Anderson lived as a new bite for years. Even though he was insane with bloodlust, he remembers many of his victims and the brutal way in which he killed them. He lives with that regret every day and has vowed to help as many new bites escape that same fate. He’s tough, but the best at what he does.
These two vampires have been my saving grace. The pressure of being the king of vampires is too much on most days and unbearable on others. I’m holding myself together by a string and the newest events threaten to unravel it. Marina has softened me, creating a new weakness that I can’t afford.
My mind wanders to Marina and how she’s doing. I’m worried about her, but I can’t call. It’s too dangerous. I don’t know who’s friend or foe at this point and I won’t put her life at risk because of humanlike emotions.
“Fuck,” I yell out, feeling frustrated and out of control.
I’ve never had these warring emotions. It isn’t in my vampire nature, yet ever since I tasted Marina’s blood, it’s as though her feelings have filtered into me. Poisoning me. It’s maddening, and no matter what I do, the frustration continues to build.
Leaving her was the hardest thing I’ve had to do, when it should’ve been the easiest considering it was necessary. The current new bite situation has to be my top priority. Marina’s in good hands with Law. She’s safe. The knowledge that she’d want me to help all of the humans that were changed that night helps me focus. It shouldn’t be this difficult.
Bash and Law have been trying to convince me that I can’t shelter Marina forever, arguing that if I’m going to make her my queen, this is the life I’m damning her to.
You could set her free.
My fists slam down onto the desk, rattling the drawers and contents within. The thought of losing Marina triggers a blinding rage that consumes me. I haven’t lived lifetimes of unhappiness just to have a moment of her light in my presence. One hit of her blood and I’m utterly addicted. I won’t survive without her by my side. My fear of losing her is all-consuming, and it’s threatening everything I’ve worked so hard for. My standing as Crown depends on my ability to shut off these infuriating emotions and to put my race and humanity first.
If I don’t get this new bite situation under control, I might lose her anyway.
The entire population of vampires worldwide is estimated at six hundred fifty thousand, the size of a small city. But with Marcellus’s army transitioning bites across the world, that number is growing at staggering rates.
I’m unsure as to when I stood from my desk and headed toward block six, but here I am making my way through the halls of five as new bites scream and lash out against the iron bars.
“I’ll tear out your heart and eat it,” a new bite gurgles through a mouth full of blood.
They’re fed vials of blood we’ve accumulated through a blood bank that Anderson has access to. He assures me the acquisition is legal and he has a deal with a doctor. I don’t ask questions. At this point, even if he is getting it illegally, stealing is better than having piles of dead humans.
“Where are you going?” the creature growls.
I turn to stare into the red eyes of the monster in front of me. That’s what this vampire currently is, a pathetic demon, ready to prey on the innocent. Uncontrolled and dangerous. He wants out of this prison, but it won’t happen. Not with him like this. I’d allow him to die before I unleashed him onto the world.
“If I were you, I’d watch who you speak to like that,” I warn, voice full of venom.
“You? You’re pathetic. You don’t deserve to rule this world.”
I snap.
All of the building pressure and stress of the job I’ve been handed crescendos until I’m blinded with fury. I can’t even recall taking out the master key from my pocket or ripping open the cell door. I vaguely remember wrapping my hands around the vampire’s neck and squeezing. All the while, the untamed creature bared his teeth and practically laughed in my face.
From there, it’s fragmented memories of repeatedly driving my fist into the creature’s face until two solid arms wrapped around me, drawing my body backward.
“Julian, calm the fuck down,” Bash yells in my ears, as I buck and thrash, trying to get out of his grip.
“Get off of me,” I growl, but he never lets go.
His grip gets tighter as he holds me against his chest. I continue to jerk against his restraint until the fight drains from me and I’m left panting and reflecting on what I’ve just done.
“You good?” Bash grates. “I’m not letting you go if you’re going to beat the poor sap again.”
“I’m fine,” I snap, finally jerking out of his hold.
I stare at the heap of flesh at my feet. The vampire doesn’t even twitch. He’s not dead, but he’s knocked out cold.
“Cross,” I yell out to the guard watching block five. Where had he been while all this was going down? “Y-yes sir?” Cross simpers from the chair against the wall. “Secure this beast and take away any comfort he has. He’ll need to show respect before he gets it back.”
“Is that necessary, considering?” Bash motions toward the supine vampire. “I’d say you showed him.”
I whirl around on my right hand, standing to my full height so we’re eye to eye.
“Are you questioning me, Sebastian?” My words are low and threatening.
He releases a humorless laugh. “I’m pointing out the man’s down. Who knows what damage you’ve done.”
I growl, taking one step closer so that we’re toe to toe. “Whatever damage was done came from the actions of that creature,” I snarl, pointing my finger at the vampire. “Things are moving too damn slow around here, because I’ve allowed everyone to grow soft. We don’t have time for that anymore, Bash. Things need to go back to the way they were.”
He nods, knowing I’m right. Prior to the auction and Marina entering my life, the whole process of rehabilitating a single vampire took roughly three to five days to get them to the phase of control and two weeks tops for the entire transition. Now it’s taking longer than two weeks to get control. Far too long.
“I see your point. Things do need to change around here.”
It’s my turn to nod.
“Cross,” I bite out.
“Yes, sir,” says the harried vampire who’s clearly not suited for the position of guard.
Cross is young and easily stressed in my presence. He’s a good kid, but that’s what he is. In order to control a new bite, you must convey authority. There’s none of that going on here in block five.
“You’re no longer needed at this post. I’ll find you something else to do around here.”
“B-but, sir—”
“Bash, please get with Anderson and make the change.”
With that, I stalk away from block five and the unconscious vampire. Marina wouldn’t know what to do with this side of me. My true side. In order to rule vampires, I must be cruel at times. Our race is made up of traitorous beings, and to instill fear is to instill trust. It’s an ass-backward philosophy, but true for our kind nonetheless.
I ponder my next move the entire way to block six and by the time I’m standing in front of the cell, I’m sure that I need to give Anderson back the authority he once had. The days of coddling bloodthirsty creatures is over. It does them no good.