Page 33 of The Reign of Blood

“Says who?” Raiden challenges, leaving me even more shocked than the fact that he attacked this guy to stop him from getting to me.

“Says history,” Sean spits, a deathly glare aimed my way.

As much as it kind of makes my insides flutter that he jumped to my defense, I can handle myself, and if I want any chance of surviving this place now that my secret is out, then I need to remind them of that fact with more than just the bullshit that Vallie throws my way.

Standing, I stare down the vampire intent on putting an end to me. “What’s your issue?” It’s not demanding or defensive. If anything, I sound bored. I like it.

“You’re the daughter of the king who brought our kingdom to its knees,” he snarls, eyes wild as he takes a step toward me. Raiden lifts a hand to stop him, but I wave him off. To my surprise, he drops his hand without a word, and I narrow my eyes at the assailant who has done nothing but enlarge the target on my head.

“Do you mean the king who was never given the chance to help raise the kingdom from its pain and misery?”

He scoffs, shaking his head at me dismissively. “It was too late.”

“What do you remember of it?” I ask, tilting my head to take him in.

His jaw ticks and his nostrils flare. “What?”

“Are you speaking from experience or from words spoken to you by your elders?” I push. Most of what we see and believe is what is told to us, which isn’t always factual. Besides, we’re also the product of our surroundings. If this guy was raised around vampires who hate King Reagan and anything associated with him, then the chances of him following suit are incredibly high.

“That’s irrelevant,” he mutters. It’s my turn to shake my head as I take a step toward him. His hands flex at his sides, eager to reach out and grab me, but he doesn’t.

“Is it? We’re here, trying to find an heir to the kingdom because The Council isn’t working. Are we going to officially call for the demise of each of The Council members too? I’m not standing here using my heritage to demand I take the throne. I’m here to prove that I deserve it.”

My words hang heavy around me as my chest heaves. I can feel eyes staring at me from every direction and goosebumps rise along my skin, enhancing the tingling sensation of the hairs on the back of my neck.

“It’s a wasted effort,” he snaps, and I shrug.

“So you say, but one thing that does run through my blood is unwavering determination. I’m not going to give up here just because my presence makes you unhappy.”

The cords of his neck throb, the only indication that he’s going to attack, but before I can make a show of putting him in his fucking place, I’m swept up off the floor and turned away from my target.

“Get him the fuck out of here. Now,” Raiden growls, his chest rumbling against my back.

“That sounds like a good idea.” Everything stills at the sound of Dean Bozzelli’s voice echoing through the dining hall. Raiden slowly lowers me to my feet, giving me a split second to lock eyes with the leader of the academy before she speaks again. “That’s quite enough from you, Miss Reagan. My office. Now.”

15

ADRIANNA

The door clicks shut behind me, declaring my summoning like the hammer of a gavel in front of The Council. Only, there isn’t a single member of the leading body here, just Bozzelli. She didn’t like me before, and she certainly doesn’t like me now.

She saunters around her desk, never actually taking her eyes off me, as if I’m a convict and she’s not safe, but the glimmer in her eyes tells me she believes she holds all the power. She’s a mind fuck. I hate it.

“Take a seat.” Her voice is cold as she points toward the seat across from her.

“I’m good standing, but thanks,” I reply with a shrug, and she shakes her head in disgust.

“You’re not a princess inside these four walls, Adrianna. You’ll follow my order. Now, sit.” Venom pours from her, confirming her opinion of me and my roots as a member of the Reagan line.

Pursing my lips, I recall the lessons my father would teach me in moments like this, and despite my better judgment, I do as she says. His words seemed strong and full of wisdom.

Allow them to guide you, even if their intentions are steeped in things you don’t wish to hear or know. I’ll teach you how to walk back from the edge of despair with control of the situation firmly in your grasp.

Sometimes, we have to relinquish a bit of power so we can understand their wants, needs, and desires.

The stories I’ve had to endure, the endless boredom, it’s exhausting, but it’s what always gave me the information I needed to make the right decisions.

Except for that one time. In that instance, there was no opportunity to find strength within the kingdom or to rely on my friends and allies. They were all gone in the blink of an eye.

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