“Or what?”
“Elise, this isn’t funny. You’re going too far.”
“He will never know what it’s like to rule with you by his side.” Her eyes hold so much evil. So much hate. “Long live the queen, Miss Moore.”
Her hand snaps back and forward quickly, and I only manage to catch the glint of metal before it’s coming toward me. I’m paralyzed, stunned she’d do this, but then it falls to the ground somewhere to my left.
The python slithers down the wall, its large body falling slowly to the ground before taking its place in front of me. Like a protector would. It coils, but its head remains off the ground while staring her down. For each move she makes the snake follows it.
I don’t scream. I don’t cry.
I watch and wait.
Surprised when Elise attempts to walk back out slowly, the fear I felt now reflected in her eyes. “He’s coming.”
The serpent doesn’t move, but flicks it tongue out almost lazily. Almost taunting.
“Fucking shit!” Screams come from the corridor then, a mass frenzy of terror, and I slide down the wall behind the albino guard. He’s either here to kill me or protect me, and right now, either sounds fine. “This isn’t over. Tell him this isn’t over!”
Then she turns and runs, yelling at someone to get her out before they are caught and killed.
And through it all, as doors slam and people’s screams begin to fade, I remain where I am.
It could be minutes or hours, who knows, but my rational mind comes to when a cold head lies atop my hand on the floor. Its skin is smooth, it’s presence a bit comforting, and I smile down at the creature.
“If you’re here to kill me, go ahead. At this point, it might be better this way.” An angry hiss is the response I get, and I nearly laugh at the sound. I’m hanging with a snake. I’m touching a snake. The animal takes his eyes off me, taking in my reactions, and after a few minutes rubs his head against my skin the same way that Mr. Pickles does. “Are you wanting me to pet you?”
Not that I expect a response, but when I get this small little nod, I laugh. Loud and near hysterics, but I do. I run my fingers over the head and down the neck in slow passes while looking toward the room’s entrance. I can still hear some commotion outside this room—try to ignore the shrill screams of agony—until it all dies down.
Then there’s nothing.
A stillness that is eerie.
But through it all, my companion stays by my side and poised to strike, if it comes to that.
That is, until footsteps come close. Closer.
They stop just outside my door and a sharp whistle rends the air, a sound my new friend follows. No looking back. No goodbyes.
Who knows what fate has in store, and I close my eyes for a second. I’m accepting. It is what it is until a throat clears, and a scent I’d know anywhere greets my senses.
I don’t need to open my eyes to know it’s Theo.
“Look at me,” he commands, voice deeper. Rougher than I’ve ever heard, and I follow the order without pause, nearly screaming when I see his bloodied clothes, his features hardened with eyes glinting red, and the two white fangs protruding from his gums.
“Hello, pretty girl.”
34
Theodore Astor
Vampire King
“W
hat did you just call me?” Gabriella’s shaking, her hand in her hair and fisting the lovely red locks I adore. “This can’t be. No. No. NOOOOOO!”
“Relax, sweetheart. Just breathe, and I will explain.”
“What the hell is there to explain? It’s just a coincidence and—”
“You’re busy making excuses when we both know I’m real.” I take a step closer but she scrambles up, pushing against the wall as if it would move for her. “When you visit me each night in your dream, pretty girl. When you taunt me every moment of the day while awake.”
“It’s a dream. Just a dream.” Her head shakes from side to side, and her breathing becomes choppy. My beautiful little artist is panicking, but I’m not going to stop. I’ve waited so long for her. For this moment. “This is just a figment of my imagination…I’m probably on heavy medication and seeing shit.”
“Then why do your legs still clench at the sight of me?” My nostrils flare, and her sweet scent seeps—infiltrates my senses. Her breathing is arousing to me, but scenting her desire is a weakness; always has been. “Why does your pussy clench in need? Why do you still want me no matter how many men I killed outside this room?”
“I don’t.” Yet I catch the flash of fire in her eyes. My bride is there. Trapped. “Besides, this isn’t real. None of it is.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am.”
“Okay.” Theo makes a whistling sound, and a second later the albino python slithers inside once more, stopping at a safe distance from her. He turns his head toward me, asking for permission, and I nod while watching my beauty break and crumble. Her mind is shutting down, while her body wants to flee and never stop running. Silly girl.
“What’s happening? Why is…” she trails off, freezing, as her serpent guard becomes Tero who watches her through caring eyes. He’s known her just as long as I have, a century of missing his queen, and his loyalty is unbreakable. She saved his sister, the only family he had left.
