“What family resemblance? Legacy? What are you talking about?” Her stomach rolled a little, and she prayed they weren’t really related in any way, that he didn’t plan on turning her into a Vampire.

“I’m your…” He waved a hand. “I forget how many generations…but I’m a distant relative.”

“No, you’re not.” She instantly balked.

“Oh, but I am, my dear. Trust that I double-checked your ancestry carefully to make certain we are linked by blood.”

She really didn’t like being associated with him in any way. “Like a fifth cousin?”

“No.” He walked around her, studying her from head to foot. “You’re from my sister’s birth line. That would make me a great, great…” He shrugged, a sign of impatience. “Enough. We’re related.”

It took a lot for her to hold still. He gave her chills when he examined her that closely. It freaked her out. “Why am I here if you don’t plan on feeding me to your, um…creepers?”

He laughed when he stopped before her, way too close for her comfort. “I’m a king.”

She blinked, unsure how to respond to that.

“I need a queen.”

“Excuse me?”

“I need a queen, someone worthy of ruling my empire by my side.”

Glen had to lock her knees to keep standing as horrible suspicions filled her head. “Don’t look at me. You just said we’re related.”

“Royal bloodlines should marry.”

“That’s sick. Incest is wrong.”

“Don’t you know anything about history?”

“You mean how some royal families married cousins? I’m aware and it’s still wrong.”

He grinned. “Fortunately, your opinion doesn’t matter.”

She took a step back. “Stay away from me. I’m not marrying you. Ewww!”

“Don’t, Vlad,” the master ordered.

Glen twisted her head and realized that Vlad had inched closer to her, so she stepped sideways, keeping both of them distanced.

“You’re not the one I want.”

“Thank God.” She relaxed slightly. There are worse things than being bitten on the neck, she thought. One of them would be him wanting to get me naked. That tops the list any day.

“It’s your child who will become my queen.”

Her mouth fell open. “I’m not pregnant.” She was sure of that.

“Not yet—but you will be soon.”

She frantically shook her head. “Hell no. Not a chance.” Her gaze darted to Vlad. “Kill me now if he’s the one you think is going to knock me up. I’d rather die.”

“Not him.” The Vampire master had the nerve to laugh.

Glen glared at him, terrified and horrified at the same time. “Not you either.”

The master smiled. He did that a lot, and it never reached his eyes. There was something cold about them, emotionless and scary. It made her wonder if he even had a soul.

“Humans and Vampires can’t procreate life.”

That’s good news. It meant neither of them planned to rape her.

“We can, however, impregnate Werewolf females under the right conditions. I considered having you turned into one but the likelihood of death is far too great. I rejected that option.” He paused. “It would also give you the ability to control your reproductive cycle. I won’t have you denying ovulation. You’re the last of my line who is female, of breeding age, and carries a family resemblance. I can’t take the chance.”

The master scowled. “Besides, it’s a brutal business, turning into one of those nasty creatures.” He opened his mouth and snapped his teeth. “Too much blood loss when they tear into you.” He paused. “There’s also the fact that I want my queen to be strong. I desire her to be an equal. It’s not really possible considering how old I am, but I do want her to be as close as I can design her. That means she’ll need to be sired by something I don’t like…”

Glen didn’t know what to say, so she just kept silent, glancing around, looking for an escape but not seeing one. Werewolf? Did he just say that? He did. Shit! Vampires exist and now Werewolves. What’s next? Witches and demons? I don’t want to know. Vlad still blocked the door behind her, and the one on the other side of the room wasn’t an option, since two creepers stood in front of it.

“I’ve decided to breed you with one of them.”

She glanced at the creepers. “No way!”

“Not my pets.” He chuckled. “I doubt they even have a sex drive or remember what a woman is for except to feed from.” His voice lowered. “They aren’t very bright.”

“I’m not allowing anyone to touch me.”

The master suddenly lunged, and she gasped when he captured her jaw. His hand was icy cold to the touch. She tried to jerk away but cried out from pain when he tightened his hold, his fingers digging into her tender skin.

“You have no say in the matter.” He eased his grip and let go. “Pay close attention if you wish to know what I expect from you—and you do want to know.”

No, I don’t. She kept silent though, afraid he’d put that clammy hand on her again.

“Vampires and Werewolves can breed under certain circumstances, which I have already stated. Half-breed children were born of such unions, and the man I’ve chosen for you is one of them.”

She let that sink in. “Some half Vampire, half Werewolf? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Isn’t that what I just told you?” He shook his head, a disgusted look twisting his features. “She’s pretty but not very bright, is she, Vlad?”

“No, Master.”

“Hopefully her daughter will be more intelligent. I’ll be in charge of her education once she’s born. We’ll make certain she is an exceptional student.”

“Yes, Master.”

Kiss-ass. Glen shot Vlad a dirty look before turning it on the Vampire master. “You want me to let some halfling monster guy touch me? Not in this lifetime.”

“In your lifetime, to be exact. You will be locked inside a room with him until you produce a daughter.”

She gaped at him. The guy was insane.

“With luck, the first attempt will work. I’m hoping you don’t birth a boy.”