There were lots of murmurs amongst the vampires. Akeldama’s voiced boomed, “Quiet.” After everyone settled down, she said, “Okay, Stephan’s pet. You have a point. We will say the first seven challenges are to be stopped after drawing first blood.”
Stephan spoke up. “If an opponent by accident kills the other opponent, then they have signed their own death warrant. I would like to gladly volunteer to be the one to deliver justice to the fallen vampire.”
Akeldama rolled her eyes better than anyone I had ever seen. They literally looked like they bounced around in her head before settling back down. “Did you hear that, dears? Accidentally kill his pet and he will kill you. All right, I will grant that… for now.”
The praying mantis in my hair whispered, “Say something to stop outside forces from interfering with the challenge but somehow exclude me.”
“Um, and no one outside of the makeshift ring can lend a hand to either opponent. Basically, no interference of any kind from outside of the designated fighting area.”
Akeldama’s eyebrow arched. “Or?”
“Or Stephan gets to whack them, too.”
The praying mantis laughed. “Is your vamp in the mafia? It is so whack that you just said whack. I don’t know if we can be friends.”
“It was cute at first that you thought you actually have a choice in any of this, but let’s not forget, pet, that as soon as I tire of you, your usefulness will have expired.”
“Then I’ll try to remain useful.”
She gave me a calculated look before addressing the crowd. “All right then, dears, you heard Stephan’s pet. There are two rules: during the first seven challenges, there will be no death blows, and no outside interference or the rule breaker will be killed by my former right-hand man. Now, we can begin. The first person to sign the list was Andre, who is a highly skilled swordsman. Hopefully, he will at least play with her for a few minutes, so this won’t be a total waste of time.”
The crowd laughed because apparently the queen was a riot. A handsome vampire stepped forward and took a bow. “I will try my hardest to accommodate you, my beautiful Queen.”
Tracker whispered, “Oh, great. I just threw up a little bit in my mouth but don’t worry. I didn’t get any in your hair. Just F.Y.I., you might want to start using a better conditioner. Now, tell the old hag to get this show on the road; I don’t want to ring in the New Year as a bug. Do you know how hard it is to find other praying mantises in the winter? And don’t get me started on what those trifling hoes do to their mates after they’re finished.”
I couldn’t afford to tell Tracker to shut up. Honestly, I didn’t know what he was going to be able to bring to the table at this point, but at least I felt like I wasn’t going in alone. I met the man she called Andre in the middle of the swarm of black plastic.
“Hi.”
He gave me a brief, condescending look that scanned from my toes to my head. “I’m only here to win favor with the Queen; introductions and small talk are not necessary nor welcomed.”
“Aww, I’m not welcomed to Doucheville, population of one. Too bad. I so wanted to see the sights.”
Andre glared at me while Tracker tugged on my ear. “Yeah, baby, drop the mic and walk away. Maybe I was too hasty in declaring you non-suitable as friend material.”
Akeldama clapped her hands again. “All right, dearies, I believe that everyone has had the chance to place their bets. Donavon, if you don’t mind being the unofficial referee, I think we can begin.”
A man with beautiful caramel skin, who looked to be in his late forties, dressed in a dapper plum-colored suit with a matching fedora hat, stepped closer to the makeshift arena. The lights dimmed, and he gave me a little wink. “Good luck, kid. You’re going to need it.”
Tracker tugged my ear. “Get to the far corner, doll face.”
As I walked to the corner, I wondered how long it would take before Andre the friendly vamp drew first blood. It could be worse; I could be wearing white.
“All right, listen up, doll face, we can’t let anyone know that you are part fae. Yeah, your grandfather briefed me. So, we need to use your fae powers that some very rare vampires have also. You know how you can visualize this sweet body that you’re rocking into any outfit of your choosing? Well, we’re going to do the same thing as soon as the Will Smith look-alike over there tells us to begin.”
I glanced to where the unofficial referee Donavon was listening to whatever Akeldama was saying. I muttered, “Okay.”
