Vampire Girl (Vampire Girl #1)(22)

I watch, amazed. Asher is impressive in his own right, but nothing in bulk compared to the dungeon-beast, and yet, the demon seems terrified of the Prince.

"Apologies, Master. It will not happen again."

"See that it doesn't, or you will suffer a much worse fate than those sorry souls once did."

I turn my attention back to my mother and watch her for a few more moments before Asher puts a hand on my shoulder. "You've seen her. I have fulfilled my promise. We must be going now."

He turns to walk out and I follow him, but as I reach the end of the room, the demon grabs my elbow. I pull away, instant panic filling my veins. His eyeteeth elongate and his pupils dilate, but he doesn't try to bite me. Instead, he leans down to whisper into my ear. "Beware the princes of hell. Not all of them are pleased that you will decide on the next king. Not all of them wish you alive."





Chapter 6


THE SEVEN REALMS OF HELL


––––––––

"Don't let the pretty baubles fool you, Princess. We are still demons. This is still a dangerous place."

—Fenris Vane

I rush out the door and into the arms of Fen.

The air immediately cools, and I suck in a breath and sag against Fen's chest. He stiffens in surprise and I realize what I'm doing and pull back. "Er... sorry about that. The, uh, guard in there scared me and... " My voice trails and I really have no idea what to say next so I take another step back, but end up bumping into the stone wall behind me. Fenris is still staring at me, his blue eyes pulling me into him as he steps closer. His wolf is by his side and scoots forward with his master, his eyes on us both.

Fen is so close to me now I can smell the wildness that clings to him like a cologne. He inhales deeply, his eyes unreadable, and his eyeteeth elongate. His eyes drop to my neck, and I know I should be scared. A vampire is checking me out like I'm dinner. But I'm not scared. I'm... entranced. A low growl vibrates in his throat as he leans in. "You should be more careful, Princess."

His breath brushes against my neck, sending a chill down my spine. "My name isn't Princess, or girl, it's Ari. Arianna if you want to be formal."

Fen looks at me with a strange expression, like he's trying to figure out what I am.

"Time to go," says Asher from the top of the stairs, once again interrupting something that feels heavy. The wolf, whose name I really must learn soon, reverts into his defensive position.

"Does your wolf basically hate everyone but you?" I ask.

Fen looks down at him. "Usually, yes. You seem to be the exception."

Asher clears his throat. "Sorry to interrupt you two, but Dean is waiting and you know how patient he is."

Fen pulls away from me and turns to face Asher. "Dean can wait as long as needed. I care little for whatever so-called demands he has on his time."

"Be that as it may, we still must go. Unless you two are planning to stay in the dungeon all night?"

I shiver at the thought, and the wolf steps away from Fen to come closer to me, pushing his large head against my leg until I pet him. Both the princes stare at us, open jawed, for several seconds.

Asher is the first to break the silence. "What the—?"

Fen crosses his arms over his chest. "He's been like that since she got here. I've never seen anything like it."

"The other brothers are not going to like this, Fenris. They will feel you are taking liberties to weigh things in your favor."

Watching the two of them is like watching the North and South Pole in an odd dance. They are so different—Asher with his fine suits and refinement and Fen with his wildness and leather—but somehow they compliment each other in a strange way.

Fen scoffs at Asher's words. "I care as much about that bloody throne as I do about Dean's latest conquest, which is to say not at all. They should know that. This isn't my game, it's all of yours."

"Be that as it may, this will ruffle feathers."

Fen pulls his eyes from me and the wolf to turn to Asher. "I'll do more than ruffle feathers if any of them dare challenge me."

The warden's warning echoes in my mind. Is Fen one of those displeased at my presence?

Asher holds up his hands in surrender. "I'm on your side in this, brother. You know that."

Fen nods his head once sharply, and begins walking up the staircase back to the main castle. His wolf stays by my side until Fen turns, face puckered with irritation. He whistles, and the wolf rubs against me again, whining. "Oh for the love of all that's unholy, what is wrong with you, Baron?"

I'm starting to feel bad for Fen, so I nudge Baron with my hand. "Go on. I'll be okay."

He looks up at me, his eyes so intelligent, and almost nods, then slowly moves to Fen, but keeps looking back to make sure I'm coming. I stifle a grin and hurry up the stairs as Fen curses and turns away from us. Asher watches with a mix of amusement and worry on his face.

As we make our way to wherever Asher is taking us, I ask the question I've been wanting an answer to for some time. "Are we going to talk about the fact that these Fae keep attacking me?"

"No," Fen says gruffly. I think he's still mad about his wolf not obeying him.

"If they do manage to kidnap me, what are they planning to do?"