Crimson Crown

by Amy Patrick

  “Of course. That would be great. This place is open to all vampires who want or need to come here,” I assured him.

  Just to one side of me, Kannon shifted from one foot to the other and huffed an irritated sounding breath. He must have been questioning the wisdom of my open-door policy.

  Or maybe he was just getting tired of standing there, though he was the one who’d insisted on staying to protect me.

  I’d give him something better to do. We were about finished here anyway. I stood, and everyone in the room rose to their feet as well.

  “Thank you so much for coming and delivering this to me.” I gestured toward the package. “It’s especially precious to me now that we’ve lost Sadie. You’re all welcome to stay here at the Bastion as long as you like or leave whenever it suits you. I look forward to working with those who choose to stay and carry on the work of the VHC. I know my friends Kelly and Heather will want to help. And Nolan, Kannon will find someone to escort you to Larkin right away. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to see you.”

  Kannon smirked. “I’ll ‘escort’ him myself. I’d hate for city-boy here to get lost in the caverns.”

  Reece left as well with the mission of finding a suitable cavern space for a new VHC headquarters and to let Kelly and Heather know about the latest developments so they could help.

  That left me alone with all that remained of my beloved mentor.

  Once inside my private bedchamber, I set the box on my bedside table and removed its lid. Inside were a journal, a flash drive, and a sealed envelope. I decided to open the letter first.

  My hands shook a little as I spotted Sadie’s familiar, neat script. The letter was addressed to me personally.

  * * *

  Dear Abbi,

  If you’re reading this, it means one of our friends found you before I managed to. I started searching for you and your housemates the first day you didn’t report for work. I hope you are safe and healthy now, wherever this letter finds you. Unfortunately I had to make the difficult choice of fleeing the country. I will return as soon as possible, but for now I am running what’s left of our heroic organization from abroad.

  By now you know of the VHC headquarters bombing. What you may or may not know is that President Parker is responsible. His operatives continue to hunt me, which is why I had to leave and go into hiding.

  As you know, I’ve always believed in diplomacy. Graham Parker is the single biggest challenge I’ve ever seen to my belief that peace and goodwill always triumph over evil eventually. I fear I made a critical mistake with him, by tipping my hand in a phone call to him shortly before the bombing. The lives lost in the explosion are most likely on my hands.

  The flash drive you have received with this letter contains damning evidence against the president. It’s likely that destroying it was the primary goal of the VHC attack. Of course, if I had died as a side effect, Parker would have been doubly pleased.

  Luckily, we had a backup copy, the one now in your possession. Use it wisely. I know that you will, though I am plagued with guilt for giving it to you. Have no doubt—you will be his next target if you choose to take up the mission I leave behind.

  I hate to put you in that position, and yet, I feel I have no choice. You are the last remaining hope for our people.

  I know that you will rise to the occasion. Whatever happens, you cannot allow Imogen—or someone like her—to become the sole voice for the vampire species.

  I never loved being a vampire, and yet I love our people. Because that’s what we are, ultimately. Our livers may no longer function, our skin may not be able to tolerate daylight, and we may have extended lifespans, but when all is said and done, we are what we were at birth... people. And all people deserve to be safe and treated with dignity.

  That is why you must be the one to lead our species instead of Imogen. Read the journal, and you will see why.

  I regret that I never had the pleasure of seeing your sweet face again. You truly are the daughter I always wished for and never had. Now you are the last and best hope of the vampire race. May God keep you and give you strength.

  With love,

  Sadie

  * * *

  By the time I finished reading, my eyes overflowed with tears. I swiped at them with my sleeve and lifted the journal, settling onto the bed with it on my lap.

  Though it was old, the book was meticulously preserved. The handwriting inside matched the letter.

  I started reading and let Sadie’s words transport me back in time.

  8

  Sadie

  1835 Hampshire

  Tonight should have been one of the happiest of my life. I was, at long last, to meet the man I’d marry. Instead, Imogen made this occasion, like everything else, about her.

  I pleaded with her not to wear the red dress and to let Lily pin her hair up in a proper style, but she simply laughed and tossed her long locks.

  “Why? Are you afraid the prince will notice me instead of you? Even though you’re the eldest and more ‘marriageable?’”

  “Father shouldn’t have said that. And of course I’m not worried about the prince. I’m thinking only of you and your reputation.”

  “I don’t need another mother, thank you. One is quite enough,” Imogen said. “And she has fled the country and left us to fend for ourselves. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

  Then she flounced down the grand staircase and toward the ballroom like one of the peacocks that strutted about the manor’s grounds.

  Naturally, every eye in the room turned to her when she entered. When Father spotted her, his face flushed as red as the silk fabric she wore. I went to his side and slipped one gloved hand through his bent arm, encouraging him to take a stroll around the room with me and smile for our guests.

  “It is a scandal,” he hissed under his thick mustache. “She must go upstairs and change at once.”

