He moved around me and I eyed the open door.
I could run.
He would catch me.
But maybe I'd find a window to launch myself out of first.
Then I'd have to try and scale that big wall...
“Rebel?” Erik questioned in a bored tone. “Stop staring at the door like you're going to run.”
My legs moved and I fled. Because why the hell not? I was a damn prisoner! And I wasn't going to be a compliant one.
BAM.
Erik's chest collided with my face. Or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, it hurt like hell.
Something in me wanted to hit him, but years of living under the vampires' rule stopped me. I couldn't fight back, I knew that all too well. And a trickle of fear rolled smoothly down my spine as I remembered that.
Erik took my wrist and forced me to twirl as he shoved me further into the room.
On the bed was a blood-red gown that looked more fitting for the Countess, Clarice, than me.
“Put this on,” he growled by my ear, sending a shudder through to my core. “Don't test me. I'll put it on you myself if I have to.”
He stepped away and I released the breath that was jammed in my lungs. I scowled at the dress as I crept toward it.
“Why?” I turned, but Erik was gone, the door firmly shut.
My teeth stamped together as I plucked up the dress, trying to decide what to do. I didn't think Erik was lying when he said he'd force me into it. But putting it on felt like submitting.
I rubbed my eyes, tension knotting every muscle in my body.
“I can't hear you changing, Rebel,” Erik growled through the door, making me jump.
I cursed myself as I made my decision then tore off my clothes and tugged the silken thing on. There was a zip up the back and I couldn't reach it no matter how much I twisted my arms.
Erik re-entered the room, moving toward me with purpose.
“I can do it,” I insisted, bending my arms to their limits. Don’t touch me you creep!
“Stop it. You look like the worst contortionist in history.”
“A what?” I snapped, giving up and dropping my hands.
He ignored me, taking the zip and dragging it up my back so fast I squeaked. The dress clung to my figure, but was loose in some important places.
His hand was suddenly on my waist, pinching me through the material and I fought the instinct to lurch away. “Don't you eat in your Realm?”
I released a derisive laugh, figuring he was joking. And a cruel joke at that.
“I'll take that as a no,” he muttered, turning me sharply to face him.
“Face. Hair,” he demanded.
I shook my head in dismay and his eyes went skyward.
“Shit, what do the others do?” he murmured to himself then an idea lit up his steely eyes. “Wait here.”
“Where else would I go?” I dead-panned, but he'd left the room by the time I'd finished speaking.
I gazed down at the dazzling dress that fell to my ankles, scowling at my bare toes. What the hell was this about?
The door finally reopened and Erik appeared pushing a flustered-looking vampire into the room. She was short, pretty and wore a white apron over a black uniform.
“Oh, um, Count Belvedere, I'm not sure I'm the right choice for-”
“Nonsense,” Erik cut over her, steering her toward me. “Your hair and makeup is always impeccable and that's what I'd like you to provide for this...train-wreck.”
I wasn't quite sure the meaning of the insult, but I knew it was one.
“She's very pretty already,” the vampire girl commented, tucking a luscious black curl behind her ear.
Erik's lips pressed together as his gaze dripped over me. He grunted - which could have been an affirmation or a denial, I didn't really care which.
“Everything you need is in the dresser,” Erik commanded and the girl bowed low.
“Yes, sir,” she said. Her eyes remained on the floor until he left.
The sharp click of the door seemed to echo on for an eternity.
She glanced up, looking nervous as she floated toward the dresser. “So...do you like your hair up or down?”
I glowered, not answering.
“Okay, let's go with up.” She searched around in the drawers, taking out some makeup – the same stuff Felicia had painted on me – and a hairbrush.
The girl patted a cushioned stool in front of the dresser. “Sit.”
I drifted closer, knowing I was going to have to face the wrath of Erik if I didn't comply.
“My name's Nancy, what's yours?” she asked as she picked up the golden brush and started running it through my dark locks.
