Diamonique swung around, startled.
“You do not take proper precautions, love. It’s too dangerous for you to let down your defenses so completely. I taught you better than that.”
“Get out! You aren’t welcome here, Cain.”
Anger and passion warred inside his body. He flew across the room until he stood directly in front of her, grabbed her arms, then growled, “I go where you go. You are in danger, Diamond. You may not realize it, but you are no longer safe alone.”
“I’m not safe with you!” She flung back, rage showing in her gorgeous features, as she attempted to yank herself out of his arms.
In a calmer tone, he murmured, “I have enemies who know of you. They wish to hurt me by killing you. So, from now on, I am your shadow. Like it or not, I don’t really give a damn. I go where you go.”
Diamonique rolled her eyes. “What are you talking about? You aren’t making any sense.”
Cain released her and sighed. “Sit down. I have a story to tell you.” She was hesitant, but in the end, she sat quietly and waited for him to continue. “Sareena knew about you, Diamond. She knew I cared for you, and she sought to make me pay by going to the Dark Dominion. They tortured her, after she told them all about the ancient blood that flows in your veins. My ancient blood. They killed her.”
“Go on.”
“The Dominion will do anything for power. They’re twisted and depraved and believe that an ancient’s life force gives them immeasurable power, makes them stronger. It’s nonsense, of course, but there’s no reasoning with them. Their leader, Rafael, is deranged. He takes innocents and turns them immortal against their will. Crazy as it sounds Rafael thinks the stronger a person’s willpower the more potent the blood. He learned very quickly that I have a very strong will and he’ll do anything to harness that power for himself. I turned out to be the perfect prey because I had no ties. No family. My father had already tossed me to the street and forgotten about me. A nobody. More importantly, I was tough, determined. Rafael gets a real high off of forcing the stronger ones to their knees. It’s a form of pleasure to him. With me he had a lot of time to play because I refused to submit...at first.” Diamonique shuddered, but he continued. “Once you have Dark Dominion blood in your veins there is no escape. As part of the initiation, you’re put in a dark soundproof room. The sensory-deprivation brainwashing they put the new recruits through is sheer hell.” He shuddered thinking back to those awful days. When no one was around, he’d prayed for death but was never granted such luxury.
“They don’t give you any blood for the first three days and nights, then on the fourth evening you’re given a few drops. Barely enough to survive, but more than enough to start your cravings.” Cain swallowed back the bile that rose up at the thought of how he’d begged for more. “Insanity comes quickly.”
She narrowed her eyes, clearly suspicious. “I’ve heard horrible rumors of The Dominion, and I remember what you said they did to you, but why me? Why would they want me when they could just come for you?”
“With me they would have quite a fight on their hands. I figured out how to separate myself from them. But with you, a mere fledgling, they could drain you dry before you even realized what was happening.”
“How many of them are there? Can I fight them?”
Two strides and Cain was kneeling in front of her. “They are a small group, but you will have no chance against them. They have been around much longer than you, love; longer than me. If they come anywhere near this apartment, I would sense it immediately. No matter how much you wish me gone. It’s not safe.” Cain hoped he was telling the truth about keeping her safe. The alternative was too horrific to consider.
“Why would you sense them and I wouldn’t? What aren’t you telling me, Cain?”
Damn, she was too smart for her own good sometimes.
“The one who started the small band of rebels, Rafael, is my creator. He’s had it in for me since Lucas, his son, left The Dominion. He blames me because I helped Lucas escape.” He paused. “If Rafael comes sniffing around, I’ll sense it, which is a good thing. The bad is Rafael can also find me. ”
“It just figures that you would be able to pick out a twisted vampire at fifty paces. What I don’t understand is why Rafael has waited until now to hunt you.”
“I’m not sure. Maybe he didn’t think anything he could do to me personally would be enough. Since he learned about you, he knows my Achilles heel.”
“How nice, comparing me to a body part.”
He chuckled at her disgruntled attitude and stood.
She watched him, wary.
“So, you see now why I must stick to you like glue?”
She nodded and looked away.
He took that moment to examine her apartment. Cain liked the colorful décor. She’d always had a penchant towards ancient Egypt, and her choice of furniture and wall hangings clearly reflected that. “You have a nice place here.”
“Thank you, but don’t get too cozy, you’re only staying long enough to eliminate the threat, then you’re gone.”
He grinned .“Of course, love.”
Chapter Four
Diamonique rose abruptly, dismissing Cain as if he were an insect, then started walking down the hallway. She could feel him following close behind. She turned and growled, “What are you doing?”