Fire flared inside my arm and I bit down on a cry. “What the hell was that?” I demanded.
She gave me an apologetic look. “I'm just following instructions.”
I sucked air through my teeth and the pain finally subsided. Nancy started binding the wound with a new bandage, being more gentle with her movements.
When it was done, she picked up my pajama top and passed it to me. “The doctor will check on you again tomorrow.”
I nodded and she turned her back while I pulled my shirt on.
We set into our usual routine as she brushed my hair and made my face beautiful. Was I pretty without it? I wasn't really sure. I'd received attention from boys back in the Realm but I'd never taken an interest in preening myself for them. I'd never valued prettiness before. Or even wanted boys to look at me.
My stomach clenched as I thought of Erik. The way his touch sent goosebumps skittering across my skin. How his kiss ignited a fire in me like nothing I'd ever felt. It wasn't the same flame as the urge to survive. It was something even more intense than that. Something needy and urgent I couldn't explain.
I zoned out as Nancy muttered to herself about how Erik needed to be more considerate about her line of work despite the wage increase he'd given her.
I found myself lost in my own eyes, wondering if I even recognised the girl staring back at me. Something told me I needed to trust this new girl. I needed to have faith in my instincts.
Nancy finally stepped back, leaving me looking polished to perfection with my hair pulled up into a delicate bun and dark curls hanging loose around my neck. I had to admit, this was Nancy's best work so far. She admired me a moment longer before heading to the closet.
“Erik already chose a dress for you. He sent it here yesterday.” She took out the item hidden within a large white bag before unzipping it.
I stood, curious as she pulled out a gown that seemed to embody the night sky.
The deep, navy material was speckled with tiny diamonds which glittered like starlight. It was long sleeved - thankfully – with lace arms and a satin corset. At the bust was a glittering broach as bright and as round as the moon.
“It's...” I shook my head, not finding the words.
“It's fit for a Countess.” Nancy smiled and her final word ricocheted through my mind.
The choosing ceremony wasn't a distant fear any more. It was here. Today. I wasn't getting out of it.
And whoever I chose, I'd have to marry.
I stood in a royal box beside Paige, my hand locked around hers as we gazed down into an incredible theatre. Our eyes were on a dark wooden stage where a woman sang her heart out in a luxurious cream dress.
The sound was nothing like anything I'd ever heard before and it evoked an ache in me over what had happened in the last week. To me, to dad, to Callie. Something about the music spoke of that pain, their absence. Though she didn't sing in any language I knew, I understood her more than I'd understood any words before.
Behind us sat Clarice's remaining two Courtiers, Frank and Justin. They were dressed in suits as fine as the royal brothers'. The family sat on the other side of the theatre in a box of their own, the gilded lettering on the front of it blazing with the name Belvedere.
I shut my eyes to avoid looking at them, drinking in the final notes of the song as fear gathered in my heart. We'd been told that the moment the opera ended, we’d be taken to the choosing ceremony.
I wasn't ready. I hadn't made my choice.
I needed a moment alone with Erik to talk. But then what? Would he still send me into the dangerous arms of Fabian after what he’d done? And would he deny my Dad's freedom if I chose Miles instead?
My forearm prickled and I released Paige's hand to rest my palm over the material hiding the mark. Nightmare was strapped to my thigh again, humming a tune as beautiful as the woman's song. The emotions in my body seemed like someone else's. Like another soul was reaching into mine and telling me I should be sad. But why?
Paige wiped a tear from under her eye as the song ended and the silence in the room turned to roaring applause. The red curtain fell and the crowd started filing out of the theatre, heading along the aisles toward the exit.
I spotted the royals moving too and watched as Erik took hold of Fabian's arm, tugging him to a halt before he vacated the box. Erik snarled something in his ear and Fabian shook his head at him with a look that said he was angry. I sensed I knew exactly what was being exchanged between them and hoped Erik was giving him hell.
