Beholden: The Master and His Soul Seer Pet - A New Adult College Vampire Romance

by Marian Tee

  “Sit, sit,” Sir Richard said as he turned to bolt the door shut.

  Alexandru lowered himself on one of the armchairs. “What is it?”

  “I had wanted to ask you for an honest update on the situation in Chalys. Do you believe it is best if I suspend any future claiming for now?”

  “I don’t think you have to go that far, no, but extra precautions are always better.” Alexandru knew it was not what the headmaster truly wanted to ask and the other man was simply biding his time. They spoke at length about Chalysian politics, Alexandru answering all of the headmaster’s questions.

  When the headmaster paused, Alexandru felt it was time to cut to the chase. “You may speak freely with me, Sir Richard. Is this about my pet?”

  “Partially.” Sir Richard grimaced at the other vampire’s insightfulness, but then it was only to be expected from their kind’s most powerful hunter.

  Settling his elbows on the armrests, he clasped his hands as he said, “There has been talk about an increasing number of attacks of demons outside Chalys for some months now, but last week was the first report about it happening here in Key Sanguis.”

  “It’s Lilu’s doing.” Alexandru referred to the demon duke who lorded over Sulphur, the city of demons in Chalys. “Like everyone, he’s heard about his son finding a heartkeeper. Building a stronghold outside the kingdom is like his Plan B, in the event Silviu Draghici decides to wage a war against him – and he loses.”

  Sir Richard was aghast. “Do you mean he would be involving humans in the war? Doesn’t he know that could result in genocide?” Otherworlders might be a hundred times stronger, but their numbers were paltry compared to humans. With technology also on the humans’ side, a war between both races could destroy the world completely.

  “Demons care nothing about humans,” Alexandru said grimly. “But please do not worry just yet. It’s why I have been sent back to this area. The Duke of Sangre has heard of the same incident and has asked me to resolve the case as soon as possible.”

  “The soul seer will help you?”

  “If necessary, yes.”

  Sir Richard looked uncomfortable. “But you see, I was hoping that with your permission, the soul seer could be consulted by the school’s enforcers.”

  Alexandru didn’t have to think, saying flatly, “No.” Soul seers like his pet, being able to see the past and future, were very rare nowadays. If even one demon was ever to learn about Zari’s existence, his pet would be targeted for the rest of her life.

  “We would not be consulting her openly—”

  “I’m sorry, Sir Richard, but my answer will always remain the same. If you need help, you only have to ask me, but my pet must not be involved in anything requiring her skills as a soul seer without my approval.” His voice turned into steel. “I hope we understand each other.”

  “Yes.” As a lower-ranking vampire, the headmaster had no right to go against Alexandru’s words.

  Alexandru stood up. “Then if you’ll excuse me—” His voice trailed off as the blood bond he shared with Zari suddenly blazed in pain, an intrusive force trying to break it. Without a word, he left the headmaster, going straight to where his pet was.

  Who dares taste my pet?

  But his little soul seer did not answer, her senses in a disarray as another vampire drank from her neck, and his rage, kindled by a mix of jealousy and possessiveness, burst into life.

  A second later, he was at the courtyard, his gaze unerringly locating Zari. When he saw her wan face, he roared. The sound had the other vampires in a panic, but Alexandru didn’t give a damn. He would kill them all.

  Flying to her side, he tore his pet away from the vampire on the ground. Shaking her awake, he said her name roughly out loud and in her mind. Wake up!

  Her eyes blinked open. “Master...” Her voice was faint, but he still managed to hear it.

  “Did he hurt you?” he demanded, not bothering to speak through their minds, knowing that she was too weak to answer in the same vein.

  “No…don’t…angry. Don’t…hurt…him.”

  “You’re not making sense,” Alexandru gritted out. “Tell me you are all right, at least. Talk to me, Zari!”

  But she didn’t answer, her head falling back as her body went limp.

  ****

  “Welcome back, sleeping beauty.” The murmured words came from her Master, whose handsome but strangely grim face was the first thing Zari was able to focus on when she woke up.

