A Taste of Crimson

by E. M. Knight

  “Then what the hell would you call the last invasion?” I scream. “What do you call the attack that we all only barely managed to live through?”

  “A provocation,” Morgan says, glancing at her nails. “Logan was daring us to strike back. I know him, Eleira. I know how he thinks. What does he stand to gain by destroying our coven?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” I say sarcastically. “How about the most powerful torrial in the world, in addition to the elimination of his biggest rival?”

  She yawns, bored. “We are on opposite ends of the world,” she says. “The throne torrial was only of interest to him before it was bound to you. He knows he cannot break the bond. Nobody can.”

  Allura moves half an inch forward.

  “Yes?” I ask her.

  “The bonds can be broken,” she says.

  Morgan glares at her with undeniable anger.

  She ignores the former Queen. “The bonds can be broken,” she repeats, “given the right circumstances. The first requirement is a full moon. The second is to control the current owner’s mind. And third, Blood Magic, from out of the Demon Realm.”

  I turn to her. “Explain what you mean by the second point.”

  “If you are put in a certain, specific trance, and your brain shifts to give off deep sleep delta waves, one can hijack control over your mind. It is a risky procedure, both for the victim—in this case, you—and the one attempting the spell. It requires immense skill and incredible concentration. But, done properly, it is one of the most dangerous exploits available.”

  “Can I protect myself from it?” I ask. “Can I learn to defend myself?”

  Allura hesitates. Sute speaks instead.

  “Yes,” she says. “You will have to harness Spirit. Very few witches have the capacity. You’ve already shown you do.”

  “It means you will never get a good night’s rest again,” Allura says. “Or, rather—a good day’s rest. Your body will be able to recover somewhat when you sleep. But your mind will always be awake and on guard.” She exhales. “I do not know how it would affect a vampire.”

  “I do,” Morgan says suddenly. “I’ve done it myself.”

  We all turn to her in surprise. I should have known she’d be in on the secrets.

  “If you do it, why did you just claim nothing can break the bond?” I demand.

  “Because I did not think you ready to take on the challenge of guarding your sleep. Your great advisor here,” she motions with clear disdain at Allura, “does not know half as much as she pretends to. Yes, she is a most powerful witch. Yes, she and her two friends have done astonishing things, extending their lives the way they have as mere humans. But they are only fledglings, days in the blood. None can possibly possess the understanding needed to guide a vampire witch.”

  She deepens her eye contact with me. “The blood changes everything. Channeling Spirit as a vampire is altogether different from doing it as a human.” Her eyes snap to Allura. “I dare you to try. Do it now. Do it as you have done before, and see what happens.”

  “We used it when leeching the demon blood from you,” she says flatly.

  “For how long?” Morgan challenges. “What portion of your weaves were Spirit? One percent? Two? Less?”

  “Less,” Allura admits.

  Morgan cackles. “And how many feedings have you had as fledglings? By my reckoning of your power, I think you fed only once: on the vampire who made you.”

  The Forsaken Sisters do not say a word.

  Their silence confirms Morgan’s guess.

  “So, you are basically still humans,” she continues. “Yes, your bodies have transformed. But the vampire gift takes longer to penetrate the mind. We all know the mind is the seat of power for control of the Forces. You channeled a trickle of Spirit, for all intents and purposes, still as human witches. What you are proposing to Eleira is that she channel only Spirit, and incredible amounts of it, as a vampire, in her sleep.” She scoffs. “I would laugh if the proposition wasn’t so ludicrously dangerous.”

  “I can learn!” I state, straightening. “There hasn’t been a single thing I’ve put my mind to I haven’t done.”

  “You haven’t made Raul fall in love,” Morgan whispers, her words piercing a hole in my heart.

  “Enough!” I slam the table. “You will teach me to protect myself. You will do it under supervision of the Forsaken Sisters, so you cannot try any tricks.”

  “Fine,” Morgan says. “You are my Queen, I will do as you say.”

