Immortal Prophecy Complete Series

by Sela Croft

  It seemed to me that my brother had done that all on his own. Something dire must have happened for him to delay in contacting me. He’d intended to see the woman briefly. Then return home. The story he gave was that he’d searched for her for centuries.

  That part I could attest to, because I’d heard about Mirela for that many years. But to go see her was extreme. Yet Draven wouldn’t be dissuaded. My cautions had fallen on deaf ears. And now he was missing.

  I didn’t even want to gloat that I’d warned him; I just wanted him back.

  One of the castle guards entered the room and disturbed my solitude. “Yes, what is it?”

  “A message, my lady.” The guard approached and handed me a folded piece of parchment.

  “When did this arrive?”

  “A courier delivered it only moments ago,” the guard said. “I came directly.”

  I waved the guard away, then opened the note. It was in my fiancé’s handwriting. I sighed, as it was good to hear from him. Nicolai had been away on reconnaissance. He worked for the Guardians of Immortality as an intelligence officer, and I was proud of him.

  As I read the scrawled note, a vision of my beloved came to mind. His slate-gray eyes bored into whomever dared meet his gaze. The look was intimidating, as it needed to be—yet not to me. I adored his challenging look, knowing it held only love for me.

  The note was short and lacked much information I wished to have. But it was the first knowledge I’d received about what had happened to Draven. It seemed that Silvain had recruited assistance to capture my brother from the human realm and toss him in prison.

  I shuddered to think of the treatment Draven had received there. The message conveyed that he’d escaped, so I expelled a long sigh. He was alive and had a chance of making it home. That was the good part.

  However, there were many miles between the rainforest that Silvain called home and Draven’s castle city. I could only hope that his comrades had survived with him and were escorting him back to the coastal region.

  In Draven’s absence, my powers had waned. When my brother was near, my abilities were strengthened. There was a bond between us, a brother/sister link that enhanced our skills. I also looked like him, with dark hair and crystal-blue eyes.

  Some thought we were twins, but I had been born a year earlier. I was the older sister, but Draven hadn’t needed caring for in that way. He considered us equals and trusted me as much as Quin or his other comrades.

  The army commanders had taken care of the ongoing battles in the region. The fighting hadn’t stopped for centuries, so certainly wouldn’t because my brother decided to go on a vacation. Internally, the city was secure. The guards were skilled and loyal.

  It seemed the only risk I hadn’t controlled was the threat to Draven. He’d been in captivity, probably for an extended period, so I dreaded to think what had been done to him. But it explained one important thing: why I hadn’t been able to connect with him mentally.

  My telepathic ability had been honed during my vampire life. Contacting Draven in the human realm hadn’t been tested before. He’d had no reason to go there until Mirela had shown up. It seemed the skill didn’t transcend the borders between the realms.

  I’d been patient, sure that he’d return once he got a glimpse of the woman of his dreams. Yet it hadn’t been that simple. And I’d been unable to make contact since. His stay in the rainforest had blocked my communication as well.

  Within the coastal region, my telepathy with Draven was strong. But the rainforest was a barrier to my power. While he was in Silvain’s prison, there had been no way for me to reach him. So that brought up a question: where was my brother?

  If he was fighting his way through the rainforest, he’d be lost to me. I prayed that once he crossed into coastal territory, I would pick up the connection with him. So far, that hadn’t happened. There could be reasons for that, but none of them good.

  I tossed the note on the desk, then went out to the courtyard. The flowerbeds were in bloom under the starlit sky. A yellow rose beckoned, so I went over to smell its aroma. One of the gardeners smiled. “The rose garden is to your liking?”

  Maggie was a kind human. She’d served at the castle for many years, and I liked her. “Yes, very much so. It’s lovely.”

  I gazed up at the radiant moon, thinking that the same moon shone over Draven—wherever he was. Possibly, I’d be gifted with a vision, since he’d escaped. My visions came at unexpected times and brought insight into future.

