Crimson Debt Read online

  “Very good then. We’ll consider the matter closed.” Roderick nodded. Apparently the trial was over.

  Despite Corbin’s restraining hand on my arm, I couldn’t be silent anymore.

  “What?” I demanded. “You mean that’s it? She ruined my friend’s life and she gets a slap on the wrist? This trial is a joke!”

  “Corbin!” Roderick turned to us, his eyes cold. “Did I not tell you to control your consort? I will not tolerate a mere human questioning my judgment.”

  “Indeed, Inquisitor.” Corbin’s grip on my arm tightened and he frowned at me. “I apologize and my consort will also make a full and sincere apology both for the insult she offered you tonight and for her actions at our last meeting.”

  “Like hell I will!” I knew I had promised to apologize to the vampire Inquisitor but I was fed up with all the undead bullshit going on.

  “Addison…” Corbin turned me to face him and looked into my eyes. “Look at me,” he demanded, when I tried to drop my eyes. “No, look at me, my darling.”

  “Fine.” Unwillingly, I raised my eyes to his. Corbin could try to glamour me if he wanted to but there was no way I was helping him—he was on his own.

  “Addison,” he murmured again and I felt something prying at the surface of my thoughts. Unseen fingers were testing my mental defenses, tugging gently at the invisible shield I normally wasn’t even aware of around my mind.

  I felt myself start to panic. Those fingers were strong—I could feel their immense strength even though he was trying to be gentle. Corbin’s attempt to get inside me was like a man who is trying to do a delicate task, like painting a vase or fixing the inside of a watch. But if he wanted to, he could smash the vase or destroy the fragile clockwork at any moment. I had never felt this way when looking into a vampire’s eyes before— God, who knew he had this much power?

  “Addison,” he whispered for a third time. “Open to me, darling. Don’t make me force you.”

  “I…” I bit my lip. I wanted to say I didn’t know how to open to him but if I did, Roderick would know we hadn’t done this before. Instead I said, “I’m trying.”

  “Relax…” Corbin stroked my cheek. “I won’t hurt you. Just let me in a little.”

  I didn’t want to do it—didn’t want to let him in. But this was part of the agreement and Roderick and Celeste were standing right there, watching. I had no choice—I had to do it.

  Taking a deep breath, I tried to let the tension drain out of my body. Tried to imagine the shield around my mind going down, like some kind of force-field from an old sci-fi movie.

  Corbin seemed to have a different image in mind.

  “Your mind is like a flower, its petals closed tight,” he murmured, still stroking my cheek. “Close your eyes and open to me.”

  Closing my eyes, I tried to do as he said. I felt those iron fingers prying gently around the edges of my mental shield again and this time I was able to let them in.

  “Good,” Corbin breathed. “Now look at me, Addison. I hold your mind in my hand but I would never hurt it, any more than I would hurt your precious body.”

  I opened my eyes and fell into the silvery-blue depths of his gaze.

  Chapter Eleven

  Suddenly it seemed like I was swimming in an ocean. A deep, cold current was carrying me away and there was nothing I could do about it but for some reason I didn’t care. The waves were taking me farther and farther from shore but up ahead in the distance, I could see something…no, someone. It was a girl about my age or maybe a little younger standing on a small, rocky island. She had red hair the same shade as mine but her eyes were blue, a deep, sapphire blue and they were filled with tears. In her arms was a baby—an infant so tiny it looked like it had just been born. She clutched it tightly to her chest and cried, the tears running down her cheeks.

  Who is she? I wondered, looking at the girl. Other than the hair she didn’t look much like me but the sadness on her face was heartbreaking. I wanted to put my arms around her and comfort her, to tell her everything was going to be all right.

  She is gone…centuries dead, said a deep voice in my mind. With a start, I realized it was Corbin’s voice.

  Corbin? I looked around for him but I couldn’t see anything, just the shifting, silver-blue sea around me.

  I am here, you cannot see me but I am with you.

  Who was that girl? She was gone now and there was nothing but waves as far as I could see.

  I heard what sounded like a mental sigh. I should have known glamouring you would have consequences. As I look into you, you are also able to look into me.

  But who—?

  One who was once dear to me. It isn’t important now. What is important is that you must apologize to Roderick.

  But I don’t want to! He’s a bastard!

  Yes, but he is also my superior—my boss, as you would say. He wields more power than I do and as such, he must be placated.

  He ought to be shot, I said, or sent, or whatever you wanted to call this weird mental conversation we were having.

  You will apologize. There was iron in Corbin’s tone now and I sensed he was through reasoning with me. You must say to him that you ask forgiveness for your rude words and for your actions last night when you offered to commit adultery in front of him.

  I offered to give Taylor some blood that she very much needed, I protested. I never meant to disrespect you, especially not with him watching.

  Tell him that, then. Respectfully.

  I’ll try, I sent back with irritation. But I don’t know how respectful I can be to a snake like that.

  You’ll be able to manage. Corbin’s mental tone sounded certain. Simply open your mouth and the correct words will come out.

  I’ll do my best, I promised, grinding my teeth. And you promise after this is over you’ll get the hell out of my mind.

  Do you really dislike having me here? He sounded wistful. Communicating this way is so much more intimate than speaking aloud. And so much more revealing…I can feel your emotions from here, Addison. Your true emotions, the ones you prefer to keep hidden from everyone, even yourself.

  That’s it! I snapped. I’m going to apologize to that evil asshole and then you’re releasing me immediately afterwards. All right?

  There was a pause and then I felt his reluctant agreement. All right. I am bringing you back now. You will see the room and everyone in it.

  And just like that, I was out of the ocean I’d been floating in and standing in front of him, looking into his eyes. I made myself tear my gaze away and saw that Celeste and Roderick were standing there, perfectly motionless and waiting with that inhuman patience all vampires seem to possess.

  “Roderick,” Corbin said, taking my arm and leading me closer to the raised dais where the vampire Inquisitor still stood. “I believe my consort has something to say to you.”

  Yeah, I’ve got things to say to you, all right. You sick, sadistic son of a bitch…

  I opened my mouth and was shocked to hear something completely different than what I was thinking coming out.

  “Inquisitor,” my mouth said, apparently completely independent of my mind. “I wish to offer my apologies for my words tonight as well as my actions the night before.”

  “Hmph.” Roderick crossed his arms over his chest. “Go on.”

  “I haven’t been Corbin’s consort for long,” I heard myself continue. “And I didn’t realize that offering my blood to another was wrong. I never had any intention of dishonoring my master, I simply wanted to heal my friend, Taylor. So I am on my knees, asking you…”

  On my knees? Oh, no, I’m not! I thought fiercely.

  Oh, yes you are, darling, Corbin sent back and suddenly I was getting stiffly down on my knees—not an easy task considering the ridiculously tall heels I was wearing.

  “I am on my knees,” my mouth continued independently of my brain. “Asking, no begging, for your forgiveness.”

  Begging? REALLY? Inside I was so mad