Reign Read online

  “You question whether I will keep you all safe?”

  I swallowed hard knowing if I admitted to his question, he could very well twist my words and call me a traitor. Marko picked up on my worries and his grip tightened again as a warning.

  “I worry that you put too much trust into a man you hardly know. You speak of his blood and how strong he’ll be. With the personality I know Hunter to have, it has me afraid for those who might not be able to overpower him if the need arises.”

  “Hmm.” Aetas crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re saying his passion will lead him one way. I say his love will lead him another. We could argue over this all night, but the decision is still mine.”

  “Yes … it is.” I glanced back at Marko before I braved the next question. “Will you kill him if he shows signs of rising against us?”

  Aetas smiled. “Do you think I’m such a poor leader? Of course I will.”

  Something was underlined in his tone and my brow furrowed as I tried to detect what it was. Was he lying, or telling the truth? I wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t help but go on.

  “Will you let me kill him?”

  “My brave princess.” A laugh left Aetas and it appeared genuine. “And what would I do if Hunter ended up killing you? Your Marko would be heartbroken and blame me for even more than he already does.”

  Low sounds vibrated against me and I placed my hand on Marko’s knee.

  “If Hunter kills me, I don’t deserve to rule. I want to be the one to end this. I deserve that.”

  “Perhaps you’ll get your fight, Princess, but I’m not so sure. Hunter is lost. He’s a newborn, confused on where he’s supposed to be. Once I get him back, he’ll be monitored and begin to feel safe. After he comes out of his newborn haze, I’ll groom him and he’ll begin his lessons. When he’s ready, he will go to Dallas, where he’ll take over Sayer’s old position. You may see him as an enemy for a while, but time has a way of erasing the past. Ask your Marko. He knows what I speak is the truth.”

  “I’ll never forget what he did to Tessa. Ever.” Marko’s deep tone left the hair on my arms standing on end.

  “I was speaking of your feelings about the princess’s third. It wasn’t always good between you and Mistress Bardot.”

  “No, it was not. I wouldn’t say it’s good now, either. More, tolerable, if anything. Tessa has a connection with Marie and I’m not going to tell her she shouldn’t. She knows what she’s doing.”

  “You both will get over this anger you have for Hunter. You’ll see.”

  My blood boiled at the thought of Hunter amongst our society. I’d have to associate with him. I’d have to forget the past and what he did. Or, at least try. In truth, he could be a completely different person. I knew how one could change when they were turned. If he was like me, if he wanted this life…what would that mean? We used to be best friends. As impossible as it seemed, could that somehow be salvable? I knew why he had tried to kill me and I still had enough humanity within me to understand it. But my vampire didn’t want to. She wanted revenge.

  “There’s no point in arguing over this. Aetas, are we being honored with a visit from you, or are you planning to poof back to headquarters?”

  Marko’s anger grew at my question.

  “I do think I’ll be your guest for a while. You say you’re ready to rule and I’m curious to see you in action. Perhaps you’ll prove me wrong.”

  “Oh.” I blinked rapidly through the shock. I hadn’t expected him to take me up on the offer. “Well, of course. You’re welcome to stay for as long as you’d like. I do have to warn you, we’re going to be pretty full in the next week.”

  “Yes,” Aetas smiled. “I know. Introductions with your fellow rulers. I look forward to watching you squirm in their presence.”

  “Tessa doesn’t get intimidated,” Marko snapped. “Besides, she has nothing to fear. I’ll be by her side the entire time.”

  “I don’t doubt that for a minute. Marko, tell me,” Aetas asked, curiously. “How do you expect your mate to come into her own if you’re always…hovering?”

  “Marko doesn’t hover. And he doesn’t hold me back. We learn from each other. Even though I’m not at headquarters, it doesn’t mean I’m not learning, Aetas.”

  A smile stretched across his face, but it wasn’t the nice kind. It had manipulation written all over it. “I’d love to see these lessons between the two of you. Can you show me something right now?”