“When Donavon brings over the weapons selection, I want you to choose the fingernail blades. We’re going to go in close on this one.”
Going in close sounded like the worst freaking idea ever. I needed like a boomerang or lawn darts. I would settle for a laser beam, but fingernail blades? I refused to have a panic attack.
“You with me?” he asked. I nodded, not caring if I looked like a total lunatic. “So, he is going to taunt you for a bit. He is skilled with the sword but extremely narcissistic. Let his arrogance be his demise.”
I had no clue what the hell this cat/praying mantis/man was saying. Minutes before I had to be in my first fight and this joker was talking in riddles.
“Oh, good, they are wrapping it up. Finally. So just a recap, I want you to imagine yourself in different disadvantageous positions, creating the illusion that maybe you have fallen or tripped, then when he goes after you, appear behind him and make him bleed, doll face. Some vampires can do this; it’s called flashing, but not like the flashing that creepy Uncle Tommy does. When fae use this power, it’s called glamour. But these pricks won’t know the difference. Bada bing, bada boom, fight over.”
Recap, my perky behind. I didn’t get any of that info the first time around, and I wasn’t totally positive that I understood what he wanted me to do this time. But none-the-less, if that asshat Andre killed me for good, at least I knew Stephan would bring him to his doom as well.
Donavon came toward us with a box full of weapons. Andre, of course, grabbed up a long, shiny sword that looked like it belonged to Sir Lancelot. He took a few professional swings with it, and the crowd oohed and awed. I dug around the box until I found some gloves that had pointy razors on the tips. I started putting on the gloves when I heard laughter from the same crowd that thought Andre was so cool. Whatever. I used to be the last kid picked when we had to be on teams during PE. They couldn’t break me.
Donavon leaned in as close as he could to me while still holding the box. “Are you sure about that?”
I wiggled my fingers in the gloves. “Honestly, I’m not sure about anything anymore.”
He gave me a half smile. “It was very ingenious of you to suggest a first blood rule. I’m pulling for you, kid.”
I looked around at all the vampires crowding the courtyard. Some were still in the mansion, hanging over the upstairs balconies as well. “Then you are about the only one.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” His eyes found Stephan standing at the edge of the crowd. Stephan gave him a small nod, and Donavon returned the notion. He closed the lid and then announced in a loud voice, “As soon as I leave this ring, the fight will begin.”
I watched with trepidation as he carried his box out of the ring. This couldn’t possibly end well for me. It was too late for cold feet. I needed to focus. Tracker said… well, honestly, I didn’t know what the heck Tracker had rambled about.
Donavon shook me from my thoughts. “Please, begin.”
Andre smirked as he glided towards me, swinging his sword in a figure eight. He danced around me, and every once in a while, he would thrust his sword at me, making the crowd jeer. I’d dealt with a thousand jocks just like this bozo at my old high school: they didn’t impress me then, and I wasn’t amused now. I moved with a grace I didn’t know I possessed and concentrated on dodging each of his strikes. Truth be known, he wasn’t trying to draw first blood. Yet.
I dodged to the left and immediately did the foot sweep technique that Stephan had ta
ught me. Andre landed on his backside and looked as surprised as I was. He got to his feet with a small glare. The blade of his sword came at me fast and hard then. I barely had time to dodge. Every swoosh of the blade made my stomach clench. He was getting faster and closer to drawing blood.
He looked up adoringly at Akeldama on her golden throne, and when I saw her give him the nod, I knew that meant he could draw blood anytime now. I got motivated. I moved fast to the right, and when he looked at the empty spot, his jaw dropped open in confusion. I just flashed! Holy Swedish meatballs! I didn’t have time to do a proper celebratory dance because Andre had a murderous look on his face. I once again flashed, but this time I came up behind him. My hands encircled his neck, and when he moved from my grasp, it was too late. The damage was done; he had cut himself on my nails. He touched his neck. When he pulled his hand away, it was covered with his own blood. No one moved. Not a sound was made.
