I stumbled behind Estrella as she turned corners and hurried down empty halls until, finally; the vampire slowed as a set of large, elaborately carved red doors came into view. Two massive candelabras stood on either side of them, but instead of flames, they held glass orbs containing the same violet lights that lit the rest of the castle.
The purple flames flickered, revealing a male cast in shadows. As we drew near, he peeled away from the wall. Dressed from head to toe in black and silver, the male glanced at us with red-rimmed black eyes.
“You’re late,” he said curtly.
“You try being on human duty, Tristan. It’s gods-damned exhausting. Shadowing makes her sick, so Nelo insisted wewalk.”
Estrella dropped my arm, and I sighed in relief, my hand automatically going to massage my shoulder. At least it was still in one piece.
Tristan chuckled, his gaze sweeping over me. “Well, she’ll be the prince’s problem in a few minutes.”
“Thank the gods for that,” Nelo rumbled, as he came to stand behind us.
Tristan nodded. He glanced out the nearest window, where the moon hung high in the night sky. “It’s time.”
Estrella stepped towards me, and I flinched.
She chuckled. “Don’t worry, human. I will not hurt you.”
“Somehow, I don’t believe you,” I snapped.
In reply, the female produced a long black veil from the gods-only-knew-where. Made of black silk; it was just thick enough that I knew it was going to make seeing things more difficult.
Placing the veil on top of my hair, Estrella jammed a few pins through the material. I bit back a cry as she wrenched my hair, taking no care to be gentle as she attached the veil.
When the black silk was in place, obscuring my vision, Estrella leaned in so close, I could feel her breath on the side of my neck.
“Good luck,” she sneered. “Maybe after Bastian is done with you, he’ll let me have a taste.”
Before I could respond tothathorrific comment, the doors flew open, revealing a massive throne room. Hundreds of glowing orbs, ranging from almost white to a deep purple, lit the space. Even through the veil, I could see the enormous crowd.
Dozens, if not hundreds, of elaborately dressed people filled the packed room. There wasn’t a drop of color in sight. Everything, from their clothes to their jewels, was black.
As one, they turned towards me.
And then I saw them.
Fangs.
Hundreds of them.
All the vampires were staring.
At.
Me.