for such a dangerous place.
My instincts kicked back in and I said, “Just tell me where you’re taking me!”
“No need to get all worked up, darlin’. You’re about to meet royalty, you know.” He stopped flying when we reached the castle’s moat, dropped me to the ground and looked up at it towering over us.
“Royalty. You’re taking me to Samira.” I stood, dusted myself off. Assessing the moat, I wrung out my damp shirt.
“You were on your way to see her anyhow.”
“Not with you, I wasn’t. What are you thinking? She’s just going to kill you too, is that what you want?”
“Stop talking.” He grabbed my arm again and lurched forward, marched us toward the entryway, then greeted a cluster of tall, human-like creatures: vampires on steroids. Their hooded cloaks concealed most of their features, but their fangs were front and center.
“Where is Marie?” One of the tall, ghastly vamps asked Andrew.
“There is no Marie. I am here to bring the queen what she most desires.”
“Who sent you?” The guard stepped forward and let down the hood of his gray cloak, revealing a hard stare. “What did you do with Marie?”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about. Are you going to let me see her or not?”
The suspicious guard glanced at the other two guards standing next to him, returned his attention to Andrew. “What exactly do you have for Her Highness?”
“Insurance.”
My mind didn’t have time to wrestle with what Andrew’s reply meant. I was too busy shrinking away in fear of the grisly watchmen. They didn’t look like the other vampires I’d met. Extremely built with broad shoulders, they looked far more animalistic, with wide snouts and heavy brows.
“Come this way,” the creature reluctantly ordered, led us through the castle doors.
Once inside, I gawked at the long corridor in wonder and realized it was a massive conservatory. Under the gloomy light that filtered through the glass ceiling, hundreds of flawless rose bushes sat nestled along the cold stone ground, each one displaying hordes of the most beautiful red roses I’d ever seen.
“Excited yet?” Andrew whispered, watched me marvel at the luxurious garden.
“You know, I believe you owe me some gratitude. Without me, you wouldn’t have been able to make it this far. You wouldn’t be able to see your beloved. You should be happy I followed you from that sorry job of yours to the portal. I did you a great favor.”
“I didn’t need you for anything. You’re only getting in the way.”
“Believe me, sweetheart. You wouldn’t have made it two steps past that portal door without me. They would’ve sensed a mortal all alone, would’ve snatched you up in seconds. I did you a favor, and now you’re going to do one for me.”
“I don’t owe you anything.”
“Enough,” The burly guard bellowed, and bid us to follow him past two lofty wooden doors into a spacious granite-floored room, it’s focal point a stately velvet throne chair. The quiet crackle of a fire sounded from behind the empty throne.
“I must say this is an honor.” The woman’s voice filled the room; a strong echo followed as she emerged from behind us. Her next words were to order the guard to leave. Though no one had spoken her name, I knew this was Samira. The room looked literally fit for a queen, and the way the guard obeyed the woman’s voice told me she was in charge.
The guard shut the doors behind him and left us with a creation that only my worst nightmares could fabricate. Her appearance shocked me, just as this new beautiful world had, caused me to wonder how such a gorgeous being could be so fatal. I didn’t allow my eyes to deceive me, aware that her kind smile wasn’t in any way to be trusted.
“You are the first mortal to grace us with your presence in some time.” She moved toward us, acknowledged Andrew only with a tight smile, kept her arctic-blue eyes on mine. “And how brave you are, to choose such company,” she lifted her delicate lace train as she made a slithering sway around me, extended a hand with intimidating red claws to fool with my hair. “What can I do for you, my pet?”
“I brought her here, Your Highness, she is—”
“Silence. You will speak when spoken to. We will get to that.” She slipped in front of me and took my hand, as though wanting to display her sincerity. “As I was saying, child. Why is it you are here? What