A Vampire's Battle

by Raven Steele

  “So this really could kill me?” My heart skipped a beat, and my breath quickened.

  “Absolutely.” She paused, then smiled. “This is such an interesting development.”

  “Interesting is not the word I would use.”

  “We could use it to our advantage.”

  “How so?”

  She scoffed. “Think about what you did! You turned invisible!”

  “Under intense pain. Plus, you just told me it could kill me!”

  She nodded. “Yes, yes, it could, but there is a period of time where you can exist between both worlds.”

  “How much time?”

  She poured herself another glass of wine. “I’m not sure. We’re in uncharted territory here. I’ve only heard of this happening one other time.”

  “What happened in that situation?”

  She held up her finger indicting for me to wait while she drank all the liquid in her glass. When she was finished, she wiped at her mouth with the back of her hand. “In that case, it was a boy, barely ten, who had died drowning. Using magic, his witch mother brought him back before he had been in the after world too long. And, like you, he returned different. They tried to teach him to control it, but he was simply too young. Only a few weeks later, he disappeared altogether.”

  “That’s terrible.”

  “Keep in mind, this story was heard second hand. But we should test your abilities. If I can monitor you while you do it, then maybe we can figure out the rules of ghosting. We can turn this into a true gift.”

  “It’s too dangerous.”

  Her face contorted into anger. “Do you not yet understand what we are up against? We need every advantage we can get against the Phoenix. All of us need to make sacrifices. God knows I’ve made mine.”

  I rubbed at my forehead, trying to understand everything I’d just learned. If she was right, the news was devastating. I’d just gotten rid of the Kiss only to have this thrust upon me. I hadn’t even begun to process how this would affect Mateo, but Cassandra was right. We needed every advantage over the Phoenix, even if it put our lives in danger.

  I looked up at her. “I need to think about this.”

  “And while you take your time, the Phoenix’s army grows.” She hesitated. “I heard about what happened at the cathedral. I assume since the invaders wore masks, you had something to do with it. Korin isn’t happy.”

  “Do you know what his plans are?”

  “Not yet. He’s still trying to figure out who did it, but tell your friends to watch their backs. His revenge will be swift and thorough. In the meantime, be careful with your new gift. In fact,” she tapped her long fingernail against the top of her desk, thinking, “if you take the Kiss back, I think you’ll be stronger to withstand the other side. Just one more reason to return to your former self.”

  My mouth parted open at the thought, and my heartbeat thundered.

  “It’s time,” she said. “You must become who you were meant to be.”

  Chapter 13

  “The answer is no.” I came to my feet. “I’ll see myself out.”

  I didn’t say another word to her as I left the mansion, thinking of all she had said. I was ghosting. As long as I’d lived, I’d never met anyone who shared this same experience. I had heard of it in passing, but the tall tale fell among other bed time stories, never to be believed. Of course, I also knew by now that many strange things existed in the world. Why not this?

  The whole ride home, I thought of Mateo and the others. How would I explain it to them? Mateo would want me to never use it again. But being invisible had huge advantages, and ones I could really use right now. Ever since the Kiss had left me, I’d felt weaker. I was weaker. I could accept that as I never wanted to go back to how I was, desiring blood and violence, afraid to feel emotions. Ghosting was the much better option. Like Cassandra had said, I just needed to learn to control it.

  When I returned, Briar and Roma were in the middle of an argument. Adelade was sitting close to Loxley with her arm around her. Loxley’s eyes were still red and swollen. The pain of losing Gerald would last a long time, but it was a good sign she was here with us. That was the first step toward healing—being with those who loved you.

  To their left, Aris spoke with Angel and Mateo but I couldn’t hear what about over Briar’s loud voice.

  “We have to do it!” Briar said to Roma, her hands on her hips. “We don’t have a choice and you know it.”

  Roma shook her head. “I disagree. First of all, it’s dark magic. Secondly, it will take too much power.”

