They wouldnt argue about it now, though. No time.
Come. Determined, she held out her hand. The party is waiting.
He twined their fingers and allowed her to usher him down the carpet, Riley trailing a few steps behind. The closer they got to the doors, the more noise Aden heard beyond them. But when they passed the thick metal arches, he realized there was no one in the hallway. There were only alabaster statues of people and animals and intricately carved chests, all open and empty. What were they for, then?
Beyond another set of doorways, however, was a ballroom brimming with vampires, their werewolf guards and humans. The vampires talked and laughed, the wolves, in animal form, prowled throughout, and the humans were again on the fringes, eagerly awaiting a summons.
The cobbled walls were black, the monotony broken by long, oval mirrors, and again, the only light source was the golden glow of candles. Above, the ceiling looked like a He frowned. Sure enough. A cobweb. In the center of the web hung a chandelier. And that chandelier had legs that stretched up, as if a spider walked along the ceiling.
Someone spotted him, and conversations halted, the sudden silence interrupting his ogling. All heads turned to him. Aden shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. Several minutesan eternityticked by just like that. No one moving or speaking, just watching him, judging.
Should he do something? Say something?
Theyd only ever been ruled by Vlad, he reminded himself. They were as clueless about this as he was. Not that he planned to rule them. He would figure a way out of this. Soon.
Is he ready to see? To know? someone muttered. Conversations started back up, the volume quickly rising. He thought he heard words like beastmaybe feastand horde. Maybe bored.
Should we wait until after the coronation? someone else asked.
Wait to see what? he asked Victoria from the corner of his mouth.
She shifted uncomfortably, as he had done, and whispered, They want to tell you aboutthey want you to know Oh, this is difficult. I had hoped never to have to speak with you about this, but it was decided that, as king, you must know.
Know what?
That we are notalone.
Literally? Cause he could have figured that out on his own. Clearly they werent yet on the same page. You want to explain what you mean?
No.
Do it anyway.
She sighed. There issomething with us.
O-kay. Time to try another route. If Im going torun things God, he couldnt believe he was saying that, even just to get answers I need to know everything. So, lets try this again. What something is with you?
Twin pink circles bloomed on her cheeks. This is so embarrassing, and you might run screaming from me once you find out.
Ive seen you eat, and didnt run screaming.
Yes, but this is worse.
He didnt give up. I promise you, nothing could make me run from you, he said, squeezing her hand. And you know I like you, just as you are.
Well, hold on to that thought. She gazed down at her feet and kicked out as if moving an invisible rock. First, you should note that despite the familiar trappings you see here, whatever you thought you knew about vampires from your books and movies doesnt come close to the truth.
So noted, he said dryly.
Her eyes widened. Can you be serious?
Ill be serious if you relax.
The pink tip of her tongue slipped out, sliding over her lips and leaving a sheen of moisture. Of course, she didnt relax. If you insist on knowing
I do.
Then here it is. The truth. We aremore than bloodsucking vampires. Her chin lifted stubbornly. Like her sister had done earlier, she practically dared him to protest. There. Now you know.
Hardly. Explain.
Again she licked her lips, her mulish vibe giving way to a nervous energy. Aden
Victoria. Just say it. Rip the Band-Aid.
Her shoulders sagged in defeat. Very well. We are more than bloodsuckers because we havewe have monsters living inside us.
Monsters? Again. I dont understand.
We are possessedwait. She shook her head, dark hair dancing over her shoulders. Ill explain a different way. But first, the good news.
A stalling tactic, he knew, but he didnt stop her.
The designs you see on the walls? Well, we have them burned into our skin. All of us.
You have these marks? Hed swum with herand theyd only worn their undergarmentsyet he didnt remember seeing any marks on her. And hed looked. Hard.
Yes. I have them.
Where? And why?
On my chest. And they arewards.
He ignored the first part of her words because yeah, he wanted to stare at the area in question, and focused on the second. Wards? Aden blamed the pills for his inability to fit the pieces of this crazy puzzle together.
As I said, we each have a monster inside us, and they are true beasts of nightmares. Humans would probably liken our condition to that of demon possession. Anyway, the wards in our skin keep those monsters contained inside us and quiet, rather than walking the earth. Now she squeezed his hand. Believe me, you never want to encounter one of these creatures. They are savage and brutal and crave the death of those we drink from. Destruction is all they know.
He was quiet a moment, trying to absorb her words. How did you get them? And do you have one inside you?
As she started to reply, five men stepped forward to form a half-moon around him, each watching him expectantly. They clutched bejeweled goblets, thick red liquid swirling inside. Blood, no doubt. He smelled the coppery tang.
You remember your council, Im sure, Victoria said, sounding relieved that their conversation about the monsters was over.
Not even a little. Of course. He met her gaze, silently telling her theyd be discussing those monsters again. Very soon. Then he turned back to thecouncilmen, he supposed they were called. They were older, almost identical to each other with silver hair, strong builds and only slightly lined skin. Plus, their fangs were visible, poking from their lips.
Were they hungry? For him? If hed had his wits about him, he might have been scared. No way could he fend off five determined vampires at once. Sure, his blades were anchored in his boots, as always, but those blades were useless against such creatures.
The only useful weapon he had was Vlads ring. Oh, yeah. He glanced down at his right hand and saw the opal winking in the light. He was suddenly grateful to Riley for insisting he wear it.
Now that Victoria has explained about the beasts, let us move on to more pressing subjects, one of the councilmen said. Before Aden could ask what could be more pressing than monsters, he continued, There is much we must decide upon.
Where will you live, for one? another said. Here or with your humans?
The rest jumped right in, peppering him with questions as briskly as Thomas had earlier.
And if you are with your humans, how then will we call upon you when we need you?
