Fine. Well solve the mystery from here, Penny said, unable to hide her disappointment. Detective Hot Pants reporting for duty.
Good. Welcome to the team. Kind of.
Except, only a few minutes later, Penny grumbled, This sucks. Im officially bored. Theyre still having fun, and were still sitting here watching.
Sorry. Five minutes, and then well head home. I promise. So far, shed learned nothing new.
Crap! Did the witch come here every night? Was there a party every night? If so, shed have to nab the woman in front of a thousand potential witnesses.
So what was the best way to abduct someone from this crowded a place? she wondered. The answers slid into place as easily as if shed been a criminal her entire life. First order of business would be noise control. A scream would draw all kinds of notice.
Second order of business would be carrying the resistant or unconscious body through the masses. Again, without drawing all kinds of notice. Third order would be storing their cargo after the kidnapping.
As her mind pondered the options and subsequent consequences, a stream of something warm rushed through Mary Ann. Her skin tingled, and her stomach growled. In seconds, that something soothed her, intensifying the tingle yet chasing the growl away, and she savored the sensations, wanting more, needing more, warm, so warm. Frowning, she pulled herself from her thoughts. What the
The witch was striding toward Pennys car, she realized, her steps intent.
Go, she shouted, slapping the dashboard. Go now!
What? Why?
Move!
Penny threw the car in Reverse and stepped on the gas. Tires screeched. Gravel sprayed. The car snaked a corner, and Mary Ann thudded against her window. They straightened out, speeding down the road, the crowded square soon becoming a distant speck in the rearview mirror.
Only problem? Two wolves were now running alongside themand neither was Riley. One had white fur, like snow, and the other brown and red. Friends? Enemies? There was no time to reason it out. The farther down the road they went, the farther away the wolves edged from the car. Finally, Mary Ann couldnt see them at all.
Okay. What was that about? Penny demanded, out of breath though theyd done nothing physical.
II dont know, she lied. Damn it! Had she blown everything? Probably. Now the witches knew shed been there, watching. What was the chance the witch would return tomorrow?
She sighed, trying not to despair. Guess shed find out. After she told Riley, Aden and Victoria what shed done and they lectured her for her stupidity, of course.
Penny was right. This sucked.
NINE
WITH HER HEAD HELD HIGH, Victoria led Aden down a longlongline of richly dressed vampires. He saw black velvet robes draping the females, jewels of every color sewn into the fabric, and silk shirts and pants on the men. There was a sweet perfume coating the air, a scent that thickened as he made his way up a dais, where a throne of the deepest ebony rested. A scent that thankfully canceled out his perfume.
Weird symbols were etched over every inch of the throne, symbols that seemed to hum with power, enveloping him as he sat, then holding him in place as if manacles encircled his wrists and ankles.
Victoria placed herself at his right and Riley his left, and the line started moving forward. Introduction after introduction was made. Male, female, young, old. Too many names and faces to remember, especially in his current, foggy condition.
Some regarded him hopefully, some with disdain. Some looked past him to the large tapestry that hung along the wall. He didnt have to turn to know what image was woven there; it was burned into his mind forever. In it, Vlad the Impaler viciously fought an angry, determined mob. They had pitchforks; he had a bloody sword. At his sides were countless pikeseach with a human head perched at the top. Was that what these vampires would expect from Aden?
Most likely. He should care, he thought. Just then, he cared about nothing.
As the introductions continued, he found himself tuning out the voices and studying his surroundings. Even without Elijah, Julian and Caleb tossing out their opinions about everything every few seconds, Aden was still distracted, unable to concentrate. A long red carpet stretched from the dais to the front double doors. The same swirling symbols that decorated the throne also decorated the carpet.
There were no lamps present, only elaborate candela-bras that produced flickering golden flames and ribbons of black smoke. On each side of the room were, strangely enough, stone stepsor bleachersbroken only by the four round columns stretching to the domed ceiling. They led to a platform where uniformed guards stood, swords strapped to their sides.
