Page 10
Story: Ever Dark Academy, Vol. 2
He wasn’t going to let Lawson kill Ryder.
He had faith that Ryder was strong enough to defeat the other Weryn Vampire fair and square, but men like Lawson didn’t play fair.
If Lawson sensed that there was even a chance that he could lose, he would use every dirty trick in his arsenal.
Ryder was so honorable that he wouldn’t anticipate this, or even if he did, he would likely still keep to the rules.
Hell, he might not even kill Lawson when he had the chance.
Because as vile as Grayson was sure Lawson was, men like him preyed on the sympathy of others.
“They are in the Ring now. That is why Balthazar and Caemorn brought you here. We will watch from the royal box,” Daemon stated.
Again, Grayson couldn’t understand why he was being taken to this Ring, let alone to be in the royal box. Yet he didn’t care. Just so long as he could be there for Ryder.
“Let’s go,” Grayson said and turned towards the palace’s doors.
He knew he should let Daemon precede him or something, but he had to get to the Weryn Vampire.
Daemon though did not wait on ceremony and easily came along with Grayson, hand still on his shoulder.
Normally, Grayson would have shrugged that hand off, but it continued to be comforting.
It was only when he was halfway down the long hallway that he realized he had no idea where he was going.
“Ah, I should probably let you lead the way,” Grayson said sheepishly to Daemon.
“No need. Hold on tight,” Daemon said as the others grasped hands with each other and then him.
“What--WHOA!” Grayson cried as the world disappeared and then reappeared, only they were somewhere else.
It was a gladiatorial ring. It looked like the Colosseum, but underground. The ceiling was three stories above their heads and was lit with strange jewels that made Grayson feel cold looking at them. They sparkled and winked with a strange white light.
“This way,” Daemon said and led Grayson up a few steps into a raised rectangular seating area at the far end of the Ring.
There were two thrones. One clearly for Daemon with an arching carved back of bones and thorns mixed with swords and skulls.
There was another, slightly smaller with birds and snakes that was clearly for Julian.
There were four other less ornate chairs on either side of the thrones.
Daemon gestured for Grayson to sit beside him while Balthazar and Caemorn sat beside Julian.
Again, Grayson knew that this could not be normal for a student like himself to be so singled out for favor by the Vampire King, but he wasn’t going to question it now. He was just glad for it.
Just as he was about to sit down, Grayson froze when he saw Ryder.
The Weryn Vampire stood mostly alone, except for Demos.
The crowd of Vampires were shouting and pumping their fists into the air, excited for the show.
The Weryn, or the group he took to be them, was not shouting, but instead sat or stood silently, except for a half dozen around Lawson.
Lawson was striped down to his pants and boots. His bare chest was heavily muscled and covered with soft golden hair in spots. His face was flushed and sweat glistened on his bare skin. He thrust his arms up into the air, urging the crowd to greater heights of bloodlust.
How can he do this? Ryder is his Childe! His fledgling! How can he take any joy in this? It’s wrong!
His eyes locked with Ryder’s. A wave of emotion rocked him back on his heels. Ryder looked determined, but also grief-stricken.
He knows what he has to do about Lawson but he doesn’t want to do it. Or more that he regrets it's come to this.
The urge to simply vault down from the box to the ring’s sandy ground and run to Ryder’s side was only squashed when Daemon squeezed his shoulder and urged him into the chair.
“He must do this alone, Grayson,” Daemon said.
“Why? You know that Lawson’s not going to play fair!” Grayson cried.
“It does not matter,” Daemon answered.
“It doesn’t matter if Ryder dies? I can’t believe--”
“No, no, Ryder will win no matter what Lawson does,” Daemon explained.
“Oh, I--”
“Ah, there he is! My prize!” Lawson roared with laughter. Grayson’s head snapped towards the Vampire again. “You’re going to be mine, little boy! After I kill this disloyal scum .”
Lawson’s taunting words had Grayson surging forward again.
His lips peeled back from his teeth. If he’d had fangs they would have been out.
Grayson rather wished he had. And it wasn’t just for Lawson either.
The eager shouting of the Vampires in the stands sickened him.
He wanted to make them all pay . They wanted to see blood? He’d show them their own!
“Grayson, please, sit,” Daemon’s voice was soft. It wasn’t demanding. But Grayson was unable to resist it.
