Consequence Are Always Inevitable

KAINE’S POV 

It takes fifty seconds for my protection mark to appear. And it's only by thirty-nine, she finally stops resisting. 

*Great Hel. She’s too stubb—*

The sudden, sharp pressure of her teeth sinking into my lip cuts my thoughts short. She actually drew blood.

I lean back a little. 

Most prey would freeze when cornered. They would not bide their time, waiting for an opening to retaliate. They would not try to fight back. 

“How dare you? Let go of me, you beast!” she spits, her blue eyes blazing at me. 

I should do as she demands. I need her to be compliant if my plans are to succeed. Besides that, the process is complete. 

My gaze drops to her lips, and I lower my mouth to hers again, prolonging the contact. I make it softer this time. Why, I'm not entirely certain. To wear down her rigid posture, perhaps? The moment she starts to relax, I strike, nicking her lips in return.

Her tiny gasp warms my skin as I draw her closer, catching the bead of blood. The taste is…unusual. I pause. Curious.

When I finally break away, it is only to trace the line of her jaw. She shudders and immediately resumes struggling. It is entirely predictable, yet entirely pointless—

I stop.

Tyler's mark catches my eye. My protection crest sits above it, an inelegant overlap that ruins my mood. It is irritating. It needs to go.

An idea forms. It will take less than five seconds to erase it. I press my lips over the wound and suck. 

Someone clears their throat and the sound cuts through my ears.

Not stopping, I look up to see Derrick, my second-in-command regarding me with much confusion. Only now do I realize my men have already swarmed the room, subduing River and the rest of his group. I hadn't noticed a single one of them enter.

I release her later than I intend.

She shoves hard at my chest despite barely reaching my shoulders and immediately starts to aggressively wipe her mouth with the back of her hand, while the other points her dagger at my chest.

My gaze drops to my empty hands. When did she get it back from me?

She backs away, broadening the space between us. “What is wrong with you? Why did you do that?” 

“You bit me. I merely returned the favor.”

Her eyes freeze over. “I'm talking about the…” She takes a sharp breath in, her cheeks flushing, “the kiss.”

“Oh. That.” She cannot know about the mark yet. She wouldn't understand. I glance past her, gesturing for Derrick to come closer. “It was necessary.”

She catches the movement and turns her head. If she is intimidated by the sheer number of vampires in the room with her, she doesn't show it. 

“Master,” Derrick addresses me, sinking into a swift, practiced kneel.

I hold my hands out and he immediately passes me a clean doublet. I pull it on, rolling my shoulder into the fabric, without taking my eyes off the room. “Report.”

“All the captive vampires have been recovered, My Lord,” Derrick says, his voice low and steady as he rises. “River’s men did offer some resistance, but they were quickly overwhelmed. They are all bound and waiting in the courtyard.”

I nod once, half-listening. Tyler sits motionless against the wall, staring blankly at the stone beneath him. My attention drifts back to her. She still has a hold on him. “And the hunters?”

Her breathing hitches slightly with my question.  

“Most survived. Though, we met a number of them headless on our way down. From the looks of it, no backup will be heading here soon just as you planned.”

“Planned?” she echoes, her voice sharp. “What do you mean *planned?*”

Derrick looks at me before responding to her. “Well, Lord Kaine deliberately allowed himself to be taken by your men.” He looks back at me, a dry edge to his tone. “Next time, my Lord, a written note would be helpful.”

“Allowed?” River barks a harsh laugh from where he lies pinned to the floor. ”You mean this was all a setup?” Understanding dawns on him. “You knew we'd come, didn't you? You used us!”

I ignore him. “Anything else to report?”

“Nothing else of note, Master,” Derrick replies, keeping his stance formal, though his eyes linger on Eira for a second longer than necessary. He has questions. “The perimeter is secure.”

“Good.” They can wait. My eyes fix back on her. Her breathing is getting shallow, altogether too fast.

“Why?” she asks, the tip of her dagger dipping a little.

“Why what?” Her balance is also shifting, her weight leaning heavily on her back leg as if her knees are threatening to give out. 

The effect from the binding is finally taking hold. It should have subdued her minutes ago. Others have collapsed the moment the crest was sealed. Yet she still stands, forcing her body that should be unconscious to hold a blade against my chest just through sheer, stubborn defiance. I underestimated her. 

Her mouth opens. Closes. Then it opens again.

“You said it was necessary…” The dagger slips another inch. “Necessary for what?”

An odd question. What other reason could there be? ”To protect you.” 

Confusion mars her face as her brow furrows, but the action seems to cost her as she sways.

My eyes narrow. Something is wrong. Her pulse is weakening. 

“Protect…” she whispers. A bitter, broken smirk touches her bleeding lip. “A vamp doesn't protect…”

The dagger slips completely from her fingers, clattering loudly against the stone floor. Her eyelids flutter, the brilliant blue of

her gaze folding.

“Eira?" 

Her knees buckle. I move before she reaches the ground.