The Scarlet Dagger (The Red Sector Chronicles, #1)

by Krystle Jones

  “I wanted to tell you congratulations,” she slurred, wobbling. The drink sloshed around in the glass, nearly spilling out.

  My brows furrowed. “Why?”

  “For winning Aden over. Bravo.” She brought her hands together, trying to clap with the glass suspended between two fingers. “I was his date last year, but he cast me aside like spoiled goods. That’s what he’ll do to you, too, once he gets his way with you.”

  My gaze faltered.

  Huh? What is she talking about? My eyes widened and I sucked in a tight breath.

  Did Dezyre and Aden have sex?

  I blushed, thinking about it. Sure, I knew how it worked, but I had never been so into a guy before to even consider going that far. Hell, I had never even been on a real date until now. I knew a few girls at my old high school slept around, but I definitely wasn’t one of them.

  Looking into Dezyre’s eyes, I could see the hurt buried within.

  She still loves him, I realized with a start.

  I took a deep, calming breath. “Dezyre –”

  She shook her head, almost like she was trying to shake something out of her ear. “Spare me your apologies. My revenge will come when he does the same to you.”

  She shoved the drink into my hand, letting go before I barely had hold of it. “Here. Have a drink, on me.” Then she stumbled away, muttering something about how off her glamour was tonight, and how she couldn’t even get any hot guys to bring her a drink.

  I stared into the contents of the glass, seeing my puzzled face in the rosy liquid. That was weird.

  “Sloane…”

  Something whispered my name, as if standing right beside me. When I whirled around, there was no one there. I blinked, feeling somewhat sluggish all of a sudden.

  What’s going on?

  I gazed into the glass, noticing a faint smell, like spices, coming from the liquid. Feelings of love and security wrapped themselves around my mind like a cocoon, tugging at a memory I couldn’t reach, as I slowly raised the glass to my lips, eager to drink.

  “Yes… drink it…”

  My thoughts went numb as the edge of the glass touched my bottom lip.

  “SLOANE!”

  A boy screamed my name right before the glass was knocked from my grasp, shattering on the floor.

  My mind immediately cleared, and I snapped out of the haze, blinking rapidly. A strong arm looped around my waist as I staggered.

  “What… what happened?” I asked, placing a hand to my clammy forehead. “What was that?”

  “Poison,” Aden hissed beside me.

  “What?”

  I looked down, spotting the remnants of the champagne flute. The liquid had pooled into a crater that had formed in the middle of the floor.

  At first, I thought I must be seeing things. But the more I blinked, the more I realized the crater was really there, and an ice cold chill swept through me. I took a quivering breath.

  The liquid – whatever it had been – had literally melted the wood.

  Chapter 30

  Within seconds, security had cleared out the party and Aden hauled me out the doors, accompanied by an entourage of guards. Déjà vu hit me as flashes of the mess hall disaster went through my mind, only this time the patrons were much calmer, evacuating the area as if it was a drill.

  “What happened?” Rook barked, coming alongside us.

  “Someone tried to poison her,” Aden said, looking at me. “Who gave you the drink?”

  “Dezyre,” I replied. “But she seemed… off, like she wasn’t quite herself. I don’t know how to explain it, but it was weird.”

  “I’m going to see if I can round her up,” Aden said. “Rook, look after her for me?”

  “Sure thing.”

  Aden gave me a grim smile before breaking off from the group and circling back around. “Where are we going?” I asked Rook.

  “To Aden’s place. The base will go into lock down, but we think it’s best to move you in case the killer’s still here.”

  “Do you really think Dezyre was trying to kill me?” Despite the fact she was definitely jealous and hated my guts, I didn’t think she was so desperately in love with Aden as to stoop to murder.

  Rook shook his head. “No. I don’t think so, anyway. She’s always been a bit… dramatic and difficult to deal with sometimes, but she’s not that stupid. She has too much going for her to jeopardize her career like that.”

  To hear them speak of it, Dezyre must be able to work medical miracles. But if she hadn’t poisoned the drink, then who had?

  Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen Paris tonight. Maybe she had found out I’d run away, and decided to take me out. Either way, death had come for me twice now, and I had somehow evaded it.

  All because of Aden. He saved my life again.

  Maybe he did actually care about me. Or perhaps he had saved me because I was too valuable a pawn to lose.

  Either way, I may have outwitted death multiple times, but how long could I really outrun it?

  ***

  We waited at Aden’s place, all huddled together in the living room with a mess of guards outside. The entire apartment had been decorated for Christmas, though considering the circumstances, it felt anything but cheerful. I sat beside the Christmas tree, the light from which caught the sequin in my dress, casting little red balls of light around the room. Over an hour and a half passed before Aden finally arrived.

  “Well?” Rook asked, standing. “What did you find out?”

  Aden sighed hard, his face troubled. “When we questioned Dezyre, she didn’t seem to remember ever talking to Sloane. Paris tested the liquid and found it had been glamoured.”

  “Wait,” I said. “You can glamour an object?”

  Aden nodded. “Yes, if you’re powerful enough. But I don’t know of any vampires who possess that much control over glamour to pull off such a feat.” He looked at me. “Except for you,” he added quietly.

  I blinked. “Then who was it? I certainly didn’t try to kill myself.”

  “I don’t know,” Aden said, growling. “But I’m pretty sure Dezyre is innocent. Paris suspects she had been glamoured by whoever gave her the glass.”

  “No one saw anything?” Rook asked.

  “No,” Aden replied. “I thoroughly questioned every witness. They all say they didn’t notice anyone suspicious, although one girl said she saw Dezyre go into the bathroom carrying a drink and that she was in there for a long time. When she came out, she went straight to you.” He pointed to me, and I frowned.

  I leaned forward, rubbing my eyes. This whole situation made my mind spin. I was so tired of all this crap. Why couldn’t people just leave me alone for one night and let me at least pretend my life was normal?

  Aden studied me. “You look exhausted. You should rest.” He nodded to the others, and they started filing out. He stopped Rook at the door. “Keep at least ten men posted outside,” I heard him whisper. “I’ll let you know if anything else develops.”

  “As will I,” Rook said, nodding. “Merry Christmas, man.”

  “Yeah, Merry Christmas,” Aden said dryly, closing the door. Once we were alone, he sighed and turned around. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?” I asked softly.

  I watched as Aden sat down on the chair across from me, the Christmas tree lights casting a soft glow on his face. “For everything,” he sighed. “I’m especially sorry for turning you and pulling you into this mess.”

  I studied him. “Why did you change me?” My words weren’t angry; more than anything, they were curious.

  There was a long pause as he stared back at me. “Because I needed you.”

  My eyes narrowed. “As a pawn?”

  “Perhaps at first,” he said, hiding his eyes. “Before I got to know you. Before I…”

  I waited, holding my breath, but he didn’t finish the thought. Instead, he rose and knelt next to the tree. “I got you a present.”

  My eyes widened. I hadn’t exp
ected him to get me anything. Considering all that had happened, swapping gifts was the last thing on my mind.

  “You didn’t have to,” I argued as he sat down beside me and placed a red package in my hands. It felt slightly heavy, and the wrapping had an odd shape to it.

  He didn’t say anything, though something shifted in his eyes as I began unwrapping the gift.

  I gasped. There, in my lap, was Leo’s Scarlet Dagger.

  I gaped up at Aden, his expression unreadable. “Why?”

  “Because,” he said simply, “you may need it before this is all said and done.”

  I looked back down, unable to believe what I was seeing. I ran my fingers over the sheath, as if to make sure it was real. “Thank you. This means a lot to me.”

  I didn’t know what I had expected, a necklace, or a sweater maybe, but not this. It was the best Christmas present I could have received.

  “I’m glad,” Aden murmured.

  I met his eyes, and the background seemed to fade away as we looked at one another. Slowly, he leaned in, lips parting.

  “He’ll do the same to you when he’s had his way with you.”

