by Sela Croft
Spence threw up his hands. “Has he no loyalty?”
Jon frowned. “Can’t the man choose a side?”
“Apparently not,” Clay said. “He has a wife and three children. From my interrogation, I’ve gleaned that he is hedging his bets.”
“He wishes to be on the winning side, whatever that is?” I said.
“From what I can tell, that is the case.” Clay waited for my response.
I should have ordered Blackburn’s immediate execution, and I was sorely tempted. My bloodlust was only barely subdued. Retribution for such crimes would have been satisfying. Possibly, Mirela was rubbing off on me, because I had a better idea.
“Bring him here…now,” I said. “We will wait.”
The general left, and I looked at my men. “I would have done the interrogation if I’d been here,” Jon said. “But it appears that the general did a good job of it.”
“Yes, Clay suspected that the deceit came from high up,” I said. “It makes sense, as a man in Blackburn’s position would have the authority required.”
“I’m glad he was discovered,” Spence said. “If only it could have been sooner.”
While Clay retrieved the prisoner, I considered the punishment I’d chosen. It would be consistent with my reputation to order the execution. Yet my priority was winning the war. If the enemy could use spies, then so could I.
It wasn’t long before the door opened. Two guards dragged Blackburn inside, with Clay right behind them. The prisoner was in chains and suitably somber. He fully expected that he was about to draw his last breath.
I stood up and faced the traitor. “I’ve been informed of your treachery.”
Blackburn was thickly muscled, though of average height. He had fought valiantly in times past, yet had seen fit to aid our enemies. I didn’t care to hear his explanations, as it wouldn’t undo the damage. I had something better in mind.
The prisoner looked at the floor, but humility wasn’t going to save him. “Have the decency to look at me,” I said. “You made the decision to spy, so you’ll face the consequences.”
Emotion filled Blackburn’s dark eyes, but I wasn’t persuaded to go easy on him. “It was… I did it for my wife and kids,” he said.
“What you could have done for your family was to help us win this war,” I said. “You could have played a part in protecting this realm.”
Blackburn was silent.
“The penalty for betrayal is death,” I said. “In times of war, I cannot allow traitors to live.” All eyes were on me. “But I have something else in store for you.”
Blackburn’s expression shifted, but he didn’t dare ask questions.
“It will suit our purposes if you spy for us,” I said. “I don’t intend to turn you loose. But from your post, you can relay information to our enemies…information we tell you to relay.”
Understanding dawned in Blackburn’s eyes. “You will use me to deliver misinformation, to misdirect our enemies?”
“You catch on quickly.”
“Why would I do that?” Blackburn said. “If I’m caught, either Alban or Silvain will kill me.”
I stepped closer and leered at the traitor. “I will kill you if you don’t. And I might kill you anyway.” I took a breath. “Your wife and children will be under guard. They will be told that it is for their protection, that dangers have increased.”
Blackburn’s eyes widened. “Please…don’t harm them. They had nothing to do with this.”
“I’ll assume that’s true,” I said. “But the lives of your wife and three sons will be forfeit for your crimes—if you do not comply with my demand.”
I watched to see that I had Blackburn’s full attention. “You will be guarded at all times. At our direction, you will relay information to Alban, and on other occasions to Silvain. You will be convincing, and give them no reason to doubt you. There must be no mistakes, no hidden meanings or secret messages—not if you value the lives of your family. You will make sure that the enemy believes what you tell them.”
Blackburn looked at the others, who glared at him.
“Do I make myself clear?” I didn’t wait for a response. “Your wife will be told that you are on an important mission and will be away for an undetermined amount of time. From this moment on, you are my prisoner.”
“What about after the war?” Blackburn said, voicing what he’d been concerned with all along. He feared siding with any but the winning team. Unfortunately, he’d hoped to pick his team after the war was over.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’d better hope that we win it…and pray for my mercy.” I motioned to the guards. “Take him away.”
It had been quite a day, but I wasn’t done. I met with Clay and my other generals who remained trustworthy. The strategy we’d prepared was set in motion. Our troops were substantial and our training flawless.
The main goal was to divide and conquer. Instead of facing one enemy, only to have the other mow us down from behind, we’d tackle both. It was a bold concept, not one either would predict. It was nearly too simple, so the enemy might not expect it.
Our battalions were divided, so that half would advance on the Royal Army, while the others would attack the Dark Fighters. With enough force, and an element of surprise, we could overtake both factions and catapult the Guardians to victory.
Meanwhile, I would work with my close comrades at a more basic level to weaken the opposing forces. Silvain’s guerrilla warfare had to be blocked, and Alban’s unexpected attacks thwarted. I couldn’t allow those skirmishes to distract us from the main battles. With the intelligence Nicolai and his team had collected, we had a chance of doing that.
My aim was to block death’s march and rise as victor in the long, bloody war. My desire was to progress beyond darkness and improve life in the kingdom. It might be impossible, but I had to think that it wasn’t. I had to believe that my end could be achieved.
Only in that way could my people and my loved ones hope for peace. Only then could I truly be with Mirela, marry her and make her my queen. Destiny stretched before me, and I prayed that I could influence the outcome. I couldn’t leave anything to chance, or trust fate.