  I glanced back at Marko, unsure. He held as much apprehension as I did.

  “Oh, come on. I want to see. After all, you say you want to rule and Marko is by your side. What do the two of you bring to the table as a couple? What makes you more deserving than Hunter?”

  He was antagonizing me and I knew it, but I couldn’t resist.

  “Hunter will have my gift. That’s a given. But where he’ll have mine, he’ll also have your persuasion. It’s handy in getting what he wants, but with my blood mixed with Marko’s, I bring a lot more in the form of physical power.”

  “Show me.” There was challenge in Aetas’ demand and I was confident enough to prove myself to him.

  “We haven’t mastered it yet on our own, but together…” I looked back at Marko and he nodded. My palms lifted, cupping as I placed my wrists together to make an arch. Black fog began to surface from my palms, growing until it circled and spun around in the shape of a basketball. Marko’s hand settled on my shoulder and he leaned in until his face was next to mine. When his other hand rose and his finger touched the smoke, orange and blue glowing fire swirled around the contents, heating my palms.

  “Fascinating.” Aetas eyes were wide as he stared into the glowing orb. Slowly, his gaze came to mine and I quickly dropped my hand, making it disappear.

  “Just stuff like that,” I said, quickly. “We’re still perfecting it.”

  Aetas’ stare went from me to Marko. Something indiscernible was within his depths and I longed to know what it was.

  “You’ll show me more during my visit. Have you developed your own skills or just the combination of both of your powers?”

  I wanted to smile. I’d come so far since the last he’d seen me in action.

  Again, my hand rose. The black fog oozed from the tips of my fingers and he gasped as my skin began to fade into nothingness. My hand was disappearing and it was all too easy.

  “You’ve become one with your gift … already?”

  Heat surged through me and I closed my eyes letting my energy spread throughout the interior of the back of the limo. I knew my form was gone from sight. As I opened myself up to see, all the remained of me was a black haze of smoke. I was nowhere, and yet, everywhere. The hum in the atmosphere tingled over me and I let my power surge. Wine glasses from the bar rattled in the distance and I felt glass from the liquor burst at my power. I quickly drew it in, pulling myself together to sit back on the seat next to Marko. The amazement Aetas held made me proud, but it didn’t last as I became uncomfortable at just how mesmerized he was.

  “You’ve succeeded my expectations for such a young age. I thought perhaps this level was possible, but never so soon.”

  “I want to rule. I was meant for this.”

  He brought his hand to his mouth as he grew quiet. Minutes stretched out as I waited for him to say something. Anything. I could tell he was thinking. That was obvious as he grew dazed.

  “Two ties with Marie Bardot, correct?”

  I shook my head in my confusion. “No. We have one tie. Why? What does Marie have to do with this?”

  “I don’t want you taking in anymore of her blood. Hers will dilute yours. Feed her to get her stronger, if that’s your plan, but do not contaminate yourself anymore. I want to see something. I…” Aetas blinked back his concentration and glanced over. “We will discuss this at another time. We’re arriving.”

  Lights from the surrounding mansions had me nodding. I hadn’t realized we were already home. The car pulled into the large circular
driveway and the moment the door opened, the servant fell to his knees at Aetas’ presence. It didn’t stop our leader from getting out. He pretended he didn’t see the human as he stood outside and waited for us to join him.

  “Welcome home, Princess, Master … Your Highness.”

  Silence followed all of us as Marko led me in through the mansion first and walked us into the stairwell that descended to the underground city. Music drifted through the darkness and grew louder as we approached the light that came from the bottom of the stairs. When the royal horn blasted, signaling my arrival, the activity below died down. I stepped into the large open room, watching the mass of vampires and slaves fall to the ground at Aetas’ figure stepping in behind us. I didn’t doubt most had never seen him before, but they wouldn’t have had to know who he was. The crown and his powerful energy said everything.

  “Thank you for the warm welcome. You may rise.”

