The mortal man stepped towards me, steam rising from the iron as the vampires moved me into position, ensuring that my collar bone was exposed. Surely there was a better place? Why did it have to be there? I clenched my eyes shut as I heard Silas laugh slightly, seeming to enjoy my anguish and fear. I felt the vampire's hands tighten around my arms and lower back, knowing that it was coming. I prayed that perhaps because I could channel the sunlight's power that the iron would do nothing to me, that I wouldn't mark me. But this was not the fire of a star, this was different.
At first, I only felt the heat as it neared me, my curiosity getting the better of me as I opened my eyes, the piping hot iron only inches away from my skin. I attempted to mask my panic, but it was too late for that,