  “It is too late,” I told him. “People have seen her now. There is nothing to do for it but smile indulgently and mention throughout the night that she will do anything and everything possible to make our guests comfortable... including dressing like them.”

  At that, both our gazes went to the refreshment table where Prince Alexandru stood with his female companions. They conversed with those arriving at the table to make small plates or refresh their drinks but did not appear to be partaking of the refreshments themselves.

  “I suppose after one more turn about the room, you should take me to meet the prince and his sisters,” I said.

  Father harrumphed. “They are a scandal as well. Those are not his sisters. They’re his daughters—or at least that’s what he claims.”

  “How is that possible? They look to be of the same age as the man.”

  One of Father’s bushy eyebrows lifted sardonically. “They certainly do. As you know, our situation is dire, but I am considering withdrawing from the gentleman’s agreement I made with him a few days ago. At least English nobility pretends at fidelity when out in society. I will not have you publicly shamed by a blatant philanderer.”

  My gaze returned to our guests before I purposely averted it in a heroic effort not to stare.

  Sheltered though I was, I knew what “philandering” meant. But three ladies at once? Was any man so bold? And were any women so tolerant? It didn’t seem feasible.

  “Perhaps the prince is telling the truth about their identities,” I said. “Perhaps he is simply... well preserved.”

  In spite of my attempt to be cheerful, I couldn’t help but feel some disappointment. I had known it was too good to be true when Father guessed my suitor’s age to be twenty-five.

  Still... he was remarkably attractive. And I couldn’t help but notice his gaze flickering in my direction every few minutes. Did he find me attractive as well? Or was he simply curious?

  “Curiosity” couldn’t begin to describe the state of my mind. I’d never been so eager to meet someone in my life. Here was a man for whom my family
’s debt was not an issue—a prince, no less.

  For the first time in years, I had an actual chance of becoming a wife and mother.

  My hopes rose even more when we were introduced. He took my hand and brought his lips lightly to my gloved knuckles as his extraordinary eyes stayed locked with mine.

  “Enchanted,” he said with a perfect English accent.

  For a moment I was unable to respond. Those eyes. They were mesmerizing, the color of violets. His daughters shared the striking trait.

  “Likewise. Your English is excellent, Prince Alexandru. Do you spend much time in London?”

  “Not as much as I’d like, I’m afraid. I was educated in London though, and I do like to come back and visit whenever possible. Now I have found the perfect excuse.”

  He gave me a rakish smile before introducing the ladies who never strayed far from his side. “May I present my daughters? Katriona, Maria, and Daria. They do not speak English but have bade me to tell you how very lovely they find your home and how appreciative they are of your hospitality.”

  “Wonderful. I’m so happy you’re enjoying yourselves,” I said to them, though I wasn’t sure if they even understood the words. Surprisingly, they didn’t return my smile, just stood looking sullen. Perhaps they were hungry?

  I gestured toward the table laden with food and crystal wine glasses. “Please, feel free to enjoy the refreshments.”

  “We ate just before arriving,” the prince assured me. “One must keep one’s energy up for dancing. Would you do me the honor?”

  For some reason I blushed. I had danced with many men, young and old during the season in London.

  But then I had known, in spite of my parents’ hopes, that none of those dances would lead to a proposal. A girl can tell when a man is being polite and when he’s interested.

  This one was interested.

  Placing my hand into his outstretched one, I said, “Thank you. I would love to,” and allowed him to lead me out onto the parquet floor.

  He was an accomplished dancer, and as we spun around the ballroom, I felt as if I was in a dream.

  “You dance exceptionally well, my lady,” he said, giving me another dazzling smile.

  “It is you who are an exceptional dancer. If I have any skill, it is only because I have so much practice. Being on the marriage market for two years gives one ample opportunity to attend balls.”

  Prince Alexandru gave me a smoldering look and spoke in a slightly threatening tone. “If I had come to London two years ago, you wouldn’t have lasted on the market two minutes.”

  Thankfully, he spun me away at that moment because my face had heated until it was no doubt as red as the roses expertly arranged in vases around the room. To save money, they had been cut from our own property today instead of brought in from London hot houses.

  No one seemed to notice. The attendees all seemed to be having a good time. Well, everyone but Imogen.

  I had seen her dancing with one gentleman earlier—the elderly duke Mother recommended so highly—and so frequently. But now Imogen sat alone on a velvet bench set into one of the wall niches.

  It was an area usually frequented by wallflowers—the girls no one asked for a dance—and she did indeed resemble a very large, very unhappy rose at the moment.

  Turning away from the sight of her sulking, I renewed my determination to have a good time tonight.

  It was her own fault she’d chosen to dress as the personification of lust. I had tried to warn her that the respectable young men in attendance would no doubt wish to take her on a private stroll in the dark gardens away from the public eye, but they wouldn’t dare to dance with her in front of their mamas—not more than once anyway.

  Over the course of the evening, Prince Alexandru danced with me three times, which was the maximum allowed by the rules of polite society. No one had ever shown such open interest in me. He complimented my dress, my hair, my smile. He laughed at even my weakest attempts at humor.