  Owen had his arms folded, looking more upset than usual. Detrand nodded at me at my arrival, his face a mask of boredom. He dragged his finger across his throat and shook his head in disgust. I stifled my laughter, knowing that Adelade’s presence in the room was the only reason he remained.

  At Briar’s frustrated growl, I turned toward the group. “What’s going on?”

  Briar pointed at Roma. “She knows a spell that will sever Korin’s bond to the Phoenix, but she doesn’t want to do it.”

  “As I’ve explained,” Roma said, trying to keep her voice even, “it’s too dangerous. Plus, we would need to syphon the energy from extremely powerful supernaturals to do it.”

  Briar spread out her arms. “Standing right here, ready and willing.”

  “Lynx is the one who will have to do the spell.” Roma put her arm around Lynx’s shoulder protectively. “She would have to be willing to put her life on the line for this.”

  Lynx looked around the room at everyone, sighing. “It’s what must be done, unless anyone knows of another way? Detrand?”

  “No.”

  “Mateo? Angel?”

  “This is out of our league,” Angel answered.

  “Then I’m doing it,” Lynx said.

  “Sounds like Lynx is willing,” I said and crossed the room to stand next to Briar. “Sorry, Roma, but this is the only way. Just tell us what you’ll need.”

  “You want to know? It will take her.” She squeezed Lynx again, then let her go. “She’s going to have to tap into some nasty shit, and guess who’s she’s going to have to tap to get it?”

  No one said anything.

  Roma pointed at Briar. “For sure you, sassy pants. And all three of you vampires.” She motioned toward Aris, Mateo, and Angel. “And even then, it won’t be enough.”

  “I’ll do it too,” Loxley said, wiping at her dark blue eyes.

  Roma dropped her gaze to her, eyeing her suspiciously. “Why you? You’re a young shifter.”

  “I have strong genes. Trust me.”

  “It still won’t be enough.”

  Briar glanced at Detrand. “He could help.”

  Detrand frowned. “I do not participate in circles.”

  “We’ll make it a square,” Briar snapped at him in frustration, but Detrand stood up, his power imposing in the room, even with all the powerful magical beings in the room.

  “You will not order me around. I’ve come to support Samira, and my wife. If I do anything, it will only be to protect them.”

  His voice was low and threatening. It made Briar take a step back.

  He turned to me. “Since Samira has agreed to do this, I will participate,” his eyes cut back to Briar, “but do not assume you are allowed to tell me what to do simply because you are an Alpha.”

  Briar nodded, eyes wide. “I apologize.” He gave her a curt nod and she sighed. “It’s just, we need all the help we can get on this! I know it’s scary and dangerous, but this is the fucking end of the world we’re talking about.”

  “I’ll do it too,” Adelade said, coming to stand next to Detrand.

  Owen nodded. “Me too.”

  Just then I caught movement from the corner of my eye. Samantha was standing at the window, watching everything we were doing. She could probably hear us too. I followed her gaze. She was staring at Loxley with fire in her eyes, but when she sensed me looking at her, she quickly turned away. What was
that all about?

  “What about now?” Briar asked Roma. “Does Lynx have enough people to suck from?”

  Lynx groaned.

  “Perhaps,” Roma said, thinking hard, “but there is one more who would seal the deal.”

  “Who?” Briar and I asked at the same time.

  “If you want to make sure you have enough power to make this spell work, then you need to get me the fae queen.”

  Briar wrinkled her nose. “Oona?”

  Roma nodded.

  Briar and I looked at each other. I sighed. “I don’t know if she would do something like this.”

  “But we’ll try.” Briar turned to Roma. “What else do you need?”

  Roma differed to Lynx. “You’re the one who’s going to be leading this. What will you need to draw upon your powers?”

  “I need a full moon.”

  “Tomorrow night,” Briar said. “What else?”

  “A graveyard, one with lots of bodies, preferably those of witches. I need those close to the other side. Even if they are dead.”