  I pull out a seat and lower myself into it.

  “That’s the second time you’ve called me that,” I say. “Why? Is it to mock me?”

  “It is your rightful title, is it not? You erected the wards, you have the crown. The throne torrial is bound to you. What would you rather I call you?”

  “You would relinquish the title you’ve held for so many centuries that easily, after you tried to kill me?” I ask. “Don’t take me for a fool…”

  She shakes her head. “I’ve already said that I did not try to kill you. If you still believe that, maybe you are a fool.”

  “You had me bound and were torturing me!” I exclaim. “I only escaped with the Forsaken Sisters’ help.”

  “Wrong,” she states. “You only found the Forsaken Sisters thanks to my help. Isn’t that right, Allura? Sute? Lorne?”

  The three witches shift their eyes away from me.

  A tiny sense of betrayal comes over me. I look at the Forsaken Sisters.

  They won’t meet my eye.

  “Well, go on, tell her!” Morgan demands. “Tell her how, during the whole time you were in the Demon Realm, you plotted for this end goal. Tell her how I was trying to protect the girl of prophecy. Tell her why I unleashed the spirit to keep track of you. Tell her the truth, for once, or lose her trust forever.”

  That can’t be right. Morgan must be lying. “Explain,” I say to the three witches. “Now.”

  “We’re sorry, Eleira,” Lorne says.

  “Sorry for what?” I demand, anger spiking.

  “For… potentially misleading you,” Allura offers.

  “Potentially? Tell me what you did!”

  “We… struck a deal with…” she grimaces. “With Morgan. Centuries ago.”

  A victorious smile plays on the former Queen’s lips.

  “What sort of deal?” I ask slowly.

  “That she would bring us the girl of prophecy, who would free us from our hell.”

  “In return for what?” My voice is soft, dangerous.

  “We would give the girl protection over whatever faced her next,” Allura tells me. “And we would ensure Morgan’s survival through the transition of power.”

  “What?” I demand. “Is that why you bound me by that oath?”

  The witches nod and speak as one. “We knew the girl of prophecy was born in the Demon Realm. Only a child of that world would have the ability to go back. The defense response in you can only be unleashed during a time of great stress.”

  “Which I so considerately provided,” Morgan offers.

  The witches continue. “Only the girl of prophecy could bring us back to this world. When we bound you with the oaths, Eleira, we also transferred onto you a tiny piece of each of our souls.”

  My head snaps to them. Anger, pure anger, at the betrayal threatens to boil over.

  “You did what?” I hiss.

  “It did no harm to you,” Allura says quickly. “We simply needed someone to carry a bit of us back. Enough for our spirits, which became trapped in that realm, to latch onto.”

  “And you did all this in secret,” I seethe. “In collaboration with her?”

  “It was necessary, Eleira. You must understand. We keep our word. We are here only to protect you. The witches of old knew the importance of the prophecy more than any vampire around now. You’ve heard the bits that concern your—now our—race. There are many, many more parts, speaking of your significance to the continuation of the world—”<
br />
  “ENOUGH!” I scream. I surge up. “Enough! Allura, bind Morgan. Now!”

  The Forsaken Sister scramble to do as I say.

  “And block her ears,” I say. “And eyes. Do not let her see.”

  A blindfold materializes in the air and covers Morgan’s eyes. Invisible earmuffs go over her ears.

  “Now,” I say stiffly, trying very hard to contain my rage. “Am I to understand that this whole time, everything you did, everything you told me, was corrupted by your collaboration with her?”

  I throw a hand out at Morgan.

  “No,” Sute says. “Our motives are exactly as you know them. We are here to serve and protect you.”

  “But first you used me,” I emphasize. “Without a single word of consent, without asking if you could. The three of you played me, together with Morgan, because you knew I could set you free. Is that right?”

  They bow their heads in affirmation.

  “Then tell me,” I say, nearly trembling, “why I had to learn the truth from her lips—or how I can ever trust you again?”

