The Consort (MalexMale) 《COMPLETE》

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

All I see is darkness. A cold, foreboding chill dances up my spine and spreads through my shoulders. I try to move but I can't. I jostle my wrist. Leather straps fight against my movement, unforgiving in their hold on me. Panic settles into my lungs as I try to move my legs and realize my ankles are bound as well.

"Please," I whisper. "Oh, please. Help."

My voice is weak and broken from desperation. My chapped lips burn as I slide my tongue over them. Everything hurts. The hunger in my stomach is more agonizing than I could've ever imagined. Their cries are dull and never ending, ripping through my intestines with a ghostly plea for sustenance.

The blanket of darkness comes to a startling halt, and the blindfold covering my eyes drops away to reveal a pair of bright, red eyes staring back at me.

The vampire from the University.

My spirits sink. So it wasn't just a nightmare. This demon really did get into Bogdan's house and took me away. The memory feels hazy now, too fast and terrifying for my brain to comprehend. I remember kissing Bogdan one moment, and the next being swept up into another vampire's arms. He hid me beneath his large cloak, pressing me against his chest so hard that I lost consciousness.

I fell asleep in darkness and woke up to darkness, unsure and unaware of what happened while I was out.

Did Bogdan chase after us?

Does he even care that I'm gone?

I swallow hard, the familiar burn of tears trailing up my throat. None of that matters now, anyway. Somehow I landed here, away from my freedom. Away from Bogdan.

The vampire from the University stands just inches away from me, his smile every bit as cruel and binding as the leather straps around my ankles and wrists.

"Hello, Nirv."

A lone tear spills down the length of my cheek. He watches it trail down my pale skin. Just before it slides off the edge of my chin, he leans forward, catching the salty droplet with the tip of his tongue. I shudder and he pulls away.

"Even your tears are delectable," he says, closing his eyes in a moment of enjoyment. "I can only imagine what it will taste like when I drink from you."

He tilts his head to the side, waiting to see if I'll say anything in return. But I don't. Seemingly appeased, he reaches behind him and pulls forward a small cart housing a few trays of food. The smell makes my stomach both delighted and nauseous.

"But first things first," he says, opening up the first tray to reveal a large collection of fruits, cheeses and crackers. "You need to eat and drink. The potency of your blood decreases with the status of your health."

His long fingers gracefully reach down for a grape. He brings it to my lips.

"Eat," he commands.

I want to refuse. Really, I do. I want to fight this situation with everything that I can, but it feels useless. I've been captured, and Bogdan isn't saving me. Even if this vampire is faster or stronger than Bogdan, I don't even remember seeing Bogdan after our kiss.

It's almost as if the entire thing was a set-up. Or maybe he realized I am too much of a burden and willingly watched me being taken by another vampire.

Perhaps he was happy to be rid of me.

Another tear slips down my cheeks, and the vampire grins, greedily licking it away with his cool, minty tongue. His touch is cold and sinister, but my body reacts to it all the same. It's impossible not to. Vampires are created to have a touch that entices humans. That seduces humans. We are their prey, after all, and it's in our DNA to want them.