by Bianca Cole
I rest my arm around her back as she moves to write her name right next to mine. It’s an oddly powerful moment, watching her join the elite—where she belongs.
24
Rosie
I can’t work out if I’m happy or not to be back in London. On the one hand, I’m going to see my friends again. Alice and Kev have agreed to meet me at the venue where Vlad intends to fight his challenger. It’s a huge deal, and the entire city is buzzing to watch the O2 Arena fight.
On the other hand, I’m scared to death of watching Vlad fight. If he gets hurt, or worse, I won’t be able to live with it. Because of me, he’s doing this because his people don’t like him being with a human.
Lucy grabs my hand and squeezes. “Don’t worry, Rosie, Flynn won’t let anything bad happen to him.”
I meet her gaze and shake my head. “He can’t intervene with the fight, what if Boian—”
“Impossible.” She shakes her head. “Vlad has no equal amongst the vampires, believe me.”
Her confidence helps a little, but I won’t feel better until it’s over, and his arms are around me again.
“Come on, let’s find a seat.” Anastasia and Ilsa follow close behind us, deep in conversation. I can’t deny it’s nice to find a group of women who know what I’m going through with Vlad. They’ve all had similar experiences to me.
I’m not sure what I’m going to tell Kev and Alice about Vlad. When I text them, all I got back was a flood of questions about where I’d been and if I was okay. I’m sure they’d probably been texting my old number, but I lost it when Vlad kidnapped me.
They agreed to meet me here so I could explain everything to them. I’m not looking forward to it. My stomach has been in knots ever since we left the apartment.
“Stop worrying,” Ilsa says, gripping my shoulder. “Your friends will just be happy you are okay.”
Ilsa’s witchy intuition is already starting to give me the creeps. She’s borderline a mind reader.
“I know,” Lucy finds our front row seats, and pulls me down the aisle.
I just wish I could have stayed with Vlad, but he insists I stay with the girls in the crowd. There’s no way I want to do anything to disrupt him.
“Are they going to box?” I ask, staring at the ring in front of us.
Anastasia shakes her head. “I don’t think it will be like any boxing we’ve ever seen.” She meets my gaze. “I saw Rhys fight in a similar ring against another wolf shifter, and it was brutal.”
I swallow hard. “I hate this.”
Anastasia nods. “I know exactly how you feel, believe me.”
“Rosie,” Alice calls my name, rushing down the steps to greet me.
I stand, and she runs into my arms, hugging me.
“Where the fuck have you been?” she asks, laughing. “Kev and I have been so fucking worried.”
I nod. “I know, I’m sorry. Let’s just say I’ve had a crazy couple of weeks.”
She pulls away and raises a brow. “Why did you want to meet here?” She glances around. “And how the fuck did you get front row seats?”
Kev approaches, irritation clear in his gaze. The last time I saw him was in the hospital. “Hey,” I say.
“Hey.” He grits his teeth. “We’re both waiting for an explanation, Rosie.”
I sit down, pulling Alice with me. “The vampire that attacked me that night was the vampire king,” I say, meeting Kev’s gaze.
Alice’s eyes widen. “The vampire due to fight tonight?”
“Yes, it might sound insane, but we’re together.”
Alice shakes her head. “Don’t mess about, Rosie.”
Kev’s expression darkens. “No fucking way. He has you poisoned with that damn toxin.” His fists clench.
I shake my head. “No, Kev, he doesn’t.” I glance at Lucy, hoping she might help me out.
She takes the hint. “She’s right, guys. Vlad doesn’t want to hurt her. He loves her.”
Alice squeals. “Oh my god.” She grabs my hand. “Are you his queen now?”
Heat pulses through my body, settling in my cheeks. “I guess.” I shrug, trying to play it down. Vlad told me I was his queen. It’s crazy to think such a powerful being could want me by his side.
I love him with all my heart, something I would never have believed when he knocked me out and took me. Even then, I knew this connection between us was something special. Deep down, when I said I didn’t want to go with him, I was lying.