The kingdom had been at war too long, and strife in the realm had escalated without abating. It had to end. There had to be a better way. My hatred for Alban was at a peak. His commitment to an immoral monarchy and outdated tradition would lead us all into darkness.
I could not allow that to happen. My love for Mirela would not permit the destruction to continue. My heart was with my kingdom, and my motivation was to rise above the evil that created me. Much depended on whether I could.
The ultimate fight, the final battles and the push for victory, was about to begin. The wheels were in motion; there was no more I could do that night. I headed to the castle, anxious to see Mirela.
I could share the temporary advantage of unearthing a spy, then tell Mirela that the palace city was safer because of it. I wouldn’t speak of the war, the danger that abounded, or that the future was uncertain. I would hold her in my arms and assure her of my love. Then I would fight to the death to protect that love.
Chapter 4 – Calina
It was good to be at the castle and have a chance to catch my breath. Mirela joined me in the library, while Nicolai and Draven attended to business. I was still reeling from Alban’s stunt. I hadn’t known that he could force the connection between us.
Possibly, that was a new skill the king had developed, but I didn’t like it one bit. It was unpredictable, so I was going to have to figure out a defense against it. Alban’s growing power was frightening, the threat he posed too great.
Mirela sat in an armchair. “I can’t believe that Alban tried to kill you.”
“I can believe it,” I said. “He’s capable of that, and much more. You’re fortunate that you haven’t witnessed what I have.”
“Yes, he raised you…that must have been horrendous.”
“To say the least,”
I said. Looking at Mirela reminded me of how much she’d changed, and of something I’d been meaning to ask her.
Mirela fingered the leaf of a plant. It grew in a clay pot by the chair and seemed to respond to her touch. It was amazing. Despite her blossoming powers, she retained an air of innocence.
When Mirela looked up, I said, “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
“Of course. What is it?”
“I was thinking back to that first time you went to the battle front with Draven.”
“That was quite an experience,” Mirela said. “It was…worse than I thought. Hearing the clash of the fighting had an impact on me.”
“It’s difficult to imagine until you experience it,” I said. “But there was something else that affected you that day. When you returned, I noticed that you looked at Draven differently. Is there more you can tell me?”
Mirela thought about that for a moment. “It’s not easy to put into words. When I was attacked, and Draven saved me, I saw a side of him that I hadn’t witnessed before.”
I listened intently, interested in what she had to say.
“He did the right thing, because I’d have been harmed, even killed, if he hadn’t fought for me.” Mirela’s expression changed; it was the look I’d seen the day she’d returned.
“Draven went wild when he saw that I was in danger,” Mirela said. “He became…like an animal hungry for blood. He ruthlessly killed my attackers, and would have obliterated them all if I hadn’t stopped him.”
“You stopped him? I didn’t know that was possible once he was in that state.”
Mirela’s eyes widened. “You’ve seen him that way before?”
“Yes, many times,” I said. “But this is war, so I don’t expect him to be docile. Yet…”
“What?”
“I was thinking back to our youth. When Draven was very young, he exhibited signs of uncontrollable rage. He was encouraged by Alban, and I felt that’s where the instinct came from.”
“Because he has Alban’s blood?”
“Not just that,” I said. “As the only father figure Draven had, the king utilized that power. He intended for his son to grow into a fearsome creature, much like he was.”
“And Draven did?”
I hesitated, pondering the answer. “Not entirely. As a very young boy, he didn’t know any different, so tried to do as his father asked. He was trained to be aggressive, like a dog might be.”
“That’s terrible.”
“At the time, there was no other way,” I said. “The only life we knew was at the palace under Alban’s guidance. We were children.”
“But Draven didn’t continue on that path?”
“He did for a while,” I said, then sighed. “I’ve seen Draven do things that he wouldn’t want me to share with you. He has darkness inside, an evil that Alban encouraged and rewarded.”
“Yet there is more to Draven than that,” Mirela said. “If there wasn’t…”
“I don’t disagree. I’m just saying that it’s there, and that Draven fights to repress it,” I said. “I know him well. But it seems that his savage nature was unleashed, so you observed it for yourself.”
“Draven is a powerful vampire and a warrior,” Mirela said. “I admire him for that. He had every right to fight to save me, and I’m grateful.”
I sensed that there was more she had to say.
“Force is required to keep evil from destroying those we love,” Mirela said. “But force used indiscriminately can be just as bad.”
“And that’s what you fear?”
“I saw that potential. But Draven responded to me when I spoke to calm him,” Mirela said. “He has another side to him, his human side, I believe. And I wish to encourage that. I doubt he accepts the good within him.”
“Alban claims that his son’s human side is his weakness.”
“I disagree.” Mirela looked at me. “Goodness is strength. It cannot survive on its own, as death and destruction would swallow it up. But it must not be abandoned.”
“You are wise, Mirela.”
“I’m becoming so out of necessity. This is a tough kingdom, and I must do my part,” Mirela said. “That day, I was aware that my role includes being Draven’s other half, helping to balance strength with goodness—and to trust him. He has kindness in his heart, even if he is reluctant to admit it.”
