‘Keep breathing, it will pass in a moment,’ he said in nothing more than a whisper. I nodded shakily, vision wavering.
Run before it’s too late! Run now!
The music was rising and rising, filling my ears, as it towered to a crescendo, sending my heartbeat spiralling out of control.
Run or face rising to the throne!
The candles completely blew out, a ferocious wind raging through the ballroom, as the great grand doors were flung open. The Varns. The King swept down the stairs in the absolute darkness – darkness that turned to a flickering glow as he clicked his fingers. An astonishing crown sat atop his dark hair, made of some metal that looked to be liquid, lithe to his movements as the dark emerald jewels glinted in their silver settings. Set above those jewels, contained in four points made of glass, was a red, flowing liquid.
Run, or become one with their blood.
My breath caught and I gagged, throat tightening. My vision swayed, the room spinning and settling. I clutched at my chest, my ribs feeling as though they were being crushed, constricting around my heart that wasn’t beating in any sort of pattern.
The rest of the family followed, and I could see the true extent of the vampire royalty. There were thirty of them, maybe more, all dressed in black or emerald, sash about their shoulders, partners clinging to their arms with downturned eyes. Kaspar followed directly behind his father, Charity clasping his arm.
A wave rolled across the crowd, as all bowed and curtsied. I did so too once the King reached our quarter, bowing my head low, hand still encased in Fabian’s. But my legs began to give way when I went to stand and something sinister, something that was not my own mind erupted inside my head, but booming and thundering.
Throw yourself down, mortal child. You are not worthy. Die before fate catches you. Die, child. Die before it is too late.
My eyelids drooped, my knees gave away, and I was falling to the ground, ready to give in.
Run from his sin!
My eyelids snapped open and I was being pulled up, a comforting hand in mine, a pair of blue eyes staring worriedly down at me.
‘Violet?’
I grabbed at my chest with my free hand, clawing away, desperate to release this darkness clutching me, to be free from its strangling hold. Kaspar passed by and his eyes snapped to meet mine. Unease momentarily crossed his face, before his head faced forwards once more. My head thumped. The family reached the dais, filing out into a line facing their subjects. The King carried on to his throne, veering around to face us all.
A clock deep within the halls of the mansion struck midnight. Twelve reverberating booms, each making my blood run to ice.
Time will not be infinite forever, Violet Lee. It’s running out.
‘Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to Autumnal Equinox.’
Run!
TWENTY-ONE
Violet
The King’s gaze locked onto mine and a flicker of doubt creased his face, before he returned to his pensive glare, staring down at his subjects as though they were pawns to be moved on a chessboard. When satisfied, he sat down upon his throne, lazily waving his hand at the waiters, who disappeared to the sidelines.
‘Violet! Breathe!’
Stricken, I realized there was no oxygen in my lungs. Panic rose and my chest burnt, pleading for oxygen.
‘I can’t,’ I croaked.
‘You can,’ Fabian insisted, gripping my shoulders. ‘Just concentrate.’
I screwed my eyes shut, focusing on the rise and fall of my ribs. After a minute, the vice around my neck lifted and I took a shuddering breath. The darkness disappeared, coherent thought returning. My vision returned, the room taking on normal shades, untainted by my tunnelling vision. I stayed there, gasping for breath for a minute or so, before I recovered.
‘What the hell just happened?’ I gasped.
‘Don’t worry about it. It was nothing,’ he murmured back, avoiding meeting my eyes.
‘Bullshit!’
‘Keep your voice down,’ he hissed.
Bitterly, I lowered my voice. ‘Just tell me, Fabian! I have a right to know! And you quite clearly knew this was going to happen, so why did you invite me?’ I hissed back in an undertone, leaning in closer to him.
He sighed. ‘I invited you because I wanted your company and I wanted you to enjoy yourself. I didn’t tell you about this because I thought it might scare you off.’
‘And “this” is what?’ My tone was not as demanding this time. He wanted me to enjoy myself.