Humans sat on the steps. He knew they were humans because their skin ranged in color, from slightly tanned to darkest of mocha. Plus, their facial features lacked the perfection of the vampires. They, too, wore robes, though theirs were bereft of both jewels and sleeves. Easier access to their pulse points that way, Aden supposed. And he didnt have to ask them if they wanted to be here. They were watching the vamps with unabashed longing in their eyes.
Blood-slaves, he thought then. Victoria had once told him that humans quickly became addicted to a vampires bite. Aden hadnt believed her at the time. He believed her now. Since then, shed bitten him twice and each time had beenheaven. Her teeth produced some sort of chemical or drug that numbed a humans skin, then sweetly burned their blood.
And finally, Victoria said from beside him, returning his thoughts to the present, Im pleased to introduce you to my sisters.
Theyd reached the end of the line already? How long had he been casing the room?
The first, she continued, is the Princess Stephanie.
A beautiful blonde stepped forward and inclined her head in greeting. Like the others, she wore a robe. Until she reached up and pushed the material from her shoulders, and the thing whooshed to the floor, pooling at her feet. She lifted her chin, practically daring him to object. At least shed had clothing on underneath the robe. Now she wore a black T-shirt with a jewel-studded rainbow in the centerthe makeup on her face matched perfectlyas well as black jeans and bright red boots that hit her knees.
When he said nothing about her wardrobe switch, she relaxed.
As she chewed her gum, her green gaze roved over him. Cute, she announced. And oh, baby doll, you do give off a powerful vibe, dont you? Makes me want to touch you.
With your teeth, Id bet. Uh, thank you, he said. Everyone else had said only My king or nothing at all. Well, the ones he remembered. Please dont be offended, but Im asking that younot.
She grinned, as noncommittal as possible. So youre the one who defeated Dmitri, huh?
Looks like. While fists had pounded and blades had slashed, he hadnt known this was what awaited him if he succeeded. If he had No, he thought then. No matter what, he would have done what hed done. His instincts had taken over, and hed wanted only to eliminate the person who had hoped to eliminate Riley and Mary Ann. And okay, fine, hed also wanted to destroy the guy who planned to marry Victoria.
Stephanie arched a brow. So how do you expect to rule us, human boy?
Human boy. He shrugged; hed been called worse. I honestly dont know.
She offered him another grin. Honesty. I like that. Its different.
Vlad had lied to his daughters? About what?
So, listen, she said. Id really love totoast your victory. What do you say we
Victoria stiffened, even grabbed his arms in a protective gesture. Riley, who stood at his other side, merely chuckled.
We do not drink from our king, Victoria said stiffly.
What? Shed planned to toast his victory by using his neck as a juice box?
Stephanie tossed up her arms. Ever?
Correct, Riley said.
Scarlet lips turned down, the lower one sticking slightly out. Her shoulders sagged. Fine, then, but I have other questions for our future king. Like
Now isnt the time for that, and you know it, Riley interjected gently. Later, princess.
A moment passed in silence. Then another, Fine. But I will ask my questions soon. Theyre important.
Riley didnt back down. Im sure they are. As for now, goodbye.
In a huff, Stephanie picked up her discarded robe, swung around and stomped out of the room. A door slammed.
Only one person remained in the line. The other sister, he thought, her delicate face somehow familiar to him.
Victoria motioned her forward. This is the Princess Lauren.
The cool blonde with the crystal eyes inclined her head in greeting. Like Stephanie, she had ditched the traditional robe. Unlike Stephanie, she wore a skintight black leather half top and matching pants. She had real barbed wire wrapped around her wrists and weapons strapped all over her body.
So you are Aden Stone, the human Ive heard so much about. I admit theres a draw to you, as Stephanie said, but youre nothing like my father.
He inclined his head in acknowledgment. Thank you.
That wasnt a compliment, you idiot!
He shrugged. She said tomato; he said suck it.
Her eyes narrowed. Like my little sister, I have questions, human. Unlike my sister, I expect, no, I demand answers this night.
