“It’s me—Sabina.”
“Your presence is expected in the Dominae’s fortress,” Ewan said in a monotone. Considering he’d been a gregarious and smooth bar owner when he was alive, the change in personality creeped me out. It was like he’d been lobotomized as well as murdered.
I glanced at Adam. I hadn’t given much thought to who might be waiting for us in the castle. But now that they’d identified it as the home of the dead Dominae, I realized it made perfect sense. The leaders of the vampire race had led the living vampires with steel fists. Why should dying change their approach?
But that also meant I was about to come face-to-face with my grandmother, Lavinia Kane.
I’d expected to run into Lavinia at some point on this quest, but that didn’t help with my anxiety. I hadn’t seen my grandmother since the night Maisie killed her in a New Orleans cemetery. Of course she’d be waiting for me inside. Lilith couldn’t have chosen a better—and by better, I mean more fucked up—person to conduct my test. No doubt about it, getting through this next gate would be the toughest test yet.
Ten minutes later, Twiddle Bitter and Tweedle Dumb led our not-so-merry group into the main hall of Castle Dracula. At the front of the room, seven thrones had been erected on a dais. In each, a different female sat, each more intimidating than the last. Some quick math told me these were all the Dominae who’d ever existed. Back in ancient times, a singular female ruled the race before the new laws requiring three heads of the race were instated, which explained the female in the center. Her skin was so pale she practically glowed and the dried blood shade of her hair indicated her ancient age.
To her right sat the Dominae who had been the first triumvirate to lead the race. And to her left, three thrones were filled with Persephone, Tanith Severinus—who’d died the same night as Orpheus—and Lavinia Kane.
The edges of the room were lined with the males who served these ancient, powerful females. They wore collars around their bowed necks and didn’t dare look directly at any of their owners. The Dominae had always been violently matriarchal on earth, and it seemed those practices extended to their afterlife as well.
When we’d entered, Nyx and Horus had fallen in beside me with the others bringing up the rear. Since this was vampire territory, we’d have to be careful about protocol, thus the three vampires in our group needed to be the most visible.
As we approached, my eyes were on Persephone and Tanith. While I wouldn’t say they were exactly allies, they were the closest things I had in the room besides those who’d come with me. Besides, I could feel Lavinia’s hot glare on my forehead and I wasn’t ready to face her yet.
I felt Adam’s presence at my back. No doubt his eyes were on them, too. Part of me wondered if Tristan felt like a lamb being led into the wolf den but didn’t chance a look back to confirm this.
But while Tanith met my gaze steadily, Persephone’s attention was to my left, on Nyx. Now that I saw them together, I realized why Nyx had looked so familiar when I met her. She looked just like…
My steps faltered. My eyes swerved back to Nyx. She didn’t look shocked to see Persephone. If anything, she looked in awe to be in the presence of so many powerful female vampires. I shook my head; maybe I was just imagining things. But, damn, they really did look alike.
I finally chanced a glance at Lavinia. The hatred I expected was in her eyes, but so was confusion. No doubt she was puzzling over my new hairdo. I wondered if seeing me as a full-blooded vampire would soften her disposition toward me. Then I laughed at myself. The only thing that would soften my grandmother would be an exorcism.
“Sabina Kane.” The speaker was the ancient female in the center. I wracked my brain to try and remember the lessons I’d learned as a child about her and remembered that her name was Inanna. I shifted my gaze to her but was careful not to look her directly in the eye. To do so would be a direct challenge, and I didn’t want to start this conversation off with her feeling the need to put me in my place.
I stopped twenty feet back from the dais and bowed my head. The show of respect cost me some major pride points, but I had a feeling this group wouldn’t find any sign of rebellion amusing. I dipped to my knee and touched my right hand to my forehead. “Protectors of all Lilim, the blessings of the Great Mother upon each of you.”
On either side of me, Nyx and Horus mirrored my movements.
“You may rise,” Inanna said. As we stood, she continued. “I see you have survived your tests thus far. I’d say it’s nice to see you have finally embraced your vampire side, but do not for a moment think this will aid you in the coming test.”
“Don’t worry,” I said. “I know better than to expect any mercy from this group.”
She smiled. Her fangs were brilliant white and sharp as razors. “Excellent.” She kept her eyes on me. “Domina Kane, you may proceed.”
