I nodded immediately and then gulped as something looming and horrible occurred to me. Dureau had no idea what I’d endured at Luce’s camp. Not that I felt like explaining it to him. I didn’t. It just seemed like something important for him to know, something that would need to come up at some point if we were to … continue with whatever this was. But that was a subject I would push off for another day. For now, I wanted to be present and enjoy the rest of our time together. “I appreciate everything you’re saying,” I answered in a soft voice. “I think we definitely have bigger things to address for however long it takes.” Taking a deep breath, I glanced over at him and added softly, “But I do feel the same things you describe as well.”
His grin grew wider. “Then we shall chalk this one up to bad timing, at least for the present,” he said with a wink before placing his hand over mine, which sat on my lower thigh.
SEVENTEEN
Bryn
We were all assembled inside the Green Room, ready to start another impromptu meeting. Everyone was sitting down in the amphitheater rows and facing Jolie, who remained in the middle of the room. Everyone except for Sinjin, that is. He was nowhere to be seen.
Jolie nodded toward Dureau when he stood up and approached her. He stood beside her as he faced the people in the room. He gazed at everyone in turn, being sure to meet them eye-to-eye.
“I have been fully briefed on the history between Luce and your kingdom,” he started. “And as you all realize, I came here to better understand this threat and to offer my support. Although your first line of defense is strong, it could be fortified to become much stronger. Therefore, my people and I would like to offer our assistance in order to preserve the kingdom and the underworld and make sure they are safe from attack.”
“How do you plan to do that?” Mercedes asked. Her snide tone was not missed by any of us, but Dureau hardly noticed; or if he did, he didn’t allow it to upset him.
Dureau explained all the details of how he proposed to beef up our army, thus offering another level of protection should Luce and his minions dare to cross our wards. My sister must have glimpsed the worry on my face, because she asked me in thought: Are you okay? You don’t seem yourself.
I’m fine, I answered immediately, even though I’d been scouting the audience for the nth time. Where is Sinjin? Shouldn’t he be here by now?
Varick, Trent, and Klaasje are all on a mission to collect information about Luce, Jolie started. Only then did I realize I hadn’t even noticed they were missing from the meeting. I imagine he must be with them or attending to something equally important.
I nodded, but wasn’t any happier after hearing her information. On a mission to collect information about Luce? What does that even mean?
Reconnaissance.
Are you saying they’re at one of Luce’s camps? I asked, and a sense of panic started wending its way in my gut.
Yes, but I assure you they are being very covert about the whole thing, Jolie insisted. I’m receiving regular updates.
From Sinjin?
No, she started, but hesitated. From Varick, but … then she cleared her throat and glanced at Dureau with a smile. She wanted him to think she was paying attention to whatever he was going on about. But she wasn’t. Sinjin can take care of himself, Bryn. There is no use in worrying about him.
You’re probably right, I answered, hoping to end the conversation because it upset me. I hated not knowing where Sinjin was; I automatically assumed the worst. Maybe that was just another character flaw of mine.
I faced Dureau as I watched him addressing the room, and I couldn’t contain the pride that swelled inside me. He was well spoken and stern but understanding. The kindness inside him resonated with me, but there was also immense strength that I respected.
“My family originates from France, as you know,” he continued. “We are descendants of the ancient Celtic Gauls. Accordingly, our kind inherited a legacy of ancient magic that has been passed down through the generations of our line. I have no doubt that we can be most beneficial to the kingdom.”
“Ancient magic? Would you mind elaborating on that?” Mercedes asked, ever the nonbeliever.
“Dureau’s people are very powerful,” Mathilda piped up.
“We are a skilled and dexterous race,” Dureau continued with a short nod in Mathilda’s direction before his eyes settled on Mercedes. “Our powers are not our weakness. Our only vulnerability lies in our numbers.” He cleared his throat. “Unlike our British cousins, our population has been steadily declining. We are still very powerful, but unfortunately, not so plentiful.”
“You haven’t exactly outlined what your magical powers are yet,” Mercedes persisted. “Or how they might differ from or exceed anyone else’s magic here.”
Dureau nodded at her. “Our people not only worship nature, but we are also one with it.”
“Meaning?” Mercedes scoffed, and I wanted to smack her. She could be so holier-than-thou at times.
But Dureau appeared unaffected. “Meaning that we have the ability to shift, for lack of a better word, and become part of nature itself.” At seeing their collective astonishment, he realized he needed more of an explanation and he added. “For example, if we look at a rock, we can become that rock, or a tree, even the earth beneath your feet.” He took a deep breath and expelled it as Mercedes stared at him incredulously. “We know how to shift the energy; it was an old trick that our ancestors mastered and passed down to us through all the generations. Just as each of you possesses a magical specialty, my people and I are no different.”
“And we are very fortunate to have you and your people on our side,” Rand interjected as he nodded quickly towards Dureau.
“Yes,” Jolie said. “We truly appreciate you offering your help and coming here, so much more than we can express.”
The door to the Green Room swung open and an icy chill ran down my spine. It was him. Sinjin! Without glancing at anyone, not even me, he immediately headed toward my sister with Rand, Varick, Klaasje, and Trent in tow.