  I turned my head right as he was about to kiss me. His lips brushed my cheek, and I felt him tense slightly.

  “What is it?” he murmured.

  I shook my head, not meeting his gaze. “Nothing. I’m just tired, is all.” I rose, holding on to the Scarlet Dagger. “Thanks again. Um, Merry Christmas, Aden.”

  He looked surprised, but quickly gave me a small smile. “Merry Christmas, Sloane.”

  I smiled back and nodded once before heading up the stairs, feeling the weight of Aden’s gaze at my back.

  Once in the solitude of my room, I changed into a tank top and some sweat pants, and crawled into bed, resting the dagger on my lap. Carefully, I slipped it from the sheath and stared at the red metal.

  Fear ran through me, ingrained into my nature from having tasted the metal’s bite twice now. Little over two months ago, this dagger had meant something completely different to me. What had once been a symbol of strength and hope now stirred up memories of suffering and pain.

  I shuddered, thinking of all the vampires the government must have experimented on while developing this weapon. Though the Rogues were destructive and – to be honest – probably deserved to die, they had also once been human. I couldn’t exactly put how I felt into words; it simply felt wrong.

  The dead faces of the extremists, wrapped in their red robes, flashed through my mind. They were no different from me, save for the fact they were a little crazy. And I had killed so many of them without a second thought. What had happened to me since I’d been down here? Sure, I had always enjoyed a good fight, but I had never, ever thought of killing someone.

  And I had done so with a smile on my face.

  It made me sick at my stomach. What’s happened to me? Do I even know who I am anymore?

  An inky darkness stirred at the back of my mind, a warning, and I was suddenly overcome with the sense that the horizon of my life would grow much darker before I saw a sliver of light. It scared me, badly. Abating my fears, I shivered, rubbing the goose bumps from my arms. Casting one last lingering look at the dagger, I sheathed it and sat it on my night stand before curling onto my side, my eyes fixed on Aden’s gift.

  A gift, as it turned out, that had proved to be more of a curse than anything else.

  Chapter 31

  I wasn’t allowed to leave the apartment for the rest of the week. Tons of extra security had been stationed outside. I rarely saw Aden after our awkward exchange. He was always “working on something at the base” or “helping Paris out with a top-secret project.” Truthfully, I was thankful for his sudden absence. I had enough to deal with in figuring out who was trying to kill me.

  Though the base was technically on holiday, I couldn’t bring myself to just settle down and relax. Too many stray thoughts drifted through my mind, a constant stream of activity that refused to be laid to rest. I wandered from my room to the kitchen and bathroom, the only stops on my monotonous daily routine. Being cooped up had never set well with me. Somehow, I always managed to feel guilty for doing absolutely nothing, like I was being lazy and should be working on something. I suppose my whole family had that in common, the work-a-holic syndrome.

  Angel dropped by once, to check in on me. But even she didn’t seem to be her normal, cheerful self.

  “It’s unreal, isn’t it? All that’s happened lately…” She was sitting across from me, staring forlornly at her hands. It was New Year’s Eve, and I was home alone. Despite the trouble at the Holiday Ball, Frost insisted upon throwing their 2 Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration. Mrs. Knight had left for the base earlier to oversee the decorations, and Aden hadn’t been home all day. Though I wasn’t ready to admit it out loud, I was really starting to miss his company.

  I took a sip of my iced tea. “Yeah, it’s been pretty crazy.”

  Angel looked adorable. Her hair had been done up, and she had on a cute black cocktail dress with tall black boots. Seeing as it was nearly 9 p.m., I assumed she had been on her way to the party. I was a little disappointed at having to ring in the New Year alone, but under the circumstances, I guess I should just be thankful to be alive.

  Oh, well. At least one of us will have some fun tonight.

  “You look great, by the way,” I said, smiling. “Another date with Rook?”

  Angel shook her head, staring into her glass. “No. He’s on guard duty tonight. At the party, that is. I’m just going to mingle for a little while, then probably head home.”

  “You don’t sound very excited,” I remarked quietly.

