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Grabbing a fabric bag, she pulls it over my head. She takes me away.
Chapter 23
HAYLEY
Power Struggle
“WHERE ARE THEY?” Alexander hollers, getting into Sawyer’s face. “Tell me where the fuck my Gemstones are!”
Scowling, Sawyer spits blood in Alexander’s face. He hasn’t said a single word despite Alexander’s effort to break him.
“Enough. You promised the leadership a show, and it will not be as entertaining without Mr. Noble.” This comes from the woman, Narcisa, who I think is the only female on the La Vega Leadership. I can’t help wondering where she came from. I’ve never seen her except for maybe one time. I didn’t know she was part of those ruling La Vega.
“I can still give you an incredible show of power even without him. He stole something precious to me, and I need them. They’re my greatest, most profitable asset.” Swinging his fist, Alexander punches Sawyer again.
“Stop it!” I scream, tugging against the chain around my neck. “It was Lawrence. He was the one who wanted to take the performers back to The Whiskey. He knows the value of a good show. You should fucking beat it out of him and not Sawyer. He even brought three other vampires with him.”
Lawrence snarls and tries to fly at me, but his restraints keep them in place. We’re backstage at the club, and I listen to a dozen people get the place ready for the fight. At least, that’s what I think it is. I know Alexander wants to prove to Narcisa that I’m more than just a donor.
I swear. The second I’m free, they’re going to regret it.
“You bitch!” Lawrence manages to break the chain, and it takes both Alexander and Narcisa to grab and restrain him before he murders me.
“Save it for the ring, Lawrence. You’ll have plenty of time to prove how truly powerful you are. You’ll be fighting against my baby doll.” Alexander grins wider, his fangs protruding with his desire for blood and death.
Holy fuck. He’s putting me in the ring against Lawrence? Is he fucking kidding me?
“How is that fair? Put me in instead.” Sawyer stands as tall as he can, the chains forcing him to hunch down because they’re intended for those of average height.
“Oh, you will be. All of you will be put to the test. The last one standing gets to live as my servant.” Alexander wags his finger. “Except for Hayley. I haven’t decided what to do with her yet. I might leave it up to the leadership to prove my loyalty.”
“You could save everyone the trouble and just figure it out now instead of forcing her to fight. You know she could be killed. How is that useful?” Knox sits on the ground in defeat. It’s only because he’s been severely beaten already. I hate seeing him like this. I have the urge to rip open my own throat in hope that I can fling enough blood his way to help him heal.
But I can’t. They have me restrained the tightest. My ankles, wrists, and neck are all bound. It’s as if they think that I’m some monstrous, powerful opponent. Maybe sometimes. But right now? I feel weak and hopeless.
“He has a rather good point, Alex.” Narcisa flies across the room to me and touches my chin. She moves my head from side to side, staring into my gaze. Her eyes spark silver, and a dozen questions flit through her expression. She’s far more curious than she lets on, and I know she’d prefer to just kidnap me herself. But her leadership role stops her. Unlike Alexander, she seems like the type to lead by example instead of telling everybody to do as they say and not as they do.
“This is the best way. Because if she’s weak, then she’s useless. You’ll see. Lawrence has assured me she can and will defeat quite a few powerful vampires. She’s not going to have a choice. It’ll be her human instincts and need to survive that will unleash her dhampir nature.” Alexander materializes next to Narcisa and touches her on her lower back, forcing her away from me by encouraging her to walk with him.
“Then let’s get on with it. The leadership is waiting, and they’re growing impatient. You can find your donors later. What’s important is we handle the situation before it gets out of control. Word on the Strip says some of the crews are planning an attack. It’s not in our best interest to stay gathered here, especially when I don’t trust your unreliable security.” Narcisa flips her hair over her shoulder, strutting ahead of Alexander so he can’t touch her any longer. “The members of the Bella Crew will try to take us down, considering their attempt to pit us against each other failed...at least for now.”
I turn my gaze to Sawyer, and the expression he gives me speaks volumes. He smirks despite everything, and I realize I thought wrong. Walcott and Govan wouldn’t turn against Sawyer, Knox, and Monroe. Of course, they wouldn’t. They have a strategy in place. It’s why no one gave a huge fight. The Bella Crew is strategic and smart...
Alexander spins around and claps his hands. “Forever. This ends here.” Stopping to glower at my guys, he adds, “I have a few surprises in store for all of you traitors. This is going to be fantastic. Let the blood wrestling begin!”
The curtain parts away, revealing the crowded club. It’s as if the leadership brought all of their personal security along with every member of their covens. I even think some of the other ruling covens that were invited brought a couple of people. This is absolute bullshit. They can’t make us fight. If I can just survive Lawrence, they will see.
“Good evening, La Vega!” Alexander puts on his emcee smile and swivels around until one of the spotlights lands on him. The rest of the stage lights aglow, and I gawk at the fighting ring. In the middle is one of the swinging performance poles. It’s as if he wants to encourage me to do some of my acrobatic moves. I don’t know if he’s trying to give me an advantage because he wants Lawrence dead or what, but I’m not even sure what I should do. This is so twisted.
“You’re one of my greatest regrets, Hayley,” Lawrence mutters as one of the stagehands jabs him with an electric pole. I think it might have once been used for animals, but they keep shocking him until he finally shuffles toward the ring.
“Welcome to this special event. We have an extravagant performance for you tonight. Have you ever wanted to see one of the back-world’s most powerful vampires fight a donor?” Alexander motions to Lawrence. “And not just any donor, but my own baby doll. But let me tell you. She’s not ordinary. I created her myself, and she’ll be what helps us rise as a city. Along with the festivities tonight, I’ll be giving you all a chance to claim a brand-new position on the leadership council. How does that sound?”
Murmurs break out from the crowd, and I squint through the lights, seeing the confused expressions crossing the faces of the vampires in the front row. They must make up the leadership.
“There is no position available,” one of the men says.
Alexander tips his head back and laughs before zooming in his direction. No one even gets a chance to do anything as Alexander swings a short sword and decapitates the guy, sending his head rolling.
