Page 54 of Burn for Her
Lena tensed at the sound of an animal screaming outside the room she’d just entered. It couldn’t be Dorian. No way could a grown man sound like that. But deep down, she knew it was him, and it hurt her heart when his voice died out as he ran out of air. Part of her wanted to rush out and see what was wrong with him, but another part of her was fixated on the thick-haired giant sitting in a chair, facing a huge ornate mirror. His reflection was menacing as he glared at her.
“Come forward.”
Her feet moved even though she swore she was trying to stay back. The room was filled with mirrors and it made her dizzy.
“Stand before me and face the mirror so I may gaze upon you.”
She didn’t want to give this guy her back. Nope, nope, nope. But even when she tried to keep facing him, her body slowly spun around anyway. “Holy shit,” she whispered under her breath.
“You are a stunning creature,” he said into the mirror. “I’m sure Dorian wasn’t expecting you to be cut into perfection.”
“I’m far from perfect.”
“He’d argue otherwise.”
Lena hated how her cheeks heated. This was embarrassing and stupid. “What’s going on? Why am I here?”
“I’m sure Dorian told you those answers already. He’s an open creature, no secrets or lies. It’s one of the many admirable things I treasure about the Reaper.” The big man tilted his head and let his gaze roam over her reflection. “I’m Malachi, the Mad King, ruler of the House of Death.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Another loud roar reverberated from the other side of the door, followed by two big thumps, as if someone was using a battering ram to get inside. Lena jumped at the noise and broke her gaze from the mirror to spin around.
Malachi stopped her somehow. She couldn’t budge.
“Remain focused on the mirror, Lena. Dorian’s aggression will get worse until you’re willing to soothe it.”
“What’s that mean?” Another loud bang. More shouting. Lena gulped as she remained deadlocked on Malachi’s reflection.
“He’s dying, Lena. The instant he saw you, his biological clock began ticking. He tried to spare you. He’s willing to die just so you aren’t tied to him for eternity.”
Her heart plummeted. “What?”
Malachi, without breaking eye contact in the mirror, reached over and grabbed a wine glass from the large table. Whatever was in it looked blood red and was thick enough to coat the sides of the glass. He took a large swig and winced, “I hate it when it cools to room temperature.” He set the glass back down. “But I drink it because I refuse to give up just yet.”
“Give up what?”
“My seat.” Malachi shifted in his chair.
Lena noticed his nails were longer than most men’s. His hair was completely unkempt and frizzy, thick and dark. It didn’t look awful, it just didn’t look fitting for someone who claimed the title of “King”.
Malachi licked his lips, and she saw his huge fangs. They were even bigger than Dorian’s.
“Who told you of The Wicked Garden?” Malachi’s dark brow arched.
“I’m… not saying. When something is told to me in confidence, I keep it.”
His mouth twitched. “Where did you get those bruises?”
“Not from Dorian.”
“I know that, girl. He’d die before laying a violent hand on you.”
“And according to you, he’d rather die than be with me too, is that it?” Why did that bug her so much? She didn’t know Dorian. Hell, she didn’t know anyone here!
Another scream tore from the other side of the door. Sweat trickled down her back.
Malachi ran a thumb across his bottom lip. “Vampires are possessive creatures. Even after they find, bind, and turn their mate, this virtue remains steadfast. They don’t like others playing with their things.”
“I’m not a thing. And you’re not playing with me.”