by Sela Croft
Alban levitated to the bottom of the steps of his throne. His bony face was taut with anger. Then he laughed, one mirthless huff. “I deny it all; no one will believe you. You have no proof. It’s all a lie.”
“I trust that you are confident about that, because Selene has heard everything. And she will go out into the realm to spread the word, destroy your reputation, and call forth the very god that you disrespected.”
Alban reached for his scepter, just as I shoved Selene. “Go quickly…do as I say.”
The witch didn’t linger to consider her options. When the king pointed his scepter at the place where she’d stood, she was gone. Selene had transported out of the palace, and I was certain that she’d shout the news from the rooftops.
That didn’t help me too much right now.
Alban chuckled, an evil sound if there ever was one. “And now what, my bastard son? You have no sorceress magic to come to your aid. And I don’t see any Dark Fighters hovering in the wings to rescue you.”
The odds weren’t in my favor, but if I died, I’d go knowing that I’d struck Alban where it hurt. And that I’d spoken out in honor of my mother’s name.
“I will kill you.” Alban spat at me. “And I will bury you in the grave that was marked for you at birth.” He leaned close, his rancid breath suffocating me. “Then I will kill Selene and Nemuri and any other woman dear to you, before I kill all the rest.”
The guards swarmed at me, and I had the depressing thought that death was near. The king would have his way, and immortality would be sucked from the kingdom. The realm would be doomed to hover in darkness, more dead than alive.
Chapter 11 – Silvain
The guards stopped before reaching me, then fell to the ground, immobile. I couldn’t see the source of my defense. Some unseen force had pinned the guards to the ground. The palace shook as though an earthquake had started.
Alban stood, clutching his scepter. His ebony throne shuddered and the floor rumbled. A power greater than either of us caused the ground beneath our feet to tremble. I stood firm, waiting for what was next. The king had been stopped, so he looked about with an evil expression.
His red eyes were devoid of mercy. He would wring the life from whoever dared to interrupt him. I doubted that he would get that chance, as the originator of the upset was his better. Only one senior to the king in strength and ability could thwart him without appearing on the scene.
It had to be a god, and my suspicions were confirmed when a mist took shape at the base of the throne steps. The figure that came into focus was awe-inspiring. He dwarfed the king’s guards. The man had shoulders broader than a royal, and he was so tall that his head nearly reached the ceiling.
He wore dark brown clothing under black armor, which included metal shoulder and forearm covers, making his appearance frightening. The suit was trimmed in bronze, and the god’s hands were shaped into metal like a robot’s and were as large as baseball mitts.
It was his face that was the most terrifying. His eyes were pitch black with heavy brows. A dark shadow covered his cheeks and square jaw; his thick lips were in a tight grimace. A few scars added character. His expression was warriorlike and, combined with his menacing looks, would make me run, if I could.
Alban stared, as if unsure how to deal with the intruder. His guards only blinked, unable to rise from their prone positions. The god studied the king, then narrowed his eyes. “You will tell me the truth, monarch,” he said, his voice booming within the confined room.
The god waited, but Alban froze. “I am Erembour, god of shadows.”
Alban shrank back from the imposing figure.
“Speak, or I will take your life where you stand,” Erembour said. “Accusations have been made and I have heard of your crime. If you lie to me, you will have no recourse. I demand to know what happened.”
Alban shifted into a stately pose. He held his head high, although I could tell he was shivering in his royal boots. “It was a mistake, my dark god,” he said. “I did not mean to offend you.”
Erembour stepped closer, and the floor seemed to move under his feet. He towered over the cowardly king. “You dare to lie!” He glared. “It was no mistake. If you raped Laela, as claimed, then you severely offended me.”
Alban clasped both hands around his scepter, then bowed his head.
Erembour turned to me. “You speak of things I did not know, dark leader. Laela is your mother?”
“Yes, sir,” I said, deciding not to embellish. It seemed prudent to allow the god to ask the questions.
“I will tell you something that you clearly do not know,” Erembour said. “I was extremely fond of Laela. As a dark god, I don’t make friends easily. She was one of the few I could converse with, the only woman I’ve found worth knowing.”
Erembour’s expression didn’t change. He looked just as scary. “You were aware that the king’s abuse of Laela was an offense I would have punished. What else did you know?”
“I was a newborn when I was placed in the care of the Dark Fighters,” I said. “For all these years, I have stayed away from my mother for fear of attracting danger to her. She has been in hiding, but I was told more of the story by the fighters I grew to think of as family.”
“Can you confirm that your mother fares well?”
“I believe so, sir.”
I looked directly at Erembour, but could see Alban a couple of feet away, not daring to interfere.
“Laela was kind, and she understood me,” Erembour said. “She was under my protection. I had no intention of breaking off the relationship and would have held her dear to this day. You may be assured that I will not ignore what has been done.”
I bowed my head, wondering what he intended.
“I have no kind opinion of either mortals or gods,” Erembour said. “Most are traitorous and deceitful, beneath me, so not worthy of consideration. Laela was unique. She was a special vampire, deserving of more than she had. She still holds a place in my otherwise hard heart.”
