Page 78 of The Vampire Court

“You have been touched by several demons. Their powers linger, flowing through you even now.”

I swallow. “You… you said that before…” This is the demon from my dream in the cells. “Varin?” I press my palm to my throbbing forehead. “But how… when you’re locked up here?”

I blink, realizing too late how close I inched while we talked. Close enough to embrace… if anyone would ever want to embrace a—

The demon snarls, “You foolish girl, this isn’t a dream!”

Faster than lightning and twice as dark as any shadow, the demon lunges forward. Their body collides with mine. I suck in an icy breath as they pass through me as if they were nothing more than fog.

The world tilts, and I have to squeeze my eyes shut, hitting the ground hard again.

When I open my eyes again, the demon is sitting where they started in their twisted skeletal form. They watch with red eyes that seem to glow in the low light.

Not a dream.

I look down, and on my right middle finger is the silver band, warm against my skin.

I need to leave.

“I will never free you,” I snap, scrambling to my feet.

I pry the ring from my finger and throw it into a dark corner. Then, I race from the cell, slamming the door. The lock clicks back into place, and I run to my room without stopping.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Alaric

Another day,another summons. It’s the same thing, the same conversation.

Elizabeth sits with her legs dangling off the arm of her oversized chair, sipping on a glass of blood. She watches me through pale lashes that sweep over the rim of the cup, eyes never leaving me for a second.

For two days, I have not returned to see Clara. Every time I think there might be an opportunity, she is either gone, or Kharis is flying around nearby.

“Do you know why I asked you here tonight?” Elizabeth asks.

Holding back an irritated growl, I answer, “Yes.”

She swivels in the chair, setting her feet delicately on the ground before standing. Each movement is smooth and graceful—all part of her act. Her loose tendrils of flaxen hair trail down her back to mid-thigh. “Then, will you finally submit and become my consort?”

“How many times must we do this?” I ask. Weariness seeps into my voice. I am tired of this never-ending dance.

“As many times as we need to.” She brushes her fingertips over her collarbone, hooking the thin chain of her necklace around a finger, twisting and untwisting. “You seemed so genuine the other day…” Her lavender eyes darken to crimson as her demon’s power coalesces within her. “Or was that for the benefit of someone other than myself?”

In a blink, she is across the room, standing inches away. Her heavy perfume fills the space between us, thick and cloying. She reaches up and presses a hand to my cheek. I avoid jerking away as her touch sends waves of revulsion that churn my stomach.

She has been a vampire for hundreds of years and has yet to learn that she cannot manipulate the feelings and minds of others, molding them into whatever she wants. She might have the power to compel obedience, but it will never be real.

“I did try… but it’s no use. I do not want the life you offer.” I take her hand and slowly pull it away, lowering her arm. “Please, Elizabeth, give this up. I do not want to be your prince. I’ve never wanted that. Plenty of others would kill for this. You don’t need me. Cassius—”

“I don’t want him. You are the crown prince, fated to be by my side. It was foretold by the oracle witch almost three hundred years ago. I have waited long enough for you to take your place. It’s time you stop avoiding your responsibility.”

“I don’t care what some witch may have told you. I do not want this.”

“You say that…” she purrs, running a finger up my chest and hooking her hand around the back of my neck. “Like you have a choice.”

“There is always a choice. It is a matter of deciding which consequences you can live with.”

“Bow to me, and you have my word that the human will not be harmed… no matter what crimes she commits.”