"Why can't we be like a normal couple and...you know?" she asked. I feathered kisses across her neck, feeling her pulse picking back up thanks to my blood. "That's one boundary we can't cross without severe consequences," I admitted. That pouty lip was making it more challenging, though. She really was my kitten. So young and so naïve, so feisty and ready to claw the entire world, but still so small in it. --- After crashing her stepfather's car, 20-year-old sharp-tongued disobedient Jo Fisher finds herself facing a five-year sentence under the strict oversight of a high level mafia vampire guardian. In this new world order, large vampire families, once thought to be mafia families in the 20th and 21st centuries, now preside over all legal matters and wield global authority after making their true natures known to the world. Jo's sentence is to be served as a contracted slave at Camilla Academy, a prestigious institution established by the more refined families where vampires turned at young ages learn to coexist with their human counterparts and maintain control, ensuring their human charges become compliant and dependable sources of sustenance. Jo's options are limited. She must either adopt the role of a slave/pet to a vampire master or become the more cherished ward of a Daddy (or Mommy) vampire, expected to regress into an almost adolescent state of obedience. Dane, an ancient vampire prince underboss from the original family, is drawn to Jo's vibrant spirit and tendency to push boundaries. Captivated by her fiery demeanor and stubborn temperament, he is determined to have her as his mate rather than a subordinate. Can he temper Jo's vivacious spirit just enough for them to navigate the academy's demands without extinguishing the very fire that draws him to her?
View More(DANE POV) By the time I returned to the academy, the lockdown had been lifted, a testament to the lengths I had gone to ensure the safety of everyone within its walls. The measures I took, though necessary, were ones I would rather forget, a series of choices that would forever haunt the corners of my memory. Finding them in the dining room, with Jo happily eating breakfast sitting in his lap, the relief of seeing them safe momentarily outweighed the feelings of what I'd done. "I missed you, kitten," I whispered. Jo's initial joy at seeing me quickly soured, regressing as she sought comfort in Deirk's presence over mine. It was a reaction I hadn't anticipated, cutting deeper than any physical wound. I made several attempts to coax her from Deirk's lap to reconnect with her, but she resisted every effort. Her refusals were clear enough to draw the eyes of others in the dining hall. Ultimately, we retreated to my room, Deirk carrying Jo because she refused to walk. She finally
(JO POV) Two weeks had passed since we'd been confined to Deirk's room, and our initially cautious interactions had evolved into something much more intimate. Our days were now filled with constant conversation, laughter, and unexpected comfort in each other's presence, and our once-timid touches had grown into habitual cuddling. "Remember how I told you my stepmother used to scold me for forgetting my Spanish?" I teased Deirk, recalling when my stepmother insisted I speak Spanish at home. "Looks like you've become my new maestra." Deirk smiled and corrected my pronunciation: "It's 'maestro,' but I'm happy to take on the role. Your Spanish is coming back beautifully, by the way." To fend off the monotony, I finally gave in to Deirk's suggestion to play the array of children's board and card games he'd amassed. Watching a centuries-old vampire delight in something as simple as 'Go Fish' was heartwarming. "I never took you for a board game enthusiast," I remarked, amused by his chil
(DANE POV) In a basement warehouse in New York, I was evading slivers of sunlight that dared to intrude through the cracks in the doors and windows. Each beam reminded me of the time ticking away, exacerbating my frustration with the situation. The day's task had dragged on far longer than anticipated, and the need to dodge these rays of light only fueled my growing irritation.Before me sat a family cousin stirring up trouble, slumped in a chair in the old, dingy room. Drawing upon the thick New York accent I once shared with Jo, a memory that now brought her smiling face unsolicited to my mind each time I used it, I addressed him. "Gregory... you know this isn't going anywhere fast. And I'm not one to back down, so why don't we speed this up? I'm sure there are places you'd rather be than here, losing blood in my company.Gregory's response was laced with defiance. "Fuck you. We're not under your thumb anymore." Technically, he was right. His family, the only human mafia that per
(JO POV) Watching Dane embrace Deirk before leaving struck a chord with me. Their once guarded open display of camaraderie and affection now seemed natural in my presence. As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, Deirk's voice broke through my reverie. "I don't have all of Dane's talents, so breaking into your brain is off the table for me... You'll actually have to tell me what's on your mind."Caught off guard, I opened up. "I'm just starting to wrap my head around the whole vampirism thing, and now there's this whole organized crime world that Dane's a part of. It feels like I'm always playing catch-up."Deirk nodded. "Honestly, I've kept myself out of that world by choice. I don't know much about it either." "One thing I do know for sure, Jo... Dane is exceptional at what he does. Magness wouldn't have sought him out if he wasn't the best at these... negotiations.""But he didn't exactly dress for a diplomatic mission, did he?" I couldn't help but point out. "In our world, negotia
