Sharra pushed him away. "Show her," she said.
Christopher walked over to the bound man he'd left standing next to the throne, and ripped the burlap sack from his head.
My breath sucked in and two black spots blurred my vision. I couldn't believe who it was.
Chapter 9
"Dorian," I whispered. My fingers covered my mouth, and they trembled. It couldn't be.
He was barely recognizable. One eye was bruised shut. His bottom lip was split, and dried blood stained his mouth, and chin. His shirt was shredded down the front like a five-fingered lion ripped into him.
But. It. Was. Dorian.
He wasn't dead. Beaten? Battered? Yes. But alive. My heart leaped with joy.
I said his name again, tucking my hands into fists at my sides. "Dorian."
He grunted, as though I'd awakened him where he stood. His good eye peered at me, and a smile spread across his face. "Snow?"
An aching sob tore at my throat. "What are you doing with him," I asked through gritted teeth. My gaze flipping from Christopher to Sharra. "Let me have him," I added.
"With pleasure," Christopher said, shoving Dorian toward me. I caught him.
"Missed you," Dorian whispered, his voice hoarse.
I fought down the urge to cry. He needed a doctor.
He needs you, my inner voice quipped. And a light bulb flicked on in my head. Casually I poured some of the Seal's healing power into Dorian. Under my hands I felt his ribs heal. His internal bleeding stopped. The bones on both wrists knitted back together.
Dorian took a deep breath. As though there had been an invisible weight pressed against his chest and it suddenly disappeared.
Sharra leaned forward, and snapped. "Retrieve the boy!"
Christopher punched Dorian in the face, grabbed him by the shirt collar and brought him to stand next to them.
"Here is my final offer, dear Snow." Sharra stood, and grabbed Dorian under the chin. His nose was bleeding. "Give me your body. In return I will free the remaining Marked and allow this human to live."
My heart pitched. So many emotions pummeled my mind. I felt betrayed by Christopher, relieved Dorian was alive, and terrified I wouldn't be able to help anyone.
"Don't agree to anything. She's a-" Dorian began, but Sharra backhanded him so hard I heard his nose break.
"And his death won't be quick. It'll be painful." She tossed Dorian to the floor near my feet. "This first thing I'll do is rip out his tongue."
"Fine," I said. "You win."
Sharra's evil grin turned to glee. She clapped. "Yay. I love it when I get what I want."
I knelt beside Dorian. "It's going to be okay," I whispered, but I didn't believe it. Perhaps I was just being cowardly. If Sharra took my body first, I wouldn't have to witness the evil I felt sure she would bestow on Dorian and the other Marked in this room. What else could I do though? Pretend I didn't care? Watch hundreds die?
"Fight her," Dorian said, his voice raspy, as though he knew the thoughts flying through my mind. "You're stronger than her. You can win."
Sharra squatted down on the other side of Dorian so our noses nearly touched. I could reach out and grab her. Make her suffer. As I thought it, my hand snaked out, and I wrapped my fingers around her neck. The power of the Seal pulsed from my hand, into her. With the power of the Seal, I sent out all the hate, and the fear bottled up inside.
She screamed.
But so did Dorian.
I looked down, and watched Sharra drag her nails across his chest. Blood lit the wounds, leaving a red trail.
"Do..." she took a ragged breath. "Do we have a deal," she growled.
I swallowed, and nodded. "Yes."
"Good." Sharra stood, and moved over to Christopher.
He smiled, and my body swayed in agony, as though he'd struck me. Every word he'd spoken. Every kiss we shared. Every touch. Had all been lies.
The knowledge rocked me to my core.
Sharra stepped in front of Christopher. The smirk on his face grew. He was proud of himself. Confident in his deception, and in his place as Sharra's second.
"Give me your sword." Sharra commanded.
Christopher raised a brow in question, but did as she asked.
He slid the blade from the sheath strapped to his back. Christopher's lips parted, as though he wanted to question her, but he remained silent.
Sharra planted a kiss on his lips.
Then she turned to me.
"Are you in love with your Hunter?" she asked, a knowing smile on her lips.
I stood, facing her. It was happening.
My body would belong to Sharra.
She knew the answer. I wanted to lie. Tell her I couldn't stand the deceitful, arrogant man who'd pretended and tricked me. But saying the words wouldn't change the truth.
"Yes," I admitted quietly.
Christopher's smirk changed into horror. Now he understood what came next.
The words,
Lips red as rubies
Hair dark as night
Drink your true love's blood
Become the Vampire, Snow White... filled the room. A continuous chant. Each syllable seemed to dance in repetition on the heavy air.
"Why?" Christopher asked. "I did everything you asked." His voice broke in desperation and for a moment I felt sorry for him. "Snow is here because of me. I did everything," he repeated.
Sharra rolled her eyes. "I know, and that is why you must die. She loves you. In order for the ritual to work, she must consume your heart."
One of the girls, Pocahontas, spoke. "I've already consumed my true love's heart. I'm ready Sharra. Allow me to be your next vessel."
The Vampire Queen paused, as though considering her words. "That's true. And you were my second choice. But this one-" She pointed at me. "Snow White is the Seal. Her body contains a lot more power than yours does."
Pocahontas glared. She should've been happy. Didn't she get that once Sharra claimed my body, I wouldn't exist anymore. Sheesh. If a look could kill, I'd already be dead.
Forcing myself not to shudder, I refocused on Sharra.
Using Pocahontas's interruption to his advantage, Christopher had run to the door, and was halfway through before he was lifted into the air, and deposited directly in the spot where he was a moment before.
Sharra shifted the sword so that she held it like a dagger, the blade turned down, the sharp end facing me.