Masters of the Hunt: Fated and Forbidden

by Sarra Cannon

  Jaxen nodded. “He does. He has fought in over a dozen fights. Darius is quite fond of his fighting style and he uses him often.”

  Abigail sighed with relief as Jaxen walked toward the door. “It will be difficult to rescue him, Abigail. In all truthfulness, I fear there is very little chance that any of us will make it out of here alive.”

  He gave them a weary look. “Dinner will be served in an hour. There will be food for those of us who still like to pretend we are human, as well as a variety of slaves to taste.”

  He gave Val a solemn look. “I would suggest that you sample a few of the slaves. It will look strange if Joven does not.”

  — —

  “Violet, I want you to stay in the room. Do you understand?” Abigail had made a bed for the pixie from a pillowcase and a small basket and Violet yawned and nodded as she burrowed under the pillowcase. Abby stroked the pixie’s soft hair before she completely hid herself away and then turned to Val.

  “Are you ready?” She stared expectantly at Val who was stretched out on the bed.

  He stood. “I am.”

  She walked to the door, tugging nervously at her too-short skirt as Val rummaged through one of their bags.

  “Abigail.”

  A scowl crossed her face at the collar Val was holding.

  “You heard what Jaxen said.”

  “Yes, I did.” She snapped. She stomped over to him and turned away before lifting her hair. Her entire body was trembling and he placed a soft kiss on the back of her neck. She jerked in surprise and turned her head to glare at him.

  “Stop it. You are not to touch me, remember?”

  Without replying, he slid the collar around her neck and buckled it at the back. The leather was cool against her skin and she tugged lightly at it.

  “Is it too tight, little dove?” Val murmured.

  She shook her head before taking a deep breath and turning to face him. “Well, what do you think? Do I look the part now?” She asked bitterly as she stared at the floor.

  He didn’t reply and after a few seconds she glanced at him. Her breath caught in her throat and she could feel her nipples hardening against the thin fabric of her top in response to the look on Val’s face. Her hands were shaking and she clutched them together against her midsection. Val was giving her an almost feral look of lust and need and she took a nervous step backwards.

  “Don’t look at me like that, Val.” She whispered.

  His nostrils flared angrily. “So not only am I not allowed to touch you, I am not allowed to look at you? Is that what you’re saying?”

  She shook her head. “No, I just—”

  She gasped with shock when he moved towards her with lightning speed and crushed her against his body. She could feel his erection pressing against her and she moaned softly when he threaded his hand in her hair and pulled her head back.

  “You have no idea, little dove,” he whispered raggedly, “how difficult it is for me not to bend you over that bed, lift your skirt and fuck you senseless.”

  He inhaled deeply and a tight grin crossed his face. “Your pussy is wet. I can smell your need. Perhaps you enjoy wearing my collar.”

  “I don’t.” She whispered. She could have kicked herself at how weak she sounded.

  He grinned again and she shuddered against him when his other hand gripped her ass through her skirt. “You have never looked more beautiful to me than you do in this moment. Never before have I considered keeping a human as a pet but for you, I would make an exception.”

  “How sweet.” She muttered.

  He squeezed her ass and she inhaled sharply. “You were meant to wear my collar, Abigail.”

  “It’s not your collar. It’s Joven’s, remember?” She replied.

  “I remember. I will make certain to act exactly as Joven would act.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” She frowned at him.

  “Do you understand how strange Darius will find it if I do not feed from you?” He asked softly.

  She stiffened against him. “You can tell him you’ve already fed from me.”

  He didn’t reply and she gave him a hard look. “Tell him that you don’t like to feed in front of others.”

  “He will not believe that.”

  “Make him believe it.” She hissed.

  “You would risk saving your precious Michael just to keep me from biting you? You used to beg me to bite you. Have you forgotten –“

  “Don’t, Val!” Abby snapped. “Don’t you dare try and make me feel guilty. We can rescue Michael without you feeding from me.”

