Many eyes in the house turned to gaze upon us and the people whispered secretly among themselves. “I’ll have one of the servants take your purse to your room.” With all their eyes on me, I couldn’t act suspicious. I handed the man the key to my survival and tried to appear unconcerned about parting with the accessory.
I slipped further into character, smiling and walking with confidence beside Antonio. He was leading us into a large living room area. His hand held out to keep me from entering before him. Without breaking stride, he walked straight up to where Dante was seated in a large chair that reminded me of a throne. The ancient one had no signs of injury. His crimson robe opened down the front was a big change from what he had been wearing the day of the attack. Businessman Dante and Vampire Dante were definitely two different people. Two nude women stood on either side of him near the back of the chair waiting for his command. Antonio knelt in front of his father and bowed his head.
“Master Sanuto , I come bringing you a gift as apology for my severe lack of judgment. If the penalty of forgiveness is death, then I give myself to your punishment.” It was a convincing little speech and it made chills run up my spine. The vampire stood slowly, eyeing his son. Not one person in the room made a sound.
“Rise.” Dante gave the command and Antonio stood calmly with closed eyes. He was waiting and prepared for a death sentence. “What kind of leader would I be to let you live after betrayal?”
Most of the vampires in the room looked fearful, some had tears, and others covered their mouths to keep silent. It took all my self-control to remain calm. I just knew I was about to witness Antonio’s death.
Antonio opened his eyes and met the elder’s inquiring eyes. “You are the king of our people. Your word is truth. You will always be our greatest leader.”
“Well spoken, my son.” He walked back and forth gracefully for a moment. “ Tonio , is absolved from his sins providing he doesn’t fail me again. The people need their prince.” His open armed gesture made the crowd go wild with cheers. Antonio stepped forward and embraced his father. It appeared so sincere that it almost touched my heart. Almost. I knew enough of Dante to figure out his political games. It was just to our advantage that his society loved Antonio.
“Thank you, Master.” Antonio said before taking a seat in a chair near his father’s.
Dante Sanuto was calm, unpredictable, and dangerous. His eyes bore into mine from across the room. I had the feeling he wouldn’t be so forgiving of me. I remembered the painting of me in his bedroom at the hotel. Similar ones were spread throughout what I’d seen of the mansion so far. The largest of which was in the current room. Would his followers see me as the long awaited queen or as the whore that betrayed their king? Antonio had said not to worry. It wasn’t that easy.
“Now, who thinks I should unwrap my present?” The vampire asked his disciples. Another round of hoops and applause filled the room. “I can’t say no to that. Continue with your revelries while I indulge in mine.” He gave an elegant fling of his robe, shirtless underneath, and took a seat on his throne. His finger crooked in my direction and I began the walk across the room. Music began playing again and the people did as they were told, engaging once more in their wild passions.
“Master.” I fell to my knees in front of him, bent over as I kissed both of his shoes. For a long moment I stayed in this position, waiting until he gave me a command. This would have been easier if I’d been able to get into the mansion alone. Antonio seated there watching on made me feel sick to my stomach. I didn’t risk even the smallest glance toward him, just kept
I slipped further into character, smiling and walking with confidence beside Antonio. He was leading us into a large living room area. His hand held out to keep me from entering before him. Without breaking stride, he walked straight up to where Dante was seated in a large chair that reminded me of a throne. The ancient one had no signs of injury. His crimson robe opened down the front was a big change from what he had been wearing the day of the attack. Businessman Dante and Vampire Dante were definitely two different people. Two nude women stood on either side of him near the back of the chair waiting for his command. Antonio knelt in front of his father and bowed his head.
“Master Sanuto , I come bringing you a gift as apology for my severe lack of judgment. If the penalty of forgiveness is death, then I give myself to your punishment.” It was a convincing little speech and it made chills run up my spine. The vampire stood slowly, eyeing his son. Not one person in the room made a sound.
“Rise.” Dante gave the command and Antonio stood calmly with closed eyes. He was waiting and prepared for a death sentence. “What kind of leader would I be to let you live after betrayal?”
Most of the vampires in the room looked fearful, some had tears, and others covered their mouths to keep silent. It took all my self-control to remain calm. I just knew I was about to witness Antonio’s death.
Antonio opened his eyes and met the elder’s inquiring eyes. “You are the king of our people. Your word is truth. You will always be our greatest leader.”
“Well spoken, my son.” He walked back and forth gracefully for a moment. “ Tonio , is absolved from his sins providing he doesn’t fail me again. The people need their prince.” His open armed gesture made the crowd go wild with cheers. Antonio stepped forward and embraced his father. It appeared so sincere that it almost touched my heart. Almost. I knew enough of Dante to figure out his political games. It was just to our advantage that his society loved Antonio.
“Thank you, Master.” Antonio said before taking a seat in a chair near his father’s.
Dante Sanuto was calm, unpredictable, and dangerous. His eyes bore into mine from across the room. I had the feeling he wouldn’t be so forgiving of me. I remembered the painting of me in his bedroom at the hotel. Similar ones were spread throughout what I’d seen of the mansion so far. The largest of which was in the current room. Would his followers see me as the long awaited queen or as the whore that betrayed their king? Antonio had said not to worry. It wasn’t that easy.
“Now, who thinks I should unwrap my present?” The vampire asked his disciples. Another round of hoops and applause filled the room. “I can’t say no to that. Continue with your revelries while I indulge in mine.” He gave an elegant fling of his robe, shirtless underneath, and took a seat on his throne. His finger crooked in my direction and I began the walk across the room. Music began playing again and the people did as they were told, engaging once more in their wild passions.
“Master.” I fell to my knees in front of him, bent over as I kissed both of his shoes. For a long moment I stayed in this position, waiting until he gave me a command. This would have been easier if I’d been able to get into the mansion alone. Antonio seated there watching on made me feel sick to my stomach. I didn’t risk even the smallest glance toward him, just kept
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