The Vampire Queen

by Brandi Elledge

  I waited impatiently as Tracker turned into a flying ant that most of the South loathed because when they stung, it hurt almost as bad as a bee.

  He flew circles around my head and in an almost non-audible voice said, “I might have witnessed that little exchange between your vampire and Akeldama. That kiss was so boring I’ve decided not to lust after the queen’s body anymore. From here on out, Dani is the only girl for me.”

  “Spying again?” I asked as I opened my door.

  “Call it what you like, but when your grandfather put me in charge of watching over you, well, I take my job very seriously. Of course, I can’t help it if I also witness something boring yet highly entertaining and will be great gossip fodder for years. I mean, only if I was to gossip when I get back to the fae world, and rest assured, I have very loose lips.”

  I let out an aggravated sigh as I marched to the ballroom early just because I didn’t want Stephan to walk me there. Somewhere along the way, I caught myself wondering how important Tracker truly was to the fae society. Like, if he accidentally got squished while in bug form, or if I decided to finally sink my teeth into him on pure accident, would my Pops be totally livid? Would he spend my lifetime without ever speaking to me again, or would it be a month? Because a month I could totally work with.

  I waited silently on the edge of the mat, wondering if I should stretch or something. The truth was I had never stretched a day in my life. It just seemed like way too much effort.

  I put my hands on my hips and looked at the room now piling up with pale people, waving their money to a vamp going around the room with a clipboard.

  “Oh, great, they are placing bets again.” Tracker landed on my ear, making me flinch.

  “Stop, that tickles.”

  “Maybe more than one person will bet on you today.”

  I was completely shocked that someone had bet on me last time. Trying to keep my lips still, I asked, “Who do you think bet on me?”

  “I don’t think, doll face, I know because that’s my job. It was Stephan, and don’t look now, but he just walked in and doesn’t look pleased that you got here before he did. Oh, the saga continues. I love it!”

  I absolutely hated it when someone said, “don’t look now.” Didn’t they know that was the first thing you were going to do? I made eye contact with a pissed off Stephan. He motioned for me to come to him, and I just shook my head before averting my gaze.

  “Oh, that’s not going to help the situation. I would say whatever happens fill me in because inquiring minds want to know. But there is a high chance I’ll witness it.”

  I bent down as if to retie my shoe, so no one could see my lips moving. “I will buy a bug zapper if you listen in on any of my private conversations.”

  “Wow, touchy, touchy. Your hormones must be raging.”

  Akeldama came through the courtyard with an ostentatious red ball gown swirling around her. Someone should have really told her that wasn’t her color. She made a big fanfare of gazing around the yard and the upper balconies of the mansion, which allowed the vampires to get the best view. Sickos.

  “Welcome to the second challenge. Tonight, we have none other than Ian from central Georgia coming to fight the lovely, but slightly pathetic, pet of Stephan. And speaking of my former right-hand man, he will be fighting an ogre in two hours’ time right here in this courtyard, so make sure that you all come back here to cheer on our Stephan.” The crowd roared and I glared. “Calm down, dearies, so we may begin.”

  Tracker buzzed from my ear. “This vampire has power, but he is not reeking of it. He seems to have a lot to prove so be wary of him.”

  The vampire was literally out for my blood, so of course I was going to be wary of him. I could feel the presence of Stephan on the outside of the makeshift ring, but I didn’t dare take my eyes off of the guy making his way to me. He had a slight build and almost orange hair with a smattering of freckles all over his young face. He had a baby face that never lost all of its fat before he was turned. His eyes revealed his soul was a lot older, though.

  Unlike the first fight, there was no count down this time. No referee. No weapons for us to choose from. How were we supposed to make each other bleed? Ian stepped onto the mat, and it was game on. He started coming at me like a banshee from hell. I dodged his first couple of blows, but the third hit sent me flying. The crowd cheered, and Akeldama clapped like a schoolgirl. I scrambled to my feet quick enough to dodge his foot flying at my face. His motions were almost a blur. I couldn’t be on the offense because I was too busy being on the defense. It wasn’t as if he would make me bleed with a punch, but when I picked myself off of the ground for a third time Tracker piped up, almost sounding bored.

