Crimson Mist

by Rachel Jonas

  Levi offered his hand and I accepted it, then our small group descended the steps slowly. I was grateful, using the extra time to gather courage, although I was certain he only did it because he was big on grand entrances. But tonight was about so much more than proving to the people that we made good on our promise. Tonight was about reaffirming their trust. Trust they lost the second it was revealed I was human. Trust they lost when rumors about my influence on the princes began to circulate. Trust they lost when the men who came for me reported back that I’d gone missing.

  Tonight was about restoration.

  We needed them to believe in the princes again, as we prepared to pull off what some would consider the ultimate betrayal—while others would deem it the ultimate act of bravery.

  ***

  The room, although filled to capacity, was completely silent as Empress Westower spoke. I stood in her shadow, noting that only a few were truly focused on her words. Most had their gazes trained steadily on me. I wondered how many were convinced that seeing the physical changes I’d undergone was merely another of my farces. Like the one I nearly succeeded at pulling off at the Quincentennial gala so many months ago. But this was the real deal. No one knew that better than me. In appearance, I was one of them now.

  But never at heart.

  When dodging the questioning stares got to be too much, I found Glenn in the crowd. He offered a warm smile and a nod. Discreetly, I did the same in response. He looked so different all dressed up. It’d been years since he’d walked among the dead—his words—but he cleaned up quite well. The Empress convinced him to tame the hair on his head and face for the occasion and, surprisingly, he obliged. It was Julian, though, who talked him into the tux. I’d watched them from afar these past weeks, observing as the fence between them mended naturally. I suppose it only took realizing that they’re not so different to bring them together.

  Servers wove through the crowd, and when one stopped in front of Glenn, he took the glass of blood being offered to him. A glass that would seal his fate right along with every guest in the room. When given the chance to wait and take his dose with the rest of us, he declined, wanting to take the plunge tonight. He seemed downright honored to partake in what he deemed ‘history in the making’. It was a statement with which I couldn’t agree more.

  History was indeed being made here tonight.

  “And without further ado, it is both a joy and an honor to present to you, the positively enchanting … Mistress Corina.”

  I’d barely been paying attention to Empress Westower’s speech, so when she turned and reached for my gloved hand, I wasn’t quite prepared. I offered a weak smile to the audience as my arm slipped from Levi’s. The empress brought me close to her side and never left me. A thunderous round of applause rang out from the crowd, and a trio of spotlights all swiveled in to focus solely on me.

  The Empress had given her word that I wouldn’t be required to speak, but when the cheers began to subside, there was a heavy sense of expectance that hung in the room. A speech—in light of all the rumors and speculation—would only help us pull this off.

  So, I slowly slipped from Empress Westower’s grasp, stepping up to the clear podium she’d chosen to avoid blocking photographers’ view of my dress.

  My hands trembled just slightly, but I pulled on the strength of my family name to calm me.

  If anyone can see this through, it’s you. Because Prescott blood runs through your veins.

  One deep breath later, and my lips parted.

  “Good evening everyone,” I forced out, before pausing.

  A rush of nervous energy nearly sent my fight-or-flight response into overdrive, but when I peered out into the sea of strangers, I spotted the girls in red—brave, human members of the Black Key Society who stood in silent solidarity with me. There was hope in their eyes, right alongside admiration. They were counting on me.

  “It’s an honor to be among you all tonight,” I continued. “There has been more than a little speculation about how the princes and I have been getting along since our story first hit headlines months ago. It’s the reason we wanted to spend this evening here with all of you. With these great men coming into power, nothing means more to us than having your trust, but we know that trust must be earned and nurtured. I stand before you today with a promise on my lips.”

  I stared out at them all, envisioning my team streaming the event from the control room. And instead of speaking the words of my heart to the vicious wolves in sheep’s clothing before me tonight, I spoke them to the ones I love.

  Near and far.

  A crystal flute filled with blood was placed in my hand, and the princes behind me.

  “The unconventional union between the princes and me was an arrangement made with each one of you in mind. And as our brothers and sisters around the globe have begun to receive the vaccine that carries a promise of restoration on its wings, there has been a shifting in the tide, the dawning of a new era.” The sting of tears hit me as I raised my glass. “Tonight, we drink to the change we’ve hoped for, the change we deserve.”

  Standing before the people, I took a drink, and each one did the same. When my glass lowered—void of the key ingredient present in those held by our guests—the room reignited with cheers. I again imagined my team doing the same. Cameras flashed, capturing the moment, preserving it forever.

  This was, indeed, the dawning of a new era.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Corina

  We danced, we mingled, and I’d given about as many fake-smiles as I could stand. A break from the constant questions and incessant staring was badly needed, so Julian reluctantly released me from his grasp on the dancefloor when I spotted Elle seated at the bar. She wasn’t drinking, of course, but held a flute of champagne for appearance’s sake.

  “Having fun?” she piped, flashing a smile I didn’t have strength enough to reciprocate.

  “Fun left the building about three hours ago,” I teased.

  Elle nudged me a little. “Fun never leaves the building with a win as big as this one. You did it!” Her voice was low enough that no one else would’ve heard over the music.