  He glared at her. “If you had been taken as a slave by the real Joven, he would be feeding from you.”

  “No, he wouldn’t.” She replied stubbornly.

  He snorted in frustration. “Do you have any idea how foolish you sound?”

  “I would have figured something out.” She insisted. She knew exactly how stupid she sounded but she carried on gamely. “I wouldn’t have let Joven feed from me.”

  “Bullshit.” He snapped.

  She pushed away from him and crossed her arms over her chest. “It doesn’t matter. Joven’s not here, you are. And I will not allow you to feed from me.”

  “Allow me?” Val arched his eyebrow at her and she took a step back at the dark look of anger on his face. “You and I both know I could easily feed from you if I wanted to.”

  “I would never forgive you for that.” She replied softly. She was giving him a look of sorrow mixed with pain and his anger deflated.

  She was speaking the truth. If he fed from her without her permission, any type of love she might feel for him would disappear. He would lose her and her love forever.

  So you love her now? You once swore that Karena would be your only love. Have you forgotten her so quickly?

  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He didn’t love Abigail. He wanted her, he desired her and he would let no other touch her, but it wasn’t love. It was infatuation, nothing else.

  How easily you deceive yourself.

  He rubbed at his forehead wearily and stalked toward the door. “Let’s go, Abigail.”

  “Val—”

  She was giving him a look of distrust and he shook his head. “I will not take your blood.”

  Chapter 8

  Darius lifted his head from the slave girl’s neck. “You do not eat, Joven.”

  “I prefer to eat in privacy.” Val replied.

  Darius frowned. “That is odd.”

  “Is it?”

  Darius stroked his slave’s bare thigh before slapping it lightly. She stood and moved away from the table as Darius leaned back in his chair and stared at Val across the table. “Yes.”

  Val shrugged before glancing down at Abigail. She was sitting on a cushion on the floor at his feet and he stroked her hair before smiling at Joven. “I enjoy taking my time with a meal. I indulged earlier in our room.”

  Darius studied him carefully. “Where did you find her? She really is quite lovely and healthy for a slave.”

  “I bought her at an auction house.” Val answered.

  “She must have cost you a great deal.”

  “I can afford it.” Val replied shortly.

  “Indeed.” Darius gave him a brittle smile. “I am well aware of your wealth, Joven. It rivals my own.”

  “Which is why you have asked me to join you in your business venture. Tell me more about it, Darius.”

  Darius waved his hand. “Not this evening. This evening we will cement our new friendship and enjoy all that we desire to eat. Tomorrow we will watch the games. I believe you will find it most entertaining.”

  He nodded to a slender blonde woman who was reclining on a chaise near the fireplace. The woman stood and walked quickly to Val. Abigail stiffened as the slave girl smiled down at him. She was wearing a short skirt similar to Abby’s and nothing else. In fact, Abigail was the only woman in the room not half-naked and as flimsy as her top was, she was suddenly very grateful fo
r its coverage. Her hands tightened into fists as the blonde slave draped herself across Val’s lap and tilted her head back. She stroked his arms and smiled encouragingly at him.

  “Eat, my friend. I am more than generous with my slaves.” Darius urged.

  Val dropped his gaze to the woman’s naked breasts before stroking his fingers between them. There was a sharp inhale and he looked down to see Abby staring up at him with a look of anger and hurt in her eyes. He raised his eyebrows at her and she glared at him before bending her head and studying the cushion she was sitting on.

  “Come, my lord. Have a drink. There are many who say my blood is as sweet as honey.” The blonde woman purred invitingly.

  Val swallowed thickly. He could see the small pin holes scattered across the woman’s throat and upper chest. Many of them were lined with a thin layer of blood and he licked his lips as the woman leaned closer and rubbed her naked breasts against his chest.

  “Go ahead, my lord.” She whispered.

  Val dipped his head and inhaled deeply against the woman’s throat. He could smell her blood, could smell her sudden lust, and although he had not eaten for days he realized that she held no appeal for him.