‘The King’s crown.’ He jerked his thumb towards the throne. ‘It contains cursed blood. If a human sees it, they are affected as you were. It was used back in the days when there were human sacrifices. Which is all just symbolic now,’ he added, seeing my face, which must have frozen at the thought of ‘human sacrifices’.
The voices and the dark might have subsided, but their message had not. That crown made me want to die. ‘Will it affect me again tonight?’
‘No. It only works once.’
By now, the crowd had parted to form a large circle, walled with people. The crown was gone, the King was striding towards the centre of the circle and the enchantment of the ball was fast returning as the candles burnt brighter.
The violins struck up once more, and in the time it takes to blink, the Varns, in all their crowning glory, were stood there, poised to dance. They bowed low, before taking hold.
‘Wait until I lead you onto the floor before you move,’ Fabian instructed in a low murmur.
The Varns began dancing; gliding around the floor as though they belonged to the music, their steps flawless, perfected by thousands of years of practice. I watched in awe as Kaspar and Charity became one, her surprisingly elegant dress flowing around his ankles as she swirled around, melting into his form. The only clue in the mauve material to her true nature was the long slit running up the side, stopping mid-thigh.
A smile almost cracked on my lips as Kaspar glided past us, looking bored. He had donned regal wear, the tight black military-style jacket fastened with an ornate silver belt. A few medals hung from his breast pocket, underneath an emerald handkerchief tucked inside it. Around him, he wore an emerald sash, much like Lyla’s; it was emblazoned with the Royal Crest, proving his purity of blood.
The music rose to a crescendo and I gasped; as one, the Varns wheeled around, completely changing direction. The choir sang, the whole room echoing with their hallowing notes. The candles flickered, again, softly lighting the dancing figures. Any fear or terror had long gone now, forgotten as the majestic scene took over.
A huge grin spread across my face. This is what every girl dreamt of, but would never live.
‘It’s time.’ The music lulled and Fabian matched my grin. I placed my hand on his arm and he escorted me out onto the dance floor. We weaved our way about other couples, as hundreds, if not thousands, of vampires assembled themselves, dodging the now still figures of the Varns. We somehow made it to the centre of the floor, and I looked about to see many familiar faces – Cain poised perfectly still with his young partner, Alex and an unfamiliar girl, Eaglen stood by an ageing lady.
‘Curtsey,’ Fabian mouthed at me and the room dipped as one.
We took hold, the music lulled and then rose …
And we were dancing, whirling, spinning, around the room, interlaced with the other couples, ball gowns whipping around, music rising. I closed my eyes, trying to remember every detail, the scene imprinted on my dark eyelids. My smile faltered, remembering something the King had said many weeks before.
‘Your sentiments will change when you have grown accustomed to our ways, which will happen in time. And time you shall have, Miss Lee …’
I slowly opened my eyes to see Fabian gazing down at me, a curious lopsided smile playing on his lips. His eyes were the clearest of blues, so clear it put the sky to shame, the deep blue waves of the sea becoming weary as they admitted defeat compared with such a perfect colour.
How
cheesy, my voice muttered in a dry tone.
‘What are you thinking about?’
‘I’m thinking about how amazing this is,’ I lied. ‘This whole ball. It’s just incredible. All these people … I feel like Cinderella.’ I laughed, unsure of what else to say. To my relief, he chuckled.
‘This is nothing. You should see some of the balls later on in the year,’ he cooed.
We stopped whirling and the music changed to something more dulcet and melancholy. Within seconds, we were dancing once more, slower this time, and I was forced to concentrate on my steps for a few minutes.
My eyes began to wander, watching the spectacle around me. Lyla glided past, her partner, an extremely attractive teenage-looking vampire, quite clearly staring down at Lyla’s chest. He seemed to like what he saw. I flushed red when I caught her eye. I liked Fabian – as far as vampires went he was one of the nicer ones – but she liked him in a much different way. And Lyla had been nice to me during my time here – I didn’t want to mess that up.
