Chapter dedicated to Sherissamawn. Thanks for reading and smacking the vote button senseless!

Chapter 108 – Stop Imagining Me Naked – Raine's POV

Rather than let Marku lead the conversation, I got right to the point. Well, at least my point. I didn't really care what he wanted. I was done waiting and demanded, "I want Seraphine now."

He smirked, "It's clear you are eager to make her acquaintance but why don't you sit down first and get comfortable? Please join me." He motioned to the very large chair next to him.

I hesitated.

I knew what that chair indicated. It was the highest authority on his right side. It was meant for his queen. Who I certainly wasn't. I remembered his earlier words while we fought in the woods. He had offered to give me that title if I wanted it, if it would make me agree to be with him...I was amazed to realize they hadn't just been words, a ploy for my affection. It was clear he was more than willing to consider me for the role.

While he may be perfectly fine with it, I doubted Queen Adorna would. I did not know where his mate was at the present moment, but her distaste for me had been evident at the Alliance Meeting. I guessed I might feel the same way if my husband ordered me to distract someone, so that he could get closer to another female.

"Um, why don't I just sit on one of these couches over here?" I suggested and pointed in the general direction of the seating about ten feet behind me.

He rolled his eyes. "Nonsense, there is no reason we should try to hold a conversation across the room from each other."

His nonchalant tone helped. It didn't sound like he placed too much meaning in the chair. And his suggestion made sense. Maybe I was just over-thinking it. I walked slowly toward him. Talon followed closely and stood at my side when I reached the intimidating chair. I settled down into it, surprised at how comfortable it was.

Marku's eyes gleamed. His voice was low and sensual as he purred, "You look lovely there."

Oh shit. He did put more meaning into it. Well, I was here now and not going to make an idiot out of myself by jumping down and running back across the room, so I just sucked it up and demanded shortly, "Seraphine."

He turned to York and asked sarcastically, "I suspect you have no problem obtaining Seraphine and returning her back to us?"

"No, my lord. We will obtain her directly." York gave a hard nod and disappeared out the door. After he left, an awkward silence fell over the room.

I stared at Marku, unsure what to say next. He seemed content to just look at me with his mouth curled in a very satisfied smirk. I snapped, "You can get that cat-ate-the-canary grin right off of your face. I have no intention of being your fucking canary again."

He laughed. His eyes gleamed and his voice lowered seductively. "You know...that is the second time you have mentioned me going down on you. Do you have a little itch you would like me to scratch, love? I would be happy to lay you down on that table right now and feast on your pussy."

What?!

I held my palm toward him and scowled, "I'm sure you would, but no, there will be no feasting."

He chuckled, completely ignoring my sour expression. "We'll see."

He held out his hand and murmured, "Phone?"

I looked at him in confusion.

He nodded down toward my hand that still clutched his phone.

"Oh right...here." I muttered and handed it to him.

He ignored me for a moment, while he typed several messages.

After several minutes of lingering silence, I huffed impatiently. "What are you doing?"

He glanced up. "Making plans for tonight."

Anxiety ran through me. "What kind of plans?"

He shook his head and smirked, "Oh no...I would much rather it be a surprise."

Shit, shit, shit.

We were interrupted when the large double doors opened and York stepped through. His face was impassive, a complete mask. He stepped to the side and two steps after him, Seraphine entered the room!

Adrenaline shot through my veins. Finally, she was mine! I scrutinized her. She was my height and her build was also very similar, thin and athletic, although I had more curves. That was where the similarities ended. She had pale bronze eyes and her brunette hair had tawny highlights that fell in waves down to the middle of her back. In human terms, she was gorgeous, but I didn't see her that way. All I saw was ugly, depravity and cruelty of the worst kind.

Without warning, Talon's anxiety swept over me, leaving me breathless. It felt like I had been smashed in the chest with a brick. His torment was thick and severe, almost choking me with its intensity. It was similar to the overwhelming sensation I had when I turned him, and again I felt the magnitude of his pain. I vibrated with fury.

I had planned to just take ownership of her until I could figure out what I wanted to do with her later, but that was bullshit. The bitch would bleed now. And later.

Her amber eyes immediately honed in on Marku and she assumed a courtesy position. Her gaze hit the floor and stayed there, waiting for him to acknowledge her.

"Stand," he commanded, allowing her to straighten her stance.

"My lord," she acknowledged. Curiosity colored her expression, but not hatred, which meant York must not have told her about her new status as a pet...or that she belonged to me. She confirmed my suspicions when her confused gaze went from Marku and landed on Talon. Her whole face lit up with excitement, and she breathed to Marku, "How did you get him back for me?"

Get him back for her?

Of all of the stupid, arrogant assumptions.

If I were closer, I'd slap that stupid, giddy smile right off of her face. My hands clenched into fists. Soon enough, she wouldn't be grinning. I would make sure of it. I opened my mouth to let her know in very colorful terms exactly what I thought about her ridiculous question, but Marku got there ahead of me.

He smirked, "It is highly unlikely that you have him back. From the look on his new owner's face, she has entirely different plans for you."

