Illusion: Volume 3 (7 page)

The
drive was long and boring. The vampires did nothing but look straight ahead. I
silently kept my eye out for landmarks so I would be able to find my way back
if needed. Cornelius obviously wasn’t worried about me returning. He probably
didn’t plan on me leaving in the first place.

The
driver finally pulled into the gate of a huge mansion. The place was crowded
like Cornelius was having some sort of party. I really wasn’t looking forward
to this encounter. The vampire next to me climbed out and held the door for me.
I followed him out and they led me inside the house.

I
was surprised that neither vampire checked me for weapons. I couldn’t believe
Cornelius was so arrogant. I could hear the yelling and excitement as the party
raged on just a little further into the house. I followed the vampires, passing
both vampires and humans as we went.

They
opened the set of double door and straight ahead Cornelius stood. He was
toasting and smiling. He was having a really good time. I couldn’t help, but
want to ruin that good time. I took a deep breath and unfurled my fists when I realized
my finger nails were cutting into the skin of my palms.

“Ah
Lillian Rayne. Please come in, join the party,” he said happily when he saw me.

I
stepped further in the room, and they closed the doors behind me making me feel
closed in. “Where is the girl Cornelius?” I asked refusing to play his game.

He
smiled and it was a devious smile that suggested he had one up on me. “Brittany
darling,” he called.

A
young girl stepped out from behind someone else. She was dressed up for the
party, and she was smiling. She looked to be about ten or eleven years old, but
I could tell she was a vampire. She was an older vampire; which meant there was
never a young girl in danger. It was all a trick to get me here on his terms.

“Don’t
look so disappointed darling. There is no one actually in danger, other than
yourself of course,” he said amused.

I
smiled. “You really think I worry about myself that much?”

He
hesitated for a second and watched me. He obviously thought I would cower in
fear when I realized it was all a trick. “You aren’t afraid are you?” he asked
cautiously.

“Not
even a little. I was in the process of finding your address so I could pay you
a visit myself. I didn’t have to look far. You offered it up to me,” I said
unable to wipe the amused expression off my face.

He
actually looked worried. I wasn’t reacting the way he thought I would. He quickly
changed his expression and smiled. “You are nothing but a weak hunter,” he
growled.

I
started walking toward him, and I could see him stiffen. “Maybe I am. It’s
funny how revenge can make someone so much stronger. It takes away the fear,” I
said softly.

He
nodded at two vampires, and they stepped in front of me and blocked my
approach. “You are here on my terms. You will not be walking out of here again
love,” he countered.

“I
would gladly die, as soon as you die,” I said as I halted just a few feet from
the vampire guards.

His
expression darkened. “Get her,” he ordered.

The
guards lunged at me, but I quickly defeated them. They really acted like they
planned for me not to fight at all. I squared with Cornelius and he smiled. His
expression changed quickly. He was no longer afraid. He was like me. He was
ready to fight until the death if necessary. I decided not to wait for him to
lunge. I attacked first; knocking him backwards into a table. He quickly
recovered, and pinned me to the wall by my throat.

He
moved close to me so he was only inches from my face. “So this is what Aubrey
sees in you. I see it now,” he said softly as he caressed my cheek.

I
brought my knee up and caught him in the crotch. He doubled over and I took the
opportunity to get him off me by shoving him backwards. I grasped my stake, and
lunged at him. He caught my hand just before the stake reached his chest. He
shoved me backwards, and slapped me across the face. He pinned me by my throat
again and pressed his body to mine.

“I
am going to have fun killing you,” he whispered as he kept a firm grip on my
throat. I struggled, but it was useless. Everything in the room started to fade
to black.

I
woke up slowly. I didn’t feel right. I was cold, and I didn’t feel like I could
breathe. I started coughing and my chest ached. I rolled off the bed clawing at
my chest. There was something wrong. I couldn’t breathe, and I didn’t
understand how I was even conscious.

I
had no clue where I was. I looked around the room, but I didn’t recognize
anything. I continued to cough trying to gather myself. The door opened and
Cornelius walked in. He was holding a dress.

“Ah
you are awake darling. Welcome to your new life,” he said amused, as he set the
dress on the bed, then knelt next to me.

“What
do you mean?” I managed to choke out between my coughs.

“You
are one of us now darling. Stop trying to breathe and you will quit coughing.
Breathing is not necessary anymore.” He was still smiling like it was a big
joke.

Fear
gripped me as I climbed to my feet and stumbled to the bathroom. I covered my
mouth with my hand to stifle my scream of horror when I saw my reflection. I
was a vampire.

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out for the next volume in The Lillian Rayne Series. For updates on this and
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