Page 59 of Of Monsters Of Kings

My mind was so busy on the matter of the dripping blood that I didn’t immediately note the painful silence and stillness. The pounding of the piano was no longer. I could see booted and heeled feet close to me, but no one uttered a word.

I lingered, unsure what next to do.

“I present Lady Patch,” boomed the hunched man. No trace of wheeze was heard.

Still, no one moved or spoke.

What else to do but keep going?

I clicked across white stone, thankfully clear of the tell-tale pink tinge or bloody drips. I’d attended a few dances during my school years, but a ball in a castle was a first. Where should I sit or stand? My ears picked up the sound of running water, and I moved that way, taking in all the feet. So many monsters. I’d been led to believe barely any of us existed.

I arrived at the fountain and turned to face those I’d passed. My veil obscured everyone from the knee down, and I was triply glad for it because the moment was awkward enough without seeing their expressions. I did feel proud of how little my mind squeezed at the presence of so many, though.

I sighed in relief when the piano music resumed, but my attention was caught by the bright red liquid in the fountain. Blood.

I might’ve guessed.

My instincts wailed louder than ever, and I was inclined to agree with them about my departure. People who decorated with blood might not be trustworthy. Where was King Take? I’d greet him, then leave.

The piano pounding cut off again.

“Lady.” Though my name wasn’t specifically announced, I understood the person meant me.

“Lady,” the man called again joyfully. “Will you not approach me to pay your respects?”

Was I meant to do that? No wonder everyone had stared so. Embarrassment flooded my face, and gasps rang out.

Mutterings of “Ink blush” only served to deepen my blush further.

“An ink blush, you say?” King Take said. “I want to see it. Why am I the last to see?”

The king took no care to leash his annoyance, and my body shook from the force. I realized that King See had taken a great deal of care in my presence not to feel things strongly.

By contrast, King Take’s unbridled emotions stole my breath away. His power demanded that I make his annoyance disappear, and it was all I could do to resist the urge. His guests scrambled around me, and I found myself pushed and jostled toward the king.

My knees knocked as I neared him. My mind began to squeeze.

“Stop,” I cried out.

Thankfully, surprisingly, they did.

“You stopped my drained minions,” King Take mused, annoyance gone.

I panted to catch my breath. “Sir, kindly do not let them drag me closer. I am newly a monster and being before kings and, indeed, too many monsters at once can force me into a long sleep.”

“Sleep,” he said in disgust. “That’s entirely boring. Sleep will not do, though most of my guests are empty shells and not monsters. All of you, begone. I bore of you too. This ball has but five guests now.”

I felt the slight vacuum as the shells vacated the ballroom. That was why my mind wasn’t squeezing—because they weren’t monsters. How disappointing. I’d felt heartened at our numbers for a time.

I shivered at how echoing and large the hall was without their presence. “You didn’t need to order them gone. I just wished to explain that I can’t come overly close to you, sir.”

“Her voice is as you described,” another man hushed.

Then a voice I recognized—Prince Gangrel’s. “Yes, Vassal. Dusk in a bottle.”

“I smelled the fabric square sent to our liege, but it doesn’t compare to her scent in the flesh.”

“No, Sanguine. Did I not tell you so?”

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