“I didn’t want you to feel obligated. I wanted you to make your own choice.”
He was trying to do the right thing. He could have manipulated her into a relationship by telling her earlier, but he didn’t. He had faith that he could win her over. How hard it must have been when she’d rejected him when he first came home! She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I’m sorry I’m so difficult.”
He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t apologize. You needed to learn to trust me. You needed time.” He pulled away and gave her his crooked smile. “You’re worth it.”
Sabrina’s heart warmed and she beamed at him. “So, let’s get married. Now. Then you don’t have to worry about it anymore, and—”
“You’re not ready.”
She put her hand on his chest. “I know in my heart I want to be with you. Yes, I’m still scared sometimes, but I know I love you and can’t imagine not spending the rest of my life with you.”
He cupped her chin. “I can’t ask you to marry me until you attend a Gathering.” The urgency in his voice brought tears to her eyes. “You must go. You have to see what you’d be giving up to be with me.”
Her lips parted as it all suddenly made sense. Why he kept urging her to go. She refused, but he kept trying, still believing they belonged together. Tears burned her eyes as she realized how much faith he had in her, in their relationship. “I’ll go on Friday.”
He kissed her gently on the lips. “Thank you, my love.”
Dark.
Dark and cold.
A ghostly chill seeped into Sabrina’s body from the rough stone floor beneath her knees.
The room was empty, but she felt a presence.
She felt him.
She sensed him.
Echoes of an angry voice swirled around and around, lifting her into the air and pushing her here and there.
And then suddenly . . .
Silence.
She waited on her knees.
Waiting.
For him.
“You are mine, Sabrina!” a voice hissed in her ear.
She jerked and turned to see him standing above her. Him. Her Master.
“No,” she whispered.
His eyes narrowed. “I brought you into this world for a purpose. Do you think I’d just let you escape?”
“I don’t want you!”
Chills ran through her body at his wicked smile. “It is not your choice, little one. You are mine. You were mine before you were born.” He lunged toward her.
She screamed and tried to crawl away, but he grabbed her. She flailed her arms and legs as he pulled her into his embrace.
“No! I don’t want you!”
She pushed at him with all her strength, trying to free herself from his iron grip.
Her strength failed.
She didn’t want him. She wanted Chase! In her mind, she saw Chase and it renewed her strength to fight.
Master hissed in pain as she scratched his face.
His grip loosened and she ran.
“Sabrina!” A sharp male voice pierced through the terror. “Sabrina. Open your eyes.”
Master lunged at her again and caught her, but his grip was weaker than before.
“Open your eyes, Sabrina. It’s not real.”
Master’s eyes were full of fury as he faded into the darkness.
“Sabrina. You’re safe. It’s Ethan. I have you. You’re safe.”
Sabrina gasped for breath as she struggled to discern what was real and what wasn’t. The arms around her weren’t hurting her. Someone strong and warm held her, but for comfort, not control. He rocked her and stroked her hair. “Shh. It’s okay. You’re safe.”
She sucked in a shuddering breath and released it before opening her eyes. The hallway light illuminated her bedroom and the man holding her. “Ethan?” she whispered.
“Yeah, it’s me.” He hugged her hard. “Nightmare again?”
She shivered, remembering the anger, the terror. The images seeped from her mind like smoke, but the fear remained. She gave a last shudder and leaned her head against Ethan’s bare chest.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I think so.”
“Good. You scared the shit out of me.” He gave a low chuckle.
“I’m sorry I scared you.”
“I thought someone had gotten into the apartment.” Ethan rubbed her upper arm. “You haven’t had a bad one like this before.”
“Not since you’ve been here.” Jayson’s voice came from the doorway. He stepped into the bedroom; his silhouette illuminated by the hallway light. “When she first got here, they were just as bad.” He sighed and looked at Sabrina. “Did something trigger them again?”
“I don’t know. I’m sorry I woke you.”
Jayson moved closer and ran his hand down her hair. “It’s okay. I’m just sad they’re happening again.”
“Me, too.”
Ethan continued to rock her and Jayson stroked her hair. After a few more minutes, she let out a shiver and relaxed against Ethan.
Jayson’s hand was gentle. Ethan’s chest was hard and smooth, and he smelled good.
She closed her eyes and leaned into Ethan’s chest. Her body grew hot, and she fidgeted in his lap. No! How can I possibly be aroused after that nightmare? What is wrong with me?
“I’m okay now,” she said in a huskier voice than intended, pushing herself away from Ethan. She crawled back under the covers and clenched her shaking hands. They need to leave. Now.
Ethan squeezed her leg and stood. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will.” She hugged her pillow to her chest and trembled.
3
Friday night, Sabrina stood in her robe, staring at the slinky black dress hanging on her closet door.
She had agreed to go to the Gathering. For Chase. For their future relationship. She had to go.
What am I afraid of?
The Immortal part of her looked forward to it. The human part of her wanted to hide under the bed.
It had been exactly one month since she’d visited the Manor with Richard. He’d become her Master to protect her and give her time to make her choices. That was also the day Theo had told her she needed to accept the Immortal part of her.
Accept that she wasn’t normal.
Accept her past.
Accept her nature.
But how could she accept something she detested? How could anyone accept something so shameful, so repulsive? She wanted to be normal. Why was that too much to ask?
She sat down on her bed and stared at the wooden floor.
Trapped.
Trapped in a life—an existence—she didn’t want.
Chase was under the thumb of The Brotherhood. Why didn’t he feel trapped?
He had a career, but so did she. He hadn’t been abused for years, but he’d gotten injured and couldn’t fulfill his dream of being a Green Beret. He’d adjusted to the unexpected life events. He was happy, content, successful. He accepted The Brotherhood with an open heart.
But he’d had a choice to become part of it. Sabrina didn’t. She had to be part of it. To keep other people safe. To keep the world safe.