Seraphine's attention snapped to me. It was the first time that she even bothered to look in my direction since walking into the room. Somehow even though I was on a platform and higher off the ground, she still managed to look down her nose at me. Her chin jutted out and she turned back to Marku, demanding through pursed lips, "What the do you mean, 'she has plans for me?'"

Marku's eyes gleamed and darkened, his almost white irises resembling more closely the color of cool graphite. He was enjoying her misfortune. I wasn't sure if he didn't like her specifically and or if he just took pleasure when anyone suffered. He drawled, "Well, it seems you now have something in common with your previous pet ...you share the same owner."

Seraphine's jaw dropped open, her composure completely gone as she stared at Marku in stunned silence. After a moment, she managed to click her mouth shut and sputtered, "My lord, I don't think I understand what you mean."

He replied shortly, "The words are not overly complicated. I mean you have a new owner...Queen Raine."

Seraphine gasped. She turned three shades of red and screeched, "You cannot give me away! I am not a pet!!"

He chuckled at her outburst and purred, "You are now."

I actually didn't give a shit if Marku was enjoying himself. I was too focused on righting the wrongs that had been inflicted on Talon.

Shockingly, Seraphine slunk low, glaring defiantly at him and hissed, "Over my dead body."

I didn't wait for Marku's reaction.

It was my turn.

And I wanted a fight.

I stood to my feet. Her glance cut to me warily. I stripped off my outer, more restrictive layer, leaving me in just a low cut halter. The soft, leather fabric pushed my boobs up higher, making me extra perky, but oh well, I wanted free range of motion. A low growl of appreciation reverberated from Marku's chest. I turned to him. His eyes were locked on the revealed flesh of my breasts.

"Stop imaging me naked," I snapped. "It's creepy."

He chuckled, "I don't need to imagine what you look like naked. I was picturing my mouth on your perfect little nipples." He licked his lips and shifted in his chair. "I cannot wait to flick them with my tongue and pull them to attention with my teeth."

I rolled my eyes and hissed under my breath, "Not going to happen, asshole." I knew he could hear me. His deep, seductive laugh confirmed it. Damn him.

I would deal with him later. Right now, I just wanted blood. Seraphine's blood. I advanced on her purposefully, stalking my prey, and purred, "It is clear you need a little lesson in obedience, pet."

"I will never be your pet!" she snarled.

I chuckled and continued forward, slowly closing the distance between us, and whispered darkly, "On the contrary. I am going to give you the full and unedited pet experience. I don't want you to miss out on even the smallest of pleasures you inflicted on him."

Her eyes widened, this time in fear. She took a step back and demanded, "What has he told you?" I didn't miss the slight quiver in her tone.

My lips curled into a maniacal grin as I answered, "Everything."

Not exactly the truth, but she didn't need to know that. I would happily let her mind play out all of the atrocities she hurt him with. And I had an idea. I might not know all of the gruesome possibilities, but Echo would. I planned to keep her by my side tonight...but tomorrow night...I was going to give her to Echo and his men as a little treat to keep them from being bored. I had told her the truth. She was going to get the full, unadulterated pet experience.

I was done talking but needed to confirm one thing. Marku and I had made an agreement, but I still didn't trust him, and the last thing I wanted was for him to jump me while I was busy with my new toy. I didn't release her from my gaze but spoke over my shoulder, "Before we begin, Marku, am I going to have any interference from you?"

"Fuck, no," he growled low. "By all means, continue." I couldn't see his expression, but the lust in his voice was palpable. I rolled my eyes and wondered if he had his hand down his pants. Just like a man to get off on two women fighting.

I circled to the side of her, and she automatically adjusted her footing to face me again. She didn't wait for me to attack. Instead, she darted forward, her eyes flashing, seeking purchase against my chest with her fist. I deflected her strike with my hand, spinning her body, and jabbed my fist into the fleshy area of her side, under her ribcage.

She hissed in pain, but remained on her feet.

It was my turn.

I sparred with Cage frequently, and used my new skills to every advantage, faking to the left to pull her into motion and then punched her directly in the face with my right. I heard the telltale crack of bones breaking as she stumbled back and cried out. Blood dripped from her lip and nose.

Her eyes were stormy and her hair flew wildly around her shoulders as she regained her footing and surged forward again. I spun to avoid her hit, but she was ready for my maneuver. In a lightning fast move, she backhanded me across the cheek, slashing into my flesh with her nails. I grunted at the impact and ran my fingertips along the spliced section of my cheek, feeling the hot wetness of my blood.

She flashed me a bloody smirk. The bones had healed in her face, but the blood remained on her lips and chin.

The cagey fucker was fast, I'd give her that.

Her eyes blazed with arrogance in her misconception. She thought she was a good fighter, and her expression revealed confidence in the win. But so far, I had only been playing, toying with her as a cat would enjoy the game with a mouse.

My lips curled up wickedly, the ruby color in my eyes shimmering.

Her smile faltered. Maybe she sensed what was coming.