Lavinia rose. Her spectral form still wore the same ruby ball gown she’d had on when my sister ripped her head from her body. As she came down the steps, she smiled like a snake ready to strike. “What have you done with your hair?”
As far as opening salvos went, it lacked that certain menacing quality I’d been expecting. Still, it put me on edge. I raised my chin but said nothing. I wasn’t about to explain to her that the shameful mage blood she’d abhorred had been removed. Besides, she probably already knew and was just trying to put me on the defensive.
“I see you’ve brought friends,” she said, looking over my head. “Tristan Graecus, I’m surprised you dare step foot in Irkalla.”
“Why?” my father shot back. “You tried to send me here yourself.”
Her face tightened. “Yes, that’s what I get for not doing the job myself.” She waved a hand. “No matter. You’ll be here permanently soon enough.”
“Enough,” I said. “Just get on with it.”
Her shark’s eyes glittered menacingly. “I wouldn’t be in such a rush if I were you.”
I crossed my arms. “Try me.”
She smiled then, a cold, self-satisfied expression that sent a chill of foreboding down my spine. “Since you are fully vampire now, your test is to prove you’re worthy of that pure blood.”I tilted my head. “How?”
She opened her mouth to continue, but a sound from outside made her stop. I turned toward the doors, where several fists pounded against the wood. Muted shouts filtered through. I could only make out a few words but my name and the word “revenge” stood out like neon.
“Oh good, right on time,” Lavinia said.
“What the hell is that?” I demanded.
“That, my dear, is the sound of hundreds of vampire spirits demanding your blood. Three hundred and twenty-seven to be exact.”
Cold sweat erupted on my chest. My hand automatically went to grab my gun, but then I realized that bullets were useless against spirits.
“You have two choices,” Lavinia continued. “If you refuse to endure one of these tests, you will have to fight your way through that mob to get back out.”
No way in hell would I be able to fight off that many angry spirits. Even with the help of two mages and two vampires, the odds were too steep. There’s no way we’d all survive. And even if we managed, Cain was still out there somewhere.
“Are you ready to hear the options?” Lavinia’s tone had a singsong quality to it that told me she was enjoying this too much. I looked around at my friends. Their tense faces stared back at me and I knew that there was no way I’d be able to risk them like that. So whatever the test entailed, I’d do it.
The banging at the door intensified.
“Yes!” I yelled.
Lavinia snapped her fingers and the banging stopped instantly. I blew out a relieved breath.
“Your first choice is you must select one of your team and drain them of every drop of their blood.”
My stomach cramped as if she’d punched me. A hush fell over the throne room.
I briefly considered changing my mind and battling through the horde, but I knew it wasn’t possible. If I drained one of the team, then only one would die. If I chose to fight, we all would.
“What is the other choice?” I asked, praying in vain it would be easier.
Lavinia licked her lips. “You renounce all ties to your vampire blood.”
“What does that entail, exactly?” Adam asked.
Lavinia shot him a venomous look for daring to address her directly. She looked back at me as if I had asked the question. “You will surrender your fangs and your immortality.” Her tone was too giddy. This was the choice she was hoping I’d make.
I chewed on my bottom lip, considering the possibility and sorting through possible loopholes.
“Sabina, no,” Tristan said, coming closer. I turned to face him. “You can’t give up your vampire powers. You still have more tests to survive. You already gave up your magic; there’s no way you can survive the remaining challenges without any powers at all.”
I raised my hands in a futile gesture. “What choice do I have otherwise? Are you going to pick which one of you I kill?”
Tristan raised his chin. “Me.”
I stared at him in shocked silence. “What?”
His stare didn’t waver, but he said nothing more.
“I second that selection,” Lavinia said with a shit-eating grin.
Ignoring her, I gaped at my father. “Why would you do that?”
“My life has been dedicated to one purpose: stopping Cain. If surrendering my own life will aid you in that mission, I will give it gladly.”
“Tristan, no!” Nyx gasped. “Sabina, kill me.” She started to undo her shirt to remove her vest. “It’s the only way to convince Asclepius to leave you alone.”
“Stop!” Persephone yelled.
We all turned to stare at her. She rose from her throne and came down the steps. Her gorgeous face was pale, like she was terrified. “Nicolette, I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself.”