  She sighed hard. “I have a lot on my mind.”

  I frowned. That sounded very heavy for carefree Angel. “Like?”

  Her pink lips spread into a small smile. “It’s nothing.” Her face paled slightly as she suppressed a cough, and I narrowed my eyes in concern.

  “What is it?”

  Angel set her glass down on the coffee table. It was still over halfway full. Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t seen her take more than a sip or two. “I should get going,” she said. She stood and wiped her palms against her dress.

  I rose with her. “Okay. Uh, have fun at the party.”

  She stopped at the door. “Somehow, I don’t think that will be possible,” she muttered softly. She turned her head as a violent cough erupted from her throat, rattling her entire body. When she started to open the door, I put a hand on the frame to block her path.

  “Hey,” I said softly, trying to get a good look at her face. “You sure you’re all right? You’re white as a sheet.” I mean, Angel had always been pale as porcelain, but her complexion was a little blue tinged.

  “Yeah. I just have a bit of a cold, that’s all.” Her voice trembled as she spoke. Then she took a deep breath and looked up at me, a bright smile on her face. “Don’t worry about me. I’m going to be just fine.”

  I quirked a brow, but didn’t argue. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

  I stepped out of the way as she opened the door and stepped outside. “You, too.” Though the smile remained on her face, her eyes saddened. “Goodbye, Sloane,” she whispered.

  I watched her leave, not closing the door until she disappeared from sight. Frowning, I leaned against the door. That was strange. I hope she’s not too ill to be out.

  Maybe I was overreacting. I did have a tendency to read too much into things. If Angel said it was nothing, it was nothing. She was probably just acting weird because of her cold, that’s all.

  I was about to walk away when someone loudly knocked. I walked back to the door, thinking maybe Angel had forgotten something, and peered through the peephole.

  It was one of the guards – Nathaniel, I think his name was. He was a colossal man; I almost couldn’t see his face through the hole, he was so tall. My brows immediately knitted together when I caught his expression. It was pinched, like he was anxious for me to open the
door. I wondered if something was wrong. What if the killer had come for me?

  “Ms. McAllister,” he boomed, knocking loudly. “I need you to come with us, now.”

  Fear racked my body. So something was wrong.

  Without thinking it through, I jerked open the door and stood face to face with Nathaniel. He was teetering, and his skin was covered in sweat.

  An eerie sensation crawled down my arms and legs as I sniffed the air, which smelled faintly metallic. The slightest trace of spices threaded through the draft blowing on my face.

  Nathaniel’s face twisted in pain. Before I could ask, his eyes locked with mine.

  “Run,” he whispered.

  Then he fell over, stone cold dead. A knife protruded from his back, shining red with his blood. I blanched at the color of the blade.

  “Scarlet Steel,” I breathed.

  There was a rustling to my left, and my eyes snapped up as two men dressed entirely in black grabbed for me, their faces covered with black ski masks.

  I immediately went into the offensive, knocking away their hands and spinning around, clipping both of them in the jaw with the heel of my boot. They fell back as three more men came at me. I backed away, retreating into the interior of the apartment. A flurry of shots rang out and I dove over the couch as it was torn to shreds by the machine gun.

  “Stop shooting, you idiot!” one of the men cried. “He wants her alive!”

  He? Who the hell was he?

  The smell of spices clung to their clothes, the same smell I had picked up on in the lab and on the glamoured drink. The puzzle pieces clicked together in my mind, and I could’ve smacked myself for not making the connection sooner.

  Nero. The Emperor had sent these men to kidnap me. Which also meant it really was Imperial Guards trying to shoot me at the arcade. It had been Nero all along.

  I gritted my teeth, feeling my fangs elongate. Well, they can try to take me. No way am I going without a fight.

  The moment the firing ceased, I sprang toward the gunman. I was faster – so fast, I surprised myself – as I caught his arm and hyper extended it. His bones snapped as he dropped the gun, crying out in pain. Snatching up the weapon, I nailed him in the head with it as hard as I could. He collapsed, unconscious.