Chapter 2: The Vampire Queen's Court
The echo of Liam's heartbeat thundered in his ears, louder than the rustling wind or the distant howl of wolves. The blood-red parchment still pulsed in his hands, its glow dimming slowly, as if the magic within it had burned itself out. The Queen's hand—cold, firm, regal—remained on his arm. He wanted to yank it away, to run screaming into the woods beyond the towering castle walls, but his body refused to obey. The sigil that had branded itself into his wrist was still glowing faintly, like a sun beneath his skin.
"It is done," the Queen said softly, her voice a satin whisper. Her eyes, glowing like twin garnets, never left his face.
Liam swallowed hard, throat dry. "What... what exactly is done?"
She tilted her head slightly, a smile curling the edge of her lips. It wasn't cruel, not entirely, but it wasn't kind either. It was the smile of someone who had waited a long, long time.
"You are mine, and I am yours. That is the law of the contract. It is bound by blood, sealed by the old moon, and witnessed by the eternal night."
He blinked. "That's... marriage?"
She arched a delicate brow. "That is power. And power, my dear husband, is always binding."
The contract in his hands crumbled into crimson ash, evaporating like smoke. The runes in the air dissolved into sparks and faded into the night. Somewhere deep within the castle, a low, resonating bell tolled—three chimes, slow and haunting.
"They summon us," the Queen said. She stepped past him, her crimson gown trailing behind her like a river of blood. Liam stood there for a beat too long, staring at the space she had just occupied. The wind tugged at his hoodie. His jeans felt impossibly out of place against the ancient stones of the courtyard.
With a sigh, he followed her.
The great doors of the castle opened without a sound, revealing a grand hallway lit by floating lanterns of violet flame. Shadows danced along the gothic arches and stone-carved pillars, which were etched with silver and obsidian runes. At the end of the hall stood a pair of guards—tall, pale men clad in black armor, their eyes gleaming red like embers.
They stepped aside without a word as the Queen passed.
Liam hesitated, then followed, his steps echoing too loudly for comfort. He felt like a trespasser, or worse—a lamb walking into a den of lions. Everything inside the castle exuded power, elegance, and danger.
The Queen led him into a vast chamber: the Throne Hall.
It was circular, with a domed ceiling painted like a blood-red night sky. A massive throne of black marble and bone sat at its center, flanked by seven smaller thrones arranged in a crescent. Seated upon them were beings who made Liam's skin crawl and his spine stiffen.
The Vampire Court.
They looked almost human—but only at first glance. Each figure radiated something… unnatural. One had silver-white hair that drifted as if underwater. Another had eyes like molten gold. A third, whose gender Liam couldn't even determine, had no face at all, only a shifting mask of shadow.
The Queen walked to her throne and sat gracefully. Liam stood awkwardly beside her, trying not to fidget.
"Present him," said a voice like shattering crystal.
The Queen gestured toward Liam. "This is Liam Ross. Human. Bound to me by the Blood Contract of Sanguis Ardentis."
Murmurs rose from the council. The one with golden eyes leaned forward, their fangs just visible.
"A human? You dare sully the sacred bond with mortal blood?"
The Queen's eyes flashed. "The Contract chose him. Not I."
"Perhaps it erred," said another, draped in robes of black feathers.
Liam finally found his voice. "Hey. Standing right here. Still very much alive, thank you."
A hush fell over the hall.
The golden-eyed vampire smiled coldly. "He has teeth. Let's see if he has spine."
With a snap of his fingers, a circle of runes ignited beneath Liam's feet. The floor dropped out from under him.
He fell.
Down into darkness.
—
Liam hit the ground with a thud, groaning. The chamber he landed in was circular, lit by torches that flickered with blood-red fire. The walls were lined with ancient symbols. Across from him, a gate creaked open, and something emerged.
A beast. Not entirely animal, not quite vampire. It walked on two legs but had claws like swords and eyes that burned with eternal hunger.
A test.
He barely had time to think before it lunged. Liam dodged instinctively, rolling to the side. The creature's claws tore stone like paper. He scrambled to his feet, looking for anything—anything—that could help.
A weapon. A trick. A miracle.
"Use the bond," whispered a voice in his head. It sounded like the Queen.
His wrist burned. The sigil flared, and suddenly he felt her—like a pulse in his veins, like fire under his skin. Not just her presence, but her power.
He raised his hand. The runes on the wall responded.
Magic exploded from his palm in a burst of red energy, striking the beast squarely in the chest. It screamed, a sound that made his eardrums bleed, and collapsed in a pile of ash.
The runes faded.
The chamber began to rise.
When Liam emerged back in the throne room, his knees buckled, but he stood. Barely.
Silence.
Then applause. Slow, deliberate. The golden-eyed vampire was smiling.
"Perhaps he lives after all."
The Queen stood, walking to his side. She placed her hand on his chest. "He is mine. And he is stronger than you realize."
Liam looked up at her, heart still pounding. Her gaze was unreadable.
"Rest now, husband," she whispered. "Tomorrow, we begin your real education."
And for the first time, Liam felt something beyond fear.
Anticipation.
—
End of Chapter 2