Because his back was towards me, I couldn’t see his expression. But I could see my sister’s, which was total surprise.
“We have news, my queen,” Sinjin said. His tone was stern and direct.
“Please, you may share it with all of us present.”
He turned to look at everyone in the room, and his eyes deliberately passed right by me. He ignored Dureau as well. I shouldn’t have been surprised by that, but I was. When he spoke, his voice was gruff, almost angry, and so unlike him.
“Varick, Trent, and Klaasje were on a mission to collect pertinent information from the enemy’s camp in Montana last week. They returned this evening with some rather disturbing news.” He motioned for Varick to continue.
Varick bowed and moved forward, facing everyone in turn. “The camp was empty.”
“Empty?” Jolie repeated as she shook her head and her mouth dropped open. “What do you mean empty?” Panic rose in her voice.
“There was no one there. And no wards to keep us out. No soldiers patrolling the grounds. No Elementals, no Daywalkers. Nothing!” Trent answered, stepping in front of Varick to take his turn in the limelight.
I shook my head when Jolie glanced over at me. “That makes no sense,” she said. “It’s not like they all could just disappear into thin air.”
Sinjin didn’t even bother glancing at me, keeping his attention fastened on my sister. “I am afraid there is more.”
“Go on.” Jolie motioned with her hands for him to continue, but she bit her bottom lip, as if she were bracing herself for the next round of bad news.
“After we realized the camp was empty, we tracked them by their scent,” Varick started.
“Then they couldn’t have been too far?” Jolie interrupted.
“We trailed them through the forest for a few kilometers until they split up. Half of them went one direction and the other half went another,” Varick continued.
“Klaasje and I
went one way while Varick took the other trail,” Trent added. “And we followed it maybe a mile before losing the scent altogether.”
“Same with me,” Varick said.
“What do you mean?” Jolie asked.
“It really was as if they just disappeared into thin air,” Klaasje replied in earnest.
Jolie looked at me as if for an answer. “He can do that,” I said calmly. “It’s another form of dematerialization. I’m sure Luce knew you were tracking him so he simply made everyone disappear.”
“I knew it wasn’t a feat for a vampire or a Daywalker,” Jolie started.
“It’s not a feat for Luce either. It’s just a simple parlor trick,” I answered with a shrug. “He probably stayed invisible and waited for you to give up before he popped right back into being.”
“Then why did he not kill us right there?” Trent asked. “We were way outnumbered.”
I had no clue. “Maybe he didn’t want to kill you because he feared it would alert the rest of us. If he didn’t know you were trailing him in the first place, he could have just disappeared as a safety precaution. Or maybe the scent you followed was purposely put there to distract you, and everyone was long gone before you could even detect it. Anything is possible.”
“So we basically know nothing,” Jolie said.
“No, I wouldn’t say that,” I answered. I didn’t fail to notice with some chagrin that Sinjin still refused to look at me.
“He’s preparing for the attack,” I said. “Luce is smart. He probably expected us to send someone inside to spy on him. He evacuated his people as a precaution. Probably relocated them to some other camp that we don’t even know about.” I glanced at Sinjin who seemed to still be staring at Jolie. Maybe he was looking past my sister, I couldn’t tell. But as I spoke, his jaw tightened and his body stiffened. I sensed his anger and also guessed that it was directed only at me.
“How do you know?” my sister asked.
“Because this is what he does,” I answered curtly. “Throughout my life, he would often move us from one camp to another. We might only live in a place for six months before we’d move somewhere else.” I took a breath and added, “The goal was to avoid becoming sitting ducks, which we were in any known location.”
“Do you know where all those other locations are?” Jolie asked.
I shook my head. “That was part of Luce’s secret intelligence. He always prevented us from knowing where or even the names of the alternate locations; they were completely hidden from us. Probably just in case one of us got apprehended, we could never tell where his camps were. The only one any of us knew about was the main camp in Montana, the one you visited,” I finished before turning to Trent, Klaasje, and Varick.
“So what should we take from this?” Jolie asked as she looked at me with a blank expression.
“I don’t know. Probably assume that it doesn’t mean much. I imagine he’s just moving and training his forces in various locations to avoid any detection by spies.” I took another deep breath. It irritated me that I couldn’t even predict the moves of the man who raised me. “To rely on rustics and not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues,” I quoted theatrically as I glanced at Sinjin. I was confident that he, being so well read, was very familiar with the teachings of Sun Tzu.
“The Art of War,” he said, aiming his icy gaze toward me before our eyes locked. He looked past me toward my sister, and I noticed the bulging veins that nearly popped out of his neck.
“That quote was one that Luce forced us all to memorize when we were children. It’s the only one he lives by,” I explained. “And in this case, it could explain a lot.”
“My people aren’t due to arrive here for another week,” Dureau said as he addressed my sister.
“According to my vision, we have at least a week, but probably a month or two before he attacks,” I said. “Luce also always insisted that we learn the value of patience. He won’t attack right away. No, he’ll lie in wait and secretly watch us. Just as you sent your spies out to get information on him, he has, no doubt, reciprocated. The only difference is he knows exactly where we are. He’ll have no problem in neutralizing the wards we have in place, and he’ll invade all the areas of weakness around the kingdom.”