  Disoriented, she had to blink groggily several times before the world around her settled. She was alone with her Master in a room filled with several neatly made beds. Its walls were painted in cream and the floors made of shiny white marble. Memories came back to her in a striking flash of pain, and she whimpered, eyes squeezing shut. Zari automatically reached for the side of her neck. The vampire had fed on her so hungrily that there was none of the usual tingling pleasure she felt every time Alexandru drank from her.

  Alexandru’s lips compressed tightly at the sight of pain on his pet’s face. He waited for her to open her eyes before reaching forward to flick her forehead. Hard. “Serves. You. Right.” He flicked her forehead with each word.

  He had been on bedside duty for over an hour, and each minute that passed without her waking up had been nerve-wracking. The school’s human nurse, Mrs. Humphrey, had told him it was normal for someone who had lost a good amount of blood, but for Alexandru, the experience was an eye-opener. He had never spent a lot of time with humans until this pet of his. They were turning out to be more troublesome than he expected. More fragile, too, and he didn’t think he’d be able to forget the sight of his pet losing consciousness anytime soon.

  “Ooooowwww.” Zari rubbed her no doubt red forehead when her Master was done torturing her.

  He asked abruptly, “Why did you let another vampire feed on you?” He expected his pet to be flustered at the question but instead she gave him an odd look, as if she expected him to have known the answer already.

  When she answered, “Why do you think?” Alexandru flicked her forehead again, harder than usual.

  She gasped in pain. “That seriously hurts, Master! I’m not kidding.”

  “Because you’re being too cute this time, not giving me a straight answer.” When their gazes met, he said flatly, “You know you’ve violated a rule, don’t you? So unless you have a good reason…”

  She turned to face him, lying on her side. “He could have died if I hadn’t let him drink from me.”

  “Even so.”

  She shook her head. “You don’t understand.” Avoiding his gaze, she mumbled, “What if it were you, Master? What if you were the one in need of blood? If that day comes, I hope that what I did today would be returned. That another human pet would help you, Claimed or not.”

  When silence was her only answer, Zari forced herself to meet her Master’s gaze and found Alexandru’s eyes resting on her broodingly. “What?” she asked, feeling defensive without understanding why.

  Alexandru slowly leaned against his seat. A now-familiar pang had struck his chest when the intentions behind his pet’s words became clear, uncomfortably so. She had done it for him. He mentally shook his head at the realization. Did she know how cute that was? He was an ancient vampire, whose powers were unmatched by almost every creature in the world, and yet this human girl dared to be terrified…for him.

  “Ouch!” Her Master had flicked her forehead again. “What was that for?”

  “Because you’re too cute. Is that all you’ve learned in this school? Being cute and turning me on?” She gaped at his words, and that was cute, too, which was why before she could even reply, he did what he had wanted to do the first time she woke up.

  Zari’s eyes widened when she saw a familiar look in Alexandru’s gaze. She automatically protested, “No, Master—”

  But of course, he didn’t heed her. He never did, and if she was being honest, she didn’t want him to. His blasted powers of attraction made sure it
was so.

  Zari’s toes curled under the sheets as Alexandru bent forward and captured her lips with his own.

  Her Master was kissing her.

  Oh, dear Lord, her Master was kissing her again, and each kiss just felt more addictive than the last. This kiss, however – it was rougher than usual, his tongue exploring every inch of her mouth, Alexandru sucking her lower lip hard. She was breathless in a few seconds, and she found herself clutching his shirt hard as the kiss went on and on.

  Don’t do that again. His voice sounded savage in her mind, the words accompanied by Alexandru’s lips trailing down just before he licked the side of her neck. The flesh under his tongue tingled hotly, and the soothing tenderness of his kiss made her toes curl harder. It was as if her Master was asking for her forgiveness and blamed himself for what had happened.

  Promise me, Alexandru demanded.

