Chapter Four

A figure clothed in black, tall and lean, with long black hair tied into a ponytail, appeared before me. I took a step back, ready to run, but he turned sharply, and his voice froze me in place.

"Mira, you're here already. I didn't expect it to be this soon," he said. I turned slowly to face him.

"My name is Vlad. Blade's youngest son," he added, clearing his throat as he approached with a small, confident smile.

Everyone here seemed to know my name already, and it felt strange. It made me feel like prey that had been tracked long before it entered their world.

He stopped just a few feet away, pulling his hands out of his pockets. He moved closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. And before I could flinch, his left hand tangled in my hair, tilting my head back. His nose grazed the sensitive skin of my neck, inhaling deeply.

"Mira..." he groaned.

​"Stop it! How dare you!" I shoved him, my heart hammering against my ribs. I was furious, yet a part of me reacted shamelessly at his touch.

The garden was dark, but a single bulb outside the mansion cast light on his face. His eyes were a piercing blue, the kind that seemed to hold a strange, dangerous power. These people, starting from Draven, were unlike any human I had ever met.

"Please, Mira..." he whispered, his voice a low plea as he pulled me back into his arms. One hand gripped my hair again, forcing me to feel the vibration of his voice against my skin.

"Your scent...Mira,"

"I said get off me!" I shouted, using every ounce of strength I had to shove him away.

He stumbled back, and I turned immediately, walking as fast as I could toward the mansion.

"Take me to my room," I told a servant mopping the corridor leading to the living room. He didn't answer immediately. I looked down and noticed a pool of blood on the floor, like an animal had been slaughtered there.

"He'll show you the way," the servant replied without looking at me.

I glanced up and saw the masked man from earlier standing silently at the end of the corridor.

"What happened...?" I started to ask, but a cold hand clamped onto my arm before I could get a response.

"To your room," he said. Without another word, he led the way.

He opened a door to the living room and then quickly climbed the stairs, moving so fast that I struggled to keep up. I followed silently until we reached a pink-painted door. He stopped and turned to me.

"This is your room. Everything you need is inside. If you need anything else, ask Vick," he said, his deep voice commanding yet calm.

He turned to leave, but halfway down the hallway, he paused and turned sharply toward me.

"Once it's midnight, do not step out. Keep your door locked."

I opened the door, barely glancing inside, and then shut it again. I needed to clear my head. I needed to silence the anger Vlad stirred inside me, and alcohol feels like the only answer.

I walked into the living room and went straight to the bar, no permission, no request. I didn't care if I got fired after this, my life was already a mess, a wreckage of broken dreams. No education, no medical career, and surely there's no future.

My eyes scanned the rows of wine bottles, and one caught my attention. I sank onto a stool and grabbed it. Without checking the label, I popped it open and pressed the bottle to my lips. Tilting my head back, the sharp cherry-and-spirit flavor filled my mouth.

"Mmm... ahh, tastes great," I whispered, taking another long sip. Before that one even reached my belly, I took another.

"My life is ruined. No school, no doctor, no surgeon... all thanks to you, Dad," I shouted, laughing bitterly despite the sharp ache in my chest.

I lifted the bottle and gulped down the remaining contents. My vision blurred, my throat burned, and I jumped down from the stool and staggered toward the stairs.

I stepped onto the first stair and realized my legs could barely hold me. So I crawled up, using both my hands and knees, until I reached a door I believed was mine. I stopped, opened it, and walked inside.

I made my way to what I thought was a couch, or maybe a bed, I wasn't sure. I only knew I was falling onto something.

I sank into it, and a sharp pain shot through my back. I jolted upright, my eyes widening as I realized I wasn't lying on a couch at all, it was a long table covered with weapons and sharp objects scattered across its surface.

I sank to the floor, and my left finger slid up my dress, thighs trembling and a cold shiver washed through me. My breath turned shallow as my thoughts drifted back to Draven, and I pictured his veiny dick thrusting into my wet slippery pussy.

My right fingers traced my neck down to my chest and cupped my breast, "Yeah! Fuck..." a soft whisper slipped from my mouth, my thumb circling the nipple until it hardened.

Ever since I met Draven, something in me craves to be touched, sucked, and fucked. It had never been like this, not even after I hit puberty.

