Beholden (8 page)

“I’m sure it was for very important reasons he has left you so suddenly,” Sir Richard said helpfully.

Important reasons like…he was in a quest to search for another pet? Perhaps he had lied about not being disgusted with her?

After thanking the headmaster, Zari went back to her room and debated about what she should do next. Impulsively, she tried reaching out to him, wondering if he would hear her or not.
Master?

But he didn’t answer. Had she really expected him to?

Three more days passed, and she still hadn’t heard from her Master. After class, she hurried to the library on a whim, the thought of the unsigned contract still weighing on her mind. Zari knew she could have asked any of the professors, but she didn’t want to. This was something not to be shared, especially if her suspicions were true.

In the library, she searched for the shelves that bore books on the legal agreements between Masters and pets. Grabbing the first book she could find that focused on contracts, Zari went to one of the tables at the back of the library to ensure her privacy.

It was when she was halfway through the book that the information she was seeking finally came up.

It is for the protection of both Master and Pet that a binding contract must be drawn. Thus, the Master’s claim and ownership may be made legal and the appropriate aid may be provided to human pets in the event that his or her Master was to suffer from premature death.
 

Claims that are not legalized will unfortunately not be recognized by the authorities, and thus Unclaimed pets are free to propose to Masters who have unofficially bonded—

“Is that for your homework?”

Zari jumped in her seat in surprise. It was Lord Erou, and he had taken a seat across her without Zari even knowing it. He was as handsome as ever, but this time instead of civilian clothes, the vampire was back in his uniform, which bore the colors of Sangre. Some men would never look good in a uniform. Some men did. Lord Erou was clearly the latter, with the way the uniform emphasized the breadth of his shoulders and his lean muscular form.

“Good afternoon, Lord Erou,” she stammered.

“Good afternoon, Lady Zari,” he returned pleasantly.

“Err, do you always come here?” The question was to distract him as she slowly snapped the book shut, hoping the vampire wouldn’t notice.

“I always visit libraries when I have the time, yes. In fact, I came from another one this morning.”

“Oh?”

“It’s the one in the next town. It has very good books about vampire lore.”

“I see.”
 

“Do you really not want to tell me what you were reading about?”

Zari cringed. “Was I that obvious?”

Lord Erou frowned when he noticed the dark circles under the girl’s eyes. He had heard about Alexandru leaving the compound and wondered if that was the reason for Zari Baltimore’s drawn expression. He said apologetically, “I know you’re lying.” He nodded to the book. “I caught a glimpse of the text.”

Ah, damn. She had forgotten about vampires’ really good eyesight.

“Students don’t tackle the subject of contracts until the last year.”

“Well, that’s just plain wrong,” she muttered under her breath. When he lifted one brow in surprise, she flushed, stammering, “I’m sorry if that came out as disrespectful, Lord Erou.”

He shook his head. “That’s not it at all. I simply wondered why you have such a desire to study the subject. If you have anything you’d like to ask, I would be more than happy to—”

She blurted out, “Why would a Master make someone his pet without making it official?”

Erou’s lips tightened. Did this mean she had found out that her Master had another pet in another territory? “It’s unfortunate, but such things do happen, and it’s not against the law,” he said finally. “Most likely, a Master does that when he feels the bond between him and his pet is likely to be temporary.”

Zari felt herself whitening. “I…see.” She lowered her hands to her lap so Lord Erou wouldn’t see the way they were trembling. “That’s a little unfair, don’t you think? When a vampire approaches a human girl, it’s not like she’d have her wits about her.”

Erou was puzzled. “Why wouldn’t she?”

“Because he could just use his vampire powers and seduce her into being his pet—”

“It’s still your choice to refuse—”

“Ha! Don’t think you can fool me with that. I know about your powers—”

He interrupted her, asking slowly, “Lady Zari, are you under the impression we’re able to control your mind, perhaps hypnotize you into doing our will?” She didn’t need to answer, the disapproving expression on her face telling him what she believed.

He shook his head. “We don’t have such powers, Lady Zari.”

“Of course you have—”

“No, we don’t.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Lady Zari, I swear on my life, we
do not
.”

Her mouth opened and closed. Now
that
sounded true. And if it was true, then—

Either she was a nympho, or she felt more than she should be feeling for her Master.

Opposite her, Erou remained quiet, wondering yet again if she was aware that her face was like a live TV display. Her eyes blinking rapidly…she was in shock at what he had revealed. Her teeth gnawing on her lip…she was thinking about what it meant. Her cheeks puffing up…she was mustering the courage to—

“Lord Erou, I would like to ask you something.” Her cheeks were like a balloon that inflated and deflated every second, and it was fast turning a deep shade of rose.

The vampire’s gaze settled on her. Intent, sharp, and transparent – someone who saw everything but hid nothing.