“But how… how did you…” Andre glanced from me to Akeldama and back again. “This makes no sense. She is weak; how could she possibly possess the skills to flash?”
Akeldama tilted her head to the side, studying me while we all waited with bated breath. “It seems if you have been holding back on us, Stephan, when it comes to your pet’s talents.”
Stephan made his way to me slowly, almost as if he was on a stroll to nowhere particularly exciting. “Dama, what can I say? Tandi never ceases to amaze me.”
“Is that what keeps your attention so riveted, your pet’s hidden talents? Honestly, Stephan, she will have to do more than flash to amuse me.”
“I’m sure whatever talents she has, Dama, they won’t amount to half of what you’ve obtained,” Stephan said.
She gave him a calculated look. “Meet me in my chambers, Stephan, and bring your pet if you have to.”
I held my head up high as I strolled from the courtyard behind Stephan. Whispers and quizzical looks were cast my way, and I ignored them all. I would love a few moments to sit down and think about what had just happened, but there was no time for that. Not when I was on to the next catastrophic event. Any meeting with the evil queen would be nothing less than disastrous.
Chapter Twenty
Akeldama was stretched out on an antique couch, her flaming red hair hanging in perfect waves over her porcelain shoulders. She looked like someone staged her that way. Gag. The moment we walked into the room, she gave Stephan a seductive smile and purred, “Darling, come sit next to me.”
How the heck was he supposed to do that, considering Akeldama took up all the space on the couch? Stephan walked the distance to the couch, and when she lifted her legs, he slid underneath. I swear if he started massaging her feet, I was leaving the room.
“I wanted to talk with you, love.”
Stephan’s brows rose in question. “Of course. When it comes to you, Dama, you know that I am an open book.”
“I would like to know why her?” Her head tilted towards me, but her eyes never left Stephan’s face. “After all of these years of refusing to change a human into a vampire and now all of a sudden, you have this pet trailing behind you… it’s rather confusing.”
“You wouldn’t believe that I did it out of the kindness of my heart?”
Her head fell back in laughter. “Oh, Stephan. That was funny. Remember the battle we had with that group of rogue vamps somewhere in Virginia? Don’t forget, love, I know how ruthless you can be. In fact that is what made me fall in love with you.” She gave him a scandalizing gaze, and then she licked her red lips. “Well, that along with other things.”
I felt my stomach clench. Stephan wasn’t mine, and I had no claim on him, but the familiarity in which she spoke to him really chapped my hide.
“Um, excuse me, your Highness, but was there a reason that you asked us to come here? Not that I mind standing here while y’all reminisce over the blood and glory days, but I’m a little tired.”
Her nose flared as she looked at me. “Your pet is quite cheeky, isn’t she? I was wrong to include her. The next time I request your presence, don’t bring her.” Ignoring me completely, she trailed her hand down Stephan’s muscular chest. “Darling, I really wish you would think about joining my ranks again. Not merely as a soldier, but as my King. We were always so good together. Things here on earth are about to get far more fascinating and—”
“What do you mean, Dama?”
Curling her body closer to his, she said, “I’m sure you are aware of the seven keys that has everyone in such an uproar? I have one in my possession, and when I marry my daughter off to that deplorable Cecil, then I will have two. He is willing to exchange one key for her hand in marriage. Of course, I told him the wedding was to be delayed. Anyways, as soon as the princess is returned, I will have two keys, Stephan. Do you know what this means? With those keys, we will be able to control who comes and goes to earth. We could banish anyone that gets in our way to another plane. We would be unstoppable. Who in their right mind would go up against the two most powerful vampires in the world? Think about it, love.”
Stephan laced his fingers with hers, and it took everything I had not to clench my fist. He feigned innocence as he asked, “You already have one key now?”
She gave him a little smile then slithered to her feet. She crossed the tacky gold room and leaned over the wooden desk, purposely pushing her butt in the air while she twisted this way and that way as she rifled through the top drawer. She straightened back and faced Stephan, holding out a black ball the size of a moon pie. Gawd, how I missed my moon pies and little Debbie snacks.
