Page 46 of The Vampire Court

“Clara, you can’t leave this room alone.”

He may have helped me, but I can’t fight the bitterness coating my tongue. It feels like he’s trying to replace Alaric.

And I resent him for it.

“You’re not my master.” I clamp my mouth shut as soon as the words are out.

“No. I’m not, but I am your guardian.” His face softens to something that resembles pity. “You’re lucky. No other human in the world has a vampire fighting for them as Alaric fights for you, let alone another vampire as an ally.” He presses a hand to his chest.

My throat is tight with an array of emotions.

Alaric fights for you…

“It’s the only reason you’re not being tortured until your body gives out, which would be a very,very, long time.”

I swallow thickly, unsure if he’s threatening or warning me.

He places the tray of food on the desk. He cants his head to the side, eyes narrowing as he studies me. Cassius heaves a sigh and walks to me, taking my hand in both of his.

“Elizabeth would torture you to the point of near death, breaking every bone in your body one by one. Then, she would heal you, just enough, and do it again and again until she considered your crimes against vampires paid for or until she grew bored, but you would not die until she allowed it.”

His words chill me to my bones, and I realize just how stupid I’ve been.

Even after days in the dungeon and the trial, all I’ve thought about was finding my way back to Alaric. I haven’t taken the risks seriously because he always sheltered me from them. We convinced ourselves that if we worked together, we could get away with anything… that we could control our fate.

How long can I continue to defy all the rules before it catches up to me and I have to pay for everything?

I stare down at my hands, curling my fingers into my palms. “I’m sorry.”

Cassius pinches the bridge of his nose. “Do you understand?”

I nod. “I will do my best to behave like I’m supposed to. You won’t need to compel me.” I slip my hand from his and press it to my forehead.

“You don’t have to stay here, I won’t force you, but we will be spending a lot of time together.” When I don’t respond, he adds, “Eat, and I will return soon.”

* * *

I pushmy food around on the plate, barely able to stomach eating. When I told Alaric I would come with him, I never expected anything like this would happen. We were supposed to deal with the solstice and, once the two weeks were up, leave.

I’m torn by regret.

A swift knock on the door rips me from my thoughts. I glance at the door but don’t bother getting up, not sure if I should answer. Cassius hadn’t said he was expecting visitors.

The knock comes again, more insistent this time.

Pushing to my feet, I open the door and peek out. Della looks at me expectantly.

“Hello,” I say, my voice an octave too high to be natural. She’s one of the last people I expected to see.

Della raises a single dark brow. We stare at each other for a long moment.

“I’m here to take you to your new quarters,” she says as if I’m an idiot.

Opening the door wider, I look into the hall. “Where is Cassius?”

“Follow me.” Della grabs my hand and tugs me out of the room.

“I can’t leave without—”