  Of late, my mind had been quiet. I’d hoped for a clue about Draven’s condition and a prediction regarding his return. Sometimes, I knew about events before they happened. Yet with my brother’s security unstable, I wasn’t certain that I wanted to see into the future.

  I turned away from the garden, unhappy with the situation. The kingdom wouldn’t be right again until Draven was home. I’d had my fill of managing in this absence, so anxiously awaited turning over control. More than that, I missed my brother, and my heart wouldn’t still until he’d returned to the castle.

  “I thought I’d find you here.”

  I turned to see Selene approaching. “Yes, out for some air, a break from the rigors of ruling.”

  Selene was a talented sorceress, so I’d implored her to help me—but she’d failed miserably. She was a master of spells and enchantments, but not adept at tracking wayward brothers.

  “Did you try that crystal ball of yours again?” I waved her over. “Let’s go inside. I need to check on something.”

  “I wouldn’t be so smug about my crystal ball,” Selene said. “I don’t recall you having one of your own.”

  Selene had deep red hair that reminded me of fire. Her eyes shone with mischief then turned a darker navy blue. The witch was a thirty-year-old beauty, in physical terms, but a sorceress who had lived through the centuries.

  Technically, a sorceress wasn’t immortal, as vampires were. But that point could be debated. Selene had lived longer than Draven or I had, so I supposed that the term was relative. She followed me into the castle, then down the hallway to the library.

  “I’ve been working on decoding some of the enemy communications the army has intercepted.” I sat at the desk.

  Selene sat across from me. “That’s something I could probably help you with.”

  I tossed a stack of papers across the desktop. “Be my guest. It’s tedious business.”

  Selene glanced at the papers, then looked at me. “I’ve been to the royal palace.”

  It was interesting that the sorceress seemed to come and go as she pleased. The rest of us wouldn’t dare approach territory guarded by the Royal Army. Selene had sympathies for the Guardians and had befriended me. Yet she could enter the palace without being harmed.

  “And how is King Alban?”

  “As crazy as ever,” Selene said. “He’s raving, if you ask me. But that’s the thing with being in power—it keeps others from arguing with you.”

  “It’s disgusting,” I said. “The palace guards, courtiers, royal soldiers…all bow at his feet.”

  “He is the king.” Selene smirked. “For now, anyway. But he teeters on the edge of sanity. It’s only a matter of time before his followers see that.”

  “I hadn’t thought of you as an idealist,” I said. “Surely, you’re aware that those who follow the king are as mad as he is. It will take more than a few ravings for his monarchy to come unhinged.”

  Selene grabbed the stack of papers, then began reading the first coded message.

  “It’s not the royal army that’s foremost in my mind today.” I paused, waiting for her to look up.

  “Let me guess…if it’s not the royals, then it can only be the dark ones.”

  “You are a clever sorceress,” I said, rolling my eyes. “The Dark Fighters captured Draven while he was enjoying the sunshine aboveground.”

  “That can’t be good.”

  “It was a disaster, I’m sure. But I just received a message that he esca
ped.” I watched Selene, noting her relief.

  “I’m glad to hear that. Those prisons are deadly.”

  “The thing is, Draven remains missing.” I stood and paced the carpet. “I don’t know what to do. He should be home by now.”

  “I suppose that depends on how he escaped, and what kind of transport was available,” Selene said.

  “Waiting is driving me crazy.” I turned to look at my sorceress friend. “I just wish I had some indication that he was okay.”

  Selene decoded a few messages, while I paced the room. She considered it a game, whereas it was work to me. But it was good to have the help, so I left her to it. I had more pressing matters to think of. “I’m going to see the commander and send out a search party of my own,” I said. “I’m done with hanging around until Draven decides to show up.”

  Army factions were stationed across the breadth of the coastal region. The soldiers went about their duties like a well-oiled machine. With so many vampires in the Guardians, and such a wide territory covered, Draven would be sighted the instant he arrived at the perimeter.

