Curse of Blood and Midnight

by Emily Inskip

  She swallowed.

  “I know your weaknesses, Amara,” he said before turning on his heel and striding away. “You care too much.”

  Just as he slipped behind a mound of yellowing hay, he called out again.

  “Bring her. Now,” he snapped. “It’s already morning and there’s still so much to do.”

  Amara was tugged forcefully to her feet by the man behind her. Her wrists practically sang in pain as he shoved her forwards. Like shadows, the remaining Valkrane began to file in behind her, their dark cloaks rippling in the breeze.

  If she wanted to live, she had to act now. This was her last chance.

  Don’t be so stupid, Elias’ voice scolded again.

  But unfortunately, stupid is what she did best.

  In a heartbeat, Amara threw her head backwards. Her skull slammed against the man’s nose and she felt the bone shatter upon impact. He cried out and his grip faltered. But that was all the distraction she needed.

  Amara snaked from his arms before scanning her surroundings. From this distance, she would never make it to the door before being caught. But she wasn’t aiming for the door.

  Amara threw herself right, swiftly ducking beneath a grasping arm before barrelling straight into one of the clouded windows that lined the warehouse’s high walls. On instinct, she drove her elbow through the glass, bracing herself as the sharp shards rained down, clinking to the ground.

  In moments, the Valkrane minion was on her again. But this time, it was too late.

  The morning sunlight streamed through the shattered window, blazing into the room, purging the darkness and all that dwelled within.

  Her suncharm thrummed between her breasts at the golden light, but her pursuer wasn’t so lucky. His shrieks filled the warehouse as the smell of burning flesh shoved up her nose. The rest of the Valkrane hissed and stumbled away, watching as he burst into flames.

  Amara had been right. He had been a new member, with no suncharm or means of protection from the day. It had been a risk, but one that had paid off. Her hunch had led her this far. Now it was time to finish it.

  She rammed her boot into the flat of his back and he flew across the room, his arms flailing as flames engulfed him. Amara was already running when he landed directly into a pile of straw. The tinder lit up in seconds and soon the entire room was ablaze. One by one, the bundles of hay and cloth caught alight, smoke billowing into the air. Embers sparked as more cries tore through the warehouse. The wooden rafters from above began to creak and give way, but not before Amara was safely amongst the flocking crowd that gathered along the street outside. She had no clue where Fassar was, or if he had made it out of the blaze, but she kept her head down as she weaved amongst the panicked crowd. People were clutching pails of water, frantically rushing to where flames licked around the door and window frames of the warehouse.

  “Fire,” they screamed. “Send help!”

  But Amara was too far gone to care. She threw her hood up, darting down the narrow alleys of the slums. She didn’t dare look back, but as she gazed up, smoke now filled the skies above in a plume of grey. The cries could still be heard as Amara hurried over the northern bridge leading out of the slums, keeping her cloak tugged tight around her.

  Adrenaline still coursed through her veins and she could have sworn she could still feel the cold burn of Fassar’s hands around her jaw, like a ghostly touch of frost.

  She couldn’t keep from shuddering as she hopped onto the back of a merchant wagon heading out of the city. Thoughts bombarded her mind as the cart jostled up the mountain tracks.

  So close. She had been so close to getting caught.

  As she huddled behind a crate in an attempt to shield herself from the alpine winds, Amara couldn’t shake the sickly feeling in her gut. She didn’t know what to do. Should she flee and find Fenn, continue running until they reach the far corners of the world and then keep running? Or should she stay and fight, should she finish this once and for all?

  Fassar was planning something. She didn’t know what, but it was bad. He had been tampering with some of the darkest magic, forbidden spells that had been forgotten about for centuries. Seeing he was able to summon monsters like the Narazu, creatures of the underworld, was surely only the beginning. His experiments and dissections of witches must have finally paid off. And only the Gods knew what he was capable of now.

  There was a chance that even if Amara did manage to run, he would still be able to find her within an instant. His power would continue to grow until there was nothing to stand in his way. He could take what he wanted from the world and destroy every last flicker of goodness it had left to offer.

  Amara knew there was only one way she could truly be at peace. There was only one way to gain enough power to stand against him. But this had gone far beyond her and Fenn and their century-old feud with Fassar. She wasn’t just fighting for herself anymore, but for the future of Esteria. Because whatever Fassar planned to unleash next, could have the power to destroy kingdoms.

  32

  By the luck of the Gods, Amara had managed to slip through the servant’s entry, skirting past the patrolling guards posted along the castle walls and making her way down the quiet back-passages, only wide enough for one body to move through. She’d spent the morning carefully navigating the treacherous mountain paths around Winvaris, scrambling over the chalky rock before discovering the best place to enter the royal gardens. It had taken her four attempts, two of which nearly got her caught, to vault over the granite wall and slink into the neatly-pruned bushes below.

  Now, Amara kept to the servant’s corridors, ducking in and out of small alcoves every time a red-faced maid hurried past. Lady Lynessa Scarlett would never be caught dead in this part of the castle, so she didn’t dwell on anything for too long, desperately trying to make her way into the main quarters of Winvaris.

