Dark Vow (Blackwoods College)

Calvin paced to the window and looked out at the lawn. I stared at the door before slowly turning.

They put us in a room together.

Of course they did.

Calvin turned to me, suppressing a smile. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re sleeping on the floor.”

“No, I’m not.” He came toward me.

“I’ll scream.”

“Half the people in here don’t speak English. What do you think you’re going to do?”

“I’ll run.”

“Please run. I’d enjoy the exercise.”

I sighed and groaned. “This is sick. What are we even doing out here?”

“I was wondering the same thing,” he said softly, glancing back toward the windows. “Did you notice how quickly Brnovich apologized? And how desperate he was to get out of that room?”

“He didn’t want to make any promises, that’s for sure.”

“Something’s not right.” Calvin paced in front of the fire.

“What are we going to do? We can always leave. Go back to Blackwoods.” I missed Jarrod and Cora. I missed my mom, even if I hated her, too.

“We’ll stay. There’s still a chance this will work out. And if it doesn’t—” He paused and looked up at me, and I took a step back. I saw depths in those eyes I never imagined were possible. So much rage, so much promise. “I’ll gut the fucking wretch and leave his body in his precious little lake.” He walked to the bed and climbed on top. “Now come on, wife. Come join me. It’s comfortable.”

I wanted nothing more than to climb into bed and pass out. I was desperate for sleep after the night before.

But I’d rather cut off my own tongue than stay in the same bed at him. I moved toward the couch along the far wall, but he was up and at me before I could reach it.

I yelped when he grabbed me. I pounded on his back when he threw me over his shoulder.

And I groaned when he threw me onto the bed.

“Asshole,” I said, kicking, as he climbed up beside me. I caught him in the shoulder and nearly smashed my heel into his mouth.

He caught my ankles, threw my legs aside, and pinned me down on the comforter.

“Are you done?” he asked, face inches from mine.

I struggled, breathing hard. “I don’t want to be in this bed with you.”

“Stop being a child. I’m not trying to fuck you.”

“You’re always trying.”

He laughed then kissed my neck. I groaned with anger and something else, something more primal. I couldn’t help myself. He wedged a knee between my legs, right up against my warm, soaking spot, and I was stupid and tempted to rub myself along it.

“Not yet, love. But I will, and when I do, you’ll know it.” He held me tighter, steady, his eyes locked on mine.

Then he kissed me.

I was too surprised to fight. I opened my mouth and let his tongue lap against my own. He tasted like sunrise and gunpowder, acrid and gorgeous, just like him. I bit his lip and he bit me back, and I found myself returning his kiss with a shocking passion I hadn’t realized was deep inside my core. I rolled my hips and groaned as he kept me there, at his mercy, under his control.

All at once, he stopped, and I was left breathless.

“Get some sleep.” He climbed under the covers and rolled onto his side.

I gaped. Not sure what just happened.

But I did as he commanded. I was too overwhelmed to do anything else.

It was hot beneath the sheets as I curled into a ball and squeezed my eyes shut.

He kissed me. He took me and he kissed me.

And I kissed him back.

For all the hate I felt, for all the anger, I still gave in to him.

Just like he said I would.

God, I was pathetic. Weak and pathetic.

But his hands were strong and his mouth was soft and I yielded, god, I gave myself over, and when he came looking for more, ready to pry me apart and lick me and fuck me and fill me, I was terrified I’d break all over again, and slide down into his abyss, and love it.

8

Calvin

Matthias came a few hours later. The house was quiet. Staff crept along the corridors like mice. Ivan was nowhere in sight.

We kept our voices down. Robyn slept, curled under the sheets like a cat, her hair spread out on the pillow. She was angelic and heavenly. Her taste lingered in my mouth. I wish I hadn’t stopped.

“The men are spread out over the grounds,” Matthias said, face pulled into a worried frown. “I don’t like this.”

“Get them all together. Double and triple them up in rooms if you have to, but get them all close.”

“The staff are watching like hawks.”

“Let them. They won’t try to stop it, and if they do, we’ll leave.” I hesitated and moved closer, whispering. “Did all of our luggage arrive safely?”