Page 5 of A Whisper in the Dark

With this thought, a fragile smile upon my lips, I succumb to dreams of Sul. To the green, green streets of my future.

Chapter Two

Someone titters, then instantly gets hushed.

The scent of multiple perfumes stings my nostrils. Without opening my eyes, I know my suite is full of other royals, their pulses slow and exhales faint. My own heart threatens to pick up speed, but I keep a fierce hold over it, breathing in and out with perfect serenity. I want to be ready when I face them. When I wake up and walk into a new life.

Then, with another slow, steady breath, I finally open my eyes.

One of my cousins is leaning over me, a sliver of pale moonlight accenting the sharp angles of her face. She’s probably hoping for the first look. When her gaze meets mine, her eyes widen as horror blossoms over her round face. My breathing becomes ragged. I sit up, prompting gasps from the other vampires in my room. The crown rests beside me—it must have fallen off while I slept. I search the faces around me, hoping one of them will hint at what’s happening. In my frantic search, my eyes land on a human in the corner, wearing the drab clothing of a feeder.

When a vampire Awakens, they are ravenous. Even now, in a moment strife with confusion, the monster claws at the back of my throat. I want that feeder. I want the vein I can see throbbing in her neck from across the room.

“By the blood, whatisit?” I manage, reluctantly tearing my gaze away from the dull-eyed human. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Mother!”

I can’t find her amongst the circle of aunts, sisters, and cousins. She wouldn’t have left, not during a time like this. I strain to hear the familiar sound of her heartbeat, but my own is too loud.

At last, one of my sisters presents me with a small compact mirror. Beatrix. Her face—the makeup expertly applied—gives nothing away. She may wear intricate gowns every day, her ultimate purpose to secure a wealthy husband, but she’s more warrior than any of us. Never have I seen her shed a tear or express concern about her Awakening.

I accept the mirror from her, sending a wordless plea with my eyes.What’s happening? Why won’t you tell me?Though Beatrix doesn’t turn away, her expression is stone. With no other choice, I turn to the small object I’m holding. There’s a slight tremble in my fingers as I open the mirror.

Brilliantly lavender eyes stare back at me.

“No,” I whisper. “This can’t… it isn’t…”

When I lift my gaze again, there’s several feet of space around the bed. It’s suddenly easier to breathe.

They’re distancing themselves from me, I realize. I can’t exactly blame them, since we all understand what this moment means. Not only was my mother foolish enough to betray my father, but she did it with a human. Lavenders are the scourge of our society.Abominations, Father has called them on more than one occasion. Half-human, half-vampire, they are rejected by both species and belong nowhere.

Being human would be better than being a Lavender—they aren’t impure. They aren’t the complete opposite of Father’s elite vision for New Ve. While we may have the same color eyes, humans have more rights. They can rent an apartment. They can get married. They can bear children.

Before I’m able to say a word to my family, who are all starting to gather near the exit, eyes wide and unblinking like a tree full of owls, the door flies open. It bangs against the wall and sucks any remaining warmth from the room.

“I had to see it for myself,” a voice says. Everyone in New Ve knows that voice. It’s made of rich blood and moonlit skies.

My aunts and cousins instantly part for the white ray of light that is my father. As he moves to the foot of the bed, my pulse quickens and becomes thunder in everyone’s ears. I breathe hard, unable to bring myself to raise my gaze from the duvet I wish would swallow me up. The crown glints in a slow-moving ray of moonlight.

“Look at me,”that voice hisses.

Flinching, my eyes inch upward until they land on his… and then my entire world shatters.

The Vampire King’s eyes are, fittingly, golden. The mark of a true leader. Decades ago, due to the Weeping Virus, humans became an endangered species. Someone needed to step forward. Someone needed to establish order and control. That’s when the Six rose to power. Five other vampires that were alive during the dark ages… and Alexander Travesty.

The vampire I’ve called ‘Father’ my entire life. All this time, a lie. And my mother knew—sheknew.

Standing unnaturally still, the king stares into my eyes. His own fill with bright fury. I am living evidence of Cassandra’s defiance. I am a slap to his face. I am the deepest humiliation.

And yet, all I can think now... is that it makes sense.

My siblings and cousins are lovely and vivacious. Growing up, I’d always felt apart from them. From my aunts and uncles, too. Not just in my feelings toward humans, but physically, as well. The rest of my family can break human limbs like they’re made of Styrofoam, while I can barely hold my ground against a strong gust of wind.

Apparently your bones know things before your mind does—I just always believed my weakness was due to the irregularity of my feedings. Never in a million years would I have guessed the truth.

And neither had anyone else. Even the ancient Vampire King.

I clutch the sheet to my chest as if that alone will protect me from the creature I thought was my father. There’s murder in his eyes now, gleaming like molten gold. It’s as if I imagined the adoration I once saw in those depths.

The stillness in the room rivals a mausoleum or a tomb. I know Alexander is considering whether or not to end my life. A sob lodges in my throat as I wait for him to fly at me. Remove my head with a single blow.

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