​Now, just the thought of him gets me wet. I pushed my underwear aside and slid a finger down to my wetness. Without putting it inside, I circled the sensitive flesh around my entrance, moving it to my clit, thumbing it.

​"Fuck... yeah..." My breath quickened, and I moaned into the room, loud and shameless. I slid my finger up and down, from my clit to my wet pink flesh around my pussy hole, slow at first, then faster, while my other hand teased my breast.

​I imagined Draven thrusting deep, stretching my walls for the first time. "Fuck me, Draven... yeah... Draven, fuck..." His name escaped my mouth before I could catch it.

​Accidentally, one of my fingers slipped inside me. A sharp, brief sting flared, but it was suddenly replaced by a rush of pleasure. I began to slide my finger in and out, finding a rhythm that made my hips lift to meet every stroke.

A warm wet fluid coat my hand and dripped to the floor, my body shuddered and a shock raced through me.

​"My cock can do something better than that," a voice said. My eyes snapped open, and I saw Vlad standing in front of me, holding his hard, slim, veiny length in his hand.

​"What the hell..." I tried to stand up, shame washing over me, but he held me back.

​"Please, Mira. I promise I will be gentle..."

​The thought of Draven flashed through my head again. I tried to fight the urge to stay faithful, but I couldn't. Not in this state.

​"Go on your knees. Take me, Mira... I am yours," he purred, bringing his cock close to my face.

​I obeyed like a child and dropped to my knees and gulped down the lumps of pleasure that settled in my throat before reaching out to touch him, suddenly confused about what to do next.

​I looked up at him, and he had that boyish, charming look on his face as he smiled down at me.

​"You don't know what to do? Rub it, baby," he murmured. His voice sent a tingling shock straight to my already aching core.

​My small hand wrapped around his nine-inch length, and before I knew it, I was gliding my palm up and down. It felt so fucking wrong, yet so right at the same time.

​I had just met this guy tonight. I was in a relationship, and yet here I was, on my knees, pleasuring my boss's son, ready to spread my legs and let him take me.

​"Fuck, Mira..." His soft groan pulled me out of my head. I ran my hand over him, loving the feeling of his hard, veiny cock against my palm.

​"Yes, Mira... you naively know how to do it right. I love it. Now, wrap your mouth around my dick. Take it all," he moaned, gathering my hair back into a makeshift ponytail to clear my face.

​Without even thinking, I stuck my tongue out and licked the precum on the cap of his cock. It tasted so nice and disgusting all at once.

​"Fuck..." His moan resonated through the room. I continued to swirl my tongue around his cap, licking him and swallowing the taste of him. It felt so good to hear him moan, even though I knew I was still just learning.

Chapter Five

​I opened my mouth and tried to take his length in, but he was too long. I could barely manage three or four inches. Just as I tried to pull back, his grip tightened on my hair, and before I realized what he was doing, he shoved his cock into my mouth in one rough thrust.

​This was the man who had promised to be gentle.

​"Yes!" he grunted, switching his right hand on my hair to his left, while his right hand came to rest on his waist.

​My eyes widened and tears welled up, but the feeling of him hitting the back of my throat made my pussy quiver and throb. I felt an intense need to be fucked by him mercilessly.

​"Oh Mira, you're fucking sweet!" He let out a groan of pleasure, his grip on my hair tightening with every thrust.

​He paused, looking down at me with a smile before continuing. His cock throbbed in my mouth, and his own mouth hung open, an indication of just how much pleasure he was getting from fucking my face.

Both of his hands now gripped my hair, and my hands fell to his hips as he sped up the pace.

​"Yes! Urrgh... Fuck! You're so sweet, Mira!" His ecstatic grunts filled the air. My wet pussy quivered again, and I moaned on his cock.

​"You're so fucking sweet! I love how you take it! Yeah! Take that dick, Mira! Take it rough! Fuck it, baby!" He bit his lower lip and threw his head back, grunting loudly while I moaned on his veiny cock. My pussy tingled and throbbed.

I felt shivers I'd never felt before. Fuck! I wanted him so badly. I wanted to slide his cock inside my pussy this minute. I wanted to feel what it was like to have him dig my pussy mercilessly.

​"Mira! I'm about to cum! Mira!" His body was slick with sweat now and he looked incredibly handsome and sultry, his mouth open as moans escaped that made my heart leap.