  But that wasn’t good enough. I ordered the commander to dispatch a detail. I didn’t think it wise to leave Draven roaming the kingdom with a handful of comrades. “My brother has escaped, but he may need help. Send as many men as needed and seek to recover him.”

  With my brother somewhere between the rainforest and the coastal region, it might take the whole army to find him—yet I hoped not. While the forces did their best to save Draven and return him to me, I went to the tower room. It was one place I enjoyed, as it was up so high.

  I fancied that I could see across the kingdom, and irrationally hoped I might see Draven approaching. I saw rolling hills and graceful valleys, dotted with trees and riverways. It was a beautiful landscape, illuminated by the bright moon.

  But the view didn’t bring peace. I leaned against the stone wall, then peered below. A vision began to appear, so I closed my eyes to get in touch with the images. When I saw Draven, my pulse sped up. I looked at his blue eyes, searching. And I sensed weakness that hadn’t been present before.

  My gut tightened as I envisioned the torture he must have endured under Silvain’s direction. It only made me hate the dark leader more. But he wasn’t the cause of distress at the moment. With my eyes closed, I witnessed an enemy approaching.

  I held my breath, trying to tell what the outcome was. Yet the message refused to be rushed. Draven and his comrades were surrounded, so I watched and hoped. But the vision focused on the present danger, not the future. If only there was some way for me to warn him in advance.

  The scene progressed, and I was gripped by suspense. The images were sporadic, and the events not linear enough for me to easily follow. The circumstances weren’t good, that much I could tell. An attack was revealed, but not the outcome…

  Chapter 9 – Mirela

  If destiny had whispered in my ear, it could not be clearer: reuniting with Draven was up to me. For a while, I’d been pulled along by events beyond my control. It was time to face what I had to do to take control of my future.

  No one else was going to do it for me. And Draven was out of reach, his situation unknown to me. I was on my own, so had to dig deep for fortitude. There was other magic besides the supernatural. I needed to use my inborn talents and my instinct for survival.

  Those that surrounded me didn’t have my best interests at heart. Although their attitude was caring and interested, I’d discovered it to be a pretense. Each minute that ticked by pushed me further from Draven and my goal to spend my life beside him.

  There was no question in my mind that I was destined to be with Draven. Others had contrived circumstances to make it impossible. And it would be if I didn’t act, utilizing whatever brilliance I could muster.

  Lilly spent longer on my hair that morning. I could tell she liked me, and I’d become quite fond of her. “That looks lovely,” I said. “You make me feel like a princess.” She’d braided my hair and twisted it around my head, then adorned it with delicate pink flowers.

  “A queen, my lady…that’s what you are.”

  While gazing at my image, I smiled. “If you say so. Although I daresay it’s going to take more than a hairstyle to get me there.”

  “Oh, you’ll get there,” Lilly said. “A lady as kind and gentle as you are must be of royal blood.”

  “Many things can change, Lilly.”

  “Oh, but not that. No matter what happens, you’ll possess those qualities.” Lilly gave a last touch to my hair, then motioned toward the door. “You are free to go about your day.”

  I hesitated to leave. “I meant…I won’t always be here with you.”

  “I wouldn’t expect so,” Lilly said. “You are a guest; I didn’t think you’d live here forever.” She lowered her voice. “Who would want to?”

  “Are you doing all right?” I sensed melancholy. Lilly’s mind wasn’t difficult to read. It was just that she viewed life in simple terms, so it wasn’t easy to see deeper into her psyche.

  “Yes, of course.” Lily took a step toward the door. “I just…sometimes I wonder what it would be like on the outside.”

  My heart wrenched. “If I could arrange that, would you like it?” I had no idea what I was talking about. If I had the ability to get out, I would have done so already. But I couldn’t help caring what happened to Lilly.