  Even as she arched her neck to give him better access, she gasped in her mind, I can’t. Because it could happen…you needing blood. When that day comes—

  The rest of her thoughts were cut off as she felt him whip the covers off her body. Before she could react, he was already unbuttoning her blouse, his fingers swift and sure. And then he was pushing her bra up, baring her breasts to his gaze.

  Zari whimpered, the heat of his eyes as they rested on her nakedness making her blush. She tried to cover herself, but the shake of her Master’s head had Zari forcing herself to keep her hands on her side. Instead, she begged, Don’t stare.

  Why not, pet?

  His fingers moved, cupping one straining breast. She could only stare helplessly, the pink in her cheeks deepening as her nipple became erect right before her eyes just as Alexandru purred in his mind, Is this body not mine?

  When she didn’t answer, he tweaked her nipple, making his pet gasp. Is it not?

  It’s yours, Zari gasped, and no sooner had the words left her mouth did her Master take one nipple in. His tongue swirled around it, the movement tantalizing and making her clutch his shoulders involuntarily.

  Logically, she knew that all the explosively hot sensations inside her body were a result of his powers at work.

  Illogically, a part of her insisted on believing it was not just that. Illogically, a part of her wanted to believe that it was more than that.

  That her body felt like this because the bond between her and Alexandru was more than what a pet and Master shared. Just the thought was terrifying, but it also made her feel heady. She couldn’t help surrendering herself as he began to suck hard on her nipple, and when he moved on to her other breast, she arched her back, wanting him to take all of her.

  While sucking on her sweet nipple, Alexandru let one hand roam freely. Her long, shapely legs were as soft as he remembered, and his cock hardened at the way they trembled at his touch. Zari…

  Yes, Master? Even communicating like this, her voice shook, her brain hazy with need for his touch.

  I’d like to make you come. Actually, he didn’t just want to. He needed to make her come, but he wouldn’t do it if she still felt the slightest bit ill. He would never satiate his desire at the expense of her health.

  Her Master’s words were confusing, enough to have her opening her eyes and seeking his. When she saw the concern in his green gaze, Zari knew then that if she wanted to, she could put a stop to it. And maybe, if she was being sensible, she would have.

  But she never was sensible when she was with her Master.

  Zari?

  Cheeks heating up, she stammered, Y-yes.

  Alexandru groaned at the sexy look of embarrassment on his pet’s face. Goddammit. Too cute. Too fucking cute. Releasing her breast, he looked up and captured her gaze with his just as he moved his hand back up until his fingers reached under her skirt.

  In a second, he had her skirt bunched up around her waist. In another second, he had ripped her panties away and then he was touching the core of her flesh.

  Her entire body stiffened at his touch, but just as quickly she melted around him, her lips parting with desire as his fingers stroked her folds until they were soaked with her wetness. His desire rose to nearly uncontrollable proportions as he watched her bite her lip hard, doing her best to keep quiet as he pushed one finger in. As his finger pushed in and out of her, his pet looked like she was about to cry – in pleasure. In desire. In need – for him.

  Goddammit, too cute! No one could ever be as cute as his pet right now.

  His cock jutted demandingly against his pants, and he realized with disbelief that he was very near to coming himself. The thought had him even more aroused, and he instinctively reached for her hand and placed it on his cock.

  “Hold me,” he gritted out.

  The words had her gasping. While this was not her first time to be with him, today was definitely the first time he had invited her to touch him. She was stunned to find the demand embarrassing and exciting at the same time, and her fingers shook as they wrapped around his cock.

  Either her hand was so small or his cock was so massive – whichever the case, her fingers couldn’t meet in a full circle around his cock, and the thought that he was that large had her swallowing. Dear Lord, if his thrusting finger already felt this good, how it would feel to have his cock penetrate her?

  The thought had her crying out, her hips lifting up to meet the thrust of his finger.

  A sly smile touched his lips. Naughty, naughty pet. What are you thinking?

  Nothing!

  Liar. Another finger joined in, and he pushed harder and deeper into her pussy. Tell me.

  She shook her head. She tightened her hold of his cock at the same time, making him grit his teeth.

