CHAPTER SIX
His form emerged from the shadows. The soft glow of the candlelight kept him partially hidden, as if the dark refused to release him, or it was just a part of him.
“He ruined the surprise.” His voice was silken smooth, but it carried an edge that kept me far from his plans.
He stepped closer into the light. He was leaner than Sebastian, though just as tall, and he was lithe. He moved gracefully, like a prowling cat. He was handsome with a boyish charm, but I could see past that charm because death laid heavy in his eyes. It seemed as if he picked the most alluring disguise to hide the demon within. He had dirty blonde hair with strands that glowed golden in the light. It hung in soft waves down to his shoulders. He smirked, and I caught sight of a dimple. He appeared to be about my age. Though since vampires had longer lifespans than humans, he could have been older.
As the reality set in that what had been haunting me was now before me in the flesh, I clasped my hand over my mouth to hold the scream in.
He frowned, cocking his head to the side. “Why don’t you allow yourself to scream anymore, love? It was music to my ears.” His smirk turned wicked.
I backed away from him as he prowled towards me. I kept my back open, maneuvering around the bed.
“So, it’s true? You have some twisted plan to overthrow the king and rule Kilthorne?” I couldn’t feel my face. My lips were numb as the words fell out.
He slid his hands into his pockets. His smile could fool anyone with his mask of innocent charm.
“I’m sureSebastian”—he spoke his name in mockery—“painted my plans in less than pleasing colors, but yes, it’s true.” He grinned. “You’re looking at your new king, and I’m looking at my new queen.” His voice grew darker.
My mouth fell open as he almost closed the distance between us. I leapt up onto the bed and scrambled across, dismounting clumsily on the other side. “You aredelusional,” I bit out.
He appeared in front of me so fast, I barely had any time to process it before I felt my back slam into the wall. I couldn’t even tend to the pain as I cringed from the sound, praying to Brennus that no one heard.
His proximity swallowed up the warmth of the room. His slender fingers wrapped around my throat and pressed tightly. He was so cold, unnaturally so. His face hovered above mine. We were far from the candlelight now. He was just a darkened mass before me. He breathed deeply as if he were breathing me in. It made me shudder.
“You will pay for your denial, love.” His words dripped with sugar and venom.
“I will tell them,” I choked the words out as I dissolved from his touch, his chest pressing into mine. “When they find out it was a vampire all along, they will stop at nothing to hunt you down.”
He raised his other hand to my face, cupping my cheek. His thumb wiped away the tear I hadn’t felt escape. “Your father likes to pretend he knows all, but he really knows so little, practically nothing at all. He will not believe you, sweet dove. And you will only worsen your case by spouting off nonsense. He will certainly call for that third exorcism then,” he crooned.
Rage split through me at his words, at the truth that fell from them, burying me in their weight. Father did not know that vampires could cast illusions. What else did he not know of? And it set in then. Alaric had been responsible for it all. For the fear, the pain, the torture. For my life as an outcast, for why I could never be normal.He kept me from what was so mundane but what held so much peace.
I wielded my hands back and barreled towards him, pushing him with all that I had. He didn’t move an inch, and his dark chuckle raked over my spine.
“So, you see. It’s true.” He twirled a strand of my hair with his finger. I shivered. “Listen closely, love, for I won’t tell you again. And you definitely don’t want me to repeat myself. You will continue on like normal, keep up the performance that you have mastered, that all is well. And in the meantime, I will build us an empire.”
His grip loosened around my throat as he ran his fingers down my neck and along my collarbone, his touch leaving behind a trail of ice. I remembered I was in nothing but my nightdress, and I wanted to fold in on myself.
He disappeared, tossing me into a biting void as he did so. My limbs felt as if they moved on their own accord as I slipped into bed. I laid still, flat as a board, staring blankly at the ceiling. I shivered from the cold. The warmth hadn’t returned to the room, as if he took it with him. An odd sense of peace washed over me. Perhaps, he had terrorized me enough tonight. I should be safe until dawn. And with that strange reassurance, my eyes grew heavy, and I tumbled into sleep.
CHAPTER SEVEN
A soft knock pulled me from my frozen state. My gaze had been locked on the same tree for several minutes as I stared blankly out the window. I did not know how to proceed through all these new developments. I was used to pretending. I’d become proficient in the art of hiding, but this was a new act. And worse, others were in on my story now. I no longer controlled the script.
I had thought about confiding in Elsie. She already knew the hauntings never stopped, and she had never believed it was due to the demons of the underworld. She didn’t really believe in a lot of things. That was what made her a safe place for me. I thought better of telling her, now that I knew what haunted me was a deranged vampire. It was all too complicated now. I was caught within the web of politics, and I didn’t want to drag her in too. I didn’t know what Alaric was capable of. But one thing was clear: he was anything but reasonable. And Sebastian may have claimed to want to help, but it felt foolish to trust him.
I opened my bedroom door to see Mother standing in all her golden, angelic glory. She was a breathtaking beauty, like my sister. But unlike my sister, Olivia’s warmth and light radiated from within, Lillian only possessed the guise of such a light. Though today, her soft smile seemed genuine. I looked back at her warily.
“You have a caller.” There was an air of pride to her words.
“Thomas?”
“No,” she said simply and sauntered off down the hall.
I checked myself over in the mirror, skipping past my silver belt. I wore a cornflower blue fitted gown with short sleeves, a square neckline, and a slight flowing train. I took a deep breath and followed after her.
I entered the parlor behind her, and I nearly choked on the gasp I stifled. With my father stood a blank-faced Sebastian. Olivia sat withEdward. She held back her grin, barely containing her excitement, clutching his elbow as if it would keep her from floating away. Mother stood beside Father. Their expressions were foreign to me, it took me a moment to process what it was. They were pleased.
