Of the Blood

by Cameo Renae

  This was outrageous. Damn him. Perverted bastard.

  It was impossible not to see how much weight I’d lost. The small amounts of blood Sabine had given me worked just a bit, giving my skin a dewy glow, concealing the pallid prisoner beneath.

  I pulled sections of my auburn hair over my shoulders, then pivoted, and headed out. As I exited my bedroom, Roehl was standing outside in the hallway. His eyes seductively swept over my body, from head to toe, making me shudder inside.

  Play the game.

  “Shall we?” he asked, offering me his arm. I linked my arm around his, keeping my palms fisted, praying Summer’s glamour would work.

  We walked down the hallway followed by at least four guards. Two stayed behind, watching my empty room. For what? I had no idea.

  Markus was standing at the end of the hall, and as we neared him, he bowed and led us down the stairs.

  “Where are we going?” I dared to ask.

  Roehl gave me a sidelong glance. “I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.”

  I let out a deep, annoyed sigh. “I hate surprises.”

  “Well, this surprise will be worth it.”

  After multiple hallways and stairwells, we stepped into a great open room. The floors were made of obsidian marble, and the décor was ornate mostly in blacks, reds and golds. Atop a dais at the back of the room, were two golden thrones seated side by side. But there were no tables set up and no food. It was just Roehl, me, and his guards.

  “Why are we here?” I asked. A sense of dread pricked at my skin. “What about lunch?”

  “Oh, pet. You should know by now that vampires don’t dine traditionally. And the throne room adds to the overall effect. Don’t you agree?” He extended his arms out to his sides.

  Something bad was about to happen. I could sense it.

  “Come,” Roehl said, walking toward the dais.

  Roehl took a seat on one of the thrones and ordered me to sit next to him. I hesitated, knowing his evil mother once sat there. A wicked woman who played a part in Leora’s death and Incendia’s demise. And a huge reason I was here.

  “Your father is still king,” I said with a little too much sting.

  A growl rumbled deep inside his chest; his eyes narrowed on me. “This throne is mine. It’s merely a matter of time.”

  I felt sick and unsettled knowing what he meant. But I wasn’t going to push it. I’d been on the receiving end of one of his outbursts. Besides, I was in no condition to take him on. Not while I was still weak because he barely kept me fed.

  I heard a whisper—a still small voice inside my head that said, “Sit, Calla. You are heir to this kingdom too.” It was Leora.

  I took a seat on the throne next to Roehl and participated in his game. I straightened my back, trying to act as nobly as possible . . . as much as I could in a skimpy red dress.

  The guards bowed to Roehl, no doubt. I knew their allegiance to him was based on keeping their positions and their heads. Little did they know they were also bowing to me—great-granddaughter of their king and heir to this very throne. And sitting next to me was my half great-uncle, and it made me wonder. Would their allegiance turn if they were given an option?

  One thing was certain. I didn’t want to be part of this kingdom. I needed to find a way to heal the king so he could rule again. But the only way that could ever happen would be to defeat Roehl. And not only beat him. I’d have to kill him.

  “Markus,” Roehl called out. The towering, intimidating man strode forward.

  “Yes, my prince,” he said, bowing deeply.

  “Bring our lunch.”

  “Yes, prince.” He bowed again, his unreadable dark eyes flashed to me, pausing for a half-breath before he pivoted on his heel and departed the room.

  When he entered a few moments later, I felt as if I’d been punched in the gut.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Bound and gagged, two bodies were yanked into the room. The first was Lord Mathias, the mortal ruler of Morbeth, and the second — No!

  My stomach sickened and my veins turned molten as I looked at Spring’s terrified face. She was in a white bedgown, just like the ones I wore, which told me they must have taken her from bed.

  “You bastard!” I cursed, glaring at Roehl.

  He didn’t answer. Just crossed his arms over his chest and watched as the guards halted a few feet before the dais, forcing Spring and Lord Mathias to their knees.