“I’m not sure that Draven would agree with you. But I see your point,” I said. “It is clearer to me how you fit into destiny, why you are important.”
For a moment, Mirela didn’t say more, but I was glad she’d that much shared with me. I understood now what I’d seen in her eyes. She was no longer naïve about Draven’s nature. She was aware that he could give in to the evil that ran in his veins, as well as nurture the goodness in his heart.
“Even after witnessing the bloodlust,” Mirela said, “I am certain that Draven is different than Alban, more than the king wishes to accept.”
“I hope you’re right.” I wondered if Mirela’s faith in him would bring forth qualities that he’d submerged for too long. That would be advantageous, even though Draven might disagree.
In Mirela’s company, I’d settled down. She exuded a calmness that seeped into me. Later, Draven came to the library for her, so I went to my residence. Nicolai would be waiting for me, and I longed to see him. A few quiet moments alone were desirable, as I cherished being in his arms.
At home, Nicolai was in the sitting room, looking thoughtful. I went over and sat on his lap, then he wrapped his arms around me. “Calina, my love.”
Nicolai hugged me, then pulled me close for a sweet kiss. The tender touch made my heart swell with adoration. “I love you.”
Nicolai ran his hand through my hair. “I love you, darling.”
We had the evening together, and I didn’t wish to spoil it with the mention of anything unpleasant. Nicolai meant so much to me. In my eyes, he was a hero. He’d been raised in his family’s castle, in one of the distant regions of the realm, as his father had been the ruler of a coven.
But disaster had struck, and Nicolai had lost his parents and his two sisters. He’d been devastated and vowed to get revenge against those who had committed the deed. That was when he’d joined the Guardians and sworn allegiance to Draven. It had been the royals who had wiped out his family in a senseless battle.
He couldn’t forgive that, and nor could I. He’d told me stories of his boyhood, and the joy of going on hunting trips with his father. He’d loved his mother and sisters dearly, too. Sometimes, he’d shared more about them, and I knew that family meant a lot to him.
I shoved any thoughts of my physical condition from my mind. I couldn’t bear the thought of being unable to have a family with the man I loved. Fate could be harsh, yet I hoped it wouldn’t be that cruel. I blocked the fears from my mind to enjoy the evening with my love.
Nicolai and I spoke of the future, holding tight to our plans for a large family. “I was so afraid,” he said. “When I was captured, you were all I could think about. I had to return to you. I couldn’t allow us to be ripped apart by our enemy.”
“We won’t let that happen,” I said, and meant it. “You are everything to me.”
The evening was exhilarating. We talked and hugged, cherishing each other. Sweet tenderness turned to hot passion, and I fell in love all over again. Nicolai was a treasure, and our future was what I lived for. My visions hadn’t foretold how things would work out. But I vowed to be the wife Nicolai deserved, and the mother of his children.
I was privately concerned about my physical condition. The next day, Nicolai went to receive instructions for his next assignment, while I went to the medical facility. I went discreetly, not wishing for him to know of my worries.
It wasn’t often that I was in a doctor’s office, and I didn’t like it any better this time than I had before. The waiting room had white walls and polished floors. It was so bright that it seemed blinding. I reminded myself to spea
k to Draven about having the décor changed.
Especially for women, something homier would be better. The stark environment was unsettling, and the experience of seeking medical attention was enough distress by itself. I wished to relax and feel comforted, but that was not to be.
The only other patients were human women. I smiled, and they smiled back. I didn’t wish to engage in conversation, preferring to be left to ponder my own concerns. Anxiety rose in my belly, and I nearly left, not wanting to hear what the doctor had to say.
I didn’t need the doctor to tell me what I faced. Vampires were a tough breed, and healed rapidly in most cases. Yet we had vulnerabilities. As a female, I ran the risk of injury destroying my ability to have children. I risked that each time I went to battle.
But that was part of life. I couldn’t avoid fighting and didn’t intend to. With the kingdom at war, I wasn’t about to hide out in the castle. Plus, when Draven was away, he left me in charge, so I had to be prepared to fight. I was strong and capable with weapons.
Yet that Dark Fighter had caught me off guard, and his whip had struck in just the wrong spot. The pain had dissipated, so I had no way of knowing how I fared. It was tempting to leave it that way, to exit the office and put all of this out of my thoughts.
But that was the coward’s way. Whatever my situation was, it was better to know the details. Only then could I make plans or do what I could to heal—if that was even possible.
The nurse called my name, so I followed her down the hall to the exam room.
Dr. Markson came in, with his confident demeanor. It did little to quell my fears. I explained what had happened to me, and he proceeded with the physical exam. The nurse aided him, and I watched her face, trying to tell if the news would be good or bad.
The process was agonizing. I wanted the doctor to say that I was fine, that I’d worried needlessly. I’d be more careful and wouldn’t go to battle unless there was no choice. I’d make sure that this didn’t happen again.
After I was dressed, I met the doctor in his office. He took time to explain things to me, and to go over the exam. He’d looked for certain evidence of injury and so on. The entire time, I just wanted him to spit it out. Could I have children or not?