Page 41 of Blood Curse

The Crown had to hold all that attention. It had to keep the young man moving, keep Bryony’s jaw open and keep the rest of the court waiting for another order.

It had grown powerful on easy obedience. Choice made it work harder.

Bryony moved her thumb.

“That’s it,” I said. “Take the hand.”

Her fingernails scraped over my wrist.

The young vampire lunged. I turned him sideways and took the impact against my shoulder. His throat passed inches from Bryony’s mouth.

She made a furious sound. Not hunger. Bryony.

Her hand tore free of my sleeve.

The Crown dragged her head towards the offered throat. She caught her own jaw with her palm and shoved it back. Her arm shook with the effort.

“Get him away,” she forced out.

Mara reached us and pulled the young man from my grip. Elias caught him from the other side. Together they held him several feet from Bryony, though his boots kept driving against the floor.

Bryony pressed both hands over her mouth.

“You have your voice,” I said. “Use it.”

The Crown tightened every line of her body.

She bent forward. A harsh breath broke between her fingers.

“I…”

The young vampire strained towards her.

“I revoke…”

Red light ran across the Crown’s black points.

Bryony lifted her head.

“I revoke the order.”

The vampire collapsed against Elias.

Every trace of compulsion left the room. People stumbled, gasped and grabbed the nearest solid thing. Mara lowered the young man into a chair while Elias checked his neck.

Bryony swayed.

I reached her before she fell. She gripped my coat and stayed on her feet.

“Did he bleed?” she asked.

“The bite never landed.”

“Did I hurt anyone?”

“You frightened all of us,” Mara said. “It was very rude.”

Bryony gave a breath that almost became a laugh.