Page 55 of Crown of Death
Slowly, I zip the bag open, my eyes growing wide as I take in the newoutfit.
Ten minutes later, because it’s not the easiest thing to change into, I walk out of the suite in my newestdress.
It’s made of soft black leather. A deep plunging neckline exposes more cleavage than I’m used to. Straps and buckles crisscross over my hips, across my back. It stretches long to thefloor.
I look like the goddess ofwar.
With an approving smile, Mina leads us to the elevator. Instead of rising up again, we go down. Plummeting in this speedy elevator, we dive through the belly of theMetroCosmo.
When the doors slide open, it’s to a nearly pitch-black hallway. Only faint blue lights line the floor, dimly guiding usforward.
There are roped lines leading up to doors, suggesting wherever we are headed is used frequently forevents.
This is Vegas. And each casino has ashowroom.
Perhaps this is whereSands of Setwill be regularlyperforming.
Mina opens a door and I stepinside.
It’s an arena. A huge stage is set below me, circled entirely by seats. The entire space is illuminated by gold and red lights. The thrones from upstairs have been moved down here, placed just on the edge of thestage.
There’s no one elsehere.
Carefully, so as to not trip, I descend thestairs.
Just as I step onto the stage, doors open from off to the right, and in files the House ofValdez.
They wear…costumes. Each of them is dressed like someone from an ancient time. Leather skirts with straps that look meant to hold weapons. They look like…gladiators.
From the shadows, a figure walks up to the stage. The lights glint off of a crown, and Cyrus steps intoview.
“I do not enjoy the city of Las Vegas,” he says. His voice is low. Dangerous. He looks out at the House of Valdez, his eyes dark. He goes to stand in front of his throne. “It stinks of sin and deceit. It never grows dark. It never knows quiet. It races too fast, trying to be toomodern.”
The room is deathly quiet, waiting to hear what their King has in store forthem.
“It makes me long for a simpler time,” Cyrus says. The faintest tick of a smile pulls on the corner of his mouth. “A time when offenses were settled with iron and blood. A time of brutal entertainment. Oh, how I miss thosedays.”
He snaps his fingers and four men enter through the doors to the right. They’re burly, built. They carry large wooden crates. Without hesitating, they march up to the stage and set the cratesdown.
In them is an arsenal of weaponry. Shining iron. Spikedore.
“It has been some time since I have enjoyed an old-fashioned gladiator fight,” Cyrus says. He extends a hand toward me, inviting me to his side. I go, but my heart rate spikes. “And while we shall not fight to the death, we shall fight to the last man standing. And the victor shall enjoy a dance with this enchanting young woman at the balltomorrow.”
My eyes widen but I keep as quick control as Ican.
I am theprize?
One dance. To the victor of the last vampirestanding?
As I look around, I see that each of them doesn’t see this as much of a prize, either. But I also know, they don’t have a choice inthis.
This is King Cyrus’ entertainment. This is his punishment for what happenedearlier.
“As House leader, I shall let you pick the opponents,” Cyrus says. “This will be a single elimination event, until our final two contestants. And everyone,” he turns his eyes to Hector, Rafael, and Edmond, “mustparticipate.”
I hear the faint muttering of protest from some of the House members, but Edmond raises a hand, and they immediately fallsilent.
“Pick your first two opponents,” Cyrus says darkly. He turns and crosses to hisseat.