“I’m no one’s pet,” I said, my voice shaking from nerves.
“My boys tell me that Kier claimed you as his pet. If you aren’t, it means any one of us can claim you,” he said, waving at the other men standing in the room, staring at me. “I kind of like your scent. You’re sweet. I’d like you for myself. If you say you’re not Kier’s…”
I frowned. “I’m not anyone’s—.”
“She’s mine,” Kier said from the couch, the black hood still over his head. “She’s new and doesn’t understand our ways. Leave her alone.”
His voice sounded strained, as if he was in pain, and of course I remembered the blows that landed on him during the fight and the sound of gunfire.
“Fair enough,” the man said. “I’ll respect the rules, but I don’t know how you’ll care for her since you’re going back into hibernation. You have to pay me if you want to keep her alive and out of someone else’s clutches. Do you have any funds to transfer?”
“I just got out of hibernation,” Kier said, his voice sounding frustrated. “Give me some time. I’ll pay you handsomely, if you return her to her cottage and compel her to forget.”
“No,” I said, looking at the vampire’s eyes. “I don’t want to forget. Compel me to silence, but don’t make me forget.”
“Aww, isn’t that sweet, Kier?” the man said. “She doesn’t want to forget you.” He smiles evilly at me.
“She should, even if she doesn’t want to,” Kier said, his voice resigned. “If I can’t be free, I don’t want her part of our world. She should be made to forget me and that vampires exist.”
“If you can arrange the funds, I’ll comply,” the vampire replied. Then he motioned to a guard who sat Kier up and took the hood off his head. The man cut the ties that bound Kier’s hands so he was free. He rubbed them and I could see the red marks where the ties bit into Kier’s skin. There was some blood on his face, and his eye was swollen almost shut. He was still handsome, despite the bruise flowering under his eye.
“Are you okay?” I asked softly for I did worry about him, even though I was afraid.
“I’m fine,” he replied, and his expression softened. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve done longer time before. Someone will rescue me.”
I nodded, and bit my bottom lip, feeling all emotional all of a sudden. “I don’t want to forget you,” I said truthfully, for I didn't. I wanted to remember him. He was the scariest and most exciting thing that ever happened to me. “Don’t make me forget you. I want to remember you. I want to remember all this.”
Kier shook his head. “If you remember, you might become involved again in our world. It’s best for you to escape now, while you can. I’m telling you the truth, Calla. This world will kill you, eventually. You'll either be dead or vampire. There is no other option unless you forget.”
I frowned, for as much as I was glad to be going back to the cottage, I felt a heaviness in my chest at the thought of never seeing Kier again. I didn't want to forget him – what happened between us. Our kiss…
“Please…”
He shook his head. “It’s for your own good. This is your chance, Calla. You have to take it. Now, no more arguing.”
I said nothing, sadness enveloping me that I’d forget him. If I could at least remember, it would be something exciting I could think of when I was living my very ordinary and boring life back in Portland. Instead, I’d go back to my dreary life, back to my dreary school, and I'd never know what happened and what might have happened, if Kier hadn’t been put back into hibernation.
Despite everything, my mind went to what might have happened – maybe Kier and I would have become lovers. He’d be the one to take my virginity. He’d take me on a trip to Montreal and I’d get to see the vampire world.
Somehow, it seemed so much more appealing than going back to my safe world in Oregon.
Then I remember Chelsea.
“You’ll let Chelsea go too, right?” My heart rate increased.
“Sorry,” the man replied, shaking his head. “No can do. I’ve claimed her as booty.”
“I’ll pay you to let her go,” Kier said. “I’ll pay nicely.”
“She’s too sweet,” the man replied, his arms crossed. “I already claimed her. She’s mine. Sorry.”
I panicked, glancing from the man to Kier and back again, desperate to convince him to let her go.
“Please, no,” I pleaded. “You have to let her go. She’s my best friend and—.”
“She’s mine, now,” the man said, taking the chair and placing it back at the table. “She’s coming with me to Montreal. I’m flying Kier there as well, since his brother’s putting him in the family crypt.”
“What makes you think you can get me there without any of my people stopping you?” Kier offered. I hoped he was right but all I could think of was that Chelsea was being taken by this vampire to Montreal and I’d be sent back to Oregon with my mind wiped clear of memories.