  Spring’s face was red and splotchy like she’d been crying for hours. Lord Mathias looked no better. He was pale, his expression one of sheer terror. His forest green eyes were bloodshot, like he’d had no sleep at all.

  “Why are they here?” I demanded. I could feel the heat of my rage smoldering under my skin. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

  He smirked. “They are here because they were with you the night of your friend’s disappearance,” Roehl replied casually. “Lord Mathias was found in a broom cupboard, bound and muzzled, while the girl was sighted last night at a witch ceremony. It could have been her or my dark-haired servant.” He was talking about Sabine. “But she’s been with me for a lengthy time and knows my wrath. Still, anyone could betray me. None are within my grace.”

  “You have no evidence that they were part of Brynna’s disappearance,” I growled, rising from the throne. Gasps echoed throughout the room.

  Apparently, no one ever opposed their prince.

  Roehl’s eyes went completely black at my outburst. His incisors lengthened—long and pointed. He was a demon. A blood demon.

  In a blur, he stood in front of Lord Mathias, clutching a handful of his hair, and shoving his head backward to expose his throat. The Lord struggled against Roehl’s solid grasp, an anguished scream burst from his nose, as his mouth was gagged.

  Roehl twisted his head to me, his crimson rimmed eyes brazen with evil. In a split second, his teeth sunk deep into Lord Mathias’s neck and the room fell silent, except for the sickening sound of Roehl feeding.

  Spring’s eyes rolled back, her body fell limp to the floor. She’d fainted, and at that moment I was thankful she wasn’t conscious to witness the grisly scene.

  The sounds of Lord Mathias gurgling, drowning in his own blood, as Roehl clamped tight to his throat made me ill. The large man’s body thrashed and convulsed as Roehl continued to drain the life from him.

  Every guard in the room stood still and silent like the brick walls behind them. Their faces impassive.

  How could they ignore this? Were they all as evil as Roehl?

  Lord Mathias finally stopped struggling; his body went rigid, then limp. Roehl unlatched from his neck and shoved his chest with a finger, sending his large frame backward. It hit the floor with a thud, lifeless—his throat ripped out.

  “Take him away,” Roehl ordered. No remorse could be found in those red-rimmed obsidian eyes.

  Two guards rushed to the body, each taking two limbs before lifting the man out of the room. Reaching into his pocket, Roehl pulled out a red handkerchief and gingerly wiped the blood from his lips and chin, but it did nothing to mask the blood on his white collared tunic.

  Heat erupted deep in my core—a mix of fury and disgust. My power flickered against my skin, urging to be set free. But I had to hold it in.

  I glanced at Spring’s body on the floor and made a silent vow. I wouldn’t let him get away with this. She was innocent. I knew she was. And Roehl knew it, too.

  “I will not participate in whatever wicked game this is,” I said, fisting my hands, squelching the rising heat in my palms, drawing slow and steady breaths.

  Calm and collected, Roehl turned to me and said, “If you don’t partake, then I shall dine on that sweet child myself.”

  “She is innocent, and you know it!” I roared.

  In a flash, Roehl was inches away from me, his fingers wrapped securely around my throat. “Then tell me. If she is innocent, who is responsible of aiding your friends escape, Calla? Tell me now and I’ll set her free.”

&
nbsp; I couldn’t let Spring die. I would never, ever forgive myself. “You already know the answer to that question,” I answered through gritted teeth.

  His fingers relaxed a bit. “I know the Carpathian prince and his cadre are in on it. But there had to have been someone who helped from inside Morbeth. And I will drain every mortal here until I get answers.”

  “Why would you think anyone here would aid Carpathia? No one here has ties to my friend. I was the only one who knew Brynna was here.”

  His fingers tightened around my throat, practically cutting off my air. “Was it you, Calla?”

  I clutched his hand and pushed out from his grasp. “Me?” The rage was now thundering in my ears. “How the hell could I take her? You had me tethered to the gods damned wall with a million guards outside my door!”