  “Did you know that Stephan can make eye contact with a vampire of lesser power and make them do his will? With your mix, I bet you are just as powerful. Think you can with all your soul and mind, and you will be able to do it as well.”

  I was trying to compute what he’d said when Ian threw me on the ground again, but this time he didn’t let go of my neck as he body slammed me. The pain was almost unbearable as he squeezed my throat.

  He purred, “Darlin', I’m hoping you taste as good as you look.”

  I watched in horror as his fangs elongated right in front of me.

  Tracker whispered, “You better do something because he is about to tap a vein.”

  Concentrating while being strangled was no easy feat, but once I made eye contact with him, I told him what I wanted him to do with all of my will.

  I forced my voice into his head. “Ian, you don’t want to bite me. You really don’t.”

  I felt his hand loosen around my neck, and hope surged through me.

  “Ian, you don’t want to hurt me. But you are hungry. So very, very hungry. Bite the vein in your wrist.”

  He released my neck but didn’t get off of me. Still straddling me, he put his arm up to his mouth.

  “That’s it. Take a bite. You want to feel your own blood. You need to feel it.”

  The crowd went silent as Ian bit into his flesh. Blood ran down his mouth, and his eyes closed for a split second, breaking the connection I held over him.

  He glanced around in confusion. “What? What just happened?” His blue eyes met mine again in fury. “You did this to me.” His hands were back around my neck but before he had the chance of tearing into my neck the way he had originally planned, Stephan flashed to my side and flung him off of me.

  “I believe the rules were until first blood. You were the one to bleed first. Come at her again, and I will kill you,” Stephan snarled.

  Ian glared at me for several more seconds before he hung his head down in shame and slithered off into the gaping crowd. I refused to wait around to hear what her Majesty had to say, so I scrambled up and held my head high as I left the courtyard and its stunned crowd.

  Tracker tickled my ear. “I would love to hang with you, doll face, and celebrate, but I really want to be a fly on the wall right now. Oh, the things that will be said about you—juicy stuff. It’s so boring in the fae world, but when I get back, you will be bringing joy to everyone with these tales. I will be a legend, and you will be my amusing, trusty sidekick.”

  “Glad I could amuse someone,” I muttered as I entered the mansion and started walking aimlessly.

  “Who are you amusing, Gem?”

  I glanced down the wide corridor to see Dakin headed my way. “Apparently everyone. Weren’t in the courtyard?”

  He gave me a small smile. “Yeah, I might have seen that. It seems like you have some pretty cool tricks up your sleeve.”

  I didn’t know how much to say or not to say. I just shrugged. “Tell me, is there a library in this place other than the Queen’s private one?”

  “Bored, Gem?”

  “Since I’m stuck here with all of the world’s friendliest vampires until either the princess comes back or someone kills me, I might as well find something to do with my time.”

  �
��Not having an easy go of it, huh?”

  I followed him through a series of turns and down a flight of steps, hoping he was leading me to the library and not the dungeon. “I don’t know, let’s see. I’m at a place that I don’t want to be, with a queen I didn’t even know existed a couple of months ago but now wants me dead.”

  Dakin stopped in front of a wide set of doors. He swung them open and ushered me in. Begrudgingly, I had to admit that the library was super nice with its bookshelves, floor to ceiling windows, and staircase leading to the upper level, giving access to the higher books.

  “Wow,” I said.

  “It is pretty amazing. Listen, try not to get too down and out. I really believe the princess will be found. Especially, since Stephan has agreed to track her.”

  He was carefully studying my profile as I glanced at the books. My instincts told me that Dakin knew something that he shouldn’t. “That will be a lovely day when she returns. Not that I’m ungrateful for the Queen’s hospitality.”

  “She doesn’t plan on allowing you to leave here alive. Well, unless Stephan comes back into her fold. Just be wary of everything and everyone.”

  “Why does she hate me so much?”

  “Because you matter to him.”

