Page 188 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

“It was never my intention to create monsters. Or to release them into the world. The ones roaming about are the ones that escaped. From the smell of you”—She crinkled her nose, causing the ring to shimmer—“you’ve come in contact with them before. They are not easy to tame.”

“No, they’re not,” Luka bit out.

“What was your intention, if not to create monsters?”

“I am trying to destroy the true monsters.” Her gaze slid to Luka.

“My name is Adreona, by the way. I’m the head of the Panateia. Our organization aims to rid Lethenia of vampires.”

70

LUKA

Ice slid along my veins as Adreona’s words processed.We aim to rid Lethenia of vampires.

Not cure vampirism. Rid the world of them.

“How? Why?” Lennox stammered.

“The why is for another time”—She waved a pale hand dismissively—“but in simple terms, vampires are nothing but bloodthirsty monsters. They are a danger to themselves and others. They are a curse upon our continent. I believe it is my destiny from the Goddess to rid our world of them.”

Lennox scoffed from beside me. “I can assure you, Astria has done no such thing.”

“You dare to question my destiny?” There was a steely edge to her voice.

Lennox was silent. Not the time to fight this battle. Lennox would have words with Astria later that was for sure.

Our attention turned to the door opening behind the throne.

“Kara.” Lennox ran to her sister, throwing her arms around her as Kara stood motionless.

“What is this?” Lennox gestured to the chains encirclingKara’s hands.

“A precaution. They will be removed once you leave the building. I still need to ensure you cooperate.”

Lennox snarled at the female. “Release her now.” The guard behind Kara pulled her close, keeping her near as Lennox stared down Adreona.

Flames flickered at Lennox’s fingertips as she removed her sword from her side. The whine of metal echoed through the empty room.

Adreona laughed, the sound cold and cruel. “Be careful young Queen. I hold all the cards here.”

“Are you sure about that?” Before Adreona could open her mouth Lennox was rolling across the floor, her legs kicking out beneath the guard holding Kara. He fell to the floor and she climbed on top of him. Her knees pinning his arms to his sides as she pressed her sword to his throat.

Her hair fell in front of her face as she looked up at Adreona. “If you’ve heard rumors about me, you know I won’t hesitate to kill him.”

“Oh, I know.” She smiled. “Do it, he’s useless anyway for letting you disarm him that quickly.”

Lennox hesitated for a moment before she slid her sword across the male’s throat. She stood, as the guard gurgled, choking on his blood as Lennox returned to my side, sword still in hand.

“I’ll burn this whole fucking building to the ground if you don’t let her go,” she snarled.

“Would you? You’d kill all the innocent people in here? Your friends?”

“We would make it out,” she countered, I knew she was calculating a plan in her head as I was. Trying to find all possible exits, how we’d escape once we grabbed Kara. Our best bet might be out the way we came. If we could let loose some of the Dhampirs on our way out they’d be a good distraction.

“But would they?” Adreona gestured behind her, as the dooropened, revealing Nico and Luce, escorted by two guards, their hands tied in front of them.

I could feel Lennox’s magic festering. She clenched her hands into fists, breathing hard through her nose.

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