Page 83 of Stalked

“I’d like you all to meet the newest member of our home,” Maurice said, gesturing to me. “The element, Spirit, or the name the angel gave her—Akasha.”

Everyone cheered and shouted, but their voices dimmed once Maurice raised his hand again to quiet the room. “When we first heard of the prophecy that a witch would be our undoing, I have to admit, it intrigued me,” he continued. “Not because I feared she’d try to kill me, of course …” The room burst into laughter, “… but because the second part of that prophecy contained what we’ve been waiting to do for centuries. The Fifth Element would give us the ability to walk in the daylight.” He pointed at me. “Akasha’s blood has the power to give each one of us that gift.” I heard a few audible gasps from around the room. “That which we’ve all been searching for is finally ours.”

There was another round of applause, even from some humans. I heard whispers from those around us discussing my presence there, and a low growl came from Maurice. Vampires lived long lives, but it seemed the older they were, the more entitled they became. This washispalace, and he wasn’t pleased with all the interruptions.

“Listen!” he shouted, and the room instantly hushed. “Just because the gift exists doesn’t mean you’re all worthy of it. First, I’ll be the only one to taste Akasha’s blood. Then I may choose to share her with chosen individuals. Once they’ve proved themselves.” His eyes narrowed on a vampire in the corner of the room whose gaze was boring into me. “And if anyone were to touch her without my permission, I’ll tear off your head and turn your body to ash.”

A red-headed woman stood up—her oversized bosom spilling over the top of her silky dress. Her Irish accent echoed throughout the room.

“Can I ‘ave a taste, Maurice?” she asked. “And then later, fuck her while you watch?”

Then, a roar of chattering and pleading filled the room.

“Enough!” Maurice screamed. Several vampires looked away in shame.

The woman’s eyes grew wide. “Forgive me, Master. I should not ‘ave asked,” she apologized, lowering her head in shame.

Maurice glided across the room until he stood in front of her, reaching out to raise her chin and present her mouth to him. While he kissed her, his hand skated down and then under the hem of her dress. He bit into her neck savagely, without warning, and she let out a moan of pleasure that echoed through the room. I could see the shadow of his fingers working her over under her dress. He kept his fangs in her neck as she climaxed, blood dripping down between her breasts until he finally pulled away.

He took a moment to lick his lips as if he didn’t want a single drop of the precious ruby elixir to go to waste, and then his hands found her temples. The way he touched her seemed gentle. Affectionate, even.

“A farewell gesture to you, Ava. I’m sure going to miss those lips,” Maurice said. With a smirk, he twisted her head so fast it wholly disconnected from her body in one smooth motion. The rest of her turned to ash. He tossed the head against the wall, where it dissolved into gray dust.

I couldn’t hold in my scream. I turned on my heel and bolted for the door. I knew I wasn’t going to get far, but I couldn’t stop my feet from moving as far away from the sight of a decapitated head as I could. Two fully clothed vampires quickly jumped in front of the door to stop me. Without looking up, I tried to move around them. But I was grabbed by my shoulders and swung around to face the room again. The other vampire’s hands gripped tightly around my arms, forcing me to look Maurice in the eye.

“Let that be a lesson to you all,” Maurice warned as he stalked back to me. “You will never ask for Akasha’s blood and never broach the subject with me without my permission. Let’s pretend we’re all in a classroom and start raising our damn hands. The only topic that is forbidden isher.”

I was so repulsed by the sight of him, by him standing so close to me after committing such a disgusting act. I leaned into the other vampire’s chest, whose arms wrapped around me. I didn’t even care that the other one was probably just as evil as Maurice. I had to find comfort in someone. The closer Maurice came to me, the more I clung to the body holding me still. I turned from the master and buried the side of my face in the other’s chest, not looking up. Maurice placed his hand gently on my shoulder, trying to turn me around. I felt like a scared little mouse burying myself in a corner. I couldn’t keep my body from trembling.

“You need to let her go, so she can face her reality,” Maurice barked at the one I sought comfort in.

I felt a firm yet gentle hand run down my arm as if they were trying to soothe me.

“I saidlet her go,Dorian.”

My gaze snapped up when I heard that name.

I felt his hands fall from my shoulders as I stared into the eyes of a familiar face. It was Dorian.MyDorian.

Oh. My. God!

My mind suddenly ripped itself out of the present and into another time. I was in the barn training with Caleb. We were there with Roland, and there had been an argument.

“You’re forbidden to see each other outside of training. You cannot fight the vampires while you’re distracted by love?—ifit’s love,” Roland told us. Caleb had his arms folded, and he stomped out of the barn.

“Is there no other way?” I asked. “We’re just supposed to be alone for the rest of our lives? This isn’t fair, Roland.”

“You were never supposed to come here and fall in love, Mercy. You’re a weapon.”

My past self didn’t flinch at those words, but I did.

“We promised we wouldn’t let it distract us from the mission,” I pleaded. “Please, Roland. Don’t make us do this.”

“Whenever the rest of the coven is in danger, the first one Caleb saves is you. You cannot fight this way.” He shook his head. “The answer is no, and I have your mother’s support on this.” Roland pointed to the ground. “Pick up your stake. We’ll continue to train until dusk.” I looked down at the wooden stake, picked it up, and held it loosely between my fingertips.

I shook my head and placed it under my waistband. “No,” I said. “I’m done for today.” I then turned and ran out of the barn.

I looked around frantically for Caleb, but he was nowhere. As I approached a small hill by the farm, I heard shouting coming from a clearing.

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