I considered not answering, but figured I had no one else to talk to around here. “Montana.”
She beamed, seeming to relax at hearing me speak. “Well, Montana, I think you're going to like it here.”
“Ha,” I spat and she looked a little hurt.
Nancy continued to brush my hair, her cheeks sucked in as she started braiding it. “You're the first human Erik's ever chosen, you know?”
“Lucky me,” I muttered.
She sighed, evidently frustrated with me. Well she obviously didn't know what it was like to be kidnapped did she? That was real frustration, Nancy.
We fell into silence as she coiled my braid and pinned it into a bun. Next, she started painting my face and I begrudgingly let her. The softness of her cold hands didn't fool me. She was a vampire through and through. And I wasn't going to let my guard down around anyone in this place.
When my face was transformed into something more like a mirage than my true features, Nancy stood back to admire her work.
“You look perfect, if I do say so myself.” She grinned and two dimples formed in her cheeks. She was a wolf in sheep's clothing. And I did not smile back.
Nancy moved to the wardrobe, returning with a pair of shoes that had ridiculous heels on them.
“No,” I refused, folding my arms. I wasn’t going to put anything on my feet I couldn’t run in.
“Oh…” Nancy looked concerned, but didn’t force the issue as she returned to the wardrobe and produced a dainty pair of flat shoes.
They would have to do so I took them from her and slipped them on, finding them perfectly sized for my feet. I wondered how it was possible that these vampires knew my measurements and disgust gripped me when I realised they must have been taken at some point during my kidnap.
I glanced down at my fancy dress and the delicate shoes on my feet, my stomach hardening into a cold ball.
The door flew open and Erik stepped back into the room, looking impatient.
“Done?” he asked Nancy before his eyes fell on me.
I hated the way he looked at me. It was like the sun staring at the earth. All-powerful and radiating importance.
“Is this what you had in mind?” Nancy prompted when he said nothing.
He jerked his head in a nod then held out a hand to me. I gazed at it in confusion before he rolled his eyes, stalked forward and took my hand.
I suddenly missed Nancy's quiet demeanour as he hauled me out into the corridor. He released me as he straightened his fine suit jacket, then offered me his arm.
My nose wrinkled in response and he eyed my scrunched up face with irritation. “That's an order, Rebel.”
“Montana,” I corrected harshly, but took his arm all the same. I wasn't about to start a fist fight with a vampire.
“Whatever.”
As we walked, he reached out his other arm to unveil his wrist, exhibiting a garish silver watch. At the top of a grand staircase, he tugged me to a halt, his eyes firmly on the timepiece. My gaze slid to the red carpet which ran down the centre of the stairs, curving into a large hallway of tan and white tiles.
I grew anxious as we stood there, unsure what the hell we were waiting for. The watch reminded me of the vampire back in the Realm who'd jabbed a cattle prod into my back. And the lon
ger I looked at it, the more I despised these royals and every single one of their lavish possessions.
Erik's iron gaze slid up to my face. “Do you have a problem with my watch? Or perhaps your tiny brain cells are trying to work out what it is.”
“I know what a watch is,” I hissed. “And it's disgusting.”
A cloud of confusion crossed his gaze. “That's an odd choice of word.”
I almost bit my tongue on my next outburst, but if he wanted to know then why keep it quiet? He obviously wasn't in any rush to cut me open and drain me of blood.
“It's the principle,” I said, my spine straightening. “My dad told me about the value of stuff like that in the old world. And that watch could have fed a family of ten.”
“What?” he balked, evidently trying to work out a riddle in my words I was sure wasn't there. “Oh, you mean a human family.” The penny dropped, but I didn't spot any regret over that fact in his expression. “You're all kept in luxury compared to what you deserve, I've seen it for myself. You should be damn grateful to us for the life you're given.” His jaw snapped shut as if the case was closed but it was far from closed.
“Luxury?” I snarled. “You think we should be kept in worse conditions than we already are?”
