Page 58 of The Vampire Court

It’s too soon. I’m not ready. I don’t get a chance to fight or regain my composure. His power scratches across my skin, and I can feel it take hold of my muscles.

I run from him toward the first and throw myself into his arms.

“Don’t let him compel me.” The words rip themselves from my mouth, unbidden.

The first vampire catches me, a look of shock on his face that melts into victory. I lift up on my toes and press my mouth to his. He deepens the kiss.

My hands slide down his chest to his sides as I take a step back. He smiles, thinking he won.

I lift my arm and swing. He doesn’t even notice what’s happening as the blade of his own sword slices through his neck without resistance. His head thumps loudly on the floor, the smile still on his face.

Several things happen all at once. The sword falls from my hand, clattering loudly. His body falls with a heavy thump onto the smooth white marble floor. Massive amounts of blood pour out like a river, and the room erupts into a deafening cacophony of screams and shouts.

Elizabeth calls for the room to silence, but it’s several minutes before the noise softens enough for anyone to speak and be heard.

Behind me, the crooked nose vampire raises his voice to the room, “She obeyed my compulsion without hesitation… exactly as a controlled human ought to. There is no reason to continue this.”

A low buzzing fills my ears. I can’t stop staring at the body. Red is everywhere, swallowing up the room. As the pool of red grows, I step back. It’s useless. I am already covered in blood. Splatters cover my dress, and the hem is damp and heavy. I take two steps back, but the river of crimson follows me.

“She will go to Mr. Hughes,” Elizabeth says, eyeing the body.

“No,” Alaric says.

Elizabeth turns to him, a single brow quirked.

A warm hand slides into mine and pulls me away, breaking the trance. Alaric strides toward the queen, dragging me behind.

“She is mine.” His voice booms throughout the room. “She owes me a life debt, and I will not allow anyone to keep me from collecting.”

I squeeze his hand, more thankful for his touch at this moment than anything else in my life.

Elizabeth saunters forward with unnerving grace and calm, stopping halfway down the steps to remain above us, looking down.

“You know the rules. If a claimed human is not fully marked within one month’s time, they are for bid by any vampire who wishes to vie for them—and that time has come and gone. Besides… she killed Mr. Thomas.”

My heart hammers painfully against its bone cage.

A muscle ticks in Alaric’s jaw. The room is once again silent, waiting with bated breath for his reply.

“Whether Alexander compelled her to end Jasper is of no consequence. Her life is mine.” He takes three slow steps forward. He lowers his voice, and there is an unmistakable growl when he says, “She owes me a life debt for murdering Rosalie in cold blood. I claimed her for that crime.”

Behind us, a mix of gasps and snarls breaks out.

Spots dance across my vision as the world sways. I can barely breathe. The stares of vampires prickle against my skin.

Elizabeth growls low, taking a step back in what appears to be surprise, but there’s a knowing glint in her eyes.

For a heartbeat, I wonder if she will leap forward and rip my throat out with her sharp nails—anything to keep Alaric from marking me.

The queen scans the room, taking in every detail as if she’s looking for a way to deny him. Her nostrils flare. My gaze flicks to the court members who have pushed their way to the front of the crowd. Every single one of them stands with their arms at their sides, expressions blank.

This is all an act.

No one outside that room knew that I killed Rosalie, and I doubt that anyone was told of the other vampires I killed, let alone that I am a slayer. Now, they know of the vampire on the ground behind us as well. Even if I was compelled to murder him, I doubt it would make a difference.

“Fine,” Elizabeth bites out after a long moment. “Claim her now, and be done with it, or I will personally take care of her myself.” She spins on her heel and waves her hand.

There’s a flurry of activity around us. The violin starts playing as if it had never stopped.