32. Montana

Igazed at Callie, unable to believe she’d just gone through with the marriage so willingly. And not just willingly, she’d looked like she’d enjoyed the whole thing. When they’d kissed, she’d practically been melting against Fabian, pulling him closer instead of shoving him away.

Something wasn’t right. But for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what the fuck was going on. My mind was still spinning from the bond placed on me and Erik, like grains of stardust were crashing through me, each one lashing me to the Belvedere Prince. And it was making it impossible to think straight.

I ground my teeth, focusing on why I was here, what this was all for.

My sister.

I glanced at Erik, hoping he was about to set his plan into motion because I needed to get Callie out of here. Right now.

The priest raised his arms in the air. “Let us toast to the love of these three partners and wish them all the happiness in their futures together.” He stepped aside to reveal a huge font, and as he approached it, blood gushed into the basin from a tap, making my stomach roil.

A ring of silver chalices circled the bottom of it and the priest stooped down, picking one up. Three guards rushed forward, filling the remaining chalices, and hurrying into the crowd, handing a cup to the vampire on the end of each of the aisles. The guards ran back and forth until all of the chalices were handed out, preparing for whatever fucked-up ritual was in order next.

“Drink the modest blood of Realm G in thanks to the humans of the world, without whom we would be nothing. Once you have taken a sip of their godly sacrifice, pass the cup to the person beside you,” the priest encouraged, lifting his own cup to his lips and smiling serenely.

I grimaced as he took a drink, the blood of my people passing down his throat. He smacked his lips together, then handed the chalice to Fabian. Callie gazed at the cup with a strange sort of hope as Fabian drank, then handed it to Erik. What was she thinking?

Erik gave me a dark look, lifting the chalice to his lips and taking a sip before handing it to Miles.

As Miles gulped down the last of it with a grin, the priest raised another chalice into the air. “To the never-ending rule of the Belvederes!”

His words were echoed from the congregation, and I glanced over my shoulder, spotting the chalices reaching the centre of the aisles.

Callie threw me an excited glance, seeming ready for something to happen. I frowned, trying to figure out what she meant, but before she could give me any more indication, the priest in front of us screamed.

He held his throat, eyeing the chalice in alarm, spluttering as he tried to speak.

“Are you alright?” Clarice darted to his side in alarm.

The priest took a slow breath, seeming to regain his composure, patting Clarice’s arm.

“Yes, my apologies, your highness.” He turned to face the congregation. “Right. Back to the ceremo-ah!” His entire body exploded into dust, and I stumbled back in shock as Erik shielded me from the falling ash.

Screams rang out behind us, and I turned, finding half of the congregation bursting into dust. Their beautiful clothes fell to the ground, glittering dresses and fine suits fluttering onto the pews, and those still standing started screaming at the sight.

Confusion and fear coursed through me as the vampires holding chalices gazed down at the blood in horror.

I turned to Erik, panic scorching through me as I realised what had caused their deaths. “Erik – the blood!”

I clutched his arms, waiting for something terrible to happen. I couldn’t lose him. I couldn’t see him die.

“I didn’t drink. I never do in front of you,” he said, and relief ran through me, but then he looked to his family in terror.

My pulse quickened as I glanced from Clarice to Miles and Fabian, fear passing through their eyes. Though Miles broke away from them, searching the crowd in desperation. “Warren!”

“I’m here – I didn’t drink,” his partner called back, and my heart lifted as they shared a look of relief.

Another tense moment passed, but the royals remained standing, glancing between each other like the thought of losing each other was too awful to consider.

A battle cry filled my ears, and a huge warrior with long dark hair leapt from the rafters above us, landing among the crowd and slicing a vampire in two with his sword. My breath snagged in my throat as dust plumed around him, settling at his feet alongside the shorn pieces of a grey suit. Panic broke out as the wild man started killing anyone who hadn’t drunk the blood, swinging his golden sword with a furious malice.

“Magnar!” Erik roared and their eyes met for the briefest second before ten guards blocked the path between them.

A weight slammed into my back, and I found Julius there, tearing me from Erik’s arms.

“No!” I gasped, the bond snapping tight between us.

Erik’s fist hit Julius’s face so hard that the slayer wheeled backwards and lost his grip on me. Before Julius could lunge at us again, Erik’s hand surrounded mine and he dragged me away with a burst of speed. The Xs on our palms met, lighting a fire of need in me, and defying all plans of escape.

I must stay with him.

I gritted my teeth, forcing out the thought in place of my truth.

No, I have to run.

Nightmare hummed on my thigh as I searched for Callie, desperate to get her out of here.

Sun Child is close.

Erik forced me through the surging bodies, dragging me away from the fight.

“No- wait!” I gazed around to try and spot Callie in the room, but she was no longer at the altar with Fabian, and my heart splintered in fear. “My sister!” I demanded as Erik tugged me behind an enormous pillar.

He slammed his hands either side of my head, pinning me in place with his fangs bared. “Stay here. I’ll find her.”

“No,” I snarled, dragging up the folds of my dress and snatching Nightmare from my leg. I raised it and Erik’s eyes flashed at the slayer blade. “I’m coming with you.”

His jaw pulsed and I could tell he was about to refuse, but I ducked under his arm and fled back into the mayhem, not waiting on some pointless permission from him. He wasn’t my ruler.

The congregation were fleeing for their lives, running for the exit and wailing as they went.

Vampires fell at Magnar’s feet again and again. No one could get close to him. He was like a savage animal, killing without mercy, without any hesitation, terrifying in his brutality. His eyes swept across the crowd as if he was searching for someone, and I was sure it was Callie.

I spotted a flash of blonde hair and my heart soared as I shouldered through the crowd, crossing the cathedral. No one paid me any attention as I forged a path towards my sister, everyone either trying to escape or get close enough to engage Magnar in battle.

I’m coming, Callie. We won’t ever be parted again.