Page 77 of Wicked Bite
Gone was the perfect picture of serene royalty, and in its place were three visibly stressed vampires. I couldn’t help but feel it was my fault. “Have I done something wrong?”
“No, my dear.”
“Of course not.”
“Not in the least.”
They all answered at the same time. I glanced around at the three of them in their overly proper clothing and their perfect British accents. It was clear I was not up to that standard of royalty. I was an orphan from Salem, not a debutant in London. “I’m sorry to say so, but you all don’t seem very happy about this.”
King Titus sighed. “It’s not that we aren’t pleased to have you with us, Piper. You are quite lovely indeed. But there are certain things within our society that are taboo, and a royal making a progeny is one of them.”
I turned toward Grayson. “You were supposed to let me die?”
He straightened his shoulders. “I’ve never been one to follow the rules, love.”
“Well, if that’s not the understatement of the year.” Titus put his hands on his hips.
This whole thing confused me. “But aren’t all vampires made this way?”
Moira gave me a gentle smile. “No, some vampires are born much the way a human would have a baby. They are the natural born vampires. And others are made, like you. The catalyst is death.”
Why did that feel so awful? “But I feel so alive.”
“You are no different than us.” Titus was adamant. “All vampires are created equal.”
The double doors flew open and smacked into the walls with an echoing bang. A man stood in the middle of them looking very out of place among the royal beauty. He was tall and slim with dark hair cut close to his head on the sides and spikey on top. His face was strong and angular, with plump lips and a thin goatee around his mouth. Though the rest of us were in gala attire, he wore tight, dark gothic pants, a loose knit black sweater, and a modern trench coat that stopped just at his ankles. “That’s what I always say, aren’t we all the same?”
“I don’t recall inviting you, Marius.” Grayson took a protective step in front of me.
“I did,” Titus groaned. “Though you are late.”
Grayson glared at him over his shoulder. “You did this?”
“It is the law, and I must uphold it. Because I’m the one who bloody well made it.” Titus waved to Marius. “Enter.”
Marius motioned to someone in the hall. There was a blur of movement, and a younger vampire joined his side. Grayson growled. “Lovely. He’s brought his pet.”
The pet, as Grayson called him, was clearly a made vampire but had been turned in his late twenties. Straight, sandy blond hair fell all around his face. This guy was beautiful in an intriguing kind of way. Like a nineties heart throb with his perfect face, bow-shaped lips, and strong chin. He had a sleek, muscular build that fit perfectly in his dark blue jeans and black turtleneck sweater.
“Tut tut, we both have progenies now. Not pets, Grayson.” Marius wagged his finger at him. “Respect for all vampires, remember?”
“You may call me Your Highness or Prince Grayson.” Grayson didn’t step from in front of me. “And of course I remember. I bloody well wrote that law, you daft—”
“Grayson, dear, manners.” Moira lightly placed her hand on his arm, silencing him.
The vampire waved to me. “Hey, I’m Theon . . . the pet.”
“Hey.” Grayson shot me a look and I stepped out from behind him to offer Theon my hand. “I’m Piper.”
A smile spread across his lips, and he took my hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Good grip you’ve got there.”
I quickly dropped his. “Don’t know my own strength just yet.”
“I like it.” He chuckled.
“What do you want, Marius?” Grayson grabbed my elbow and escorted me to his side.
“To meet our latest Night Spawn. As per the agreement we have made with the crown, all Night Spawn are to be registered with us in London and then reported to you.” Marius moved in front of me and extended his hand toward me with his palm up. “And aren’t you just a lovely little one.”