It feels like neither of us could fight the inevitable. According to Flynn, he believes we share a mating bond of some kind, despite being very rare among vampires.
Music filters through the speakers, flooding the arena. “Oh my God, it’s starting,” Alice says, grabbing my hand.
Kev is still glaring at me, fist clenched. He has been my protector for the past six years, more or less, so I understand why he’s not exactly thrilled by the news. He’s like my big brother, and any big brother wouldn’t like to hear his sister has been stolen away by a fucking vampire.
I lean over Alice and squeeze Kev’s hand. “Kev, seriously, I’m fine. I want to be with Vlad.”
His eyes narrow, and he shakes his head. “I find that hard to believe.”
I shake my head and sigh, letting go of his hand. There’s nothing I could say right now to make him understand. I know it seems crazy that after disappearing for two weeks, I turn up as the vampire king’s plaything in his eyes. He’ll never understand.
My stomach churns as I turn my attention to the entrance to the arena. Neither Boian nor Vlad have entered yet, but I’m anxious to see Vlad. We’ve only been apart for an hour, but it’s already too long.
Another man steps into the arena, and the crowd cheers.
“Is that him?” Alice asks.
I shake my head. “No, that must be the challenger.”
She relaxes, and I can understand why. The guy looks downright evil, and just one look at him sends shivers down my spine. She nods, watching eagerly for Vlad.
He steps into the arena next, and Alice whistles. “No fucking way.” She shakes her head. “That’s him?” she asks.
Kev just looks pissed off by this entire conversation. “He looks like a fucking crack head.”
I grit my teeth, glaring at Kev. I know he’s angry, but hearing him talk badly about Vlad snaps something inside of me. “Keep your mouth shut, Kev. You may be in a bad mood, but don’t take it out on my man.”
Kev’s eyes widen.
“You tell him, babe.” Alice laughs. “That is one fine man if I do say so myself.” She nudges me in the side. “Don’t listen to him.”
Kev nods. “Sorry,” he mutters, standing. “I’m going to go get a drink.” His jaw clenches. “Can I get you guys anything?”
We both look at each other as he marches away.
“What’s up with him?” I ask.
Alice sighs. “Rosie, Kev had had it bad for you for years.”
I raise a brow. “No fucking way. Kev is like my big brother.”
Alice nudges me. “You may see it like that, but there’s a reason he always been so protective over you.”
I bite my lip, wondering if Alice is right.
Fuck.
I feel instantly bad for snapping at him for being a dick about Vlad. My heart skips a beat as I glance back to see him climbing into the ring in the center. There’s no stage as such, but a ring set up in the center.
Vlad’s eyes meet mine across the room, making my heart skip a beat. Somehow, he can melt me from one stare. He gives me a nod before turning away and glaring at his opponent.
“Don’t worry, Rosie. Vlad will be fine,” Ilsa says, leaning over Lucy. “I promise you.”
Vlad gets on well with Ilsa, and I have her to thank for saving my life from Rhys the other night. I get a feeling I’ll get on well with all of the council members, although things between Rhys and me are a bit uneasy.
The announcer’s microphone switches on, and everyone turns qu
iet. “Welcome to the fight for the vampire throne.”
Everyone starts to cheer.
The camera flicks onto Boian. “In the black corner, we have the challenger, Boian Rusu,” the commentator announces, before turning his attention to Vlad.
He appears on the screen. “In the red corner, we have the vampire king. Vladimir Balan.”
The camera switches back to the commentator. “This fight will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. A fight to the death or until one participant concedes.”
Vlad assured me the last option wouldn’t happen. He told me he would rather die than concede, and it hurt like hell. A life without him isn’t worth living. When I’m not near him, I feel weakened somehow. It’s clear that whatever this thing is between us, the bond is deep and important—like a mating bond.
The bell rings, and I hold my breath. They circle each other, neither making a move yet. The tension in the arena is heightened as people cheer and shout. I grit my teeth, wanting this to be over before it’s even started.
