Catalyst Page 0,15

grip. When the King realized he was strangling the girl, he dropped her to the floor. Cassie sucked in air and tried to scream for Will, for Kahli, for anyone, but she was totally alone. Kahli had not come back from dinner. Will wasn't around this night, and her horrible roommates hadn't come to bed.

Cassie cowered. The blood that covered the King scared her, and although her mind didn't piece it together yet, her body did. He was dangerous, more so than last time. Last time there was no blood. Last time he only wanted flesh. This time was different. Blood and burn marks marred his skin. Cassie knew that this wasn't a weak, anemic vampire. The blood covering him wasn't only his. She didn't know how she knew, but Cassie could tell. She could smell it, and instead of the sickening black tar that normally flowed in the vampire's veins, the King's blood was scarlet.

"What'd you do with her?" Cassie hissed, but the King didn't answer. He grabbed her nightshirt and pulled her to her feet.

"I've had a rather unpleasant night," he said as if he were addressing a member of the Regent. He wiped the back of his hand across his bloodstained lips, "So, if you don't mind, I'll ask the questions, and you will answer."

Cassie managed to get to her feet. The King dragged her through the halls and into the main corridors. They passed the maidens' quarters and headed towards the King's side of the palace. Before disappearing into his usual place, he stopped. This was important and required tact and diplomacy that he failed to plan for. The King pressed his fingers to his temples and dropped Cassie on the floor.

Breathing hard he snapped his fingers at her like she was a dog. "Up. Walk in front."

Cassie swallowed the lump in her throat and walked in front of the King. Her bare feet were cold against the marble floor. When they finally stopped in front of a door, she didn't know whether to be happy or scream. Just before Cassie stepped into the room, she looked up. Cole was standing in the shadows of the archway across from them. His eyes were filled with fear, as the King pushed Cassie through the door and closed it behind them.

The room had floor to ceiling bookcases filled with artifacts, but hardly any books. A fire was raging in the hearth, warming the small space. The King's tone changed from threatening to patient. Cassie's body shook, even though she tried to stop. Gripping her hands in her lap, she sat where the King indicated, in front of the fire.

This is important, the King thought to himself. He didn't know how far he should go. One or two missing girls were easy to hide - an accident or a sudden illness made it less than suspect. However, tonight there were already three missing girls, and Will. To make matters worse, each and every one of them was technically the Queen's property. This shivering girl made five.

"Cassandra," the King spoke her full name in a soothing tone, "please don't be afraid." Before Cassie could think, something thick and warm - like hot syrup - poured over her emotions and stilled her. The fear that was coursing through her body melted. She stared at the fire, unable to think. Cassie watched the flames dance, slack-jawed as the King paced. His compulsion worked well, and the King was pleased to see Cassie succumb to it so readily.

"Very good, my dear. Now, I have a question for you." The King walked toward her, lifting his hands as he explained, "It's rather simple really. Answer and you can return to your bed and forget this night." Cassie nodded, her eyes unblinking and staring straight ahead.

"Very good." The King walked behind Cassie and stood. Hooking his fingers on the back of her chair, he said, "I want you to think before you respond. Try to search every memory before you answer. It is important that you tell me the truth, Cassandra."

The warm feeling that had slipped over her was changing. Instead of feeling like a warm blanket it constricted slightly before releasing her. The display of power wasn't lost on her. Cassie's body was still in fight or flight mode. Her feet twitched, urging her to flee, but her mind was the King's. She stared into the fire waiting for the question, wanting to answer it with every fiber of her being. The willingness shocked