Page 22 of Darkest Heart

My lip quivered unintentionally. “I need to continue drinking the poison?”

“We do not yet know if you can be trusted.” He hunched at the door, swinging it open, and stomped away. Another aniccipere entered, his nostrils flaring as he approached me, poison in hand.Great.

“Drink.” I took the poison and gulped it in one, knowing there was no way out of it. I had chosen to play this game, and to win, I had to gain their confidence. He continued to watch me for a minute after I swallowed. I rolled my eyes, sticking my tongue out to show him it was gone.

He huffed, then left. Once alone, I let out a sigh, relief flooding my core. At least I wasn’t bound and naked anymore, but the idea of reaching my magic anytime soon faded as I felt the fast-acting poison take effect, lulling me back onto the bed. I pulled the holy nightgown over my knees that the aniccipere had thrown me before I passed out yesterday and closed my eyes. I only hoped my undermining his superiority about Astor would be enough to convince him that anything Astor said was a lie. Because he would know this was an act. As much as I hated to admit it, he knew me well enough. I cared—a lot—and it could get me killed. My heart darkened a touch as I suppressed my empathy, compartmentalizing every thought of Sebastian and anyone else. I had to be focused if I could make this work, and I couldn’t allow myself to hover over the terrible things I’d said to get there. Not even for a second.

EIGHT

Niall

Paintings of the gods adorned the walls as Kalon redecorated the throne room in honor of them. Not that he cared for them, but it sent the right message. Vampires had twisted the world’s religion over the centuries until it fitted their constructs. Now, the god’s apparent commands were used as a justification for everything we did. Indulging and feeding on mortals was one of them, including killing them. I didn’t mind that one. They were too damn delicious.

I shook my head as I passed my gaze over each one: Jaiunere, the god of light, the paints mixed with gold leaf and venom, to show his radiance. Vaneria, the goddess of love, captured beautifully by her alluring curves and seductress eyes. Salenia, the goddess of the underworld, with her mystical gaze as if she was carved from the stars, staring out at me from the painting.

Finally, Laveniuess, the god of shadows?strong, powerful, colored in cosmic blues and blacks. I strolled down the room, breathing in the fresh blood scent hanging in the air with the latest mortals arriving in.

I stopped by the list of commands and rolled my eyes. I had no such misconceptions. I’d read every book I could get my hands on, from the dustiest, most forbidden ones to the modern, retellings of their time in this world. Sargon and Kalon could pretend all they wanted that the gods were in favor of them, and others could use them as an excuse. I did not. I enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, the kill, the blood, and everything that came with the supposed curse.

Before I turned, I suppressed my darker side, feeling shame for my pleasures. Vampirism set me free. It was no trap, and anyone saying otherwise was a liar.

Elizabeth’s sister, whose name I’d already forgotten, entered the room; hands shaking, her hair matted. “Hello, love,” I teased, and she jumped back. If she wanted to get past the first round of the tournament coming up, then she’d have to become more aware of her surroundings. Although I knew she didn’t stand a chance. Her sister, on the other hand, I’d easily bet my stagma on.

“Where’s my sister?” she asked, her wavering frown forming a scowl. “I haven’t seen her since you took her. If you’ve hurt her.”

“You’ll what?” I glanced down at the dagger she’d been given to practice with and scoffed. Blunt blade, loose handle. “Stab me with that thing?”

“Tell me where she is,” she demanded, her throat bobbing. “Now!”

My amused smirk quickly dropped, rage fueling my next step as I closed in on her, until her back was up against the wall, her arm nicking on the corner of Jaiunere’s portrait. “First rule of surviving here is to keep your fucking mouth shut. Especially when talking to me.”

Her sharp inhale heaved her small chest, her shoulders tensing. She averted her gaze to the others, as if anyone would dare come to her aid. “Please,” she said, her tone softening, breaking in parts, “tell me she’s okay.”

“She’s with me.” I brought my hand to her cheek, running a finger down her neck. “It’s a pity my father has forbade us from feeding on the competitors. You smell so good.” I brought my nose to her throat, breathing in the delicious sweat mixed with blood. “You should join the others in the courtyard. The first rounds in three days. Don’t worry, love. This nightmare will be over soon.”

Her light brows furrowed, wrinkling her nose as she contemplated my words. I moved back when I saw the tremble of her bottom lip, when a wave of vanilla reached me. Gwen’s sultry voice sounded behind me, and I grinned. Elizabeth’s sister hurried away in my peripheral as Gwen wagged her hips from side to side. “Must you taunt them like that?” she asked, her bright blue eyes alight under the pale gray of the room.

“Always.” I stepped closer, grabbing her arm. “I missed you last night. You didn’t come.”

She looked at her nails, pretending I didn’t have the effect over her that we both know I did. “I was busy.”

“Don’t toy with me.” I glanced at her chest, pausing on her hard nipples poking out from under the sheer dress that barely covered anything. “Whether you like it or not, you’re mine now.”

“Astor…”

“Is a fucking idiot, and I don’t want to hear his name again.” The muscle in my jaw feathered as I glared down at her, consumed by thoughts of grabbing her blonde curls in my fist and fucking her on the empty throne.

“Jealous?”

I let out a clipped, throaty laugh behind closed lips. “Careful with that mouth, love. We both know you have far better uses for it.”

“I’m not intimidated by you.”

I leaned down, whispering a breath against the top of her ear as she instinctively moved closer. “Then why is your heart pounding?”

She took a step back. “Us fucking was a mistake.”

I grabbed her before she could run, tightening my grip. “We both know you don’t mean that.” My fingers inched to her neck, my stare pouring into hers. I grabbed her by the back of her neck, pulling her tightly, her breasts pressing against my chest. Her breath hitched, and I brought my lips to hers, inches away. “I will have you, Gwen. I’m not the same guy you screwed over.” I grazed my other hand down to her waist, breathing in the smell of arousal pooling between her legs, a low growl reverberating in my chest. “I take what I want now.”

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