Vlad moves first in a blur, smashing his fist into his opposer’s jaw. Boian strikes back, hitting him in the gut, but he hardly reacts to it. I can hardly watch as Vlad dances around him, before smashing his fist into Boian’s chest. I wince the impact looked painful at hell. Boian winces at the impact, and Vlad takes the opportunity to strike again and again.
Boian hits the floor, struggling to get back to his feet. Vlad readies himself.
I’m thankful that he’s proving stronger, but there is a long way to go. A fight to the death and vampires are damn right resilient. I hate the thought of watching Vlad kill, but Boian left him with no choice.
I wince as he punches Vlad in the jaw, but he retaliates quickly. He punches Boian in the chest, forcing him to the floor again. Vlad may be winning, but I hate seeing him get hit. My king is fighting for our future, I’m just not sure I have the stomach to watch.
25
Vladimir
Boian is going down for trying to take out Rosie. I don’t even care that he tried to oppose me—she is all that matters.
She’s my world, my everything.
Anyone that threatens my world is dead. Boian is not exactly holding up too well, as I step right, jabbing my fist hard into his gut.
Boian is strong, but not strong enough.
Ever since I met Rosie, my strength is heightened, all of my senses are. “Give up now, Boian. Why die for such a pointless fucking cause?” I growl.
He roars, rushing toward me again. He barrels right into me, but I push against him, toppling him over with little effort. It’s kind of embarrassing how weak he is.
“Are you losing your touch?” I ask, glancing up briefly to check Rosie is okay.
She is staring at me, concern dazzling in her stunning emerald eyes. I know that she hates this brutal side of me, but I will protect her no matter what. Boian is no match for me. I could fight him in my fucking sleep.
He only contested my right to rule because he believed he’d be able to pull off his little coup—big fucking mistake. Rosie makes me stronger than I’ve been in years. It feels like I’m in my youth again, but far smarter than I was as a youngster.
I glance back down at my opponent.
He gets to his feet, shaking himself off. “Not likely,” he spits, rushing for me and grabbing me around the waist. His attempt to use speed to throw me off works against him, as I use his hold on me to launch him across my head and into the concrete beneath us.
He groans a small amount of blood prickling on his forehead, where I’d hit him. Vampire’s hardly bleed unless they’ve drunk a lot of human blood. Boian thought he needed as much blood as possible to defeat me.
He can’t defeat me as I’m too strong for him, even without Rosie’s blood pumping through my veins. With Rosie’s blood, I’m invincible.
He struggles to stand but manages to pull himself to his feet. “I may not be able to defeat you, Vlad, but I can take the one thing that means anything to you.” At lightning speed, he pulls out a dagger and throws it at Rosie.
It feels like time slows as I watch the silver metal speed toward her. I can’t move quickly enough as I chase after it, stopping in shock as it is embedded into her throat. Blood pours from the wound, and her eyes are wide, fixed on me.
It feels like I’m dying as I watch her choking on her blood. In seconds I’m by her side, holding her in my arms, numbness spreading through me like a disease.
I pull the dagger from her and hold my hand over the wound, stemming the blood flow. “Rosie, it’s okay, you’re going to be okay.”
I sink my fangs into her neck, pumping the healing toxin into her, hoping beyond hope that she’ll survive. Vampire toxin is powerful, but I know deep down it’s not enough.
Some kid comes rushing at me. “Get the fuck off her. She’s injured.”
He grabs my arm, but I just throw him off me. I pump toxin into Rosie’s veins desperately, as panic drives me.
Vampire toxin may have powerful effects on humans and certain healing properties, but deep down, I know it can’t save her from this. Her body is growing cold in my arms already.
Ilsa grabs my arm, and I’m about to throw her off when our eyes meet. “Let me Vlad. The only thing that will save her is magic.” She holds a hand over the wound, and her magic spreads across her skin, sealing the wound. Her skin is still so pale as she struggles to draw breath into her lungs. Rosie’s eyes are wide and frantic as she stares up at me.
