Page 57 of The Vampire Court
The guard leads me down the steps and into the center of the room. Once there, she bares her fangs and says, “Move from this spot and you will not live long enough to take your next breath.”
Elizabeth stands at the edge of her dais. She pulls in a single deep breath and commands the attention of everyone in the room.
“Each suitor may approach the human one by one to examine her, but if you touch or attempt to compel her before it is your turn, you will be denied.”
I hold my breath as the seven vampires encircle me.
The first vampire steps forward, wearing a half-smile that makes my skin crawl. Tall and reedy, his arms and legs look too long and thin for his body. His sandy brown hair is greased back, making his crooked nose stand out.
He reaches out with his lanky hand, stopping short of running his fingers through my hair. He leans in and inhales deeply. I keep my eyes locked on Alaric, in an attempt to steady my pulse.
Once the first vampire returns to his place in the circle, one of the women approaches. After several seconds, she shakes her head and moves back, allowing the others their turn.
One by one, this continues until all except Alaric has examined me. I wait for him to take his turn, wanting to be near him, to have him make his intentions clear to everyone in the room.
A knot forms in my gut when he doesn’t.
“Who among you wish to claim the girl?” the queen asks.
Alaric and two of the men step forward. One is blond with unremarkable features. Nothing about him stands out. His presence is forgettable which could make him dangerous.
The other vampire to step forward is the crooked-nosed man. The gleam in his eye chills my blood and I instantly push the other man from my mind.
The queen looks at the others and asks, “Do any of you wish to try?”
In unison, they shake their heads. Elizabeth nods a dismissal. They back up, melting into the crowd.
“Whoever among you can compel her the easiest can claim her,” Elizabeth says. “Mr. Thomas, you may go first.”
My pulse races in anticipation and dread as the three vampires surround me. For the first time, Alaric meets my gaze. His face is a neutral mask, but I see the worry in his deep sapphire eyes.
You have some choice in the matter. Della’s words come back. I will let Alaric compel me. Whatever he commands… I trust him.
“Come, human,” the blond vampire orders.
His voice echoes in my head as his power seeps through his words and latches onto my marrow. It pulls on me, urging me to obey.
I fight it with everything I have as his power clouds my mind. My body takes jerky steps toward him.
“Embrace me,” he says. “Think only of me for the rest of your short life.”
The order seeps into my mind, making my will weaker by the second. I can feel my body giving in. My thoughts grow hazy behind the throbbing pain.
In the end, I know it’s a losing battle. Woodenly my arms fling themselves around his neck. My stomach roils at the touch.
“Kiss me,” he orders.
I grit my teeth as I lift up on my toes, bring his face down to mine, but not even the pain can make me follow that order. Sweat beads along my forehead. I close my eyes, using every ounce of willpower to fight. Then, his lips come crashing down on mine. I rear back, pushing at his shoulders.
“No,” I snarl.
He releases me. I stumble back, panting and exhausted. I drag the back of my hand across my mouth and back away. “I did not follow that command.”
“He failed to compel her entirely,” Crooked nose announces to the room.
Elizabeth nods and waves her hand. “Then proceed, Mr. Hughes.”
The second man wraps his fingers around my shoulders from behind, startling me with his touch. He lowers his mouth to my ear and whispers his compulsion.