  It still hadn’t quite hit me yet. Likely because the Ianites surrounding us were still very much themselves, but that was merely an illusion. Soon enough, the change would begin.

  “I suppose you’re right,” I sighed, scanning the room once I finally dropped down onto the stool beside her.

  The princes were still working the room, each of the three engaged in conversation with Ianites nearly as powerful as they were. Levi entertaining an ambassador from the South, Julian charming the socks off Lord Solomon, while Silas casually chatted up the Duke and Duchess of Endrick. We hadn’t dropped the veil all night, but it hadn’t been easy.

  “For you, Miss.”

  I peered up when a server I’d spotted a time or two throughout the evening approached with his tray in hand. Right there, resting between a bubbling glass of champagne and another filled with blood, was a small piece of paper, folded into four perfect sections.

  “That’s … for me?” I couldn’t help to ask. “From whom?”

  “I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I didn’t recognize the gentlemen, but he asked that I give this to you.”

  I took the note, becoming mildly distracted as I read the carefully printed words someone, apparently, meant for me.

  ‘Meet me on the terrace. Come alone.’

  I scanned the room again, and noted that, while I spotted each of the princes easily, someone was missing. I smiled.

  Aaric.

  “Thank you.”

  The waiter nodded graciously before leaving us to continue serving drinks to the guests.

  “A secret admirer?” Elle teased as I stood, turning my attention toward the double doors that led to the terrace.

  “More of a not-so-secret admirer.” She smiled when I did. “I’m stepping outside for a bit. Let the guys know where to find me if they ask, okay?�
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  She gave a dutiful nod and I was on my way to see Aaric.

  He’d hung out on the fringes all night, hiding in plain sight. Every so often, I’d catch him staring and he’d smile and turn his gaze. Discreetly, of course. The last thing we needed was another scandalous headline surrounding our group: ‘Princes’ Wayward Mate Flirts Mercilessly with Mysterious Stranger’.

  Honestly, I hated that he was forced to keep his distance. For now, anyway. Eventually, we would come up with a plan to bring him into the picture. Although, such a feat was a long way off, seeing as how Julian had recently stated in the interview that it had been Roman who took part in the ritual. Not the lost prince of a ruthless king.

  Sweeping my dress’s train behind me with one hand, I clutched the crystalline doorknob in the other. Turning it, my heart leapt once, as expected with the surge of excitement I felt at the thought of stealing a moment with him. It would have to hold me until we were back at the compound, where I wouldn’t have to hide my feelings for decorum’s sake.

  Cool air swept over my skin and I couldn’t fight the broad smile that curved my lips as I turned left, toward the dark silhouette I spotted in my peripheral vision. Only, the one outfitted in a tux, the one whose smile matched mine, wasn’t Aaric at all.

  “Roman…”

  His name slipped out on a whisper. Next, deliberately slow steps brought him closer to me, and I kept my gaze trained as he took each one.

  “Didn’t think I’d miss my own party, did you? After all, my brothers went to all the trouble of linking my name to this disaster once again.” His words reeked of hatred. “If I’m being honest, I wasn’t even surprised they did it. They made the whereabouts of their allegiance crystal-clear pretty early on.”

  He scanned me from head to toe with a look, and then met my gaze with a scoff. “So, you’re finally one of us. I’m guessing that was your plan all along.”

  I took a step backwards, toward the door that had already closed behind me.

  “Listen, I’m not sure what you think you know, but—”

  “Do us both a favor and save the lies for someone who doesn’t already know exactly who you are,” he accused, adding a single word to seal the awareness between us, “Blackbird.”

  My senses heightened and I was acutely aware of the new abilities I possessed, but purposely hadn’t exercised. They would certainly come in handy now.

  One purposeful step toward him, with the intent to rip him to shreds, prompted him to speak up.

  “Think very carefully about your next move, sweetheart. Didn’t think I’d come all this way without a plan, did you?”

  With those words, he nodded to draw my attention back to the glass doors through which I’d just exited.

  “I have a team of highly trained professionals working the room, each one armed with enough explosives to bring down this entire city if I say the word,” he warned. “The princes, and everyone else under this roof, will be blown to kingdom come before you can even bat a pretty little eyelash. So, if that’s what you want, follow through with whatever your half-cocked plan was and see what happens when I don’t give these guys the signal not to strike.”

  His stormy, silver gaze was unwavering as we stared one another down. While some might assume these threats were hollow, I knew better. Roman Fairchild was a tyrant at heart, ruthless. And seeing as how the princes were no longer under the grace of his friendship, I believed him one-hundred percent.

  “What do you want?” I seethed, which brought his smile back.

  “Just you,” he said all too calmly. “Come with me, without a fight, and I promise they’ll be safe.”

  If I knew nothing else with certainty, it was that submitting to him would only lead to pain and suffering. However, I couldn’t live with the alternative.

  “Just promise me one thing,” I requested, hearing the trembling in my voice when I spoke up.

  He pondered it a moment, intrigue filling his eyes. “I’m listening.”

  “Whatever you have planned for me, just … don’t kill me.”

