Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Xander smirked. “Is it now?”
“You worry too much.” Octavia tried to separate our hands.
Xander maintained his grip.
Ty got on my right and rubbed the bottom of his chin.
Chatter ensued all around us. The music’s volume increased. I attempted to yank my hand back again.
Xander maintained his steel grip and leaned toward me. His lips stopped near my ear.
“This is your last chance,” he whispered. “Are you a maid or not?”
“Yes, and do you have to hold my hand?”
“I don’t trust you yet. The whole trip to Zumaya, you’ll stay next to me. Just be happy I’m only holding your hand.”
What does that mean?
An herbal scent floated from his skin. I could have leaned in closer to identify the sweet herb, but he was already too close and overwhelming.
It doesn’t matter what he smells like. Concentrate on getting out of here.
“Fine. If it will make you feel better, you can hold my hand the whole way.” I squeezed his fingers as hard as I could and flashed a grin.
The muscles in Xander’s jaw twitched.
“I’m ready,” I announced.
And now I can’t wait to escape Capitol City as well as you.
“You’re ready, huh?” Xander’s thumb circled one of my knuckles.
I averted my eyes, not willing to show him my discomfort. “Yes, I’m ready.”
“We’ll see how ready you are.”
Chapter 1
The Truth
Camille
Perfume and blood lingered in the air.
Black-and-white striped horses towed steel carriages down the pebbled street. Many people rode in the metal vehicles, singing and toasting, as they clinked their wine glasses together.
I couldn’t tell if the carriages contained only vampires or if there were a few humans scattered among them.
White masks concealed their faces. Pearl gowns draped the women. Crimson-red suits adorned the men.
“Happy Lunation! May Ambi bless you all!” A woman giggled from the last carriage and flung white feathers out on to the street.
One fell on my shoulder.
I pushed it away.
Once the party-goers’ caravan traveled by, Xander and I crossed the intersection.
Ty lingered several feet behind us. Every now and then he whistled a tune.
Lunation Night celebrated the beginning cycle of the new moons.
It took the moons sixty days to orbit the planet. During the last phase, darkness coated the sky.
Then, the moons reappeared and all partied and drank in celebration.
Holding my hand, Xander maneuvered us through a crowd that was watching a female street performer.
Dressed in a white bodysuit, she balanced her body upside down on one index finger.
Everyone applauded.
Xander ignored the performer and looked at me. “So, have you murdered many dominas before?”
I frowned.
“Well, have you?” Xander tightened his hand around mine.
“I told you. I didn’t kill her. She gave me the vials.”
“If I discover differently—”
“I know. I will burn. My city will burn as well as all who I love.” I did a dramatic wave in the air.
Xander had been questioning and threatening me about the vials for the past twenty minutes.
My patience had completely drained away.
A toothless woman beckoned me over. Roses, dipped in liquid brass, sat in pots next to her. “Happy Lunation! Come and buy a flower for your vampire.”
“No thank you, ma’am.” I bowed my head.
We hurried past.
Thankfully, Xander remained silent.
I gazed at the sky.
Will I finally make it home?
By now both moons had almost positioned themselves across from each other.
When the moons were in a straight line, dawn would arrive.
Many vampires slept during the daylight. The more powerful, the less he or she slept.
However, very few strong ones existed anymore. The Quiet King had slain most of them. It guaranteed no one could revolt against him as he expanded his empire beyond vampire territories and where other enchanted creatures lived.
I’m so close to escaping him. But will I truly do it?
We entered the Midnight District.
A huge banner draped the front gates and read Lunation Celebration.
Salesmen placed themselves in front of glass cargo boxes and boasted of possessing exotic creatures to eat or own as pets.
I scanned the boxes and was amazed to discover the men did have striking animals—from wild turquoise tigers enclosed in silver cages to tiny pixies embossed in jeweled smocks that matched their wings.
Human vendors littered the sidewalk and held blood sausages made from ostrich meat and tempico intestines. The savory scents drifted to my nostrils and caused my stomach to ache.
“Five pocks for one sausage,” one vender announced. “One vial of midlevel blood gets you ten sausages.”
Xander turned back to me. “Are you hungry, little killer?”
“No.” I rolled my eyes. “Feel free to get one for yourself.”
“I hate ostrich meat.”
“I hate people who accuse me of murder.”
A five-member band played from a platform across the street where several vampire children carried balloons and raced around their parents’ legs. A few people danced. Others clapped with the music’s rhythm.
I glanced up to see Xander’s gold gaze still on me. “I’ve answered all of your questions honestly, but you still don’t trust me.”