Cruel Stakes: Vampires & Vices No. 2, page 14
“Your mother is safe,” he continues, “and your friends are fine. If you wish to have a life as a human, you’d better listen closely. It’s not going to be easy and I can’t promise you anything. But I will try my best. If I’m to succeed, you must go along with everything I ask of you.” He squeezes my hands. “One misstep and you’re dead.”
I let out a frustrated breath. “Fine.”
“Brisa is living out a fantasy right now. She’s been trying to gain control of this palace for ages, and now that she has, she wants to pretend she’s Marie Antoinette for a little while.”
“Didn’t Marie’s own people assassinate her?”
His eyes flash. “You know the story then.”
Is he trying to tell me something? I step back and he drops my hands. “Yeah, let them eat cake and all that.”
“Brisa won’t even let me have a phone here. She’s decided that she’s the only one who can have access to the outside world, at least for now. She’s paranoid about someone trying to usurp her. This is as much a test of me as it is for you.”
“But don’t you have business to run in New Orleans? You can’t hang around here.”
“I do,” he grits out, “so let’s get through this as quickly as possible so we can get back to our lives.”
His life. Not mine.
He drags me back to the party and I put on my best show. I smile happily and chat with everyone, though never leaving Adrian’s side. We act as if we’re more than friends, as if we’re in the process of falling madly in love, holding hands constantly, dancing too close, his arm or hand never straying from my body for even a second, his lips grazing my cheek or nuzzling into my neck. Everyone seems to buy it, and for a few moments throughout the night, I buy it too.
And that scares me, because I don’t always know what’s real and what’s fake with Adrian. I know what my head wants––to get out of here. But my body betrays me, enjoying every touch. And my heart? I don’t even let myself go there.
We’re in the middle of chatting with a group of vampires who are sucking up to Adrian––vampires sure are good at that––when a couple strolls into the ballroom and everyone quiets down. We’re all watching them with rapt attention, and I can’t blame anyone, can’t even blame myself.
They are hands down the most beautiful couple I’ve ever laid eyes on––and also the most in love. I can tell by the way they look at each other, the way they hold each other’s hand, and the glow in their eyes. They’re absolutely mad for one another. I didn’t know vampires could feel that way and the realization makes me feel a little conflicted.
“Who’s that?” I find myself asking. The woman looks Japanese with glossy long black hair that curls and shears off at her waist. Her beauty could rival Brisa’s on a bad day. The man is her equal, with coppery-blond hair that spans to his chin, broad shoulders, and a uniquely masculine face––he could be a model for a cologne commercial. “He kind of looks like a Viking,” I add.
“That’s because Magnus was a Viking,” Adrian replies. “And Katerina is his wife.”
There’s a subtle shift in the air when the couple greets the queen. I wish I could listen in on their conversation, because from here it looks like Brisa doesn’t like Katerina one bit.
Adrian takes my hand and leads me through the crowd toward the couple, whispering in my ear as we move. “Magnus is another of Brisa’s princes. We aren’t allowed to marry, but he met Kat during the Second World War and brought her back to our mother, and insisted they make it official. It was a scandal, but Brisa eventually agreed to let them wed.”
“That’s romantic,” I hear myself saying. No, it’s not! Kat’s a vampire now.
“Make no mistake, they have fallen out of favor with the queen and have spent the years since trying to prove themselves. Let’s just say they still have a long way to go.”
I wonder how they’re even alive. Adrian makes it sound like Brisa gets her way no matter what. The exception she made for Magnus must have caused a huge upset in her court.
“My brother!” Adrian turns on the charm as we approach, slapping the Viking on the back. I wonder how much of this is real, but Adrian does seem happier around Magnus than he ever did with Sebestian or Hugo. “It’s been too long. What have you been up to?”
“They’ve been helping me,” Brisa interrupts and everyone gives her their complete attention. “Traveling, and such.” She waves her hand around vaguely. I thought all the princes ran different areas of the world and find this interesting––likely another blow to the couple.
