AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She was his first. Yes. But after she and I met, it was obvious we had the mate connection. He killed her for it, though he’ll never confess. But he was the only one who could’ve done it.” Stark stared deeply into my eyes, his expression pleading. “Masie, I know you are not Anna. As painful as the realization is, I have come to accept that I merely hoped and wished it. But after speaking at length with your father, whom I’ve come to trust and depend on like a true friend, I see now I was wrong. Anna isn’t coming back.”
The subtle pain in his eyes was genuine, and I found myself feeling sorry for the man, but that wasn’t going to excuse Stark’s other lies and omissions, nor would it help my predicament.
“I have to go; Lazlo’s waiting. But why don’t you find Fiona? I’m sure you’ll be happy together.”
“No, we won’t, and I will tell you the same thing I told her last night: I loveyou, Masie. Not because I believed you were Anna, but because you are not. She could never rise above her darkness like you have. She suffered endlessly because of it. You are happy despite every turn life has given you.”
My heart skipped a beat. He loved me? We hardly knew each other.
He pressed his lips to mine. They were warm and soft, and like the last time, I felt myself drawn in. Then I remembered I had to think of Maybell.
I pushed him off. “No.”
“Masie!” Lazlo appeared at the end of the hallway, spotting his guard on the floor. His gray eyes moved to Stark. “Let her go, Montgomery. She is mine now.”
Stark ignored him. “Masie, I can protect you. Just trust me. Please.”
I didn’t know what to do. Part of me believed him because he spoke the truth about saving my life, and he hadn’t ever hurt me. Not physically, anyway. I couldn’t say the same for Lazlo. Of course, none of that mattered if I lost my sister.
My eyes teared. “Sorry, Stark, but I have a speech to give.”
I walked toward my husband and out into the smokey room.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I stood on the platform in front of a few hundred vampires who looked like they wanted to break my neck. Well, not all of them. Lazlo was by my side, chin held high like a doting, proud husband wanting to show off his new wife.
And then there was Stark, who stood at the front of the crowd a few feet away. His pale blue-green eyes were locked on my face with a sorrow that drilled through my heart. I knew he was silently praying for me to change my mind and trust him over obeying Lazlo.
A man with ankle-length black hair, wearing a white suit, came up on the platform. “Esteemed guests, thank you for coming on such short notice to attend this emergency session of the Party’s council. As you know, I, Lord Bleyer the Second, have been issued a challenge for my seat.” He turned to face Lazlo. “I have received sworn statements from the Tennessee Vampire Co-op, stating that they have personally witnessed your wife pass several tests while in the home of Montgomery Stark.”
“Yes. This is correct,” Lazlo said.
Lord Bleyer II turned to face Stark, raising his voice. “Do you concur, Montgomery Stark?”
“I do,” Stark replied.
“Then we will proceed with the final test to prove if Masie Kicklighter—”
“Excuse me, sir,” Lazlo chimed in. “She is my wife.”
“Yes. My apologies,” said Lord Bleyer II. “MasieStark.”
I looked at Stark and then at Lazlo. “Stark?”
“Montgomery is my brother,” Lazlo replied.
Like a deer in headlights, my eyes went wide, and my gaze whipped to Montgomery Stark. Why hadn’t he told me?
Instantly, their animosity made perfect sense. Rivalry between jealous men was one thing, but between brothers?Vampirebrothers?
A cockfight for the history books.
I continued looking at Montgomery, whose expression offered nothing in the way of apologies for yet another grand omission.Rackin’ up them points, Stark.
Lord Bleyer II continued, “Masie Stark, you are claiming to be the reincarnation of Queen Anna Trehueger Stark.”
Did he say Treehugger?That was her maiden name? If yes, how could anyone believe I was Anna’s reincarnation? Don’t get me wrong. I loved trees. We Kicklighters believed in taking care of nature so it would take care of us. But we didn’t believe in snuggling with our firewood.