  A small oak doorway led her into the familiar marble walkways she remembered. It only took her a second to realise where she was and cringed as she caught sight of the ghastly figures that lined the Alley of Eyes. Amara promptly ignored them, turning on her heels, desperate to find her way back to the comfort of her chambers.

  At each converging corridor, she took the time to scan each direction, silently grateful that in these early hours of the morning, there was barely anyone in sight. Although, word had already got out about the fire that had raged in the slums. She heard the hushed mutters of servants as they passed her. So far, only one body had been recovered, skin blistered and charred, found amongst what was left of the burning hay bales.

  At least it’s not you, she reminded herself as she strode down the last stretch ivory pillars towards her room. Her heart almost sank as she saw the dark figure of Elias waiting outside her door. He caught sight of her in seconds, turning his head from where it was rested against the wall.

  His face was wan, eyes panicked as he rushed towards her. Gently grasping her by the elbows, he studied her face, looking for any signs of injury.

  Amara shook out of his touch and she could have sworn a flash of hurt passed across his features. “Are you okay?” he asked urgently and brought a hand up to her face.

  “I’m fine.”

  Amara swerved past him and out of reach as she went to open the door. “Come on,” was all she said before disappearing inside.

  Elias swiftly followed behind her, shooting one last look down the corridor before tugging the door closed after him.

  “Your father really is a lovely man,” said Amara before throwing herself into the leather armchair opposite the elegant fireplace. She propped her legs over one of the arms and lifted a brow.

  “What did he do to you?” Elias didn’t move, his eyes still glued to her as though if he removed his gaze she would somehow fall apart.

  She flashed him a grim smile. “Oh, nothing much. He only ambushed me then tried to blackmail me into working for him. I’m also sure there was a bit of beheading involved, people burning to death, the usual. So, all i
n all, just another normal day in Valmont.”

  He ran a frustrated hand through his dark hair. “Amara, I did try to warn you. The city is a dangerous place.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” Amara just rolled her eyes. “But whilst I was gone, I began thinking about something . . . What is your deal, Elias? You say you’re helping me, rush to me with those puppy dog eyes but beneath it all, you work for the enemy.” Her words were loaded with venom, and she knew it.

  He looked at her for a long moment then sighed. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt, and I will do whatever I have to do to keep you safe.”

  “Then actually do something,” she urged, sitting up straighter. “Elias, you have been passive your whole damn life. When I was being tortured, yes, you healed me but you never thought to stand against him. You never did anything to stop it from happening. Just as you’re not doing anything now. God knows what Fassar is planning. He is getting stronger and stronger, I don’t even understand it. But you have the power to stand in his way. You can stop it.”

  “You know I can’t do that.”

  “Why not?” she snapped, rising to her feet. “I’ve seen the way you detest him. I remember that it wasn’t just me that he hurt. You have done nothing but try to please him, and he still treats you like horseshit. Take your stand, Elias.”

  His jaw tightened, his pale fists tightening at his sides. “Why is nothing ever enough for you?” he began, “All I want to do is keep safe. This was never your battle and I brought you into this the day I turned you. I was selfish, young and foolish but now I realise my mistake. And I need to make things right.”

  Amara let out a laugh, a mocking smirk spreading across her face. “And how, exactly, do you plan to do that?”

  Elias hesitated, his smooth polished boot tapping on the floor.

  “I talked to my father,” he said at last. “We’ve made an arrangement.”

  Amara tilted her head as if to say go on.

  “Fassar has agreed to let you go free.”

  A small lump built up in her throat. There was no way that this was true. The Valkrane would never decide that, especially not after what happened in the warehouse.

  “On what terms?” her voice was small now, her bottom lip quivering slightly. Did she really want to know?

  Elias was silent for a while, distantly staring at the wall behind her. “On the condition that I bring back the other Vanderlore sibling.”

  Amara froze. Fenn.

  “There is no way I am letting you do that,” she warned, her voice wavering.

  Elias didn’t flinch as she strode towards him, teeth bared.

  “Yes, you will,” he said calmly and it made her want to rip his throat out.

  “That’s not what I want,” she hissed.

  He pinched the bridge of his nose as if growing tired of this conversation completely. “I don’t care what you want, it’s what you need to survive.”

  Amara shook her head, the ringing in her ears made it hard to focus on anything but the growing rage within her. “And how do you plan on finding him, you don’t even know where to start—”

  And that’s when Elias produced a small piece of paper from the breast pocket of his jacket.

  “Amara, darling, that’s where you’re wrong,” he grinned.

  The world caved in around her at the sight of that paper. The letter from Fenn, describing his location, the message she was supposed to burn but hadn’t because she couldn’t bring herself to do so.

  I know your weaknesses.

  Amara brought her hands to her mouth as she felt the warmth of her tears spill down her face. Her vision became blurred as she choked on a sob.

  You care too much.

  Elias shoved the paper back inside his pocket, the faintest hint of a smile tugging his lips. “Members of the Valkrane are already on their way to the Kilohan boarders. We’ll have him before the day is done.”

  Furiously, she shook her head, her mind racing. No, this couldn’t be real. She couldn’t be the reason for her brother’s death.

