Page 140 of House of Crimson Kisses
“You knew how much I hated being controlled. How much I hate that vampires have all the power, that those in charge took my parents away. And still you manipulated me.”
I run the math through my head and determine if she does this and loses, there’s no way to win. Not outright. Maybe we could draw, but if she does this, she takes away everything I’ve been working toward. She pisses away my one chance to change this city for the better.
She’ll take away everything that means anything to me.
I get on my knees. I am not beneath begging, pleading. “We won’t be able to win.”
She throws her hands up. “Win? You figure that’s the most important thing here? Fuck me, Octavia, I thought I knew you.”
Something wet streaks my cheeks, but my hands are too heavy to lift and it’s not just the silver that makes them ache, but a lance that bores through my body as well.
“This will ruin us. It will ruin me.”
“It already has. You already have.”
She shreds two strips of fabric from the bottom of her top. She balls the first and shoves the fabric in my mouth. Then she uses the other strip to wrap around my face tying it in place, leaving me voiceless. Then she leaves, marching off into the trees towards the ring as I stare after her, watching my world fall apart. How could she do this to me?
She was the one person who understood, the one who saw me for me. But I’m a monster to her, like I was to that girl’s father when I was little. Like I am to every human I’ve ever met.
Well, fuck her.
If they think I’m a monster, if she wants me to play her villain… then I will.
And Mother of Blood help anyone who stands in my way.
Chapter41
RED
My heart thuds in my chest. A beat with a shadow that aches and whines and pleads with me to turn back. To undo what I’ve done. But I won’t.
Not after what Octavia’s done.
I thought hurting her would make me feel better, but all I feel is sick. I don’t even want to fight any more.
I step up to the ringside, as night mist curls around my feet. The moon is bright tonight, and the stars twinkle with the weight of a millennia’s secrets.
“Good evening, hunters, vampires, I see we are one missing,” Cordelia says.
“Octavia has opted out of the proceedings tonight. I will fight on behalf of our team,” I say.
Dahlia sneers on the other side of the ring. She folds her arms like this is a done deal. Like she’s already won. But if I lay down and let her beat me, is it really winning at all?
The Chief,Eleanor,I don’t think I’m ever getting used to that, steps up. “Fighters, please enter the ring.”
Around the ring, Keir, Talulla, and Lincoln all remain motionless. A crowd of people builds. Vampire nobles, hunter elders all pour into the woods surrounding the ring. The chatter and hubbub of noise is enough to drown out the thudding in my chest. For now. Xavier glances at me, his eyes boring into me as if his stare alone is enough to pull the truth out of me.
He zips around the ring, pushing and shoving people out of the way. He reaches me and grips my elbow. “Where is she?”
“Safe.”
“What is going on?”
“I’m sure she’ll explain. I’ll tell you where she is when this is over.”
But he’s already speeding through the forest looking for her. It’s too late though. The woods are heaving with spectators and guards. Even if he finds her, she’s still wearing silver cuffs, and he doesn’t have gloves. By the time he gets her out of those restraints, the fight will be over.
Sadie steps into the ring. Then me. And last, Dahlia enters.