Paige prodded me and I turned, finding two guards with swords on their backs gesturing for us to leave the box. I ducked past them but they followed closely, guiding us down the corridor with crimson carpet and cream walls.
We were prisoners walking to the hangman's noose. Only the noose was a wedding ring.
I couldn't marry Fabian. I wouldn't. And Miles? The idea of him holding my secret over my head was terrifying. Choosing Erik wasn't an option, and would I want that anyway? I didn't want to marry him, no matter what strange feelings I had toward him. All I really wanted was to walk out of this city and be placed back in the hands of my family. Somewhere free and far, far away.
But as my imagination got carried away with that idea, Nightmare vibrated angrily on my thigh. The nagging feeling it emitted told me not to leave Erik behind. And I battled it as hard as I could, hoping to suffocate it away.
He is a vampire. And I am human. We will never be equal. And we will certainly never be anything but enemies.
This life was casting a spell over me and I vowed to break it. Whatever my fate was today, I wouldn't bow to it willingly. I would never marry one of them and be turned into a vampire, I’d die before that happened. So I had to fight. I had to look for the options. Find a crack of light in my dark fate and step into it.
The other Courtiers and I were led downstairs and out of a door onto a dark street. A shout filled my ears and something whipped past my head, smashing against the wall. I gasped as I took in the broken bottle and blood splattered all over the brickwork.
“We have the right to bite!” a protestor called and I spotted a crowd running toward us under the orange glow of a streetlamp, their eyes flaring with anger.
The guards grabbed us, tugging us toward a huge jeep and pushing us into the back of it.
Paige pressed up against me on the back seat, immediately taking my hand. “Oh my god, what’s going on?”
Shots were fired out on the street and I instinctively ducked my head, adrenaline surging through me as our driver sped off down the road.
“Nothing to worry about,” she called to us when we were a block away from the mayhem. “The rebels always get agitated during the choosing ceremony. It’s under control.”
“It doesn’t seem under control,” Frank muttered and I had to agree.
My heart wouldn’t settle even when we rounded another corner and put more distance between us and the rebels.
We approached a tall building with an arching glass window at the front of it. A red carpet ran all the way up the street before it and I caught sight of the Elite stepping out of cars and moving along it in beautiful dresses and suits. Surrounding the carpet were rows of vampires. A group at the far end of it seemed to be filming the event with large cameras. Armed guards with an array of swords and guns stood on the pavement and I hoped that meant the rebels would be kept away from here.
Instead of driving up to the carpet, the jeep veered to the left and passed down a dark street beside the building. We turned down a steep ramp and arrived in a huge car park beneath the building. A couple of guards hurried forward to open the doors for us and I kept Paige’s hand in mine as we followed them. We moved across the huge, concrete space and approached the steel doors of an elevator.
“Where are we going?” Justin asked one of the guards as she punched her finger on a button beside the doors so they slid open.
“Floor two, an official will be waiting for you,” she said, gesturing for us to go ins
ide. I eyed the gun at her hip with unease as I stepped past her into the space.
The doors slid closed and I glanced at the others, wondering if they were as nervous as me.
“Are you ready?” Frank asked us and I shook my head.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Justin replied, pushing a hand into his hair.
I looked to Paige who dabbed at her eyes, seeming emotional.
“Are you alright?” I breathed.
“It’s just Luke and Brianna...what happened to them was so awful. And then those rebels, I don’t know, they just gave me a fright.”
I nodded, leaning closer to her, feeling a bond of strength growing between all of us humans. We had to stick together now. Whatever happened.
“Paige listen to me,” I said as the elevator rose upward, figuring we might not get another chance to talk tonight. Her bright blue eyes turned my way. “Don’t pick Fabian. I can’t tell you why, and I know he’s offered to look after your family, but Miles is a good guy. He’ll help you too. Just don’t pick Fabian...promise me.”
Her mouth parted, but she didn’t answer.