The King danced in the centre with an extravagantly beautiful vampire. Her long, light brown hair fell down to her waist, pin straight. Her angular jaw was set in a controlled line, aloof to everything around her, including the King. He too shared that same indifference, hardly glancing at the woman in his arms.
My eyes continued to roam. They settled on Sky and Arabella, who wheeled past us at that moment. They stared deep into each other’s eyes, as though they were the only two people in the room. I averted my gaze, uncomfortable. I felt as though I should not intrude on their moment. A tiny pang shot through me.
That’s what Fabian and Lyla should have.
I refused Fabian a third dance, claiming thirst and escaping for water.
I stumbled towards the refreshments table, grabbing a glass of water. I downed it, closing my eyes as the cool liquid ran down my parched throat. I didn’t dance much after the second dance, preferring to sit near the edge of the wall with my drink, wary of the lustful glances coming my way. At every passing opportunity I would talk to a vampire I knew, clinging to them until they decided to join a dance. Fabian had long disappeared, dancing with almost every young vampire in attendance. But I earned myself considerable attention despite my cowering, not least because every few minutes, Fabian’s eyes would search around the room until they rested on me, making sure I was okay.
I would often see Kaspar or Sky looking my way too: brief looks, checking to see if I was still here, still alive; every time I turned, Eaglen or Arabella would have their backs to me, seemingly having an animated conversation, but I knew their full attention was devoted to me. Whenever an unknown vampire approached me, a Varn would miraculously appear, initiating a conversation, sweeping them away in seconds. I spotted a few humans amid the sea of deadened skin, but they too were passed around in their own protective circles, shunning anyone unknown.
A group of choirboys walked out and began singing, hallowed voices echoing around the room. I watched them for a while. They were so young, most not even ten. Their sweet, youthful faces were untainted by the horror of life, their mouths opening to reveal the voices of angels. Tiny fangs were visible and my face fell. How can something so angelic, be so dangerous? Those children would grow into monsters and would kill when they were older.
‘It is beautiful, is it not, Miss Lee?’
I jumped and promptly wheeled around to see a young vampire standing there, with the deepest blue eyes imaginable and a most dazzling smile.
‘Ilta, you scared me,’ I flustered, feeling the surge of adrenaline course through my chest.
‘I am deeply sorry; I did not mean to startle you.’
I brushed his apology off. ‘It’s fine, I should have been paying more attention anyway.’ I shook my head, turning to look at him. His smile wavered.
‘You should not have come here, Miss Lee. You are never safe around vampires; you are intelligent enough to know this, are you not? But I fear you underestimate the danger of this night.’
The voices of the choirboys became shrill and unnaturally high-pitched, filling every arch of the ceiling. I nodded my head uncertainly.
‘To be here, Miss Lee, amongst so many thirsty vampires, many of whom have not eaten in many days due to their long, arduous journeys, well … I thought the King would have better sense than that. But no matter, you are safe among some, and I like to consider myself one of them.’ He smiled that charming smile and I could not help but feel my heart leap. Kaspar should take notes. ‘May I ask, Miss Lee, for this dance? And perhaps the one after?’ he continued, sweeping down to take my hand, bowing low.
‘Of course,’ I curtsied.
He took my hand and led me into the large space in the centre, where couples were dancing an extremely slow, ornamental dance. I vaguely recognized it from my lessons, and began turning on the spot, seeing that the other girls were doing the same.
When I returned to hold, he placed a cold hand on my cheek, cradling my head until I faced him once more. I shifted my gaze, uncomfortable with his unmoving stare. I stared at his chest and noticed he was wearing a deep red shirt, and around his neck was an ornate chain, hung with something that looked horribly like a vial of blood.
‘Do not be shy, Miss Lee. For I know you find our allure most irresistible; an allure you despise so very much. It is not something to be hated, but accepted as the dire, underhand ways of nature.’
I nodded glumly, shame washing over me as I realized that was probably the truth.