​His pace suddenly quickened, his grip on my hair so tight I thought he might pull it out. The pleasure I felt increased with his, and I tightened my grip on his hips. Vlad was fucking good, fucking hot, and I was sure this wouldn't be the last time I tasted him.

​"Yes!" He grunted, releasing a thick, warm liquid that splattered across my face. He then fell heavily onto the bed behind him.

​My vision cleared, and I suddenly realized I'd walked into the wrong room. This was Vlad's room.

​I sprang to my feet, his cum dripping down my face. The wave of lust disappeared instantly, replaced by a scorching shame. I threw the door open and ran out.

*****

~NORA~

Immediately after the call ended with Mira, and I heard Mr. Femriss's voice in the background telling her to pack her things, I knew he was up to something again. He is determined to ruin Mira's life for a past she knows nothing about, and I am going to make sure he doesn't succeed.

Even though Mira doesn't acknowledge my efforts to save her, I won't stop. Last night, she pushed me down in front of everyone, strangers stared at me in a way that made me feel so ashamed. But I won't stop trying, she is simply ignorant of what is happening to her. I must bring her to the truth so she can be free once I have the information I need.

Right now, I have to stop Mr. Femriss from taking her away. I know he's using her again to satisfy his own selfish desires.

I dressed quickly, grabbed my handbag, and was about to leave when my mother walked into the room.

"Where are you going?" she asked, looking me over from head to toe.

"Mira needs me right now, Mom. I have to go. Please," I said, trying to move past her, but she pulled me back sharply.

"I've told you to stay away from that family. Why are you trying to drag us into trouble, Nora?" my mother said, her voice growing sad.

"Mom, Mira is in trouble, and you know we're the only ones who can help her. Why are you holding back? Can't you see she's wasting away?"

"That is not your business, Nora. Stay away from the Femriss family. I want to live long enough to take care of you, to see you become who you want to be," she said, her eyes searching mine. "We can't help her. We're not rich enough."

"No, Mom. We don't need money to help her, we need evidence. Give me what you have and let me fight this myself. Just watch me win," I said, determination burning in my voice. But she said nothing. She only stared into my eyes.

The room fell silent, our breaths the only sound, until she finally spoke again.

"You're all I have left, Nora, after your father was killed. The Femriss family is evil. They always get what they want. I don't want to lose you," she cried, and it broke my heart. But I couldn't back down.

"Do they always get what they want? Then it ends with me, Mom. This time, something has to be done," I said, taking her hand.

My mother knew everything about the Femriss family I needed to save Mira and she had the evidence. She was also a victim of one of Mr. Femriss's wicked operations. I found out the truth the first day I brought Mira home after school. My mother had told me to stay away from her, and when I refused to do so without a reason, she gave me a glimpse of the truth. I have been restless ever since.

For three years, I have been begging her to give me the evidence. She had it all, but she's scared to die, scared to lose me, and scared of Mr. Femriss. But I am not scared of anyone. I believed that one day he will go down and Mira will be free.

​"It hurts me to see my friend suffer when I know I can help her. To stay silent is wickedness. We're no different from the Femriss family if we keep holding back. Please, Mom," I pleaded. My mother stayed silent, tears rolling down her cheeks.

​"I know you're trying to protect us, but I have no peace. She is emotionally and physically abused, her dreams are shattered and her beautiful skin is scarred. And now Freya is teaching her how to drink, teaching her to be a drunk just to forget the pain she caused."

​"You don't know what Femriss is capable of doing to his enemies, Nora. He is always one step ahead of anyone coming for him," she flung my hand off, turning to leave, but I held her back.

​"Three years, Mother. Three years since I heard what happened to Freya, and I have not been at peace. I'm unhappy. I can't sleep, I can't even concentrate in school. If you truly care about me, you'll help Mira."

​She stared at me silently, then walked toward her room. I followed her.

​"I will tell you and show you all you need to know. I will give you the evidence you seek, but on one condition," my mom said as we stepped inside her room.

​My heart leaped with joy. I had finally won this argument after three years. Mira would be saved. And Freya... oh, I couldn't wait to see her wither away.

