“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
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?”
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.