Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

IVY

T he wall screens no longer displayed a night view of a bustling city. It showed the documents I'd examined the night before, casting a soft glow over the room. I stirred, gradually becoming aware of the strong cool arms wrapped around me. As reality seeped in, I blinked, trying to make sense of the situation.

I had slept with Kael Dusken… The very vampire I'd been investigating for years. He was dangerous, a blood slaver mafia boss, and yet, I couldn't bring myself to regret what had happened between us. If anything, it felt… right. Satisfying, even.

I shifted slightly, only to realize that his cock was still hard and filling me. A shiver of desire raced down my spine, but I knew I shouldn't give in to it. We had other, more pressing matters to attend to. However, as much as I tried to convince myself that we needed to be productive, my body seemed to have other ideas.

My thoughts drifted to Lucien, the vampire whose tip written on a piece of paper had led me to Kael's club on the night of the raid in the first place. I was supposed to be finding the missing link, the key that would unlock the mystery of how to take Lucien down and allow me to leave this room, eventually. Though, as I glanced around the spacious suite, I couldn't deny it was far from the worst place to be confined.

The room resembled more of a private sanctuary than a panic room, with comfortable sitting chairs and a small office space. It was larger than any of the studio apartments I'd lived in. By several hundred square feet. There was a massive walk-in closet filled with designer clothes, and even an en-suite bathroom. A sudden question popped into my mind… Did vampires even need a bathroom? Or a bed, for that matter?

I shook the thought away and focused on what I needed to do to gain my freedom. Once I had it, then I could explore if I wanted a relationship with Kael. Wow, that was a thought I never even considered when I first learned about the monster whose arms held me tight.

Instead of looking over my shoulder to see if Kael was awake, I remained still, reveling in the sensation of him inside me. His cock was still hard, filling me completely despite having spent the whole night that way. It was clear that I had been the only one who slept. I remembered waking up several times to find Kael fucking me again, whispering sweet praises and declarations of possession every time I stirred. I couldn't even reconcile how hot it had been.

"Beautiful," he had murmured, his voice dark and seductive, "you are mine, Ivy. Never forget that. Now go back to sleep while I claim you."

Distracted by the memories, the conversation we needed to have seemed less urgent. But I knew better than to let myself be distracted. There were answers I needed, questions that burned within me, threatening to consume me if left unanswered.

"Kael," I whispered, trying to sound resolute despite the intoxicating feeling of his body pressed against mine. Despite feeling cool to the touch, his skin warmed when it remained in contact with me. "We need to talk about Lucien."

"Don't," he replied, his breath warm on my neck. "Ever say that name. It makes me furious to hear it from your lips. I'll destroy him just so you don't ever have to speak it again."

I rolled my eyes. My gaze caught a word on the screen that stole my attention away from Kael's possessive tirade. It also distracted my focus away from Kael's still-hard cock inside me. The paper files he had given me were strewn about the floor. I had missed something last night, but now I thought I'd found it. And if I was right, it was monumental.

"Kael," I said, trying to sound more composed than I felt. "I think I've found something important."

He didn't respond, and I thought facing him might be better to explain my theory. As I tried to turn over, a guttural growl erupted from Kael's throat, and he tightened his grip on me, pulling my top leg over his hip.

"Stay," he commanded, his voice dangerous and possessive. He thrust into me again, drawing a helpless groan from my lips. "I'm not ready to leave you just yet."

"Deal," I chuckled, trying to suppress the excitement this movement sparked. "Wouldn't dream of taking away your favorite toy."

In an instant, Kael's hand shot up to grab my throat, pulling me back against his chest until I was flat against him, staring up into his dark, dangerous eyes. The glower on his face stole my breath. His grip was firm but not painful, enough to remind me of his power.

"Never call yourself my toy again," he warned, his voice low and threatening. "You are mine, yes, my vampire property, but you are also my mate. No vampire would dare lay a finger on what belongs to me."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, both thrilling and terrifying me. Part of me wanted to defy him, to assert my independence, but another part found solace in his fierce protection. Eventually, I would have to figure out what being his mate really meant, but I didn't want to push it right now. There were more important things to discuss.

"Can that be undone?" I asked hesitantly, unsure of how he would react.

His face twisted into pure fury, and his grip tightened just enough to make me gasp. "I will never let you go," he snarled with fangs bared. "If someone tried to take you from me, I'd burn down the world to save you."

Okay, touchy subject. "Very romantic," I said, trying to lighten the tension, "but I have a specific reason for asking."

Kael's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face. "What?"

"Is there any way to break the bond between us? To release me from being your... property?"

"Even if there was," he hissed, his anger flaring, "why would you want that?" His grip on my neck tightened. I could still breathe, but it was a clear warning.

"Listen," I urged, struggling to maintain calm, "there's something I need to understand, and I need you to help me."

"Speak. But if you keep insisting you don't belong to me, I'll punish you until you remember." To emphasize his point, he withdrew until only the head of his cock remained inside of me, then thrust deep inside of me. I swore I felt him hit my cervix. It left me feeling dazed, turned on, and on the verge of distraction.

"Alright, humor me," I said, taking a deep breath. "Are vampires undead like in the movies?"

Kael rolled his eyes but played along. "We are supernatural creatures, cursed with an unending existence."

"Sunlight?"

"Deadly," he replied curtly. He released my neck, his hand firmly planted between my breasts as his tongue traced over his bite mark from last night.

"Shapeshifting?"

"Only some of us possess that ability. You saw my form already." His fangs grazed the tender flesh, sending an exhilarating reminder of how good it felt when it bit me.

"And what about… sleeping, or going to the bathroom?"

"Neither is necessary for our kind."

"Interesting," I mused, my mind racing as I tried to process this new information. "And the vampire hierarchy… How does that work?"

He sighed, clearly growing impatient. "There is one vampire, or a master, who sires all others in his line and to whom they swear fealty. They are bound to their sire, unable to betray them without severe consequences. Rarely is one accepted into their line who wasn't sired by the master. Those in the line are only allowed to sire with the express permission of the master."

"Okay, final question," I said, my heart pounding. "Can vampires procreate?"

Kael hesitated, and it felt as if every muscle in his body tensed. "No," he finally answered. "Vampires cannot procreate."

"Right," I swallowed hard, trying to steady my nerves. "But what if there was a way they could? Would it be enough for a loyal vampire to turn against their sire?"

"Impossible," he scoffed, brushing off my question. "It's just a wishful fantasy."

"Entertain the idea, Kael," I insisted. "If it were possible, what would happen?"

He paused, considering my words, then reluctantly admitted, "If a vampire could find a way to procreate, there would be a war."

A shiver ran down my spine as I absorbed his words. If I was right, if my suspicions were true, then we were on the precipice of something monumental and terrifying.