Magnus is one of the last princes left right now and I wonder what that will mean for him and Katerina. Maybe they’ll be brought back into favor simply because they’re the only ones still standing. Or maybe Brisa will make more children, giving them better roles to spite Magnus. But I don’t see any fledglings around Brisa and I haven’t all night.
“It’s good to see you happy, Adrianos.” Brisa’s rich voice turns on the two of us.
“Thank you, Mother.”
She smiles and my hackles rise. There’s something amiss in her expression. Her gaze turns to Adrian. “Come to my chambers with me, please. We have some catching up to do.”
“Always,” he says, his tone going hollow.
I can’t be certain of her meaning, but I think she is letting me know that even if Adrian and I were to be in a relationship, she still has the power. She can call him to her “chambers” at any time, and he will go. She’s the one in control, and there’s nothing I can do to stop her. Even killing her is off the table now that I know what the outcome would be.
She kisses my cheeks goodbye, reeking of fresh blood and roses. She doesn’t pull away. Her fangs extend, and I freeze. She could bite me, and then what would happen? Would she know I already have vampire venom in my veins?
But she pulls away, taking Adrian’s hand and wrapping it around her waist, sashaying from the room. He never looks back.
I’m a human girl alone in a room full of vampires. Most of them have taken lives like mine without a glimmer of remorse. Maybe all of them have. Brisa changed things in order to allow them to come out in public, but their base nature has stayed the same. If anything, my association with Adrian has proved that I can’t forget what they are and I shouldn’t trust them. I swallow hard, wanting to get away.
“She did the same to us before we were married,” Katerina says, jarring me from my thoughts. I shake my head and she tilts hers. “Oh, are you and Adrian not together?”
“We’re not like that. I’m his fledgling only.”
“Hmm…” She raises a thin brow at her husband. “What do you think of this one, Magnus?”
He peers down his nose at me and I feel about two inches tall. The loving gaze he had for his wife has turned to one of cool indifference as he looks at me. “I liked Kelly better.”
Shock prickles at my cheeks.
“Kelly was lovely. Such a shame.” They turn and walk away, leaving me gaping.
What on Earth?
I don’t know if I’ve ever been so openly insulted like that. And to think I instantly liked them at first! It goes to show that vampires may be attractive to us humans, but that doesn’t mean they’re something we should seek after. At the end of the day, we’re food, sometimes potential servants or lovers or maybe even prodigies, but we’re not on their level. And in their minds, we never will be.
I need to get out of here. The exit is on the other side of the vast ballroom and I start that way, but somehow end up being tugged into the dance floor. I’m nearly knocked to the marble floor and a group of vampires laugh as they trample over the hem of my gown.
Fakers! They acted as if they liked me when Adrian was around and now I’m nothing but a useless human for their cruel amusement. The stakes are higher than ever for me. One false move and I may end up dead. I guess that makes me a faker too.
“It’s good to see you again.” A voice purrs into my ear, and I spin around into Sebastian’s arms. This is the first I’ve seen of him since the day we met. I step back involuntarily. “May I have this dance?” His lips quirk at the corner and he tugs me back in. “Don’t worry, Adrian won’t mind. He’s not even here.”
“What about Fiona?”
“Ah, that’s right. I forgot you met her.” He nods to another dancing couple and I catch sight of Fiona in a man’s arms. “She’s busy. Now let’s dance.”
Realizing people are watching us, I settle into his arms, and we begin to circle around the room in a waltz. I don’t know what I’m doing, but he’s an expert lead, his eyes never straying from my face. I don’t say anything, I’m not sure what to say to this creature. The sight of him makes my skin crawl––he’s too much like Hugo.
“Aren’t you curious?” He tilts his head.
“About what?”
“About my findings,” he continues. “You know I came to New Orleans to investigate the death of my brother––a death you witnessed.”
I hold my chin high. “And what did you find?”
