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“Have you been to one of these before?” I ask.
“A wedding?”
“Kragen’s games?”
He laughs. “Oh. Of course. They’re something he hosts regularly around here.”
“How long do they last?”
Gordon pulls a curling wand from the same bag the brush was in and begins working his magic. “That depends on the quality of product he’s acquired.”
“You mean how fast the humans run,” I correct.
He laughs, making my stomach turn. “That’s the best part. Watching them run for their lives. Begging for us to let them live one more minute,” he mocks their words, using a baby’s voice. I close my eyes to prevent the anger from showing.
Gordon keeps curling, oblivious to my energy shift. “How many vampires will be hunting?”
He shrugs. “Depends on the package they purchased.” He stops curling and looks me in the eyes. “Once, there was an entire clan from South America that purchased Kragen’s services.” He sighs at the memory. “There were some hot Latinos in that mix. Oh, the memories.” He continues working on my hair. “Why so many questions?”
“I’m just curious.” I wait a few minutes before continuing. “Does Kragen always hold a wedding as part of the games?”
“No, girl. You’re the first. To be honest, I thought he was gay and was a little put out that he didn’t want me. I mean, look at him, and look at me. Kragen is pretty hot, but then again, so am I.Youmust be something special.”
Shit. “I’m nothing special.”
“There. Look at that hair, won’t you? Kragen is going to want to consummate your marriage on the main deck in front of everyone.”
He’ll have to kill me first. “How many vampires are here on the ship? I counted eight the other day, but wasn’t sure I saw everyone.”
“Well,” he pulls a box of makeup out of the bag and moves in front of me. “You’re right. You didn’t see everyone. Last count, there were twenty.”
“Twenty,” I repeat. There’s no way Bert and I can take on twenty vampires, even with the help of the three he knows about.
With no more questions to ask, I sit quietly, while Gordon drones on about his life in New Orleans before Kragen found him. My mind plays over every possible outcome of today, all ending in death.
“Voila!” Gordon interrupts my thoughts, shoving a handheld mirror in front of me. “Perfection, if I do say so myself.”
The woman staring back at me is pretending to be something she’s not. Although her makeup and hair are flawless, the sadness behind her eyes says more than the outside image ever could.
“Our guests should be arriving soon,” Gordon says, helping me into the different layers of the dress. The corset he insisted I wear is so tight that it would cut off circulation if I were still human.
He steps back from his creation, clapping his hands. “Perfection. You have to tell me everything that happens after the games. I mean blow by blow…if you know what I mean.” He winks, making me want to punch him.
The sound of heavy machinery echoes through the room. “It sounds like our treasure is here.” Gordon gathers all of the tools he used. “That means our guests of honor will be arriving soon and the games will begin.”
“What time is it?” I ask.
“Does it matter?” He shrugs and leaves without another word. There’s no way Bert and I can take on twenty vampires. I will save as many humans as possible, but I have no qualms about the fact that tonight will be my last. No matter what happens, I will go down fighting.
TWENTY
yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate’s life for me
The door opens,and Kragen enters, wearing a captain’s uniform that rivals mine in age. Compared to the costume he wore to greet the French visitors, this one is authentic and perfect. The royal blue long coat looks to be made from velvet and is the perfect accent to the stark white linen shirt underneath. His normally dark hair is covered by a white wig with braids tied throughout. He looks like the iconic pirate I’ve seen depicted in movies and books throughout the years.
“You look quite lovely, my dear.” He holds his hand toward me. “We will make a fine couple.”
I have no idea how I’m getting out of this, but there’s no way in hell I’m marrying Kragen. I smile, laying my hand on top of his, and allow him to lead me from the room onto the main deck. “Where is everyone?” I ask, looking around the empty ship.
