Chapter 1 #3
“Ah,” the Beta wags his finger at Lazarus, “but she did. Accept your place in fate. You should be proud that two such important figures in the kingdom are honoring you tonight. I am Ruin, the leader of the Void Cult. And you both will play a crucial part in holding back chaos.”
I snort through my tears in derision.
Can Lazarus see the lie?
Ruin caresses his fingers down my wing, and I flinch from him in distress. Only my future Omega and bonded members of my royal nest should touch my wings; it’s a violation.
“Chaos is what arises without order.” Ruin explores my wing like he owns it.
“In an unbalanced world, there would be drought, famine, and floods. Do you want that for our people? The existence of royal twins like you is symbolic of chaos. But I created a solution. You will offer your blood as the sacrifice that saves us from the Void.”
No, please, no.
I scream into my ribbon gag.
Take me. Take me instead.
The words are muffled, however, dying even as they’re birthed.
I can’t lose my brother. I won’t let him be killed.
“Why such dramatics, princeling?” Ruin cups my cheek, thumbing away a tear with a bright smile.
“Your brother will need to be trained by me for the position. The Void does not open again for at least another twelve years. Only then will it become a danger to the Shadow Realms. Your twin will be a hero, the savior of our kingdom from the Void Devils. Doesn’t that sound good? ”
I attempt to shake my head.
“I’ll do it,” Lazarus says, determinedly.
What in the name of the Shadow Devils is he doing?
I hear Lazarus stand.
“But only if you promise not to hurt my brother,” Lazarus adds. “He m-m-mustn’t d-d-die too.”
My sweet, perfect, good brother.
I sob.
Lazarus, Lazarus, Lazarus.
Bile rushes up my throat.
Nebet loosens the ribbons around me, lowering me to the floor and unraveling the gag from around my mouth. “Of course. Why would you imagine that I would damage such valuable property? Now, make your goodbyes quick.”
She spins me to face my brother.
Our agonized gazes meet.
My brother is a mess.
His eyes are red-rimmed. His cheeks are tear streaked. His hair is tangled.
He is coming apart.
I bet that I look the same.
We are identical twins. No matter who parts us, we’ll bear the same souls, heart, and blood until we’re buried in the tombs, then our spirits will find each other in hell.
No one will be able to part us for eternity.
“Lan…” Lazarus’ voice breaks on the word, before he runs to throw his arms around me.
I collapse into my brother’s familiar hold, wishing that I could wrap my arms around him, or at least my wings.
I nuzzle against him as much as I can, however, taking desperate breaths of his scent.
Deep in my soul, I know that this is the last time that I will see him.
“I will find you,” I whisper. “I will rescue you.”
“Don’t.” Lazarus tightens his hold on me. “Just live for us both, okay? I’ll think of you every night. Think of me…? Don’t forget me.”
“How could I?” I force out through my tears. “I’ll remember you every time I eat cake.”
“You drink twice as much blood as I do. But you told me that it’s weak of us to eat Shadow Human food.” He lets out a laugh that is more like a sob. “You never eat cake.”
“I will now: Honey and date bat cakes. But only because they are your favorite.” Then I add, in a frenzied whisper, hoping that my brother truly listens, “Laz, be careful. Don’t trust Ruin or be taken in by his speeches.
He’s conditioning you to kill yourself on command, just as the scarlet bitch here intends to train me to kill on command.
You must remember that they’re lying and will betray—"
“And that’s enough.” Ruin snatches Lazarus around the waist and into his arms. “We have a long way to travel tonight. Once you’re inside the Void pyramid complex, you won’t be leaving it again.
The sacrifice must be kept pure.” He shoots me a disgusted look.
“And away from polluted creatures who are a bad influence.”
“Brother.” Lazarus tries to squirm around in Ruin’s hold; his shadows reach out to me.
Held in place by the ribbons, I watch — powerless — as my brother is carried away into the night. My moths follow him like a ghostly funeral procession.
“I won’t forget you,” I yell. “I won’t let you die in the Void. I’ll throw myself in instead.”
Inside, I’m shaking apart.
This is worse than death; it is a hollowing loneliness.
For the first time, since the moment that I was born, I am alone.
I will be alone forever.
Nebet grips me by the chin. “Beast, you’re going nowhere but into the Scarlet Temple.
An Alpha like you is not worthy of their own fated mate.
Assassins and monsters don’t bond. At least then you will be the last vampire born with The Power.
You will have the sharpest fangs, claws, and blade because you will have no family, Omega, nor love.
Also, it is an ancient rule that those with The Power must wear gloves.
You will likely go mad without touch. You are the one who will feel like they have eaten burning poison.
I am interested to see, once your ruts start, how long it is before you turn feral without an Omega or nest, and I am granted permission from your mother to put you down.
For generations, the Scarlet Temple has taken it as our sacred duty to hunt down and execute monsters like you.
Now, I have you leashed. Perhaps, we shall see if a captive monster is worth saving? ”
She is blurred through my tears, but my eyes glow with rage.
I may be a captive, but I am still the monster of legend.
Nebet is interested to see how soon I turn feral…?
I already feel like I am feral.
For the moment, I must behave for my brother’s sake.
But I won’t obey.
I won’t kneel.
I haven’t promised to do anything.
On the spirits of my tortured ancestors and the beating of my heart, I swear that I will take my revenge.
Nebet has torn apart the Shadow Twins tonight. It may take me decades, but I will find a way to savage the cold throat of this kingdom and feast on its warm blood.