Page 76 of The Vampire Court

I glance down the stairs then back the way I came, not sure I want to go down, but the tug in the center of my chest twinges, urging me to continue. I suck in a deep breath and take one step then another.

My eyes strain against the insufficient light to see the details, but I can’t make out more than the next step. It slows my progress, which only seems to increase the impatient pull.

There’s an eerie familiarity about this place. I can’t shake the feeling that I know where I am, even though I’ve never been this far down before.

The darkness is so thick I expect to walk into a barrier. Finally, the gentle glow of another candle set against the wall on a step comes into view. I pick it up and use it to guide me down, down, down. It is several minutes before I reach the landing. There is nothing here but a single metal door straight ahead.

Grasping the handle, I pull. It opens without resistance. The hinges are quiet. Almost as if they’ve been taken care of regularly. Cool, damp air washes over me. The scent of mold and rot stings my nose. It’s silent with a steady drip of water somewhere deep inside.

I step out into the long hallway. Along one side are several doors with small barred windows near the top. The metal hinges and locks shine like new against the rotted wood. Cobwebs adorn nearly every corner, thick and wispy, moving with every breath I take.

I pause at each door to look inside, but they’re all empty.

“Alaric?” I call out, attempting to whisper, but my voice echoes. I cringe at the volume.

If he’s here, he doesn’t answer.

Goosebumps erupt over my skin. Closing my eyes, I feel for the pull to lead me back the way I came. I wait and wait. After several long seconds, I give up. I feel nothing.

The pull is gone.

Pivoting on my heel, I turn to leave.

Chains clank, followed by softly spoken words too low for me to make out.

My heart thuds against my ribs, afraid he’s locked away, unable to call out, but needing me. Before I know what I’m doing, the tug has returned, pulling me toward the cell at the end of the hall.

I press my palms to the door. The wood is soft and worn with a thin layer of dust. On instinct, I turn the handle, but it resists, locked.

“I appreciate you trying to free me, but the queen isn’t in the habit of leaving prison doors unlocked,” the voice within rasps.

I jump back as if the handle shocked me.Night-forged silver.

Alaric isn’t the one on the other side.

This place… It feels…

Shaking my head, I back up several steps and look at where I am with fresh eyes.

On a wall, doused in darkness, is a thin slit, only noticeable because it’s a shade darker than the shadows that cloak it.

This is… Oh, demons and saints!

I came through the main entrance rather than the hidden passage. My blood roars in my ears. I would run, but I’m not entirely sure my legs would carry me.

“Where is Alaric?”

“Why would you think he is in a place like this?” the person on the other side asks.

I spin, facing the door, brows scrunching together. “Why would he lead me here if he wasn’t?”

The voice laughs, and a dull ache throbs in my head.

“What makes you think he has anything to do with you being here?”

“I—” Clearing my throat, I try again, “Because he led me here through our connection from the mark.”

The prisoner chuckles. “Stupid girl, the mark doesn’t work like that. Your prince is lost to you.”