  His voice was like silk, caressing and enticing the minds of the residents. Women gazed over enamored, while even most of the men took notice to his good looks. It was shocking how their eyes followed us adoringly through the large room. They worshipped him immediately. It showed me just how deep his gift ran on those of lower status.

  “Are you hungry, Master? I’m afraid the city has already fed, but I can provide you a supplier if you’d like.”

  Marko kept us moving to our tunnel. The guest member’s room was a few doors down from ours and I had no doubt he wanted to get rid of Aetas as soon as possible.

  “I don’t drink from suppliers.”

  I turned to look at him just as the pitch black from the entrance swallowed us whole.

  “Who do you feed from, then, if not suppliers?”

  We came to a stop and Marko swung the bedroom door open, flipping on the light. Aetas’ eyes raked over my body and I couldn’t stop myself from stepping back, right into Marko.

  “That’s right, Princess. I only feed from the best. Since no one of my circle is here, that would be you.”

  “I fucking knew he was up to something.”

  Marko’s angry words rushed through my head and the ruler in me battled the bonded. Technically, strongest or not, I didn’t have to let him feed. I was someone’s concubine. That took me out of the equation. But I led this city. And I did so because Aetas hadn’t forced me out. I owed him, in a sense, and I couldn’t ignore that.

  “You may feed from my wrist. Marko stays.”

  “I don’t do the wrist. Neck, and he stays.”

  “Inside of the elbow,” Marko said between clenched teeth. “That’s it.” His fangs were already down and there was a wildness in his eyes I knew all too well. Aetas was pushing him and he was probably doing it intentionally.

  “Fine. For now.”

  He walked past us, unbuttoning the top of his black shirt. When he sat down on the edge of the bed, I had to force myself forward. Marko didn’t leave the door. He held to the wooden barrier like a lifeline. As if it would keep him chained into place through the protectiveness and rage he was feeling.

  I looked down at the black lace sleeve knowing I couldn’t pull it up. I sat next to him, gripping the thin material and ripping it free just above the bend of my elbow. I kept my eyes on Marko as I lifted. Aetas’ firm grip latched onto my forearm and I tried to control my quick breaths as he brought it up. The slice of his fangs breaking through my skin had my lids lowering the smallest amount. Deep draws on my veins had his hold tightening. A minute passed, and then two. When he broke away, a moan followed.

  “Definitely stronger since the last time.” He let go and I stood, meeting Marko’s stare for only a moment before my attention went back to him.

  “I’m glad to hear it. We will be retiring now. Marie will be of assistance to you if you need anything. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  My steps were quick as I headed for the door.

  “Princess Tessalyn.”

  I looked over my shoulder. “Yes, Your Highness?”

  “I suspect Hunter will come here. It’s the real reason behind my visit. This is the closest city and he’ll be pulled to the power of this place. He’ll come.”

  “Can you not call him or figure out his location?”

  Aetas’ face turned hard. “No. It’s my blood. Just like the crown you wear, it blocks me completely. I can’t search him out. I don’t even know if he lives. I feel…nothing concerning him. If I wouldn’t have picked up on this before he was cast out, I would have assumed he was dead. Maybe he is.”

  “Is that not a reason to fear him even more? He can’t be monitored. He can plot our deaths and you’d never know it.”

  “So could you.” Aetas quirked his eyebrow. “The difference between you and Hunter is you’re mated. You’re twice the threat. Especially since it’s Marko you’re bonded to. After what I saw tonight, you’re lucky I’m not dragging you off to headquarters as we speak.”

  “But…You asked to see. I trusted you enough to show you. Why would I do that if I were a threat?”

  “We’re not the real threat,” Marko said, reaching for my hand. “And he knows it. He’s just trying to get the distraction off of Hunter because he knows how unstable he’s going to be when he surfaces. Deep down, Aetas knows what he’s done by turning the bastard. The question is—why he went through with it begin with?”

