Page 79 of Eternal Obsession

“No.” My legs gave way, and I hung from the shackles. Despite the high-pitched ringing, it was imperative I stay alert.

Orpheus stepped back. “You’re right. We need to replace that blood loss. I wonder if I know anyone who would volunteer?” He clicked his fingers.

Responding quickly, the young girl stood up out of the chair, waiting for further direction.

“My dear Gill, I have a small present for you.” Orpheus removed a small, clear plastic bag from his shirt pocket.

Gillian’s eyes widened. He waved it before her, and she recognized the familiar white powder within it. She pulled the packet from his hand.

“Don’t snatch! It is a present from our grateful client here. Now go sit down and have a little. It’s very good. Perhaps you would like to share? No?”

Taking a seat in the corner of the room again, she emptied a small portion of the powder into the palm of her hand, glancing up possessively. Pacing the room, Orpheus waited for her to imbibe.

He instructed his minions to leave.

Orpheus knelt beside the girl. “Here, let me help you.” He pried the packet from her hand, pouring a large amount of the white powder onto his wrist. “There,” he offered.

Gill frowned.

“Don’t take it,” I warned her.

“Looks like he wants his drug back,” Orpheus said.

The girl glared at me.

“It will kill you,” I said.

“Would I ever let anything happen to my princess?” He smiled.

Gill leaned toward his arm and sniffed the cocaine—all of it. Her eyelids fluttered and she flopped back into the chair.

“Well, if you thought the answer was yes, you’d be right. That potency of the drug is far too much for your little feeble human body, but that is the least of your worries. Now be a good girl and don’t die just yet.”

Her head fell back, and she lay still.

Orpheus unlocked my shackles. He wrapped his arms around me and lay me upon the cold stone floor.

He could see me weakening.

He slapped my face. “I need you to focus. Now remember, give my regards to Alex, though I will probably see him before you do. Bon appétit, Jadeon!”

Orpheus withdrew, locking the door on his way out.

I staggered to my feet and tried the door handle. I was trapped and reeled from the blood loss.

The dazed girl moaned in the corner.

“I will not do it.” My cries echoed into the silence. “You cannot make me drink from her.” I turned and stared at the girl, resisting the drag of my primal need.

Chapter Thirty-Four

ORPHEUS

Alex had fed. Replete, he returned to the castle.

His victim had been a twenty-four-year-old rapist whom Alex considered fair game—hunting the hunter. Alex still tried to shake the man’s thoughts from his own. He sat now in the reading room playing the music that Jadeon had bought him for his new stereo. Cacophonous noise blared through the speakers. Making himself comfortable in one of the large leather chairs, Alex enjoyed the many books and magazines he had purchased.

“Alexander!” I said.