Page 71 of True Sacrifice
“That would be too predictable,” I smirked. There was only one obvious way to go in the direction away from my prison. I started walking ahead. Who was leading who now?
I heard him chuckle behind me. My tether never pulled taut suggesting he followed me. Once I reached to the top of the stairs, I did not know where to go, so unfortunately my little show would have to end. Our eyes met as he ascended the last few steps, a smirk on his face.
“I appreciated the view, darling,” he said.
I wrapped my arm around his. He could fucking escort me.
He laughed but didn’t remove my hand as he showed me around the castle. Because apparently, we were in the middle of the Vampire kingdom and Jace was the successor to the throne. They made the walls of dusky stone and paintings hung in all the hallways. Sweeping staircases crisscrossed the towers, making it look like an impossible labyrinth.
Jace took me to the courtyard under the glistening stars and the glow of two moons. They sat one in front of the other, marking one as an eternal crescent. They spread sporadic campfires about giving the area a glow. The scent of sweet smoke hit me, and I inhaled deeply. It wasn’t like Hell, but it was soothing just the same. Pocket camps of warrior vampires were dressed in leather, training, fighting, laughing. Men and women trained alongside each other and met in equally terrifying blows.
I had never seen someone fight with such speed and precision. Fights happened in sporadic bursts until they swiftly moved to another location for an attempt at a blow. The fires casting shadows onto the nearby stone walls, playing a show for whoever was watching. It was nothing like the demon arena. These warriors didn’t fight out of boredom or for prizes. They fought because fighting was part of who they were.
A vampire with sandy colored hair and a honey complexion jogged to us. He wore a smile on his face, but his eyes betrayed him. There was something sad about him. He was trim, yet fit. He wore black pants with a simple black shirt, no designs at all.
“This her?” he asked, coming to a stop before us. I watched as he looked me up and down, looking with keen interest at my arm wrapped around Jace’s. My leash still tightly in his grip.
“It is,” Jace said with a smile.
I’m sure I was quite the sight. When Jace had kidnapped me, I was wearing a tight black tank top and matching black shorts. I was thankful I at least had something over my underwear, but I really could have used a shower.
I shivered lightly in the night air. It wasn’t freezing, but it wasn’t warm like Hell.
“Is she cold?” The blonde asked Jace, looking horrified.
“She’s still a fledgling,” Jace responded.
The blonde’s blue eyes went round as he stared at me with a mixture of horror and shock.
“I have it covered, brother,” Jace said, clapping the blonde on the shoulder.
Brother. I would gladly mentally file that nugget away.
“Morrigan and I must be off now,” Jace said, releasing his brother and tugging me across the courtyard.
“You didn’t tell me you had a brother,” I hissed when we were out of hearing range, which was incredibly far.
“I don’t have to tell you anything, darling,” Jace said with a smile as he opened the door for me and gestured for me to go through.
“So far, I don’t see how you can force me to do anything. You said it yourself, the sire bond doesn’t work so long as I have this on.” I grabbed at my collar for emphasis. “Unless you give me something, you won’t get shit from me.” I stormed through the doorway without waiting for a response.
I only made it about four feet in before my neck was whipped to the side. He fit up behind me too quick for me to move, holding my head to the side. His other arm band across my chest, holding me still. I felt the sharp point of his fangs as they scratched across my neck. If only I had the poison runes. Then he could eat his heart out.
“I own you.” I felt his lips flutter across my skin. “Do as you’re told and win your freedom. Or don’t, and I’ll let my alchemists experiment on you until they make you obey me. Then I will never let you go.”
“You said I had to kill the Fae King and then you would let me go. All the rest of this bullshit will cost you more.” I pushed against him, feeling the sharp point of his fangs acutely against my skin. Bite me, you asshole.
I felt him pull away as he growled. “That was my twin brother Sebastian,” he relented.
“You two don’t look the same.” I really wouldn’t have even guessed siblings, let alone twins.
“Not all twins look the same.”
“I know that. I mean, the two of you don’t even remotely look alike.” Take away the sadness from Sebastian’s eyes and he could be relatively kind looking, for a vampire, that is.
We stood together for a moment before he seemed to remember how to be an asshole again as he straightened.
“Come on now, darling, we haven’t even gotten to the first place I want to show you yet.” That arrogant tone was back in full force.
