All because his fish had a bone in it.
The blood that spilled soaked into the stone, the stone seeming to absorb it, and other guards came and pulled the body to the entrance to empty the blood into the pool at the fountain.
None of this was how I imagined the vampires acting.
We moved away from the throne, and I felt a tickle in the air. It was a strange, paralyzing sort of sensation, but it washed over my skin.
The lord knight shivered. “They’ve brought them in.”
“Who?”
He walked me to a somewhat empty corner. “The enthralled. The ones that are at the center of the Blood Rite.”
I rubbed the pebbled skin under my sleeves. “Is that the tingle?”
His eyebrow quirked. “You don’t feel it as lethargy?”
“No, it feels like it could be but not quite.”
“That…is interesting, Mistress Breaker.” Glancing around, he raised his glass to his lips. “Druids are absolutely susceptible to the thrall. There are books and documents on it. You should feel lethargic with that much thrall going on in the next room.”
I shook my head and raised my own glass. “Nothing more than an unpleasant pull, really.”
“Curious.” He let out a breath. “There are only two more people in the line. Savion will mingle just a moment, but as soon as he’s off that throne, you’re going to feel the energy ramp up.” Once again, his cup came up to his lips to hide his mouth. “This is unrestrained hedonism involving blood, Kimber. It’s bad. I will do everything I can to keep you safe.”
Pursing my lips, I glanced around. Thiswasgoing to be bad. I could feel it.
I’d made it another two days. I had five more to go. I could do this. I could survive this. I had to. Roran, Rilen, and Dorian would never forgive me if I got myself killed.
The thought of them brought a smile to my lips.
I couldn’t wait to be back in our bed.
But… Vitas slept alone now.
I would do this for Carolee and Firr, the soldier who died with her.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Savion called to the crowd around us. “Welcome all to the Blood Rite. We are set to begin in the next room. Shall we adjourn and begin?”
Ramp upwas a complete understatement.
The energy shot high and heavy, filling the room. Fangs came into view and eyes burned red.
There was a thick air of anticipation and barely restrained naked aggression.
The body of people flowed out of the ballroom into the dining hall, following Savion.
I was horrified at what I found inside.
There were dozens of men and women chained to upright boards, held in thethrallthat Aiko had mentioned. They were not under the control of their own minds, but of someone else’s. Naked, they couldn’t move from their spots, weren’t inclined to and encouraged not to by the blades at their throats.
The doors behind us slammed shut, locking a moment later.
Aiko pulled me close and pulled me against a wall with him.
“They close the doors to keep the scent of blood to the room as much as possible,” he whispered. He doesn’t want the servants driven mad with bloodlust. He locks us in.”
“When will he open them?”