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet,” Dureau said before he further explained. “That’s a French proverb. Luce is wise to exercise patience. Especially if he intends to attack the kingdom of the underworld. I doubt he will accept such a feat incautiously.”
“Exactly,” I said. I kept my gaze on Sinjin’s profile but eventually made eye contact with my sister and everyone else in the room. “In my vision, Luce got inside the kingdom after a long period of patient waiting before someone opened the wards for him.” I took a breath. “It was definitely an inside job.”
“You didn’t say anything about that to us!” Mercedes complained.
“I am just now remembering!” I answered with a frown. “In case you don’t recall, after basically being lost in my mind for the past week, I hope you will excuse me if the information you require doesn’t come back to me right away!”
“Bryn is right,” Jolie admonished Mercedes before she turned to me again. “Do you know who that person was?”
I shook my head. “I’m not sure, but she definitely greeted Luce, so she must have known him.”
“Very well,” Jolie said. “Sinjin, I want the kingdom placed on heightened alert.”
“Perhaps we should play the same game Luce is playing,” Rand suggested.
“What do you mean?” Jolie asked.
“Luce knows where we are,” Sinjin explained. “If we should happen to vanish and were no longer here,” he continued, but I interrupted him.
“It would make no difference!” I answered. “He can always track Rachel and me. He imprinted himself on us when we were his possessions.”
Jolie nodded and turned to Sinjin again. “Make sure all the wards are in prime operation, and I want numerous guards stationed around the perimeter as well as in the forests bordering Kinloch. When Dureau’s soldiers arrive, we will arrange them strategically in the open meadows where they can blend into the landscape if necessary.”
“Good thinking,” I said with a quick nod.
Kinloch was surrounded by cliffs on one side, forest on another, and open fields on the other. Unfortunately, the meadows were impossible to take advantage of because there was nowhere for anyone to hide. Well, that is, until now. The forest provided an ideal cloak of anonymity and could easily shield an army. The cliffs were also a natural barrier as they were too precipitous to scale and too dangerous. Only the open meadow posed any cause for concern. And it seemed Dureau and his army would soon make short work of that concern.
“I want everyone to be informed and aware of the real possibility that Luce may try to breach our kingdom,” my sister announced.
“Yes, my queen.” Turning away, Sinjin walked out the double doors without even a glance my way. He showed no emotion or feeling, and could not even spare me a nod or anything else. But each time Dureau spoke or even looked at me, I did not miss the tension I saw magnified in Sinjin’s body language.
“Dureau, thank you for everything you are doing for us,” Jolie started. “I can never say how much I appreciate it, no matter how often I try. Since you will be with us for a while, you will need better sleeping arrangements than you currently have,” she explained. “I have arranged a room for you on the west wing of the kingdom, and I will ask someone to show you where it is.”
“Thank you, my queen,” he answered with a quick bow. Jolie leaned in to talk to Rand, and Dureau’s attention landed on me. Taking a few steps toward me, he leaned down and whispered, “I hope she isn’t purposely keeping us separated? You’re on the east wing and I’m on the west!”
“Yeah,” I forced a smile, “She’s the ever protective one in the family.” But I couldn’t think about my s
ister. My mind was still on Sinjin. If only he’d talk to me or give me a chance to explain, although what I needed to explain was still a mystery. All I did know was that the vampire irked every bone in my body; and in the same way, he aroused every atom in my being.
***
I walked past Sinjin’s bedroom before my feet refused to go forward, so I just stood there like a moron. Part of me wanted to knock on the door, and the other part wanted to run in the opposite direction. After another second or so, I decided against knocking. Instead, I forced myself to walk past his door before I opened my bedroom door. I flipped the switch on the wall to turn on the light, but nothing happened.
“Naturally,” I whispered sarcastically to my empty room as I shook my head. Worse still, I had no idea where extra lightbulbs might be found in Kinloch Kirk.
Stepping inside the darkened room, the dim rays of the moonlight filtering through my open curtains were all that lit the way. Sliding my hand along one of my nightstands, I moved it to the other side of the bed. There was a candle on the other nightstand. Pulling out the top drawer, I grabbed the match box and removed one match, which I struck before lighting the wick. I watched happily when the yellow glow filled the room.
Lifting my gaze from the candle, however, I froze. Staring at me through a pair of emotionless eyes was Sinjin! He was sitting in a chair in the far corner of my room. I moved my hand to my heart until the pounding began to slow. “Oh, my God, Sinjin! What are you doing in my room?”
Running his large hand through his hair, he leaned forward, resting his forearms on his legs. He appeared somewhat agitated—and not the casual, slick, and carefree Sinjin I’d become so fond of and knew so well.
“I must ask myself that same question.” His voice was hoarse, deep, and strained. I sensed more emotion radiating from him than I could remember ever witnessing before. Regardless, I wasn’t thrilled to know that he so cavalierly got inside my bedroom without asking me first. “You know, breaking and entering is against the law,” I started to tell him.
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