Her father was the evil Dr. Franz Müller, a man so vile and heartless she couldn’t believe that he’d ever loved her or her mother. And he wanted to force her to blood-bond with a vampire he’d chosen for her, something she could never accept. If she couldn’t have Zane, she didn’t want anybody.
A sound from the other room made her snap her head toward it. A door opened, and footsteps entered the study. Two men from what she could tell.
“You should have told me immediately,” her father hissed, his voice low and dangerous.
“With all due respect, I was only looking out for Brandt. When he didn’t get back like he was supposed to, I followed his trail,” a second male voice answered.
“Respect? I’ll teach you respect! You should have warned me about Eisenberg!”
Eisenberg—that was Zane’s name.
“I didn’t see Eisenberg! The man who tinkered with Brandt’s locker didn’t look like the man you described. He wasn’t bald. I didn’t know who he was.”
“You should have still called me the minute Brandt’s locker exploded. We could have made sure to destroy any trail that led to us.”
Portia remembered that night only too well.
“Trust me, the locker was blown to bits. Brandt rigged it just like he was taught, so that in case somebody found it, all evidence would be destroyed. He didn’t compromise us.”
“He was a fool!”
“He simply wanted to prove himself,” the stranger contradicted. “When he found out that you were looking for a mate for your daughter, he wanted to—”
“Enough! Brandt wanted to avenge his father, that is all. I wish he had spoken to me before. Eisenberg can’t be underestimated. He’s grown too strong and too smart. Despite all our efforts, he’s found my most trusted supporters. He eradicated them.”
“That’s unfortunate, but now that we know who and where he is, we’ll send a contingent after him,” the man suggested.
“I’ll give the orders here. Nobody will do anything until after the ceremony,” her father barked.
Ceremony? Portia felt bile rise from her stomach.
“Once this is over, we’ll get him. And then this chapter will be closed forever. I can’t have a filthy Jew interfere with my plans any longer.”
Suddenly, heavy steps came toward the door. Portia quickly closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.
“Leave me!”
She heard the other man scurry from the room and close the door behind him.
“Did you hear that, Portia? I’m going to kill your lover and make him regret he ever laid his dirty hands on you.”
The door swung open fully, and Portia opened her eyes, glaring at her father who stood in the doorframe. “You’re a monster, just like he said.”
Her father crossed the distance to the bed with several large strides. “Don’t confuse me with him. I’m a creator. I’m creating a new world here, a new race, a dynasty that will rule forever.”
Portia shook her head. “No.”
“Oh yes, and you’ll help me with it.” He sat down at the edge of the bed.
“I won’t do it.”
He slapped her hard with the back of his hand, but she didn’t flinch.
“You can’t force me to blood-bond with anybody.”
“Oh, I can.” He flashed is fangs at her, his eyes glaring red with fury.
“What are you gonna do? Hold me down while he fucks me and digs his fangs into me?” she yelled. “You can’t force me to take his blood. I’ll never do it.”
“You’ll sink your fangs into anything or anybody I wish once it’s time.”
“No!”
“You won’t have a choice. In two days you’ll be so starved for anything, human food or blood, that whatever food source comes within your reach, you’ll take it.” He let out a sinister laugh.
Shock coursed through her veins. “You can’t do that.”
“Watch me.” He rose.
“I’m your daughter. I thought you loved me.” A single tear threatened to dislodge from her eye, but she pushed it back, not wanting to show her weakness. She had looked up to him her entire life. How could he betray her like this?
“That’s why I’m giving you this opportunity. If I didn’t love you like I do, I would have chosen somebody else to become head of this new race. Don’t you see? You’ll be a queen.”
Portia pressed her lips together, trying to prevent them from trembling. To no avail. She didn’t want to be queen or princess or leader of anything. She wanted to be Zane’s woman, his mate. Forever.