Better Off Red Read online

  “Benny it will be. Amy…” she went on with a teasing tone.

  “Why are you here?”

  Amy’s breathing had calmed completely. There was still

  nervous energy coming off her body. She inhaled deeply before she

  answered. “I wanted to get into all the good parties,” she replied.

  “But that’s not why you accepted our invitation?” the queen

  asked.“No, ma’am.”

  “Have you ever been with a woman before?” the queen asked

  bluntly.

  “No, but I do have a crush on Danni.” It took everything I had

  not to turn to Amy. She’d never mentioned anything about liking

  Danni like that. I didn’t think it was something she would freely

  admit, ever. Forget confessing it to a room full of people she’d just

  met. I knew then I was totally screwed. I wasn’t a liar and I didn’t

  have anything to hide, but this confessing of the truth was beyond

  embarrassing. The queen gave me about two seconds to figure out

  what I was going to say. My name coming from her lips wiped the

  response from my mind immediately.

  “Ginger.”

  “Yes.”

  “Why are you here?”

  “I wanted to look out for my roommate, and lately, I’ve been

  questioning my sexuality. My brother suggested joining a sorority

  might help me find some other girls who feel the way I do about

  other women.”

  She relaxed slightly. “Is that right? I’ve heard there are a few

  girl bars downtown. You didn’t start there?”

  “No, I didn’t, but I did like hanging out with Cleo and Danni.”

  “They are very special. Are you attracted to my favorite pets?”

  She winked at Danni behind me.

  • 39 •

  reBekah WeatherspOOn

  “Yes, but…”

  “But what?”

  “I’m more attracted to you.” I couldn’t believe what I’d just

  said, but I couldn’t take the words back. They were out there for

  everyone to hear and analyze, everyone including the queen. Quiet

  laughter filled the room. I swallowed again, keeping my eyes

  focused on her. Her nostrils flared slightly as she licked her bottom

  lip. I felt a small rush of moisture between my legs.

  “I see,” she said. She swallowed then and tipped up her chin to

  address us all. I exhaled, glad I hadn’t pissed her off.

  “We will proceed.” The queen’s eyes closed as if in a brief

  moment of prayer before she looked at me again and spoke. “I

  thank you all for your honesty, and now it is my duty to reveal the

  truth in your presence. Samantha’s editor may have had some valid

  suspicions.” She paused, then started pacing in front of us. “Our

  kind wandered and scavenged for centuries, taking of the innocent

  and the evil, the undeserving and the unaware, to feed our bodies

  and maintain our survival.”

  I didn’t want to believe what she was saying. This wasn’t a

  cheerful “welcome to the party” type speech. The queen was talking

  about something ancient and deadly. She could have been trying

  to scare us for the sake of the ceremony, but the intense green and

  golden glow of her eyes told me she was being completely serious.

  And there was something else. I watched the queen as she

  talked. I hadn’t noticed at first, but as she went on, her canines grew

  larger and longer. The tips were sharpening, and the length was

  making it harder for her to close her mouth all the way when she

  paused. Those teeth were real and they kept growing.

  “Our kind grew tired of the death and the pain, the destruction

  of lives and families. We humbled ourselves at your ancestors’ feet

  and we were given all that we would ever need in return for our

  undying loyalty.” I turned these words over in my head as quickly

  as possible. I looked at the mouths of the five other women flanking

  the queen and saw their lips were parted now to make room for their

  elongated teeth. My eyes shot to back to the queen. I didn’t know

  what she truly was—vampire, demon, overzealous comic book fan.

  • 40 •

  Better Off red

  Either way, I knew she and the other women were not human and

  we’d been brought there to feed them.

  I did a quick scan for the exit but couldn’t find one. I focused

  ahead again as the queen and the others stepped from the platform.

  I hadn’t noticed before, but there were large cushions on the floor.

  The six women sank to their knees on the cushions in front of us.

  They bowed their heads and turned their palms up as if they

  planned to worship us.

  The queen went on. This time her tone was low and somber as

  if she were begging for forgiveness and asking for permission at the

  same time.

  “We need your trust and we want nothing more than to offer

  our own. Your sacrifice is a gift, and in return, we pledge to honor

  and protect you.” Her voice dropped even lower. “I will ask for a

  second time. Those of you who have been brought before me and

  my sisters, do any of you wish to leave?” The queen lifted her head

  and scanned the line of girls beside me as she spoke. Again, her gaze

  settled back on me. Nobody moved. I knew we all had our reasons.

  I was too scared.

  “Layna, Heather, please. Make your presentation to your sister-

  queen.”

  For the first time, I got a good look at one of the other new girls.

  This must have been Anna-Jade, the first girl who was questioned.

  She was much shorter than me with jet-black straight hair to her

  waist. She had on the same see-through slip. I’d forgotten how

  exposed we all were. She was shaking. Layna and Heather were

  wearing long black hooded robes that dragged behind them on the

  floor. The hoods were down, covering their shoulders. Their hands

  peeked out from under the draping fabric as they led Anna-Jade

  forward with a gentle touch to her elbows. Layna carried a knife.