Dammit, this guy was a piece of work. How could he flaunt his wealth and not give a damn that the humans who kept him well-fed were half-starved?
“Yeah, know why?” He shoved up against my body, pinning me to the banister with impossibly hard muscles and furious eyes. “Because the humans who end up with my brothers and sister are always snivelling and begging for better conditions. In my opinion it’s greed. You see what we have here and you want more. Never happy. You wouldn't be satisfied even if I handed you my castle.”
The last word threw me off balance a little, despite the stream of insults he'd just dished me.
“Castle?” I murmured, feeling foolish, but wanting to know exactly what that was.
His beautiful features skewed again as if he thought I was an idiot. “Been missing school lately, Rebel?”
I had to laugh at that one: a hollow, angry laugh of course. Surely he was having me on?
I reverted to sarcasm, trying to stave off the anger rising to a dangerous level in my body. “Oh yes, we're quite well-educated in the Realm. The vampires love to teach us a good lesson or two.” With their cattle prods and their constant threats and bared fangs.
Erik's eyes were back on his watch. “Uhuh,” he grunted, evidently done with this conversation. “Right, that's long enough.” He yanked my arm and guided me down the stairs, turning me sharply as he shouldered through a set of double doors.
The scent of cooked food hit me so hard, my tongue wasn't ready for it. I salivated like a hungry animal at the sight of a banquet stretching across a large table at the heart of the room. With a jolt, I realised I hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning.
Tapestries hung from the walls, a roaring fire danced in a hearth, but all I could focus on was the mouthwatering feast before me.
The humans who'd been chosen by the royals were sat around it, the five of them still wearing the same dresses and suits from earlier. I might not have attended any formal events in my life, but even I could tell my fine gown and perfect hair was complete overkill. What was Erik thinking?
The royals stood at the back of the room in a rigid line as if they'd been waiting for us.
“Late as always. You're getting on my last nerve, Erik,” Fabian growled, his upper lip curling back to reveal glinting fangs.
“Newsflash: your last nerve died a long time ago.” Erik steered me toward the table of humans, planting me in the only remaining seat beside Paige.
“Why is she dressed like that?” Miles asked, pushing a hand into his unruly blonde hair.
Erik moved toward them, joining the line-up. “The finest flower deserves the finest dress.” His eyes slid to Fabian whose mouth twitched with annoyance.
Paige caught my hand under the table, drawing my eyes away from the royals. “Are you okay?” she breathed and I nodded firmly.
“Are you?”
“Yes. But hungry.” Her soft green eyes fell to the food but my gaze remained on her light features, my thoughts wheeling to Callie. This girl's looks were sharper but everything about her colouring was the same. It made me like her even more.
“Eat,” Clarice encouraged and I glanced over at our weird entourage who stood in a formal line, watching us.
The men and women tucked in and the clink of fine china was the only sound to taint the silent air.
“Music,” Miles groaned. “It's so awkward without music.” He glanced at a guard in a corner of the room. I spotted more of them hiding in the shadows, as still as statues. No wonder I hadn't noticed them...
The guard Miles had addressed moved to a large wooden thing against one wall, lifting its lid and placing a black disc at the heart of it. Music filled the air; a soft instrumental piece that was so alien to me. All I knew of music was the songs sung by the people in the Realm and the clash of instruments made from steel drums and kitchenware.
I started filling my plate with potatoes and steaming veg, my stomach growling too much to even consider starting a hunger strike. Besides, why would the vampires care if I didn't eat? The only person I'd be screwing over was myself.
I glanced across the table at Frank and he gave me a small nod as he chewed on his food. “You okay?” he asked when he’d swallowed. The other two men shifted in their chairs, glancing over at the royals, but the vampires didn’t rebuke Frank for speaking.
