by Raven Steele
“Weak members, even weak visitors, bring shame upon our coven,” I repeated, the words bitter on my tongue. Of course, it was Korin who decided what constituted as weak.
“You will need to go through a trial to prove your worth,” Michael said.
Mateo looked from me to him. “And what exactly would this trial entail?”
He smiled, slow and cruel, and trained his eyes on me. “Something I’ve wanted for a long time. Fighting me to submission.”
Chapter 13
“No—” Mateo began, but I interrupted him.
“Done.” Maybe if I could beat him down, he’d finally leave me alone and let go of his vendetta toward me. Plus, if I could beat him, it might make other vampires in the coven respect me, and maybe even turn against Korin when the time came. And, if I was being honest with myself, that’s what was most important.
He lowered his head in a small bow. “I’ll set up the training room. It will be great entertainment for tonight’s dinner.”
“Let’s do it now. I wasn’t planning on staying.”
“Ah, but you will. I command it.” He eyed my clothes. “In fact, I have the perfect dress for you to wear. I’ll have it brought to you.” He turned and walked away, confidence in his step. I pushed away from Mateo, ready to flee his presence, but he tightened his hand on my wrist.
“Walk with me,” Mateo said, releasing me as he turned the opposite direction.
I groaned inwardly and followed after him, ignoring the excited whispers of those around us. It had probably been decades since they’d watched a fight like the one they were about to see. The other vampires around us had come to their feet to watch our exchange and more had filed in from other parts of the house. So much for trying to keep a low profile. I caught Teddy’s eye in the crowd, his eyes full of worry. I didn’t see Kristina or Faithe.
Letting go of the casual attitude he’d shown earlier, Mateo clinched his hands in fists and walked briskly to the other side of the mansion, his anger radiating out in waves. He yanked open the library door, nearly tearing it off its hinges, and slammed it against the back wall.
When he turned towards me, his eyes were cold and hard. The honey-eyed man I once knew was gone, and before me stood a man filled with rage and bitterness. “Why do you insist on fighting him? If you do this, Korin will find a way to take advantage of the situation. He’s got you on a hook; he’ll slowly drag you back into his world. Is this what you want?”
“What happened to you? In just a few short days, you’ve changed. What is Korin planning?”
He groaned. “You know I cannot tell you that. Why do you insist on asking these questions? Right now, I am talking to you about Michael. He wants to take you from me again. I will not let him do that.”
“Ahh, I see.” I folded my arms across my chest and casually leaned against the door jamb. “This isn’t about my involvement with Korin at all. But your desire for revenge against Michael.”
He growled, bearing his fangs. “You did not see yourself when he was done with you the night you told him about us. There was not a spot on your whole body that did not have a wound. He carved you apart. You had to be infused with blood just to stay alive. It almost killed me to see you in such pain. I would’ve murdered him if Korin would’ve allowed it. Instead, I nursed you back to health, praying to whatever god may exist that you would live to see another night.”
Fire raged in his eyes, spreading into my chest. I’d forgotten that night. Mostly because I was unconscious through most of it. But the reminder of it brought back my own feelings. I’d felt so helpless as he’d beat me in a fit of rage, just as my own human husband had beaten me. Korin had killed my husband for the very act, yet had allowed Michael to still exist, with no repercussions.
Rage from deep within me boiled to the surface. I was a lot stronger now, and it was time Michael learned his place. “This fight is mine.”
“Time has strengthened you, Samira,” he said, “but it’s also strengthened him. Please, I beg you, don’t do this. Assign me to do it in your place.”
“This isn’t about me. You want to fight him.”
He hissed and closed the space between us. He laced his fingers through the back of my hair, pulling my head to the side. His lips traced up my neck, scraping my skin with his fangs. His breath came out in strained huffs as he pressed his lips to my ear, whispering. “Every time I think of him, I want to slice him into pieces. I will kill him one day for what he did to you.”
I growled, pushing him away. “Stop, Mateo. Stop acting as if I belong to you. This is not your battle. I will fight him, and I will win. But this isn’t just about revenge. I need to be in a position of respect because one day soon, I’m going to break Korin’s ability to compel you, to compel all of you. And you forget,” I hesitated in saying my next words, they were so painful, but I forced them out, “you choose Korin over me that night. Any claim you had on me is finished. Stop touching me, stop trying to stand up for me like some damn gentleman from the ancient days. We may be forced to fight as we had centuries ago, but we no longer live in those times. I am fully capable of defending my own honor.” I waved my hand between us. “And we are no longer anima gemellas. Get that through your thick skull.”
He snarled, the fire still in his eyes. “Never, my love. I let you go once, but I will never do that again. You may reject me now, but you are my soulmate and I will find a way to prove it to you.”
I huffed, giving up on this ridiculous conversation and left the room. I hurried so that he wouldn’t see the pain in my eyes. I never wanted him to know how badly he’d broken my heart when he had chosen to stay with Korin and the Buio Sangre. I’d pushed those feelings so far down inside me, I’d almost forgotten how painful they had been. But being around Korin and Michael was bringing everything to the surface. I needed to get out of here as fast as possible.
