by Sela Croft
Above Draven’s head, the two clawed women swooped toward the cliff. Blood dripped from their eyes, and their black capes whipped in the wind. I shrieked, only it appeared they weren’t interested in him.
The two passed Draven and plummeted toward me. There was enough distance between Draven and I that he couldn’t reach me. There was no time for my weather tricks, and Pegasus was buried beneath my coat, impossible to retrieve in a split second.
Just as the horrible women swooped for me, I forced all the energy I could muster into a heavy boulder. I’d learned that sorceress abilities often included telekinesis, but this was a heck of a time to find out. Amazingly, the boulder sprang into the air, striking the women.
The women fell back, and in that moment, Draven levitated and grabbed me. We flew to the castle with haste. When I was safely on the terrace, I dared to look back. But the women were gone. I’d scared them off. My heart was pounding, and my knees were weak, but I was safe.
“That was unexpected,” Draven said, with his arms still around me.
“Do you suppose Silvain is after me again?”
Draven frowned. “That’s doubtful. I don’t see any advantage for him. Circumstances have changed.”
“Those women had definitely been hired to grab me.”
Draven released me but held my hands. “It has to be Alban. He wants you the most. Possessing you is his aim.”
“Because he wants to kill me…to take me out of the equation.”
“Yes, he does,” Draven said. “He is determined to strip me of any love, any alliance. Whether it’s you or Calina, he will do all he can to destroy you—thinking that I’ll play into his hand.”
“Selene cautioned me to stay away from the king until I’m prepared,” I said. “That is difficult to do, when he makes a point to come after me.”
“Alban is treacherous. We must not underestimate him.”
I turned to go inside, seeking safety. Draven walked beside me but said no more about the terrifying incident. Instead of spending the evening with him, I might have been held captive at the royal palace—a most disgusting thought.
Pushing aside my fears, I tried to focus on Draven and our time together. I remembered the evening when he’d proposed, and glanced at the ring sparkling on my finger. All was not bleak after all. Yet I hadn’t suggested dinner in the ballroom since the dark gods had made an appearance.
It was ridiculous to think that they haunted the cavernous room or lurked around its terrace. Yet that was how I felt. “What shall we do now?”
“For the evening I have in mind, we’ll need to feed.”
I felt the same lust and craving that I saw in Draven’s eyes. “I’m starving.”
We went to the basement to take our fill of human blood. I no longer balked at doing so, having become accustomed to the ritual. I thrived on the sustenance, relished the taste on my tongue and the feel of the warm liquid flowing down my throat.
In the dim recesses of my mind, I wondered again what I was becoming. But the thought was vague and didn’t interfere with the satisfaction of feeding. I drank more than my usual, having worked up an appetite from the recent trauma. My baser urges surged, forcing me to admit that I was becoming more vampire—that my human side was fading.
Draven finished a little after I did, so when he emerged, we went upstairs together. I reflected with pride that I’d defended myself earlier, that my sorceress side had been strong. I was curious about what else I could do, as I hadn’t tried too many things.
“It does my heart good to know that you are a fierce presence,” Draven said with a smile.
I looked at him through lowered lashes. “And I thought you like me for my sweet nature and my good heart.”
“I like you for many reasons,” Draven said, holding me in his arms. “And right now, it’s for your uncontrollable passion.” He swept me to our suite, where he ravished me for the rest of our hours alone. I fell into his embrace and indulged with abandon.
Draven was my heart, my life. I loved him beyond all good sense. He was my other half, and I was his. That brought me great joy. I prayed that the rest of the prophecy would come to pass, so we could truly be together. Even as I loved him with my body and soul, I knew he’d leave soon—that we’d be forced apart yet again.
The next day, Draven departed with his troops, and part of my heart went with him. I didn’t go along. Instead, he requested that I stay to assist Calina. She’d have need of my support, while she was in charge during his absence.
I couldn’t argue with that, especially since I’d shown skill at protecting myself and others. No sooner had Draven left than Selene arrived. She found me in the rose garden. “I promised to intern you on your sorceress abilities, so here I am.”
I plopped onto the garden bench. “You have no idea how much has happened since your last visit. I could have used your guidance much sooner.”
“I’m sure that’s true,” Selene said. “But I’ve been detained…by one thing or the other.”
I looked up at her, taking note of her halo of fire-red hair and her navy-blue eyes. She had a unique look, lovely in a non-traditional sense. I liked her and considered that we’d become friends of sorts. Although I wondered if she unconditionally pledged loyalty to anyone or anything.
“Are you just going to sit there staring?” Selene said, then waved her hand. “Let’s see what your abilities are.”
I stood up. “What shall I do?”
A black cat stepped lightly over the dirt in the garden bed. Selene snatched him into her arms and handed him to me. The furry bundle rubbed his head under my chin. “Go ahead. He’s talking to you.” She smiled. “I already know that you talk to plants. Tell me what this little furball is saying.”
I stroked the cat’s back and scratched the back of his neck, which elicited a loud purring noise. It was easy to understand what the cat was communicating. Only it wasn’t about the pleasure he exuded. He conveyed his acceptance of me and that he preferred me over Selene.
