Chapter 54: Devotion

"Start by pulling him out of the fire and

hoping that he will forget the smell.

He was supposed to be an angel but they took him

from that light and turned him into something hungry,

something that forgets what his hands are for when they

aren't shaking.

He will lose so much, and you will watch it all happen

because you had him first, and you would let the world

break its own neck if it means keeping him.

Start by wiping the blood off of his chin and

pretending to understand.

Repeat to yourself–

"I won't leave you, I won't leave you"

...until you fall asleep and dream of the place

where nothing is red.

. . .

The throne of the King of all Vampires is cold and rigid as a human's corpse; it was a seat of power and strength, one that is made of gold, embedded with the brightest of rubies and–much to the awe and horror of his subjects–lined with the purest of silver. But he lounges in it comfortably as though it was a bed made of roses.