  “We are on your side, Eleira,” Sute says. “We would not be here otherwise.”

  “On my side?” I laugh. “On my side? You conspired with the woman who tried to kill me. Then you trapped me into an unbreakable vow that would leave her untouched. What’s more, you then conspired against me, so I would let you free her, so I would give you the freedom to save her from the poisoned demon blood!”

  “It was all as it had to be,” Allura says calmly, “to grant you the crown. You would not have become Queen otherwise.”

  “So, what? It was a test?” I explode. “A test of my suitability for the throne?”

  “Mere prophecy is not enough,” Lorne confirms. “There have to be physical proofs of your ability.”

  “You used me,” I snarl. I look at all of them. “You used me for your own end goals.” I slam a hand against the table in anger. The vampire inside is raging. “I am this close,” I say, quivering with anger, “this close, to sentencing the three of you to exile for what you’ve done.”

  “If that is your choice,” the Forsaken Sisters say in unison, “we will respect it. But know that we cannot help you if we are imprisoned.”

  “You cannot help me now!” I scream. On impulse I decide to free Morgan from the spells. She needs to be part of this also.

  I strike through the air with the Elemental Forces by instinct, severing the flow from Allura. The weaves snap back to her. She gasps.

  The Former Queen grunts, then takes one look at the scene before her. Both her eyebrows go up.

  “I’ve missed a charged discussion,” she murmurs.

  “Quiet,” I snap. “I have to think.”

  I start to pace the room, feeling the pressure mounting.

  I am fully in the right to banish all of them. I still cannot kill Morgan, due to that damn promise, but it doesn’t mean I can’t make her life a living hell.

  But if I follow my first instinct and punish the four women for what they’ve done… who am I left with? Raul is gone; he and I have drifted apart. Felix, I know I can’t trust. Phillip? Phillip is fine, for a very narrow set of purposes.

  Riyu was the only adviser I could trust, and now he’s dead.

  But then… if I can forgive Phillip, why can’t I forgive the Forsaken Sisters?

  I have everything to lose and nothing to gain if I exile them. They’ve already demonstrated how vastly superior their knowledge of magic is. Hell, Allura was able to reflect the influence back at me!

  I brought them into The Haven. If I make them prisoners, they said they will accept it… but for how long? I am certain they could break out at a moment’s notice. The three of them could overpower me easily, even with my torrials. It’s not just raw power and brute strength but knowledge.

  If I cast the Forsaken Sisters aside, who would I have left to teach me? Who would I have to learn from?

  Rebecca, maybe?

  I scoff. That suggestion is laughable. Rebecca actively threatens me, made me prisoner. Yes, she knows some things about magic.

  Not as much as the Sisters.

  I grit my teeth together. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. The Forsaken Sisters knew how valuable they would be to me. They knew I would have to rely on them.

  The truth is, they played me perfectly… but can I really begrudge them that?

  Their plan was hatched before they knew me or I knew them. Even if I danced to their tune, unwittingly, I think we have a mutual respect for each other.

  I exhale heavily, stop in place, and slowly turn upon them.

  “You will not be exiled,” I say. “In fact, there will be no punishment for you. I’m sorry I overreacted. When I first heard the news…”

  I trail off. The Sisters are looking at me with identical blank expressions.

  “I guess I was angry at myself for not seeing it,” I finish. “I should have expected something of the sort. But the truth is, I don’t… well, I don’t feel like you’re harboring any animosity toward me. And I do need your help.”

  “We are willing and able to give it, Eleira,” Allura says.

  I manage a small smile. “Good.” I walk over and offer her my hand. “What’s past is past, and we must focus on the future. You and your sisters are forgiven.”

  She shakes my hand firmly. I do the same with the other two.

  “How sweet,” Morgan offers when it’s done. “I do think you’ve made the correct choice, my Queen.”

  I turn on her quickly when she addresses me that way again.

