Crimson Born - Amy Patrick Page 0,68

to a position of honor and privilege? Give him a purpose and a family? Give him something to focus on other than the fact that you left him behind?”

I let out a gasp. “You did this because I left?”

“No, my dear. I did it so that you’d stay. Now that your precious Reece is one of my Bloodbound, he’s mine to control. Mine to promote, to employ as a weapon... to take as a lover if I choose to. Mine to kill if I see fit.”

Her menacing words took all the blustery fight out of me. We were on her turf. She did have all the power here—over life and death.

Over Reece’s life and death.

She had won, and she knew it.

35

Impossible Choice

“Please don’t kill him,” I pleaded for the second time in our lives. “You’ve made your point.”

Imogen’s lips pursed in an expression of mock-sympathy. “So sweet. The two of you almost make me long for my newly-turned days when I was still capable of feeling ‘love.’”

Her tone turned disconcertingly bright. “I’ll make you a deal.”

“A deal?” A chill chased down my spine.

“Yes. If you agree to the test... to turn a human and become a true daughter of the Crimson Court, then I will release your paramour from the vows of the Bloodbound and give him to you—as a graduation gift.”

She continued to pet him as she spoke. “I won’t claim my rights with him as I do the other drones. No one will ever have him but you, and someday when my reign ends and you sit on this throne, he will be your captain of the guard. Or your lover. Or both—whatever you prefer.”

It was an impossible choice—one would cost me my heart, the other, my soul.

I looked at Reece, so docile under her unwanted touch, and remembered the happy, charming boy I’d met the night of the blood moon. The guy who’d spoken of wanting greatness. Of destiny.

I couldn’t let this be his.

“Okay,” I agreed. “I’ll do it.”

“No.”

The quiet voice made both Imogen and me jerk our heads in Reece’s direction.

She laughed. “Excuse me, drone? I didn’t give you permission to speak.”

Reece’s response was low but distinct. “No. Deal.” His eyes came up to lock with mine. “Tell her no, Abbi.”

My mouth hung open in shock. He was defying Imogen by speaking out of turn. But how?

Did the blood bond not work on him the way it did the other Bloodbound drones? But then why was he kneeling at her side, allowing her to treat him like a dog on a choke chain?

“But Reece... she’ll free you from your oath,” I said.

“And you’ll be breaking yours. I remember what you told me about that locket you wear. The ashes inside are from your old friend in the village, the boy you turned. It didn’t escape me the chain is made of platinum, which weakens us. You’re still punishing yourself. I know you Abbi—I know how it hurts you. You swore you’d never turn another human, and I won’t let you break that promise for my sake.”

“You’re worth it,” I whispered. “I can’t let you spend eternity as a slave.”

“I deserve it. I belong here after what I’ve done.”

“What? What are you talking about? Of course you don’t deserve it. No one does, no matter what Imogen said to you today before the ceremony. Let me do this for you, Reece. I want to.”

He did not respond, only dropped his gaze to the floor in front of him.

Imogen stood and closed her hands together in front of her chest. “Excellent. Let’s get on with it then. Guards—bring in the candidate.”

The doors opened, and a young man entered the room, escorted by two Bloodbound warriors. He didn’t look scared exactly, but he didn’t look comfortable either.

His fingers trembled, and his wide eyes scanned the room, taking in the blazing torches and the spikey knife-like crystal-rock formations that comprised Imogen’s throne. I wondered if he was second-guessing his decision to be turned now that he’d gotten a look at the reality of the vampire world.

“Abigail, this is Marc,” Imogen said. “He’s a virgin—when it comes to vampire bites, that is. Marc, this is Abigail. Your maker.”

Inhaling deeply, I stepped toward the human, pressing my fingernails so hard into my palms they broke the skin.

I can do this. I can do it. For Reece.

A dagger whizzed through the air in front of me and landed point-down in the floor between the man and me.

“I said, ‘No.’” Reece’s voice was sharper