Page 43 of The Vampire Court
“It’s too late for that,” I snap. “I should kill you for what you did.”
Elise presses her fingertips to her mouth to hide her smile. “We both know you’re not that kind of vampire, Alaric.” She purrs my name in a sickly sweet tone.
“Elise.” I growl her name.
She waves a hand, brushing off my anger. “It was the right thing to do. We are vampires. We must protect our kind from humans who break our laws.”
“You would be dead if it weren’t for Clara, and this is how you repay her?”
“It doesn’t matter now,” she says with a shrug. “What matters is that Iama vampire andI am loyal.” Her eyes narrow when she speaks, emphasizing the last word.
What she doesn’t understand is that no vampire is loyal to anyone but themselves and their desires… not even me. Vampires have been known to betray lovers they’ve been with for lifetimes.
“You overstepped. You were nothing but a servant in my home. You had no right to act against her, no matter how you felt. She did nothing to you, and yet you continue to hurt her.” I lose the distance between us and lower my voice. “If you take action against her one more time, so help me, I will take care of you myself.”
The color drains from Elise’s face, turning her skin ashen. She crosses her arms, hanging tightly to herself. “I’m no longer your servant to order around, Alaric Devereaux.”
“What happened? You used to be kind, and now look at you.” I wait, but she shakes her head and doesn’t answer. “I don’t understand how you became so vindictive.”
She refuses to respond. I challenge her with a stare. Elise manages to keep eye contact for longer than I’d expect before averting her gaze with a huff.
Spinning on her heel, she turns and walks to the top of the stairs. Looking over her shoulder, she says, “Maybe next time, you’ll be more careful with how you treat others.”
And then she’s gone.
Elizabeth, Cassius, Elise—they are the epitome of what I hate about this existence. Rash and selfish. Only ever thinking about what they want with no regard to what their plots and schemes will do to others.
The revenge Elise seeks for not returning her feelings is only hurting the woman who spared her life.
“Are you going in, or are you going to stare at the door all night?” Elizabeth asks.
“You were here the whole time.” It’s not a question.
“That girl will get herself killed if she doesn’t learn her place…” She hums thoughtfully. “You should take care of her now before she gets any other ideas.” There is a sharpness to her words, something more than the cold, unfeeling tone she usually adopts.
Kill Elise. Moments ago, I had the same thought, but hearing it from Elizabeth’s mouth only reinforces my defiance. I loathe the petty side of my nature. While I attempt to make decisions based on logic, it’s a part of me nonetheless, and I am not impervious to it.
“Why are you here?”
“Come with me.” She holds out her hand, curling her fingers into her palms.
“No.”
Elizabeth tsks. “I have a deal you will want to take advantage of.”
Since the moment I danced with Clara at the Solstice, she knew my weakness.
Elizabeth walks back down the hall and I follow. Whatever deal she offers will weigh heavily in her favor, but I have to know what it is.
We don’t stop until we are in the antechamber of her room. She stretches out on the chaise lounge while I remain standing just inside the door.
“You are precious and valuable to me,” she starts. A small smile plays on her lips, but deviousness glints in her lavender jewel eyes. “And because of that, I have decided that I will agree to let the girl go free.”
I narrow my eyes. Clara has killed several vampires. She is the first slayer in over a hundred years.
“You will free Clara?” I ask when she doesn’t continue. “Just like that? No strings?”
Elizabeth laughs, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. “Of course thereareconditions. She’s a slayer, Alaric. She cannot be allowed to go free and do as she wishes. In exchange for her freedom, you must do something for me.”