Page 66 of Crimson Storm

I’d skipped the Inception Ceremony on Devil’s Night where the test was supposed to have happened and instead attended Sadie’s speech and peaceful sit-in at the Lincoln Memorial.

It was the night I’d found my true calling and my path.

It was also the night I’d lost Reece for good when he’d chosen Imogen over me.

“I can’t take someone’s life. I’d rather die myself,” I said.

Imogen snarled. “Very well. It will sadden me, but my primary job as queen is protecting our people against any and all threats. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”

Glancing to her left, she barked an order to the Bloodbound soldier she hadn’t stabbed. “Seize her. Put her in a holding cell. We’ll have a public assembly in the Grand Dome tomorrow night.”

Reece stepped toward the guard. “No.” But he stopped himself.

Lowering the volume of his voice and dropping to a knee before Imogen, he said, “My queen, I think I may have a better solution, if you’ll allow me to speak.”

She gave him a fond smile, stroking the back of his downturned head and running her fingers through his shiny, dark hair. “Of course you may speak. Youaremy favorite queensguard.”

As her gaze drifted back up to meet mine, there was a definite challenge in her eyes, along with a good deal of gloating. It had never been enough for her to just win—she had to rub my nose in it too.

My stomach rolled in revulsion as I pictured the two of them together. Imogen treated the Bloodbound as her own personal harem, ensuring their loyalty and obedience by having them drink her blood at their initiation.

How many times had she summoned Reece to her private chambers since I’d been gone? For all I knew it was every night. Shehadjust called him her “favorite.”

“You may rise,” she said to him.

Straightening again, Reece kept his manner submissive. “I see this as a great opportunity, my queen. Abigail could be useful on the mission you’ve assigned me.”

“You mean the missionyouproposed and I approved. Yes, go on.”

“She can get close to Sadie like no one else. Spare her life, and I will personally supervise her to make sure she follows your orders and doesn’t get into more trouble. You can keep the human male here as... motivation.”

“Wait,” I said, turning to him. “What is this ‘mission?’”

If it was another assassination attempt on Sadie, I’d have no part in it. I reallywouldrather die than bring any harm to her.

Reece had clearly been proposing Imogen hold Shane hostage to ensure my cooperation, but if it came to a choice between saving Shane’s life or Sadie’s, therewasno choice. The future of the world rested on her capable shoulders.

Imogen answered for him. “Reece has suggested, quite wisely, that there is strength in numbers. We are strong here at the Bastion, but there aren’t enough of us to wage war on the entirety of the human race. We need to bring vampire-kind together under united leadership. Even before the attack on the VHC, Reece volunteered to go to my sister and convince her of this fact.”

Her sharp gaze bounced between the two of us.

“He’s right. Sadie’s fondness for you will make her more receptive to meeting with him and listening to what he has to say. I’ll allow it.”

Hope sparked to life inside me. If I was allowed to meet with Sadie, there was a chance all of this could work out. Having the two vampire factions join forces was a fantastic idea.

Of course in my version of things, the newly united vampires would decide to follow Sadie’s leadership instead of Imogen’s.

It could happen. They just needed to be given a chance to meet her, to hear her speak.

Reece’s tense posture relaxed slightly. “Thank you, my queen. I believe that is a wise choice.”

Imogen gave him a tight smile then turned her icy gaze on me. “Let’s hope Abigail is wise inherchoices. Remember, little one, as you go out into the world again tomorrow and reunite with your beloved ‘leader,’ that I have your friend, Shane.”

“Please don’t hurt him,” I whispered, getting choked up. “He doesn’t deserve it.”

“His fate is entirely in your hands. If you return with good news, if you convince Sadie to instruct her followers to join the vampire resistance, I will free him. You have my word. However... if you should try to escape or decide to stay with Sadie and never return, well then, we’ll make good use of your human boyfriend’s blood. In addition, your friends Kelly and Heather will be expelled.”

She punctuated her threats with a friendly smile. “Travel safely, children.”

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