I Am Forever (What Kills Me) by Wynne Channing Read Free Book Online Page A

largest yellow diamond in the world,” she said as a maid strung it around my neck on a chain of diamonds.
    “It’s beautiful.”
    “It barely matches my lady’s brilliance,” Pavone said with a deep bow.
    “My lady!” Uther exclaimed from the doorway. “You look truly wonderful.”
    “Thanks. Uh, are we going to a party, Uther?”
    “No my lady. We’re going to see something special.”
    I took a few wobbly steps in my four-inch heels.
    “Don’t you dare say anything about my waddle!” I pointed my finger in Lucas’s face. He raised his hands in surrender. I followed Uther gingerly out of the room.
    Great. The Divine waddles. I wonder if they put me in these to make it harder for me to run away.
     

 

     
     
    The Empress was waiting for me in the same room with the screen showing the multiple videos. I didn’t have the stomach to see any more of those images. Luckily, the screen was turned off.
    “The doctor informed me that you are well, and I see that the dresser has paid you a visit,” she said.
    I shifted self-consciously and tried to clasp my hands behind my back, but they got lost in my bustle. “Yes, thank you. The necklace is stunning.”
    “Everything the Monarchy has is yours, my lady.”
    She leaned over the table and pressed a button on a remote control. With a whirr the screen began to part and a laser of light broke through the darkness; the two halves of the screen slid into the wall to reveal a glass pane.
    “Come,” she said. “I want you to see what belongs to you.”
    I circled the table and walked up to the window.
    Wow.
    I peered down at levels upon levels, like bookshelves, teeming with vampires. It looked like a circular mall with open walkways and staircases connecting each floor. The bottom floor was maybe twenty stories down.
    “My lady, this is the Acropolis. All of the Monarchy’s needs are served here.”
    I pressed my nose to the glass. It reminded me of the packed throngs in Taipei, but without the chaos. The vampires moved like ants on a branch, in single file. Against the white architecture I could identify groups by their clothing. The blue robes of the clerics. The black gear of soldiers. The beige dresses of the maids. There were others—white lab coats, business suits—and a smattering of glittery gowns.
    So many vampires. Thousands maybe. That’s a lot of mouths to feed.
    “Would you like to see it?” she asked.
    “Yes. Very much.”
    Outside the door Uther and Lucas were waiting with a line of vampires.
    “Your Highness,” Uther said. “And my lady.”
    Uther put his hand out and three female vampires stepped forward. Their dark mohawks sprayed upward, and braids clung to either sides of their scalps like centipedes. Armor made of silver scales hugged their curves. Black guns were holstered to their thighs, and they carried swords strapped to their backs.
    “My lady, these are your guards. They will be by your side at all times.”
    None of them looked at me. Just stared ahead at the space in between me and the Empress.
    “Let us go for a walk, shall we?” the Empress said.
    Worried that I wouldn’t appear very god-like to the vampires, I straightened my back and tried to emulate the Empress’s posture as we walked.
    Everywhere we went the vampires parted and bowed. The crowds undulated like the sea. It looked as if the vampires were almost cowering, with their hunched shoulders and hidden faces. I was no longer sure if the soldiers were protecting them from me or me from them. My nervousness faded when I realized that no one was looking at me. Everyone averted their eyes as if I was Medusa.
    I glanced back at Lucas. My guards had cut him off with a haughty toss of their heads and formed a fence between us. Over their shoulders I watched him scan the masses, unhappy dents forming in between his brows.
    The Acropolis smelled musty, like a dank basement. This far underground there wouldn’t be fresh air. In that moment I felt