“I think Montana’s right, there’s something off about Fabian,” Frank said, giving me an anxious look.
Paige nodded weakly and I hoped that meant she agreed.
The doors opened and a bright hallway with marble flooring opened up before us. Two guards stood on either side of the elevator and a male vampire with jet black hair and a silver ring in his ear stood waiting for us. He had a clipboard in his hand and immediately pounced on us, ushering us out of the elevator. “Come on, come on, we don’t have all day.”
He scanned us from head to toe then put a large tick on his clipboard. “You’re all looking fabulous, now you’re going to step through this door up here and I want big smiles for the cameras, okay? The whole of the New Empire is watching tonight!”
We nodded as he escorted us to a set of red double doors at the end of the corridor and my heart rate spiked.
I glanced at the man for instructions, but he seemed to be listening to something as he pressed a finger into his ear. “One minute,” he announced and my pulse drummed faster under my skin.
I still had my fingers locked with Paige’s and Frank suddenly took my other hand. Justin took hold of Paige and we shared a look as I bit into my lip.
At least I’m not alone in this.
“Okay, go go go,” the vampire called and the doors opened before us.
A hundred flashes of light blinded me as we walked forward onto a huge stage. Before us was a grand ballroom with a polished floor glimmering under the light of an enormous chandelier. A series of steps scattered with rose petals led down from the stage into the room. The place was packed with Elite, all gazing up at us with golden chalices in their hands.
The crowd applauded at the sight of us and I spotted the camera crew filming us at the bottom of the stairs.
A huge screen at the back of the hall showed a live feed of us all standing in line. We didn’t look afraid as I’d expected, but strong. And I took pride in the sight, lifting my chin as I gazed down at the sea of vampires.
My dress sparkled like stars, winking as the tiny gemstones caught the flash of the cameras.
Our attention was snatched by a woman to the right of the stage dressed in a silken purple gown. I instantly recognised her. Felicia looked as beautiful as the first day I'd met her when we’d been presented to the royals. Her flowing dark hair was braided with a white ribbon and her stunning features lifted in a wide smile. “Ladies and gentlemen of the New Empire, welcome to the twenty first annual choosing ceremony! Our royals have chosen the finest humans of the Realms, but today they will make their own choice and pick a Count or Countess to unite with.”
Doors opened at the far end of the hall and the royals appeared, walking into the room and dominating the air. Erik's brow was drawn low and Fabian took the first opportunity to break away from him.
As Erik’s eyes turned to the stage, his gaze locked with mine. Time seemed to slow and oxygen stopped travelling in and out of my lungs. His mouth pulled up at one corner and I mirrored him, achingly drawn to him in that eternal moment.
Felicia gestured for us to descend the stairs and I guessed that was our cue to join the party. I finally dragged my eyes from Erik and moved down the staircase, immediately more at ease out of the spotlight. Eyes still turned our way, but the Elite parted, allowing us through as they talked amongst each other.
We found a space amongst the crowd and turned back to face the stage. My heart skittered and danced. Adrenaline surged through me and I found myself searching for Erik, hoping I might steal a moment with him.
Felicia raised her arms, calling out to the room again, “I present to you the wives of the royal brothers!”
Through the red door appeared a group of female vampires in white gowns, followed closely by children of varying ages. My heart raced at the sight of them.
What on earth..?
Clarice let out a cry of excitement, running up the steps to greet them and falling to her knees as she gathered a couple of dark-haired kids into her arms. “Aunt Clarice!” many of them called to her.
Miles was hot on her heels, placing kisses on some of the women's cheeks before kneeling to embrace a few fair-haired girls.
I stopped moving. Stopped breathing. Because I was terrified of what it meant. I finally located Erik across the room and his expression confirmed what I suspected. My fear turned into a penetrating certainty. This was why they wanted human wives. This was what they wanted from us.
Children.
