Again, the smile pulls on the corners of my lips. “Keep your man toy. I vow to take what you love most, and that, Jasmine Veltora, is the House. I will disassemble it right from under your feet and watch you fall. Alone. The Conrath family hasn’t claimed the House for two hundred years, but that’s about to change. The House is mine. And I’m taking it.”
Jasmine’s eyes slowly grow wide, her mouth falling just slightly open.
Without a breath from her, I turn, and walk back to the car.
WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY HOPE, free spirit, the possibility of new love, and all the things that make life bright and worth living, all you’re left with is revenge and anger.
I pace in front of the chalkboard in my father’s office. On it, I’ve written the names of each member of the house.
I’m pretty sure I’ve already won Lillian. I haven’t seen her since the night of my party, but I imagine she’s keeping herself safe. Lying in wait until I make a move. There’s nothing she can do for now.
I think I can win Anna over. She doesn’t seem particularly loyal to anyone in the house. It’s companionship she craves. And a strong backbone. She doesn’t seem to dislike me by any means. I will figure out how to sway her to my side.
The Kask brothers. I’m not sure how they will play out. Samuel flirts endlessly, but flirtation means nothing. Christian is always known to smile at anything with breasts. But Christian told me that story of his father and how he was the leader before Jasmine. I think I can use that information to my advantage.
I will never want Micah in my house. He had a line drawn through his name the second I wrote it up there.
I doubt that I will be able to gain the allegiance of Trinity, either. I don’t know why she doesn’t like me, but somehow I feel that isn’t going to change.
Cameron will be easy, I think. Be his friend, give him a smile when he cracks a joke, provide him with plenty of salty snacks, and he’ll be anyone’s best friend.
It comes down to Markov. If I can gain him, I know I can do this. With his support, the others won’t question me. He has that kind of power, which makes me wonder why he isn’t the leader instead of Jasmine. Then again, he is driven by his lust for blood. It’s hard to lead when you’re constantly thinking about your next kill.
He will be the most complicated one to win over.
“Revenge is a dangerous game.”
I turn to see Rath standing in my doorway. Hands clasped behind his back. Expression calm and even.
“This isn’t just a game of revenge,” I say as I face my board again. “It’s a game of power.”
“And that was the downfall of many royals throughout all history,” he says.
I take a deep breath, feeling it rattle my core. I’ve grieved. I still grieve. I’ve lost Ian. He was killed because of me. And that could destroy me. Could rip my soul to pieces. Could render me useless in my bed for months to come. But instead I choose to channel it. “I can’t just do nothing. Someone has to change this madness.”
“And that I understand.” I hear Rath’s boots cross into the room. I look back to see him place something on the desk.
It’s a crown. Golden and ornate. It holds but a single red jewel in its center, right above the relief of a crow, it’s wings widespread, stretching along the length of it.
“But I beg you to play carefully.”
I set the stick of chalk down on the tray and cross to the desk. Cautiously, hesitantly, my fingers trace over the cold metal. I pick it up and study it’s intricacies.
A vampire crown for a vampire royal. The word has always felt like an unreal thing. Something that’s said, but holds no real meaning.
But seeing this crown, touching it, feeling it’s solid weight, the meaning behind that word begins to take reality.
I am a royal. A Born vampire princess. I am the descendent of a literal King.
“The crown has been in your family line for over eight hundred years, since the inception of the Conrath name. The House of Ravens. Honor the name well as you play this dangerous game.”
Both our eyes jump to the door when there’s a single heavy knock from the front door. It’s followed by just one more.
My mind races through all the possibilities of who it could be. Elle. Lillian. Jasmine. It’s dark outside. So really, it could be any of the House.
Rath takes a step toward the door, but I hold a hand out. “No,” I say. He looks back at me with uncertainty. “I’ll go.”
His eyes argue with me.
I shake my head as I set the crown back on the desk. “I’m done being afraid. A ruler isn’t afraid. And it’s time to rise.”
Rath takes a step back, clearing the doorway for me, and bows his head in consent.