  Chapter 3

  Hunter

  Blood dripped from my chin as I let the female’s dead body fall to the ground. Four humans tonight. The thirst was unquenchable. There was nothing I could do to ease the burning in my throat. The more I fed, the worse it seemed to get, but I couldn’t stop it. Nor could I slow the adrenaline that left me shaking and anxious. I had no idea where I was. My mind said I was close to where I needed to be, but nothing looked familiar. I was walking in circles, confused on what to do next.

  Screams had me blinking past the fog and I turned, taking in the long line of people staring at me in horror. What were they doing, being so loud? It caused the monster in me to explode. I snarled, lunging for another female to shut her up. My head was hurting and she was making it worse. She was …

  I shoved my fingers in her mouth, grasping her jaw and jerking with everything I had. Blood perfumed the air, spraying out and easing the hammering within, but more people were yelling and pointing at me.

  BAM! BAM! BAM!

  Pain cut into my skin and I looked down at the trickle of blood beginning to ooze from my chest. When my eyes cut up, a man in a black uniform grabbed the device on his shoulder, yelling into it. I took off at a fast run right for him. More stinging sliced through my back and legs.

  These things…these humans, they were trying to hurt me. Me! I didn’t understand why. They were food, yet they were coming after me knowing that I could kill them?

  “Hunter Moretti. You! Hey!”

  My claws raked down the uniformed man’s face only seconds before my fangs shredded down the front of his throat. The yelling was getting louder.

  “Hunter! Hey!”

  I snapped my head to the side, ready to keep fighting when I noticed something about the male was different. He wasn’t human. He was like me. I wanted to take ease in that, but something wouldn’t let me and in the moment, I couldn’t remember why.

  “”Hunter! That’s right buddy. It’s me. It’s Boyd. You recognize me?”

  I hissed as he stepped closer.

  “It’s okay, put the cop down and let’s get out of here before the shit hits the fan. I know someone who’s looking for you.”

  The dead human hit the ground as I released my fingers from his dark shirt. More popping sounded and the pain followed. Loud sounds were getting closer. I couldn’t take it.

  “Hunter! Let’s go!”

  Boyd. Did I know this man like me? Something told me I did, but I couldn’t get a read on whether that was a good or a bad thing.

  Slowly, I walked forward while he waved his hand.

  “That’s it. Come on, we have to get you underground. Everyon
e will be happy to see you.”

  Everyone? Where people looking for me?

  My pace picked up as his did. We were suddenly running and the high-pitched noises were growing closer. I easily caught up, studying the smile on his face as we turned onto the next block. Church bells chimed while we approached and I felt myself move away from the holy ground. Did I know that place? Yes, there was a distinct feeling associated with the area, but my mind told me it was bad. I needed to keep going. There was a pull ahead, coaxing me home.

  “I can’t believe I found you. Marko is going to be so fucking happy.”

  “Marko?” I repeated the name, coming to an abrupt stop. My mind raced, testing the sound and emotions surrounding with the name. I didn’t like it. Not at all.

  “Tessa,” Boyd said, gesturing his head for me to keep following.

  “Tessa?” Tessa…Tessa…now she I might have liked. Or not. Fuck, I didn’t know.

  Blue and red lights brightened the darkness behind us. Combined with the squealing of tires, I couldn’t help but be side-tracked. My instincts told me to stop whatever was happening, but the array of high-pitched tones were too grating to my ears. It made me want to gag through the pounding that surfaced.

  “Shit! Let’s go!”

  Boyd’s hand locked on my wrist and there were no thoughts as I launched myself right for him. To my surprise, he quickly dodge me, jumping out of the way.

  “I’d love to fight you, Hunter, but now’s not the time.” His hand waved me forward while he took fast steps backwards. I felt myself being lured in his direction. When Boyd began to jog, he turned to the side, keeping the pace steady. Faster, he went. And like a robot, I followed.

  “Stop! Put your hands in the air and get on the ground.”

  At the booming voice, I glanced over my shoulder. Boyd’s tap on my shoulder had me lunging for him again, but he kept out of reach, running even faster.

  “That’s it. Ignore the cops, they’re not allowed to come where we’re going.”