Forever Touched (Touch of Vampire #5)

CHAPTER 29

29

ADALYN

I couldn’t stop shaking, and not only because of my nerves.

Everett hadn’t been able to give me any venom last night. It had been two whole days since my last dose, and although my cravings had lessened this past week with his help, I desperately needed a fix.

I’d been naive and incredibly stupid to think that Mistress wouldn’t find out about our secret nightly rendezvous or about Pepper. She had me exactly where she wanted me, and I’d never felt so small. So helpless . Pepper was locked away in Octavia’s room, and I was currently locked in the basement. I’d reached out through our bond countless times to make sure she was safe, but knowing hadn’t made me feel any better.

This was all my fault. I never should have quit the club. Never should have allowed a grumpy, green-eyed prince into my life. Never should have dared to wish I could be anything but an indentured blood whore.

Because of my rash behavior, everyone I cared about was in danger. If anything happened to them, I wouldn’t survive. I wouldn’t want to.

Quit it, Adalyn. You’re not to blame for any of this. And if you keep thinking so loudly, your mate is going to overhear and start asking questions .

At Pepper’s scolding, I clasped my trembling hands in my lap with a sigh. He’s going to hate me after this. I’m about to ruin everything .

Pepper snorted. That boy is head over heels for you. And if I’m not mistaken, you feel the same way about him.

I do care about him. A lot. But that’s the problem. He’s trying to save me, and I’m about to betray him .

That premonition isn’t set in stone, Ada. It will only happen if you allow it to, if you don’t fight to change your fate.

I’d woken up drenched in sweat this morning, the same dream of me stabbing Everett in the heart racing through my mind. Pepper had felt my panic, and I’d finally told her about the premonition. She knew how my magic worked even more than I did. On the spirit plane, she’d spent centuries honing her skills, using magic in ways I couldn’t even fathom. I’d only been allowed a few short years to practice my Oracle magic before Mistress had forced me to lock it all away, save for one ability.

An ability that had been twisted into something ugly, all in the name of survival.

You’re stronger than you think, Adalyn , Pepper gently continued. You had a premonition, and that’s an encouraging sign. It means you’ve taken back some of your control. Tonight is your night to change your fate. You might not believe it, but I do. Now go get your prince charming and stop worrying about me .

But —

I mean it, Ada. I might be small, but I’m a survivor like you. Trust me to look after myself .

I started to protest again, but the basement door suddenly rattled as someone turned the lock. I shot off my bed and quickly smoothed my skirt, hoping I hadn’t wrinkled it. The blue satin fabric was thin and delicate, yet surprisingly strong. It had a high slit in front, allowing the light fabric to billow behind me in waves. The top was simple, held up by thin straps that criss-crossed behind, the back so low that my entire spine was on display.

A dancer’s dream dress. It allowed for free movement, the only adornment a simple bow tied around my waist. The dress had arrived several hours ago, along with a silver mask and simple note.

“For Star.”

I immediately knew who had sent it and so had Mistress.

“Be ready promptly at ten,” was all she’d said, then shoved the box into my arms and ordered me down to the basement.

I’d decided to keep my hair down for the occasion, the silvery strands falling neatly to my waist. Most of my makeup and accessories were in my room at Dreamscape, but I’d managed to find a pair of silver stilettos and do a decent job on my face. Fake sapphire earrings and sapphire-studded cuff bracelets completed the ensemble. My silver mask was already in place, transforming me into the person Mistress wanted me to be.

Mysterious. Charming. Alluring.

Star.

I waited for her to call me up, but as the basement door swung open, I heard the sound of high-heeled shoes on the stairs. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead. She never came down here. To say I was freaking out would be an understatement.

When she reached the bottom and turned to face me, I forced myself to hold still. Had she changed her mind? Had she decided that killing me was the best solution? Despite how terrified I was, I lifted my chin as she inspected me from head to toe. She was wearing a black dress that hugged her curves and showed off ample cleavage. Diamonds dripped from her neck, wrists, and fingers. They were even woven into her elaborate updo. Her mask was black shot through with gold, making her look mysterious, but in a creepy villain sort of way .

She took a few more steps and thrust something at me. “Put this on.”

I reached out with trembling fingers as if the object was a venomous snake. It might as well be. The second it was in my hand, I realized what it was.

My knife.

I almost dropped it. Almost hurled it across the room.

This couldn’t be happening. This couldn’t—

“ Do it, Adalyn,” Mistress snapped.

Trembling even harder, I slipped the garter onto my right leg and made sure the attached knife was situated on my outer thigh. The dress barely managed to conceal it, but the high slit made it all too easy for me to reach down and pull the weapon free.

Unable to keep silent a moment longer, I blurted, “Why?”

“Because you’re going to start a revolution tonight,” she replied, stepping back to eye me with a satisfied smile. “You’ll call on the blood bonds you’ve nurtured over the past few years, telling every single noble, drothen, and council member that the time has come to rise up. When the battle is imminent, you will then turn to the crown prince and stab him in the heart.”

Dread sucked all the air from my lungs. “No,” I whispered, my heart starting to break.

