Playing With Fire

Chapter Thirteen

Augustus mounted the entry way steps and we followed behind him. He pushed open the dark wooden front doors and motioned for us to enter. I took a quick breath and led the way into the darkness waiting beyond.

My eyes adjusted to the dim light from the sconces along the wall and I carefully took in the foyer in front of me. The floor was black marble, and the walls were painted a burgundy so deep I would almost call it black. There was a crushed velvet rug that led to two stair cases that rose into the dark second floor.

Another vampire was waiting in between the stair cases in the gloom. His hands behind his back, wearing a black suit.

"I will take the guests from here," he spoke to Augustus.

The vampire bowed mockingly to me and disappeared down a side hallway, ignoring the two men at my side completely. I grit my teeth but said nothing and approached the suited vampire in front of us.

"This way please." He turned and led us into the black heart of the mansion.

We reached another set of double doors that opened silently, seemingly on their own. The vampire walked through and stood to the side. We could do nothing but follow.

The room we entered looked like it had once been a ballroom, but was now clearly a throne room. Tapestries decorated the walls between more gas sconces depicting bloody scenes from long ago battles and bloody lovers locked in sensuous embraces with fangs piercing skin. The floor was a continuation of the light eating black marble in the foyer. The only furniture was a tall obsidian throne, upon which a woman was sitting.

Her skin was as dark as the throne she sat on, only her eyes and teeth were visible in the dim lighting. As we continued forward I was able to discern more details. Her ebony hair was pulled up into a regal bun and a crown of black diamonds adorned her head. She was wearing a glittering dark red gown that hugged her like a second skin. How could she sit down in that thing?

Her long ruby nails were clicking rhythmically against the arm of the throne and when we reached the foot of the dais it sat on her full blood red lips pulled up in a smile, but she kept her eyes downcast. I was sure many had seen that very smile the moment their souls left their bodies. I forced myself into a low bow and felt my pulse hammer while I waited for the two men beside me to do the same. Out of the corner of my eye I watched Castiel bow like he did it every day, but I could tell Maverick was fighting his body for every inch as he bent at the waist. It seemed like neither of us was comfortable bowing to the cold presence on the black throne in front of us.

"Greetings to you, Delany and companions. It has been a while since the Fae have graced my darkened halls."

I pulled up from my bow right as the Stygian Queen lifted her gaze. Cloudy white eyes met mine. She's blind?

"Not blind in the traditional sense. I can see well, arguably better than you."

I quickly checked my mental shield, but the white hot flame around my mind was in tact and untouched. She was assuming and after centuries of practice she did a damn good job of it.

"What is your name?" That empty gaze swung toward Maverick, but the Male didn't flinch.

"Maverick, your majesty."

"Please, I want us to be friends. Call me Amaris."

"Amaris, we come seeking your council, and hopefully your assistance." Castiel voiced.

"And your name nephilim?"

"Castiel."

I was curious how she knew that Castiel was a nephilim, and what exactly those vacant eyes of hers saw.