Crimson Born - Amy Patrick Page 0,69

than the blade and twice as cold.

The Bloodbound guards started toward Reece then stopped and turned back to Imogen, obviously at a loss for what to do next since he was already on his knees by her side.

“What is the meaning of this?” Imogen asked. “Do you not want to be released from your oath then?”

“No.” His jaw clenched around his next words. “I’ve made my choice. I’m Bloodbound for eternity. That’s what I want.”

“Reece, you don’t mean that,” I argued. “You’ll never leave this place. You’ll never have a mate.”

More quietly I added, “You’ll never have me.”

His stony expression remained unmoving, his words coming out like each one stabbed his tongue.

“That was never going to happen. I don’t... feel that way about you. I never did.”

“You’re lying,” I said. “I know you care for me. You admitted as much last night at the ball.”

His chest expanded with a deep breath then he swallowed before answering. “That was an effect of your pheromones. Without that... without that, all I feel for you is a desire to protect you... as I would protect anyone here at the Bastion.”

“I see. So I’m just like anyone else to you then? Nothing special. What about the night of the bonfire? What about destiny?”

“Destiny doesn’t exist.” Reece sounded defeated and extremely tired. “The night of the bonfire, I recognized right away you were out of place and vulnerable. I followed you to the parking area and sat with you that night to keep you out of trouble while your friends were busy. I felt... sorry for you.”

The sharp intake of my breath hissed between my teeth.

“I’m your friend, Abigail. That’s all. And someday, when you ascend to the Crimson throne, I’ll be your servant.”

He got up and walked forward, retrieved and sheathed his dagger, and bowed to Imogen before resuming his place at her side.

Loud laughter peeled through the room, echoing off the walls. Imogen clapped wildly.

“This is the most fun I’ve had in a hundred years. Maybe two.”

Rising from her throne, she strolled slowly toward the quaking human man, her fangs sliding from between her lips in hungry anticipation.

“What a truly delightful evening,” she purred. “I do so love surprises.”

She jerked the man toward her and sank her teeth into his neck. As she continued to drink, he struggled then went limp, realizing too late she had no intention of stopping.

His wish to become a vampire would not be coming true tonight.

Unable to stand the sight of it or of Reece’s impassive expression, I spun and ran for the doors.

Imogen called a warning after me. “If you leave now little one... you can’t ever come back.”

“I don’t intend to,” I said more to myself than to her.

My “mother” laughed again, the bone-chilling sound of it following me out of the throne room and into the dimly lit corridor.

36

Parting Gift

It was harder than I’d expected to say goodbye to the Bastion.

Not the place—the people. How could I leave them all there under Imogen’s wicked reign?

But even if I stayed, there was nothing I could do about that. The best thing I could do for everyone was to go and offer my help to Sadie. Her work would hopefully make the world a safer place for vampires and humans alike.

Then we wouldn’t need vicious authoritarian leaders like Imogen to protect our interests. We wouldn’t need Bloodbound warriors.

Heather, Kelly, and I made our way from our chambers to the front cavern entrance, stopping along the way to say goodbye to people we’d grown close to.

As we neared the ramp to the exit, my eyes bulged at the sight of the vampire waiting at the bottom.

It was Reece.

My heart fluttered up to my throat, blocking it for a moment. I nodded to my friends. “You go on to the car. I’ll be right there.”

Heather grinned at me. “Not alone this time, I hope.”

When they’d gone, I walked up to Reece. My hands and voice shook with adrenaline. “Hi. I’m surprised to see you here. Have you changed your mind? Are you... coming with me?”

“No. I’m staying.”

He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple traveling the length of his throat. “I only came to see you off.”

The fluttering stopped, and all my hope plummeted in a death spiral. He was only here so he could report back to Imogen—his queen—once I was well and truly gone.

“I see. Well thank you very much.” I lifted my chin and took a fortifying breath, fighting tears and forcing words through a throat that felt