Page 5 of Bitten By Chaos

I shrugged. “You didn’t specify that when we made the deal.”

“I should take back my gift. It would serve you right.” She stomped down the steps of her dais and walked up to face me toe to toe, sharp and pointy twig creature to newly turned vampire.

“But I’m here to fulfill my bargain. You can’t,” I argued. For the first time, I felt real fear for Julian’s health being revoked as a punishment for me turning into a vampire.

“No. But don’t think you can best me at my own game. Get out of my sight for now, but,” she hesitated, tapping a long twiglike finger on her lips. “I will be calling you for various tasks. You are still mine after all.”

In a blink, I found myself back on the floor of my house. But now the room was empty save for Lydia, Zoe, and Julian, who stared out from the blanket he lifted beside the window.

Lydia met my gaze, eyes lined in charcoal black. “Where did you go? You’ve been gone almost the entire day.”

I’d forgotten time passed differently in the various realms.

“I was scared she took you in spite of it all,” Zoe said, pulling me into a hug, even as I kept my eyes locked on Julian who’d turned to stare, relief all over his face.

“She did,” I said, panic rising. “Oh gods, Julian.” I threw myself into his arms, crying and clinging to his chest. “I was so scared she’d hurt you again.”

A boom sounded somewhere outside, and Zoe rushed over to peer through the window.

“That came from the direction of Julian’s house,” she reported.

“The demons,” Lydia said. “They’re trying every house you might go to. We need to get out of here.”

“Where’s safe though?” Zoe asked, rushing back over as she texted hurriedly—likely letting the others know.

“The vampire estate,” Julian said, still holding me to him. “Even the demons dare not attack an entire sect.”

“They don’t know I’m a vampire yet either,” I agreed. “Maybe we can find a way to tell them without them wanting to kill us all because of it.”

Zoe drew a circle in the air, and a glowing blue portal blazed to life. The window Zoe had looked out of just a moment ago burst inward, sending shards of glass through the room. A bright blue flame followed, licking the interior of the window, and consuming the frame in a matter of milliseconds.

“Go!” I shouted, and we all raced through the portal.

We fell on the doorstep of the gothic mansion known as the vampire estate. Horrible memories assaulted me, but I pushed them away as I clung to Julian, hiding in the shade of the overhang even as the bright pink of the sun set surrounded us, reminding me of a raw wound after a scab had been picked off. Lydia knocked. The doors opened, and we stepped over the threshold. Zoe followed close behind, looking squeamish.

A woman stood near the bottom of the grand staircase, tall and classically beautiful in a black dress that hugged her curves. Her dark hair framed her face and fell in shiny waves down her back. Even from the door, her startling violet eyes stole my attention, breathtaking against the pale brown of her skin.

“Lydia, who have you brought to visit?” She strolled toward us, a smile gracing her lips.

“Do you, uh, do you know Julian Carver?” Lydia stammered.

“Quite well. Though I haven’t seen him in near a century.” She gazed at Julian. “Have you been well?”

“Quite,” Julian said politely, clutching me to his side.

“I’m Charlotte Devaux, Julian’s mate and a new vampire,” I cut in. “We need your help. Please.”

“Why my dear, I will be happy to help, especially since Julian is an old friend. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I see he’s convinced you to take the leap, at last.” She glanced at Zoe. “Is this your…pledge?” she guessed.

“Zoe is my sister,” I yelled, then bit my lip.

“Ah. I see.”

“Forgive my mate—she’s newly turned. Charlotte, this is Elizabeth.”

“I go by Elsa now. I am the new vampire sect liaison, and I happily offer you asylum from whatever trouble you are in.” She clapped her hands, and two vampires appeared at her back. “Please show Zoe here to a guest room. And you, my dear Charlotte, must come with me so I can help you. It seems you may need to feed again before it’s too late.”

I’d almost forgotten the news that Elizabeth Bathory had become the new vampire liaison. She was as old as Julian and famous for bathing in the blood of her victims, though Julian had said she’d calmed over the years. I hoped that was true as I clung to Julian, and he gripped me tighter. “We shall be happy to accompany you and debrief you on the situation,” he said.

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