  He was staring off in the distance, and not for the first time, I sensed something so inherently good about this man. Now that I understood a little more about how he got under Cruella de Ville’s reign, I wanted to help him.

  “Dakin, I know that Stephan handed his line, including you, over to her, but can’t you branch off the way Stephan did?”

  “Stephan actually tricked Akeldama into a blood vow. One that gave him his freedom. He is still a part of her line, but she can’t force him to do anything he doesn’t want to. She realized her mistake, but it was too late; the contract couldn’t be broken. Blood vows hold serious magic that she didn’t want to come back on her tenfold for breaking.” He pulled another book down and inspected the inside cover. “He didn’t just hand us over. There is some bad blood between us, but it’s not because of that. He was forced to hand over his line. Akeldama had his baby sister. It’s a sad story and not one for me to share. Once Stephan had Dani in his possession, he would have come back and fought for us and Akeldama knew it. That is why she eliminated them.”

  “What? Everyone he created?”

  “Stephan had been very selective of who he’d turned. He only turned those that really wanted this life. He had twenty-three in his line, and I’m the only one that she didn’t kill.”

  “What does she hold over you? I know that she is wielding something over you. If you tell me, maybe I can help.”

  His blue eyes smiled down at me. “You are truly a Gem, but you can’t help me. I made a vow a long time ago—one that cannot be broken—just as Akeldama can’t break the vow between her and Stephan.” His eyes never left mine as he said, “He has come for you. Don’t you think it is amazing in a house full of vampires he can zone in on you? It’s as if…” His eyes got round as saucers, and pure disbelief washed over his face. Whatever he was about to say died on his lips as Stephan entered the room.

  “What the hell are you doing in here with her?”

  I had to seriously remind myself of how mad I was at him for signing up to be the leader of the search party for the princess because he was the picture of perfection. He hesitated for a moment, and a slow smile crept on his face.

  “Your walls, little one.”

  Dang it all to heck and back. I crossed my arms over my chest and glared.

  Dakin laughed. “Yes, Stephan does have the talent to listen on thoughts that should be private. Too bad we can’t return the favor. Of course, with the ease that he found you, one doesn’t have to eavesdrop to put the puzzle pieces together.”

  In a flash, Stephan appeared directly in front of Dakin. They were now nose to nose. “I can take over from here. Would you mind shutting the library doors on your way out?”

  Dakin gave me a wink, like he just accomplished his mission by riling Stephan. “Sure thing. I think I’ll go try to calm down Akeldama. I am absolutely positive that she is irate by now.”

  As soon as he left, the smirk reappeared on Stephan’s face. “So, you think I’m perfect?”

  “They say Lucifer was handsome, so don’t go getting all excited. I have a ton of questions for you, starting with how did you know where to find me? And why did Dakin think that tidbit of info was amusing?”

  “How about we start with an easier question?” At my deadpan look, he sighed. “No one is guarding the library, so feel free to ask your questions without worrying someone will eavesdrop.”

  “Even when I was invisible, you knew that I was there, unlike the Queen of Vampires. Why is that?”

  Stephan performed his signature move of putting his hands in his pockets and rocking back on his heels. “I’ve given you blood twice within a small amount of time.”

  I sighed dramatically. “Stephan, this is like pulling teeth. We both know that’s not all there is to it, or you wouldn’t be wigging out. Spill the beans this century, please.”

  “It takes several months before my blood will be completely out of your system. If we share blood four times within those months, it creates a… contract between us. One that is hell to get out of.”

  “What kind of contract are we talking about? Like what you were talking about at the witch’s house? Like I’m fixing to be your trophy wife because if we’re being real, what other kind of wife would I be?” At his non-amused look, I said, “Kidding. I’m just kidding.”

  “I’m glad you still have your sense of humor. Hold onto that wit and remember it for after what I’m about to tell you. If vampires share blood four times during a short time frame, then yes, a vampire marriage contract happens.”

  I was stunned. “Define a short time? Because if I recall, I was visiting with Pops for a couple of months, so surely any of your blood is out of my system.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck and my anxiety rose. “The time frame is generally around six months.

