Page 91 of Nearly Dead

I can’t name all the creatures.Some look like nightmares scribbled in the margins of a forgotten tome.I don’t look away, and I have to admit, it feels awesome to have them scared of me for once.

Two men wear the shapes of people, but their skin doesn’t quite fit, and their eyes are too black.Next to them are walking skeletons with no skin at all, just bone and sinew stitched together by old magic.

They don’t speak.

Unlike the others, they just stare, like they’re trying to decide if I’m prey, threat, or entertainment.Maybe all three.

Thump-thump.Thump-thump.

And the metronome goes a little faster.

“Elizabeth would take them to the central gathering hall.”Costin moves like he owns the place.Of course he does.Master vampire.One of the elites.This city knows him.Fears him.“She’s always had a flair for the dramatic.She’ll expect us to arrive through my home, but I’m sure she’ll have this route covered as well.”

The architecture grows more ornate.I haven’t been to the vampire section of the city before, but it looks exactly as I would have assumed.There is some predictability to the supernatural world.Gothic arches and elaborate ironwork are like the Old World transplanted from the Medieval period.If I had to guess, I’d say the vampires were living some kind of heyday back then, as desperate as they cling to that imagery as a whole.It’s kind of pathetic, really.Like the football hero from high school who spends the next fifty years talking about that one touchdown from his bar stool soapbox.

Guards stand at the entrance, but they step aside at the sight of Costin.His status as master vampire still commands respect, even as his sister attempts to usurp his authority.I stare them in the eye when I pass, feeling that icy calm in my veins.They don’t scare me, but I sure as hell frighten them.They lower their eyes to me.

The gathering hall lives up to its name.It’s a vast chamber with high ceilings and blood-red banners hanging from the walls.Vampires line the periphery, some I recognize from my parent’s country parties, others are strangers who watch us with hungry curiosity.I wonder if they will try to fight me.

I smile.I’d like them to try.

A tremor works over me, and a wooden table shakes a little, drawing my attention.

“Elizabeth,” Costin states.

I whip my head around to the far center of the room.Elizabeth is seated on a throne of carved obsidian.I have to give it to her, she knows how to look the part.She is resplendent in crimson velvet with lipstick to match.Her dark hair is slicked against her head.She’s the true picture of deadly beauty.Beside her throne, seated in less elaborate chairs, are Astrid and my father.Their arms are locked at their sides and they’re not moving.Neither appears injured, but their postures are rigid with tension.

And standing at Elizabeth’s right hand, looking smug despite his recent disgrace, is Uncle Mortimer.Costin tosses the pendant he found in the study at his sister.She catches it with one hand, not taking her gaze from him.

“Ah, brother,” Elizabeth purrs.“And your lovely progeny.You got my invitation.”

“Enough.Release them,” Costin demands without preamble.

Elizabeth laughs, the sound like crystal shattering.“Who says they’re not here willingly?”

Astrid’s eyes dart to the side, but she doesn’t move her head.

“Fine.I might have slipped a little something into her cocktail.”Elizabeth waves her hand in dismissal.

“I said let them go,” he orders.“As your master.”

I flinch.Yeah, no woman wants to hear that bullshit coming out of a man’s mouth.

“So direct.So boring.”Elizabeth groans.“Where’s your sense of occasion?I went to all this trouble.”

I scan the room, assessing those gathered.There are at least thirty vampires, all likely loyal to Elizabeth.No werewolves.I doubt any of them are willing to back her up after she tore the heart out of the Alpha.Near the back wall, I spot Anthony being restrained by two hulking vampires, his magic apparently suppressed somehow.

The cold in my veins freezes.I’ve about had it with this bitch.

My eyes meet Astrid’s.Her face betrays nothing, but I see the subtle blink she gives me.She has a plan.Of course she does.She’s Astrid.

“What do you want, Elizabeth?”I ask, stepping forward to stand beside Costin.

“What everyone wants, darling.”She smiles, all teeth.“Love.Understanding.A warm meal.”

Her minions chuckle.

Elizabeth smirks and corrects herself.“Power.Security.A seat in the new order.”

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