​"What's the condition?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

​Silence stretched for what felt like an eternity before she replied. "You will not do it yourself. You will present the evidence to people who can handle it without Mr. Femriss knowing we are involved."

​I wasn't sure how I'd manage that, but I nodded. I'd do anything for that information.

​She moved toward her wardrobe, reached under a heap of clothes, and pulled out a tiny box and placed it on the desk. Just as she was about to open it, three masked men burst into the room. One of them struck my mother on the head with a gun, and she collapsed.

​I screamed, but my voice was cut short as one of them covered my mouth and blindfolded me. I struggled, but he was too strong. My legs left the floor as he carried me out and tossed me into a car.

​I kept struggling, kicking and hitting, until I heard a familiar voice.

​"You stupid thing," the voice spat. A hard punch landed on my face, and everything went black.

Chapter Six

♤ MIRA ♤

I woke the next morning feeling weak. My muscles screaming as if I'd spent the previous day running a marathon through mud. My head was a lead weight against the pillow. I could barely lift it from the pillow, but I forced myself to sit up, blinking back the fog of sleep. This was not the time to act lazy.

I need to work. I need money for my sister's surgery. I have to prove to her that I really love her.

I reminded myself as I lazily slid out of bed, my legs unsteady. The memory of what had happened between Vlad and me tried to claw its way back into my mind, but I shoved it away. I had promised myself I wouldn't entertain that incident in my head. And as for Vlad, I would do everything in my power to avoid him in this house until I left.

I slipped out of my nightgown and was about to head into the bathroom when something outside the window caught my attention. The curtains were drawn back, letting in the full force of the morning sunlight. I didn't remember opening them but maybe the maids had, or maybe I'd forgot to close it the night before.

Curiosity pulled me forward and I leaned closer to the glass, and my breath hitched.

My eyes weren't playing tricks on me right now, no. I was seeing it clear and bold.

Blade, my boss, stood by the open door of the passenger seat of his Mercedes Maybach car. Vlad was on his left. The masked man stood on his right. Servants loaded the car trunk with two travel cases and a large sack. The sack sagged under its weight, clinking with the unmistakable sound of metal on metal. A rifle barrel peeked out of the opening, I cleaned my eyes to be sure of what I saw. And truely, it was a rifle barrel.

The servant slammed the trunk shut and reached for the back door. Just as Blade stepped forward to get into the car, he stopped dead. It was as if he'd felt my pulse from the three floors up.

He pivoted, his head tilting back as his eyes locked onto mine. For a few seconds, his face went still. Then a slow, jagged smile stretched across his face, the kind of smile a wolf gives a sheep before the fence breaks. And then it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

​My blood turned to ice. I'd seen that look in movies, the one predators wore before they destroyed their prey. Right now every instinct in me screamed that Blade was capable of something terrible, and that my life in this house might already be in danger.

But I tried to convince myself that I was overthinking. I chose to calm down and see the positive side instead of the fear building up inside me.

Vlad and the masked man followed Blade's gaze upward but I didn't give them the chance to see me when I yanked the curtain closed and bolted for the bathroom.

I showered quickly, and dressed in a blur-black skirt, crisp white blouse, trying to look like a professional secretary and not a woman who was about to give up on life, and with that I rushed into the hallway.

Today was my first day working as the Silas family's secretary. Being late was not an option. I couldn't afford to upset these men who looked like demons in the dark - men who could destroy me in the blink of an eye.

I hurried down the hallway, my heels clicking sharply on the flour and just as I rounded the corner toward the stairs...Oof!, I slammed into a wall of solid, warm muscle.

​The impact sent me reeling. My heart slammed against my ribs, as if I'd been caught doing something forbidden.​ I looked up, and my gaze locked with the masked man's. He loomed over me, his presence so thick it felt like I was breathing in his scent, leather and something else I couldn't quite place.

'Pull yourself together,' I scolded myself. You need this job.

I stepped back, lowered my gaze, and apologized. "I...I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm sorry. I... you..." My voice faltered, barely above a whisper.

"Mira," he rumbled. The way he said my name felt like a physical touch on my skin, but I quickly silenced that part of me trying to betray me right here.

He took two slow steps toward me, his body so close I could feel his heat.

I swallowed and retreated. He followed. I kept stepping back until my shoulder hit the half wall at the edge of the hallway. I lost my balance, but before my body hit the floor, his hand shot out, catching me by the waist and hoisting me back up.

