I don’t know what I’m doing or where I’ll go, but I jump into the still-running car and slam the door closed. “Come on, focus. Put the car in drive and—” I’m cut off by the ripping of the car’s door off its hinges. The screech of metal is loud, and I cover my ears, trembling as it’s tossed aside, and a hand grips the steering wheel. The plastic crumbles as if it were a cookie and I scramble to the other side, fighting with the lock until it gives way and I fall out.
My palms sting under the asphalt, and my knees shake when I get up, taking off into the night without looking back. I’m afraid of what I’ll find. Of what he’ll do if I do.
He won’t hurt us.
“He has.”
Only to bring us back.
“And now I’m talking to myself.” Not knowing where I am doesn’t help, but I just keep running in a straight direction, heading toward a bunch of buildings up ahead. I pray that one of them is residential and I can run inside, calling the cops— “Can’t call them. Consuelos is after me too.”
My chest burns from exertion, and I feel the prickles of eyes watching me. The sensation mocks me—it also warms me, and the contradicting emotions are wrecking my mental state.
Do I stop and listen to him? Do I hide for the rest of my life?
The sound of an aluminum can being kicked causes me to stumble, my body lurching forward, but before I hit the ground two strong arms catch me. His chest rumbles against my back, the noise soothing, and I lose all the fight I have left.
“No more getting hurt, pretty girl. I don’t like it.”
36
Theodore Astor
Vampire King
I carry her bridal style into the warehouse where our people wait. They’re quiet, standing straight and with smiles on their faces when they see her, our beloved queen. And my girl looks at them too, taking in the familiar faces and the few that have never had the pleasure of being in her presence before.
They drop to one knee as we pass.
Their right hand pounds where their cold hearts once beat.
“Rise.” My voice rings loud and clear inside the large, enclosed space. The two bodies chained and on their knees tense at the sound: the man is a bit bloodied, while the woman remains untouched.
Meera and Marcia will deal with her.
Every member of our kingdom in attendance stands side by side, creating a large circle surrounding the center of the room. And at the helm, I place Gabriella in a chair she recognizes from her dream.
“How the hell…?” she whispers, but to the room it’s as if the words are being shouted.
“This has always been your chair.”
Someone scoffs at that, and I snap my eyes to the woman in question: Diana Veltross.
She’s the daughter of Elise Veltross with a human.
She’s the sister of Tim Roy, who she shares a father with, and who also had a sick obsession with Gabriella.
And lastly, she’s married to Detective Consuelos who she’s dragged down into a predator’s trap.
“Something on your mind, Diana?”
“There is.” Her tone is a bit snooty, and her body language is of someone of importance. Who thinks they’re untouchable. So much like her grandfather. When I don’t question her, she lifts her head and glares at Gabriella. “How could you choose this whore over my mother? She’s your wife. Your…fuck!”
Marcia’s tail smacks Diana across the face, cutting her off and knocking out a few front teeth in the process.
“Does that answer your question?” Bending a bit at the waist, I drop a kiss to my pretty girl’s head and pull back, walking to where Elise’s daughter kneels. Dropping to my haunches, I stare down at the girl and wait for her to look up. She’s young compared to me and the rest of the men and women in the room, and even though a bit of vampiric blood runs through her veins, she’s not worthy. A human with the privilege of having a bit of our lineage and nothing more because she’ll never be changed.
She’s a useless toy her mother used, corrupted, and will now be responsible for her death. “Because I wouldn’t touch your mother with someone else’s cock.”
“How could you!”
“Please don’t hit her,” Diana and her husband say in unison. His lip is split open, a large bruise adorns his upper chest, and the bindings are cutting deep into his wrist. The man is a mess, too easy of a kill for me, and I find myself having a bit of pity for him. He loves her, while she takes advantage of that.
“You beg me, and yet I wonder if she’d do the same for you.”
“My loyalty is to my mother.” Diana answers my question, and I could see his heart break. He does love her.
“Why did you do it?” I ask the man, his eyes bloodshot while his skin has grown a bit pallid. He’s scared, and should be. There is no getting out of this alive. “Why did you harm an innocent woman? Why did you pay off the cops who died tonight—tell them to bring Gabriella to a mental asylum with the promise to also use her at their free will?”
“I didn’t.”
“Number one.” That one costs him his hand as I rip it clear off and toss it at his wife’s feet. “For every lie you tell, I’ll take something from you. Now, tell the truth.”
“Elise asked me to.” His voice is shaky, blood pouring out of the wound, and my mouth waters. I’ve been careful with my feeding since Gabriella was born into this human form. I’d never touch someone who’s innocent, but tonight I’ll give in and she’ll see me as I’ve always been.
“To what end?”
“Don’t answer,” Diana grits out, yet her body shakes. Their combined pheromones create a heady scent in the room. Many begin to shake. Some let their fangs drop.
“I’d be quiet if I were you,” I croon. “There are plenty of hungry vampires in here ready for their pound of flesh. Conspiring against the queen is punishable by death in our world. Turning my eyes back to her husband, I shake my head. Pathetic. “Carry on. I want the full story.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You truly are, Consuelos. I’m not arguing that. But finish the story.”
“We were told that Elise is your mate and Gabriella was a witch who cast a spell on you. That she turned you against your wife, and I believed her. This was over a hundred years ago. I had no way to verify, and chose to trust those I call family.” His chest heaves, a sob catching in his throat. “At first, it was supposed to be Tim that took care of her after the brunch meeting—make Gabriella disappear while Elise grieved by your side. Reconnected with Miss Moore out of the picture, and with her son’s infatuation at her disposal, Elise used that to her advantage by enticing him to kidnap her and then keep her as a pet. Her only goal was to make you forget her.”
The room erupts in angry hisses. Many shout curses and demand for me to shed his blood.
“Silence.” All noises cease. “Continue, Detective. Gabriella deserves the truth.”
At that, she makes a small, distressed sound, as if she doesn’t want to hear any more.
I’m sorry, my love.
“But when you killed Tim, plans changed, and I was brought in. My wife signed my death certificate when she begged me to help her frame, kidnap, and then sell Miss Moore to the highest bidder in an overseas auction.” Said wife doesn’t look at him, not an ounce of shame or affection on her face. “I know I’ll die because of this, but please, spare her. Send Diana away from her mother’s influence—”