  I startled but quickly recovered when Mateo glanced at me. It was an interesting thing to hear after what Cassandra had just told me.

  Briar smiled. “Easy. We’ll go to Black Oaks Cemetery. Anything else?”

  “I think we should go to Raven Cemetery,” Roma said.

  Briar shook her head and scowled at the suggestion. I understood why she didn’t want to go there. That was where Dominic had summoned Ivona on multiple occasions.

  “I’d prefer Black Oaks,” she said.

  Roma scoffed. “Raven Cemetery is the gravesite of some of the oldest and most powerful witches in the area. We need their power for this spell.”

  Briar threw up her arms. “Fine.”

  Lynx looked all around the room. “I warn you, guys. This is dark magic and will probably hurt.”

  “Will it hurt you?” I asked. That was all I cared about.

  She rolled her lips into her mouth, thinking. “Nothing I can’t come back from.”

  “You know how I feel about this.” Roma reached out and grabbed her hand. “But, since you’ve decided to go against my wishes, know that I trust your capabilities. You can do it.”

  Lynx forced a tight smile. “I’m not worried.”

  “Then tomorrow night,” Roma said, exhaling a long breath. “I’ll get the necessary ingredients for the spell, and you three girls go fetch a queen.”

  Briar’s gaze wandered to the rear windows and to outside where Gerald’s memory was still being honored. I’d already missed most of it.

  “We’ll leave as soon as possible,” Briar whispered, pain etching her face again. “I just need to put on clean clothes.”

  She left, taking longer than we expected. I suspected she needed some time alone.

  Twenty minutes later, Briar, Lynx, and I all drove in Lynx’s car toward Black Glen to speak with Oona. Briar tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. “We should have a plan.”

  “I agree,” Lynx said from the backseat, “but how do you convince a centuries-old queen who rarely leaves her white castle to join a group of supernaturals to allow her powers to be tapped into by a young witch?”

  I peered out the window, watching darkness race by. “You don’t ask. We need her.”

  Briar snorted. “Sure. We’ll tell the queen what to do.”

  “Yes, we will.” I didn’t know how exactly how, but we needed her. Somehow, I’d make her understand.

  Chapter 14

  We arrived at the park and stared across the expansive green lawn, dozens of trees, and a swing set in the distance. But after I said the words in fae language, the landscape shimmered and changed to reveal something very different from what I expected.

  The village was still the same, but it wasn’t bustling like before. There were no fae folk carrying baskets and filling the streets with their activities. Even the sweet smell in the air was gone. Instead, soldiers lined the streets, dressed in shiny metal armor and helmets that covered everything but their eyes. They stood on every corner, and several of them blocked the entrance. A few fae walked the streets, but they walked with intent and purpose, going straight to their destinations with no lagging.

  At our arrival, the soldiers lifted the long spears in their hands.

  Briar raised her arms. “Woah! Calm down.”

  One of them stepped forward, his weapon trained on us. “State your business.”

  “We came to see Oona,” I said.

  “She is a queen. Address her as such.”

  I bristled.

  Lynx rested her hand on my arm and said in a sweet voice. “We came to speak with your queen.”

  His gray eyes looked her up and down. “We don’t let just anyone see our queen.”

  Briar folded her arms. “Good thing we aren’t just anyone.”

  His gaze slid to hers. “If you’re not fae, which by your terrible smell, you aren’t, then you are just anyone.”

  She pointed her finger at him. “I’ll have you know I’m wearing the cleanest clothes I could find.”

  “Silence, shifter,” he snapped.

  We didn’t have time for this. Knocking the spear from his hand, I darted behind him, snatching the sword off my back as I moved, and pressed it to his throat. I circled us around to face his men. “Tell Oona that Samira, Briar, and Lynx are here to see her, or I’ll kill your man.”

  They all looked nervously at each other.

  “Do it,” the fae man trapped within my grip gasped. One of them scurried away while the others still pointed their spears in our direction.

