Drop Dead Single (Monstrana Paranormal Romance 1)

With a disgusted sigh, Jezebel threw her hands up and barked with laughter. “This is ridiculous. It’s like threatening a puppy or a kitten. You’re so weak, so fragile. One little flick of my wrist and I could crush every bone in your body. It’s hilarious.”

The blood drained from Cate’s face. Her hands trembled as she grasped the comforter beneath her. Jezebel knew. Somehow, she’d discovered her secret. Cate had to play it cool. There was no telling what Jezebel would do. Maybe, she could fool her just long enough to get to safety.

“I’m not sure what you mean.” Her voice sounded weak, despite the bravado.

She tossed her head back. “Your humanity, of course. Don’t think you can hide it from me any longer.”

“Humanity?” She was losing her confidence, her voice becoming smaller.

“Yes, your humanity.” Jezebel pinned her with an intense gaze. And then, in a flash, she was sitting beside her and stripping off her ring.

Cate tried to scream, but her throat had gone dry. Jezebel dragged her s

harp nails across Cate’s neck, pausing at the jugular vein pulsing rapidly. Her attention zeroed in on that point, her eyes like an eagle on its prey. She leaned in slowly, her mouth opening to reveal a set of long white fangs.

This was it. This was the moment Cate was going to die.

She squeezed her eyes shut, ashamed that she didn’t have the strength to fight back. Killed over a stupid dating show. It was quite pathetic.

She’d always imagined a much more splendid death for herself. Maybe a sabbatical trip to Egypt where she discovers an ancient tomb and comes down with a mysterious illness. That would be more fitting. But instead, she was going to be sucked dry by a jealous beauty queen with a manicure worth more than her entire wardrobe. It didn’t seem fair.

“Is that all?” Jezebel demanded, pulling back from her neck with an incredulous scowl. “You’re not even going to scream? Beg? Cry for mercy?”

She blinked at her, confused. Surely, she should be dead by now. Her blood drained from her body.

“Can you at least look scared?” Jezebel huffed. “I’ll have you know, I get these fangs bleached and sharpened every year. My dentist is very expensive. He’d be horrified to hear about this.”

Cate swallowed, unsure what to say. “Well...they’re very...scary.”

“Good.” Jezebel tossed her long mane. “Let’s get one thing straight. As a vampire, I could kill you here and now.”

Not one to push her luck, she tilted her head at her, her eyebrows raising. “Understood...”

“Right.” Jezebel pushed herself off the bed and perched herself on the edge of a lounge nearby. She brushed off the length of her tight t-shirt and designer pants. “But I’m not a monster, despite what Hollywood might have you believe. My father has taught me all too well that there are other ways to get people to do what you want. And you will do exactly as I want.”

Dread filled her head. What kind of things would a desperate vampire like the Duchess Jezebel demand from her? This couldn’t be good.

“I can hear your heart racing faster,” Jezebel smirked. “Splendid. Now listen up. We both know that you’re here illegally. No human would be allowed within these walls, even under Prince Viktor’s orders. The moment King Borwin discovers your true identity, you’ll be punished. The Romanov’s are not known for their lenient hand and they hate deceit most of all. I’ll let you imagine the possibilities of that delightful little piece of information.”

Cate grasped the comforter until her knuckles turned white. She knew what Jezebel’s thinly veiled threat meant. It meant the loss of her mortality and the possibility of an eternity of punishment. Despite her feelings for Viktor, she wasn’t ready to embrace the vampire life. Not yet.

And even so, that didn’t mean they could be together. Her lies would be like an insult to the King and Queen. For all she knew, the moment they found out, she’d be tossed into the dungeon. All big stone castles had them, right? Probably with torture wheels and clanging skeletons in the cellars. She didn’t relish the idea of rotting away in a dingy basement and becoming one with the history she so loved to study.

“What do you want from me?” she asked, licking her dry lips.

“To drop out of the competition,” Jezebel answered, settling back into the lounge chair with a triumphant grin. “Leaving me to woo Prince Viktor. Without you in the way, he’ll see all the charms I have to offer.”

She swallowed hard. Sure, Jezebel was a serious work of art. She belonged on a magazine cover. But that pretty face was a mask for something twisted and wrong underneath.

“Why are you so intent on having him?” she asked, despite the warning tones in her head. The woman had just threatened to break every bone in her body. She shouldn’t prod her.

“Why are you so intent on getting in my way?” Jezebel snarled, once again flashing her fangs. “My adopted father has spent centuries preparing me for this role. It’s my birthright. The reason I was changed into the creature that I am. I cannot fail him now. He’ll never forgive me.”

As she watched Jezebel pant in distress, Cate had the feeling there was more to the mean girl sitting in front of her. For a moment, she could see a little child who so badly craved a father’s love. A daughter manipulated and molded into a women bent on getting her way, no matter who she crushed along the way. A woman afraid of losing the affection of a cold and calculating father.

And in those few seconds, an overwhelming sorrow filled her. Jezebel had never known the unconditional love of a parent like her own. Cate’s mom and dad might have lived tiny lives in comparison, but at least they left this Earth with a daughter knowing just exactly how much they loved her. It was the most beautiful, precious gift she’d never realized she owned. Her heart swelled, treasuring that knowledge.

“Why are you smiling?” Jezebel snapped, thrusting Cate back into her current predicament with dizzying speed. “Are you going to drop out of the competition, or am I going to have to drag your sorry rear to the King and Queen myself?”