I am Drake "Drago" Ward of the House of Ward in England...about five hundred years ago.
I crossed the seas to the Americas for a better "life" three hundred years ago.
Today, I run a successful business with my partner, Dr. Darius Chiron. Instead of...
"We need to talk," I said evenly, bringing Charlotte into my downstairs room. "Charlotte, we need to talk."
"Talk about what?" she snapped, and tried to open the door. She exhaled in frustration. "Let me out Darius."
"No not till I calm you down," I said putting up my arms in a defenseless gesture. "Drake is my friend--"
"Drake is a monster!"
"Has he done anything to you since he brought you here?" I asked. "Has he hurt you in any way?"
"I don't care!"
"I'm asking you to!" I took her hands in mine. "I'm begging you to!"
"Darius..." she began brokenly, and shook her head.
"The Vitale," I said quickly. "Are any mistreated? Are any unhealthy or tortured?"
"No."
"How have I treated you?" I asked finally, nuzzling my lips against her temple.
"Darius, it's not about that--"
I felt a wave of relief. Her voice was soft. "It is, we're all connected."
"Darius--"
I tilted her chin up to me. "Listen, sweetheart, I happen to know that Drake is taken with your Shanti." She rolled her eyes. "Pretty much the way I'm taken with you. He will take care of her, and maybe she will become a pet or wife--"
"Pet?!" Her eyes narrowed. "The hell--"
"You're mine," I confessed. "I had to do it, or the Vampire Elite might try to take you."
"Screw--"
"Listen, the Vampire Elite is very powerful, and they are looking for Vitales as powerful as you." I told her. "I did it to protect you."
"But I am giving you blood--"
"Yes, and they pay top dollar for it," I informed. "Why buy if you can take the source?" I went into my bedside table. "I've been meaning to give you this, but there never seemed to be a perfect time."
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I put the necklace around her neck, lifting her hair to kiss the nape of her neck. I felt the goosebumps spreading over her flesh, and the first pangs of sexual hunger began for me.
"What--"
"It has my blood in it," I explained. "It says you are mine, and that I am your protection."
"And yours?" She waited for an answer. "You have one, I've seen it."
"That one is from Drake, he gave it to me some years ago," I explained. "I wear it on special occasions because it shows my status."
"Do I have to wear mine all the time?"
I couldn't help but smile. "I'd like it if you did."
