Page 149 of The Forbidden Dragon King
How can this prisoner look like Lanlin Sin? Because if he does, what does it mean about the vampire in my nightmare?
Is it the Shadow Vampire King?
I cling even harder to Daire, taking more desperate breaths of his scent.
I’ve never seen Lanlin. How could I be dreaming about him?
My nightmares aren’t real.
They can’t be.
Right?
And what does it mean if they are? Why would I be dreaming of the most bestial of all the vampires?
“What does some Blood’s name matter?” Maximinus snorts. “We caught this filth planning an assassination. Vampires are sly, barbaric, whorish creatures. They worship blood and the howling empty darkness of the Shadow Void. You know better than any of us what they deserve.”
When the vampire tries to raise his hands to protest,Maximinus gestures to the ground. Maximinus’ magic drags him down by his silver bound wrists.
In defiance, the vampire attempts to garble a response through his gag.
Why is he gagged? What doesn’t Maximinus want the vampire to tell anyone?
To tell Aurelius?
“Why is he here?” Aurelius’ expression is tight.
“So that you can execute him as a sacrifice to King Tarquin’s soul of course,” Maximinus replies.
“I’m not an executioner.” Aurelius attempts to turn away from the trembling vampire.
I hate vampires. I don’t want to feel sympathy for this one. But I know, as Daire does, what it feels like to be captive amongst your enemies.
Where’s the evidence that this vampire has been plotting anything?
This feels like nothing more than public theater.
I’d bet that Maximinus simply searched for a vampire who looked like a twin to Lanlin Sin, the infamous Shadow Vampire King, kidnapped him, dressed him up like Lanlin, then kept him imprisoned until he could pull off this stunt.
I’m beginning to think in the same way as these asshole manipulators in the court. It’s the only way that I’ll survive.
“How many Bloods did you kill over the last few days?” Maximinus demands.
“That’s different,” Aurelius says, as if trying toconvince himself. “It was in battle. Until the vampires bend the knee, we’re at war.”
“You were going to executeme,” Daire says, quietly, “as a sacrifice. Or have you forgotten that, boss?”
Aurelius’ shoulders tighten. “Maybe I made a mistake letting you live.”
Daire can’t hide the hurt fast enough.
“Then don’t make the same mistake twice.” Maximinus squeezes Aurelius’ shoulder, pushing him in front of the vampire, who is now wildly trying to yank at the chains to escape but can’t budge them. “Avenge the soul of your brother. Show everyone here watching that you’re not weak. Prove that you deserve to be King.”
Lucius is looking around himself desperately, assessing.
If Aurelius doesn’t do this, then he will appear not to be honoring his hero worshiped older brother on his deathday. He’ll lose power and prestige, considered not strong enough to execute a single vampire assassin.
If he does do this, however, I’m scared that he’ll be walking a path that leads to the awakening of the Golden Dragon, over bones, blood, and ruin.
