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HAYLEY
Lottery
I CAN’T BELIEVE I’m back in the cage, and this time, there is no getting out. To torture me, Alexander dragged Opal’s body and dropped it in front of me, forcing me to look at my dead caretaker’s empty eyes.
I’m still in shock.
I can’t find the will to do anything but stare at her, ignoring the rowdy room gathering and taking their seats. My soul weeps, my whole body cold and stiff as if I’ve died along with Opal, but tears don’t stain my cheeks any longer. I’m mostly numb. Hopeless. Utterly and completely defeated. I should’ve known Alexander would win and this whole thing would be a setup, bringing together La Vega’s most powerful vampires. I’ve never seen the ruling vampires before, but hearing Alexander refer to them as the La Vega Leadership freaks me out. They all have to be older than the Vampire Uprising and just as ruthless. They’re the ones who destroyed and rebuilt this city after all.
“And so the show continues...” Alexander dramatically lowers his voice and lets it echo through the speakers. “We have over a hundred entries tonight in the lottery for my beautiful, delectable, and dare I say virginal baby doll, Ruby Vixen.”
Murmurs sound through the crowd at his comment.
I close my eyes, pushing the world away the best I can. I’m sure there are a lot of sick motherfuckers here who will want to fuck every hole on my body like their sex slave. The thought roils disgust through me. I will cling on to the thought of severing their dicks when they let their guards down if they even try.
“What? Don’t believe me? I can guarantee one place that has been off-limits in my dear sister’s care...if you know what I mean.” Alexander chuckles at the crowd’s reaction and hums under his breath. “Some of you are going to be lucky, lucky, lucky men. Are you ready to find out?”
The crowd breaks into applause and whistles, stabbing my already bleeding soul with the pain of a thousand fiery daggers. I want so badly to cover my ears and block the world out, but another part of me needs to hear Alexander announce which vampires will surely be my ruin. If they don’t break my body, they will break my soul. I’ll be a living dead girl with only one desire in life, which will be to find my end.
The crowd settles, and I finally get the nerve to open my eyes, watching as Alexander stands in front of my cage. He shushes the crowd by holding his arms out and lowering his palms toward the stage floor.
“We’re going to do this the back-world way. What a blast from the past, am I right?” He chuckles again and others humor him with fake laughter.
If I didn’t think he would hurt me again, I’d boo him, hoping the crowd would participate. I want nothing more than to humiliate him again. Bite him. Do whatever I can to make him ache and bleed.
“I’m sure we all want to get out of here and have some fun for the rest of the night, so I’ll be quick. There are six lucky spots on my baby doll’s contract. If you fail to uphold the terms for the duration of your time, you will face a penalty of what I see fit, which includes failing to pass her on to her next owner, accidental death, dismemberment, including teeth, and permanent damage to her skin. She is to be show ready at all times to be fair to the vampire who claims her after. If you do not agree, please withdraw your entry if chosen.” Alexander motions to a vampire staff member, getting him to bring over a glass bowl of folded pieces of cream-colored paper.
I wring my hands together, my anxiety triggering my heart to erratically beat in a chaotic rhythm. I’m going to be sick. My head hurts and stars pepper my vision. If I don’t pass out, I’ll throw up. Maybe I’ll do both.
Alexander swirls his hands through the paper, laughing like a damn child. He plucks out one of the entries and waves it over his head. “Luck be this beautiful donor tonight,” he murmurs, unfolding the paper. Swiveling, he peeks over his shoulder at me and winks as if I’m the one waiting in excited anticipation.
“Well, this was unexpected. What a lucky, lucky girl you are, baby doll. I know how much you enjoy entertaining the weak.” Alexander waves the paper in the air. “The first lucky spot on Ruby Vixen’s contract goes to Monroe of the Bella Hotel.”
My mouth falls open in surprise. “What?” I can’t stop my voice from sounding out. I don’t believe it. Fate was really with me tonight.
“Mister...Monroe. Please see my coven brother at the side of the stage. You must complete the arrangements, prove you have proper accommodations, and agree to all terms of the contract.” Alexander tightens his jaw, his smile disappearing. He shoves his hand into the bowl again and pulls out another slip. Frowning, he stares at the paper for a minute. “The next lucky gentleman is from the marvelous Alibur. I’m thrilled to announce Mr. Clark Alibur. Please proceed to the side stage.”
My mind and body shut down at the name of a unfamiliar vampire. I knew it was too much to hope for that Alexander would draw the names of only vampires from the Bella Crew. Calling the next winner, Alexander does an ass shake before me at the vampire’s reaction. My head throbs too much that I can’t even remember her name, though I heard it.
Two more times, Alexander calls vampires from the crowd, and I ignore the room. The excitement flares and the murmurs drone on and on, growing louder as Alexander pulls the final name.
He hums under his breath and taps his chin. “Uh-oh. It seems there was an error. Unfortunately, we can’t accept this entry. The requirements to participate in the lottery was at minimum one percent and this one’s ink is smudged. Because I can’t read it, it’s only fair that I pick someone who took care in filling out the form. It’s a shame too. I know my Ruby was fond of you, Mr. Noble.”
A deep growl reverberates through the room, and the spotlight cuts across the crowd and lands on Sawyer. “Are you fucking kidding me? You’re lying.”
“I’m afraid I’m not.” Alexander tosses the crumpled paper over his shoulder. “So, it looks like someone else will be lucky tonight. Congratulations to Richmond of the Mingo Hotel.”
“This is bullshit!” Sawyer yells, getting up from his chair. The crowd hums in anticipation, and the rest of Sawyer’s crew and even some other guys I’ve never seen get to their feet. “I won the lottery. You fucking purposely disqualified me.”
Alexander raises an eyebrow and claps his hands. “Security! Please escort Mr. Noble out.”
A few vampires blur through the room in his direction. Sawyer swings his fist, knocking a man away. Alexander growls and hops from the stage, flashing his fangs. His coven brothers materialize by his sides, and they face the Bella Crew straight on.
Alexander’s eyes flash silver. “If you don’t leave—”
One of the unfamiliar guys with Sawyer punches Alexander in the face, shutting him up. I stare in shock, watching as Alexander’s brother unsheathes a dagger and slices it so fast through the guy’s neck that I only realize what happens when his body falls and his head rolls.
“You have five seconds to take your allies and leave. If you do not, I will revoke the day your hotel has already earned through Mr. Monroe.” Alexander crosses his arms. “Do I make myself clear?”
