by Rachel Jonas
It looked like he’d wedged himself between us, to save one of two people. Either his father from ingesting the venom that still coursed through my veins, or me from his father’s rage. Perhaps, both those answers were true. He cared for him … cared for me.
“Step aside,” the Emperor hissed, coming closer as he studied his son’s reaction, how he reached back for me, taking my hand again, and I latched on to it. Seeing the touch we shared only angered the man further.
“I can’t do that,” Julian finally stated.
And that’s when I saw it. Reality hit Emperor Westower like a ton of bricks when he realized the unspeakable act his son had been accused of … was true.
“And there it is,” Jon interjected, his eyes wild with amazement as it all unfolded. “It appears the Prince is a traitor after all.”
“Arrest him!”
“He’s been lying this whole time!”
“The entire family can’t be trusted!”
The shouts were deafening. So much so, I could hardly think straight.
Julian held on to me, backing us both toward the blue curtain that hung behind the podium. He didn’t seem to have any idea how to get us out of this, but, lucky for him, he didn’t need one.
Because they had a plan.
Three tall, devilishly handsome figures emerged from offstage, each with a look of determination and resolution set on their face. If I hadn’t realized it before, they were a sight to behold. Perfection in tailored suits.
It was Levi who took the mic amidst the chaos. His voice spilled through the speakers and, spoken in his old-world accent, it held an air of calm within it.
“Ladies, gentlemen, please settle down,” he requested. “If you’d slow your mission to burn my friend here at the stake, you may find that there’s a bit more to the story.”
At first, I thought his plea would fall on deaf ears, but, miraculously, they all stopped and listened.
That cool smile of his only added to his charm and confidence, as he adjusted the knot of a red, silk tie at his throat.
“Thank you,” he crooned, fleshy lips curving at the corners with a smirk. “Some of the facts our friend, Mr. Carlisle here, shared are true, but I assure you a vast majority of them are empty accusations,” Levi lied.
But who was I to point that out.
Silas approached from the right, getting close enough that the back of his hand brushed mine, which Julian still hadn’t released. To my left, Roman stood like a statue—immoveable. With Julian still stalwartly shielding me from the crowd, it didn’t take long to realize these three intentionally incased me, creating a fortress I imagined few would dare to breach. It was almost as if they meant to … protect me.
Silas leaned into me.
“I thought there would be more time,” he began, and the feel of his breath against my ear was unnerving, bringing every inch of my skin to life. “We planned to bring this to you both as merely an option, something you could either choose or reject, but … I didn’t foresee things going this way.”
To say that I was confused didn’t even begin to describe the feeling I had.
“What’s happening?” Julian asked, glancing at Silas from over his shoulder.
“They’re calling for blood,” Silas answered gravely. “And there’s only one way we could think of to ensure you’re not both hauled to the gallows at dawn.”
There was a look that passed between them, one where Julian seemed to submit to whatever plan Silas and the others had launched. I, on the other hand, was only becoming more perplexed by the second.
“I’m sorry. I wish there was another way,” Silas uttered, his lips brushing the rim of my ear.
The statement was followed by a firm squeeze to my shoulders—one that was nearly an embrace. To my surprise, he didn’t let go, but clung to me as if we’d been acquainted before this. The initial confusion I felt only strengthened.
“Your assumptions are half right,” Levi continued on, addressing the crowd. “Julian did, in fact, violate the no-turn law.” He paused briefly when the crowd got riled up again. “However, his actions were still within his legal rights.”
The statement was met with a swift outcry in response.
Without thinking, I leaned deeper into Silas’ side. At the same time, Julian’s fingers slipped deeper between mine.
“We’ve all agreed to initiate the blood bond,” Levi announced, sending the volume of the crowd soaring through the roof. I couldn’t tell whether they were pleased to hear the news or angry. “At the conclusion of this conference, we plan to reach out to a representative of Dr. Ian Percival to request that our fearless leader step in to assist with the process. Even if only to give his wise council as we journey into the unknown.”
The room buzzed with tension and things being shouted from the crowd. But I couldn’t focus on one thing I heard or saw. Instead, a wave of dizziness made my head swim as I blinked.
“Wait … I don’t … I can’t …”
The skin of my arm chilled when the tips of Silas’ cool fingers traced a line down it, consoling me when I stammered, unable to formulate a coherent sentence.
“What’s he talking about?” I finally choked out.
“If we don’t do this,” Silas sighed, “if we don’t all participate … you and Julian will never make it out of here alive.” He explained as much as he could under these circumstances, passing a thoughtful gaze my way. However, that small inkling was an earful.
“Last night, Levi, Roman and I made a pact.”
“That’s what a blood bond is? A pact?” I asked, hearing the slight tremble in my voice as I raised my voice a little to be heard over the audience.
Silas nodded again.
“It is, but … it’s more than that. It’s …”
He fell silent and I braced myself, knowing whatever he worked his way up to saying would hit me hard.
“We aren’t only making a pact with each other,” he declared. “We’re … pledging ourselves to you.”
I was at a loss for words, but even with my head cloudy, I felt the chill of a cold stare to my left.
Roman.
He glared down at me with a hardness behind the look that I couldn’t fathom. My only guess was he’d probably been the hardest to convince to cooperate, the one most resistant to … pledge himself to me.
I had no idea what any of this even meant, but, one thing was for certain … my time here in the Capitol was about to get much worse if I didn’t think of something soon.
Especially if Levi kept his word, and brought Dr. Percival out of hiding.
It seemed the obstacles just kept coming, and from what I understood, this wild ride was about to get a whole lot wilder. As if being owned by one prince hadn’t been hard enough to fathom, soon … I’d belong to all four.
*****
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SOUNDTRACK
(Listed in no particular order)
Music is a very integral part of my writing process and
I carefully choose songs that fuel each scene. The lyrics may not always be spot on, but sometimes it’s more about the emotion evoked. While writing The Vampire’s Mark, I selected music that brought out the intense emotions Cori felt during various scenes throughout her journey. I hope this list enhances the reading experience for you like it did for me while writing.
Note: Piracy is unlawful and using sites where music can be downloaded for free is equivalent to stealing from the musician. Buying the song or album directly from the artist will always be the best way to show support and appreciation for the artist’s work.
Sam Tinnesz—“Play With Fire”
Broken Social Scene—“Sweetest Kill”
Two Feet—“I Feel Like I’m Drowning”
Sam Tinnesz—“Hold on For Your Life”
St. Vincent—Prince Johnny
Gary Glen Jr.—Bright Lights
Lorn—Acid Rain
Glass Animals—Gooey
Glass Animals—Glass Mambo
The Veils—Lavinia
Lana Del Rey—Young and Beautiful
Billie English, Khalid—“Lovely”
Billie English—You Should See Me in a Crown
Noah Cyrus—Again
Sia—“Elastic Heart”
Stateless—“Bloodstream”
SBTRKT, feat. Sampha—“Trials of the Past”
Ta-Ku—“We Were in Love”
Zola Blood—"Good Love”
Glass Animals—“Poplar St.”
Lewis Del Mar—“Tap Water Drinking”
Tender—“Armour”
Sohn—“Hard Liquor”
Tender—“Erode”
Yoke Lore—“Only You”
Glass Animals—“Cocoa Hooves”
Hippie Sabotage—“Rogues”
Glass Animals—“Agnes”
Lewis Del Mar—“H.D.L.”