King, Riley snapped at her. My king. Thats how you will address him from this moment on.
Her chin rose, though she never removed her attention from Aden. In thirteen days, Ill call him king. Until then
For a moment, Aden thought she might be considering unsheathing one of her blades and tossing it at his heart, and a cold sweat broke out over his skin. Not a stabbing. Not again.
But she remained in place and said, Besides, I havent decided to follow him.
Riley descended the dais to stand just in front of her, nose-to-nose. Is that a challenge?
Above, the guards with the swords appeared ready to pounce. On Aden, Riley or Lauren, he wasnt sure. Enough, Aden said, not knowing what else to do. I am not king. I dont want to be king. But something had to be done. Well argue about this later. As for now, glad as I am to meet a member of Victorias family, the introductions are over. You may go. Did that sound kingly enough?
Surprisingly, yes. With a stiff nod and murderous glare, Lauren spun on her heel and stalked from the chamber. Once again, the door slammed shut. He noticed the humans were gone, too. Hed never heard them leave, but theyd somehow silently melted away.
What now? he asked, standing. Dizziness swept through him, and he had to grip the throne arm to remain upright. Just how long had he been sitting down?
Theres a reception in your honor. Victoria smoothed the hair from his brow, the caress gentle, warm. Are you all right?
No. Yes. Maybe. What time is it?
Almost three.
Hed been here for four hours, then. And in three more hours, he would have to wake up to get ready for school. I have to return to the ranch soon. Weve got school tomorrow, and I cant miss again. He knew she could fix things with her voice, making everyone think he was there when he wasnt, but he wanted to go. Hed had to fight to be able to attend, and he wasnt going to waste the opportunity to learn, to better himself.
Yeah, hed probably sleep through every class, because even now, he fought a yawn, but hed still go. Maybe the lessons would sink into his subconscious.
Just a little while longer, then Ill take you home. Her palms flattened on his shoulders before sliding around to cup the back of his neck. She pressed herself against him. I promise.
Did she plan to kiss him? Theyd kissed before, but only gently, and not for nearly long enough. Hed wanted more then and despite his condition, he knew hed want more now. Hed want her tongue, her taste and her teeth.
A minute ticked by, then another, but she merely held him. He tried not to wallow in disappointment. At least he cared about something now, he mused.
This whole place is a stereotype, you know that? he said in an attempt to distract himself. All this black. The robes. The creep factor.
Father loved stereotypes. Loved playing to them.
Her father. There was something Aden should know about the man, he thought, something he needed to tell herbut again, he could think of nothing. Why did he love playing to them?
One of her shoulders lifted in a delicate shrug. People who encounter us think were merely humans pretending to be vampires. Were considered weird, but we arent considered a threat.
He understood. Weirdos were avoided, left alone. Threats were hunted, eliminated.
The same could be said of you right now, Aden Stone. Amusement layered her tone. My people consider you weird rather than a threat.
And how do you know that?
No one tried to kill you.
True, he said with a smile.
And Im proud of you, you know, she said huskily, gaze dropping to his lips, then his neck.
Was she thirsty? Please
Riley coughed.
They ignored him.
Praise had always been a rare commodity in Adens life, and he soaked hers up. In the institutions, the doctors had merely questioned him and the other patients had been wrapped up in their own problems. In foster homes, neither the well-meaning nor the uncaring parents had known how to deal with him, had even feared him. At the ranch, the other kids had ridiculed him at first.
Youre not embarrassed that Im a weak human? he asked her. Because he knew, even if she wouldnt admit it, that thats how her people saw him. Would probably always see him.
She countered with a question of her own. Youre not embarrassed that Im a bloodthirsty fiend? Even as she spoke, her gaze returned to the pulse at the base of his neck, which was hammering wildly. She licked her lips.
Is my fiend thirsty now?
No, she croaked, arms falling away. She stepped backward, adding distance between them.
Liar, he said, but didnt push. She refused to drink from him because she didnt want to turn him into a blood-slave. He understood, but he hated the thought of her beautiful mouth on anyone else.