Free Forbidden Blood: A House of Comarré Novella by Kristen Painter

print.”
    Dominic snorted. He hadn’t. But then the thing was nearly three hundred pages long and he’d merely inherited his copy.
    When Arnaud stayed silent, Rennata continued. “The challenge of libertas is that the comarré and her patron must battle each other. If the comarré wins, she also wins her freedom.”
    Arnaud grinned like he’d just heard something funny. Dominic sneered and wished for a short blade to run him through then and there. Arnaud crossed his arms. “And if I win?”
    “You may have your choice of a new comarré.”
    He practically beamed, which did nothing for Dominic’s disposition. “Then by all means, let us do battle and see who comes out the victor. Tomorrow at sundown?” He shook his head at Dominic. “That should coincide nicely with Lord Zephrim’s arrival.”
    “You called the Dominus of the House of St. Germain?” Not that it mattered. Too much had been set in motion already.
    “Yes,” Arnaud hissed. “I thought he should decide what to do with you.”
    Rennata glared at him. “There is a little more you should know.”
    Arnaud waved his hand and strode toward the door as though he’d just been invited to a picnic. “I’m sure it’s all fine.”
    “It’s a battle to the death,” Rennata called after him.
    He paused, then slowly turned around, eyes sparkling metallic, smile unchanged. He tipped his head and stared directly at Marissa. “Even better.”

Chapter Twelve
    F or the third time, Marissa closed her eyes and tried to meditate, but failed. Twilight’s purple gloaming cast her suite at the Primoris Domus in long shadows. The moment she’d been working toward had arrived. She would face Arnaud, win her freedom, and begin the second part of her plan to give that same gift to her daughter.
    She’d just hoped to see Dominic alone one last time.
    A knock on her door brought her to her feet with a sense of hope, but then she exhaled. It wasn’t him. It couldn’t be. Vampires weren’t allowed in this part of the Primoris Domus. Which meant…
    She opened the door. “Rennata.”
    The elder comarré pushed in, then shut the door behind her. “I cannot say enough times what a foolish, selfish thing you’ve done.”
    “Apparently.” Holy mother, the woman was insufferable. Marissa pointed to the bags next to the door. “I’m packed and ready. When will the car be here?”
    “It’s here now.” Rennata shook her head. “Do the right thing. Forget your training, ignore your instincts, and let him kill you. Protect us . Serve the greater good.”
    Marissa’s jaw ached from clenching it so hard. “Twice I have given up children I wasn’t allowed to know, and now you want me to play the sacrificial lamb to protect this way of life?” She took a step closer. “We’ve all been raised to believe that someday we’re going to be called upon to rise up and destroy our host.” She poked a finger at Rennata. “How do you know that day isn’t today?”
    Rennata shoved Marissa’s hand away. “Because you are a tiny cog in a very large machine, and that machine wasn’t built to save you. Or your remaining child.” She sniffed. “You should have stayed in the breeding program. At least you were good at that. Instead, you’re throwing your life away. Pointless,” she muttered.
    Marissa picked up her bags and hefted the larger one over her shoulder. Too bad the sacre inside couldn’t come to the fight with her. She’d make short work of Arnaud if she could use her sword. “The only thing pointless is this conversation.” She shoved past Rennata, walked into the hall, then stopped and took one last look at the rooms she’d never see again.
    Rennata scowled. “Having second thoughts?”
    “Yes.” Marissa laughed with nervous energy, knowing it would only upset Rennata further. “About exactly how I plan to kill him.” With that, she turned and made her way through the estate’s vast corridors. One by one, doors opened and the comarré in residence