Claudia D. Christian

Estimated reading time: 3 – 4 minutes

“Poetic garbage. Only Purebloods talk that kind of…” The profanity quivered in a slew of incoherent syllables before retreating back into her mouth.

“Yes? You were saying?” Julian retracted his fingers just the smallest bit.

Lily muttered inelegantly even as she trembled from the effort of fighting the burning sensation of his claws in her hand. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? Really? Are you sure? Are you sure there wasn’t a nasty word trying to come out here?” He punctuated the end word with a tap to her chin.

“Once I get feeling back into my legs, I’m so going to make you pay for this.” The threat, while lacking volume, held no short supply of heat.

“Poor sweetie, she’s had such a hard night. Spirit steps out and then she gets to see what grown-ups do before she falls down and ruins her hands and dress. Then that mean old vampire impales her fingers instead of what she really wanted.”

Julian dropped her hand. It thumped against the chaise.

“Don’t talk to me like I’m a baby. It’s gross.”

“Only because you lack imagination.”

Lily heaved a weary sigh. She closed her eyes and immediately regretted it. Fatigue mixed with nausea made her feel like shit. “What’s wrong with me? Don’t play word games with me either.”

“For someone who needs me you’re being awfully rude.”

“And digging your dirty claws into me isn’t? Disgusting asshole, I don’t need you. Don’t answer me. What do I care?”

Julian held out his hand. A bar of soap flew into it. “Don’t whine or it stays longer.”

Lily slapped at his arm with the miniscule strength she still possessed. It couldn’t change what she had set in motion. Julian gripped her jaw and forced it down. He shoved the soap into her mouth and kept it there with his hand.

“Stop whining.”

Lily slammed her head back against the wall. Julian followed. The soap burned her throat and sinuses mercilessly. Lily’s cheeks flamed raw with rage and helplessness.

How dare he? Even my mama never did this to me! How could I ever have even considered Julian worth my time? Oh, God, this tastes so bad! I’m gonna throw up. I know I am.

“Don’t you vomit, Lily. I warned you what would happen if you had the bad manners to curse in my presence again. Take your punishment like a good girl and it will be over soon. Yes?”

Lily glared. She shook her head even as she maneuvered her feet against his chest. Pushing and kicking for all she was worth, Lily tried to force Julian away. She failed.

“Stop it, Lily.” He spoke to her calmly, gently, without a shred of irritation or anger. He spoke to her like a favored child.

Lily’s frustration mounted as did her panic. Tears streamed down her splotchy face. Her hands leached onto his wrists, nails shredding the skin without care for perfection.

“Lily, you’re being very naughty and I don’t like it one bit.”

Shrieks implied her lack of care. Her feet increased their drumming. Soon Lily’s shoes clattered across the tiled floor. Their raucous shot of sound fell beneath her grunts and moans.

“We can do this until you pass out, Lily. I’ve got all the time in the world, darling.”