Page 52 of The Vampire Court

“Alaric has already claimed me.” I wipe my clammy hands over my hips. A shiver rakes over my body and my throat goes dry, making my tongue feel thick and heavy in my mouth.

Cassius takes my shoulders and brings me close, gripping my chin between his thumb and forefinger, almost painfully.

Hot tears build, prickling at the backs of my eyes. Though nothing has changed since my sentencing, I can feel my world spinning out of control.

There is something about knowing when my life will end that makes this all feel more real.

“What is wrong with you? You knew exactly what would happen. This is your life, Clara.”

I turn to the window. Hoarfrost covers the edges of the diamond-shaped panes. Outside, a winter bird lands on the ledge for a heartbeat before taking to the skies again. My heart aches, wishing to have that kind of freedom.

But I have willingly walked into a stone cage, trapped with predators hungry for my blood, and the one person I have come to count on has been ripped from my life.

“I don’t feel like eating anymore.”

“Are you sure? You should eat to—”

I whip my head around to face him. “I said I’m not hungry,” I snap.

Pushing past him, I walk back toward my temporary room as fast as my shaky legs will carry me.

I hear Cassius order a passing human to bring a plate of food to me anyway. His footsteps echo down the hall, following me.

When I reach my room, I don’t bother closing the door. He’s already inside by the time I sit on the floor, leaning against the bed frame.

Tomorrow, I will be reclaimed, and the two marks Alaric gave me will be erased. I shudder. I don’t want another vampire to bite me. What I used to fear from Alaric’s mark will come to pass, only it will be much worse. That is if I manage to live through the night.

Cassius stands in the center of the room, saying nothing, but the silent judgment radiating off of him irritates me.

After a while, a man comes with food. Cassius takes it and quickly dismisses him. He doesn’t offer me the plate but sets it on the dresser. Maybe he knows I would only fling it at his head.

Cassius takes a seat on the floor next to me.

“Why are you still here?”

He shrugs with one shoulder. “I could leave, but I’d rather keep you company.”

I let out an annoyed breath and scoot a little farther away. “Your advances are a little too strong. You should learn when a girl doesn’t want you around.”

“Believe me, little bird, I am well aware, but I think I’ll still stay a bit longer.” The half-cocked smile drops from his mouth. “What you say and think you want isn’t always what you need. Your life is about to change, and I’m the closest thing to a friendly face that you will see before then. No one should spend their final hours locked up in a hole, alone with their thoughts.”

I open my mouth to argue then close it. Even Cassius doesn’t expect me to live long after I am reclaimed.

That stings more than it should.

I don’t want to fight with him anymore, so I face straight ahead and stare at the blank grimy wall, letting my vision blur.

He’s right. I don’t want to spend this time alone, but he’s not the one I want to spend these hours with.

I want to see Alaric again. Even for a little while.

Cassius sits silently at my side, never pressuring me to eat or speak anything.

After a while, the silence gets to me. I feel the urge to say what has been on my mind since the moment Alaric and I arrived at this castle.

Somehow, my lack of trust in him makes it easier to admit. “I’m scared.”

Cassius closes the distance between us and rests his arm over my shoulders, pulling me into his side.