  “If you’re playing at docility, it will end badly for you,” I warn her.

  She smiles at me. “I’m not playing at anything. You have proven yourself worthy of the crown. My kingdom—” she chokes on the words, and corrects herself, “—my former kingdom is in good hands. I am satisfied.”

  “Are you?” I inquire. I walk closer to her. “Are you really content handing over to me…” I gesture around us, “… all of this?”

  “Rule gets tiring after so many years,” she says. “It is a relief to offload it to someone else.”

  I snort a laugh. “Right. Is that why you fought so desperately to retain your rule?”

  “That was already explained to you. I did it as a trial to see if you were worthy. It turned out that you were.”

  “And what if I’d died?” I ask. “What if you had killed me, maimed me, as you had done to yourself, with the demon blood?”

  “Then you would not have been the right woman for the throne.”

  “Just like that,” I say.

  Morgan looks me solemnly in the eyes. “Yes. Just like that.”

  “And the demon blood?” I ask. “What was that for? It was killing you. Why did you drink it?”

  Morgan smiles. “I think you know the answer to that.” She pauses. “As vampires, where do we get our strength?”

  “From the blood of our victims,” I say softly.

  “And what single being was able to pose as great a threat to our vampires as the Narwhark?” she asks. “What on this earth is inherently stronger than a vampire?”

  She looks over at the Forsaken Sisters.

  “Nothing from this earth,” Lorne says. “It has to come from the other realm.”

  Morgan turns back to me and smiles. “Therein lies your answer.”

  “But your body rejected the demon blood,” I say. “As soon as you drank, it started killing you.”

  “The ceremony was incomplete,” she says. “It had to be seen through to the end. Besides…” she lowers her voice. “I was not meant to live through it. Only you were.”

  I blink. “What?”

  “You are stronger than I ever was. Not… by a significant margin. But enough to make the difference between life and death.”

  “I don’t believe you. If you knew you wouldn’t survive, why did you try?”

  “I didn’t know,” she corrects. “I suspected. My body was the experimental vessel. I’d
wrapped myself in a number of spells to slow the spread of poison and help—potentially—help the vampire essence win out. Those same spells were ready to be unleashed on you. They would have been, were it not for the… interruption.”

  “You expect me to take you at your word, that you, the most selfish, self-absorbed egotistical vampire I’ve ever known, were ready to sacrifice yourself for me?”

  “I drank first, didn’t I?” she asks.

  “And what about the three of you?” I face the Forsaken Sisters. “Did you know about this aspect of her plan? Was it part of your secret agreement?”

  “No,” Allura answers. “Morgan did that on her own. Had we known about it, we would have nullified our accord.”

  “Would you, really?” I ask, skeptical.

  “Your life had to be in danger, Eleira, for you to gain access to the part of your mind that unlocks to allow you passage to the Demon Realm. But there is a difference—” her voice hardens, and she looks at Morgan with stark disapproval, “—between the threat of death and certainty.”

  Morgan flips her hair over one shoulder and sneers. “Eleira would have survived.”

  “Demon blood is the single most corrosive substance in existence,” Allura says flatly. “And magic does not heal. Whatever spells you tried to set to protect yourself were an aberration and would never have worked.”

  “Maybe not on me,” she says. “But on one born in the Demon Realm…?”

  I spin to her. “You know?”

  “Of course, I know. I know everything there is to know about you, Eleira. I know your weaknesses, and I know your strengths. I can see your future progression in our world clear as day.”

  “You know nothing about me,” I hiss.

  She quirks an eyebrow. “I know you, Eleira,” she tells me. “Because I know me. Do you know why I sent Raul to retrieve you, years ago, to furnish you with the ring that would hide you from us?”

  “You set him to that?” I gasp.

  “Oh, not directly,” she says. “I didn’t command him to go deliver it to you. I simply planted the idea in his mind and provided the right environment for it to bloom. He had to think it came from his own free will.”

  My disgust with her is starting to return.