Rule (15 page)

Embarrassment and shame quickly registered and I shoved Boyd away from me as if he were the devil, himself. The need to heave was there, but for the life of me I couldn’t waste what I’d just basked in. What I wanted more of even as I took slow steps back.

“Boyd?” One of the vampires circled his rigid frame, staring into the vampire’s blank stare as he seemed to watch my every twitch.

“What’s wrong with him?” I asked, nervously. “Why is he just standing there?”

Both vampires snapped their heads in my direction and where I thought they were going to attack, they didn’t. They were genuinely afraid of something.

“It’s … not right. He’s, not right. It’s like…” The vampire sniffed, stepping back a few feet, growling lower the further he got away.

“What?” I exclaimed. “What the fuck is going on?”

The vampire with the broken neck didn’t have to get close to Boyd to start retreating. I couldn’t believe my eyes as he lowered to the ground too, sinking to his knees as the vibe of power increased around us.

“That’s not Boyd,” the first vampire said, lowly. “That’s not Boyd…”

Chapter 21

Tessa

“You’re free to go.”

The words had to have repeated in my head a million times. As I stood in the now empty room that had been my residence for weeks, I couldn’t believe that Aetas was just going to let me leave. I knew why, but I still couldn’t process it. Was he really going to turn Hunter to lead us all? I couldn’t believe that. I didn’t want to. Just the thought that I would have to coexist with the man who had tried to end my life sent my vampire into a rage I couldn’t get over.

Free to go.

The statement had come over a day ago and I was still here. Still in a panic and daze from what it meant. My mind was torn. What if somehow Aetas did erase my memory and change my path and Marko’s? What if he tried to get me to be with the one man I couldn’t fathom myself being bound to? The action could happen at any time. Could I prevent it?
No.
Not if Aetas was determined. Although I had outsmarted and overpowered certain aspects of what had happened in my lessons, he was stronger than what he displayed. To him, I wasn’t a threat yet. I was still growing … learning. For him to unleash entirely, I was afraid of the outcome of what he could truly do. It was the reason I should go. And the reason I should stay and try to convince him to let me kill Hunter. But was there really any convincing him? Aetas ruled. He could do whatever he wanted. And he would in the end. I knew this in my heart. His decision was made and the only one who could stop it was Hunter, himself.

I took a deep breath, shaking my head as I walked in a quick pace to the door. Gina was standing outside, waiting for me. My request to see Aetas was denied not an hour ago and she informed me she wouldn’t leave until I was ready to go.

Silence followed us as we headed for the stairs and made our way to the large double doors.
This was it.
I’d leave and give this one to fate. Marko needed me anyway. War was coming. I’d known this for a while now. Even as Marko’s slave. Now that my memories were back, I could feel the threat from the outside world. It didn’t help that every time I left the room, the sound of a television played the current news. It blasted through the cathedral as a constant reminder to all that lived here. It was an annoyance to my vampire. A buzzing that I felt was beneath me to even waste my time listing to. But now, as I walked through the main room, I took in the fears of the reporter on martial law. Of vampire attacks and the rise against us. It had my feet slowing.

“Princess?”

Gina paused at my side, nervously, as did Margo, who had met us when we stepped from the stairs. They both gave me puzzled looks while I soaked in the report that began on the Fort Hood massacre. One they were blaming on us.

“I don’t think I can leave until Aetas speaks with me.”

Margo shook her head, taking a step ahead to usher us further along. “I told you, he’s in a meeting. He’s asked to not be disturbed. If you wish to have further contact with him in the future, you can send a request.”

A request.
Yes, I was just another vampire now. No one of importance anymore.

“He’s been in the meeting since last night. I don’t mind waiting until he’s finished.”

“I’m sorry, Princess. Once he denies a request, that’s the end of it. He doesn’t wish to see you over your concerns. And he knows what they entail.”

Right. Of course he did. I had no say. No opinion that mattered.