  They knelt on the cushion in front of the first woman, the one

  with the blunt blond haircut. I watched her face for a moment as she

  looked over Anna-Jade.

  “Most gracious Natasha, our sister-queen, I present to you

  Anna-Jade Wilson. She is kind and giving and in need of love and

  respect,” Layna said softly.

  • 41 •

  reBekah WeatherspOOn

  Heather continued with the same soft murmur. “We know you

  will bring her the same joy you have brought to us, and we know

  you will offer her your protection.”

  Natasha gently lifted her finger and tipped Anna-Jade’s chin up

  so she could look her in the eye. “Do you understand what I ask of

  you?”“You want my blood?” Anna-Jade replied. I shuddered, hearing

  my fears confirmed.

  “That is correct. If you will give yourself to me, never will you

  fear again. I will love and protect you and your little sister.” Anna-

  Jade made a small hiccupping sound and her body shook more.

  Natasha gave her a moment before she went on. “I ask you one last

  time, my sweet, will you allow me to bind you to myself, my sister-

  queens, and your sisters?”<
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  The decision was up to her now, not the group. This was her

  final out, her last chance to escape, but Anna-Jade nodded and said,

  “Yes.”

  I was captivated by the vows between them. I didn’t know

  Anna-Jade at all, but despite the size of Natasha’s teeth, her words

  were enough to take the fear away, for Anna-Jade at least. I hadn’t

  lost sight of what was going on here. They were asking us to feed

  them, but even I couldn’t fight the comfort Natasha offered…until

  she took the knife Layna held out to her and pulled the blade across

  Anna-Jade’s palm.

  The air hissed between her teeth, but she didn’t move. Natasha

  dipped her head slowly and licked the blood away from the opening

  in the gash. She ran her mouth back and forth across Anna-Jade’s

  skin. I wanted to be horrified. I wanted to puke, then grab Amy and

  run. I’d promised I wouldn’t let them hurt her, and hand slicing fell

  under the umbrella of pain. I was still paralyzed by what I was seeing.

  When Natasha lifted her head, Anna-Jade’s palm was clean and

  the cut was completely healed. Natasha brushed her cheek gently

  before leaning forward to kiss Anna-Jade on the lips. She pulled

  away and stroked her cheek one more time.

  Then Heather handed Natasha a slim black box. I couldn’t see

  what was inside until Anna-Jade bowed her head a little. Natasha

  • 42 •

  Better Off red

  fastened a delicate platinum chain around her neck. I knew there

  was a small teardrop ruby hanging just above her breasts.

  “You are safe here and we all will love you,” Natasha said

  before she looked to Heather and Layna. They took that as their cue

  to usher Anna-Jade up from her spot. The three of them shuffled

  behind Natasha and settled comfortably on the cushion. Anna-Jade

  was still crying. Heather wrapped her arms around her and let her

  sob quietly. I got the feeling they were tears of relief.

  The queen had our attention again as she looked off to my right.

  “Kate, Jordan, please make your presentation to your sister-queen.”

  Kate and Jordan led Laura forward toward the chocolate-skinned

  woman. Her name was Omi. The vows were nearly the same. She

  promised to protect and care for Laura, whose palm was swiftly cut

  then resealed with a few swipes of Omi’s tongue. A ruby necklace

  was placed around her neck and Laura was kissed. Then she took

  her seat with Kate and Jordan behind Omi.

  The queen went over the line again. On either side of me, one

  by one, a new girl was brought forward and presented to a different

  sister-queen. Natasha. Omi. Kina. Faeth. Tokyo. All exotically

  beautiful, all terrifying.

  Then, Danni and Paige brought Amy forward to the queen. The

  most important sister-queen, the hazel-eyed leader of this insane

  ceremony. The queen made her pledge to Amy, then closed her

  wound. I watched Amy for a moment while she twirled the teardrop

  ruby between her fingers. When Benny went forward with Cleo and

  Barb, I realized I was the only one left. I was the thirteenth girl.

  As Benny crossed the marble floor, I finally got a good look at

  her. She was heavy like Danni, but she didn’t carry her weight as

  well. Her long dark brown hair was frizzy and she had acne all over

  her back and shoulders. I hated myself for thinking it. I didn’t want

  to believe the queen found Benny more attractive than me.

  And even more, I was filled with this irrational stab of jealously.

  Danni and Cleo had brought Benny and Amy for the queen, and

  I was left out. The other girls were involved in their own sister-

  queens, exchanging small kisses and petting strokes. They didn’t

  notice just how uncomfortable I was standing in the middle of the

  • 43 •

  reBekah WeatherspOOn

  room alone. I felt like crying. And then I felt crazy. I actually wanted

  this—vampire to pick me. At least over Benny.