  Each time he did, I was enthralled by the sound of his voice, the whiteness of his straight, even teeth, and the fullness of his lips. He was absolutely captivating.

  What would it be like to be kissed by him?

  Though she was two years younger, Imogen was much more experienced than I was at kissing. At least she had done it—many times, based on how she behaved with Will. I’d never kissed a man, but I wondered if tonight might be the night it finally happened.

  Unfortunately a stroll in the relative privacy of the courtyard was out of the question because it had started raining.

  Prince Alexandru did ask for a fourth dance, but I had to regretfully decline.

  “You may not realize it, but in this country, more than three dances with the same partner is positively scandalous,” I told him.

  His spectacular eyes sparkled with amusement. “Far be it from me to cause a scandal. Perhaps I could escort you to the refreshment room instead?”

  Though I sorely wished to accept his offer, my gaze drifted back to my little sister, who now wore the sullen pout of a scolded five-year-old.

  Placing my hand lightly on his arm, I said, “I wonder, Prince Alexandru—”

  “Just Alexandru,” he corrected with a smile. “Please.”

  Blushing once again, I returned his smile. “Alexandru... I wonder if you might consider asking my sister for a dance.”

  His face quirked in confusion. “You want me to dance with your sister?”

  “Well, look at her.”

  He turned to follow my line of sight to the corner where Imogen sat alone. He lifted one dark brow. “It’s hard to miss her.”

  The tone of his remark worried me slightly, but he was right. She had made a spectacle of herself. Still, she was my sister, and I had never been able to stand seeing her unhappy.

  “She can be mule-headed at times, but there is much to recommend about her, and for what it’s worth, I believe she was motivated—at least in part—by a desire to make your daughters feel at home here. Everyone at the ball is so entranced by you, I think it would do a world of good if you danced with her and showed approval of her... unconventional appearance.”

  Alexandru’s spellbinding violet gaze swung back around to meet mine. “Entranced, are they? The only one I want to entrance... is you.”

  He lifted my hand and kissed it again. “But I will dance with your sister if it makes you happy. After all, it is my hope that someday soon we’ll be one big, happy family.”

  After a swift bow in my direction, he straightened, turned, and walked directly to Imogen.

  Did he intend to propose then? It certainly sounded like it. My dancing slippers were practically levitating above the floor, and my heart felt as if it would pound straight through my chest.

  That heady feeling did not last long. Within minutes it was apparent I was not the only one enchanted by Alexandru’s chivalrous manners and striking looks.

  As they turned about the dance floor, Imogen and Alexandru conversed and laughed. The way she stared up into his eyes reminded me of that terrifyingly beautiful cobra we had seen hypnotized by a snake charmer on our tour of India.

  Of course we learned the snakes who danced in those shows later died a slow and painful death. I felt sorry for them.

  My sympathy for Imogen diminished rapidly as the song went on. She had never seemed more like a cold-blooded reptile than she did to me in that moment.

  Standing on tiptoe to whisper something into Alexandru’s ear, she pressed her bosom against his arm and upper chest then pretended to lose her balance so he’d be obliged to grab her around the waist to keep her from “falling.”

  And when the dance ended? She pulled him toward the side entrance of the ballroom toward the French doors that opened to the courtyard and the formal gardens beyond it.

  Letting my eyes follow their progress, I realized the rain had stopped.

  9

  Not While I Live

  Abbi

  At nearly dawn, Reece knocked
on the door then entered.

  “I think I’ve found a great spot for the VHC to set up shop.”

  Coming to my bedside, he asked, “What are you reading?”

  “It’s Sadie’s journal. It was in the box. I’m starting to understand where it all went wrong between her and Imogen.”

  Closing the book, I set it aside, picking up the letter. “This is of more immediate concern. It’s a letter from Sadie to me.”

  Reece lifted his brows and blew out a breath, taking the offered letter and unfolding it. “When did she write it?”

  “After the bombing, before she fled to Canada. She left all these things for me, specifically. She called me the ‘last, best hope’ of the vampire people.”

  “That’s what I’ve been saying.” Reece smiled. “If only someone would listen.”

  I couldn’t return his teasing smile. “There’s more. She also gave me a flash drive. She said it contains evidence that will destroy Graham Parker.”

  “That’s fantastic.”

  “I’m not finished. Sadie also said... well, she warned me.”

  Reece’s smile vanished. “Of what?”

  “She said Parker was definitely behind the VHC bombing, that he was after her... and that I would be his next target if I chose to take up where she left off and continue her mission.”

  “So don’t. Parker never has to know where you are or who you are. Let the VHC people handle any sort of public awareness efforts or legal battles. You can stay here out of sight, where you’re safe.”

  Reece’s tone indicated he thought it was a done deal. An easy choice.

  “What about the vampires who aren’t here at the Bastion?” I picked up the flash drive and looked at it, then held it out toward him. “What about the evidence against the president?”