Vampires flood the walkway below. Bloodbags appear in a small group near the private entrance to their basement rooms. Bats squeak and flutter down into the light, seeming to catch on to the imminent celebration. I see Darius wander out ahead of the crowd with a victorious stride as he approaches his brother.
He grabs Quinn’s hand, takes Tessa’s hand, and raises both hands into the air. “King Marr is dead! Nightworth, greet your champions!”
A magnificent roar bellows from below. The energy alone swells up, infecting me with a sense of triumph. Despite the horror of my discovery in the medical wing, I’m swept up in the celebration as easily as anyone else. Tears prick my eyes. The nightmares can finally stop.
Tessa has always done her best to protect me and my sister. With Seline in the ground, I’m all she has left as far as family. She kept her promise. She’s keeping it now.
My jaw aches as I grit my teeth.
May King Marr rot wherever he is for the crimes he’s committed.
Darius hugs his brother to his side. He leans down. He whispers quickly in his brother’s ear. Quinn looks pressed yet keeps his expression under control. Tessa appears curious as she continues speaking with soldiers, servants, bloodbags, and visitors. Even Drake and Morgana are on the edge of the crowd wearing glowing smiles.
A light breeze kisses my cheek. I turn away from the circular driveway and quietly shut the doors. The cool door meets my forehead as I rest against it, trying to think of a plan. Now that my sister is officially a vampire, she’ll probably have an important post.
I don’t know what’s going to happen to me. I don’t know what Iwantto happen.
That nurse said I could decide. Could it really be that easy? And can I just make a decision without Darius finding out?
No, that’s not possible in such a kingdom. While conditions are much better here for bloodbags, we’re still humans in station and that means we’re always considered beneath vampires. No matter where we go, this simple fact will remain true.
Jasper would take care of me.
He isn’t much to look at, sure, but he’s free of King Marr’s grasp now. He won’t be chained to the requirements of the court. As soon as my contract ends here, I could just go back and—
“I told you not to think of him anymore.”
The sound of that baritone voice makes me jump. I spring back from the balcony doors and stumble toward the bed, grabbing a robe to cover my flowing skirt and blouse. Darius towers in the doorway with his hands in his pockets and his shoulders touching either side of the doorframe.
I suck in a gulp of air and shiver. “I thought I told you not to sneak up on me.”
“You weren’t at court.”
“I got sick. I couldn’t make it.”
He frowns. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I couldn’t exactly go in there while vomiting, could I?”
He takes a large step into my bedroom. “You know precisely what I’m asking, little viper.”
“Vanessa was going to tell you but—”
“But?”
I’m staring him down, trying to will him to stay across the room and away from the pulsing in my gut. I cover my stomach with both hands and back up until I hit the wall. He dashes across the room and corners me, keeping me in place with his presence alone.
His eyes narrow. His nostrils flare. He glances at my hands, avoiding my eyes.
He knows.
And now that he knows, he’s going to do something about it, isn’t he? Because he’s a Rodin. Because he’s a selfish bastard who just needed me for his research. He killed Seline, yet Tessa forced me to be his temporary bloodbag, and Quinn told me I had to be his assistant. Did they scheme this entire thing? Is Tessa getting protection by throwing me under the bus?
I can barely contain my anger. It thickens as it swirls in my core, shifting into blackened smoke that blocks everything else out.
Darius touches my shoulders. The digits are cold from not feeding, yet warmth emanates from his palms. I’m confused and comforted and irritated by the gesture as he bows slightly to meet my gaze.
“They accepted me,” he whispers. “The Historical Society has added me to Drake’s supernatural sciences branch based on my research and experience.”