High Stakes

Part Twenty-five

Part 25

<earlier> SANG:

"Let's break that bond."

My eyes blink slowly, tired. It feels like half the blood in my body has been drained, and it probably has been. "That's impossible. The bond is permanent."

My voice sounds a little weak, but I'm proud that I'm not slurring my words. I honestly feel like that night when I drank a bottle of booze. I'm halfway here, halfway there. Halfway on the moon. Wait—that's too many halves.

The Master's hand leisurely strokes the back of my neck, and I sigh at the warmth coming from his palm. This makes him smile broadly, so I quickly frown.

"You're adorable. No wonder everyone wants you."

I ignore his comment. "What did you do to me?" He must've taken too much blood. I feel woozy. Am I dying? "You took too much."

His fingers reach around to the spot on my throat where he bit me, his nails scratching the still-healing wounds. I gasp and he laughs. "I didn't do anything but continue what had already been started. Your body is confused. It doesn't know how to act."

What the heck does that mean? "What?" I ask lamely.

"Do you want to feel better, pet?" The Master tilts my head up with a finger under my chin. I stare up at his dark eyes.

Weirdly, I can only think of one thing at the moment. "What's your name?"

That seems to take him by surprise, because his eyes widen and then he throws his head back and laughs. "No one has asked me that in a very, very long time."

"So? What is it?"

He narrows his eyes at me for a second, then sighs. "Roman."

"Roman? Are you from Rome?" For some reason, I have the urge to irritate him as much as I can. Maybe if he thinks I'm annoying, he won't want me anymore—he'll leave me alone.

The Master—Roman—holds me by the back of my neck and then 'boops' me on the nose with his other hand. "Your name is Sang.  You have no room to judge."

I smile then realize what I'm doing, forcing it off my face. Why can't I simply just hate this guy? He's evil. Why does he have to be fun? "Shut up." My voice is peevish, but I'm trying to be annoying, so it fits.

Roman just laughs, squeezing my neck lightly. Then his face grows serious. "Now, here's what's going to happen. You're going to drink my blood, we'll become bonded, and then we'll ride off into the sunset together."

My mouth falls open. He's insane. "That's never going to happen!"

Roman rolls his eyes. "Why focus on the details? Sure, it's morning so there's no sunset, and obviously we'll drive—I don't have horses tied outside."

It's my turn to roll my eyes. What was I trying to say? Oh, yeah. "The bond is irreversible. That's what they told me."

"And you trust them completely?" The Master—no, Roman, dammit—eyes me critically.

"Of course." There's no hesitation.

Roman makes an irritated chuffing noise. "Fine. Normally they'd be correct, but we're different. Special, if you will. You, my dear brother, and myself make up a happy family."

I stare at him blankly. When he stares right back, I blurt, "Continue."

Roman smiles, his fingers on my neck begin to stroke my sensitive flesh again. "Do you remember when we first met?"

I nod. "The park. You were a jerk."

"What?" Roman gasps as if I just wounded him. "That was me being sweet. It was our first date—I was on my best behavior."

"You're insane." I have no other words.

He adjusts me on his lap so my legs are on either side of his, straddling him, and I'm suddenly feeling even more vulnerable than I was before. "That's better," he mutters, looking down at my bare legs.

To distract him, I almost shout, "Tell me more."

"Hmm?" Roman looks back up then smiles. Before I can get him back on topic, there's a hesitant knock at the front door. Oh, please please please be one of the boys. But they wouldn't knock would they?

Roman doesn't take his titanium eyes from mine. "It's open."

When did it get open? I locked it! Apparently he's faster than I would have ever thought possible, because sure enough, I hear the door open, then light footsteps reach the doorway to the living room.

I stare at the boy in the doorframe, who's now my only hope. "Help me," I whisper.

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Sorry this isn't super long—let's call it a TEASE ;) I just wanted to get something posted up now, so you don't have to wait a minute longer because you've all been so amazing and patient.

I'm baaaaaaaaack! Love me or hate me, I'm writing again—woo hoo! :)

Can you guess who was at the door?