  “What? Did you plan on telling me?”

  “No, because I wasn’t going to give you any more of my blood.”

  “Stephan, I’ve had your blood in me three times already. The night you brought me back as a vamp, the night I accidentally attacked you after I awoke, and then the last time was when you healed me after the attack. And if you forgot about all of that, what if I had accidentally devoured someone else’s blood four times in a short amount of time? I would be married to them just because you didn’t tell me.”

  “That’s ridiculous but let’s say that you did trade blood with some poor soul and a marriage contract took place, it wouldn’t last long because I’d kill him. And even though I should have told you, keep in mind that it would have been impossible for you to share blood with anyone. The contract is only good if both vampires share blood. If you have someone’s blood in your system from three different occasions, they would have to take some of your ghoul blood to create a marriage contract. There is a good chance that if they did that, they would die from your poisonous blood.”

  I sighed as I realized he had a point.

  “Maybe I have been wrong in keeping things from you and I apologize. I just have this need to protect you. I’m not making excuses. I’m just letting you know why I have been holding back some things. I was looking for you because I wanted to tell you something before you heard it from someone else.”

  My heart sank. If he said he was now sleeping with Akeldama in order to save me, I would kill him right where he stood. Or if he had somehow found the princess… my heart dropped and I felt nauseated. Forget burying him under a Georgia Pine. I would scatter his ashes from coast to coast.

  I realized my stupid walls were down when he burst out laughing. “So that is what you meant when you said Georgia Pines before slamming the door in my face. Who knew that you were so violent?” At my scowl, he said, “Seeing how loyal you are to this princess mad
e me understand that I can’t hunt her down. Not without losing you.” He placed a strand of my hair behind my ear and seemed to be weighing his next words. “No, what I was going to tell you is that whoever you defeat in the courtyard, Akeldama kills later that night.”

  “What? Can she do that?”

  “I’m afraid so. She views you as weak, and if they can’t kill you, then that means they are the weakest vampire in her army. She has no use for them.”

  I really hated this woman. Even though every vamp I had fought was out for blood, it still made me sick to think they had lost their lives because they lost to me. It made me feel guilty. Tears trickled down my face. I couldn’t kill a bunny, and yet I was inadvertently killing vampires. She made my skin crawl, and somehow, someway I would make her pay.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  There were two chairs facing one another in the far corner of the library. Stephan dried my tears, scooped me up, and carried me like I was light as a feather over to one of the wing-backed chairs in the small sitting area. He sat in the opposite chair and scooted it closer to me.

  “Good news is she hasn’t tried to open up a portal recently, so she doesn’t know that anything is amiss with the key just yet.”

  “That is good news but no more keeping things from me. I know that you are working on a plan. I want to know exactly what that is. If we take the key and run, she will come for us. My Pops has hinted that I could go and live with him, but I wouldn’t just desert you and Dani. I’m not sure how a full vamp would survive on a fae plane. I refuse to bring the princess back, so it looks like we are on a hamster wheel. I don’t like that feeling. I don’t want to wake up another night in this tacky place. I need to know what your plan is.”

  He leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows on his knees. “Let me give you a history lesson first.” I tried my hardest not to groan. “When I was twenty-one years old, I fell madly in lust with the butcher’s daughter of all people. She was stunningly beautiful and after our first encounter, we started seeing each other. Once I got to know her, I realized that nothing was ever enough for her. Not my time, her beauty, or her lifestyle. She didn’t want a simple life, and her father couldn’t afford to give her the things she craved. Never satisfied, this young girl tracked down an ancient witch she had heard tales of. The girl stole every ounce of coin that her parents owned to entice the witch, who in return gave her what she wanted the most: beauty that wouldn’t fade, unfathomable power, and the means to be wealthy for all eternity. The witch had created a monster, but the girl didn’t see it this way. Later, I found out that the first thing this girl did was kill that very powerful witch because she wanted to be the only one that the witch made. She left her destruction for miles and miles, but she didn’t turn anyone. Not until me.”