"Just like the goons last night?"

He gave her a warning look. "You look like shit."

"I feel like shit, no thanks to you," she said, sitting on the bed. "My head hurts, my body hurts, and I was nearly sliced open before you decided to show up last night."

"You learned what you needed to."

"I already knew you could tear people's heads off."

She refused to admit he was right. She had learned her lesson. He'd find her no matter what, and he wasn't going to be swayed by her neck next time. And, he'd slaughter anyone near his property.

"I'm not chattel," she muttered.

"You are what I say you are."

"No, I'm not. If you want an obedient nymph, then go get one. You're stuck with me otherwise."

She thought she heard him grind his teeth and frowned.

"If you really don't want me around, why did you go through that effort to claim me?" she asked, crossing her arms and taking a step toward him. "Why not go get a stupid nymph, whatever those are?"

In daylight, he was almost approachable. Almost. He fidgeted with a couple of pens and doodled geometric shapes similar to those around her neck onto stationery bearing the seal of the bed and breakfast.

"You freed me. I repaid you by not killing you."

"That doesn't explain why you keep me around."

"I don't have to," he said, voice lowering into a growl.

"Those idiots last night said Ancients always pick the best blood monkeys."

"You were the only one around."

"So, this was an opportunity too good to pass up and isn't about getting back at Kris?"

One of the pens in his hands snapped, and she took a step back. The tension eased from his frame, and he said with effort, "No."

"The idiots also said that anyone --I assume monster --can sense me 'cause you did claim me."

"Wouldn't go out walking alone after dark if I was you, little girl."

"Then they said I was your mate, because I bear your mark. I don't know what --"

Snap. The other pen and pad of paper went flying out the window. This time the tension didn't leave his frame. He rose from his kneeling position and faced her. Wordlessly, he pointed to a spot on the floor before him.

"You just ate a little while ago!" she argued.




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