72 More Of An Idiot Than I Though (1/2)

If she ever got out of here, she would finish their deal and they would go their separate ways. She wondered what would be considered too often regarding visits provided Ash even wanted to see her again after this.

They cared about each other to some extent but it was no more than that. It could never be more than that even if she did want it.

Ruby had to shake those ridiculous thoughts free. Even if she wanted it? Wanted what, a romantic relationship with Ash? Sure, they had kissed, but it was only a peck to get Flint off their tail. He hadn't even been flustered by it so it obviously didn't mean anything to him.

What was she thinking?! It didn't mean anything to her either!

”Ruby, can you make me something pretty? I want matching necklaces for me and Freddie,” Flora said as she tugged on the hem of Ruby���s shorts. Freddie was the name of her stuffed bear.

She hadn't even realized that her cousin had stopped swinging. That was what she got for daydreaming about complete nonsense.

Was Ruby even allowed to use her powers for herself during her contract period though? She looked to the vampire currently guarding them for permission and got a head shake 'no' back. Figures. Dorian Cromwell was even greedier than her uncle.

”Why don't we make flower necklaces instead? I can make you a crown too,” she offered instead.

They couldn't begrudge her the use of some of the garden's flowers. Flora could use her powers to help a little too so it wasn't like they would be taking very much.

The rest of the afternoon passed peacefully enough. The flower necklaces/crowns required enough concentration that they distracted Ruby from both thoughts of Ash and worries about what was awaiting her after dark.

===

Dorian didn't have a merciful bone in his body; Ruby's worries earlier in the day had not been unwarranted. Not only did he use blood control to force her to summon another mountain of jewels, he controlled her like a puppet for the rest of the night for his own sick amusement.

He made her do tricks like some sort of circus pony and when she tried to resist she was met with that horrible pain again. Her glamour control slipped pretty early on and her appearance was mocked on and off for the rest of the night by the other vampires in the area.

He wasn't permitted to go back to her room until it was nearly dawn so she had to start her day with Flora running on no sleep. She napped when the baby did but that wasn't nearly enough to sustain her.