Just as I turned the corner, I ran into Teddy. He grabbed my arms to steady me. “What’s wrong? You’re shaking.” He glanced over my shoulder. “Is Mateo bothering you?”
“I’m fine.” I forced a few calm breaths into my lungs. “Is there somewhere we can talk? With Kristina?”
“Sure, but I’m supposed to tell you a dress is waiting for you in the Summer room upstairs. Michael insists you wear it to fight in too.”
“Whatever he wants. He’ll regret fighting me, though. I’m going to make a fool out of him in front of everyone.”
Teddy grinned, exposing his dimple, and turned with me down the hall. “I bet you will.”
“Have you seen Faithe?” I asked, glancing in rooms as we passed.
“She’s in Korin’s quarters. That’s where she spends most of her time.”
Dread ate at my stomach. “How can I get her alone?”
“It’s difficult these days, but she’ll be at the party.”
“What is this celebration about?”
He eyed me sideways, his face reddening beneath the faint light in the hallway. He worked his jaw as if trying to find the words.
“You can’t say, can you?”
He shook his head. “But I — I can tell you that his work is finished.”
He gasped as if even saying that had taken great effort.
I froze and turned to him. “What do you mean by finished?”
“Ready to be rolled out,” he said, choosing his words carefully.
I lowered my voice. “Listen, I have a friend working on something that will break Korin’s compulsion. If I can get this to you, will you tell me everything you know?”
“You can do that?”
“I’m going to try.”
His shoulders sagged with relief. “I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. It’s been terrible carrying this burden around.”
Music playing in the distance found its way to us.
“Dinner will be soon,” he said. “You better go change.”
“Will you pass on what I told you to Kristina?”
He clasped my hands. “She
will be just as glad as I am to hear it.”
Before I left, I asked him one last question. “When did Korin become so powerful with his compulsion?”
“Recently. It took everyone by surprise.”
“Any events leading up to it?” Maybe if I could figure out where the power came from, I could destroy it.
“He only said it was a gift. A gift from someone named the Phoenix.”
There’s the connection. Korin would’ve done anything for more power, including selling out his own kind. The Phoenix probably knew this, too. I wondered what Korin’s own coven would think if they found out what he’d done. So far, they probably believed Korin wouldn’t use the new drug on supernaturals, but I’d seen otherwise.
I hurried to the Summer room to change. It was a guest suite in the corner of the mansion, decorated in light gold and pale yellows. An ornate four-poster bed was pressed against the wall. Resting on a plush velvet comforter lay a familiar-looking dress. I gasped and almost stepped back, but shook my head and approached it. There’s no way it could be the same dress I’d worn that night I’d ended it with Michael and yet, the similarities were uncanny. Long, form-fitting and strapless on one side. I ran my fingers down the silky black material. It even felt the same.
No doubt this was another way Michael was getting back at me, but what didn’t make sense is how he knew to have it made. I held the material to my nose and inhaled. It smelled brand new. This development worried me. It was as if he knew I was coming.
When the music downstairs changed to something dark and melancholy, I stripped my clothes and pulled the dress down over my black bra and panties. The material was so soft and light, it felt like warm breath whispering against my skin every time I moved. I might’ve loved it had it not brought horrible memories with it.
I ground my teeth together. This is what Michael wanted. For me to feel like a victim once again. But I wouldn’t let him have that power. Not again. If he wanted me to play a role, I’d play it.
In the bathroom, I combed my long hair, twisted it up into a French bun, and removed several strands of dark hair to frame my face just like I wore it that night. I also found some dark makeup and applied it around my eyes and reddened my lips. I stared at my reflection, looking so much like the woman I used to be, but I was anything but. Tonight, however, I would play his game. I’d pretend to be that woman again, right up until I slammed him on his ass in front of his whole coven. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face. The shock on Korin’s face would only be a side benefit.
I reached the top of the staircase sweeping down to the grand lobby. Mateo appeared just then, as if he’d sensed me coming. His mouth parted at my appearance and eyebrows lifted. He looked impeccable in his dark suit and hair combed back. My gaze lowered to the white rose in his hand. They were my favorite.
As I descended the stairs, Mateo’s expression changed to something dark and deadly. He stared intently at my dress, his gaze not leaving it as I moved down the stairs. I reached him and rested my hand on his arm.
“Michael had it made for me.” He didn’t respond, except to grind his teeth together, the sides of his jaw bulging. “I hate it as much as you do, but he wants to play head games. It’s fine. It’s just a stupid dress. I’m not going to let Michael’s old resentment affect me.” His eyes finally met mine, they were dark and angry. I gulped. “And neither should you.”
His eyes only grew darker. “I want it off you.”
“Too bad. You know I have no choice in this. And it would be wise for you to accept it, as I have. Otherwise they will win.”
He lowered his gaze as if he couldn’t stand to look at it anymore. Nodding, he held the rose out for me. “For the woman who owns my body and soul.”
I rolled my eyes, an uncharacteristic motion for me. Briar must be rubbing off on me. “Thank you, but not necessary.”
“Take it.” He took hold of my hand and squeezed gently, his eyes hardening. “If only to counter Michael’s mind games.”