  Spring moved. Her eyes flickered open to view the pool of blood where Lord Mathias had taken his last breath. Gasping, she scurried backward on hands and knees, but a guard grabbed hold of her arm, halting her.

  Her eyes. The fear in those big, green eyes was the same as I’d seen in my father’s. The kind of fear that knows death is lurking nearby.

  Roehl aimed his finger at Spring, but his bloodthirsty eyes remained locked on mine. “Feed. Or I will.”

  This was a test. A test he bet on me failing.

  I didn’t trust myself latching onto another human, and he knew it. He knew I was starving and wouldn’t be strong enough to let go. Just like what had happened with Ms. Alcott. But that’s what he wanted. That’s why he brought me here. Not only to teach me a lesson, but he hoped I would kill her. If I did, it would prove to everyone in the palace that I was no better than he was. That I was a blood sucking murderer.

  That was his intention. To make them hate me, to despise and fear me so deeply that no one would help me.

  “Well?” he rumbled.

  I stepped toward Spring. I wouldn’t let him touch her.

  Her breath quickened, and her body started trembling. She was already frightened of what I’d done to Ms. Alcott.

  I stepped closer to her and stared into those wide, green eyes. “Spring. I promise I won’t hurt you.”

  Roehl barked out in laughter behind me. “Just get it over with and make it quick. I have business to take care of.”

  Heat slithered around my chest and coiled up my neck. This was my only chance to strike a bargain with him. “Do you think I’ll kill her?” I asked, shooting a glare at him.

  A casual shrug. “Why do you think I brought you to lunch? You’re weak and starving, and it’s been a while since I’ve reminded my guards what happens when their loyalty falters. Besides, I found out what happened to the poor old woman who tried to help you. If not for the others prying you off, she would be dead.”

  Prying me off? That was a lie. I let go of her myself.

  I was about to snap a remark but bit my tongue.

  “How about we make a deal?” I said. “If the girl lives, you set her free and don’t ever get to use her as an example again.”

  With a tilt of his head, he considered my offer. “If you are capable of feeding and keeping her alive, I will set her free.”

  “I want your word,” I said out loud so everyone in the throne room could hear.

  He gave a sneer. “You have my word.” Reading his expression, I knew he didn’t expect I could do it. “And if you kill her—” he started.

  I spun and glared at him. “Don’t you realize that murdering an innocent and seeing her blood on my hands for the rest of my immortal life is punishment enough?”

  He shrugged and stalked forward a few steps, getting into a better position to watch. “She won’t be your first. You’ll come to understand that it takes human blood for you to survive. Fatalities are bound to arise.”

  “There are other ways.”

  “Like what?” he spat in disgust. “Like sipping on donated blood out of a plastic container?” He let out an evil laugh, and the rest of the guards followed suit.

  “It’s humane,” I growled.

  “Mortals are nothing more than livestock that keep us fed. The fresher the blood, the stronger we become. Which is why he will never defeat me or my army.”

  Gods, Roehl was worse than I could have imagined. I despised him with every fragment of my being.

  I looked into Spring’s eyes, which reminded me of fresh grass on a warm spring day.

  “Trust me,” I uttered softly, plucking a wet strand of her golden hair from her cheek, and tucking it behind her ear.

  Through bloodshot, tear-filled eyes, Spring nodded and inclined her head to the side, offering me her fair and flawless neck. She trusted me. This girl who was afraid of me. I had to save her. I couldn’t let her down.

  So much was riding on this one event. It would prove to everyone bearing witness just how weak or how strong I truly was. It would also prove to me if I was someone who could hold my word. Or would my loyalty be demolished because of the thirst?

  I said a silent prayer to the gods, to my mother, and to Leora, to give me strength. Strength to save this beautiful girl who had a full life ahead of her, even if it was in this gods-forsaken country. Strength to help me unlatch before I killed her.

  I was just about to bite Spring when Roehl spoke. “I’ll make you an even better deal.”

  I stood strong and faced him, revealing my interest.

  “To save this human from becoming food, you have the option to sire her.”

