Let Them Kneel Chapter 57

**They were led down a narrow hallway, the walls seeming to close in with each step—tight, dark, silent.**

**Their bare feet padded over cool stone. Ahead, two towering double doors loomed at the corridor’s end—black, rimmed in gold, and pulsing faintly like a muffled heartbeat.**

**Julian felt the vibration before he heard it.**

**Then—**

**The doors swung open.**

**Sound slammed into them like a tidal wave.**

**A wall of bass hit first—deep and relentless, thudding in their chests like a second pulse. Crimson light spilled out, flooding the hallway and washing over their skin like blood and heat.**

**The air grew warmer. Thicker. Saturated with perfume and bloodlust as they stepped into the underworld.**

**The crowd was a den of indulgence—vampires, witches, and every kind of supernatural creature they could name. To their surprise, even Lycans. All of them dancing, grinding, drinking from glasses and from each other. Some wore leather. Others wore little. Skin shimmered. Teeth gleamed. Pleasure and danger coiled in every corner.**

**The redhead moved forward, guiding them through the throng—bare, collared, leashed.**

**Julian kept his chin high. Jace didn’t flinch. But every gaze followed them—some curious, others ravenous.**

**They ogled. Whistled. Catcalled.**

**A vampire woman with glossy black hair stepped from the crowd and reached for Jace without hesitation. Her fingers dragged slowly down the length of his bicep, nails grazing his skin. She leaned in close, lips parting, a glint of fang flashing as her tongue swept across her top lip.**

**“Well, aren’t you pretty,” she purred. “Bet you taste like wildfire.”**

**Before Jace could answer—before he even reacted—**

**A snarl ripped through the air.**

**The redhead was between them in an instant, her body angled defensively, eyes glowing a furious gold. Her canines dropped fully as she bared them with a growl that silenced half the room.**

**“Touch him again,” she said coldly, voice dipped in venom, “and I’ll tear your fucking throat out.”**

**The other woman backed away—mockingly slow, hands raised in faux surrender.**

**“No need to be possessive, sweetheart.”**

**The redhead held her gaze for a beat longer before the other woman vanished into the crowd, laughter trailing behind her.**

**Jace said nothing, but his mouth twitched just slightly.**

**The redhead didn’t look at him.**

**She simply gripped the leashes tighter and moved on.**

**They were led deeper now—past the crowd, the bar, the leather-lined booths and shadowed alcoves. Through an archway bathed in pink light and up three wide marble steps.**

**The music dulled. The air shifted.**

**And there he was.**

**The Vampire King.**

**Not seated on a throne, but on a burgundy velvet armchair elevated by a half-moon platform. One leg slung lazily over the other, dark hair spilling around his face like ink. His mouth curved in amusement—but his eyes? Ice and iron. Ancient. Watching.**

**Beside him, a man lounged on the armrest, fingers stroking idly through the king’s hair—slow, possessive.**

**Neither spoke.**

**And yet everything in the room… stopped.**

**The redhead came to a graceful stop at the base of the platform, her voice steeped in theatrical grace.**

**“Well… here you are, boys. Lazarus, The Vampire King.”**

**She stepped aside with a subtle flourish as she gestured toward them.**

**“And his beloved, Sebastian.”**

**Both men atop the platform took their time surveying them—eyes leisurely trailing from head to toe.**

**Sebastian tilted his head, lips curling.**

**“Is it just me,” he mused, “or are these newer generations of Lycans much more well-endowed?”**

**Lazarus smirked without looking away.**

**“Big cocks to match their big egos,” he said dryly.**

**The redhead leaned in between them, voice hushed but sharp.**

**“You’re supposed to kneel.”**

**Julian’s jaw tensed. Behind his ribs, his wolf growled—low, defensive, insulted.**

**But even the beast understood the assignment.**

**Julian dropped to one knee, followed a beat later by the other. Jace moved with less reluctance but with just as much disdain in his gaze.**

**They knelt.**

**Sebastian’s eyes glittered.**

**“Mmm,” he hummed. “Nothing gets me hotter than two doms brought to their knees before us. How deliciously poetic.”**

**Lazarus chuckled, brushing a hand through his dark hair.**

**“Well then, I’m glad it pleases you.”**

**The two laughed softly together—easy, entertained, like they were watching the start of a very enjoyable play.**

**Julian felt his spine go rigid. Jace didn’t move a muscle.**

**They weren’t guests here.**

**They were the entertainment.**

**Lazarus finally lifted his gaze to the redhead.**

**“Thank you, Madelyn,” he murmured, clearly appeased. “Get them some robes. Then bring them up to my study.”**

**He rose with unhurried elegance, Sebastian gliding up beside him. One hand remained on the small of the king’s back as they turned and disappeared through a set of shadowed doors.**

**Madelyn handed them two robes—dark, sleek, and clearly tailored from expensive material. They were heavier than expected, lined with something impossibly soft. Julian slipped his on without a word. Jace muttered something under his breath but did the same.**

**Once the robes were on, both men reached for their collars. The metal was cool against their fingers—another reminder of the game they’d just played.**

**Julian unclasped his first, slipping it off with controlled ease before placing it in Madelyn’s hand.**

**Jace followed a beat later. He removed his with a quiet click, pausing for a second before offering it over.**

**She said nothing as she turned and guided them out of the club.**

**This time, they didn’t go back the way they came.**

**They moved in the opposite direction—away from the pounding bass and licentious haze—into a hallway that felt like another world entirely. The stone gave way to smoother surfaces. The lighting shifted, softer now—muted golds and dusky ambers glowing from recessed light fixtures. The walls, though still shadowed, were painted in rich, welcoming tones. Hints of incense and lavender hung in the air, replacing the thick scent of pheromones and perfume.**

**It was quieter here. Calmer. Almost… livable.**

**Jace walked beside her in silence for several paces, his expression unreadable. But Julian could sense it—the restraint, the tension, the storm building beneath his skin.**

**Then Jace spoke.**

**“…Madelyn.”**

**Her stride didn’t falter, but a smile tugged at her lips as she glanced up at him.**

**“You can call me Maddy… if you want.”**

**Jace’s eyes narrowed slightly, like he was studying her more carefully now. His voice was lower this time—curious, rough around the edges.**

**“You’re a Lycan,” he said. “So what the hell are you doing living with vampires?”**

**“Well,” she said lightly, “as you can see, I live among many supernatural creatures.”**

**Jace scoffed under his breath.**

**“No,” he muttered, voice edged with dry disbelief. “You live in a damn supernatural orgy convention with no off switch.”**

**Maddy gave a small laugh, not taking the bait. “I rarely attend the parties.”**

**“You shouldn’t attend any,” Jace said firmly—low, possessive, without even meaning to be.**

**She looked at him, brows lifting slightly.**

**Behind them, Julian slowed.**

**A beat passed. Then—quietly, as if realizing it aloud—**

**“Oh shit.”**

**Both Maddy and Jace turned.**

**Julian stared at his friend, eyes narrowing with dawning recognition.**

**“I’ve been so caught up in my own mess,” he said, “I didn’t even see it.”**

**Jace blinked. “See what?”**

**Julian gave a low exhale, a small shake of his head—like he couldn’t believe it took him this long.**

**“You found your mate.”**