Chapter 29
There was no telling how much time passed in here. There were no windows to see the outside. The music kept playing, the dancers never stopped. Did vampires ever tire? With blood endlessly flowing, I imagined they wouldn’t. I doubted they even needed sleep.
I couldn’t escape this place unless this room cleared out. If they left me alone in this cage, I had a chance. I could eventually cut the thin metal bars and get through. I didn’t understand why they’d left me with the viper dagger. It just showed they weren’t afraid of me. And why would they be? I was one assassin, an apprentice at that, in a castle of hundreds of them... and thousands more outside. Escape seemed impossible.
I eventually sat up and leaned back against the bars with my knees curled to my chest. The skin on my cheeks felt tight from dried tears. The music droned on, putting me in a sort of trance. The rage burning me up from the inside clawed its way through me.
I pictured Vander, thought of connecting to his mind.
I pushed him to feel my thoughts to not turn himself over to Belladonna. He couldn’t betray LOA and our people for me. If I had to die, then so be it.
His face flashed across my mind, and a shock of sorrow hit me. He ran through a dark wood. I felt like I was drowning in misery trying to fight to the surface for air. A shudder rolled through me—I wasn’t entirely sure it came from me. Then the connection severed.
I bounced my toes and made sure to move to keep awake. I couldn’t risk falling asleep here even if I was in a cage. More time passed, then a click of a door caught my ear. I scooted forward in my cage and pressed my forehead against the bars. Both of the main doors pushed open and my heart dropped.
Vander.
An involuntary whimper passed my lips.No. Don’t do it,I screamed inside even if I wanted to run into his arms. He shouldn’t be here.
Gone was the assassin uniform and in its place was the attire of nobility. The long black coat with gold embroidery moved with him. His dark hair was combed back. His boots hit hard with each step. There was nothing about him that showed fear. He moved like he was the king of this castle and a crown should sit on his head.
I took a deep breath and held it.
The crowd quieted and parted for him, all but Oriana. She rushed to his side and grabbed his arm. Her mouth moved but I couldn’t hear her over the mutters and music and shuffling of feet. I expected him to be surprised to see her, but he pushed her away. She wrapped her arms around herself. Torchlight reflected in her brimming tears.
My heart stuttered.
He’d known she was alive? But he told me she was dead. He’d watched her bleed out on the floor.
A wave of nausea brought a cold sweat to my skin. A chilling foreboding feeling overwhelmed me. What if he’d lied to me about more than just Oriana?
He marched for the thrones with determination on his beautiful face. Belladonna sat forward in her seat but didn’t rise. Mars and Quinton, however, stood, crowding together in front of her, like dogs resource-guarding. The wolves paced in front of the three of them.
Where was the attack to restrain him like there should be? No one tried to force a damn collar on him and bind his hands behind his back. Not one vampire in this room even looked surprised to see him.
I shifted in my cage, making it rock. Dravyn sat on the lower steps, spinning his sword on its tip between his thighs. “How kind of you to finally grace us with your presence, Vander.” He stood as Vander approached. “Sorry I had to take your girl, but the queen wanted you back here quickly.”
Vander smirked. “Whatever happened to just asking politely?”
They were ten steps apart. Five. Was this truly the man Vander wanted revenge on, or was he an acquaintance? Vander stuck out his hand, Dravyn clasped it as if welcoming an old friend. A dizzy spell made me clutch the bars.
But my eye caught the silver glinting at his side and in a flash, Vander drove a blade into Dravyn’s chest.
I gasped, slapping my hand over my mouth. Dravyn gaped like a fish, gripped Vander’s shoulder, and fell into him. It wasn’t until Dravyn’s body hit the ground that anyone reacted. Shouts of anger rocked the room. The soldiers who’d accompanied him rushed to his side. Someone screamed.
“Taking mygirlwas your last fucking mistake.” Vander stepped over him and marched up the steps.
Belladonna shot to her feet and roared, “How dare you!”
“You promised me I could end his miserable life, my queen.” Blood dripped from the tip of his sword onto every step. “He shamed my sister and now he thinks he can take my womanwithout consequence? Where is she?” He sounded unhinged. Madness twisted his features in a way I’d never seen before. Right now, he was more vampire—feral vampire—than not.
“Everyone out!” Belladonna screamed. “Get out!”
The command echoed throughout the vast room. The music came to a screeching halt. Vampires tripped over each other to rush for the doors. Oriana was the last to get to the exit. She wavered in the threshold before finally closing it behind her. Those of us in the cages were the only ones who hadn’t escaped. Us and Dravyn, who lay dead and stone in a pool of blood.
The silence left in the wake of the crowd was chilling.
Arm in arm, the twins escorted Belladonna to meet Vander at the center of the steps where he waited. The wolves followed, then walked right to Vander and greeted him with licks to his palms. He patted both of their heads like they were his own.
