“The dungeon image helped. "You need to let Maximus go," I stated, my voice stronger now."No. Wine?”

“You have visitors," Maximus stated...."Stop"I did at his commanding tone, and then cursed. I wasn't one of his employees-he had no right to order me around."No," I said defiantly. "I'm sweaty snd bloody and I want to take a shower, so whatever you have to say, it can wait."Maximus lost his impassive expression an looked at me as if I'd suddenly sproute a second head. Vlad's brows drew together and he opened his mouth, but before he could speak, laughter rang out from the hallway. "I simply must meet whoever has out you in your place so thoroughly, Tepesh," an unfamiliar British voice stated. "Did I mention they were on their way down," Maximus muttered.”

“Kitten, you need to make a decision. Either we stay here and behave or we leave now and I promise you”—his voice dipped lower and the words fell against my lips—“if we leave, I won’t behave.”

“No, I do my torturing in the dungeon like any other respectable castle owner,”

“You should be afraid. Very afraid. Before, I told you if you wanted to end things between us, I would let you go, but, Leila"--his voice deepened--"I lied.”

“Now, you fuckers," I said as I rolled my head around my shoulders and palmed some knives. "Let me introduce myself.”

“Maximus grunted. "Some days you remind me of Vlad.""Meaning?" I said sharply."Your obsession with revenge. Next you'll want to drive a pole through that vampire once you find her."The thought was appealing, but...”