“Come on, baby girl, you can make it,” I say, emotion clawing at my heart.
Ilsa finishes her spell and gives me a nod. “She’ll survive, but she’ll be weak for a while.” She glances into the boxing ring. “You may want to go and kill that rat before he escapes. We’ll get her somewhere safe.”
Rhys takes Rosie from me as I sprint back into the ring. Boian is crawling out of the ring, unable to stand. He almost took everything from me. If it weren’t for Ilsa, Rosie would be dead. I owe a lot to that witch.
To think I considered sparing the bastards life. He is going to die painfully in front of all these people to prove that no one fucks with me. I’m the vampire king, and I don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks.
Flynn might believe that mercy is a good option, but there is a time and place for everything. If this man had attacked Lucy, I’ve got no doubt he would do the same.
I kick Boian in the face, and he falls backward, growling. “You fucking bastard.” I punch him hard in the face, crushing his nose. “I’m going to make you pay for that.”
He starts laughing. “The plan was always to go after your human. You’re an idiot to believe she’s safe now.” Panic coils through me as I wonder if he’s telling the truth.
Is Rosie still in danger?
I grab hold of Boian’s neck, and his eyes go wide. “Fuck you, Boian.” I rip his head from his shoulder and toss it across the ring.
All my strength speeds me after Rosie, as I follow my new friends, hoping the threat is over now. I don’t believe a word that comes out of that bastard’s mouth, but I won’t risk her life ever again.
* * *
My heart skips a beat when I make it to the entrance of the arena to see Rhys shifted into his wolf form and Aiden in his dragon form. Ilsa is shielding Rosie and Anastasia with magic. The remains of vampires are scattered over the floor, with only two vampires left. Javid is one of them.
When I recognize him, I lose it.
“You fucking traitor,” I growl, marching toward him—blood coursing through my veins.
Javid swivels around, holding his hands up like the fucking coward he is.
People are starting to filter out of the arena since I just ended the fucking fight. Chatting breaks out behind me as I storm toward the traitors.
Flynn comes out of the arena and rushes toward me. “What the fuck happened here?” He grabs me, stopping me from reaching Javid.
I grit my teeth. “A last-ditch attempt to rip my heart from my chest.”
My eyes go to Rosie. “Let’s show everyone what happens to people who mess with the council.”
“This is something you have to do?” he asks, meeting my gaze.
“Of course, they tried to kill her.” I nod toward Rosie. “What would you do if it had been Lucy?”
Flynn smiles. “Kill them all. Let’s do this.” He holds his hand out.
I take it, shaking hard.
“I’ll let you do the honors, Vlad.”
I clear my throat. “Humans, witches, vampires, faeries, and shifters, tonight is the perfect example of what happens when you try and cross a king.” I glance at Rhys, Aiden, and Flynn. “When you try and cross four kings. If you cross one of us, you cross all of us.” I walk toward Javid, controlled rage coursing through my veins. “Take this as a warning.” I rip his head off like I did Boian’s and chuck it toward the crowd.
I turn my attention to the other vampire as Flynn punches his hand into his chest, ripping his heart out. “Now, does anyone else have a problem with our leadership?” he asks.
A deafening silence spreads across the courtyard outside the arena. Flynn throws the heart onto the floor as the vampire crumbles to dust. “Perfect, as you were.” He waves his hands dismissively.
Everyone starts to move away from the arena at a hurried pace, possibly scared of us. The people have nothing to be scared of as long as they don’t intend to kill what we love. This experience has truly proven how much I can trust my fellow council members. Rosie is alive, thanks to them.
I pat Flynn on the shoulder, smiling at him. “Thanks, mate.”
He nods. “Any time.”
I turn my attention to Rosie, rushing toward her. She’s still a little pale but standing on her own two feet. “Rosie.” I wrap my arms around her and pull her into my chest. “I thought I had lost you.”
She smiles up at me, shaking her head. “Never.”
