CHAPTER FIVE

I watched the vampire approach me, keeping my green eyes tightly shut and listening intently. As he moved, I could feel the force of his heavy tread cutting into the dirt.

I worked hard to control my breathing and heartbeat, but I was frustrated that I couldn't burrow any further into the dirt. As things stood, all a vampire needed to do to identify me was staring at me from the appropriate perspective.

When I heard the loud crash of something heavy through the trees above me, I didn't intend to make a sound, but I accidentally let out a gasp of surprise.

I tried to slow down my suddenly quick breathing by covering my mouth with the dirt-covered hand I was holding, but the panic grew stronger.

I was very certain that the vampire could hear my heart throbbing in my chest.

After taking a chance and peeking over the corner, I noticed the shadow of the hunter approaching me.

Another hunter suddenly materialized out of thin air and pulled me out of my hiding place by one arm. He lifted me off the ground and dislocated my shoulder in the process.

As I hung there, defenseless and exposed, I listened to the conversation that was going on between the two vampires.

At long last, the second hunter helped me back up onto my feet, which brought some relief to the anguish in my arm.

The vampire that had captured me offered me a leather collar, and when I accepted it, he proceeded to buckle it around my neck.

As he came closer to ensure it was safe, he mouthed the words "I'm sorry" into my ear. "I'm sorry."

My new owner said a few farewell words to his traveling companion before leading me deeper into the woods while yanking on the leash fastened to my new collar.

I was unprepared for the jolt, so I fell to my hands and knees, and my arm folded awkwardly under my weight as I struggled to keep my balance.

As I let out a scream of agony, stars began to form in the space between my eyes. The hunter was by my side, helping me to my feet before I had had time to recover from my fall.

After ensuring I could maintain my balance, he moved again but at a more leisurely pace.

I was prepared for it and started moving before he yanked again on the leash since I knew it was coming.

My lord urged me on at a breakneck speed, presumably to beat the rising sun as we made our way to the hunting lodge.

I was already sweating when we entered the building, and as we climbed the stairs to what I imagined was his room, I was attempting to hold back a stitch in my side.

After indicating for me to stop moving forward, the vampire let go of the leash and stepped around me, leaving me standing alone in the middle of the room.

Before he came up behind me, I heard him shut the door behind us and then I heard a lock click into place. Then he came up behind me.

I was taken aback by the kindness with which he removed the buckle from the collar and laid it on the table.

He said to me while he was holding my damaged arm, "You need a bath."

I winced in agony as I wrenched away from him, and it wasn't until later that I realized what I had done.

A tear formed in the corner of my eye as I waited for my punishment. What kind of a mess would it make?

I took a chance and looked at him when nothing had happened, and I saw surprise written all over his face.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, my voice trembling from the agony and anxiety I felt. "The only problem is that you injured my shoulder while you pulled me up from the dirt."

"I see," the vampire murmured as he moved closer to me and took a step closer. "Put your top on the ground and take a seat."