Also, you must be introduced to our allies. When shall I set the meeting?
Also, you must choose a queen.
And you
Give him a chance to catch up, Riley barked, silencing them.
Aden was surprised when the men immediately bowed their head in agreement. Two even apologized. Riley was a guard, not a prince or a vampire at all, yet theyd obeyed him without rebuke. Very interesting.
So, to answer your questions. Ill live at the D and M Ranch, just as before, he said, and all eyes returned to him. He traced his thumb over the ring. Ill meet your allies sometime next week this week was for the witches but itll have to be after school. Just let me know when, and Ill be there. Or here. Wherever. And who were their allies? As far as hed known, the vampires and werewolves warred with everyone. As for a queen, that will be Victoria. No question. Not that he was ready to get married. Not that hed be king for long.
Again, she squeezed his hand.
All five councilmen frowned at him. You cant simply pick the princess Victoria. You have yet to spend time with our other females, one said.
I dont need to spend time with them, he replied. I wont change my mind.
Complaints will be raised, another said, irritated.
Aden shrugged. I dont care.
Fathers of eligible daughters will rebel, for they desire a chance, at the very least, to forge an alliance with the royal house. You dont want to cause a rebellion so early in your reign, do you? a third asked.
No, but I
Good, good. Its settled, then. Each of the five raised their goblets, smiling now.
He shook his head. I dont understand. Whats settled?
Youll meet the rest of our females so that their fathers wont rebel.
Aden pinched the bridge of his nose. No, he insisted. I wont.
The men muttered amongst themselves for several minutes before nodding and facing him. Their determination was palpable.
We will compromise, the tallest among them said. Youll meet only five female vampires, not including Victoria, each chosen by a member of the council. You will rendezvous with each girl and on the day of your coronation, you will name your favorite. That favorite shall be your queen.
Uh, what now? Rendezvous equaled date, he suspected, and he did not want to date. And five of them?
He agrees to your compromise, Victoria said without revealing any hint of her emotions.
Aden opened his mouth to deny her claim, but the men wandered off, slapping each other on the back in a job well done.
Aden, she said.
His narrowed gaze swung to her. I dont care what you told them. Im not dating anyone else. She was the only girl he wanted. The only one he dreamed about, hungered for
Her expression was blank, just as it had been when shed arrived at the ranch earlier. Only this time, he doubted she was exaggerating to be more humanlike. This was not a ha-ha, lets tease subject.
They were right. She released his hand, severing all contact. If you refuse to date anyone else, families will complain, and complaints will lead to unrest. Unrest to danger. You face enough of that already.
Was she trying to protect him again? Or was she really okay with the thought of him seeing other girls? Because he might pound any guy who looked at her into dust. Then spit on that dust. Then flush that dust down the toilet.
Id rather deal with the danger, he said through gritted teeth.
Well, I wouldnt. Her expression remained implacable, her tone dead.
Dont care. She was mentally pushing him away, he realized. One second comforting him, the next seemingly done with him, and he didnt like it. For his own good or not.
This must be done, Aden.
No. I
Wonderful. A lovers spat. Lets mingle instead, Riley said, giving him a push, and spat later.
Aden and Victoria glared at each other for a moment. Then she nodded stiffly, and he followed suit. But this wasnt over. On any level. He was not dating other vampires. And she was going to apologize for acting like she didnt care. Unless she hadnt been acting. Perhaps vampires saw nothing wrong with dating more than one person.
What did he know?
She had kissed him while engaged to Dmitri, after all. But shed hated Dmitri, and had wanted nothing to do with him. Still. If that was the case, she could be seeing someone else right now. And if that was the case, he didnt know what hed do. Besides involving himself in a knock-down-drag-out.
Well talk about this later, he said quietly, fiercely, before turning away from her.
She gave another stiff nod.
Silent, they entered the masses. Multiple hands brushed against him. Someone thrust a goblet at him and he grabbed it before it could fall and shatter. Do not forget whats inside and accidently drink.
Do I scent afairy? someone suddenly growled.
He froze, Victoria and Riley moving closer to flank him.
Nostrils began flaring. Many vampires cringed. Once again, the room fell silent and all eyes landed on him. Only this time, those eyes were filled with horror and hate.
Great. The cologne must be wearing off.
The vamps backed away from him, until he and his friends were enclosed in a tight circle. Riley was rigid, ready to attack. Victoria finally exuded emotionfear. Until the werewolf guards pushed their way through the crowd and joined Riley in the circle, facing the vamps, growling for them to stay back.
Unwavering, unquestioning support. For me. How odd.
One dark-haired vampire who looked to be Adens age finally stepped forward. He ignored the wolves, his cold gaze locked on Aden. Are you already a traitor, cavorting with our enemy?
Aden laughed. He just couldnt help himself. If escaping repeated death-attempts could be classified as cavorting, then yes, he was.
You dare laugh? the boy gasped out.
You dare question your leader? Riley snapped.
The boy squared his shoulders and raised his chin. Though he spoke to Riley, his gaze never left Aden. I will say what most of us are thinking. Hes too weak to lead us. Anyone in this room could enslave him in a matter of minutes.
Finally. The threats hed expected. Anyone in this room could try. Brave words, foolish words, but he meant them. He would lose, no doubt, but he would fight til the end. That had always been his way.
Our enemies will assume were as weak as you are and attack, his accuser continued. You should never have accepted this position.
Accepted? Ha! The position had been thrust at him, and he still didnt want it, but now wasnt the time to try to find someone new. Theyd assume hed done so because he was weak. From what Im told, fairies protect humans. Perhaps those same fairies will wish to ally themselves with you, now that youre being led by one of those weak humans they so love.
Not that he was going to lead these vampires, he reminded himself. Again. God, he was digging himself in deeper just to leave with dignity.