“ Yes ,” she said, piercing me with her eyes. “When the clock strikes midnight, Prince Everett will be dead and the revolution will be reborn. A Masquerade Ball at the castle is the perfect opportunity to make our move. The Venturi will start eliminating each other, and in the chaos, the royals won’t realize that rogues have invaded their precious island and joined the fight until it’s too late. With the help of our weak-minded Venturi clients, we’ll finally be able to seek change. No more begging the royal family to hear us. To see us. Once they’ve been overthrown, we’ll create a new government for this kingdom, one where Feltore have the same privileges as the Venturi.”

Even though I’d known about her plan for years, my mind reeled at the news. When I’d first agreed to help her ensnare clients by planting false dreams inside their minds, I’d only wanted two things. To pay off my father’s debt as quickly as possible, and to seek revenge on the vampires who’d killed him. Helping my enemies go to war with each other was just icing on the cake. Both sides would suffer losses, and that was fine by me.

Was fine by me. But not anymore. Not since I’d met Everett. He was heavily flawed, but he was everything I needed. Everything I craved. My heart danced when he was near. He made me feel alive and safe, and the thought of hurting him was more than I could bear.

“I can’t kill Everett.”

The words were out before I could stop them. Mistress didn’t react for a painfully long moment. Then, she threw her head back and laughed. “Oh, you stupid, stupid girl. You’ve fallen in love with the brute.”

My mouth fell open, but nothing came out.

Seeing the shock on my face, she stopped laughing to cluck her tongue disapprovingly. “Oh, Adalyn, you disappoint me. I thought you were smarter than this. It doesn’t matter that he saved you a time or two. It doesn’t even matter that fate mistakenly made him your soulmate. He’s the enemy . You’ve always known this. You should have gotten inside his head when you had the chance. Instead, you allowed him to get inside yours. Pathetic.”

Recovering from my shock, I shook my head and repeated, “I can’t kill him. I’ll call on the blood bonds. I’ll become your blood whore again. I’ll do anything you want me to do. But please , Mistress. Don’t ask me to kill Everett. ”

Her expression flattened. In a blur, she was in my face, viciously gripping my chin. “I wasn’t asking, Adalyn,” she hissed. “I was telling you. Who do you think you are making demands when you’re completely at my mercy? Did you think I would sympathize with you? Well, guess again. Everett D’angelo needs to die for this revolution to begin, and you’re the perfect person to kill him. The bastard trusts you and won’t expect your treachery until it’s too late.

“But I’m not completely heartless,” she continued, her sneering mouth inches from mine. “Once you’ve completed this task, your blood debt to the Faircroft family will be forgiven. I’ll release you from our pactum, and you and your mouse can go free. How is that for sympathy? Pretend one last time for me, Star. Put on your greatest performance, and your reward will be your freedom. Promise me you will do this. Promise .”

When my only response was to glare at her in open defiance, her eyes slowly turned red.

“Octavia!” she yelled, so loudly that I flinched. Her nails bit into my skin, anchoring me in place. “Bring me the mouse!”

My heart leapt into my throat. “Please, no. Don’t hurt her. Please , Mistress.”

“Then promise me,” she barked, her eyes fully red now. “Better yet, swear on a new pactum that you’ll complete this task for me.”

Letting go of my chin, she willed her dagger-like claws to emerge and dragged one across her palm. As blood rose from the cut, true terror filled me.

“I can’t. I can’t! ” I wailed.

“Then I’ll kill your familiar!”

“No!” I cried, feeling my legs buckle beneath me.

She grabbed my arm to keep me upright, screaming, “Promise me, Adalyn! ”

I heard the sound of feet rushing down the stairs. Heard Octavia excitedly say, “I’ve got it, Mother. I’ve got the disgusting mouse. Should I kill it?”

“Yes, Octavia. Kill it.”

At her command, I broke. Shattered into a billion pieces.

Darkness crashed into me, dragging me down, down, down.

“O-okay,” I whispered.

No, Ada! Pepper shouted, but it was too late. My mind was made up.

“What?” Mistress demanded. “Speak up, Adalyn.”

“Okay. I’ll . . . I’ll swear on a pactum.”

Pepper continued to shout at me, but I was deaf to her pleas. Reaching down with trembling fingers, I drew my knife from its hiding place. Mistress’s eyes gleamed expectantly as I lifted it and slowly cut into my palm. The second the skin split, she whipped her hand forward and tightly clasped mine, sealing our blood together.

“Say the words, Adalyn. Say that you promise.”

My voice shook. My entire body shook as I forced myself to say, “I . . . I promise to complete this task for you.”

“And?” she urged, the gleam turning wicked.

“And should I intentionally break that promise, may I die a slow, painful death.”

The words sank deeply into my blackened soul, condemning me to the darkest pit of hell.

Oh, Adalyn. What have you done? Pepper mournfully whispered.

Victory flared in Mistress’s blood-red eyes. Releasing me, she stepped back with a faint smirk. “Now, was that so hard? Honestly, Adalyn. You can be so dramatic sometimes. Be sure to wash your hands and knife before we leave. The prince must not know about the new deal we’ve struck. ”

Feeling numb all over, I looked down at my hand and watched the cut slowly seal shut from Mistress’s blood.

“Hurry up now,” she cheerily said and swept toward the stairs. “We don’t want to be late for the ball. And make sure to leave that vermin here where Adalyn can find it, Octavia. She can collect her things and be on her way once the job is done.”