He took the key from her and studied it. It was the size of a plum. He flipped it a couple of times in the air before giving it a small twist. He now held two parts of the ball in his hands. Seeing the key for the first time cemented my thoughts as to who killed my friend. That was if Ariana was to be trusted because she did say whomever was responsible for Greta’s fate also had possession of the key. Anger boiled up inside of me. I plotted her death, and she didn’t have a clue as she leaned closer into Stephan.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” she asked.
“You just have the key out here in the open?”
She let out a laugh. “Stephan, darling, no one is stupid enough to take anything that belongs to me. You know that. The only person that is strong enough to guard the key other than me is you, and that’s another good reason for us to pick things up where they left off.”
My voice shook with rage. “It was you that sent those vampires to attack us that night, wasn’t it? May I ask you why?”
Stephan’s voice sounded in my head. “Not now, little one. We will strike when the time is right.”
“If I must admit, I was a little flabbergasted that Stephan not only made a vampire after all of these years, but he sought out a cuff for his new charge. We all know a vampire has to offer a favor in order to get the charmed jewelry. Stephan hates owing people, so I thought maybe you mattered to him.”
My temper got the best of me. “So you tried to kill me? Did you know an innocent woman died because of you?”
At her indifferent shrug, I took a step forward. An invisible force stopped me in my tracks, and I knew Stephan held me in place with his mind. He probably just saved my life with that rare talent of his, but I wasn’t very appreciative at the moment. The queen with her stupid infatuation wasn’t aware of our exchange.
Akeldama sat down next to him and threw one leg over his lap. Her long fingers gently took the key from his hands. She put the key back together and then stuffed it into the cushions behind her. “Tell your pet to leave us.”
Stephan never took his eyes from hers as he said, “You heard her. Wait outside.”
My blood boiled, but Stephan was right—now wasn’t the time. There were so many things going through my head, and none of them were very ladylike. Being Southern bred, there was one thing I did have in abundance: pride. Akeldama was observing my face to see how I handled the order my sire just gave me. I put my hands on my hips, a gri
n stretching across my face. “Sure, thing, boss. According to the witch, this endeavor shouldn’t take too long. But if it’s all the same to you, I’m going to call it a night.”
Akeldama gasped at my audacity and Stephan’s lip twitched. I didn’t know why in the world he thought me belittling his stamina was funny, but I was not in the mood to humor him. It wasn’t until I flipped my hair over my shoulder and headed out of the queen’s chambers that I remembered Tracker.
“Jeez, watch it, will you,” he hissed. “I might have fallen asleep sometime during that snooze fest. The queen is hot but boring as hell.”
Damn bug. If I didn’t think I might need him in the future, I would’ve squished him.
There was a knock on my door, and I ignored it, but it didn’t stop Dani from coming in anyway. I would pull the covers over my head, but I knew that wouldn’t deter her either.
“Why, hello, chicka. You totally slayed it out there today.” She plopped down on my bed next to me.
“Oh, hey Dani, come on in, make yourself comfortable.”
“Hmm, you’re acting a little bit bitchy. What’s got you in a foul mood?”
My voice dropped to a whisper. “Um, oh, I don’t know. Where shall I start? There is a woman who hates me—an evil, gaudy, crown-wearing queen to be exact. In fact the gaudy queen hates me so bad that she is now making me fight other vampires until her precious daughter returns. The whole reason of coming here was to find who was behind Greta’s death and to find the key. The former we can’t do anything about because I’ve been ordered by Stephan to wait until the time is right, but the key we can get it just as soon as… as…”
Tracker leapt from my hair, transforming back in his cat form. He jumped on Dani’s lap. “As soon as the vampire that our doll face here is crushing on quits banging the queen, who, if we are all being honest, is pretty hot.”
Dani threw the cat off of her. “When the hell did you have time to get a talking cat? And did he just say that my brother is humping Akeldama?”
The Vampire Queen Page 15