  He licked her throat and the woman arched her back and made a soft moan of encouragement before placing her hand over his cock. She rubbed him through the fabric of his pants before frowning at the lack of response.

  “You do not find me appealing, my lord?” She pouted.

  “You are more than—”

  The blonde woman gave a squeal of surprise when Abby suddenly jumped to her feet and shoved her from Val’s lap. She landed on her ass on the floor and gave her a disbelieving look before jumping to her feet.

  “You dare to touch me?” She spat.

  “You dare to touch him?” Abigail snarled at her.

  “I will rip your throat out for speaking to me in such a manner.” The blonde slave snapped.

  “Keep your hands off of him or I’ll cut them off.” Abigail’s face was bright red and her chest heaved as she stared bitterly at the woman. “He is mine and you will not claim him for your own.”

  “Enough!” Val said sharply.

  The slave gave him a small smile. “Forgive me, my lord. I only wish to bring you pleasure. I did not mean to upset your whore.”

  “Whore?” Abigail shouted. She leaped for the woman, snarling angrily when Val stood and yanked her into his embrace. She gave him a furious look and tried to head butt him. Val jerked his head back before slapping her on the ass.

  “I said, enough!” He snapped at her.

  He returned to his seat, dragging Abigail onto his lap and pinning her arms down. She struggled furiously until Jaxen caught her eye. He shook his head lightly and with a muttered curse she stopped struggling and forced herself to sit quietly on Val’s lap. He slid his hand under her hair and gripped her by the back of the neck before giving Darius a contrite smile.

  “Forgive the disruption, Lord Darius.”

  Darius laughed and clapped his hands. “My only disappointment is that you stopped them. For only just purchasing your pet, she already seems rather attached to you.”

  Jaxen sipped from a glass chalice filled with blood. “Joven is well-known for having his pets become too attached to him. It is a burden he bears with remarkable patience. Perhaps, Lord Darius, it is wise if he does not feed from your slaves. It would not do to have them pining after him when he is here for business.”

  Faren, a small chubby brunette clinging tightly to him, laughed loudly. “It is true, Lord Darius. I have often had to practically beat the slaves off of him with a very large stick.”

  Darius snorted lightly before studying Abigail sitting stiffly on Val’s lap. “I see you wear your master’s collar now. Although with your possessive nature of him, it hardly seems necessary, does it?”

  Abigail stared at the table. “It pleases Lord Joven to see his collar around my neck and that pleases me.”

  “I imagine it does.” Darius reached out and stroked her long dark hair. “It’s a pity you grow so attached to your master. I too know of many ways to please a woman.”

  Val’s hand tightened on her neck until Abby was certain she would have bruises. She could feel his heart beating fiercely against her back and she stroked his large thigh as she curled into his chest. She placed a warm, wet kiss on his throat before curling her fingers into his hair.

  “I desire Lord Joven and no other.” She said softly. She took a deep breath and tugged Val’s face to hers. She kissed him deeply, pushing her tongue into his mouth and licking at his as his hand cupped her breast and squeezed hard.

  Her face flushed, she pulled away and nestled her face into his neck. His hand squeezed her breast again before he dropped it reluctantly.

  Darius gave Val an amused smile. “I have heard a great many things about you, Joven, but I’m beginning to realize that there is still much to learn.”

  Val smiled thinly as Darius leaned back and clapped his hands together briskly. “The sun will rise soon. Let us finish our meal before we go to our daysleep.”

  — —

  Abigail carefully eased her way free of Val’s embrace. He didn’t stir and she slid out of the bed and grabbed her cloak. She hesitated and studied Val carefully. He slept more deeply in his daysleep and she stroked his hair back from his face before tracing his cheekbones with her fingers.

  There was a soft whirring and Violet landed gently on her shoulder. She kissed Abby’s cheek and studied Val for a moment before smiling at Abigail. She puckered her lips and made a kissing noise and Abby gave the pixie a light tap.

