Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 122946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
My fists clenched in anger.
“It seems she does not agree.” President Swan had his eyes on me and his chin up.
“At the very least,” Theseus’s voice was controlled. “She deserves a trial, does she not, Mr. President? I thought this was a republic.”
“All in favor of the execution of Lucy Ming?” President Swan lifted his thumb, and one by one, everyone raised their thumbs as if this were Rome. Hypocritical bastards. Why wouldn’t this work? Why couldn’t this power work?
“A life for a life, Druella.” A silvery voice of a woman—it sounded so clear, light, and pleasant—came to mind. I turned to Lucy as she laid there.
“Theseus, you swore to me she would have your protection—”
“Silence! Hold him!” President Swan demanded, and a group of guards came over to hold Taelon back. “Lucy Ming has been found guilty, carry out your punishment and hers.”
“A life for a life, Druella.”
“Father!”
“A life for a life, Druella.”
On the third time I heard those words, I saw him, the dead human, except he wasn’t laying on the ground with his neck gouged out. He stood like a ghost; I could see right through him, and he was staring at me.
“Please heal me. It’s not too late,” he begged, looking down at himself. “I only agreed to this because of my sister. She’s sick, and money’s tight. It is only us. I can’t leave her. Please let me go back.”
“How?” I asked him, confused.
“Druella?” Theseus put his hand my shoulder.
“She doesn’t even know how to kill?” Mikhail grumbled. “Father, I will—”
“It is her punishment. She must do it. Rip her apart. That is how.” President Swan’s voice boomed.
All of them distracted me from the human.
“You’re magic,” the human said, lifting his hand. “Heal me. Save me. Please.”
I glanced down at my hands, and they twitched with something—I didn’t know, a fire, and I remembered. Simone’s hands had glowed when she was about to heal Theseus. Mine didn’t, but for some reason, I was sure I could do it. I just needed to touch him.
I nodded, turning to President Swan. “Very well.”
“Druella!” Taelon yelled.
“It’s okay, Taelon.” I smiled at him. “Lucy’s going to be okay. I’m not going to hurt my friend.”
“Huh?” Mikhail questioned. “What is she saying, Prince?”
“A life for a life,” I answered for myself, moving from Theseus and walking to the human, I then kneeled beside his head, placing my hand over his neck. “I need you to live, sir, for the sake of my friend and your sister.”
“She does know he’s dead, right. He can’t become a vampire—”
“Shut up,” Daiyu said to her brother slowly.
The broken body under me began to heal. His skin stitched back together, and the cuts all over his skin began to mend. When every wound had closed, the ghost knelt across from me.
“Thank you,” he said before laying into his body, and it jerked in response.
I smiled when I heard his heart beat once, then twice, before it remained steady. He began to wake, but because of the blindfold, he panicked.
“Relax.” I put my hand on his head.
“What happened?” he asked, moving his head right to left.
“Work hazard,” I said to him. “If your sister needs you, then you should find a safer job. Come on.”
Getting up, I helped him to his feet, too. He held my hands tightly, as he too was confused. I looked back at President Swan.
“Can someone take him, please? The poor human has had a very rough night.” I smiled at him.
Everyone just stared at me. The only person who seemed able to get over the shock was Theseus who waved over the guard.
“Nothing better happen to him, or I will find you.” I pointed to the guard who shook in fear at my voice, taking the man away.
“Thank you,” the human said again, but I just waved, though he couldn’t see it.
When he was gone, I ignored every last person and walked to Lucy, helping her off the ground and allowing her to rest on me. Her lids fluttered open a bit as she looked up. Her eyes filled with tears, but she didn’t let them fall. Vampires only cried when they were in extreme pain. She had told me it was rare and a disgrace. So, to see her like this in front of so many people—even though she was injured, embarrassed, and ashamed—I knew she wouldn’t allow herself to start crying now.
“Do you think you’ll be able to help me get blood out of this silk?” I asked, walking us both over to stairs. “I really like this dress and just got it. I don’t want to get rid of it.”
The only sound was my voice as everyone watched. Lucy glanced down at the stain on the silk.
“I think I can figure out something, but it will be an extra $12.99,” she whispered back.