  “You shouldn’t trouble yourself with that. The castle, my position here…it’s all I know.” Lilly glanced toward the windows. “I wouldn’t know what to do out there.”

  I hesitated to respond, unwilling to make a promise I couldn’t keep. “We’ll just see where life leads, shall we?”

  That seemed to satisfy Lilly, not that she’d voiced any real dissent against her superiors. But she hadn’t had anything to compare her life to. She didn’t know what the outside was like, so she didn’t realize that she had any options.

  I smiled before turning toward the door. “Even if I do leave, Lilly, I won’t forget you.”

  The days rolled by without much variation. But I’d become cleverer. I did all I could to learn about my captivity. If I couldn’t break out forcefully, then I’d have to outsmart my captors. I set to work to achieve that aim, and quickly—for I sensed time running out.

  Jason had become a friend, so I looked forward to our talks. It was important to keep it short, lest the guards decide that we were plotting.

  One morning, Jason finished edging the lawn then came over to visit with me. “You look thoughtful,” he said.

  “You could say so.” I patted the bench. “Sit for a few minutes, will you?”

  During my incarceration, I’d learned much about Jason, and I trusted him. I had no one else to rely on, so decided to share my plan. “We’ve talked about many things,” I said, “so I hope it’s okay to tell you a secret.”

  Jason smiled. “I’m very good at keeping secrets.”

  “It’s no surprise to you that I’d like to leave. I’m not really a guest, after all. And I wish to avoid the owner of this castle.”

  “I can’t blame you for that,” Jason said. “Guest or not, Silvain is not a pleasant fellow, and you wouldn’t want to encounter him.”

  “The trouble is that I’m a captive. There is no way in or out, because of that transparent bubble,” I said. “But there must be an exit. After all, there is an entrance…although I haven’t observed one.”

  Jason’s expression was kind. “The master can enter, and, if authorized, the guards can leave. They change guards sometimes to send in new ones.”

  “That’s promising.” I tried to imagine following guards as they left the estate. I was desperate enough to try it, but I couldn’t conceive of how I could stay hidden. “Do you happen to know where this point of egress is?”

  Jason smiled. “As a matter of fact, I do.” He took a breath. “I’ve been here many years, and curiosity got the better of me. At first, I couldn’t figure it out, but I had plenty of time to work
on it. Once, by pure luck, I was nearby when a guard left, so I watched.”

  “You know the point of entry?” My hope soared.

  “Yes, and I can show you,” Jason said, then glanced at the guards. “You should smile and laugh, so those monsters don’t get suspicious.”

  “You are so right,” I said with a grin. I tossed my hair over my shoulder and giggled. “How can I get through the exit?”

  “That’s a good question. The guard I saw leaving just waved his hand then stepped out. I saw a glimmer of gold, so I suspect he had a passkey. It’s just that I don’t know where the keys are kept.”

  “I sincerely doubt that the guards walk the premises with keys in their pockets,” I said. “That would be too easy.”

  “Iris is in charge of the castle, so she must know.” Jason gazed at the flowerbeds, as though he was talking about them with me.

  “I’ll have to find out,” I said. “Then I can escape.”

  Jason frowned. “I don’t recommend it. Lumea is filled with danger, and there is a war going on.”

  “I can’t stay here. Surely, you must understand that.”

  For a few moments, Jason didn’t say more. He stood and walked over to an arbor, then removed a few dead leaves. “I’ll escort you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Jason turned to face me. “You can’t go out there by yourself. You wouldn’t survive. I’ll go with you.”

  I could think of all sorts of reasons that was a bad idea. “But…what about your position here? You’d lose your job.”

  “That would be the least of it,” Jason said. “The trick would be to stay alive out there. And you can’t do it alone.”

  I was speechless. “I couldn’t ask you to risk yourself for me.”

  “I’m offering,” Jason said. “It would make my life mean something. You cannot deny me the opportunity to do something for the human realm, to live up to my heritage. And…to have hope for the future.”