‘No matter. Do not let me upset you. Let us change the subject. I have heard so much about you, dear Violet, but you never ask much of us. Do you not desire to ask me a single question?’
I thought for a moment. ‘Where do you come from? Your family, I mean.’
‘My family,’ he chuckled. ‘What an extensive subject you have landed upon. I come from Romania, although my family has residences all over the world, as do most powerful families.’ A smirk played on his lips. ‘We were one of the few not to flee when the slayers overtook Romania, many centuries ago.’ The pride in his voice was unmistakable, though I did not find the feat so impressive. Sky and Jag also lived in that part of the world.
Suddenly, Ilta whirled around, lips rolled back and snarling. ‘Oh, Your Highness, forgive me, I thought you were somebody else,’ Ilta said, bowing low. There was begrudged politeness in his voice.
‘I wish to have this dance with Violet.’ Kaspar glowered. Ilta reluctantly let me go.
‘Of course, Your Highness.’ Stiffly, he bowed again and swept off, disappearing into the whirling crowd.
‘What was that for?!’ I hissed, shooting daggers at the Prince, whose eyes were cemented to the spot where Ilta had slipped into the crowd. I took a step forward, but he took a step back.
‘Curtsey,’ he snarled. I lowered myself as little as possible, never letting my eyes leave him. I didn’t bother to take his hand as I turned on the spot once more.
‘I told you to stay away from him!’ he scolded, talking to me like a child.
‘I know you did. But I am not a child or a vampire so you have no control or right to tell me what I can and cannot do. I will make my own judgements about people, thank you very much.’ I went to leave, but he grabbed my wrist. His nails dug into my skin, as they had done that first night I met him.
‘Do not walk away from me. No one refuses the heir to this Kingdom.’ He glared at me, the power he clearly knew he possessed radiating in waves as the admiring eyes of the passing women and girls swept over him.
‘I do,’ I whispered, leaving him and the dance floor behind.
TWENTY-TWO
Kaspar
‘I do,’ she whispered and with that she was gone. I narrowed my eyes, watching the flash of purple disappear into the crowd.
‘Damn it,’ I muttered, shoving my hands into the pockets of my trousers. I had never met such an irksome woman, let alone a human one. But I had enough experience of irritable females to know I should let her think she h
ad escaped for the time being.
Instead, I meandered through the crowd, enjoying the attention my title and good looks attracted, until the scent of hairspray started to loiter in the back of my throat, and a flash of bleach-blonde hair caught my eye. Sleeping with Charity was one thing, and dancing with her bearable if I wore steel-capped shoes; spending time with her when I didn’t have to, on the other hand, was plain traumatic.
I made a beeline for the alcove in which Fabian and the others were talking, and was far more satisfied to see a head full of dark curls amongst them. That feeling quickly moved to surprise as I realized Violet was comfortably leading the conversation.
‘I’m intrigued. How do vampires liven their balls up?’ she said in reply to Fabian.
I saw my opportunity and seized it. ‘May I ask for the next dance, intrigued one? I can show you how.’ I bent down and kissed her knuckles. She flustered and I was pleased to see the shiver travel up my arm; pleased to see her react like any other girl would react in that situation.
She recovered quickly. ‘Fine,’ she snapped, with a flick of her head. ‘But if you dare lecture me, I will step on your foot.’ She met my gaze as steadily as she would if her threat was not hollow, and I held it. I was not going to alter my view on Ilta Crimson. He was no friend of my family, and I had no doubt that he had contacts with various slayer clans. That wasn’t to mention the fact he was a known lecher.
To simply get her to give in and stop being so stubborn, however, I would tell her the sky was green. ‘Fine,’ I agreed, equally as terse.
She removed her hand from mine and I found Fabian frowning at me. I rolled my eyes with a slight shake of my head, which Violet didn’t miss.
‘Lyla!’ She seized my nearby sister’s hand with as much vigour as when I had seized on the chance to steal a dance. ‘You dance with Fabian.’ She joined their hands and left before they could protest.