I bit my bottom lip, glancing around the massive room. Doors were everywhere, leading to who knew where. Were they bedrooms? Offices? Feeding chambers? I had no idea and suddenly I hated that I’d been confined into one small space. This place held mysteries I wanted to explore. Answers I longed to discover. This could have been my home. I could have ruled, but somehow throughout my lessons, I had failed. Now Hunter would lead us and I’d be damned if I stood with him. Not as a member and sure as hell not as his mate. What that spoke was volumes. I gave my word to Aetas that I would wouldn’t rise against him with Marko. That I wouldn’t let the man I loved start a war amongst us. I wasn’t so sure about that anymore.

“I need a white dress. And a crown.
My
crown,” I said staring between them. “I won’t leave until I have them. If I’m to go home, I will do it with honorable standing.”

“You sure you don’t read minds, too? I was just about to take you there.” Something flashed over Gina’s face, but she stepped back, spinning to head to one of the doors to the left.

“Two weeks,” Margo mouthed, watching Gina go.

“Two weeks?”

“The request. Put it in in two weeks.” She stepped closer, keeping her tone barely audible. “Aetas is making a mistake. Dehlia can see the outcome. She’s told me, told him, but he refuses to listen. Two weeks, resubmit and seek his council. Do not bring your mate. Come alone and I will stand at your side.” Her eyes rose to mine. “In the meantime …
rule
. Take Master Delacroix’s position and show Aetas what you’re capable of. It’s still not too late to stop this, but I fear if we prolong much longer, it just might be.”

I nodded, feeling adrenaline race at the thought of dethroning Marko. He wouldn’t stand for it. It didn’t matter who I was. But I did have the right. I had the power and the blood-status.  As for the physical strength … the thought that it would come to that left me sick.

The door opened and Gina waved me in her direction. I stood straighter, embracing who I was meant to be. If Aetas needed to see a ruler, I’d show him what it meant to lead. “Prepare me a guard,” I whispered to Margo. “Aetas mentioned enforcers. The stronger, the better.”

Her nod had me turning and heading toward the door Gina stood in. I took deep breaths, pushing my thoughts away as I headed inside the large room. I didn’t trust her to not try to read my fears. With as powerful as she was, I didn’t doubt she would at least try. Until I knew where she stood, I couldn’t trust anyone.

Three white dresses were laid across a large bed. I swallowed, licking my lips as I looked at them.
Tradition.
This would be the last time I ever wore white. The color made my think of the past. I could almost imagine the silky material of each one covered in dark crimson.

Two were elaborately decorated in diamonds. The third was just white silk, low on the shoulders with long sleeves. I pointed, not speaking a word as I pulled at the laces of the dark green dress I wore. I stepped free, glancing down at the black flats still on my feet.

“Shoes are in the closet,” Gina said, gesturing to the far side of the room. “There’s also an array of crowns. You’ll know which one to take.”

I slid off the flats, walking nude to the closet. Where once I would have been self-conscious, I felt nothing now. Nothing, but who I was, dragged me forward.

Light flooded the space and the closet was even bigger than the bedroom. Shoes lined the back wall, where fancy dresses hung to the left. They were covered in plastic, but somehow their beauty still shone through. As I took in the entire right side, glass cases, housing crowns of different sizes and stature, filled the length. Some were plain gold bands that looked to rest on the forehead, much like the one Margo wore. Others were filled with gems and diamonds that were meant to sit high on ones’ head. There were tiaras, wreaths that twisted and turned, filled with branches of jewels. Where some were what was to be expected of royalty, others were black and jagged in their appearance. Eerie and fitting of who we were.

The more I walked along, the faster my heart raced. There was a calling … an internal ache, I couldn’t understand as I inspected them. Gina’s words came back and I suddenly understood what she had meant. I had no choice in this matter, my vampire did.
My blood.
Thousands, maybe even millions of years of who I was was searching and seeking out my worth. My path…

Footsteps had me coming to a stop and my hair tickled my waist as I looked over my shoulder to take in Gina’s expression. She looked just as nervous as I felt. And she had reason to be. This was more than it appeared. My crown would define me,
but what would that mean
?

I turned back scanning over the cases. My eyes stopped on a platinum band with rubies, only to move three more crowns down to one of a darker color. The charcoal grey had my pulse increasing until the beat slammed into my chest with unbelievable force. There was no diamonds, no gems or clusters of shiny, fancy decorations. It was a crown with pointy ends. A symbol of a leader. But it wasn’t for show or prestige. It was of glory and death. For fighting while signifying who you were. And it was
mine
.