I relayed the results of my first test, and Selene nodded. “That’s a good start.” Then she headed for the castle stairs. “But that was an easy one. Let’s go up to the tower and put you through more of a trial.”
“I thought you were going to teach me.”
“That too,” Selene said. “Although you seem to catch on quite well without my guidance.”
It seemed that telekinesis came naturally, since I could move objects around with little effort. But other feats weren’t so easily achieved. There was one that Selene called shielding that required me to create a force field around my body.
I tried repeatedly, but Selene could still break through. “You can do it,” she said. “It takes a particular type of strength. It’s a skill that requires practice.”
She gave me more precise instructions, then I tried again. That time I kept her away longer, but she was still able to get through my shield. “I don’t know about that skill. It’s very difficult.”
“It is for now, but the more you practice, the better you’ll get.” Selene seemed to be enjoying herself. “How about fire conjuring?”
“I have no idea.”
“Well, you can control weather, and it’s very similar. Here, watch me.” Selene focused then extended her hands. Two fireballs appeared at the edge of the parapet, roared into a blaze, then disappeared. “Now you try it.”
I wasn’t so sure about this. I might burn half the city down before I mastered that one. I focused, imagining the fireballs before me, as she’d instructed. Then I extended my arms and waited. I strained, hoping to make it happen. Then a flame flickered briefly before extinguishing.
“That’s okay,” Selene said. “You have to take baby steps before you can graduate to advanced sorcery.” She gave me a few pointers, then I made another attempt. I remained calm, exuding certainty, seeing the image of fire. Then two fireballs burst into existence before disappearing. It hadn’t lasted as long as Selene’s, but I’d done it.
“Excellent,” Selene said. “If you do it a few more times, you’ll have it.”
Now I was intrigued. “What else can you do? I know you’re much more advanced than I am.”
“Sorcery is a talent that improves with practice,” Selene said. “But I’m not sure that you will achieve the level that I have. Remember that I’ve been doing this for centuries. It takes a very long time for some talents to develop.”
“Like what?”
Selene thought about that for a moment. “Oh, for example, I can summon ghosts and spirits.”
My eyes widened, and I encouraged her to tell me more. She told me about the time she’d escaped from a royal soldier by summoning a demon to keep him occupied. I laughed at that one. “I suppose I should feel sorry for the soldier, but it sounds hilarious. I can’t imagine his expression when he saw that creature rise up from the earth.”
Selene laughed too. “It was something, I have to say.”
“I think it will be while before I can accomplish anything like that,” I said, “if I ever can.”
“Yes, but there is still more you can achieve.” Selene proceeded to explain to me what a glamour was. Apparently, I’d be able to cast an illusion. It could change my appearance, so I might look like another person or another creature. It was a handy tool for deception.
“Just make sure to create the edges of the illusion,” Selene said. “If you don’t, then the person you intend to deceive might see around your glamour and perceive you behind it.”
“Okay, I’ll be careful of that,” I said. “Um, question…”
“Sure.”
“Well, movie stars are glamorous. Is that related to creating a glamour? Is that where the word came from?”
Selene laughed. “But of course. What do you think those actors do? They create an image, an illusion we can all see. It’s not so different. Others see what we want them to see.”
“I’m going to like this skill,” I said. “Let me give it a try.” My natural inclination toward this ability made it one of the easier ones for me. After several attempts, I was able to do it flawlessly. I created an image that disguised my true self. I appeared to be one of the enforcers, black cape and blood-dripping eyes included.
Selene laughed hysterically. “Are you sure that’s what you want to look like?”
“It would certainly confuse them, wouldn’t it?” I said. “And you didn’t say the glamour had to be beautiful, only that it was a disguise.”
“You are an excellent student,” Selene said. “I’ll leave you to practice diligently. You are a talented sorceress, and a capable vampire.”
I had a sense that I’d be able to put all this innate ability to good use. I’d always wanted to be strong, so I wouldn’t need any more protecting. I wished to be Draven’s equal, to rule by his side with pride—and now I knew that was possible.
Chapter 7 – Draven
Yesterday on the cliffs had been a close call for Mirela. The king had used the cheap trick of hiring the enforcers to bring her to the royal palace. That had been a disaster in the making, because once Mirela was in his grasp, he’d do his worst.
And that would involve torture and death. I shuddered to think about it. Mirela had narrowly escaped, thanks to her cleverness and resilience—but that didn’t make it any more palatable. Alban had to be stopped, and I was the one to do it.
For some time, my army had been preparing to escalate the war. My Guardians had held off the Royal Army and the Dark Fighters for long enough. It was time to take them out of commission. My generals were briefed and my soldiers ready.
That morning, as I left Mirela, my battalions moved toward the front lines. Quin, Spence, and Jon, with a sizable army faction, accompanied me on another mission. Our target was Silvain’s guerilla troops. I couldn’t allow them to thwart my battle strategy, so took on the task of stopping them.