  I had no clue if he knew about the link that tied my life to the princes’, but I did. Which meant I knew very well what I was asking for—torture. He had my full permission to take me to the brink of death, over and over again if he saw fit, but would have to let me live.

  “You say that now, but I have a feeling you’ll beg for death by night’s end,” he snickered. “We have big plans for you.”

  We. I hadn’t missed that.

  “Now, put on that bright smile of yours you fake so well and walk out of here like the lady you’ve been trained to be,” he taunted. “Wouldn’t want anyone getting suspicious now, would we?”

  Feeling fury, fear, and sadness swimming together in my stomach, I shook my head.

  Nope, we wouldn’t want that.

  My gaze shifted as he reached down into his pocket to retrieve something. “Almost forgot.”

  Before I could react, he came at me with inhuman speed and pushed the contents of a syringe into my neck. I clutched my hand there, confused as whatever I’d been dosed with began to take effect.

  “What’d you do?”

  He leaned in to whisper as we crossed the terrace, headed toward a staircase that would take us down to the garden below. “It’s just a little something to make sure those new powers I hear you inherited stay in check,” he informed me. “Can’t have you getting out of hand when we leave here. Dr. Percival assured me it would last until we make it to our destination, and he’s got plenty more where that came from.”

  Fear pulsed through me at the mention of that name. I knew Roman hadn’t acted alone tonight, but I hadn’t even considered Ian might be behind this, too.

  The evil genius himself.

  Roman’s words from a moment ago returned to my thoughts and I let the note I’d been slipped fall from my fingers. He said that by night’s end, I’d likely beg for death.

  Now, more than ever … I believed him.

  ***

  Julian

  The people wanted to hear from her one last time before the evening ended, but she was nowhere to be found.

  We had all searched high and low, in every possible location we could think of inside that building, and nothing. It was like she’d vanished into thin air.

  The last person to see her had been Elle, but her story didn’t make sense.

  “I didn’t see the note, nor did Mistress Corina say who it was from, but she went out to the terrace and I haven’t seen her since.” She explained.

  Trying my best to keep my cool for the sake of appearance wasn’t working. With each passing second, I became more and more flustered. I’d long-since taken off the jacket to my tux, and now I stood near the bar, pushing both hands through my hair.

  Something wasn’t right.

  My brothers, Mother, Glenn, Aaric and Elle all stood by, seeming to await instructions.

  “We need to search the grounds, but keep this between us. No one else needs to know. I checked the terrace three times already, but … she wouldn’t just disappear.”

  If Corina was missing, it wasn’t on her own accord.

  “I’ll start in the garden,” Glenn spoke up.

  “And I’ll deal with the people. If they notice us all rushing around like chickens with our heads cut off, they’ll grow suspicious.”

  I nodded and we broke off into small groups. Silas, Levi, Aaric, and I bounded toward the terrace once again, simply because that was the last known place she’d been. But I’m sure they didn’t expect to find her any more than I did.

  The three stood beside me after I burst through the door, feeling like a man on the edge. Desperate came nowhere near describing it.

  “I don’t even know where to start,” I admitted aloud. “This can’t be happening again.”

  A hand rested on my shoulder. “We’ll find her. We won’t rest until we do,” Levi assured me.

  I had no response, because there simply were no words.

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nbsp; A breeze cut through, sweeping across the terrace with force. And that’s when I noticed it.

  Stooping to retrieve the small piece of paper that landed at my feet, I read the words, immediately recognizing the handwriting. As I crumbled it in my hand, my soul caught fire with the pure rage that filled my veins. I knew exactly who had lured her out here, separated her from the pack, and it was high time he was brought to his knees.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Corina

  No matter how hard I fought to stay alert, I succumbed to the dark void within. Whatever substance Roman injected into my neck was powerful.

  My eyes opened at varying intervals. It felt like hours passed in between each blurry glimpse I took in of my surroundings. Shadows and voices moving in and out of frame, a bright light suspended above, darkness everywhere else, strange noises like nothing I’ve ever heard before.

  When I finally had some measure of strength to keep my lids open, I had no idea how long I’d been out. Only now did the distorted faces finally come into focus. But there was much more to this place than I realized. For one, I had just discovered the source of the unearthly sounds that haunted me while I drifted in and out of sleep. Brick archways made up the perimeter of the large room. Their fronts were encased in thick glass that held ghastly creatures at bay. Most snarling and hoping to break free, each one a vision of pure nightmare fuel.

  Their stature suggested that they were clearly humanoid, but there was nothing else even remotely familiar about them. Whatever they once were, whoever they once were, had been transformed by Dr. Percival. It never crossed my mind that I’d one day see one of his infamous experiments in the flesh.

  The sight of them, coupled with still being heavily disoriented, triggered my flight response.

  “Struggle all you want,” Dr. Percival taunted, “you’re not getting out of these crafty things.”

  The length of his thin finger tapped the metal restraints clasped around my wrist. I was completely locked down, wearing only a thin gown like those issued in the medical houses. I’d been firmly secured on top of a cold, steel slab—both wrists and ankles, and another vice around my neck, holding me in place.