Chapter 13
Danni
I don’t like that I can’t see what is happening behind the curtain. All I can hear are gasps and random rounds of applause. There’s no telling what’s actually waiting for me on the other side.
Dread coils itself around me tighter and tighter after each name is called.
I take a big breath in and let it out slowly.
The faint squeaky sounds of the rubber catsuit that Betty helped me pick out is the only noise heard backstage.
I’d like to think I’m living out my Catwoman fantasy, but that remains to be seen.
The other Familiars lined up barely speak to me. I try to make conversation with each of them to dive into the inner workings of whatever spell the vampires cast over them. But they are so focused on what lay ahead.
“Okay, you’re up next,” the Rabbid guard says in his deep, raspy voice to the man in front of me.
The potential Familiar with short, spiky black hair and kind eyes, the one who had bounced on his heels and performed CrossFit circuits for the last hour, turns and gives me a goofy smile.
A twinge of guilt ties my stomach into knots.
I don’t know him, yet I feel personally responsible for his survival.
Hell, I don’t think I’ll survive, either.
If I do and he doesn’t, I’ll probably be haunted by his face forever.
His grin turns into confusion as he tries to read my expression. Shit, I’m supposed to be acting obsessed like the rest of them. I plaster a smile on my face and feign excitement, but I’m not sure if he buys it.
“Good luck out there.” I sound robotic. I need to pull myself together. “Although, I don’t think you’ll need it. You seem pretty fit.”
Why can’t I stop talking? Now I’m coming across as overly eager. His confused expression slips into something darker.
“Which member are you competing for?” His voice is colder than ice as his eyes skate over my body. My heart rate increases ever so slightly, and I remember what Knox told me about my blood.
“Knox.” I keep my tone friendly.
As far as anyone else here is concerned, I’m just a stupid human, eager to get into Knox’s pants. Definitely not a vampire hunter/journalist hell-bent on revenge.
“Me, too.” He raises an eyebrow as his focus zeroes in on me.
“Oh.”
Come on Danni, think!
“Well, I’m sure they’ll all be taking a few Familiars! Plenty of space for the both of us.” I playfully slap his huge muscular arm as I laugh nervously.
“Garrett, you’re up,” the Rabbid rasps impatiently, saliva dribbling onto his clown outfit.
These creatures really are disgusting.
Garrett gives me one last look up and down before pushing his way through the curtain. Pure distress flows through me, but I let out a held breath when he leaves.
Now I’m at the front of the line. I can’t see what’s happening beyond the curtain, but I can hear the gasps and laughter of the crowds on the other side.
It sure sounds like Garrett’s doing a good job at getting everyone’s blood pumped, which does me zero favors.
He will clearly be a hard act to follow.
And just because Knox is my fated mate doesn’t mean he won’t change his mind and decide he likes Garrett more than me.
My blood boils at the thought.
Fucking bond…
Am I seriously about to compete for his affections? It certainly looks that way.
But how am I supposed to put on a better show than Garrett? That guy is ripped and will no doubt breeze through whatever lies beyond.
I stand as still as humanly possible as I try to ignore the ragged breathing of the Rabbid next to me, focusing instead on how I can beat Garrett at winning the coveted spot of becoming Knox’s Familiar.
Suddenly, the crowd lets out a gasp. The unmistakable sound of ripping flesh filters through the tiny crack of the curtain.
What the fuck is going on out there? I thought we’re jumping through fire hoops, not being eaten alive by lions.
“How unfortunate,” Knox’s spoiled drawl is unmistakable from behind the curtain. “Someone clean up this mess before it starts to reek with fear.”
The sounds of shuffling feet follow his command. Unmistakable fear pounds through my blood, my breath coming in shallow gasps. The Rabbid’s head snaps to face me, his tongue licking his lips.
I thought fear was poisonous to vampires. Then why the hell is he looking at me like he’s going to eat me?
Fuck. It must be different for Rabbids.
“Bring out the next potential!”
I don’t wait for the Rabbid to give me any instructions—if he was even capable of that at this point. At the sound of Celeste’s ear-splitting voice, I launch myself through the curtain and into the arena.
Nothing could have prepared me.
This isn’t training. This was some twisted, dystopian nightmare.
The tall podium raised dangerously close to the top of the tent in front of me marks the beginning of the assault course. My eyes skim up the ladder that never seems to end. This is the absolute worst time to have a fear of heights.
“Interesting choice, potential match. Please take your position and begin your training.” At the sound of her smarmy voice, I mark Celeste as the first vampire I stake.
But what did she mean by “choice”?
I have no say in this! If I had it my way, the place would be full of tiny kittens that I have to pet in order to get through.
Immediately following that thought, a low, thunderous growl erupts throughout the arena. My heart races as I search for the source; it then stops altogether as the biggest lion I’ve ever seen prowls towards me.
Oh, shit.
Slowly, I move closer to the ladder. Lions can’t climb right? I grip the wood, old and rotten beneath my hands. The lion tracks my every movement, stalking me with each second that ticks by. To my surprise, the crowd cheers as another grumble rips from his chest.
“Nice kitty,” I mutter as it edges closer.
Fuck, what am I doing? Talking to a lion?!
But it’s either get over this fear of heights or be eaten alive by a lion.
I gulp and begin the ascent to the top. I make it about five steps up before the lion lunges. The wood cracks under my feet and I scramble for hold.
That thing is huge! If it jumps, it could easily bite my leg off.
Just as I think it, the lion leaps.
But I’m faster.
I scramble up the ladder, ignoring the wood creaking beneath my fingertips and focusing only on putting one arm in front of the other. Garrett is the only potential Familiar to claim he was interested in Knox. I have no idea if he is alive or dead, but I won’t be used as a personal plasma bank.
I’m here for one reason.
I saw through the illusion for one reason.
And a fucking ladder and the lion beneath it isn’t going to stop me.