The god seemed thoughtful for a moment. “I am descended from chaos, a dark god destined to walk the shadows. My only friend was taken from me. Do you know the magnitude of that grievous crime?”
I wondered why he wasn’t preaching to the king instead of me, but steeled myself to listen. I looked on in amazement at the god that Alban had feared for so long.
“Because of Alban’s abuse and intimidation, dearest Laela was forced into hiding?”
I nodded, unsure where this was leading.
“She has been in that undisclosed location since your birth?”
“Yes, she has,” I said.
Erembour frowned. “That is intolerable. Laela will not be forced to cower like a criminal, with her life taken from her. I know of her travails now. Her concerns will be dealt with, her fears put aside.”
Alban stood as still as a statue—for once, put in his place.
“Where is Laela?”
I was hesitant to reveal the location that I’d kept secret during my lifetime.
“You may tell me,” Erembour said. “I was outwitted once by this minion of death who calls himself king. He might think that he outsmarted me, but it was temporary. It won’t happen again. Speak of where your mother resides, and I will ensure that no one harms her.”
I believed the god would keep that promise, so I said, “My mother is hidden away in the mountains at the border of the coastal region. There is a coven of vampires who reside there and have kept her safe.”
“How will I recognize it?”
“The cottage is the only one built from dark stone,” I said. “I was told she had it constructed in your honor, that the dark abode reminded her of you.”
Erembour’s harsh expression softened. “I will bring her here. I wish to see her, to speak with her again, and to reunite her with her son.”
My hopes soared; I might see my mother for the first time. It was possible that I’d have the opportunity to get to know her. But best of all, it
seemed that her life was no longer in peril.
Minutes ticked by, while Erembour stood very still. He had a captive audience, as no one dared move—and the guards remained immobilized. He’d stated that he would bring my mother, and it seemed that he intended to do so now.
It wasn’t long before a lovely female vampire appeared, standing across the room from the dark god. She had copper eyes and wavy, dark hair that flowed to her shoulders. She wore a long crimson dress of satin under a velvet cape.
She gasped when she saw Alban within arm’s reach.
“He will not harm you. I am here now.”
“Erembour…” She reached out her hand. “I didn’t think I’d see you again. I’ve missed you…desperately.”
“You are dear to me, Laela. You had no reason to doubt my affection,” Erembour said. “I am pleased to see you again. You’re as lovely as ever. Are you well?”
“Yes, my dark one, I have been cared for,” Laela said. “But how did you find me?”
“Your son Silvain revealed your location. He has spoken of the ordeal you went through, and I’m distressed from hearing of it.”
“Silvain?” She looked at me, and my heart swelled with the love of a son for his mother.
“Yes, I am your son. I’ve longed to see you but didn’t want to risk your security,” I said. “I can hardly believe that I’m seeing you now. I’ve waited so long.
“I told your story to weaken the king. Alban has been a dictator more than a monarch, and he hasn’t abated in his practice of treating women badly. I just couldn’t let it go. I thought if I shed light on his misdeeds, his disreputable acts would be his undoing.”
Erembour was listening attentively, so I told him, “The king has hidden his treachery for too long and gotten away with his offenses. I suppose that I hoped when I spoke of his acts that’d you hear and would act against Alban, as only you can.”
My mother reached toward me, so I went to her. She held my hands then said, “You did the right thing, my son. I should not have feared the king as I did. I should have faced him. Maybe he wouldn’t have been allowed to continue his reign of terror.”
“You could not have done that,” I said. “The king has no mercy. He would have killed you, and I would have died in your womb.”
My mother embraced me, so I hugged her lovingly. “I can’t bear the thought that such a fate might have befallen you,” she said.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alban. He grasped his scepter so tightly that I thought it might break in two. I sensed that he was itching to kill, but the god’s presence gave him pause.
It was an emotional moment. I had given up all hope of reuniting with my mother, or of her being truly safe. She was under Erembour’s protection once again. I was relieved that I’d done the right thing. In breaking the confidence and telling about what happened to her, I’d brought the wrath of the dark god upon the king, vengeance that he well deserved.
I looked into my mother’s eyes. “I lost you at birth, but it was worth it to know that you were unharmed.”
“You have me now,” Laela said. “I couldn’t be a mother to you before, but it appears that the Dark Fighters I trusted did an admirable job. I am overjoyed that we will be able to visit, to make up for some of the time we missed.”
Alban emitted a low growl yet didn’t say a word. I had no doubt that if Erembour hadn’t been looming, holding the threat of retribution over his head, that the king would have wielded the horrors of death upon us.
Chapter 12 – Silvain
The royal guards stood at attention, no longer pinned to the floor. But Alban did not command them to assault any who were present. He was evil to the core, but not necessarily imprudent. One look at Erembour was enough to halt any thought of attack.
“Why didn’t you tell me what happened?” Erembour said to my mother. “I don’t understand why you felt that you had to handle the matter yourself.”
My mother blushed but didn’t reply.
“Come, Laela.” Erembour held out his enormous hands, and my mother walked over to him. She grasped his hands then lifted one to her lips to kiss his knuckles.