Inching forward on her seat, she took a deep breath and brought her face close to the vampire.

Erou hissed in surprise, not expecting the girl to do such a thing. Her scent wrapped itself around him, and he dared not close his eyes then. If he did, he knew something would happen – the kind that could force a duel between him and Alexandru.

Zari took another deep breath. She would try kissing Lord Erou, and if she didn’t feel the same thing…

Lifting herself off her seat, she leaned closer towards Lord Erou, who bent an inch backwards every time she inched closer. She stopped moving, stammering, “Why are you moving back?”

“What are you intending to do?” He grimaced at how hoarse his voice had become. Did this girl know how much he found her scent addictive? How it was making his cock respond inside his pants? He was
this
close to forgetting all about playing by the rules. His body begged him to take her and be damned with the consequences.

She couldn’t believe the vampire was asking her such a question. “You know!”

“No, I do not.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No, I do—”

“I’m going to kiss you!” She closed the distance between them in one lunge over the library desk.

The words hit, and his eyes automatically closed in expectation of Zari’s kiss.

But nothing happened.

He opened his eyes and saw that Zari had a terrified expression on her face.

****

RED.
 

Everywhere it was red. Red. RED.
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED
—-

The crumbling spines of ancient texts shelved in the corner. The painted lips of the librarian behind her desk. The decorative squares on the tiled floors. The rust on the steel handles of the wheeled book tray—

Red all over, but like her first vision, it only meant one thing.

Death.

So many deaths.
 

People she wasn’t able to help.

The whole world turned red, everyone dripping in blood—

Oh God, she was next.
 

She was going to die next.

****

“Breathe, Zari, breathe!”

The harshly spoken words were reduced into a distant echo when they reached her ears. When she opened her eyes in a daze, she found her mouth covered by—

Zari gasped.

Lord Erou pulled away immediately, and that was when she realized she was lying on the library floor. He was crouched next to her, and forming a circle around them were curious students.

“You fainted, Lady Zari.”

“I—I’m sorry.” She mumbled the words, not knowing what else to say.

As she forced herself up, Lord Erou was swift to assist her, placing one hand on her back. “Are you sick? Would you like to go to the infirmary?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine. It’s probably because I hadn’t eaten much today and I only had a few hours of sleep last night.” She dared not tell him about her vision.

Lord Erou was clearly skeptical. “Are you sure?” Before helping her to her feet, he dealt the crowd a look. Just one was enough to have everyone walking away, not liking to be the recipient of the vampire’s glare.

When Zari looked up, she was surprised but relieved to find that the crowd had dispersed. When Lord Erou helped her to her feet, she was dismayed to find herself still shaky, forcing the vampire to carry her in his arms. “No, please—”

“It’s all right, but I do insist on bringing you to the infirmary. You will need medication at the very least.”

His firm tone told her it would be pointless to argue so she didn’t, holding onto him as carefully and loosely as possible when he carried her out of the library. Everyone was staring at them again, and she didn’t want them to think she was clinging too hard to Lord Erou.

When Lord Erou stepped out of the library, they both heard a familiar voice ask silkily, “Is this meant to make me jealous?”

Her head jerked up.

Alexandru!

Chapter Seven

It is both a courtesy and precaution for a Master to let his pet know about his coming and going.

For a deeper understanding, please refer to the written apology of Master Alexandru and his pet Zari Baltimore, Exhibit 1.5.1, p. 16

Alexandru spewed his coffee when he read the footer.

Next to him in bed, his pet giggled. Zari knew exactly what made her Master do that.

“What the fuck? You’re going to include it in your proposal?”

“If it’s any consolation,” she said ever so helpfully, “the Duke of Brimstone has already read it and he wholeheartedly approves—” She gasped. “Master! Did you just call His Grace an old asshole?”

Alexandru’s fangs gnashed against his teeth as he did his best to maintain his smile even though he wanted to smash the other vampire’s face to pieces.

“Your pet fainted.” Erou’s lip curled.
 

His jealousy dissipated at the words, and his eyes went to Zari. “Are you all right?” He strode forward, noting the pallor of her skin. He extended his arms. “I’ll take her to the infirmary.”

Erou stiffened. “I can handle it—”

“I’m sure you can,” he said casually, “but you may not. She is
my
pet.”

Erou glanced down at Zari. “It’s your call, milady.”

Without looking at her Master, she mumbled, “It’s okay.”

“Are you sure?” Everything in Erou told him not to let her go, but if she really meant those words—

She nodded.
 

Reluctantly, he passed his precious cargo to the older vampire. A part of him hoped that Zari would call his name and ask him to take her back. But she didn’t.

Alexandru easily handled his pet’s weight in his arms. “Thank you, milord. I will endeavor not to trouble you again.”

“She’s never trouble,” Erou said coldly.

“Nevertheless, I shall ascertain something similar will never happen again.”