Grayson sat down in the padded leather seat and dug his fingernails into the chair’s arms. “They have no right. Why are you making a spectacle of this?”
“Ryder is in no danger,” Daemon told him. Red eyes fixing on his face. “It must be in front of all for them to see.”
“See what?” Grayson demanded even as Balthazar and Caemorn looked over at him concernedly.
He doubted most--or perhaps any --people spoke to Daemon this way. But he was beyond caring what those in authority thought of him. And if Daemon did not have a good answer for this then Grayson cared little what was expected of his position.
“Watch and you will understand.” Daemon patted his arm.
Grayson sat on the edge of his seat. Taut. Anxious. Angry. The power inside of him was building up into a roaring bonfire. If Ryder needed him, he would be there. He wasn’t here for a show. He was going to save Ryder’s life even if no one else would!
Balthazar was standing at the railing of the royal box. Even though the Eyros Vampire hadn’t said anything, the crowd quieted until a pin drop could be heard.
Balthazar waited a beat more before he spoke, We have come here today to see who will lead the Weryn Bloodline! Lawson Hughes, Childe of Legion, Child of Weryn, currently is the de facto leader of this great Bloodline until Weryn, himself, takes his place!
Balthazar’s gaze lingered on Ryder. Some of the Weryn Vampires also glanced Ryder’s way. Their eyes were full of hope or fear or some mixture of the two. The only person who didn’t look was Lawson who roared, “Let’s get on with it! We don’t need your pretty Eyros words!”
Balthazar’s eyes narrowed for a moment with annoyance, but he didn’t even glance Lawson’s way as the other Vampires around him guffawed and clapped him on the back.
Well, some of them did. Others appeared a bit wary to insult Balthazar.
After what Grayson had seen of Balthazar’s powers, he thought that was rather wise.
Caemorn’s lips compressed into a thin white line at the insults, too.
The Kaly Vampire’s eyes searched each face that had laughed as if memorizing them for later.
Grayson got the distinct impression that while Caemorn was allowed to criticize Balthazar, no one else was allowed to.
Just like Balthazar could tease the Kaly Vampire.
The two of them were in each other’s corners.
Unlike in the days of old, Balthazar continued, there will be order. We will not murder each other and each other’s fledglings in the street.
There was a charged silence here. All Vampires were looking at Balthazar now.
But no longer is any Master allowed to abuse his fledglings and those fledglings stay silent! Balthazar’s voice rose until some winced as if he had screamed in their ears.
The Eyros Vampire’s hands tightened around the railing. Caemorn stood up behind him, one hand on Balthazar’s lower back. It was a touching and surprising display, almost like Caemorn was the Master to Balthazar’s Childe at that point. A very hurt Childe.
To challenge one’s Master is not a thing taken upon lightly. We would not sanction it unless justified, Balthazar stated. His gaze finally swung to Lawson. Lawson Hughes, you have broken our laws!
Balthazar’s voice seemed to grow darker, deeper and echoed in Grayson’s bones. He found himself wrapping his arms around his chest to self-comfort. Daemon put a hand on his shoulder and he laced his other hand through Julian’s.
You have dishonored your House, your Bloodline, and all of us by attacking Grayson Duke!
Balthazar’s right hand swung towards Grayson to point him out, though that seemed unnecessary as he was the only human present and everyone seemed to already be looking at him. Grayson did not hunch low in his chair to try and avoid those gazes. He stared evenly back.
“He’s a freak! He’s not a student!” Lawson roared. “He’s not normal!”
Grayson’s cheeks burned, but he did not lower his gaze. Maybe he was a freak. But among Vampires? No, he was nearly normal. Ryder was looking at him and he saw the big man fist his hands at his sides. Ryder had looked sad before, but now? Now, he looked coldly murderous.
We are no longer separate Bloodlines, accountable only to the heads of our Houses and Bloodlines, Balthazar intoned. We are Vampires! We are one under our king!
There was a smattering of applause but that seemed uncertain.
Grayson glanced over at Daemon. He saw that Julian was doing the same.
But Daemon looked completely unconcerned.
Grayson sensed that he wasn’t upset about this tepid response.
He expected it. He would win them over. Grayson blinked at that certainty.
What dishonors one of us, dishonors us all, Balthazar said. So this challenge for the leadership of the Weryn Bloodline is sanctioned by his majesty! It is a fight… to the Second Death!