The Darkest Crown (The Eternal Darkness Duet #2)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

W e flew to Rome the following night. Maria, Helen, and the same three guys traveled with us. The plane ride was silent and tense. Allie put on a brave face, but I could hear her heartbeat, I knew she was scared. So was I. I no longer cared what happened to Adam, or myself. Allie was all that mattered.

We arrived at the estate where the trial would be held, and were shown to our rooms. I was worried we’d be locked in cells, like before, but my fears were unnecessary. Julian was a powerful vampire, and they treated him with reverence.

I was to share a room with Julian, and Allie was in the one next to us. I wanted to stay with Allie instead, but Julian wouldn’t allow it. So I stayed with her until she fell asleep, then went to Julian’s room. I expected him to be waiting, and I was ready for a fight, but he was gone. Deflated, I sat on the edge of the bed and wondered what would happen to us all.

I knew Adam would be executed. He’d already been sentenced to death for killing Valentina, and now he killed several more vampires. Julian wouldn’t lift a finger to help him, and what could I possibly do? Becoming a vampire had made me strong, but I was nothing compared to the others. Any one of the Strategoi could kill me with one strike. Not that they’d bother. One guard with an electric baton is all it would take to bring me down.

Adam had lied to me from the moment we met, but I still cared about him, perhaps even loved him in some way. The thought of him being killed was too much to bear. I pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes, in an attempt to stop my tears from falling. But nothing could stop my heartache. I swallowed thickly at the sob welling in my throat, then I heard the door open and I quickly lowered my hands and saw Julian enter the room.

“I’ve spoken with one of the Strategoi,” he said, as he sat on the edge of the bed beside me. “You have nothing to fear.” His eyes moved over my face, which was probably flushed with emotion, and I could see his concern.

I let out a shaky breath. “What did they say?”

He looked away and rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Adam is the one on trial, and there’s nothing I can do about that, so don’t even ask.”

I clenched my jaw, hating that he always seemed to know what I was thinking.

“We’ve been called here because of Allie,” he continued. I opened my mouth to speak, but he held up a hand to stop me. “I will claim her, through metapherus archond, just as I claimed you.”

I slowly shook my head. “What does that mean? Will you have to change her?”

“That would be the wisest course, and I’m sure the Strategoi will request it.”

I chewed my lip. “If you change her, she’ll want you. Like I want you.”

“You could do it.”

“ Me?” I looked at him, aghast, and he chuckled softly.

“Don’t worry, she won’t desire you. Shared DNA prevents that from happening. I’ve seen it many times.” He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me tight against him. “It’s almost sunrise.” He placed a finger under my chin and lifted my face. “Will you rest with me?” I nodded, and he kissed my lips softly.

We undressed and climbed under the covers, and as I snuggled against him I thought of Allie again and sat back up. “Allie will wake up and we’ll still be sleeping. We can’t leave her alone here.”

Julian pulled me back down beside him. “I’ll hear her when she wakes and send Maria to her.”

“What if you’re asleep?”

“I won’t be.”

“But-”

He silenced me with a kiss, then he lifted his head. “I’ll be awake, and I’ll hear her. I promise.” He kissed me again. “Now sleep.”

I grumbled, but snuggled against him and quickly fell asleep. I dreamed I turned Allie into a vampire, and she became a monster. I woke at one point, and Julian was holding me, stroking my back with his fingertips. I sighed and fell back asleep and thankfully did not dream again.

J ulian woke me when it was time, and we showered and dressed with care. He wore a black suit, with diamond cufflinks, and I wore a floor-length gown made of midnight blue silk. Diamonds graced my neck and wrists. Appearances are everything , Julian told me. We were the elite. The untouchable. And it was good to remind them of that.

We stopped by Allie’s room to get her, and I was stunned by her appearance. Her gown was the palest pink, and it flowed around her when she moved. Her hair was braided into a crown atop her head, and she wore no jewelry. But she didn’t need it. She looked enchanting. And innocent . Julian was right, appearances were everything .