“Yes, Lord Belshazzar,” we answered.
My hands began to perspire, and I clenched my fists behind my back.
The lord nodded once. “Also, once you leave this room, the compulsion we used to get you here will disappear, no more.” His attention turned to the woman at the end. “Anna, what say you? Do you wish to be the candidate?”
I peered down at her profile, observing cautiously. My nails dug into my palms.
She peered straightforward, not looking at him. “With much respect, Lord Belshazzar, I decline once again. I will not be able to perform all of the trials required of the Queen Novitiate.”
He sighed quietly. “No disrespect taken. The overlords respect your choice.”
My brows snapped together as I straightened.
Why wouldn’t Anna be able to accomplish the trials?
She was a marvelous vampire. It didn’t make sense.
Were the trials even more dreadful than I had anticipated?
And damn, who was the leak who told her what they were?
I wanted that information too.
Though, with another peek at her, I didn’t believe she would tell me.
Her jaw was as hard as granite, her eyes like steel.
A perfect specimen of loyalty to the law.
Lord Belshazzar turned his attention to the next oldest. “Cleo, what say you? Do you wish to be the candidate?” His eyes were expectant, all-knowing…and suddenly kind.
Cleo cleared her throat, staring directly into his gaze. “With much respect, Lord Belshazzar, I decline. I plan to take my Eternal Slumber soon to join my soul mate.”
He nodded gently. “Lord John is missed by all. The overlords respect your choice.”
I stood blinking like an idiot. That was what happened when you went into Rest. Occasionally, you missed out on the big news, like a rare soul mating. I hadn’t even known Cleo was no longer married to her previous mate, her husband.
The women all turned to her and hugged her.
The declaration of an Eternal Slumberforever. She would end herself.
And yet, while all the women cooed over her choice, a few tears running down their cheeks, all I could do was stand stalk still in place. I blinked repeatedly, not seeing anything before me. My dreams of ruling the vampire people…were right in front of me with the two oldest declining. I sucked in a sharp breath and shook my head, clearing the shiny gem of real possibility from my gaze.
And, belatedly, I realized I was staring right into my bastard father’s eyes.
Calm as a dropped stone, he was gazing back.
All the overlords were staring right at me, ignoring the women consoling Cleo.
I stood all by myself. Alone from anyone else.
My life in a nutshell.
Except for my one true friend. I always had her.
I blinked when Cato’s lips twitched.
He knew I was back from my mental merriment.
