Sarah woke to the dim light of dusk outside the only window in her opulent prison. She lay there naked under a rose silk sheet staring up at the cream-colored canopy while inside her emotions were in turmoil. So thick were the shame, regret and anger coursing through her head that her throat threatened to clog up. Close to hyperventilating her breath sounded harsh and uneven while tears ran unchecked down the side of her face, trailing into her hairline.
So many questions raced through her mind. Where was she? Where was Sage? And finally the one that brought a whimper of pain would Braeden and Dominic ever forgive her? How could she have ever let herself believe Sage when he told her it was just a dream?
God, she had to get a handle on this. Reining in her ragged emotions she took each breath one at a time, in and out, until minutes later she could breathe normally and function with calmness.
Ok, I was tricked into having sex with a vampire so that he could form a blood bond. Sage now had the same powers over her that Braeden and Dom had. He only needed to drink from her one more time and force his tainted blood into her for her body to accept only him as her mate. She couldn't let him do that.
She had to get away. Her muscles protesting the movement, Sarah slowly rose from the bed and padded on bare feet to the window. She unlocked the latch, opened the window and looked down. The ground was a good distance below, nearly forty feet. There was no way she would be able to jump that distance. Turning away she glanced at the bed. Maybe she could use the sheets. But no, there were only two of them; they wouldn't even come close to getting her down far enough to jump safely to the ground.
Her motions now more frantic, Sarah hurried over to the door and saying a silent prayer, closed her hand around the knob and turned. The sound of the latch opening was like music to her ears. Leaving the door slightly ajar she moved back to the dresser and searched through it until she found a robe in off-white. Slipping it on she belted it tightly and left through the open door.
Her bare feet slapped along the stone stairs. She winced at the. Her heart, already in overdrive, kicked up a notch. Down the stairs she crept, the fear of exposure pressing down upon her was insistent and constant. Any second she expected to be caught and dragged back to that room.
When Sarah reached the ground floor there was no sensation of relief, in fact her panic increased. She was so close, just a few more feet and she'd be at the door. There was no thought about what she would do after she got outside, she just knew that if she could reach that door and get outside, it would be over.
She took her first hesitant step away from the stairway and then another.
"I see you've woken."
It was as if his voice snapped something inside her. She could feel it break and then she was running for the door as if the hounds of hell were after her.
"Stop." Sages' deep voice didn't even raise, but the strength and compulsion within it had her stopping so fast she nearly fell to her knees.
"Turn around and come to me."
Inside she screamed and raged while outside her body did as it was commanded. Step after step brought her closer and closer until her nipples brushed the crisp linen shirt that he wore.
Behind him the door to the castles living area opened silently.
"Please go in and have a seat." The compulsion was gone, but one quick glance into those hardened eyes and she knew he would force her if she didn't do as he asked. Walking across the room she chose an armchair separate from the other seating arrangements because it was only wide enough for one person. Turning around she started to sit.
"No. On the couch, if you please."
"I don't please." She replied, her chin lifting up in defiance.
His broad lips curled in a smile. "Do it to for me."
"Well if that's the case then, hell no." Sarah said bitterly.
The smile wilted from his face. Staring at her, Sage let her see the fierceness in him. She would do as she was told or he would take great delight in forcing her to.
Shivering, Sarah moved to the couch and sat down. Her hands shook forcing her to clasp them together to keep Sage from seeing her nervousness. "Why did you do this to me? Why did you take me away from Braeden and Dominic?" Taking a deep breath, Sarah plunged onward. "I want you to let me go, right now."
Sage studied her, noting the visible anger and regret seething in her eyes whenever she looked at him. He knew she would have some small regret, feel some sense of betrayal over the fact that he lied to her. He was also sure she felt that she had betrayed her other lovers. But he had expected to prove to her through their lovemaking that she truly belonged with him.
Little niggling doubts seeped into his head. A true mate would feel an immediate connection. She would feel the complete and total rightness of being with him, of loving him. And inside of him, that sureness that she was meant to be his seemed to have taken some dents.
She was being stubborn that had to be it. His bride-to-be was still mad at him for tricking her. It was that same stubbornness that was causing his doubts.
Stalking to the couch he sat down beside her and hauled her into his arms. With her ass nestled quite comfortably against his rising erection Sage slid his hands into her silky tresses and pulled, stretching her neck backwards and to the side so that the vein stood out, pulsing and ready.
Sarah cried out as her arms were bound to her sides and her neck was wrenched backwards. Kicking her legs and squirming did nothing. There was no escape from him. Already his eyes had bled to black, the irises rimmed with red. His lips grimaced in a snarl, the razor sharp tips of his fangs frighteningly visible.
"No, I won't let you do this! I don't want you! I don't love you! Let me go!" She screamed into his face.