I nodded, offering him a ghost of a smile as I tucked into my meal. I devoured a plateful of the delicious vegetables, my tastebuds alive with the perfectly salty food. The others made polite conversation as they ate and I soon discovered the other two men’s names. The one with broad shoulders and a deep bronze complexion was Luke and the other with thick muscles and a copper beard was Justin.
When I'd eaten enough, I glanced over at the royals who were talking in voices so low I couldn't catch a word. Their mouths barely moved as they whispered, despite the fact their eyes were all pinned on us. It was damn strange and confirmed the rumour that a vampire's hearing was far better than a human's.
I plucked up my courage as I watched them then rose from my seat. All eyes in the room snapped to me and my bravery dipped for a moment.
“Are we going to get an explanation for what this is all about?” I forced myself to say.
Paige and Brianna gave me a hopeful look that served me the strength to remain standing.
Erik threw a bored look at Clarice who promptly stepped forward.
“You're the luckiest humans in the Realms,” she announced with undisguised excitement. “Every year a handful of you are tested for the quality of your blood. You've all passed with flying colours which means you're very valuable to us.”
“In what way?” Frank asked, taking my cue to rise from his seat, too.
“By the end of the formal ritual, all of the girls will be officially paired with a Count and the men will be paired with me.” Clarice beamed, but the men shared anxious looks.
I eyed the girls who shifted nervously in their seats.
Clarice went on. “In the sake of fairness, we're giving you four days to make your own choice. You don't have to choose the Count who picked you, ladies, but I'm afraid the men are stuck with me. However, as I prefer to have a willing harem, I will offer the men another choice which will be discussed in private.” She grinned mischievously.
“Why would we choose any of you?” My hand tightened around a dinner knife I hadn't realised I'd been holding.
Erik's eyes honed in on me, but it was Clarice who answered. “Because if you choose to pair with one of the Counts, they will one day sire you.”
Breaths were sucked in around the table, but I didn't know what that meant and clearly a few others didn't either.
“What does that mean?” Paige asked before I could.
; Fabian's eyes clawed over her. “It means, we'll turn you into vampires and bestow on you the greatest wealth in the New Empire.”
Silence.
My heart ticked painfully in my ears. From the expressions on Justin and Luke’s faces that possibility was a godsend. But Frank looked angry and both Paige and Brianna shared a look of fear. The idea of being sired made me sick to my stomach. So much so, my legs grew weak.
“And if we still don't choose?” I pressed, fighting deep for my courage.
A ghost of confusion gripped Clarice's features before she answered. “Well...”
“You'll be sent to the nearest blood bank,” Erik said with a grim look.
My jaw literally dropped. “I thought you said I could go back to the Realm.”
“I lied,” Erik replied coolly.
“So we don't have a choice?” I choked out, my throat constricting further and further.
“You do,” Miles replied with an encouraging smile. “But granted not a huge one. We all understand the difficulty of your situation and don't expect you to acclimatise immediately. But you must try to look at the positives in the situation.”
“Positives?” Paige whispered. “What about our families? My mom's back in the Realm, she's going to be sick with worry.”
“If you cooperate and choose well, your families may be moved to more comfortable houses in the city,” Fabian said in his deep tone. “We will try our best to make this transition as easy as possible for you, but the rules are the rules. You will make your choice in four days time.”
“How are we supposed to choose?” Brianna piped up, her deep brown eyes sparkling with concern.
“You will be given the opportunity to spend time with all of us over the next few days,” Clarice answered with anticipation dripping through her expression.
My gaze roamed over the three Counts at my disposal. I already held so much hatred for Erik that I immediately ruled him out. From the remaining two, I preferred the light aura that Miles gave off. Fabian seemed too cold, too forbidding.
Erik's shoulders stiffened. “You will be cared for by the Count or Countess who selected you initially until the day of the choosing.”
The words were spoken to the room, but his eyes bored into mine, confirming they were for me. It was a warning. For whatever reason, he was possessive of me. And I suspected there was much more to the so-called gift of being sired than the vampires were letting on.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 11