Rhiannon’s Law #28: If you’re going to fuck up, be sure to fuck up good and proper. Nothing makes failure acceptable, so you might as well make your misery count.

Apparently, I hadn’t answered Marius’s question as well as I’d hoped.

Marius returned his gaze to Disco, and for the first time, I saw something in his steely eyes, something I couldn’t place. “I don’t see what I asked for.”

Disco didn’t lose his casual pose, but through our mark, I felt a brief rush of panic. “Rhiannon stored the knife in a safe place. She was concerned—”

I was taken from my seat and planted on the floor—on my ass one second, on my back the next—and the wind was knocked out of me. The room spun as I tried to get my bearings, to piece together what had just happened.

That fast, and I was no longer playing a game. I was facing the danger I’d been warned about, face-to-face with a vampire who would snap my neck without hesitation. Marius’s hand was around my throat, applying firm pressure, keeping me exactly where he wanted me as he kneeled by my side. I couldn’t see Paine, Disco, or the room around me. The only thing in my line of vision was a face that was as calm and blank as it had been when I gazed at him in front of the fireplace.

“You have no concerns, no thoughts of your own, and no free will in my home. You provide what I ask for, when I ask for it. Do you understand?”

“I…” Jesus, it was difficult to speak with his fingers pressing into my neck. “I understand.”

“Where is the knife?”

Since I’d lived a life in dangerous situations, I was good at thinking on my feet. I’d give my tormenter the truth but keep the important details to myself.

“Miami.”

Actually, Sucker was tucked away in a UPS box, which would be sent to Miami with a simple phone call. It was amazing what the Men In Brown were willing to do if you offered them a little extra cash.

“Where?” He asked the question like he was asking for directions.

“Safety box.” Another half-truth. The box inside the UPS box was a safe. The damned thing was made of steel and had a numerical lock.

“You’re going to retrieve it and bring it to me.” Again, not a request, an order.

Fuck, this wasn’t going as well as I’d hoped. Disco wasn’t shitting me. Marius would kill me. Period. Game over. You couldn’t argue with the Grim Reaper, or someone who had the power to turn off the lights permanently.

“I’m making a trip there next weekend”—I gasped as he applied pressure to my throat—“I can get it then.”

“I don’t believe you.” Again, talking to me as if I were as insignificant as a de-winged butterfly trapped in his deadly hand.

Was I going to die? Right here? Right now? The warm hum of the amulet against my breast told me if I wanted to, I could break from his grasp, call on the power of the stone, and might be able to take his ass. But what would the end result be? Would I cause more harm than good?

Goose’s reminder came to me.

Submission isn’t done out of respect, it’s done because it’s expected.

It killed my pride to do it—to bow down. After my teenage years, I swore I’d never kiss anyone’s ass. “I’m sorry,” I rasped. Saying those two small words hurt as much as the unrelenting fingers around my throat.

“That’s one step in the right direction. A little humility would do you good. I can sense the anger in you, the rage. No matter how much you try to hide it. You’re not suited to be a familiar. Your will is too strong. If I hadn’t promised Gabriel I’d give you the opportunity to prove your worth, I’d have him take the information I need from your mind and you’d be dead.”

Marius stopped talking and looked at me. I understood then that his unreadable face made him undeniably opposing. When you couldn’t read your enemy, it was impossible to figure out the best strategy to defend yourself.

“You’ll go, this very moment, and get what I came for.” Marius’s tone remained level and even. “You’ll bring it back to me, and when you do, you’ll hand it over on your knees. Anything less and you’ll regret it.”

“Sire.” Disco spoke and Marius was no longer the only person in the room.

Marius kept his eyes trained on me as he spoke. “She has to understand I’m not the most dangerous person she’ll face if she refuses to listen to orders, Gabriel.” Marius lowered his head, until his nose was inches from mine. “If my maker travels here, he will make you suffer in ways you cannot possibly conceive. He’ll harm those you care for. I’m showing you mercy. Heed me if you want to keep your head attached to your shoulders. My protection in this home only goes so far.”

Then, Marius was gone.

I coughed as I inhaled, gasping for air. I could feel the imprint of each of his fingers even though they were no longer touching me. As I rolled to my side and attempted to get to my feet, I glanced at the couch where Disco and Paine were seated, and their marks rolled through me. I collapsed onto my stomach. I wasn’t sure why, but having both of their powerful presences swarming me made it impossible to move, much less crawl or walk to them.

“Stay down,” Disco instructed me telepathically. “Don’t move.”

I wanted to ask why. What was wrong with having a little self-respect? For wanting to rise to my feet and shake myself off?

As the questions arose, I knew the answer.

I wasn’t entitled to self-respect. To Marius, I was nothing more than a dog or cat, kept around to fetch the paper or kill off mice if need be. If he saw me coming to my feet, he’d know that despite his warning, he hadn’t managed to exert total control over me. That would be more than dangerous—it would likely sign my death certificate.

“She can’t go tonight to retrieve the knife,” Paine said. Whereas Disco’s mark gave me strength, Paine’s comforted me in warm waves.

“Explain,” Marius responded briskly.

“When she joined the family, we gave our word she could keep her job,” Disco answered. “It was a small request, considering the power she brought to our home.”

No further explanation, not telling him I enjoyed what I did, that I actually liked my job. A possession didn’t have the right to enjoy anything unless they were told to, or so I was guessing. I waited for Marius to respond, my belly flush against the carpet, my forehead resting on the floor.

“You’ve grown weak in my absence, Gabriel. Your lingering humanity still dictates your thinking. We’ll discuss that before I leave.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” I wasn’t sure how Disco managed to sound humored, considering the insult, but I knew without looking a breathtaking smile would be gracing his face.

“When can you leave for Miami?” Marius asked, returning my attention to the biggest baddie in the room.

“Monday.” I detested how weak I sounded, how defeated.

The amulet at my breast came to life once again, tempting me to call on its power and go head to head with Disco’s maker. I resisted the compulsion, difficult as it was. I had exactly three days to sort shit out. Thank God for Deena, who was responsible for my work schedule.

“Very well. I expect you back with the knife in hand no later than Tuesday morning.”

Marius strode past me, and I heard shuffling as everyone rose from their seats and exited the room. I thought Disco or Paine would stay behind, but they didn’t. The marks between us vanished as they left me exactly as I remained long after I heard the door close.

Insignificant and forgotten on the floor.