“Where do you think you’re going?”
I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. The voice seeped into my bones like a chill I couldn’t shake, bringing terror to my soul. I didn’t respond, but slipped out of my heels and ran as if my life depended on it. Because it did.
My fingers barely brushed the wrought iron handle of the front gate before I was tackled. A panicked shriek escaped my lips as Nicolae, Matei’s son and right-hand man, pinned me to the wet stones with his massive form. He grunted as he restrained me, his hands trapping mine like a vise even as I struggled.
“Quit struggling, bitch,” he snarled. I froze as his elbow dug into the back of my neck. The only sounds were my racing heartbeat,Nicolae’s heavy breathing, and the splash of Matei’s shoes as he approached.
“I thought you learned from your last escape attempt. Apparently, I was wrong.”
Matei gestured for Nicolae to let me up. I took a ragged breath as Nicolae’s weight lifted from my back and scrambled to my feet. Any thoughts of escaping evaporated, trapped between the massive forms of these monsters.
“You won’t hurt me. Not before the tsar gets me,” I whispered. It was my only saving grace, at least until Roman found a reason to return me.
Matei’s face twisted with rage, and he backhanded me hard enough that I fell back into Nicolae. A sharp pain shot through my cheek, especially where his family ring struck. I cowered into Nicolae and wiped the blood from my nose.
Matei leaned in close enough that his cologne choked out the crisp night air. His breath rolled across my cheeks, leaving a layer of grime. “I can’t wait until you fail. The tsar’s influence won’t help you then. I’ll swap you out for one of the others and finally be able to shut that fucking mouth of yours. I’ll break you piece by piece until all you know is the pain I inflict and your own screams.”
Chapter 4
ROMAN
“Remember, the Levis House holds the most wealth on the continent. We need Alexander’s support, and it was not easy for me to negotiate this meeting.”
I grimaced at Isabella as we made our way to the gilded steps of the Levis mansion, holding her arm in mine. I ignored the doorman in his overstuffed suit as he dipped into a bow and held the door open for us, his coattails sticking out nearly as far as my wings, and instead looked down at my companion. She scowled up at me in that way that made me feel inches tall even after all these years, though she barely reached my midsection.
“I understand, dear. But Alexander is the longest reigning count. To solidify our position, we need his backing,” she murmured before tilting her head to the doorman.
“Allow me to show you to the meeting chambers, Your Majesty,” the doorman said politely, moving to step in front of us.
“I know the way. Your assistance is unnecessary,” I responded. Of course I knew the way. Too many days of my childhood were spent walking through these halls. Though back then, I stayed hidden in the shadows with my head down. I was walking proudly now. Arm in arm with Isabella while carefully avoiding the edge of her skirts, I movedpast the doorman and into the mansion.
Soldiers flanked the walls in pompous golden suits of armor. The plumes of down off their helmets were intended to represent their beast form, the mighty lion, but I thought it made them look like ruffled chickens. Cautious of the listening ears, I chose my words carefully. “He is the count of tradition, Bells. What I present is progress. By our nature, we will not coincide.”
“Alexander doesn’t want to see a power vacuum any more than we do. He will see reason.” As we approached the overdecorated gilded double doors in front of us, she switched to mental communication.And you will behave.
I rolled my eyes at that. Dropping her arm, I clutched the handles, formed to mimic the open maws of lions, and yanked them open.
The only source of light came from a chandelier nearly as large as Alexander’s ego, flickering with candles burning low in their holders. The light bounced off the golden filigree on the walls like the swipe of claws. Thick red drapes covered the windows, blocking out the soft light of dusk and any chance of fresh air. This room was suffocating, as always, and stole the breath from my lungs.
You’ve got this,Isabella said. Easy for her to say, she had never been required to come here. I forced a heaved breath from my lips and plastered on a smile, finally taking in the table before me.
Enso and Sorin were already seated at the far end of the table, their black hair and suits a stark contrast to the sea of blond vampires surrounding them. As we entered, everyone stood. Alexander turned and dipped into a half bow. “Welcome, Your Highness.”
I tipped my head to him, taking off my hat and setting it on the table before holding the chair out for Isabella. I took my seat, and the rest of the table followed suit. In front of me was a teacup full of vampire wyne. My nose crinkled at the scent of blood and booze, andI pushed it out of my way before leaning forward. “Happy to be here, Alexander.”
“It is still a shock to see you in that seat instead of your father, Roman.” Alexander said, leaning back in his chair in the picture of relaxation.
The darkness inside me rolled down my bones and seeped into my joints like a liquid toxin burning me alive. Anger boiled to the surface at the sheer mention of the man who sired me. I let my eyes close, counting back from ten and choking back the rage that would ruin everything. We had worked too hard on this to let my temper destroy it all.
I reopened my eyes and smiled. “And yet, here I am. Let’s not discuss the past and instead discuss the present.”
“Ah yes, the issue of the throne. Your generals have been here for months convincing me to back your claim, yet all I see in front of me is a child barely weaned off his mother’s tit trying to fill daddy’s big shoes.”
Don’t do it.Isabella snapped, but it was too late. He had mentioned the one thing I couldn’t bear to hear—my mother.
Inky blackness erupted from me, spiraling around Alexander and his lieutenants like thorned vines. The flames in the sconces lining the walls danced in response to my power, then sputtered and died under the strain. The strength of an aura was indicative of the strength of the vampire, but even the strongest didn’t have a power like mine. Unnatural and evil—that’s what my power had always been. What my father, Tsar Leonidas, had called it. Only a monster would have power the color of midnight, thick enough to suffocate.
I stood, stalking across the space between us until I towered over Alexander. “The last man who spoke to me like that is six feet under, count. Would you care to join him?”