  “It looks like you and Cleo have brought me one extra,” the

  queen said to Danni as she looked me over. I watched her hands as

  she gently stroked Amy’s leg. That pissed me off even more.

  “She didn’t want any part of this, but we thought maybe you’d

  like to meet her. Ginger Elizabeth Carmichael, meet Camila, our

  kind and loving and most gracious Queen,” Danni replied. I couldn’t

  tell whether she was messing with me or Camila.

  “You are too sweet, Danni. I want you to take Amy and Benny.”

  I took a step back as all the women stood at once. Danni handed

  Camila another slim black box. “I would like to have a word with

  Ginger alone.”

  Everyone ignored me as they filed out of the room. Amy didn’t

  even glance back to see if I was okay. She was so wrapped up in

  Danni. She and I were going to have a long talk.

  When it was just the two of us, Camila held out her hand for

  me. “Come.”

  I stepped forward and took Camila’s hand. Her skin was warm

  and soft. Up close, she smelled like fresh cinnamon with a bit

  of sugar. My mouth started to water, and other parts of my body

  became more and more wet. I swallowed and followed her silently

  as she led me from the room.

  • 44 •

  Better Off red

  Chapter three

  The other girls disappeared down a long hallway. Camila

  tugged me in the opposite direction. I glanced back after

  Amy. The dimly lit corridor made it impossible for me to find her

  in the sea of black robes, white nighties, and bare skin. I wanted

  to trust Danni and Cleo to keep her safe because I’d never forgive

  myself if she were to get hurt. Or worse. If I found Amy the next

  morning with her perky demeanor intact, I’d let her know I was

  a little annoyed she had bailed on me so easily. At the moment,

  though, Amy was the least of my worries.

  Considering how much time I’d spent thinking about Camila,

  I should have been anxious to actually be with her alone, but that

  was the Camila I’d dreamed up in my head. The harmless, yet

  outrageously sexy college student, maybe a senior with a thing for

  girls my height with green eyes and freckles. The reality of what

  I had just witnessed, the blood oaths and the fangs, left me a little

  conflicted. While we walked, I pictured the short blade cutting open

  Amy’s skin and the satisfied look on Camila’s face as she licked the

  blood away. If she was fulfilled by the taste of blood, there was no

  way I was safe with her alone. I might not live to see the morning.

  Were amazingly good looks reason enough to trust your blood

  lusting captor?

  I suppose I didn’t have to hold her hand. My body didn’t see

  that there was another choice. Camila, the queen, my Hazel Eyes,

  was a vampire. Vampires were supposed to be cold, undead creatures

  • 45 •

  reBekah WeatherspOOn

  of the night or something just as cute and cuddly. Camila’s skin was

  incredibly soft, and even though her grip was confident and firm,

  she was surprisingly gentle as her fingers interlaced with mine. I

  inhal
ed another hint of her warm, mouthwatering scent as she pulled

  me closer. I had to get away from her.

  I tried to focus on where we were going instead of on Camila’s

  bare ass. It was difficult. Her backside was so round and perky. The

  black chain around her body shimmered as she moved, following

  the curve of her hips, up around her back. I looked at her smooth

  shoulders and the graceful line of her neck. Her haircut was so…

  cute. The dark spikes were in perfect disarray, short in the back

  and slightly longer over her ears and bangs. It wasn’t a style many

  people could pull off, but like the bright red lipstick, it looked

  amazing on her.

  My clit wanted to see just how close I could get to her. The

  throbbing pulse between my legs wanted to touch her. It was telling

  me to run my fingers over her whole body. The logical side of my

  brain wanted to make a run for it. If I only knew which way would

  take me to an actual exit and not back into the arms of the other

  sister-queens.

  Our long walk brought us to a red door. Camila opened it and

  patiently ushered me inside. I don’t know what I was expecting. I

  found a pretty regular lounge area. A dark carpet covered the floor.

  There was a black couch, a few chairs, and a coffee table centered

  around an enormous flat screen TV. In the corner there was an

  elegant bar. Along the far wall were three more red doors. Camila

  led me to the door in the center.

  She flicked a switch and a soft, golden glow lit the room. I

  glanced up and saw small yellow bulbs hidden in the molding

  around the ceiling. There was an enormous bed covered with black

  satin sheets and thick black blankets. Another flat screen TV was

  mounted on the wall across from the bed, over a large dresser. On

  the far side of the room, a set of black curtains were pulled open on

  either side of a sitting area with two oversized armchairs and a chaise

  lounge. All the furniture was black and there were no windows.

  • 46 •

  Better Off red

  I stood by the door and watched Camila. I was fascinated by the

  way she moved. Her hips and shoulders rotated in lithe, synchronized

  movements, like a jungle cat. I almost felt rude staring. I had to take

  advantage, though. I didn’t know if I’d ever see her again. I needed

  someone to slap me. If I lived, I had to get out of there.

  She walked over to her dresser and stashed the thin black box.