His blue eyes flicked back and forth. He looked more nervous than I felt. “It will sting for a moment,” he murmured so quietly I barely heard him. I gritted my teeth but nodded, telling myself yet again I had to do this to get out of this den of vampires. He pushed the needle into the bend of my elbow. I winced at the sting and looked away. A moment later, he twisted the tap and the sound of my blood trickling into the goblet made my stomach turn.
Oriana appeared, worry plastered all over her.
“Vander, what is going on?”
He turned a sharp eye on her. “I’ll deal with you later.”
“Vander,” she hissed. “You are acting irrationally. I can’t believe you killed Dravyn in the middle of the throne room. Have you lost your mind?”
“All vampires understand is violence.”
She glared at me. “And now you’ve made a thrall out of your LOA apprentice? They won’t let her leave here without turning her, and are you somehow going to make her a daywalker before me?”
“I told you I don’t remember how or who.”
“It’s probably Aunt Murial. You were always her favorite.”
Vander growled and bore his teeth—his fangs—at her. She shook her head and put on a fake smile as she backed into the crowd. The dancers swallowed her up and I lost sight of her. I’d gathered pieces of Oriana’s story from what had been said tonight and it sounded like she willingly went with Dravyn. Had she wanted to be turned? I was so disoriented, I didn’t know up from down.
Vander suddenly twisted the tap, cutting off the blood flow and gently pulled the needle. He immediately pressed a white bandage to the puncture. “Do you feel alright? Are you dizzy at all?”
I ground my teeth and shook my head. My mind was as sharp as it had ever been. I was surrounded by monsters that would kill me for my blood as sure as the sun would rise.
I couldn’t believe this was the same man who’d gently kissed me hours before. Who’d confessed his feelings for me. Who claimed to have chosen me. The man I’d fallen hard for.
“Shall I wrap the bandage for you, sir?”
I turned to the human man who’d spoken. He stood on the other side of the table, holding white medical tape in his hands. There were no chains on him. Did he volunteer to be here? Sickening.
Vander gently pushed my arm onto the man’s hand. The man quickly wrapped my elbow while Vander raised his goblet ofmyblood to Belladonna and then drank. Her pleased smile as she stroked her wolves burned me to my very bones. Once the man finished, I pushed my sleeves down and tucked my arm protectively against myself. There were vampires all around, watching me too closely. I felt like a rabbit caught in a snare while the wolves closed in. At least they were afraid of the alpha wolf guarding me.
I glanced around the room for a path of escape. My pulse hammered in my ears. Even if I got through this crowd and to the doors, I couldn’t outrun Vander. Even if I made it outside, he’d catch me eventually.
But I did have his dagger, and I could use it.
He slipped his hand around mine and interlaced our fingers. I’d wanted him to hold my hand like this for months. Now it repulsed me. “They need to be convinced you can be trusted to leave with me. Do you understand?”
I wanted to knee him in the groin and run, but nodded and followed willingly like thepetI was. Once we reached the three vampire royals, he dipped his chin and handed the goblet to Mars first. “She is particularly tasty. Almost sweet.”
Mars threw his head back with a laugh before he put the goblet to his nose and inhaled deeply. “It’s a little different, isn’t it? A rare jewel you’ve found. It would be a shame to have to turn her and lose it.”
“I want some.” Quinton reached across Belladonna for the goblet.
“Wait your turn, brother.” He took a long gulp after that, then held it to Belladonna first. “Do you want some, my dearest?”
She stared at me, eyes flat and bored. “Filthy thralls don’t interest me.”
Quinton snatched the goblet and tipped it back. He hummed and closed his eyes. “Mmm, that is good. I can see why you took the risk and told her. But do tell how she found out about you? Assassins are so loyal to the League, they’d rather die than join us. Well, except for you and your sister of course.” He smiled wickedly at that. “It’s difficult to believe this woman is your willing source. Dravyn said she is quite the fighter too.”
Belladonna twisted a lock of her hair around her finger. “I can see you like her, Vander. She’s more than a thrall to you. She has your dagger, your sister’s sword, and you came incredibly fast to retrieve her, so don’t lie to us.”
“I have no reason to lie. I do like her.” He smiled down at me with all the charm he possessed. “She is a fighter. Exquisite actually. She’s had ample opportunity to stab me in the heart with my own dagger tonight.” He took my chin between his fingers and tilted my face so I had no choice but to look at him. “But you won’t do that, will you, love?”
Play along and survive. I swallowed hard. His eyes softened and for a moment he was the man I knew. I touched the viper dagger at my hip, wrapped my fingers around it. “I could have. Still might.”
Quinton and Mars both laughed, but Belladonna just observed us. Scrutinizing. Calculating.
Vander grinned, eyes lighting with a playfulness he rarely let me see. “Well, go ahead.” He tucked his hands behind his back, opening his chest to me.