His hands still firm on my arms, his eyes locked onto mine, then drifted down to my chest, and back up again as if he was trying to undress me with his strange beautiful eyes. Heat curled low in my stomach, and in places I did not want it to.

​"Relax, girl," he whispered, his voice vibrating against my ear, his warm breath grazed my skin, sending goosebumps racing down my arms. "I don't bite. And if I do... I'll make sure you enjoy the taste, because in my world..."

I cut him off, panic, need and confusion tangling in my chest. I need to get away from this man. My body was betraying me now in his presence , and I'm sure he knew it.

"I need to go downstairs to work," I blurted. "Please, let go of me, masked man."

I placed my hands on his chest to push him away, but my fingers had a mind of their own. They traced the hard lines of his bare skin where three buttons of his shirt were undone.

"My name is Rurik," he said softly. "Blade's second son, not a masked man. "

He helped me stand upright and gently removed my hands from his body. That was when I realized my fingers had crept up to the back of his neck.

God. Shame burned through me. I couldn't believe I was acting this way toward men I just met. Fuck! What was I doing? I have Draven. I have a life outside this house. No way, Mira! I'm messing up beyond control.

Rurik stepped back and slid his hands into his pockets, taking a slow breath before speaking again.

"My father has traveled on business... "

"He traveled?" I cut in, surprise bursting out of me. "And left his secretary behind?" My mouth hung open. "I'm his secretary, right? That means I'm supposed to handle the information he needs for the trip. I should have the files, the itinerary. So why was I left behind?"

I hadn't even finished my first day, yet here I was, ranting about a job I got out of pity to save my sister. A job I didn't even understand.

Rurik studied me in silence. His eyes moved over me, as if he were searching for answers in my face.

"Mira..." he said at last.

And for the second time, the way he said my name sent an unwelcome shiver through me. It was as if my body was moving on its own toward this man, even though in my mind, I was trying to stay in control.

Stop it, I warned myself. You're here to work.

"My father will be away for a short time," Rurik continued. "You'll work for him from here. And since I'm second in command, I'll show you everything you need to know, if you're patient with me."

He turned and started down the stairs. I followed silently.

"I'll show you your office," he added, "and explain a few things you might find confusing."

We passed through the hallway where a servant had been mopping up blood last night. This section of the house was painted black, the walls marked with strange, dark, almost bloody-looking symbols, nothing like the rest of the mansion.

The narrow corridor felt like the "straight and narrow path" from the Bible, the one that led to everlasting life, but this one felt like it led straight into death.

I walked behind him, counting the doors to keep my mind off the way his shoulders moved. One. Two. Five. At the tenth door, he stopped.

"Rurik," I blurted.

​"Yes?" He opened the door, heading for a massive desk inside the room, I stood at the entrance.

"You said you're the second son. Vlad is the last. So... where is the first?"

The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. It felt like the oxygen had been sucked out. Rurik turned, his face unreadable. He walked toward me until he was towering over me, his hands reaching out to cup my face. ​

I gasped, staring at him as his eyes suddenly turned black, swallowing the gold I'd seen before. I mean a bottomless, terrifying ink that seemed to swallow the light. Fear crawled over my skin, but I refused to look away.

"You want to know?" he asked, his voice low.

"No," I whispered. "I shouldn't have asked. I'm sorry." I stammered, my legs trembling.

Even as fear trembled through me, my body betrayed me again, heat pooling where it had no right to be. His hand against my skin felt like an electric shock, pulling me out of my right mind.

"You want to see him?" Rurik pressed.

I didn't answer this time. I just exhaled, my throat too tight to speak.

"I haven't seen him since I was six," he went on, his thumb brushing my lower lip, "But you will, if you make it work. It's a dangerous journey, but you're capable and you're the key. Everything you need is on your desk, my young secretary."

He paused, then added softly, "You will heal my sickness if you do this for me, Mira."

He released my face and stepped back. And for the first time listening to him, he didn't sound dangerous, he sounded broken. And whatever it was that broke him, it must have been something terrible.

I opened my mouth to ask what he meant about the journey, and the sickness but he was already walking away, disappearing down the hall, leaving me standing there with more questions than answers.