Bite Me Forever

Chapter 13: The Vampire Queen

Viktor and Baba stood motionless, frozen in the middle of the room. Both their faces were pale, eyes darting around nervously as if searching for some kind of escape. The air between them was so tense that it felt like an invisible wall, thickening with every passing second.

A chill ran through me when Baba mentioned the name 'Queen Naran'. I trembled with fear as my mind raced. Who was this woman whose name caused such dread? Despite her royal title and status, why did Viktor have such a sinister reaction? What was their connection?

"Viktor..." I muttered, only for my words to be swallowed by the strong grip of his hand on my arm. He dragged me close to him.

"She can't know you're here, Lucy." His voice shook with apprehension and a shiver of fear shot down my back. Something was wrong; he wasn't making any sense yet I had a feeling I should be afraid.

Baba scurried around the room, yanking blankets off the closet and shoving them onto the floor. Her palms were firm against our backs, urging us to move faster. I stumbled over my own feet, my heart beating wildly as I tried to make sense of the chaos surrounding me.

"Why do we have to hide? What's happening?" I asked.

But Viktor simply pulled me roughly inside of the closet and rushed in right after me. We stood together, our hearts fastly beating at once, his chiselled torso pressing against my naked breasts, surrounded by Baba's dresses and hats.

I looked at Viktor with a terrified expression, my eyes begging for some reassurance, some explanation. Guessing my state of mind, he spoke.

"It's forbidden for any vampire to transform a human without the queen's permission. It's a crime punishable by death. If she finds you, she'll... She'll kill you." His hand rested on my waist as he pulled the closet door shut, just as we heard Queen Naran's footsteps barreling down the hallway. She didn't bother to knock, instead choosing to bust the door open with a loud bang.

Her scent was heady, almost intoxicating. Her presence was strong and palpable, though she was hidden from sight. I imagined briefly what it would feel like to be in her presence.

"As delicate as ever," Baba said with a hint of contempt. "Might I inquire as to why you have graced us with your presence, Your Highness? I wasn't expecting you." Her words were dripping with sarcasm.

"It's an insult to expect me in such a place as this snake pit." Naran spoke with a deep, velvety voice, each syllable filled with a sense of power and pride. Her every word was deliberate and precise, ringing with authority.

"Considering the taxes I pay, this snake pit is funding half of Babel and all those pretty rings you adorned yourself with." Baba continued, her voice sounding mockingly sweet.

"You should shut your fucking mouth unless you want me to raise them."

It was clear that neither woman wanted anything to do with the other; their mutual disdain was palpable.

A throaty moan left my lips as my hard nipples delicately caressed Viktor's chiselled abs. Unable to step away as his toned skin pressed against mine, I felt his masculinity through the faintest brush of friction. His nearness sent tremors of electrifying desire shooting through me. I tried not to think of it as his warm breath fanned my face. It was hard especially since I found the thought of him more appealing than the cat fight taking place outside of the closet.

"How can we help you, Your Majesty?" Baba spat the title out with disdain. "You have no need of anything you could find here, so it's clear you aren't here for pleasure."

"News has reached me that Viktor Volkov has been seen loitering in the alleys of Babel, stopping at dirty inns" the queen spoke in a low, menacing tone. "And... most disturbingly, it appears he was headed straight to the Red Moon Club."

The ominous quietness of the room filled me with dread. All of this was my fault! If I hadn't fallen sick, none of this would have happened. We had to stop at that cursed inn so I could have some rest... From there, someone had recognised Viktor and informed the Queen. I wondered if she had spies all through the city, keeping their eyes on us, and if maybe she knew about me already. I was so scared of being caught that I almost forgot to breathe. After what seemed like an eternity, Baba spoke up.

"Viktor isn't here."

For someone lying through her teeth her voice was eerily calm and confident; then a quick shuffling of feet followed which I suspected to be the queen's. Taking small steps, the footsteps grew nearer until they stopped abruptly. Finally, I heard a muttered scoff.

"You're a terrible liar Baba, so don't even try. Now get out of my sight." The queen spat out furiously.

The queen's tone clearly indicated we had been caught, I took in a long breath of air, about to break into tears.

"I'm sorry, 'Your Highness', but I own this place, so you can't tell me what to do. I'll remain here." Baba declared fearlessly.

"I hate giving an order twice Baba Anushka, but the next time you make me repeat myself I'd have your head chopped off and fed to your little lover." Naran said in a voice that terrified me to my core. "Now leave this room."

"Understood." With that single word, Baba vacated the room, taking with her what remained of my courage as I faltered internally.

"Viktor Volkov!" Queen Naran shouted out, causing Viktor and I to flinch in surprise. She waited a few moments for an answer, and when none was forthcoming, she yelled out again. "Now get out, Viktor! I can smell you."

In the darkness Viktor's icy blue eyes searched for my hopelessly crushed ones that begged for him to stay. A conflicted expression crossed his face, but just before I could place a finger on what exactly it meant, the queen approached the closet and insisted.

"Don't make me get you." She said, and I froze with fear realising how close she was. "You know too well that I play rough."

Viktor's eyes were full of sorrow as he stepped out of the closet, gently closing the door so only a thin crack was left for the door to be shut completely. He did it in a swift movement, ensuring his body was blocking Naran's sight so she couldn't spot me.