  “That will be enough out of you, Violet. I have no interest in Val. He is simply a means to rescuing Michael.”

  Violet rolled her eyes and shook her head before disappearing into Abigail’s hair.

  “You should stay in the room, little one. What I am about to do is dangerous.”

  The pixie pinched her ear and Abigail flinched before sighing. “Fine. But stay hidden.”

  She buttoned her cloak and with one final look at Val, slipped out of the bedroom.

  The hallway was quiet and dark. The vampires were in their daysleep and their slaves would have adapted to the vampires’ schedule. Her eyes were burning from lack of sleep and she rubbed wearily at them as she slipped quietly down the wide hallway. After they had retired and Val had fallen asleep, she had waited a few hours. She was tired but her need to find Michael, to assure herself that he was alright, was too strong to ignore.

  “Of course, I have no idea where the slave quarters are.” Abby muttered to Violet. “Do you think they keep them under the castle? In the movies, the dungeons are always under the castle.”

  She passed silently through the great room where they had dined with Darius and the others. She eased open the large door and peered into the hallway before quickly walking to the door at the end. Already she was a bit turned around. She thought she might be headed deeper into the castle but for all she knew she could be –

  She gave a startled yelp when the door opened and the short, plump brunette that Faren had been feeding from last night, pushed her way into the hallway. She was carrying a large tray that was piled high with bread and she screamed breathlessly when she saw Abigail.

  The tray dropped to the stone floor with a deafening clatter, and both she and Abby winced and glanced around nervously before the slave girl dropped to her knees and began to gather the scattered bread.

  “I’m so sorry!” Abby crouched down and picked up a few of the loaves. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “That’s alright.” The girl gave her a timid smile. “Are you lost?”

  “A little.” Abby admitted.

  “Why are you awake?” The slave girl asked curiously. “Do you not sleep with your master?”

  “I do. I guess I’m just a little too keyed up to sleep.” Abigail replied.

  “I am surprised that the Lord Joven does not chain you to the bed, seeing that he onl
y just bought you.” The girl said. “My first master kept me chained for months before he was certain that I was too attached to him to leave.”

  Abby frowned. “The Lord Joven knows I can be trusted, despite our short acquaintance.”

  “I suppose that’s true. You do seem to fancy him quite a bit.” The girl gave her a shy look. “He is a very handsome man.”

  “Is Darius your master?” Abigail asked.

  “Oh no. I’m one of the lower class slaves. I have no master.” She raised her head to show her bare neck. “Darius’ men share me.”

  Abigail frowned. “How do you control your need for them once they have bitten you?”

  “It can be difficult.” The girl admitted. “It is,” she hesitated, “strange to find yourself longing after a different man nearly every night.”

  “You were with Faren last night?” Abigail asked.

  “Yes.” The girl paused and flushed prettily. “I do hope he chooses me again this evening. He was very kind to me when we retired to his room.”

  “Do you really have no choice in who feeds from you every night?” Abigail asked.

  “No.”

  “That’s awful.”

  The girl shrugged. “I’ve been in a lot worse situations. At least here there is a warm, dry place for me to sleep and only a few of Darius’ men like to use their fists.”

  Abigail took her arm and squeezed it gently. “You are beaten?”

  “Only occasionally.”

  “Who beats you?” Abigail scowled.

  “Tavien is the worst.” The girl shuddered visibly. “Luckily he doesn’t pick me often to feed from. He favours the slender ones.”

  “Tavien? Is he the one with the birthmark?”

  The girl nodded. “Yes, he’s the Lord Darius’ closest advisor. He’s got a nasty temper.”

  “What’s your name?” Abigail asked as they finished piling the bread on the tray.

  “Sienna.”

  “I’m Abigail. It’s nice to meet you, Sienna.” She held her hand out and the girl hesitated before shaking it briefly.

  “It’s nice to meet you as well.” She heaved the tray up, her biceps bulging with the effort, and Abby quickly took one end.