Aden stood. Almost fell, but managed to limp over. Grinning, he opened his ring. Payback. Je la nune spilled over Sorins neck, and his skin sizzled open, blood welling. Aden was careful not to splash the baby beast, who was watching him through starving, savage eyes.
While Sorin grunted from pain, Aden reached out and petted thehisbeast. Good boy, he said, scrambling for a name. Chompers Jr., maybe. Junior for short. Yeah, that worked.
Lips pulled back from sharpened teeth as the creature growled at him. Chompers and the others purred when he petted them. Oh, well. At least Junior didnt release Sorin and snap at Aden.
Aden turned his attention to his opponent and bit hard, sucking back mouthful after mouthful of blood and loving every moment of it. Tasted just like Victorias, just as hed suspected it would. He might never stop, might take every drop, needed every drop. And wouldnt you know it, his beast purred about that, as if he could taste the blood, too.
Maybe he could. Junior released Sorin and joined Aden, drinking at Sorins neck. Sorin bucked once, twice, before stilling.
We have to stop. If we dont, Sorin will die. He doesnt need to die. Youve won.
Elijah again.
Ignored again.
No, he couldnt ignore the soul. Not this time. The outcome. Important. Victoria. Hate him. Love him. The words sliced through the bloodlust and Aden jolted upright, warmth fizzing over him as if he were showering in soda. Already his wounds were knitting back together. He reached out to Junior, but the little guy snarled at him before shaking Sorins neck like a dog with a bone.
Youll have to wrestle him.
Great. Another fight. Aden dove for him, knocking him down, away from the body and the blood. Wings flapped frantically, and those saber teeth made a play for his face.
A few of Sorins warriors rushed forward, clearly intending to help their lord, who lay on his back, as motionless as the dead. Dont, Aden shouted as he struggled to subdue the creature, and they froze. Leave, everyone leave. Last thing he needed was for Junior to hurt someone else. Or to be hurt. And no fighting, or I swear Ill release this one and end you all. Youll wait inside.
Several pounding heartbeats of time passed before footsteps reverberated. Murmurs echoed. Then, only the three of them were left. Sorin, the struggling Junior and Aden. He was surprised at how easily the vampires and wolves had obeyed.
A long while passed like that, so long that the rain stopped. So long that Sorin healed enough to awaken and sit up.
The warrior shook his head, as if clearing cobwebs from his thoughts, then zeroed in on Aden. He could have stood and attacked, but he didnt. Hed lost. He knew it. Everyone knew it. He watched Aden through narrowed eyes.
Youre not human, the warrior accused.
Not anymore. Hell, maybe not ever. Along with a beast of his own, he now had the vampire voice and skin. Made him wonder what else had changedwhat else he could do.
Miracle of miracles, Junior stilled. He was panting through thick, black nostrils. Aden continued to hold him, cooing soothingly. His eyelids gradually closed, and surprise surprise, Junior had long, curling eyelashes. He appeared almostcuddly.
Soon his big body went lax, and the panting became snoring. Still Aden held on, not knowing what else to do, knowing only that the beast could awaken any second, start combating him again, and if he wasnt prepared, hed be blood-buttered toast.
Then Juniors body began to fade, fade, until Aden was utterly saturated by the same sizzling black mist that had left him earlier. He sat up, the mist seeping into his pores, his bones, heating him into a high output furnace.
Weirdest. Thing. Ever. His brain basically scrambled with bewilderment. That wasthat had beenhe had no words.
Sorin was unfazed. By the way, my beast is bigger than yours.
Not for long. Did you see the size of my guys feet?
Massive arms crossed over a massive chest. Forget the beasts. Ive got a few things on my mind, Haden Stone.
Hearing his full name always gave him pause. Like the fact that you want another go at me? Well, come on. Lets get this over with. Because I am not going to let you come back for seconds at a later date. You either serve me now, or you die now. Those are your only two options.
