Love Unfortunate by Claudia D. Christian Page A

depicted a tapestry of depraved pleasure.
    * * * *
    "I can’t bear it!" The hoarse cries spilled from her bruised lips as a giddy offering.
    "Yes, you can," he answered with chilling arousal. "You can and you will bear it for me."
    Splayed beneath him, Liana whimpered as his lean hips ground against hers. "My lord…"
    He threw back his head and growled with pleasure. "I love hearing you say that. Say it again."
    "My lord…my lord…please." Liana’s legs fell away from his waist, exhausted from the incredible strain of holding him so tightly.
    "Again."
    "My lord…" The world grew smaller as he started thrusting harder and harder.
    "Again."
    "My lord…more…ah!"
    * * * *
    Liana touched a particularly vicious cut on her abdomen and hissed. Reaching up, she ran her fingers over the scabs encrusting her neck.
    Almost healed but it doesn’t matter. I’m happiest when they get ripped open again.
    She braved shifting positions once more. Mist swirled about the edges of her vision. Not waiting until it subsided, Liana gritted her teeth and moved again, albeit gingerly.
    A mangled growl seeped from Liana’s throat.
    Please make it right this time. Please.
    The agony continued to intensify and it became bitterly clear.
    God’s ears were closed to her.
    Liana moaned in black anguish. Her prayers mutated into venomous curses.
    No matter what I do, it ends like this. How can I change my fate? How can I make tonight different?
    A murder of crows flew by, startling Liana out of miserable turmoil. Their raucous chatter warned of what her raw core already knew. Liana’s moans ceased abruptly and the tears ran dry. She eyed the lone window. Terrible longing stained her vivid green irises. Night was coming.
    So was Laurent.
    Voracious hunger stirred inside her veins. Liana embraced it with desperate conviction. Her flesh crawled with the exquisite memory of his tainted touch. Color returned to Liana’s pale cheeks and the sharp note of hunger altered its melody—becoming something more torturous than before.
    Soon he’ll be here, but by tomorrow will he still?
    The thoughts crowding her consciousness left Liana naked in spirit. She eyed the chests lining the stone walls. They lay empty of clothing or possessions alike.
    Once given to her in contempt, the trunks now stood as a constant reminder of who and what Liana had become.
    * * * *
    "What are you doing? Answer me!" Panic laced her veins, banishing all signs of lethargy.
    "Go back to sleep, little bird. You need it." The black smile he flashed matched his tousled hair perfectly.
    "That’s not what I asked you!"
    Displeasure tightened the line of Laurent’s now-flawless jaw. "I’m just ensuring your safety and comfort."
    "Stop it."
    Laurent’s movements never faltered, nor did his hands show mercy. Newly-developed claws shredded through the voluminous skirts, brightly colored undershirts, and heavy overdresses. When finished with one pile, Laurent began on the next.
    Horror overtook Liana as she watched the methodical destruction. Springing up from her musty bed, Liana ran to him and grabbed the trailing end of an endangered skirt. "You can’t do this!" she shrieked while pulling back. "Stop it!"
    Laurent’s emotionless stare flicked to her hand.
    Despite Liana’s fear, she forced herself to keep his unnatural silver gaze. "You can’t take them away."
    "Why? Who could you possibly see that would require clothing?"
    Liana scented danger and changed tactics. Her voice became reasonable and placating. "You can’t keep me in this tower forever. You’ll let me out eventually."
    "You think so?"
    His lazy smile cracked her brave façade. "Don’t take them away, Laurent. Let me have something to wear. Please!"
    "No." With insulting ease, he sliced through the soft fabric.
    Tears filled her eyes as a pitiful scrap of violet cloth fluttered from her hand. "Why are you doing this? Why?!"
    "You know why."
    "No, I don’t!" Liana wanted to wail her misery. He wasn’t the kind