Defect of Servitude [Book #1]

?Eight: The Warriors

"You did this! My best men are dead because of you." His voice was a low growl, each word thick with barely contained rage. My mind struggled to process the words, slowly fading into confusion.

"You will put her down right now, or I will make you." The Queen stepped out from behind her desk, and the edges of my vision began to blur.

Instead of releasing me, his grip tightened further, and a low growl escaped his lips before I was violently thrown to the ground. Becca rushed to my side, kneeling beside me as I coughed, struggling to draw air back into my lungs. Being choked was nothing new, but the anger surging through my veins felt foreign and intense.

"He knows we bought her, Helen! He knows, and that's what caused this!" The King jabbed a finger in my direction, his stance defensive, as if he might strike again if he got too close. I dropped my gaze to the floor, shame washing over me, yet I kept a sliver of my vision focused on them through my eyelashes.

"You have no proof of that, Gustav! It is un-kingly of you to accuse without evidence." Queen Helen interjected, stepping protectively between me and the King. Her hair was tightly pulled back, her hand rubbing her shoulder as if trying to soothe the tension radiating from her.

King Gustav's face turned a deep shade of beet red. "THOSE WERE HIS MEN! Even from her grave, that vile woman is still causing me trouble!"

"Leave!" Queen Helen's eyes flashed with pure fury, her voice low and chilling, more terrifying than any scream. "When you're ready to act like a ruler once more, you can rejoin me."

His eyes nearly bulged from their sockets, but he turned on his heel and stalked away. When he slammed the door behind him, the room shook as if the walls trembled in response. Queen Helen remained still for a moment, breathing heavily, her fingers pressed against the bridge of her nose. When she finally turned to face me, the ageless youth in her appearance seemed to fade, revealing the weight of her centuries.

"I'm very sorry about all of that, Madelyn. I pride myself on ensuring that everyone in my care is never harmed. My husband, however, has a terrible temper—one often provoked by Marie, your mother. She remains a sore spot for him." She dropped her hand from her face and clapped, making me jump. "Now, I'm sure you have a great many questions. Let's see if we can answer a few. Becca, would you mind helping with the cleanup and repairs?"

"Your mother was the first human to ever battle against every type of supernatural and emerge alive. She won every fight—until her last." The sadness in the Queen's eyes was palpable. "It was on my orders that she became part of a select few: those who turned hunters into prey."

She walked around to her desk, and I stood there, struggling to process the overwhelming information. Somehow, I found my voice. "Hunters of what?"

"The hunters of the hunters. These are supernaturals who travel to human-inhabited areas to kidnap people, bringing them back to fill the academies throughout our lands. I've been trying to combat this kind of transaction, but the committee won't achieve a majority vote. So, I went against our laws to try and slow it down." She sat in her chair and pulled out a file. "Marie was my lead. She tracked schedules and ambushed the hunters before they could go through the portals. Many fell to her own hands."

"But what does that have to do with today? Why was I the reason?" I pushed myself away from the wall, frustration bubbling over. "None of this makes sense. If my mother was so strong, why was she in the Academy? Why did she leave me behind?"

"She had no choice. Believe me, she regretted it. However, it was her hope to meet you again one day. She met her end far too soon." The Queen opened the folder and pulled out a picture. The man looked familiar; then it hit me—it was the man the prince was with, in the photo I had fallen asleep to. "Lord Denallsh. The patriarch of the Cathcart bloodline. He holds a grudge against my lineage, convinced that his line should have been chosen to rule."

"He discovered Marie and her mission but had her ambushed with no proof to present to the committee. She fought bravely, accepting her fate, but not before taking down as many enemies as possible. Twenty fell to her single hand. Denallsh was satisfied, believing we no longer operated against the Academy. However, my troops are still carrying out their mission more slowly and quietly than before."

"I fear Denallsh was planning to attend your auction to bid. He wanted you desperately—to use you and see if you were like your mother. That's why I did everything in my power to reach you first. Gustav believes Denallsh figured it out and led an attack to find you within the manor. Thankfully, we anticipated that; Desiree and I planned for it. She is my tactical expert with the Guard. The protection set in place for you was because of her."

I blinked rapidly, trying to dispel the tears that had sprung up unexpectedly. They had protected me. "Will he try again?"

"Not in such a blatant way. Although, I don't think he'll stop. You should be safe within the walls of your home now." The Queen rose from her chair and moved closer to me. She enveloped me in a warm hug, gently patting my hair. "I will keep you safe, Madelyn. I made a promise to Marie, and as an honorable vampire, I keep my promises."

Oof, it has been quite the two weeks. My twins have been sick and can't seem to get over it, plus it just hit my oldest yesterday. I'm so far behind on so much that I've been wanting to do. Hopefully, I'll be coming back at it in full force by this weekend. 

Maddie is in more trouble than she thought as things unfold. Do you think she'll be able to handle it? When will the next attack occur? Keep reading to find out!

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