46

Heaving in lungsful of breath, I disentangled from the creature. The arm I’d used to choke the beast was like rubber, the bicep ready to cramp from the exertion I’d placed on it. I glanced into the crowd and saw a mixture of reactions on the faces there. Most showed shock and awe that I’d beaten the beast without killing it. Others looked annoyed that I’d gone the bloodless route. Wyatt looked as white as a ghost but gave me a grudging nod of respect. I couldn’t help but smirk about that. Did he have that little faith in me? He should know better after all these years.

A slow clap started from stage left, and I looked over to see Von walking out as he applauded me.

“My goodness, ladies and gentlemen. Look at this beauty,” he said, sweeping a hand toward me. The floating cameras followed his gesture. “I hope the alphas were all watching that. Miss Durst is a very worthy mate indeed. She looks just as good taming the wild beast as she does taming our hearts.”

Every word out of his mouth pissed me off. After battle, the last thing I wanted was to be displayed as some sexy little thing to be won. But instead of spitting on the floor at his feet, I plastered a thin smile onto my face and bowed dramatically toward him.

The witches returned and led me back to the mansion, taking a different path than what the alphas took. That was a blessing since I was in no mood to answer the obvious questions about me not shifting. It wasn’t their business, anyway.

They led me to what would be my room for the duration of the show. I’d thought the hotel suite was luxurious, but this room was fit for royalty with its thickly woven wool carpeting, mahogany wood floors, ornate carved cherry-wood fireplace, and wainscoting. Chandeliers and candle-tipped lights cast a golden glow over everything.

I didn’t get a chance to inspect the rest of the room because Zoe nearly tackled me as I crossed the foyer.

“Holy shit, Kira.” Zoe wrapped her arms around me and squeezed so tight, I thought I would suffocate.

“Can’t breathe. Zoe, can’t breathe,” I gasped out.

She pulled back and tracked her gaze over hurriedly over my figure. “I watched the whole thing on TV. The tiger…are you okay?”

My legs and stomach were smeared with tiger blood. “I’m fine. This isn’t my blood; it’s his. I need a shower.”

Zoe helped me undress. After a quick shower, I found Zoe had laid a new outfit out for me on the bed. It was a flowy, flowery, low-cut dress that screamed tropical vacation. I put it on. It felt weird dressing like I was on a cruise when I’d been fighting for my life less than thirty minutes before. It was mental whiplash. The juxtaposition of the five-star resort with the life-threatening island of death and torture made it seem like I was living in a dream. Or a nightmare.

I was sliding my feet into a pair of dressy sandals when there was a knock at the door. Frowning, I looked to Zoe, who shrugged.

I walked over and opened the door, stifling the scream of surprise. Von Thornton himself stood outside my door, so close to the threshold that we were almost nose to nose. Gods, he was creepy. Vampires and shifters had histories that dated back centuries. Most disputes had been settled in the ancient past, but something about them had always made my skin crawl.

“Dear Kira, I have come to escort you down to your get-to-know-you session with the alpha contestants.” He reached out and put an icy hand on my arm. “First, I have to say, I was very impressed with your performance earlier. If I had to guess, a lot of tiger shifters will be in your corner after your display of mercy toward one of their brethren.”

Shrugging his hand off my arm, I said, “Thanks, but I’m still not happy about you throwing a feral at me with no prior warning.”

Von tittered out an obnoxious little chuckle. “Oh, my lovely young thing, you’ll get used to the brutality of Bloodstone Island soon. Everyone does.” He shrugged. “Or they die. Only two options, really.”

Before I could even think of how to respond to that, the vampire stepped into the room, wrapped an arm around me, and leaned in close like a conspirator. I could smell the metallic tang of blood on his breath.

“I shouldn’t do this, but I’m going to give you a little friendly advice. When you finally start interacting with the alphas, stay impartial for as long as possible. Give them each some nice long looks, flirt away, and make them all think they have a shot. Even if you are initially drawn to two or three of them, we want the audience to be on the edge of their seats, wondering who you’ll choose. We can plan how we want the drama to play out later on. Reevaluate, if you will. Amping up the excitement is a never-ending job.”

I looked at him, taken aback. It suddenly became very obvious that the reality of reality TV was tenuous at best. It was really only a step or two away from a scripted fantasy show. Hell, would they even let me choose who I wanted, or was that preplanned as well? I’d find out.

I nodded politely. “Thanks. Will do.”

Clasping his hands together, Von grinned at me. I struggled not to glance at his pointed fangs. “Fabulous. I’ll be at the end of the hall when you’re ready to go.”

Von stepped out and closed the door behind him. I groaned and leaned my back against it. Behind me, Zoe peered from around a corner, her face twisted with disgust.

“You know,” Zoe said, “I used to be a huge fan of that guy. All vampy Dracula, sexy and stuff. But after being around him? Ugh, no thanks.”