Iniquitous (The Marked #3)(20)

Of course, Dominic continued to sneak food down to me during his nightly feedings. He needed to keep my strength up while systematically draining my blood. Ours was a game of life and death and each time he moved on me, he risked tipping the scale in the wrong direction. That wasn’t to say that he wasn’t doing his best to take as little of my blood as possible, all while ensuring that our bloodbond was alive and well. And it was.

With every feeding that passed, my fondness for Dominic grew stronger. I found myself on pins and needles waiting to see him, to spend time with him alone in the dungeons. And it wasn’t just because I knew he would feed on me, that he would inject me with the kind of euphoria you only read about in books. It was more. I…I liked being around him. He didn’t judge me or expect anything from me. He didn’t care what I’d done in the past or how I’d gotten here. My bloodlines were of little importance to him. He could handle my jabs and he put up with my meltdowns. Somewhere along the way, he’d become a friend to me. Maybe even something more.

Later that week, Dominic and Maz took me to the atrium where Engel was expecting me for his nightly feeding. There was something off this time though. A static in the air that warned of a coming storm. My skin prickled with goosebumps as I approached Engel, almost as if my body instinctively knew that something bad was coming my way.

“Good evening, Princess.”

“Good evening, Engel.” I walked up to him without prompt and kneeled before his chair.

Reaching around my head, I scooped up my hair and brought it over my right shoulder, giving Engel a clear path to my neck like a good little prisoner girl.

Engel looked up at Dominic and Maz behind me and then his right hand man, Baldy. He was so freaking proud of himself, it was sickening. Little did he know, the joke was on him.

“It’s nice to see you’ve come such a long way, child.”

“Thank you.”

“Have you given any more thought to my offer the other night?” he asked suddenly.

I froze. I wasn’t expecting him to make small talk with me, let alone put me on the spot with questions.

Answer him, angel.

“I, um, I have not,” I said, shaking my head. I needed to use this to my advantage. “I haven’t been able to keep my eyes open very much lately. I just feel so tired and weak all the time.”

He nodded, considering it. “I imagine it’s been quite difficult to sustain my appetite. Even for a Slayer.”

Lowering my lashes, I nodded modestly.

He went quiet for a moment. “I’ll tell you what,” he began, running a pale hand through his dark hair. “How about I let you have the night off. Perhaps a good night’s sleep in a proper bed is just what you need to see things clearer.”

I raised my eyebrows in mock surprise. “Really? You would do that for me?”

He smiled at me again, this time looking wholly pleased with himself. “Dominic. Maz. Have our Nora set up the main guestroom for our Princess here.”

“On it, boss,” said Maz and then zipped out of the atrium. He was practically dying to take orders from him.

I’m impressed, angel. You got him wrapped around your little finger.

A tiny smile on my lips was the only response I gave him.

“Oh, and Dominic,” called Engel as Dominic began to lead me out of the room.

“Yes, boss?”

“Cancel your plans for the night. You’re on watch.”

He smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”



The hallway leading to the guest bedroom was lit by candlelight, making the narrow space appear even darker—more eerie—than the rest of Engel’s estate. There weren’t any paintings or portraits on the walls or any other décor that might lend some life to the house. Just the burgundy and gold wallpaper that went on forever and a matching carpet runner that covered the entire length of the corridor.

“It’s this one,” said Maz, jumping in front of me and Dominic to open the door to the guestroom.

“Thank you, Maz,” said Dominic as he put his hand on Maz’s shoulder and halted him. “I can take it from here.”

“You sure, Dom?” he said and then ticked his chin at me like an accusation. “She can get a little feisty, you know? You might need some back—”

“It’s Dominic. And I assure you, I can handle her just fine.” There was a cocky way about how he said the last part that made me want to put his theory to the test.

“Alright. Cool.” Maz nodded, giving it no second thought. “Holler if you need me.”

“Will do.” Dominic swung the door shut in Maz’s face and then swiveled around to face me. Holding his finger to his lips, he listened for a moment to make sure Maz was gone. Dropping his hand to his side, his lips tipped up at the corners. “That was quite an impressive move you pulled.”

“You liked that, huh?”

“I did.”

“You would.”

His smile widened into a grin as he took a quick look around the room. “I’ll just make sure you have everything you need and then I’ll give you your space.”

“You’re leaving me alone?” I balked.

He cocked his head to the side. “Is that disappointment I’m detecting?”

“In your dreams, Dominic.” It was more like sheer panic, but I didn’t bother sharing that tidbit with him. “I just thought we should go over our plan again, now that we’re alone.” I tried not to make my voice sound so desperate.