  “Why?” she glared at him now, searching for answers. She didn’t think betrayal could sting as much as it did. And for the first time in centuries, she remembered what true pain felt like.

  “As I said, I will do anything I have to in order to keep you safe.” He said it as if she should understand, as if she should be grateful. Even the calm that laced his words made her want to scream.

  The ringing worsened until it consumed her every thought, the ground beneath her feet began to give way, disappearing into a pit of nothingness.

  “You’re just as much of a monster as your father,” she bit out.

  But nothing she said would ever make her forget that this was her doing. This was on her.

  “I’ll kill you.”

  Elias hadn’t expected her to strike out when she did. But Amara was already upon him in a heartbeat. He stumbled backwards and they struggled to the ground. Amara couldn’t think. Her attacks were wild, messy, any remembrance of her training was gone, replaced by a crazed killer. Elias tried to shove her away but she launched her hand forward too quickly for him to block. Her nails raked down the side of his face. He yelled and she felt her fingers catch on the smooth moist lens of his eye.

  “Heal this,” she spat before curling her fingertips and ripping away. More blood pooled around her and Elias shrieked in a way she had never heard before. Breathless and panting, she stumbled backwards from his crumpled body. His hand was cupped over his eye as he turned to face her. Three long gashes now streaked down his face, marring his perfect, smooth skin. Amara was trembling, blood buried beneath the arcs of her fingernails.

  “I didn’t want to have to do this, Amara,” he gritted his teeth, spluttering deep crimson across the tiles. “But you’ve left me no choice.”

  One moment, Elias was on the floor. The next, he was stood before her. A deathly crack echoed through the room and then the world went black.

  33

  A splitting pain lanced through her head as she was lulled back to consciousness. Amara winced, placing the back of her hand on her forehead. It was damp with sweat and clumps of her hair were stuck to her cheek. Gods it is hot.

  She blinked, trying to take in what she could of her surroundings. The coffered ceiling of her chambers was staring down on her, blurring around the edges of her vision. It was only then that she realised she was lying on the floor beside her bed. Every muscle in her body ached, but not as much as the stiffness in her neck. Sweat trickled from her temples and the bow of her lips, the faint taste of salt lingering in her mouth.

  Memories of what happened bombarded her. Elias and his betrayal, what she’d done to his face in return, and worse . . . what remained of his eye. She was overcome by an onslaught of emotions. Fenn was in trouble. She needed to help. She needed to—

  A searing pain spread across her skin as she pushed onto her knees. The scent of burning flesh filled the air and as she looked down, her arms were blistering, glowing red. Instantly, Amara collapsed back onto the floor hissing in the shade created by the bed. Her hands grasped for the suncharm around her neck but her fingers were only met by skin. It was gone. Shit. Shit.

  Elias must have taken it whilst she was out. The bastard had snapped her neck and stolen the only thing protecting her from the daylight, just so he knew she couldn’t follow.

  Coward, she cursed beneath her breath.

  By accident, she brushed against the tender skin of her arm and gritted her teeth at the brutal sting. Amara sucked in a sharp breath as a wave of nausea rolled through her. She tried to focus, scanning the room, judging how long it would take her to run towards where the curtains were still drawn in the sitting room from the night before.

  But it was too far. She’d be burnt to ash before she even made it halfway.

  She growled in frustration and let her head fall back to the floor. Her neck still ached but at least the redness of her skin was already fading, the blisters smooth
ing as though they were never there.

  Amara squeezed her eyes shut, hoping this would all just go away, hoping it was only another nightmare she’d stirred up from the dark corners of her mind. But it was all very much real. And she was very much in trouble.

  Her thoughts were racing. She needed to warn Fenn before it was too late. She needed to leave Winvaris.

  It’s already too late.

  There is nothing she could do now. The only chance she had left was the Bloodmoon, and even then, she didn’t even have a witch to perform the ritual. It was over.

  Despite how much she’d tried to deny her emotions, they had eventually got the best of her. If only she had burnt the note. If only she hadn’t been so weak. Amara couldn’t stop the sob that escaped her. Something panged in her heart. She wasn’t sure what. She hadn’t felt anything like it since the day her parents died. Since she was forced to work for Fassar and had all of her dreams shattered. And now she had failed her brother, too. The one good thing left in her life.

  One after the other, tears began to stream down her face. Amara didn’t bother to wipe them away, she just allowed them to keep coming until she was numb to the pain.

  “Lady Lynessa?”

  A voice split through the dense mess of emotions in her head. Slowly, Amara lifted her head off the ground. “N—Nadia?”

  She couldn’t describe the relief that flooded through her as she saw the servant girl’s concerned face. The face of a friend.

  “Are you okay?” she asked, rushing towards her, discarding the bundle of clean sheets in her arms. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  Amara was shaking, her shoulders still curved as tears rolled down her face. “The curtains . . . you have to close the curtains.”

  “What?”

  “Please,” Amara panted, “please, just do it.”

  Nadia studied her for a long moment but didn’t ask any questions as she quickly hurried towards the windows. Darkness settled over the bedroom as she tugged the curtains firmly shut.