Page 5 of Hitched to the Vampire King
But I didn’t recognize him.
Not even a flicker of recognition.
I shot Adrian another glance to find that ever-present smirk still gracing his lips. He’d turned to face our visitor. “Ah. Just in time,” he said, his voice laced with a satisfaction that sent shivers down my spine. “I trust your trip was pleasant?”
“Pleasant enough, considering the circumstances,” the familiar voice replied, his eyes locked on Adrian. He hadn’t spared me even a single glance yet. Apparently, I wasn’t worth his time.
Brows creased, I replayed his words in my head. Iknewthis voice. I just couldn’t place it.
The stranger took the last step, coming to a stop next to Adrian. He towered over him by at least half a foot.
“I’m glad you could join us,” Adrian said. “Now that you’re here, we can dispose of this little problem of ours.”
The blond nodded, then flicked a glance at Gabriel. Disappointment flashed across his face, and his mouth flattened into a grim line. Then hefinallyturned to look at me. Those dark eyes captured mine and held them as he casually strolled across the room, his hands tucked behind his back.
“Ah, Maddie. It’s about time we finally met.”
My frown deepened. I lifted my chin and drew in a deep breath, but his scent told me nothing. Everything about him was unfamiliar—except his voice.
“Who are you?” I demanded, refusing to play nice.
His mouth twitched with what I assumed was humor. He closed the remaining distance between us and leaned against the cage. This close, I could reach through the bars and rip his head clean off. Yet he seemed utterly unafraid of me.
“Yeah, I suppose you wouldn’t know me. We’ve spoken, but never really met.”
I canted my head and studied his face, memorizing his features.
“I guess it’s time to rectify that. Allow me to formally introduce myself. I’m Elias.”
The name hit me like a punch to the gut.
Elias.
Memories of all our phone calls came rushing back, and my stomach dropped. Gabriel had assured me we could trust his brother, that their bond was unbreakable, that Elias would never do anything to harm us. Yet, here he stood, next to Adrian, the one man I wanted dead most in the world.
Wet heat pricked my eyes, and I had to turn away before my tears fell. I refused to let them see how this surprise affected me. I’d trusted him.Gabrielhad trusted him.
“Yes, I’d imagine this is a bit of a shock,” Elias commented, his voice calm, almost teasing.
“Why?” I demanded, grateful that my tone didn’t waiver.
“Why what?”
I whirled around, anger replacing my tears. “Why betray your brother like this?”
Elias snapped to attention, the humor vanishing from his face in the blink of an eye. “Betrayhim? Oh, Maddie, I don’t know what stories my dear brother has been regaling you with, buthebetrayedme.He murdered our mother and stole my throne. Don’t pretend like you’re shocked. You’re not stupid, nor naïve.”
A fresh wave of rage surged through me, one tainted by a simultaneous sense of defeat. This would devastate Gabriel. He loved his brother.
I shook my head and turned my back on him again. I couldn’t look at him. “Let me guess. You’re the person we’ve been waiting for? The mysterioushimeveryone kept talking about.”
“Mysterious?” he chuckled. “Hmm. I quite like that. Nothing mysterious about me, I’m afraid. It just took me a little longer to get here than anticipated. Traveling internationally can be challenging for the sun-averse.”
“And now that you’re here?” I demanded.
Movement had me turning to find Elias strolling toward Gabriel’s cage. He stared down at his brother, his face devoid of any emotion.
“I needed to be here for this,” Elias murmured. “Regardless of what he’s done, he’s still my brother.” He lifted his head and caught my gaze. “I wanted to be here to watch him die.”