But really, I want to know how long he stayed in town and what else he did there. Was he part of the raid when the hunters tried to take down the coven a few nights ago? Because if so, he’s bound to know too much about me. Or maybe not. I wasn’t there and my story might still stand.
Maybe that’s why Adrian locked me in his suite.
“You know, it’s funny,” he continues, his grip suddenly tight, “everyone I spoke with all denied having anything to do with my brother’s death. But they certainly knew who you were.”
His fangs extend, and his eyes flash murderous.
“It was hunters,” I hurry to supply, “but none that I recognized.” I mix lies with truth, hoping it all comes out sounding real. “Brisa and Adrian already know about me. I’m a spy for them. But you do realize there are other hunter groups in Louisiana, right?”
“I know you are lying,” he hisses, “and the only thing keeping me from tearing your head off is an order from my queen to keep Adrian’s pretty little new pet safe. You’d better be grateful to Brisa. She’s the reason you’re still breathing.”
I try to pull away, but he keeps us spinning round and round the dance floor like a puppet master. And I’m nothing but a helpless doll. The crowd seems to have thickened, and the party has grown obnoxious since Brisa left. I need to get out of here. Faster and faster we go, my feet start to drag on the marble floors, the heels at an odd angle. My ankles scream in protest.
“You’re hurting me,” I squeal.
He stops abruptly and releases me. “I apologize. Sometimes I forget how weak you humans are.” But I read between the lines. This is a threat, the equivalent of telling me to watch my back because he’ll kill me if he gets the chance.
Chapter 23
I hurry back to the room and pray I don’t meet any more vampires along the way. Even in low candlelight, the palace is stunning with tall ceilings painted with Renaissance scenes, intricate tapestries on the walls, and plush rugs underfoot. There is lovely furniture and every shade of gold, blue, and white imaginable decorating the open spaces. And pastels as far as the eye can see.
My outfit blends right in, even down to the slippers on my feet. They have tiny heels at the bottoms and clack softly as I walk. I wish I could enjoy this palace more, but it’s impossible. I want to find a way out of here, but Adrian’s right. There are too many guards and it’s too risky. His plan is the only way, but it doesn’t feel like much of a plan to me. More like a hope and a way to keep my mouth shut so Brisa stays happy.
Flickers of light lead the way since the place is lit up solely with candles. Save for a few exceptions like running water, the guards with walkie-talkies, and I’m sure the Wi-Fi that Brisa uses, this place is authentic to the old French courts. Adrian said that Brisa infiltrated it for a while so she must know how things were done. She has one foot firmly planted in the past and one in the present day, allowing her to control her bloodlines while still living her life in the luxury she prefers. But at what cost? Someone has to pay for all this, and I’m not talking about the literal money the vampires have acquired over the years like mythical dragons hoarding piles of gold, I mean the countless lives that have been lost to Brisa’s ambitions.
Outside, the black sky is giving way to the starless navy that comes minutes before sunrise. The vampires will be leaving the party now and retreating to safer places in the palace. They don’t sleep, so I’m sure their celebrations will continue, but I’m ready for bed. I quicken my step, rounding the corner toward the room Adrian and I share.
But it’s not the corner I thought it was.
And I don’t know where my room is.
A wave of panic crashes over me the moment I realize I’m lost. I look around, desperate for a servant to help me. Surely they’ll know every nook and cranny and can lead me to safety. But they’re nowhere to be seen. Maybe they’re smarter than I am. The vampires are retreating into the shadows, drunk on blood and rowdy. I can hear several yelling at each other through the halls. I step into a darkened alcove and wait for them to pass, but they never do.
Nobody comes in this wing. Why is that?
In a book, this is where I’d stumble upon a secret passageway. It would lead me to uncovering a mystery, or even better, a way out of this palace.
Of course, that doesn’t happen. I’m no heroine in some nicely laid out story. I’m nothing but a weak and foolish girl who keeps making mistakes. I never should’ve agreed to come here. A smarter person would’ve figured out how to save her friends and get away from the vampires. Better yet, a smarter person would have avoided the vampires from the very beginning. But I’m not that person. I’m the girl whose dad died when she was a kid, the girl who had trouble making friends until she found the one true friend that mattered. And then I lost her, too. I’m the girl who got herself bit by vampires and ended up here because of it.
