Yet what will be the consequences of stopping the blood sacrifice?
Better make our entrance impressive.
I sweep into Diamond Hall, allowing my shadows to trail up the walls and darken the room. Freya and Dove swagger in at either of my shoulders.
Shadow and Devil prowl in after me, roaring.
Instantly, the music dies away, as does the chatter and conversation.
My skin prickles at so many gazes settling on me.
Diamonds glitter in both the walls and the floors. Tall columns that are painted with lions hold up the high ceiling. The ceiling’s wooden beams have been decorated with rope-like garlands of blue lotuses, white lily, and jasmine.
Moonlight streams through the lattice windows over the central dance floor, which is packed with Fang Born wearing obsidian linen tunics, which whisper across the stone floor, sheer shawls, and an array of bejewelled masks.
The guests drink cups of pomegranate or blood wine, which Beta servants from the House of Crocodile are carrying on golden trays, along with platters of fresh figs and dates.
Some Alphas recline on reed mats to the side of the dance floor or rut their Omegas in dark-eyed ecstasy.
I scan the room.
The crimson dressed priestesses are missing, which has never happened before. But then, I have just executed their Head Priestess.
They may imagine that I will do the same to them at this event.
My lips curl in satisfaction.
Finally, I am claiming the power that should always have belonged to me.
Dove doesn’t understand howtoughthings truly were for me.
Killer. Murderer.
Assassin.
Martyr.
Hero.
What do labels matter?
I am the Shadow Vampire King.
And I will prove it to my kingdom before I die.
Despite myself, I dart my gaze to the Betas with shaved heads in silver robes, who are seated apart from everyone else on stone seats to one side of the hall.
Ruin and his Void Cult.
Ruin’s cold eyes meet mine. He bares his fangs in what is meant to be a smile.
My fangs ache to descend and rip out his throat in return.
Yet I can’t. I have a deal with him.
I hate him but I also know that his thirst for both power and order will mean that he’ll protect my royal nest mates after my death.
I allow the moment to drag on, making sure everyone notices that both my mates are not only attending but are also wearing House of Sin crowns and matching outfits to mine.
