“You stay right there, slave,” Stefano said. Though he was trying to enthrall her, it wouldn’t have been necessary. Fear locked her in place. He turned to Drago. “Your name is Rodgers, right?”
“Yes, sir,” Drago said.
“You did an excellent job. Even if it was a bit late. We’d have preferred her back weeks ago, before she could spill everything.”
“She has been reclusive,” Drago said. “According to our contact, today was her first time out of the high-rise in weeks. Apparently, there was no longer a use for her where she was.”
Stefano looked at Evie suspiciously. He grabbed her face, fingers tightening around her jaw so hard it hurt.
“Is that true, Evelyn?”
The pressure in her head felt like it was going to make her veins pop. “Yes. Natalya vanished. She was the only one who wanted me. The others didn’t care.”
Stefano cackled, believing what he thought was enthrallment-produced truth. “Isn’t that marvelous?”
He eased a finger under the chain around her neck. The one holding her Chain pendant.
“Then you won’t be needing this anymore.”
Stefano pulled at the chain, snapping it, and then threw it away. Her neck felt too bare without the pendant. She started shaking anew.
“How much did you tell them, Evelyn?” he asked. “Did you talk of Fane?”
“No.” Her voice was barely understandable, it was trembling so much.
“Not of his fiends? Or his plans to steal more from the Chains?”
Evie didn’t know Dominic had fiends, plural. She’d never seen them. She only knew of Vex, and that was mainly in hindsight.
She shook her head. “I didn’t tell them anything about that.”
Stefano laughed with delight. He turned to Drago.
“Did you sample her on the way here, Rodgers? Have some fun?”
Drago’s jaw clenched. “No, sir.”
“Wonderful.” Stefano grabbed Evie’s hair and pulled her close. “I’ve been looking forward to breaking her in again ever since she decided to run off with that devil whore Fane wanted sobadly. And I’ve wanted to make her scream ever since she got Austin killed.”
He gave Drago a dismissive wave. “You can go wait in the barracks. I’ll handle your payment as soon as I’ve gotten the slut situated.”
He yanked on Evie’s hair for emphasis, making her whimper in fear and pain.
“Of course, sir.” Drago gave Stefano a respectful nod, though his fingers were digging into his arms, almost tearing the fabric of his shirt. Stefano was too busy looking at her to notice.
If Stefano was a different creature, he might have tried to enthrall her into complacency, like he’d done at the apartment. But he wanted her afraid. A lucky thing really. Vampires could smell fear, and that was something Evie couldn’t help feeling at that moment. If Stefano tried to force her calm, the plan would fall apart.
“Come then, Evelyn.” Stefano started pulling her towards the estate. Towards her old prison. “I have so many wonderful plans for you. And they start with getting you out of those unsightly clothes.”
She was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. Comfortable clothing. But Stefano didn’t want her comfortable. He wanted her afraid and in pain.
As he pulled her inside, Evie glanced back at Drago. He was standing by the van, looking as unfeeling as ever. Except he was tenser than usual.
Evie had an hour to find and free Natalya. After that, Drago would unleash fiendish Wrath on Varro’s grounds.
Stefano more dragged than led Evie through the estate. His fingers in her hair gripped her hard enough to be painful. It made her start crying. She couldn’t help it.
“When I got the call that they’d actually caught you, I almost didn’t trust it,” Stefano said. “I figured a frightened little thing like yourself wouldn’t dare walk the city. I had resigned myself to knowing a fiend had torn out your throat. A fitting end for you, since you signed yourself over to one. Tell me.” He pulled her close, extending his fangs. “How does it feel to fuck a demon of Lust?”
