Page 40 of The Vampire Court

“Take her to the dungeon,” she says, smiling at Alaric, “until we can find someone suitable.”

The speaker lifts a hand. “She will need to be trained,” she says meekly.

“Fine, she will be placed in the custody of a vampire who can control her.” Elizabeth looks around. “Who here will become the girl’s master?”

“I will. I can keep her under control,” Lawrence says. His voice sounds odd to my ears. He has watched, silently through the proceedings this entire time until now.

“You?” The queen laughs, shrill and humorless. “No.Youturned the first human you claimed. You do not have what it takes to keep this beast in line. You will not get another.”

“I can control her,” Cassius says. “Not to be her new master, but her intern guardian until she is reclaimed. I will compel her into submission and teach her how to be a proper human.”

My gaze drills into his broad back, suspicious of his motivations. What reason would he have for helping me?

Alaric snarls at him. The reaction elicits a spark in Elizabeth’s eye.

She hums, pressing a finger to the dimple in her cheek. “Yes, that will be acceptable. Train her to behave like the servant she is while arrangements are made for the reclaiming. Any vampires in want of a human may compete. The one who can compel her over any other will be the one to mark her.”

Icy fear slices through my chest. Cassius will control me until who knows how many vampires will vie to compel me at once. I would rather rot in the dungeons then become a puppet.

Alaric looks ready to jump over the table and rip Cassius to shreds. Elizabeth must sense it because she places a hand on his shoulder. He lowers back to his seat, but his posture remains ridged.

I squeeze my eyes, swallowing down the bile that threatens to come up.

“The four of you are no longer needed,” Cassius’s warm voice croons.

There’s a shuffle of boots against stone retreating from my back as my guards leave. The door opens, and then they are gone.

I force my eyes open to find Cassius standing an arm’s length away, looking pleased.

My head spins with how quickly everything changed.

I’m still alive.

This doesn’t make sense, except when I look past Cassius to Alaric… it does. This is as much a punishment for him as it is for me. The difference is, I don’t know what awaits him. Separating us is only the beginning.

Cassius takes me by the upper arm. I suck in a sharp breath at the touch on the bruises from the guards. He frowns then moves his hand to my lower back.

“He is no longer your concern, little bird,” he whispers in my ear.

Applying gentle pressure, he leads me out of the room. I walk stiffly, my muscles aching. Once we’ve reached the ground levels, he drops his arm.

After two flights of stairs, I double over, exhausted and panting. I rest my hands on my knees and pull in deep breaths. Cassius rubs a hand over my back in soothing circles.

I swat at him. He avoids my sloppy move with ease and continues comforting me.

“I don’t know what you’re up to, but if you compel me, I will ki—”

He covers my mouth with a hand. “This is not the place for this discussion.”

Straightening my back, I place a foot on the bottom step leading to the third floor.

“You will not be returning to Alaric’s room.”

I turn to face him as his quiet words sink in.

“Where—” I don’t finish. His quirked brow tells me all I need to know.

“Your things will be brought down to our rooms. For now, you are to come with me.” He holds out a hand, but when I don’t take it, he adds, “This is not up for debate, little bird. What you and Alaric want at this moment doesn’t matter. I will compel you into doing as I ask… if I have to.”