I wasnt thinking of attacking, the warrior said, standing carefully. He wobbled on his feet, walked over and held out a hand. I was thinking I will never live this down. I was thinking we should have fought with swords. I was thinkingI want to help you up. King. O-kay. This was officially the weirdest thing. A turn of events he never could have predicted. A turn of events Elijah hadnt predicted. Made him terribly uneasy, but he was too fatigued to argue.
Thanks. Aden didnt trust the man, but he slapped their palms together anyway.
SIXTEEN
THE VICTORY CELEBRATION was in full swing before Aden and Sorin entered the house. Goblets of blood had been given to each of the vampires, and glasses of wine to each of the wolves and humans. Laughter abounded. The king had proven his strength and cunning, after all, and the people here had followed him wisely.
Whispered theories abounded, too, everyone wondering how a human had finally turned into a vampire, and if other humans could now be turned.
We havent tried a turning in so long, the circumstances that prevented our success could have altered.
But what were those circumstances? Weve never known.
Could have been our blood. Or theirs.
Id love to run some tests and find out.
Yes, but will the new king allow it?
No one seemed to mind their cold, wet robe or sopping hair, yet Victoria couldnt stop shivering. Her teeth were chattering so vigorously, she feared everyone in the massive ballroom could hear them over the angelic hum of the harp.
Stupid human skin.
As she claimed a goblet of blood for herself, determined to feed the still-weakening Chompers even if the thought of drinking blood currently upset her stomach anew, she panned her surroundings. The marbled floor, the glass walls, the columns stretching to a web of crystals on the ceiling.
In the center of that web was a glittering chandelier in the shape of a spider, eight legs seeming to move from one corner of the room to another. A lovely space, if you liked a darker, almost gothic atmosphere. She preferred colors and always had. Pink, yellow, blue. Even white. Anything but the black her father had always insisted upon.
Perpetuate the myths, hed said, and the humans will never take you seriously. They will always underestimate your strength.
She had been half awed and half horrified by her father. But shed always assumed Sorin adored him utterly. Why hadntdidnthe?
Sorin. He was a puzzle to her, the pieces so scattered she wasnt sure she would ever be able to find them and put them together. And Aden, well, he had won a fight against a seasoned warrior.
Even more shocking, no one here had hindered him or helped Sorinif she didnt count Lauren and Stephanie, who were watching the doors for Sorin, and after yesterday, she didnt count them. More than that, Aden had a beast and the skin of a vampire. Her skin.
How much more had they traded?
Shed lost her ability to compel humans with her voice. Shed lost her ability to teleport. Aden could do one, which meant he could probably do the other. And what about her lightning quick speed? Hed moved so swiftly in that ring. Swifter than ever before. What about her strength? Only weeks ago, she had jerked a tree out of the ground with her bare hands, roots and all.
Just then, she wasnt sure she was capable of lifting her hair out of her face.
Would she still have saved Aden if shed known this would happen?
The answer came in an instant. Yes. Yes, she would have. She would have given up more.
You just might have to, she thought.
Her hand shook as she brought her goblet to her lips and sipped. The blood was thick, cooling and had a metallic taste that left her grimacing. Ick. What she wouldnt give for asandwich. Yes, thats what those things were called. Thin slices of meat stuffed between bread and slathered with something thick and white. Her mouth watered at the same time her stomach growled.
Soon she would have to sneak back to the slave quarters. Very, very soon.
V-V-Victoria! a male called over the noise.
She spun, and there, in the far corner, was Shannon, the speaker, with Seth and Ryder beside him. Two of her brothers soldiers were perched at their sides, expressions foreboding.
How could she have forgotten that the boys had been taken, bound?
She placed her goblet on a passing tray and stalked forward.
V-Victoria, Shannon said again, his stutter more pronounced than usual. Do s-something. P-please.
Their gazes met for the briefest of moments, the green of his eyes almost fever bright. His mocha skin had dulled, yet he was no less beautiful. More so than even a lot of the vampires here. He was tall and naturally strong, and when he smiled, his straight white teeth on display, he was a diamond among zirconium. Shed always liked him.