“I can’t tell you what it means to me to see you again,” Erembour said. “I had not forgotten you.”
“I hadn’t forgotten you either, my dark one,” Laela said. “I thought of you every day and missed you. My heart was broken from the loss of you, and the hurt was compounded by the loss of my son.”
“But you did not come to me; you did not seek my help. Didn’t you know that it would have been freely given, that you are the only one I cared for?”
“I felt so ashamed,” Laela said. “I respected you, as I still do. It seemed inconceivable to tell you that I’d been raped, and that I bore a child that was not yours.”
“Why, my dearest? You couldn’t have believed I would turn away from you.”
“I was so afraid…of the king…of everything,” Laela said. “And I wasn’t sure; I was afraid that you’d think it was all my fault, that as a woman I’d brought it upon myself, that I’d been the one to charm and lure, that the attraction had been—”
“Never,” Erembour said. “I would not have blamed you any more than I do now, having heard the sordid tale. You were a victim of a vile creature. It was not your fault.”
I watched with rapt attention. Alban swallowed hard but did not speak. He seemed to have lost his tongue.
“You disappeared from my life for so very long,” Erembour said.
“I had to avoid endangering my son,” Laela said. “The king would have murdered him if he’d known, so I gave birth in secret. And he would have killed me, too. I fled in terror and, until this moment, had no confidence that I could show my face to the world again.”
Erembour pulled Laela close. She looked tiny next to him. He wrapped a massive arm around her, then faced Alban. The god’s eyes were the blackest black, and he was ferocious. Towering over the king, he could eat him alive, or do other godly things to send him to a horrible demise.
“It was not my fault,” Alban said. “You heard her for yourself. Laela admits charming me, luring me. Am I guilty for not resisting? Was it not natural instinct I fell prey to?”
“Not another word!” Erembour roared. “I will have none of your lies. My one love has been abused, and I hold you responsible.”
I gaped at the god’s fury and tried to imagine what he would do to the king. No penalty seemed quite severe enough, and death seemed too easy, almost like as escape from punishment.
“Listen well, king,” Erembour said. “I could yank every power you possess. So unless you want the rug pulled out from under you in the next second, keep your mouth shut.”
Alban staggered back then sagged into his throne.
“I should turn your bones to ash right now, where you sit,” Erembour said. “You’ve earned that. You stole what didn’t belong to you.”
Then the god looked at me. “Silvain…you should have been my son. I recognize you as such, because Laela is your mother. I care not that the king fathered you, as he did so criminally. I honor you and your mother, so I will see that the king pays the price for what he did.”
“Have you no mercy?” Alban said, which was a curious thing to hear him say. I hadn’t known that he knew what the word meant.
“Shut up, king of death,” Erembour said. “I will have no more of your whining. I hold you accountable for your actions.”
Alban leaned back, and I saw fear in his eyes.
“You wreak destruction upon anything or anyone you touch. You lobby for death, and snuff out any goodness or life, little though there may be.” The god glared at Alban. “I am a dark god, yet even I’m aware that you throw the kingdom out of balance. You’ve gone too far.”
“Do not kill me, please,” Alban said.
“Nothing would give me greater pleasure,” Erembour said. “But even gods have rules to follow. I cannot interfere with destiny, and to kill you would end the war in an unnatural way.
I have seen much through eternity, so I know that things have a way of resolving.”
My mother glanced at me, then at her dark god. I had the sense that something of great importance was about to happen.
“Light balances darkness,” Erembour said. “It must be that way for the realm to continue to exist. So, I cannot bring strife in the land to a conclusion of my choosing. Destiny is created by all. Yet I am going to take the liberty of tipping the scales against you, king.”
Alban closed his eyes.
“Have the courage to face your punishment,” Erembour said. “And take solace in that it could be much worse. I hereby imbue Silvain with increased powers.”
Erembour took my mother’s hand, then faced me. For that moment, Alban was of no interest to him. “Silvain, you are a warrior to be proud of,” he said. “You should have been my son. I consider myself your father, more rightfully than any other.”
“I’m honored, sir.”
“You have Strigoi blood in your veins, and it is only fair that you gain full power from what Alban has bestowed upon you,” Erembour said. “I’m sure that the king wouldn’t have schooled you in your abilities, even if he’d known of your birth.”
“I believe that is true.”
“So I shall do so now.”
Alban stood, but didn’t make a move against the god. He didn’t even look at his monster guards, who stood like lumps along the sidelines.
“As Strigoi, you have the innate power to become invisible at will then reappear at your choosing. Also, you can transform into animals or plants, as it suits you, then return to your vampire state.” Erembour lifted his hand. “You now have these powers as described. You do not need interning or practice. You’ll find that when you attempt either, you will be successful.”
“I don’t know how to show my appreciation.”
“Use your powers well, Silvain. I’m aware that you taught yourself cloaking, so I don’t have to offer it to you,” Erembour said. “I cannot tell you what to do, but consider this: greater strength is achieved by combining forces. If you think about that, I’m sure you’ll get my meaning.”