I blurred toward her, and slammed my right fist into her jaw. Her head whiplashed to the side. Before she could react, I followed with another punch from my left, and continued pummeling her, forcing her backward, but not hard enough to knock her off her feet. I wasn't ready for it to be over. Not yet.

She cried out in tune to the cracks and pops her face was making with every hit. Her hair was matted to her head, soaked in her blood. She staggered as if she were drunk.

I couldn't hold myself back anymore, too eager to get to the next step, and spun my body, landing a roundhouse kick to her chest, causing deafening snaps as her ribs broke. She flew backward and landed hard.

I was on top of her in an instant, shoving my knee into her gut. I straddled her body and gripped her chin, jerking her head to make her look at me. She pleaded brokenly, "Please...no more."

My smile widened and I purred darkly, "We haven't even begun."

She shuddered violently beneath me.

I leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Surely you know that you are not properly dressed for a pet. Let's get you out of these clothes." I could tear them from her body, but I had a better idea. One that was much more efficient...and much more fun. From my seated position on her chest, I held my hand in the air and called, "Talon!"

I wasn't facing him and I gave no verbal explanation, but the whistle of a knife piercing through the air confirmed he knew exactly what I wanted. I listened until the blade reached me and then plucked it from the air.

Even though I had asked for it and expected him to, I was still shocked at the precision of his throw. I whipped my head around with a grin and breathed, "Fuck, Talon."

His lips curled up, obviously happy with my praise and proud of himself. He should be...he was fucking amazing with a knife.

"Indeed," Marku murmured.

My glance cut to him as he observed Talon speculatively, a newfound appreciation in his eyes.

My nostrils flared, a warning growl released from my throat and I snapped, "He's mine!"

Marku smiled and held his hands in the air. "No worries, love. Of that, there is no doubt. I was just appreciating the truth of the matter."

I narrowed my eyes and returned my attention to Seraphine. I sliced straight down the middle of her chest. The fabric split away like it was butter, and a bright red line oozed as the blade ran through her flesh.

She screamed, keening her body and arched her back, trying to throw me off of her. There were certain perks to being a bloodline vampire...I was hella strong. I locked my thighs around her body to contain her and said silkily, "Oops...I'm sorry, I went a little too deep."

She panted, trying to catch her breath. The abject fear in her eyes told me she knew I wasn't sorry. And I suspected she also was absolutely certain I was going to do it again. She was right.

I made precision cuts along both arms, splicing both her shirt and delving deep into her skin at the same time. She screeched in pain, so I went slower, drawing out her cries. They were like music to my ears. Tears streamed down her cheeks. I leaned in again and murmured, "Isn't this fun?"

"Please...please stop," she begged me.

"Did you stop? Did you hold back?" I snarled. "You fucked with the wrong man. He was always mine, even before you met him." As I spoke the words, I was astounded at their truth. Talon had always been meant for me, and no one else, my connection with him was tangible from the instant we met. I just didn't fully recognize what it was until right this moment. I growled lethally, "You never should have touched what belonged to me."

She sobbed hysterically, "I'm sorry! Please...please..."

I was done listening to her nonsense, and made quick work to slice down her legs, cutting away the last of her clothing. She trembled hard as blood ran down her legs.

I called out softly this time, "Talon."

Within a moment, he stood at my side. "Would you put the collar on our new pet, please?"

Talon fished the collar from his pocket and leaned down on one knee, hovering over her. "You will like this collar. My queen had it made especially for you," His words came out cold and hard as he jerked her head harshly by her hair to get the collar under her neck and then nimbly locked it in place.

Another scream released from her lips the instant it touched her skin. He nodded his head and purred, "Yes, that's right...it's silver." The exterior of the collar was stainless steel, but the interior, the metal strip along her flesh, had been inlaid with pure silver.

She whimpered loudly, tears flowing unchecked down her face. He leaned in closer and whispered, "Shh...no noise, remember...or do we need to play a game?"

Instantly, all sound cut off from her quivering lips as she stared at him with wide, frightened eyes. I lifted from her chest and stood to my feet. Talon extracted the leash from his pocket and snapped it to her collar, ordering her briskly, "Kneel."

She lifted from her back shakily and repositioned her body on her knees in front of him. He stood over her, his hand tight on her leash and looked at me, waiting for instructions.

I finally remembered Marku was in the room and turned to find him. Half of his lip was curled in his ever present smirk, but the look in his eyes was intense, studying me carefully. Finally he breathed, "Fuck, love, that was...unexpected."

I tapped my foot impatiently and huffed, "Are you done sizing me up now?" I suspected part of the reason he had been happy to let me fight, was so that he could know what he was up against, if I chose to attack him.

He grinned in amusement and didn't deny my comment. He licked his lips in anticipation and purred, "I haven't even begun 'sizing you up' yet..."

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Hello Peaches!  Did her interaction with Seraphine go as anticipated?

I am hoping to write as much as I can because I can't wait for you guys to have more of the story, so fingers crossed, I will be able to find the time. Oh, and don't forget to caress the little Vote button. lol.