“There’s the Mateo I know.” I nodded and let him place it in my open palm. His fingers caressed the sensitive skin on the top of my wrist in a circular pattern. He trailed his fingers up my arm, leaving heat in their wake. “You truly are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever encountered. I don’t know how I let you go.”
My gaze turned hard. “Well, you did.”
I brushed past him and walked into the living room where music filled the air. The space had become more crowded. There were at least three dozen vampires scattered throughout the room, each as handsome and beautiful as the next. Probably half lived here while the others preferred to live elsewhere, but those under Korin’s command always came when called. There were also many of them that I recognized as belonging to the Sangre Nocturnas. They must be under command to return here as well, and why Mateo was so upset about it.
Vampires weren’t the only ones in the room. There were eight humans wandering around in skimpy attire with glossy eyes and distant expressions. Both men and woman approached different vampires, showering them with attention and showing off the veins on their necks and arms. Someone had compelled them well. It made me sick.
Scanning the room, I searched for Korin and Faithe, but they weren’t here yet. I spotted Kristina in the corner curled on a couch, despite her short cocktail dress. Her eyes were closed.
“You look divine,” a voice said behind me.
I turned around to face Michael, forcing my lips into a seductive smile. “I love the dress.”
His eyebrows lifted in surprise. “You do?”
Stepping toward him, I slid my palm up his hard chest and stared into his eyes. “Yes. It reminds me of the night I ended our sorry excuse of a relationship. It was one of the happiest nights of my life.”
He snarled and gripped my arm, his nails digging into me, but I didn’t flinch. “You’re going to regret that. I’ll make sure of it.”
Mateo appeared next to me, but I ignored him, still focusing on Michael. “Not when I beat you tonight.”
Michael’s nostrils flared and for a moment I thought he might try to fight me now, but just then a powerful energy blanketed the room, making several people gasp. Everyone turned toward the door.
Korin. And he wasn’t alone.
Chapter 14
Korin entered the room wearing a suit matched with a black cape and a thorned, metal crown. Faithe’s arm was linked through his and she held her chin high. She wore a long, crimson gown with the front cut so low, the gap reached her belly button, exposing a good portion of her breasts. The girl I knew would never have worn a dress like this.
I remembered the first time my eyes had been opened to Korin’s cruelty, thanks to Faithe’s kind heart. Faithe had only been with us for a decade after we returned from Africa. For the most part, she’d managed to avoid Korin. Our coven was much bigger then with many divisions across Europe. It kept Korin busy.
But one night, I decided to take Faithe with me on one of my many errands for Korin. I believed it was time to start training Faithe on coven business in hopes she could work alongside me.
I had prepared her for what might take place. Our orders were to root out a group of shifters who had crossed over into our territory. Back then, that was a huge insult. I expected a few to resist and even told Faithe we might have to kill some. She wasn’t happy about it, but understood.
However, when we arrived, we found something more than a small group of shifter men. It was a large community with families. Many with children and women. All hungry and cold. They had recently fled their country because, in addition to being shifters, they were also Mongols who were no longer welcome in their country.
Faithe begged me to leave them be, but I had a job to do. Not once had I ever considered disobeying Korin. I attempted to chase them off the land, but the shifters were willing to stay and fight. They had nowhere else to go.
The small battle turned bloody, which only fueled the men under my command. Faithe begged me to sto
p, even shielding a shifter woman with her own body to prevent the woman from dying by my sword. This gave me pause, and I looked around at all the carnage.
“These people are me!” Faithe had cried. “I would be dead had a kind woman not spared me. Be that kind woman, Mother. Don’t kill these people because they are different. They only want to live, and our coven has plenty to spare!”
Her words seared my heart, and I stopped the attack, but by then the damage had been done. Almost all had been killed.
When we returned to the coven, I was prepared to be punished for not fulfilling Korin's orders. But it wasn’t me who was punished. It was Faithe.
Korin had stripped her in front of everyone and whipped her back until blood ran over her bare buttocks and down her legs. When he was finished, he locked her up for thirty days with no food or water. The ordeal nearly killed her.
That was when I decided to plan my escape from Korin and the coven, taking Faithe and Mateo with me.
Korin's dark gaze surveyed the room, taking in everything about it. He paused when our eyes met and nodded an approval, but when he saw Mateo by my side, something cold flickered in his eyes. Briefly, but I saw it. It made the hair on my arms lift.
“Welcome, friends,” Korin began. “Tonight is a special night, and I’m grateful you could all be here to celebrate it with me. There have been some challenges along the way,” his eyes flashed to mine, “but we came out victorious, and soon everything as you know it will change. In a good way. We are so close! So enjoy your evening. Partake of these gifts I give you and satisfy all your cravings. I hear we even have some entertainment tonight, thanks to Samira. We are honored to have her back among us, where she belongs. Make her feel welcome.”
The woman at the piano began to play again. I hated these vampire parties. They rarely deviated from tradition. Music playing, humans offering, vampires drinking. And Briar complained that I hadn’t kept up with the times! These people still lived in the eighteenth century. I’d love for her to give these vampires one of her shows. The corners of my lips lifted at the thought.
