Chapter 29

Valerie

I knew we were meant to play along.

I knew that Lucas had to act like the master he was—that I had to act like the slave. But I was not expecting his touch when he chuckled and ran his finger over my skin.

“I will,” he said, a sweet and sick curl to his voice

I shivered, a sick feeling crawling deep into my stomach. He had done that way too naturally.

Marvolos did not seem impressed. Rather, he laughed. “I personally wouldn’t be so gentle,” he said. Then he raised his hand and clasped the back of his pet’s neck. His thumb seemed to brush slowly over the nape, forcing her gaze on him. “Will you be a good little girl?” he asked.

The girl shuddered visibly, but her expression did not change. She held his gaze, expressionless and distant. “Yes, master,” she replied. Her voice was threaded and bare, like maybe she’d been crying. Or maybe that was just how it always sounded.

His hand moved around her shoulders and came up to clasp her mouth. I saw fear shoot into the girl’s eyes as