But then Titus came. He colored me with a new palette, thanks to Everett. I have a purpose again.
I watch as Galen’s lips close around the flask. A single droplet of blood escapes and dribbles down his chin.
He’s powering up. What for?
My neck stiffens, my fingers itch to reach for my weapon, but I only have my hands at my disposal. I look out at the field again. I understand. This is bait—free food humans eagerly accept—concealing Galen's sharp hook.
“What do you want with humans?”
Gulp.“You’re so smart. I love that about you.” He drinks the flask like the sun slurps up the moisture from the soil. Leaving not one drop behind. “I have a use for them.”
“Your blood banks are full. If you welcome more humans, your people will think you are slipping into bloodlust.”
“That’s true,” Galen replies, offering an easy shrug. “So I have found another way to welcome more humans without spreading rumors. That’s why we are here.” He opens his palms and thrusts his hands forward. Long vines shoot forth from under the earth. Tearing and ripping through the peaceful field. Grinding and thrashing open the soil.
I step back. The wild grass is churned into the soil and swallowed. It’s disgusting and impressive, in the same way vultures wait patiently for a dead animal to fester.
“Humans need food,” Galen adds. His vines continue to till the land for miles. Then it stops. He’s labored. He turns to the side so his people don’t see. Galen waves his hand, and a woman steps out from the crowd.He readjusts his crown, letting his fingers linger on it.
Does he fuck his crown? He’s caressing it like a lover.
He lowers his hand when the woman reaches our side.I stay silent. She has the manners to bow. Galen grabs her by the shoulders and tips her head to the side. His eyes hold mine as he grins, then sinks his teeth into her neck. She moans with pleasure. Courtesy of him, of course. A vampire can choose to inflict pain or pleasure with their bite.
His throat rolls as he swallows, gulp after gulp of her essence.
I want to grab her. If Galen doesn’t stop soon, she’ll be dead. Instead, I hold his stare. If he wants my resentment or jealousy, he shall see none. Instead, I wear a mask of apathy.
Truly, I feel… nothing. I’m delighted he’s got his playthings. After all his confessions about his lies to trick me into being his wife, how could I not?
Titus.
He pops into my mind. What would it feel like to have his lips on my neck?
You can never know. You’re stuck in a marriage you didn’t choose.
Love was never in my future, only death. Everett knew this. He embraced it, as must I.
Turning suddenly, I try to hide the blush on my cheeks. Why do I keep thinking of Titus?
You know why. For the first time in your life, you are entirely terrified.
My brother’s death ripped out my heart. The only thing left is my mind. I can’t give that to Titus. In someone else’s hands, our minds can play tricks on us; they can make us think we have a heart again, believe we have a future, and have hopes about escaping.
I know the truth.
I have no future.
Everett knew this. He warned me about what was to come. I understand now. That’s why I keep Titus at bay. That, and Galen would kill him. The last thing we need is another problem on our plate. Everett gave Titus and me a mission that I intend to see through.
Galen licks his lips. He pulls away and presses his fingertip to a fang. He cuts himself and smears his blood, which has blood-clotting and healing properties, over her wound.
The human walks back to the crowd like a bee, dizzy and darting as she sways and wobbles.
“Nothing like freshly squeezed juice in the morning,” Galen comments with a chuckle.
“Some courts consider drinking from the vein to be a hedonistic act. They have reformed ways you might learn from.” I lift my chin higher and look back out at the field.The scent of dirt that has never felt the sun fills my nose. Musky, and wet, its layers are much darker than the topsoil.
The soldiers form a line as they drag huge bags closer to the tilled land. They flash their daggers as they slice open the bags. Whatever is within, they scoop it into their palms and begin to toss—what looks like grains from this distance—into the air. Four more vampires stand behind them, hands raised, and then the winds begin to howl.