He was in the center of the group, and though he stood straight and proud, his pinky was curled into Ryders, as if the other boy was his rock, his comfort. Or perhaps he was Ryders rock, as the usually tanned boy was currently colored a faint shade of green.
Seth was waving and grinning at someone over Victorias shoulder. He even did the universal sign for call me.
Victoria looked the guards over, taking their measure. They lost their air of menace and smiled at her. Well, their version of a smile, anyway. They bared their fangs, their lips peeling back so much that she saw gums.
Both had razored haircuts and thin scars on their cheeks. Scars. How novel. How had they gotten them? The same way Riley had gotten the bump in his nose? Through repeated injury? And would she soon be covered in scars? If so, would Aden still think her beautiful?
Dont worry about that right now. She might fall into a spiral of depression. But then again, depression might help her feel normal again.
Concentrate. Right. Despite the smiles, the one on the right looked like he enjoyed shards of glass and kittens for breakfast. The one on the left looked like he enjoyed just the glass shards, so shed take her chances with him.
Youre in good spirits, considering your leader just lost his chance to rule, she announced.
One of his brows arched, nearly knitting into his hairline. Who said he lost?
An unexpected response. Me. Aden, Im sure. Everyone here, definitely. You did notice the party, didnt you?
He shook his head, a little shell-shocked, as if her literal interpretation of his question threw him for a loop. He shared a glance with his friend before saying, No, I mean, perhaps he only wished to test your Adens mettle.
Oh, please. What a wonderful way to cover the sting of a loss.
A shrug of wide shoulders, reminding her very much of her brother. How long had the warriors been together? Think whatever you wish. It will not change the facts.
What facts? So he threw the fight and allowed him self to become the indentured servant of the new king?
He would never throw a fight. Your brother is a good man, Princess Victoria. His goal has always been, and will always be, freedom for us all.
People were staring at them, listening unabashedly. So, all right, then. Pleasantries were over, and a debate was not happening. Release the boys. Now. Or Ill be forced to
Of course. Youll be happy to note they are in the same condition as when we took them, and no worse for wear.
She folded her arms over her middle. And the bruises on their wrists? The ones from the rope you used on them?
Im positive they had those already, the other kitten-eating guard said.
Both men actually stepped aside, practically gift wrapping the boys for her. Too easy, she thought, mouth opening and closing as she floundered for a response.
Shannon and Ryder did not falter. They grabbed her hands and tugged her away. Shannon also latched onto Seth to propel him into motion. Midway, when her neurons began firing again, she took the lead. Where to take them, where to take them?
An older female vampire stepped in front of her. Older, but no less beautiful for it. Smooth skin, elegant features. I wish to speak with you, princess. Gray eyes slid over the boys as a pink tongue ran over sharp white fangs. How much for the tattooed one?
Hes not for sale, she said at the same time Seth, the tattooed one, said, What did you have in mind?
With an I-mean-business frown, Victoria slapped the back of his head. Not another word from you.
Ow! He glared at her. What was that for?
Hes not for sale, she repeated to the vampire. For any price.
The female pouted. Youre sure?
Yes.
That gray gaze switched focus, landing on Shannon. What about the
None of them are for sale. Blood-slaves were traded all the time. For money, for clothes. For fun. Once that hadnt bothered her, but the thought of these boys, so like Aden, being passed around like bags of potato chips did not settle well with her. Such a pity. The female tossed her rope of blond hair over her shoulder before gliding away.
Victoria was stopped three more times with different offers to buy the humans before she at last ushered her charges through one of the many secret passages at the far end of the room. Secret, even though everyone knew about them.
This one opened into a small room that looked into the ballroom with two-way glass. Of course a young vampire couple writhed on the couch, and Victoria had to clear her throat to gain their attention. They sprang apart, both of them blushing as they righted their clothes.
Uh, hello, princess, what are you the male began.
Out, she said, and the pair scrambled to obey. She shut the door behind them. Squaring her shoulders, she turned to face the humans with the eagerness of a firing squad. You have questions, Im sure.