  Sneaky, stubborn pet. He pushed a third finger in, stretching her flesh wide.

  Her eyes widened, a gasp escaping her. He hadn’t ever done this before, and the new sensation made her feel even dizzier. Oh God, three fingers now – was it as thick, no, it definitely wasn’t.

  Throughout her rambling thoughts, he had not stopped fucking her with his fingers, and something inside her started to tighten. Now, she knew what it was. She couldn’t stop herself from moaning, her fingers instinctively moving up and down his length as helpless anticipation burst inside her—

  Her Master suddenly pulled his fingers out until only the tips were inside.

  She cried out in protest. Master!

  It took him a while to answer because his pet had instinctively learned how to torment him as well, her fingers freezing around his length. Tell me, he growled. What were you thinking?

  She lifted her hips up, trying to get his fingers back in, but he moved his fingers at the same time, keeping them out of reach.

  This time, his pet really looked like she was about to cry. Bully!

  I know, he said unsympathetically. So tell me—

  I was thinking of you. Of your cock, and how big it is and how it would feel—

  “Aah!” She couldn’t prevent herself from crying out loud as his fingers sank back into her. Zari’s fingers responded reflexively, resuming its movement, and Alexandru’s growl of pleasure bounced around the room as she started stroking him once more. Her movements were clumsy but even so, they were unbearably arousing and he couldn’t help moving forward, wanting more of her touch.

  His other hand moved, his thumb finding her burning clit. He started pinching her clit in rhythm with his thrusting fingers. It was all too much, and her body convulsed heavily around her as she came, the creamy moisture of her orgasm streaming down her thighs.

  She grasped him hard throughout her orgasm, and Alexandru’s fangs flashed out as he struggled to hold on to his self-control. He wanted to focus on making his pet feel good first, and Alexandru kept his fingers moving until the very last wave of her pleasure shook the frame of her body. He released her only when her eyes drifted closed, and only when her fingers fell away from his cock did he hurriedly unzip himself. Just a few damn strokes, and he was coming in his hand, aroused like a teenage boy by the mere sight of his
slumbering pet.

  When he was spent, Alexandru couldn’t help but grimace at his state. He couldn’t remember the last time he had to pleasure himself this way, but if he was honest, he couldn’t remember the last time he had felt this good after sex, either.

  Standing up, he gazed down at his pet, the exhaustion on her face making his heart clench in a discomfiting way. She was beginning to mean too much to him, and that just wasn’t good at all.

  Zari wanted to open her eyes when she felt something faint and soft touch her forehead. Was that a dream…or had her Master just kissed her on the forehead? She wanted to open her eyes, but she was so tired and sleepy. Dimly, she felt her Master leaving her side. She wanted to protest, but before she could, he was back, and she choked in embarrassed protest when she felt him pry her legs open.

  “Sssh…”

  Her Master cleaned her up like he was wont to do, and when he was finished, she felt him putting her clothing to rights before pulling the covers over her. “I’ll come back in a while. Rest well, pet.”

  She rested.

  When she woke up, she expected her Master to be seated next to her bed, but another man had come to take his place. Hair and eyes the shade of gold, skin almost the shade of ivory, and a body that appeared just as hard, the man looked very familiar—

  Oh.

  It was the man who had fed from her earlier!

  His voice was gentle and beautiful when he spoke. “Hello.”

  She croaked out, “Hello.”

  Feeling weird at the way he was looking at her, Zari made an effort to sit up. She was also tempted to pull the covers up but managed not to, telling herself she was overreacting. It wasn’t that the man felt like a threat. It wasn’t that at all. But the way he looked at her made Zari feel exposed, like he could see a part of herself that should be hers and her Master’s alone.

  “Thank you for allowing me to drink from you.”

  She nodded, unsure if it was right to explain why she did it.

  “I came to ask you something.”

  When he didn’t say anything else, she asked, “What is it?”

  The serious expression on his almost-pretty face didn’t change as he said, “I would like to know if I may claim you as my pet.”