  “Never!” I said through gritted teeth. “I would never put anyone in that position. Especially her.”

  “Why? You’ll save her from sickness and aging. She’ll make a beautiful immortal.”

  “That’s not my decision to make. I am not a god, nor do I wish to play one.”

  He threw me a villainous grin. “But you don’t seem to mind that Prince Trystan sired you, without your consent. Am I right?”

  Oh, this prick. He knew he was pushing the right buttons. I had to breathe to keep my sanity and my head straight. My hands were fisted so tight, I could feel my nails digging into my palms.

  “Thought so.” Roehl casually shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest. “I was simply proposing a way to give this child a better life, since it seems you care so much for her.”

  “A better life? By killing her and changing her into a monster? Her life is of no less importance than mine . . . or yours. I refuse to make that decision for her.” There was no way I would sire her. Every mortal in the castle would despise me, especially Summer and Sabine.

  “Pathetic,” he spat. His face a mask of revulsion and frustration. “A bleeding heart makes you weak and will get you killed.”

  I stood firm, scowling at him. “I’d rather possess a bleeding heart than no heart at all.”

  He let out a devilish laugh. “My time and patience are waning, pet. Feed or sire. Make a choice, or I will.”

  I knew if I didn’t do something soon, he’d make a move. I shifted my attention back to Spring and gave her a look of reassurance. “You’ll be okay,” I confided.

  Tears pooled in her eyes as she gave me a nod. That simple act added to the fuel inside me. To fight to keep her alive.

  I leaned forward, and as I watched her pulse thrumming in her neck, my incisors lengthened. I heard Spring’s heart beating strong and fast and could literally taste her fear. Sweat beaded across her forehead and dribbled down the sides of her face.

  I wouldn’t hurt her. I couldn’t. I would feed enough to heal myself and pull away.

  Inches away, I could already feel the weight of the thirst drawing me tighter, urging me to consume.

  I am stronger than the thirst. I can conquer it. I will keep her alive.

  The words resonated through my mind as the room fell dead silent. I could feel the weight of their stares.

  Watching.

  Waiting.

  Waging.

  Spring sucked in a heavy breath and let it out, her eyes bloodshot and glazed, her quivering, sweet voice cracked
the silence. “It’s okay, Calla. I forgive you, no matter what happens.”

  My tears dripped onto the floor as I stared at this brave, young girl. She’d already forgiven me—the monster who was about to feed on her.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Tick. Tick. Tick,” Roehl growled. “Feed now or I’ll have Markus escort you back to your chamber. Anyone else here would be more than eager to take your place. The thirst never ends.”

  No. I would do this. For her. And for her mother.

  I decided to bite her in the same area Trystan bit me. The tender area where the neck and shoulder met.

  I said another prayer as I held her arms steady. Then, I sank my teeth into her butter-soft flesh.

  Spring whimpered as her fresh blood burst into my mouth. A swell of greed and power blasted through my cells. It was regenerating. Strengthening. Healing.

  Everything around me became subdued and numb . . . fading into the background. The hunger had seized hold of me and was yanking me further, deeper into its bloodthirsty clutches.

  I heard a voice above the thirst. Quiet, yet powerful.

  Stop, Calla.

  But I couldn’t stop.

  Her blood was like a drug, dominating every part of me. It didn’t want me to stop. My weak body had given in much too quickly to the bloodlust. It needed it. Craved it. Demanded it.

  Calla. The voice cried out again, this time louder. But my body resisted.

  Calla! Stop. You’re killing her!

  Killing. I was killing Spring. The innocent girl I’d made a promise to.

  Against my body’s will, I fought. Fought through the numbness and the high and the ruthless strength of the thirst, and pushed away from Spring, screaming at the top of my lungs.

  In slow motion, I watched her limp body fall to the floor. I collapsed to my knees, blood dripping from my chin onto the obsidian marble.

  No one moved. Their stares were latched on me with expressions I couldn’t interpret.

  A soft moan escaped Spring’s lips.