Eighteen Summers by Jessie M Page A

fortune. This household is supported by your father's legacy, a special fund, but the remaining wealth is yours. Lord Raffaele has no title to that, unless you were to marry him, legally, in a human ceremony. A mating alone would not entitle him to share your personal wealth.”
    “ Will you stay with me? In Italy?”
    “ I have pledged my life to you from birth. I am your guardian. Of course I will stay.”
    “ What about Sofia?”
    “ Of course she must accompany you and we will enlist the aid of Gabriel. He is our legal counsel. He can advise on the inheritance and other matters.”
    “ Can we leave soon?”
    “ No, you will suffer blood lust Cali. It is not safe. In a few days perhaps.”
    “ Nico... Thank you. For believing me.”
    “ Although I think it is unlikely you would have fabricated such a tale, I would like to confirm this with Sofia, in your presence before I take things further.”
    “ That's understandable, I suppose.”
    I call for her and she arrives a moment later. And Nico wastes no time on small talk.
    “Sofia, answer me truthfully. There will be no repercussions for you, I will ensure it. Has My Lord hurt you in the bedchamber or elsewhere in this house during recreation?” Sofia glares at me. I have, after all, betrayed her confidence.
    “ Yes.”
    “ In a sadistic way?”
    “ Very.”
    “ What did he do, Sofia?”
    She takes a long deep breath before beginning her sordid account.
    “Penetration with sharp objects into all of my orifices. Severe biting. Burning. Hanging me upside down for long periods so that I lose my consciousness. Whipping me. Caning me. Chaining and cuffing me on a table, gagging, making me drink my own blood. Clamping me with metal objects, tying my hands and feet together on the floor and dragging me around... I've probably forgotten some of the more 'unpleasant' things he did, deliberately....”
    “ My God Sofia! Why did you not tell me? Come, sweet.” He holds her tightly to him and kisses her face. I feel a raging jealousy build inside me like a storm and I cannot hold it back. Even though I know that she has a preference for Gabriel. Perhaps Nico has a preference for her. I feel choked. But I have no right to his affections. I have just arrived and he has a history here.
    “ I'm not the only one. He has us all sworn to secrecy,” Sofia replies.
    “ But surely you would not let your young mistress be subjected to this torture?”
    “ I would not wish it on anyone of course, but I fear his wrath. I have the strangest feeling about My Lord. It's as if he hates us. All of us. He is so unlike the rest of our family, in every way.”
    “ I have always found him to be very pleasant and amiable, humorous and even confiding.”
    “ He probably wants to keep you on his side. You are My Lady's guardian after all. It is an influential position that you occupy.”
    “ Perhaps… I will look into My Lord's past. I wonder if anyone ever has?” Nico muses. “We shall make a journey to Italy. My Lady, you and I. We shall also ask Gabriel to accompany us, to take advantage of his Latin and historical expertise, as it is far better than mine. Please arrange to travel within the week. Do not tell another soul, am I clear?”
    “ Light travel?”
    “ Yes, just a few changes of attire for each of us. We can buy new clothing when we require it.”
    I suddenly feel a craving build inside of me. This must be my blood lust surfacing. My mouth is watering and I am starting to shake with hunger.
    “I think I need food.”
    “ It is on its way,” Nico answers quickly.
    In five minutes I am panting on the bed in need. My stomach feels like it is being squeezed. My feed arrives and I almost jump upon her as she comes in the door. I feed in a state of rapture for a  good minute until Nico commands me to stop. I obey immediately this time around, much to my surprise, breaking the suction loudly.
    “You can feed again in a few hours. Deanna will wait in the salon. Try to