But my anger dissipated when I started to look at the crowd. People were scared. The Castle family members were on the left, none of them looking pleased at this outcome, especially after seeing their queen rise from the dead and their last hope being taken away by the guards.
The royals were better at keeping their facial expressions in check, but I could read them from a mile away. They didn’t like where this was heading, no doubt some of them now realizing how badly they’d fucked up.
“And you were going to sell her right back to Solei, weren’t you?” I asked, turning back to him.
“Cunning snake, aren’t you?”
Something was telling me to stall. I just needed to keep him going, and if I couldn’t, at the very least try to keep the murders to a minimum.
“What do you want from me?”
His eyes lit up, and he dropped his sword.
“I want to see how far you’re willing to go for the people who love you,” he said, turning back to ascend the steps to his throne. “Apologies for the outburst! You all know my sister can have quite the temper, but don’t let it spoil your mood. I have an announcement!”
Confusion gathered among the group, but no one dared to even whisper.
I narrowed my eyes at Adrian. Something didn't feel right. I had been feeling a sinking dread all day, but even now, as everything fell apart, it was still there. Meaning this was far from over.
He smiled and lifted his arms.
“Everything you heard is true, but let me explain.” He walked back and forth, making sure to look every vampire in the eye. “My predecessor was focused on being the most powerful vampire so he could rule over all vampire families and clans. He didn't want anyone to be more powerful than him.”
He slammed his hand against his chest.
“But I am going to write these wrongs.” His voice echoed through the silent throne room, and light fell in through the stained-glass window behind him, making him look like a god. But I could see how insane he was. “I am here to bring the vampires together so we can focus on the real issue. Does anyone know what that is?”
He looked around, thinking someone would actually answer him.
“The humans.The humans! The council has long since forgotten who holds the most power. They have been workingwith the human authority and the hunters to give us arbitrary rules we have to follow. I'm tired of it, aren't you?”
There was a moment of silence before some of the royal family started to echo him.
His eyes were wide as he looked at them, and his features slowly started to change, becoming sharper. More animalistic. When he smiled, this time there were two sets of sharp canines.
He's going to start a war.
My eyes met Tate’s, both of us starting to understand what was really happening here. The prophecy was bigger than all of us. If this vampire, the last of the Castle bloodline, was allowed to rule, war would ensue.
A war that could end all of us.
“So that is why, for my birthday present this year, I am declaring war on the humans. War on the hunters. And war on the council.”
Murmurs broke out from the royal family’s side. The rest of the vampires were so scared I could smell it.
He stared at them, anger twisting his expression.
“Clap! Why aren't you clapping?”
As some hesitantly started clapping, he took a step back, a lazy smile spreading across his face.
“Trust me, and I will do this for you. For all of us.” He let it sink in, enjoying the cheers and reluctant claps. Then he clapped himself, silencing the entire throne room. “And now… Let's celebrate!”
Music started playing. Human feeders started filtering in. The suddenness of it all caught everyone off guard, but Adrian didn't notice. He was grabbing his feeders and laughing joyfully.
People started moving and acting like this was just a normal day while Tate and I stayed in our places. It felt… surreal.
Until Adrian caught my eye. He took a seat on his throne and pointed at his feet, the command obvious. I was scared. More scared than I’d ever been in my existence.
