watched the hunter turn around and walk away, noting how Zari still held herself stiffly, even though now she was with her real Master.

Alexandru waited for his pet to speak but she didn’t, and for some reason her silence made him uneasy and, if he were to admit it, guilty as well. When they reached the building where the infirmary was and she still hadn’t spoken a word, he asked finally, Are you still feeling ill?

She shook her head.

Ah. She really didn’t want to speak to him then.

Are you mad at me for leaving without a word? It felt a little petty, but he acknowledged that it had been rude of him to do it in the first place.

She shook her head again.

It was an emergency involving my work. But I know that is no excuse. I promise I won’t do it again.

She shrugged.

He frowned. Are you really going to sulk the whole time?

No. She was not. Because she hadn’t been sulking from the start. The problem was that she was tongue-tied. She hadn’t expected herself to be, but she was. It had started the moment she saw him.

They reached the infirmary without his pet speaking a single word or even looking at him. The school nurse was there, but one look at Alexandru’s face and she obviously thought better of greeting him in a cheerful tone like she usually did. Instead, she was brisk and efficient, getting Alexandru to lay Zari on the nearest bed.

The nurse asked her several questions and concluded her diagnosis with an advice of getting more sleep and food in her system. “It sounds very simple, but it’s not. You’re close to being anemic and that’s no good for a pet. It’s your obligation to be in good health for your Master, in the event that he needs to drink from you.”

Zari only nodded, the nurse’s words stinging. There it was – another reason why she did not make a good pet. No wonder Alexandru hadn’t signed that contract with her. The thought was so depressing, she didn’t realize the nurse had tactfully left them alone until her Master spoke.

“Are you ready to tell me what’s wrong now?” Her Master’s face suddenly appeared above her, Alexandru bending down to peer at her face.

She gasped, his electrifying proximity causing her to fall back against the bed on her elbows.

Something that tasted disgustingly like jealousy flared up inside him. Had he not seen her getting so close to that damn knight-like vampire a while ago? And now, all of a sudden, she wasn’t able to bear his presence up close?

He moved forward aggressively, caging her between his arms. The more he pushed forward, the more she backed away on the bed until she found herself lying flat on her back, with nowhere to move.

Alexandru was now crouched on top of her on all fours, her body between his arms and legs. She glanced up fearfully, and his green gaze captured hers.

Her Master growled, “Why are you moving away from me?”

She opened her mouth to answer, but then, sensing her voice was going to fail her and give her away completely, she snapped her mouth shut.

Alexandru stared at his pet broodingly. Do you want to be Erou’s pet now?

She jerked in surprise.

Is that it?

She found herself searching her Master’s gorgeous face for a clue to his real feelings. Why was he asking that question? Was it because he was jealous, or was it because he was fine with giving her away?

I won’t get mad if you say yes. Alexandru found himself wanting to laugh bitterly the moment he said the words to his pet. Not get mad? Yeah, sure, that was true because if she did want to be another man’s pet? He wouldn’t just get mad. He would go berserk.

And that – that wasn’t good.

None of this was good anymore, and sooner or later he knew he would be forced to make a decision.

Zari was stunned when her Master abruptly pulled away from her. He was visibly on edge, his body taut with tension. Her heart jumped to her throat. Was this it? Was he going to tell her it was over? When he turned to her, intent on speaking, she panicked.

Zari blurted out, “I had a vision a while ago.”

Alexandru’s face turned grim. “What did you see?”

“It was like what you said. It started with a color – red.” She thought about telling him that the visions also had to do with her possible death but decided against it. She didn’t want him to think she wanted his pity.

“How did you see it? What were you doing? Where were you when it happened?”

Her cheeks flushed at the question.

He said flatly, “You were with him ?”

She nodded.

“So that’s the way it is then.”

No, it was not! She wanted to cry out in protest, but she could only look at him. If he really wanted her as his pet, shouldn’t he be telling her now that he wouldn’t be giving her up – no matter what? Wasn’t that what he promised the day he claimed her?

But then...he hadn’t really claimed her, had he?

Alexandru felt strangely empty. He had never felt like this before, not even when...no, that was nothing like this terrible waking emptiness inside him, telling him that it would be worse if and when Zari did become someone else’s pet.

But if that was what she wanted, would he really be selfish enough to keep her against her will?

The beast in him roared in protest. He had given her a choice, he thought savagely. He had asked her several times and he had warned her he would not let her go if she said yes. It was not his fault that she changed her mind.

When his eyes slowly went to his pet, he saw her lip trembling and it was obvious she was doing her best not to cry.

He didn’t want her crying, dammit – not those kinds of tears, anyway.

“Sleep here for the night. I will have enforcers posted at the door so you will not need to be worried. You are not to leave this room until I am sure the danger’s been averted.” Alexandru moved to the door, pausing when his hand reached the knob. “Once we have this case related to your vision resolved, I promise we’ll talk about you becoming...someone else’s pet.”

Alexandru left without looking back.

The door closed behind him.

One, two, three, four, she counted to herself. “Fifty,” she whispered to herself. Alexandru would no longer be able to hear her now. And that was when she started to cry, covering her mouth because even so, she didn’t want to accidentally make a sound.