My footsteps are quick, hurrying down the twisting stairwell into the darkness of the dungeons below. This part of the Castle has been refurbished, and it's not like what I imagine a dungeon should look like. The hallways are lit with long large torches and deep red carpet runs down all of the corridors. There are pictures hanging just as they are in the main part of the Castle, only darker and more ominous. I wrestle back my fear, swallowing hard and clutching my hands in front of me. I walk lightly, hoping no one will notice me deep down in the shadows.
I'm not sure which room is Lilith's, but as I pass by an open doorway, glancing quickly before continuing on, I see her standing in front of a fireplace, her eyes closed, no one else around. She looks elegant and sensual, ready for anything. Her black dress hangs from her robust breasts, the back completely cut out, and the fabric sparkling against the roaring fire in front of her. I wonder if it takes effort for her to always look that way, even when no one is around. I can see her eyes flickering beneath her eyelids and I'm curious as to where she is, what she's doing.
"I know that you're a mortal, which automatically makes you less intelligent than the rest of us, but I'm curious as to why you're standing in a doorway, deep within the dungeons, surrounded by souls who would love nothing more than to taste your blood." She keeps her eyes closed, her body as still as a doll.
My lips curl into a smirk. "I've come for your help. I know that you're not the biggest fan of mine, but this help I think you'll enjoy. It has to do with clothing, makeup, and sex."
Very slowly, Lilith opens her eyes and turns them toward me. She looks me up and down and purses her pouty red lips. "You have my attention."
I smile as I walk in the room, closing the door behind me. I don't have to like her to make her my ally. Sometimes the best allies are our enemies.
* * *
Drogaem
My irritation is written all over my face. I stand in the hallway just outside the throne room waiting on Briar to join me. God's wait for no one, but I have no choice in the matter. I have to make things seem as if Kane is running the show. The court gathering inside is annoying, as it takes up time that I don't have, but I'm here and on the verge of finding Briar myself and letting her know just how much it irritates me to make me wait. Even the servants are slowly inching away, sensing the anger boiling inside of me.
From down the hall, I get a whiff of the mortal, as well as someone else with her. A vampire, one that Kane's body immediately reacts to. I lift an eyebrow, speaking to Kane in the dungeon I've shoved his soul deep inside. "How cute. You allow your mortal bride to be around your former lover. What's her name?"
Kane's manifestation of a body is barely holding on as he fights against the powerful dreams that swirl through the empty void he is caged in. He struggles for words. "L… L… Lilith."
"Lilith the vampire, daughter of Clandestine," I say with a knowing laugh. "Of course, you would. I still can't figure out what this mortal sees in you. You're no better than me, you just like to flaunt it a little bit less."
Before he can continue with his worthless muttering, I send a wave of confusion in his direction and push him to the back of my thoughts. I'm in no mood to deal with his pathetic weak existence. At the sound of clacking heels, I turn and force a smile on my face, watching as Lilith and Briar strut toward me. Lilith is exactly what I expect, but Briar is different. Her clothes are revealing, her body much more interesting than I had originally assumed. Her makeup is dark and sensual, and her hair is pulled up off of her neck, revealing her fine pale skin. My eyes trace down over her collar into the crest of cleavage she triumphantly shows as her hips move in rhythm with the vampire.
As Briar approaches, Lilith continues on and into the court event, a smirk on her face. Briar puts her arm through mine and clutches her fingers tightly against my skin. She turns toward me, her other hand coming up and resting on my chest. I notice her sudden interest in me, her brazenness. My first instinct is to not trust it, as it is so sincerely different than the girl I've been watching for the last few days. However, seeing as I need her, the powers that are inside of her, being controlled by Lux, maybe creating a trusting relationship with Briar isn't such a bad idea. At least then, I won't have to worry about her sniveling mortal tears. Wouldn't that be grand? To turn Kane's little plaything into a shell of what her mortal self has been. It almost makes me want to spare her life.
Almost.
"I'm sorry I am late," she says with a bat of her lashes. "I wanted to look nice for you."
I force down the bile building in my throat. "It was worth the wait. Shall we?"
The servants open the doors to the hall and I can hear everyone stand. As we walk through the court toward our chairs up front, I can feel the disgusting admiration they have for Kane.