(DANE POV)When Cami briefed us about the lockdown, she laid out the seriousness of the situation with an urgency I hadn't seen before. She was trying to tell me something without saying it. The entire campus was to be sealed off due to a turf war sparked by the presence of a girl from a prohibited family. This dispute had escalated dangerously, now posing a threat to the safety of everyone at the academy. The stakes were suddenly much higher. All humans were confined to their rooms alongside their masters, relying solely on trusted attendants for their essentials.Magness's sudden arrival now made perfect sense. He wasn't just here to torment me or stir up old fears. He needed me to dive into the fray and help him navigate this upheaval. The task was daunting, not just because of the physical dangers involved but also because a delicate political balance needed to be maintained to quell the unrest. Something I specialized in. This wasn't just another assignment or a simple fa
(JO POV) Today's lecture in Vampire 101 with Dr. Matthews was particularly intriguing. It focused on the royal lineage and its division into five prominent families from the original. As Dr. Matthews delved into the complexities of vampire hierarchy, he highlighted our unique position, mentioning the rare opportunity we had to learn alongside a member of the original family.Dane, ever humble, smiled and clarified, "I'm not from the original family, but I was turned by them. I'm secondary if you want to get technical."Dr. Matthews, undeterred by the correction, continued to emphasize Dane's significance, labeling him the only vampire prince currently in existence. The information washed over me, a blend of historical facts and familial prestige that seemed distant from the reality of our daily lives.One of the wards raised her hand to ask, "If he is a prince, does that make her a princess?"I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the question. The titles felt ill-fitting and too grand
(DANE POV) The sounds that filled the room were authentic, arising naturally from the depth of our connection, devoid of any pretense or exaggerated display. It was crucial to me, vital even, that she felt the profound distinction between the spectacle forced upon us in Magness's presence and the genuine, heartfelt union we shared now. The lessons I learned from my turbulent history with Deirk, as well as the pain and confusion that had lingered for centuries before we finally addressed it, underscored the importance of this moment. I was determined to ensure that she recognized the difference, to prevent any shadow of doubt or misinterpretation from clouding her perception. I wanted her to know that what we shared was real and pure, worlds apart from the manipulation and coercion forced on us. This was about us, about a connection that defied the constraints of time and circumstance. Eventually, I watched over her as she fell asleep, mere hours before the dawn signaled th
JO POV"Explain. Now," I demanded, unable to mask the shock and confusion. "Tone, kitten," Dane cautioned."I don't give a fuck about my tone. Tell me what is going on," I shot back."Kitten," Dane repeated. I finally deflated at the look he gave me. He would talk to me about it if I just calmed down. "I feel like there's so much I'm missing here," I confessed. Dane nodded. "There is, Kitten. I was Magness's sex slave for a century before he released me. About 600 years later, he decided to try again and took Deirk. Magness tortured him far more than he ever did me. Luckily, I was able to secure my freedom and, later, his.""When we were under Magness's control, he... he forced me to do things to Deirk like what happened to us. These are things I would never have chosen to do on my own. It was a kind of manipulation, coercion that we both endured at his hands that entire year."My stomach turned violently. My hand flew to my mouth."Oh shit... I'm sorry," I managed to stutter out.
Without a word, I lifted Jo into my arms, her slender form shaking violently against me as I carried her back to the pink room. Her sobs broke the silence, each one echoing against the walls of my heart, resonating with a pain I felt keenly. Holding her close in bed after pulling on loose clothing to cover the injuries and bite marks until they healed, I felt her tears dampen my shirt. She cried until the gentle rise and fall of her chest evened out, her sobs giving way to the quiet breathing of sleep. I decided that was the last time she would cry herself to sleep in my arms. I would not fail her like this again. The moonlight brought a new night, but the shadow of the previous day lingered. Everything was packed and ready for our departure. The return journey in the limo was silence. I was lost, my thoughts a vortex around the events that had unfolded. I reclined in the seat, Jo nestled against my chest as I stared out the window.She reached up and undid my collar, jolting me b
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