Fatal Circle

“And if I want to help?”

He chuckled. “The EV doesn’t labor.”

“What if I want to—”

From behind me, near the stairs, Menessos laughed. “Do not tease him.”

I turned just as the lower door, the one beneath mine and Joh

“Boss?”

“My newest prize. Yes?”

“Of course, Boss.” Mountain left.

My anger stirred. “I was not teasing him.”

“I know.” Caught in a lie, the vampire seemed embarrassed.

“Is that my blood flushing your cheeks?”

“It is.” In a blur he climbed the stairs and stopped before the door to my room. He glanced over the railing, then started punching in the code. “Join me?”

“I prefer we not be alone in my room again.”

“Very well.” Menessos opened my door. “You can stay out here.” He proceeded inside.

Of course I followed, shoving the door open and marching quickly into my nearly dark chambers. Emerging from behind the door, Menessos slammed it shut and restrained me in a crushing embrace.

“Let go.”

“I just wanted to remind you that of the two of us, I am the stronger.”

“Duh. Let go.”

“Oh, Persephone! Do you so loathe my arms around you?” He danced me around the entryway. “Bliss still doesn’t have to be a difficult thing to find.”

Sparring with Joh

“I refuse to believe you mean that.”

“And I refuse to put a lot of faith in your words.”

His confining embrace loosened a fraction. “Why?”

My mouth clamped shut. I wasn’t going to offer anything to him freely.

He leaned in—I flinched—and whispered, “It is most fun when you are difficult.”

I feigned a swoon. “Dear Diary, the top three least attractive qualities in a man are: patronizing me, the use of intimidation tactics, and conceitedness.”

“Tell me why your faith in my words is lacking.”

Like this, I couldn’t break free. He had control over my body, but not my mind. It seemed like a Freudian reversal. So, the chances of him letting go were less if I didn’t cooperate. “You said you’d explain how I’d bonded with Joh

“You say that as if it is a reprehensible thing.”

“Manipulating me is a reprehensible thing.”

Again, he laughed. “I meant the word ‘feed,’ dear Persephone. I am a vampire. Separating people from pints of their blood is how I survive.”

I refused to make eye contact. I had answered; he should have let go or loosened more or something.

“Do not be angry at things that must be so. And ponder not how to alter such things.”

Through my clenched teeth I growled, “Release me.”

The glow of the task lighting glinted in his steel-gray gaze as he whispered “Command me, Persephone. If you can.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

My authority over Menessos was clearly not such that just to speak an order meant he had to obey. My hands fisted at my sides.

Again, he dared me. “Command me.”

“I already did,” I insisted. I considered head-butting him, but it would hurt me more than it would him. And besides, a big goose-egg bruise on my forehead would be lovely for tomorrow’s televised ceremony.

He kissed my forehead tenderly. “You spoke angry words, witch, that is all. Angry words are often powerless words. Make me feel the weight of your command. Make me see your power, and believe the threat of your anger. Rule me.”

“No.”

“No?”

“I will not play your game.”

“This is no game. Your dominance over me is not real unless you make it so.” His chin lifted so his fangs were right before my eyes.

Two months ago, I would have been terrified. Not now, however. “You want me to pretend to be your servant because that keeps you in power out there.” I gestured with my nose toward the door and the haven and world beyond it. “But then you challenge me to prove my power in here. You get off on the power games, and are trying to play both sides.”

“I am not playing, dear Persephone. I am on both sides. You have put me in this awkward position. We must invert the truth and play master and servant beyond these walls. There is no room for ambiguity with the foes who will be watching. Some of them may suspect it is a ruse. We must both know our places, unequivocally.”

“Damn it, I get the point already! Will you just tell me what you want me to know and skip the stupid demonstration?”

He sighed as if conceding. “When I have met weak masters, I have disposed of them hastily.”

“Are you worried about some vampire coming to town and trying to take over your haven?”

“No. Those havens of which I spoke infiltrated from the inside.”

I squinted at him. “This is already your nest.”

He squeezed me tighter. “And I dispose of any threats inside it. What if I want to kill Joh

That was it. Tired of the fearmongering and the bullying, I opened my fists, I drew energy into my palms and gripped his ass. In a heated whisper, I commanded him, “Release me,” even as I let the power of a witch-jolt hit him.

His body spasmed under my touch, but he did not let go. He held me tighter and put my backside against the counter.

My tactics reversed. Like transferring energy from one gemstone to another, I drained energy out of him, dragging it deep into me.

Instantly, his arms left me. I was standing on my own so abruptly that, without the counter to support me, I’d have stumbled.

“You learn quickly.” Menessos reclined on the couch, legs stretched along the cushions, ankles crossed.

I crossed my arms and gave him a petulant look. “Wouldn’t this be easier if you’d just give me the damned textbook or something?”

His amusement lasted a fraction of a second then he covered it with bottled seriousness. Eau de College Professor. “One learns most effectively when the lesson is experienced in the flesh.”

I stopped leaning on the counter and walked purposefully toward the door. “I think I’ll go ask Mountain some more questions.”

Menessos shot to his feet and intercepted me before I reached the door. “You came close to making a profound mistake out there.” He made a face and adjusted his slacks. “Customarily there is an Erus Veneficus and an apprentice who is learning protocol from her mistress. You are lacking that training. I see now how a brief lecture would be beneficial.”

He crossed his arms and looked arrogantly professorial. “Unlike the Lustrata who bears the burden of balance, an Erus Veneficus should be carefree, cosseted. You never lift a finger to do any kind of work unless it is at my direct behest, and believe me, if there is an advantage for me, I will command you to action. Aside from that, you are at my left hand, a representation of arcane power applicable day or night. Outside of court, as necessary, you tell others what to do.” He pointed at the kitchen. “You are theoretically not even to cook for yourself. I included this because I have told them that Joh

I tucked my fingers into my jeans pockets. “He probably will. He’s quite good at it.”

Menessos’s expression changed to snide amusement. “How masculine of him.”

“How childish of you.”

He kept pushing. “The waere working with the Beholders shows his place is equal to theirs—far beneath me.”

“No.” My fingers left my pockets to perch on my hips as I arched my back just a little. “His place is beneath me . . . or in any other position in my bed.” It was a low blow, but he had threatened Joh