I count again, glancing around the room for the last contender, then remember it’s Sarah. Could she be the one behind everything? She is Nolan’s daughter, after all.
31
PHAEDRA
Frederick comes over to stand in line behind Mathias. “Was there something wrong with the dress?” There’s a polite smile plastered to his face but an angry glint in his gaze.
I shake my head. “I’m really tan from working on digs. The red made me look a bit muddy. It was too beautiful to waste, though. So I paired it with Mathias’ shirt. What do you think?”
Mathias raises my hand to his lips and nips my fingers. Guess he doesn’t like me playing with fire. I wink at him.
“Ahem.”
Turning back to Frederick, I raise a brow. “Sorry, you know how it is with mates.” Mathias chokes, and I quickly pat him on the back. I might not have said it before but he’s the one who declared us mates in front of the entire vampire world. Might as well use the leverage it gives us. “Have you heard anything about Sarah or Bennett? Like where we can find them?”
“We’re closing in on Sarah,” he reveals with a satisfied smile. “Bennett is no longer our concern. Unfortunately, most of yourclaims were circumstantial at best. The footage we saw showed a human soldier killing Letz, not Bennett. No proof he had anything to do with it; therefore, we’ve dropped the charges. We don’t want to make an enemy of Harlequin unless we’re absolutely sure.” He claps a hand on Mathias’ back. “Truly sorry. I know you want to kill him and avenge your mate, but we won’t be able to help you in that endeavor.”
Furious, I grit my teeth and stare at him. Damn it, we had Bennett. Mathias shifts, and his eyes redden. The gong sounds, startling me, and we all walk into the arena. Once we hit the stairway, the family members move up into the stands, while the contenders step onto the stage.
I take my seat and buzz Jamison to make sure they’re ok.
Phaedra: Do you see me?
Jamison: Gatlin’s looking. What are you wearing?
Phaedra: Black silk shirt.
Jamison: …
Jamison: Is that Mathias’ shirt?!
Phaedra: Long story. Let’s just say I’m more comfortable this way.
Jamison: Right before we got to the entrance, a barricade showed up along with twenty guards.
Phaedra: They dropped the charges on Bennett. No proof. Sarah’s on her way back.
Jamison: …
Jamison: Damn it. Stay alert. Bennett could be anywhere, but my guess is he’s somewhere nearby.
Phaedra: Will do. Miss you three.
My stomach churns with nerves, and the lady next to me gives me a nasty look. Flashing her a smile, I lean over and peer down the long line of vampires. Several glare in my direction, but I ignore most of them.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” the announcer’s voice booms across the arena. “Here are your contenders!”
The crowd screams so loudly I can barely hear him reeling off the names. Well, except for Mathias’. When they get to him, the crowd roars like he’s a superstar.
The announcer, a lean, dark-haired vampire wearing a red velvet ensemble, makes a big show of counting the nine contenders. “Looks like we’re one short. According to the rules, that means we have to eliminate the individual with the lowest election points.” He looks down at the paper in his hand. “Oliver, please step forward.”
The lean man shakes his head and bolts for the exit, but a second later, his head rolls across the stage. The guard burns him to ashes, sheaths his sword, and disappears into the background.
The crowd snickers.
“There you go. That’s the theme tonight. ‘Only the strongest survive,’” the announcer says excitedly. “On to the best portion of our program: the death matches! What’s a little bloodsport before we get down to electing our new officials, heh? So, sit back, drink some blood, and relax.”
He motions to the woman standing at the edge of the stage with a top hat in her hand. “All the names are in the hat. Reachin and pull one out. Read the name aloud. If it has your name on it, draw another. Good luck!”