If all went according to plan, I would be the next king. I hadn’t craved usurping the monarchy, but I’d been forced into the position. The only other choice was to allow Alban to perpetrate his insanity upon the realm, which would be no future at all.
Or to let Silvain have free rein, but he wasn’t much better. To institute a new system and create a kingdom at peace, I would take control and ensure that the evil that gnawed at life and happiness was held at bay.
I’d relinquished the castle city into Calina’s capable hands, with Mirela by her side. I had confidence that my sister would manage in my absence, and that Mirela would provide the support she required. General Clay was orchestrating the attacks from the command center and would be at my sister’s disposal if she needed him.
As I rode away, I thought of the future. Alban’s threat loomed, but Mirela had blossomed over the recent months. In her vampire state, she had grown stronger. She also had her magic, such as the telekinesis she’d used to prevent her abduction. It was encouraging to see, and I had hope that her powers would increase, making her impervious to outside threats.
My comrades rode beside me, and we headed for the locations where the guerilla fighters were expected. It was vital that they not be allowed to continue to mow us down. The outcome of the war might depend on gaining traction against the Dark Fighters, who had become a major influence.
I thought of the future and my role as a barricade to death’s assault. My actions could sway the ultimate resolution, but a tinge of guilt stabbed at my gut. Although I’d brushed aside any regret, the fact remained that I’d violated the rules of the immortal prophecy.
The easy part had been loving Mirela, so making her my queen would be a privilege. Yet the last part of the prophecy had forbidden me to go to my love in advance. It had been ordained that she would come to me. But that hadn’t happened, since my desire to see her had overridden all else.
The caution from the prophecy ran through my mind:
But be forewarned, king of the immortals,
If you make contact beforehand,
Your queen will be forever lost to you.
I dared not think that I’d lost Mirela. Although I hadn’t heeded the warning, events that had transpired since had led me to believe that we might yet rule together as king and queen. But I still walked on destiny’s path, the same as Mirela did.
Much could change over the course of the next few weeks. Mirela had been in danger since the moment she’d met me. It seemed my enemies were aware of her importance, so sought to possess or destroy her. Alban was the worst of all, but there had been others—Silvain had been one.
And there might be more before this was over. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried to prevent it, evil’s tendrils reached out for Mirela, and danger found her. The only solution was to achieve victory and be the king that I was meant to be.
Yet doubt nagged at me. Was there something I’d overlooked? Was there an aspect that I’d been blind to? A mistake could lead to harm or death for Mirela. She could be forever lost to me, as the prophecy threatened, and I was acutely aware of it.
But I couldn’t allow my fear that I had toyed with destiny shake my confidence. So I rode forth, with every intention of besting the enemy, and to prevent fate from taking my love away from me.
Quin rode beside me. “We’re on track. Our latest intelligence reports indicate that we will encounter the Dark Fighters if we keep to this course.” He sniffed. “I can already smell them.”
“I’m not maligning your sense of smell,” I said. “But even you cannot pick up their scent from this distance.”
Quin smirked. “Ah, you doubt me. Well, I shall have to prove myself.”
I surveyed our troops, noting that our formation was as planned. Guerilla fighters had unique methods, so it was best not to ride in a cohesive group. My soldiers had spread out and were in staggered teams, to make it difficult for the enemy to surround us.
The hours passed as we rode a distance into the coastal region. We didn’t need to enter the rainforest, because Silvain’s strategy was to come for us. He intended
to weaken our forces with his persistent attacks, well before we entered his region.
Jon was leading a small band to the east, and I spotted him weaving through the trees. My immediate party was led by Quin. And Spence had scouted ahead with a team of soldiers for protection. The rest of the army faction was spread throughout the hills, ready to go into action, as soon as the fighters were spotted.
The strategy was to approach, then safely dismount and sneak through the hills on foot. It was how the fighters did it, and we intended to best them at their own game. My commanders had drilled their soldiers with an eye toward guerilla methods.
Recently, some of my battalions had experienced success at winning skirmishes with the fighters. That had inspired confidence, and I’d ramped up our efforts. Over the weeks, I’d had reports of more wins, but not enough to propel us to ultimate victory.
As we moved stealthily through the hills, my hopes were high. We dismounted and tethered the horses, certain that we were close. Jon looked across the gully at us, letting me know he was ready to move. Then flashes of dark made adrenaline flood my veins.
Just across the way, the fighters dressed in black had swooped down on my men. Jon disappeared, and I didn’t know what had happened. Yet there was no time to think about it. The air moved with the sounds of the enemy approaching.
Swooshes of whips and muffled cries warned that we were under attack. Quin motioned to his men, and they went into instant action when the fighters emerged. Like burglars, the dark ones appeared from the shadows, armed with weapons and itching for the kill.
I fought along with my men. The forked light from my palms was as effective on the dark vampires as it had been on the hunters. What damage my light didn’t do, my whip or sword made up for. I wiped out several fighters and spun to find another.
Then a snap in the air warned me that I’d misjudged. An unseen fighter was behind me; his whip wrapped around my neck and the tip of light struck my head, incapacitating me. Stunned, I fell to the ground, thinking only of reaching my sword.