{CAROLINE}
"Huh?" My brows knit together as confusion warred with indignation. "Leave me alone? By turning me into your human blood bank?"
The words tasted bitter on my tongue.
I wasn't naïve. I knew how things worked in this academy and even outside in the real world. Vampires kept human blood banks—living ones. People, not objects. In exchange for protection and favor, humans offered their blood.
A pact.
A leash.
More like a blood pet.
"That's the crude term for it," Vladimir replied without flinching. "But don't worry. It's only for show. Unless you'd rather have them coming for you every night."
I faltered.
The silence stretched, thick and oppressive. My eyes searched his face, trying to uncover deception, cruelty, some hidden amusement.
As a noble daughter of the human race, I was not ignorant of noble vampires.
