Page 25 of Dark Reign

The trio stared, their expressions dimming as we observed one another. Dolls were a blight on the undertaking so many had died for—an army of money-hungry, human women who’d taken the easy way out, selling themselves to the highest bidder all for a chance to escape the hell they left their sisters, their friends, their mothers behind to endure. They were a mockery of our mission, and I couldn’t take my eyes off them, their big smiles, the jewels dripping from their ears and necks, the way they proudly wore their marks—barcode tattoos they’d been given upon purchase.

These tattoos were meant to ensure that, should a Doll wander too far from her Master, any nearby sentinel could scan her code and instantly know who owned her, if she’d been reported missing. It was degrading, but these women allowed it.

Allowed themselves to be objectified, all because they were too weak to endure untileveryonecould be free.

The practice of receiving what human’s coined ‘the vampire’s mark’fed into the belief that money could buy anything … including a life. Dolls willingly gave themselves to Ianite men as property, generally for whatever uses the men saw fit. They couldn’t see beyond the perks—regaining some semblance of freedom, whatever wealth their Masters chose to bestow upon them. They were a notoriously self-absorbed, spoiled breed.

Kept women.

Markedwomen.

As I stared at them, acknowledging that their very existence was a contradiction of everything my team fought for, I couldn’t remember ever feeling hatred deeper than I did in that moment.

“Recognize any of the faces we went over from the Tine Facility’s directory?” Felix asked, helping me pull my attention from the Dolls, the embarrassment to our history.

I offered another quiet response. “Nope.”

Sighing, I focused on the door, hoping at least one familiar face would saunter through, hoping at leastonepart of this mission would come easily. It crossed my mind that I may have said some magic word in that prayer, because no sooner than I silently begged we’d catch a break, the request was answered.

“Pierce Cooper.” I mumbled the name while covering my mouth, pretending to yawn.

“Vol’s second in command,” Liv piped.

“Move in on him, Cori, but remember, never trust a man with two last names,” Felix joked. “We’re with you in spirit. You’ve got this.”

My com went quiet and I knew my chance had finally arrived. Cooper was otherwise occupied, entertaining a Doll I assumed to be his own, but I had to interrupt. I owed it to my team to get this right. With the information this could score for us, this was perhaps the most important mission I’d ever been given. In other words, I couldn’t afford to fail.

I squared my shoulders and put one foot in front of the other.

It was go-time.

CHAPTER NINE

Julian

“We’re just fashionably late,” Levi reasoned. “Anyone who’s anyone arrives atleastan hour after an event starts.”

He glanced down, adjusting the band of a wristwatch with an array of diamonds and rubies in its bezel that outnumbered the stars in the sky.

The four of us stood with our backs to the limousine as some of the most beautiful women the Dynasty had to offer took our arms. Levi had done what he promised against my will, filled the implied ‘plus one’ requirement for tonight’s soiree.

For he and I, twin heiresses of a local fashion mogul—Celeste and Cecelia. As far as leggy blondes went, they were beautiful, but it wasn’t lost on me that there was a cost for this look they sported. Tonight, it was Levi and I sitting in their family’s parlor, twiddling our thumbs while we waited.

Their slight features and heart-shaped faces gave them an innocence I knew for a fact didn’t match their personalities. They were brisk, entitled, and if memory served after so many months … Cecelia was rather aggressive in bed. Despite the one and only date we’d gone on ending on a literal high note, I had no interest in seeing her again.

But here we were, thanks to Levi.

For Silas, there was Laura, a duchess from the North I’d seen interviewed recently for her efforts to illegalize the ownership of Dolls in her respective territory. On fire for her cause, she was as feisty as she was attractive, making her right up Silas’ alley.

For Roman, Levi called in a special favor with hopes of lifting his spirits. He arranged for the daughter of one of the West’s most decorated generals to be flown into the Capitol. Marie had been on Roman’s radar in the past, despite her best efforts to avoid the limelight. However, as a guest of the South’s most eligible bachelor at the most anticipated event of the century, there would be no escaping the publicity.

Despite his opposition toward attending tonight, Roman had cleaned up nicely. Much to his father’s dismay, he still hadn’t opted for a haircut, but he’d at least slicked it back and tamed his beard. With our attire donated by some of the most well-known designers, we were each wearing someone’s yearly salary on our backs. To me, it was all a bit excessive and more trouble than I would have gone through on my own, but when in Rome …

As we neared the entrance of Lord Wilford’s palace, my security detail followed the orders I’d given earlier in the day. They would be responsible for us all tonight, but would post just outside the doors where they’d remain until the event ended. There was no need for them to follow us inside and I couldn’t imagine wading through the crowd with twelve, armed men flanking us. With so many dignitaries and aristocrats in attendance, this was the safest place to be on the planet.

We escorted our dates up the stone steps and didn’t pause to acknowledge the nonstop camera flashes at either side as we passed. In the foyer, an attendant pulled us from line when he recognized our faces. We were then ushered through the gallery and into the ballroom.

Silas entered first, toting Laura close. Roman was just as attentive of Marie. Celeste hung on Levi’s every word, and Cecelia clung to my side, tugging down the hem of the short, silver dress she likely borrowed from the family vault. From what I’d seen of her and Celeste on magazine covers, at red carpet events, they rarely stepped out in anything that didn’t boast their father’s name.

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