My hands were shaking as I lifted the lid of the glass case. The moment my fingers touched the smooth surface, my powers surged, hugging my insides in a glorious sense of self. But it was anything but happy. It was my evil, my darkness, thriving in its own silent battle cry. I was ready to lead. To project who I was not only from the inside, but now in appearance too. My city had no idea what to expect, but they’d see soon enough. Everyone would know who I was and they’d fear me.

I lifted, placing the crown on my head, surprised when it slid perfectly into place. It was meant for me. A part of my makeup. Perfect for every aspect of what my life would stand for.

I turned, watching true, unadulterated fear lace Gina’s eyes as she sank to her knees. Regardless whether she was one of the strongest vampires or not, I was going to be more. I’d always been, and her expression confirmed it. They all had reason to bow. Every single one of them. I
could
rule. I could take Aetas’ spot when the time came, but not with Hunter being turned. Suddenly, I knew I couldn’t allow that to happen. No matter the cost.

Gina stood, her head still slightly lowered as I approached. We walked silently to the bed where my chosen dress sat away from the others. Her hands were trembling as she removed the plastic and took the gown off the hanger.

“I will notify Aetas of your … choice. I’m not sure if Margo told you to resubmit your request but I advise you do so. One week,” she breathed out, uneasily.

I stepped into the dress, allowing her to pull it up and adjust the laces. I blinked past her words. “Margo told me two weeks.”

I gasped as she jerked at the laces hard, securing them, and spinning me to face her.

“One week is the earliest. Resubmit and he will not be able to deny you. Not now,” she rushed out. Her eyes rose to the crown and she immediately took a step back. It was followed by more steps until she was spinning for the closet to grab a pair of white flats. I could tell she wanted to escape me and I wondered why.

Gina once again sunk to her knees, placing them on the ground before me.

“Mistress Gina?” The address asked every question I wished to know. When she rose, she fiddled with her dress nervously.

“Darkness means to lead. The lighter the color, the further away from power one wishes to truly be. Your vampire picked the darkest. It picked
his
crown.”

“His?” Confusion had me glancing at my reflection in the mirror. To deny that I was growing even more powerful from my appearance was a lie. I was, and I knew it had to do with what was now decorating my head. Whether it was feeding who I was just by being connected to me, or it held remnants of the previous owner’s energy, I wasn’t sure.

“Aetas,” she hissed. “It was his centuries ago. Before he chose another. You’re following in his footsteps. Dehlia would say it’s a sign of what she’s seen. She’ll stand with us to state your case, although I feel as though she’s your biggest support.” Gina’s mouth clamped shut, only for her to lower her voice. “Not here. I will accompany you and Margo to your city.”

I nodded, allowing her to lead and open the door. When I walked through, Margo and another female vampire’s heads jerked from the group of men they were speaking to. The red haired woman’s arm locked onto Margo’s bicep and she took gasping breaths.

“I saw this,” she said, loudly. “I told you.”

Margo reached up, leading the woman closer to me. Her expression was fearful, yet almost in awe.

“You must be Dehlia,” I said, stopping before them.

“Yes. I…” She threw a glance to Margo and then Gina before she turned back to me. “It was the gold crown with the rubies or this one. I saw the contemplation in my dream. You weren’t sure which one you were going to choose, but you reached for the throne. You reach for this one. You wish to lead us?”

I scanned the women’s faces, so young, so vulnerable in the moment. But they were anything but weak, and ancient. They were the best. The strongest of our kind and they’d back me. I could tell they wanted to.

“I was meant for this. I
will
rule.”

“Not if Aetas has his way,” Dehlia said, looking over her shoulder as if someone was there. “You know what he wishes to do?”

“I do, and I’m sorry, but I can’t allow the human to take my spot. He tried to kill me. That alone warrants his death. Aetas cannot overlook that. There are rules, laws, aren’t there?”

The women grew quiet, telling me all I needed to know. I clenched my fists knowing the time to talk about a solution wasn’t now. Not under this roof.

I moved my attention to the group of men standing a little ways off.
My guard.
My protectors
.