  “Nice moves,” Briar whispered.

  Lynx sighed. “Was that really necessary?”

  “Yes,” Briar and I answered at the same time.

  We only had to wait a few minutes before the young soldier returned, gasping for air. “They can pass.”

  I released my grip and shoved the guard away. He stumbled to his knees, but quickly jumped up and spun around. He kept his expression emotionless; even his eyes gave no indication how he was feeling. They had been trained well.

  “This way,” he said. His soldiers parted for us, and we walked through them, keeping a watchful eye.

  I walked through the village, noting how quiet it was. Several pairs of eyes spied us out their windows, and it was an eerie feeling. The city had lost its previous charm and warmth. I wondered what Oona had told them to make them so fearful.

  We reached Warwick Castle. Its white walls and metal framed windows shined beneath the almost full moon. Even though it wasn’t at its strongest, it still warmed my flesh. The heat, however, still paled in comparison to the sun.

  More guards surrounded the castle, and they scrutinized us carefully as we passed. There were far more than I would’ve ever guessed. She’d trained and outfitted them so fast, it made me wonder if she had been preparing for something like this for a long time, almost as if she had anticipated a fight.

  I eyed them suspiciously. What information did she have that we didn’t?

  The soldier guiding us led us through the front doors. More soldiers blocked the entrance and every other doorway, making the place feel more like a prison than a refuge meant for royalty.

  “This is a lot of man power,” Briar whispered up to me.

  Lynx glanced back at her. “Even more reason to get them on our side.”

  “I’m not sure they are on anyone’s side,” I said. An uncomfortable feeling had settled deep inside my gut the moment we’d entered Black Glen. Their transformation from a species that rarely intervened to being fully ready for battle in a matter of weeks had set off all kinds of alarms in my head.

  Instead of pushing open the throne room doors like we expected, the guard walked past them.

  “Where are you taking us?” Briar asked, glancing back at the throne room with eyes full of worry.

  “To the queen’s private quarters.” He opened a narrow door and motioned us inside.

  I peeked past him, spying a
set of stairs leading upward. “You’re not going with us?”

  “It’s forbidden.” He clasped his hands together and stood straight.

  Briar walked past him, smirking. “The queen doesn’t let just anybody up there.”

  I rolled my eyes and followed after her. I didn’t know if it was a good or bad thing, her meeting us like this in private. I’d have preferred her to speak to us where there were lots of witnesses.

  Before we reached the top of the narrow stairway, a door opened. Folas stood regal with his hands behind his back and wearing purple and white robes with a yellow sash around his waist. He hadn’t worn that before, and in the fae world, clothing meant a lot. Something told me he’d been promoted.

  “Come in, ladies,” he said and stepped back. “I apologize for the rude reception. We can’t be too careful these days.”

  Briar walked into the mostly white room, accented with light blues only, and looked all around. “What’s with all the soldiers anyway?”

  “For protection, of course.” Oona appeared in a doorway off to our left. I caught a glimpse of a bed in the room behind her.

  “You sure gathered an army quickly,” I said.

  “Fae folk never do anything slow or halfway.” She crossed the room wearing a long gray gown that fit her like a second skin. The front of it was cut so low the slit nearly reached her belly button.

  “You’re looking super hot, as always.” Briar smiled, though I could see the tic of nervousness beneath the motion.

  “Thank you.” Oona gestured towards the sofas. “Please sit down and tell me why you’ve come. I have a feeling it’s not good.”

  Lynx and I lowered into a white, plush couch, but Briar remained standing, walking the room. Folas watched her carefully.

  “We need your help,” Lynx began.

  “I surmised as much.” She crossed her long legs and leaned back into a straight-backed chair.

  “There is a spell … ” Lynx looked at me, doubt filling her eyes. I smiled, encouraging her on, “That we believe will sever the bond between the Phoenix and Korin. If performed correctly, it will strip Korin of his added powers.”