But maybe I need to stop blaming myself. Maybe I was taken advantage of by others and was only trying to do the right thing. Maybe I need to give myself more credit.
A fluttering sound pulls me from my thoughts. It’s followed by a bird’s sweet chirp. The melody echoes through the grand hallway, suggesting that the bird is stuck in here and not outside. I decide to find it, following the sounds. I’m still lost, but maybe I can at least save this bird. Even better, maybe this bird will show me a way out of here that’s not guarded.
It sings, welcoming the morning, and I follow until I catch sight of the tiny thing and smile. It’s barely larger than my thumb, with blue and green feathers. It sits perched on the arm of a chair, shiny black eyes blinking as I approach. But I get too close and it flies away, further down the hall. I continue to follow it until I hear a little thump and find it sitting on a windowsill.
It hops on one leg, feathers spread around it in a little arc. It’s injured, must have tried to fly through the window even though it’s tinted.
“Oh no,” I whisper to the bird, “don’t be scared. I’m going to help you get out of here.”
This time it has no choice but to let me approach, and I push on the window. It doesn’t give. It’s bolted to the frame. I look down at my dress, trying to figure out how to use the material to safely pick up a bird. I don’t want to touch it with my bare hands in case it’s diseased.
A hand appears, snatching the bird so fast that I jump.
Brisa’s hand.
“You snuck up on me,” I gasp. I hurry to curtsy, hoping I’m doing this right.
“I have a tendency to do that.” She holds the bird in her palm and pets its tiny head with her dainty finger. “They get in here sometimes when we leave the doors open at night,” she says, smiling at the bird. “Tell me, Evangeline. Should I let it go free?”
This feels like a trick question. I swallow hard. “It’s a bird. It’s not meant to live indoors.”
“Oh no? What about in a beautiful bird cage? We have several throughout the palace. I could keep it as a pet.”
“Maybe if it was raised in captivity, but it would be cruel to put a wild animal in a cage.”
“Hmm.” She nods. “But it’s injured. Wouldn’t it be cruel to let it go back out there where it will surely die?”
Would she rather I agree with her or speak my truth. I straighten, standing tall. “You don’t know that for sure.”
“I’ve been around long enough to know it’s very likely.” She raises an exposed shoulder. She’s not dressed in the gown from the party anymore. She wears a silky cream nightgown, and I have to force myself to not think of Adrian in her bed. She commanded he go to her chambers, so it stands to reason sex had something to do with it.
“It’s your choice,” I say finally. “I trust you to know what’s best.”
Her smile quirks. “I wish I believed you.” And then she squeezes the bird. It cries out with a mangled squawk and goes silent in her stone-like hand. I stare, horrified. She drops it to the ground like garbage, feathers bent and broken. “Sometimes,” she says, “it’s better to end a life than to allow it to suffer.” She steps closer and runs fingers along my cheek; my stomach twists, revolted by the feathers stuck to them. “If you continue to live as a human, that’s what your life will be. Pain and suffering. What we’re offering you is a second life, a better life. Very few people get that offer.”
“And I’m grateful,” I whisper.
“We’ll see,” she replies, and then she floats away like a ghost in the night. She’s levitating a few inches off the ground and I wonder if she was the one who taught Adrian how. Or maybe it’s because she’s his master? No wonder she was able to sneak up on me! I swallow hard and stare down at the dead bird. If it weren’t for me, it might still be alive because I’m certain her actions weren’t to put the bird out of its misery, it was to let me know how much power she has over me.
I hope she believes me––that she thinks I want this and she wants this, too.
But I don’t and I never will.
I don’t care if her offer of a second life is filled with all the riches in the world. And like that bird, she wants to put me in a pretty cage. I can’t let it happen.