Nightmare was angry on my thigh, trembling with rage as if the sight of the children upset it as much as it upset me.
Fabian moved to greet his wives, kissing the backs of their hands like he was the perfect gentlemen. I gazed at the youngsters gathering around him, narrowing my eyes. Their skin was glossy like a vampire's but something about them screamed life. How was it possible?
I backed up, bumping into Paige and she gave me a look that told me she'd figured it out too.
“I can't – I won't,” I gasped, unable to draw breath.
She opened her mouth as if to warn me to be quiet, but I pushed past her, desperate to be away. To find some breathable air.
I darted back through a door and found myself in an empty corridor. I was thankful for the moment alone as I rested a hand on my pounding heart.
No. Not this. I don't want this. I won't do it.
Nightmare whispered soothing words. Be still, Moon child. You mustn't allow this fate.
I shook my head. “How? How can I avoid it?”
The door opened before Nightmare replied and I grimaced as Erik appeared, suddenly disgusted by him.
“Montana,” he said in a low voice. “Listen to me.”
“No,” I snarled. “I don't want to hear it. You're not going to convince me to do that. To have children with one of you. I won't. I'll die first.” Nausea gripped me. I'd never wanted human children before, let alone this.
It wasn't right. It was twisted.
“Please.” He approached slowly like I was a rabid dog about to bite. “I won't ask this of you.”
“It's not you who'll be doing the asking!” I cried, unable to control my temper a moment longer. “It'll be Fabian or Miles and I-” My back hit the wall as panic captured me. I could sense I was about to lose it just as Erik pressed a palm to my cheek, forcing me to look at him.
My rampant breaths wouldn't slow, but as my gaze met his I found a sliver of calm there to hold onto. There was a promise in his eyes that I desperately longed to believe. And Nightmare encouraged me to do so, coaxing me towards trusting him.
“Listen to me, Rebel,” Erik commanded, not blinking. “I’ll give you a way out.”
I nodded. What choice did I have anyway? And if he had another option for me that meant I never had to have children with a bloodsucker, I’d gladly jump on it.
“I don’t want children, I never have.”
He gently took my waist, leaning in close by my ear. His words were a whisper, a promise and a gift. “Pick me.”
He squeezed my fingers, leaning back as he brought my knuckles to his lips and placed a sweet kiss there.
I couldn't force out a word before he turned and headed back into the ballroom, leaving me melting against the wall.
I couldn’t remember when I’d started pacing but the nervous energy filling my veins had needed an outlet and I guessed my feet had come up with the solution.
The day had been the longest I could ever remember and yet it had gone by too quickly as well.
Dad was still breathing but it was becoming more laboured and I was finally beginning to accept the fact that he wasn’t going to pull through. The inevitability of the situation was what made it impossible to bear. I knew he was dying but he was still with me as well. A part of me just wanted it to be over but I hated that part of me too because if it was over then he would be dead.
“You’re exhausted,” Magnar rumbled. Not for the first time. “Come and sit with me. I’ll watch him while you get some rest.”
I hesitated as he held a hand out to me. If I didn’t sit I was at risk of falling down anyway. His hand enveloped mine and I let him guide me closer. He pulled me down so that I could lay with my head in his lap and I tried to force myself to relax.
“I promise to wake you if anything happens,” Magnar said as he started to run his fingers through my hair. The feeling was incredibly relaxing and despite the worry churning through me I let my eyes fall shut.
My hand drifted to Fury which was strapped to my belt. Its calming presence made me feel more secure almost instantly.
Come Dream-Walker. It seemed to sigh.
I didn’t expect to actually sleep but before long my exhaustion forced me to let go and I drifted off.
I was walking down a street the likes of which I’d never seen before. Everything was clean and bright, shining in the light of a blazing sun. There were people everywhere. Some were laughing or talking to each other as they walked by. Others were moving quickly, sighing in irritation as the ramblers got in their way. All of them were human.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 45