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It’s the last thing we say before making our way to the entrance. He kicks at the dirt and balls his hands into fists. Every step we take, the anger rolls off of him more. Good. He’ll need that to get through these next several minutes. No matter how hard this is on me, it’s just as bad for him. Despite everything, I know Julian is struggling with what comes next for Marcellus. Good or bad, he’s still his brother.
When we get through the door, it’s a relief to find everything is progressing as expected. The place is packed with vampires currently perusing the selection. Apparently, the bidding hasn’t started yet.
I count twelve girls on the stage in gowns of all colors. Some hold their heads high, while others whimper and cower in fear. It wasn’t too long ago that I was on that very stage, but so much has changed in that time.
I’m stronger.
We meander through the throng of vampires and I shiver as I see the same creepy couple from my auction. Pure evil.
“Are you okay?” Maggie says, sliding up next to me. “This place is horrific.”
“It is,” I agree.
“Stay close to me,” Katina whispers. “I’ll try to mask your scent as we get into the fray, but it may be no use. Your scent is strong. It’ll be what gives us away.”
“Ever the optimist,” Maggie deadpans.
“Aww, you sweet human. Didn’t your sister warn you about me?”
“Not effectively,” Maggie retorts.
Katina nods her head, not saying a word. We make our way closer to the stage and not a single vampire seems to notice. Until one does.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Maggie is pulled from my grip and I swing around to find her in the clutches of a white-haired, red-eyed vampire. He sniffs a long line up the curve of her neck. Her eyes slam shut, and she sobs.
“Please,” she begs, but the vampire only cackles.
“Take your hands off her,” I grit through my clenched teeth.
“Human,” the vile creature hisses the word.
All eyes fly to us, confusion and interest on the vampires’ faces. I don’t have much time to act before chaos breaks out. Every vampire in the vicinity is closing in on us, curious as to what has this older vampire’s attention.
“Remove your paws from the lady,” Katina grits through her teeth, “or I’ll dismember you.”
The man bares his teeth and Katina acts, shoving the short man backward and effectively detaching Maggie from his hold.
Clutching Maggie’s hand, I head for the stage, while Katina wards off the probing auction attendees. None of them understand what transpired, which gives us a head start that I’m grateful for.
I take stock of where all the girls are positioned and wonder how I’m going to get them safely to the back door, considering the growing crowd moving our way.
Just before my foot lands on the bottom step, I’m grabbed from behind and whirled around. Ratilda glares down at me. “What do you think you’re doing?” she barks, glaring down at me. “You are a fool to have come back here.”
I rip my arm from her grip and stand on my toes so that we’re eye to eye.
“I’m here to stop this once and for all.”
She throws her head back and laughs maniacally. “You absolute fool. You’re human. I can break you in half with one hand.”
“Get away from her,” Maggie warns, drawing Ratilda’s attention toward her.
Her eyes narrow, looking back and forth between us.
“Twins,” she muses. “Interesting. He was right.”
Something is off. She doesn’t seem surprised by my being here.
