by Tenaya Jayne
Deep in Fortress Castle, prince Syrus was sitting in a dimly lit room, listening to Redge, his personal guard, read aloud from Forest’s file. The longer he listened, the more confused he became. The information about her was compiled in a choppy way, and Syrus was having a hard time forming a clear idea about who she was. He was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the position Fortress had put him in and the solution the council had devised. His father believed it to be the time for him to come out of hiding and take his place as commander of the Vampire army. Syrus couldn’t do that until his sight was restored, so this secret little excursion through the Wolf’s Wood to the rouge wizard, Maxcarion, became necessary.
“Her regular occupation is as a traffic controller in the human world, and she has the highest arrest and kill record in that department. Her average last year alone was...”
Syrus held up his hand for Redge to stop reading. “What does that mean? Traffic controller?”
“Well, it means that she acts as a custodian to one of the portals. Regulating the going and coming. The new amendment of Regia’s law only allows Shape-shifters to cross the portals to Earth. No one else is supposed to go there, especially our kind. Those caught on the other side are subject to arrest. Those who resist are killed on sight. From her file, it looks like your new guardian is quite fond of killing vampires.”
“Why is she allowed to keep her job?” Syrus asked.
“Fortress is not overly concerned with those she kills. Vampires who cross over tend to run amok on the other side, due to the addictive nature of human blood. Some lose themselves completely. Some just can't handle… ”
“I know.” Syrus hissed.
“Forgive me,” Redge said, “Of course you do. Shall I continue reading?”
“No. Tell me what you know of Forest—word of mouth, gossip.”
“I’ve yet to see her, but I hear she is a creature of astounding beauty.”
Syrus snorted. “She’s a shifter. Does anyone know what she really looks like?”
“Is it really true a shifter can only show their true form to their destined life mate and no one else?” Redge asked.
“Yes, that’s true. Has she found her life mate yet?”
“No, my lord. They say every form she takes is beautiful and that she cannot help it. Her eyes are the only thing she cannot change about her appearance. I asked around court about her. Apparently, your cousin Leith knows her. He said that looking in her eyes is like getting lost, that you can see an entire forest in her eyes.”
“Leith said that? Really?” Syrus was incredulous.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Hmm…It’s too bad I can’t see her.” Syrus sighed.
“You could.”
“Yes, but I doubt it would be worth the price I’d have to pay. Anyway, what else do you know?”
“No one I talked to knows who her elf father is. She carries a katana made of folded silver and wears silver jewelry about her body. It’s well known that she hates vampires. I'd watch my step if I were you—they say she fights dirty.”
Syrus smirked. “And I thought this trip wasn’t going to be any fun.”