The Chalice (Luna Vampire Series) (44 page)

             
Hundreds of startled eyes stared up at me in confusion, the room instantaneously quieting.  And, of course, it took the crowd a little while to process the sight.  Tsedaka's dripping body parts, my half burnt clothing, the crimson stains across the white material of my cloak.  Nevertheless, within minutes the entire crowd was bowing, including my men.

             
Lucien's reactions were easy to read, his pride and relief flooding our bond.  Adrian's, on the other hand, weren't as deeply ingrained within my psyche.  His face appeared to be relieved on the surface, but a telltale whisper of uneasiness rested in the set of his lips.  Perhaps it had something to do with my unabashed disregard for his orders. 
Who knows.  Whatever the reason, I'd stress over it later. 

             
You see, killing Tsedaka was just the first part of my plan.  I still needed to deliver the news.  Inhaling deeply, I summoned the remnants of my strength and envisioned my mind connecting with all the American vampires.  I'd inadvertently done this before during my haphazard ecstasy trip, although, I only hoped I'd be able to repeat it now. 

             
I squeezed my eyes shut and concentrated, acknowledging the silence that surrounded me. 
Quiet, so quiet I could hear people breathing.
  I struggled, sweat accumulating on my brow. 
Nothing.  Expectations.  Pressure. 
And, truthfully, I was preparing to toss in the towel when I finally perceived the ethereal white strands beginning to attach my consciousness to others. 

             
It started with Lucien and Adrian, then those closest to the stage. 
Temples throbbing.  The strain escalating.
  Yet, instinct guided me to push myself out, further and further.  One last surge and the preternatural filaments extended to everyone on the property. 

             
I'd intended on merging with each vampire in the country, except intuition warned me against pressing on.  I'd already spread myself extremely thin and I doubted my body could endure much more. 
These souls would have to do; they were the most crucial anyway.
 

             
Refusing to squander another second, I moved into their minds.  I compelled them to relive the memory of Tsedaka's death through my eyes, how I'd experienced it.  The manipulation of time, the shield of fire, the beheading, and the unpleasant sensation of removing his heart. 

             
"My father is dead,"
I thought to them. 
"As his sole heir, I am queen.  I order each of you to lay down your weapons.  There will be no more fighting.  Those who aren't from sector six are to return to sector one immediately and await my instructions.  You've got a half hour to vacate the property.  After which, I'll freeze the world again and execute any dissenters on site."

             
As soon as I finished the message I pulled myself back, severing the white light strands.  And, despite my energy's prompt decline, I wrapped myself in a façade of strength.  Unsympathetically, I discarded Tsedaka's bloody remains onto the floor, making it clear he didn't deserve the slightest bit of kindness.  Then I returned to the throne with a tenacious swagger. 

             
Sitting tall, I forced myself to exude the pride and confidence of a queen. 
My people needed to see me strong.
Granted, I had no idea what tomorrow would bring or even the next couple of hours.  Still, there were a few certainties. 
The battle was over.
  And, amidst my withdrawal from everyone's minds, I'd sensed their deep-seated fear of me.  They recognized the power I wielded and knew I could take their lives just as easily as I'd taken Tsedaka's.  This meant that his guards would follow my orders, for now at least.

             
And above all else, I understood that this wasn't the end of my story.  But only the beginning of my new life, the life of the great vampire queen...

Look for Book 2 of the Luna Vampire Series,
The Great Queen
, in the Spring of 2012.