16. The Auction 

Astrid's POV:

Earlier That Day

"You're fortunate because the vampire king himself will be at the auction today," the girl who was assigned to do my makeup informed me.

My heart sank. There isn't a single person who hasn't heard about the Vampire King's ruthlessness. He was notorious for inflicting misery, and no matter how attractive he was, he was cruel. Technically, all vampires are heartless, but the Vampire King is notorious for his lack of mercy.

The fact that all the girls used to have crushes on him but didn't appreciate his characteristic that no one had ever seen him smile. He was famous for maintaining...