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(Dethroning DeQuincey)
play: The Devil is a Gentleman- Merci Raines
AS THE THREE OF US MADE OUR WAY ALONGSIDE the other guests into another gilded room my eyes immediately swept over its grandiose. It resembled a music room or theatre with velvet seating arranged in rows by letter. Tessa threaded through the crowd ahead, searching for three spare seats together as she finally found a set she beckoned Will and I over. We sat down beside her, the rumble of excited chatter floating around us.
As they hushed, I turned my attention towards the raised platform that lay at the front of the room. The light of the many candelabras dotted around didn't quite reach it and thus dusted the area in grey shadows.
I shrunk down into my seat as DeQuincey emerged from the darkness of the stage. If he noticed I wasn't still sitting in a dazed heap back in the ballroom, our game would finish before it had even begun. The audience was silent in bloodthirsty anticipation. DeQuincey grinned and exposed his fangs, flecks of my blood still staining them. Will stiffened beside me.
''Good evening,'' said DeQuincey. ''Thosewho have joined me here are proud sons and daughters of the Night Children. We do not bend beneath the oppressive yoke called the Law. We do not answer to Nephilim voices. Nor shall we abandon our ancient customs upon their whim.'' Hisses tore through the room in agreement.
''We have a prisoner,'' DeQuincey went on. ''His crime is betraying the night children, and what is that punishable by?''
''It is death!'' Cried a woman sitting in front of us. Soon enough all the vampires were collectively chanting the vile word.
Two figures slunk out from the back of the stage, one carrying a chair as well. Between them they dragged a struggling boy, his young build looking no more than twenty one. He thrashed feebly as the vampires strapped his wrists and ankles to the chair, and then stepped back.
Tessa went visibly green.
''When can you summon the enclave?'' She said to me in an urgent whisper. The phosphor lay strapped on my thigh beside the dagger. I'd swiped it off Will earlier.
''When he draws blood. We must see him do it.'' I replied, my voice tight.
''Darcie-''
''Be quiet Tessa, or you'll get us all caught.'' I snapped. Tessa eyed the two puncture holes in my neck before retreating.
Upon the stage DeQuincey zeroed in on the prisoner. He brushed a translucent finger against the boy's pulse and the boy instantly jerked away in desperate terror. DeQuincey's grin only widened.
There was a sudden flash of silver and before I could blink DeQuincey had dragged a spiked ring across the pulse point, drawing red hot blood. The prisoners screamed, thrashing on his chair. Beside me Tessa stiffened as her brows furrowed.
