As we exited the courtyard, people stopped to stare at me. I laced my fingers together in front of me and walked behind the human leader, my eyes to the ground.
“Don’t be frightened,” Aydin whispered, moving protectively toward me.
Mehmet laughed. “She has nothing to fear, and she knows it.”
“I don’t want them to be frightened,” I said.
Mehmet nodded. He led us down a narrow passageway toward one of the towers. Pushing open a wooden door, he led us inside. A teenaged boy and girl were already within. They looked up smiling when we entered. Upon seeing me, the girl suppressed a gasp then lowered her eyes. She lifted a bottle of rosewater hand wash and met us at the door. In turn, each of us took a bit of the astringent to cleanse our hands as was custom. As the girl poured the water into my palms, I saw her hands shaking. I hated this. I hated it. Why did they fear us? We were doing everything we could to protect all of Nazar.
“Please bring some refreshments for my guests,” Mehmet told the boy and girl.
They both nodded then quickly left.
“My grandchildren,” Mehmet said, sitting with a tired huff. “Now, correct me if I am wrong, but you are Pelin.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I know you more by reputation. From Baran, I know that you are to replace Emine and are the most powerful witch of your order. However, from Aydin I also know you as the same witch who intervened and saved a human child last night.”
“That is, in part, why I am here,” I said.
Mehmet nodded.
I took a deep breath and began. “I have been watching the vampires these past several weeks. Each night, the Rift-cursed have been roaming the city before dusk. I have seen other abductions.”
“We have had a rash of people turn up missing of late. Some members of the community were beyond the safe zone hunting or scavenging. At first, we had merely thought they were out after dark and had suffered the consequences of the law. But recently, some have gone missing who would not have broken the curfew. In fact, we petitioned Erlik for the release of one of our community members, but he claims he does not have her.”
“Then he is lying,” I said.
Mehmet nodded thoughtfully. “It’s good that you are here. I don’t have the confidence in Erlik that I used to. Once, we worked well together. Of late, his actions have become erratic. Nazar is becoming unpredictable. All we can do is abide the law, stay safe, and follow the rules of the accord. However, I issued a mandate this morning that no one will cross the border into the old city again.”
I inhaled deeply. Things were worse than they seemed. If the humans lost confidence in the accord between our three groups because the vampires were becoming too bold, then something must be done. It was good that Baran and I would address Erlik. He must be brought to heel.
“Emine sent me. She, too, senses things have become fragile. I will return to my order with your news. The accord must be kept, or we cannot survive.”
Mehmet nodded.
A moment later, Mehmet’s granddaughter returned carrying a tray with steaming cups of Turkish coffee. The sweet aroma filled the air. I’d only had the drink once before. There was a single row of coffee bean trees growing in the palace. It produced sparse beans.
Her hand shaking, the girl gave me a cup. It rattled in its saucer.
“Thank you,” I said kindly.
She smiled, but her face had gone pale.
After she’d handed out the cups, she left again.
“Please. Drink,” Mehmet said, motioning to me.
I looked at Aydin who was grinning at me.
I lifted the tiny coffee cup. Frothy coffee foam dotted the top. I sipped the hot liquid. It had a thick taste, sweet and strong, with a mild texture of the finely ground coffee beans. I closed my eyes, savoring the flavor.
Mehmet chuckled. “I am surprised. Are there none in your order who can brew coffee?”
I set the cup back down on the saucer. “We do not have good beans, only scrawny bushes that produce poor crops. But here, you are performing miracles. I admit I was amazed to see how successful you’ve been with your crops.”
“We are blessed,” he said, raising a hand to the heavens. “Topkapi Palace has green courtyards. I’m surprised you’ve had no luck.”
“I fear the soil was affected by the Rift. Even with our encouragement, we grow just enough to support our people.” I drank the coffee again, this time draining the small cup.
“We can provide you with seeds, send some people to help your order get started with replanting,” Mehmet offered.
“That’s very kind. Thank you.”
Mehmet nodded knowingly. Swirling the coffee around in his cup, he took one last drink then set it aside.
I sensed then it was time to depart.
Motioning to Aydin, I set my cup down. “I must thank you for your time. I should be getting back.”
Rising, Mehmet held out his hand to me. “Please tell Emine that her concern is appreciated. I hope that we will be able to continue to work together to maintain order in Nazar.”
“Thank you,” I said then paused. “If you don’t mind me asking, how is the baby? Were you able to find her family?”
“Yes. She is doing well, under the conditions. And we are grateful,” he said, squeezing my hand gently.
“I only wish I could have done more,” I said.
Mehmet smiled softly at me then let go.
We turned and headed back outside. This time, I did not bother to cast the enchantment on myself. By now, everyone would know that someone from our order was inside. Seeing every eye in the main yard on me proved my hunch was right.
Keeping my expression placid, I moved back across the square toward the gate. Aydin walked at my side.
“Some of them know that a witch saved the baby. They will put two and two together. Some may fear you, but many are in awe of you…and of this,” he said, pointing skyward.
For a moment, I cast my eyes up. The swirling colors of the dome were calm and steady, an easy swirl of blue, gold, and silver. Emine had taken control once more.
“Perhaps, one day, there can be a stronger peace between our people,” I said.
“I see Mehmet is rubbing off on you.”
“Are you calling me wise?”
“Beautiful, strong, caring…I don’t think there are enough words to describe how I see you.”
We left the fortress and walked to the main gate of the human zone.
“Shall I accompany you to Topkapi?” Aydin asked.
I shook my head. “Erlik’s people are too bold. Don’t risk it.”
Aydin nodded stoically. “I will talk to my people about coming to the order to survey the soil. We can be of help. Are your people…are your supplies of food short? I can gather some rations.”
“We’re okay. Meager, but fine. Though I wouldn’t say no to another cup of coffee.”
Aydin smiled then reached out and touched my chin. He leaned in and kissed me. Gently. After he let me go, he whispered, “Be safe.”
“And you.”
I turned and headed back into the ruins of the city. As I went, I cast a glance up at the barrier. I refused to sacrifice my life to become a tool, not when hope for a happy future was blossoming before me. But how can one escape her fate when everyone’s lives depends on her sacrifice?
Chapter 8
I returned to Topkapi Palace, entering through the main gate. The entire palace was surrounded by a stone wall. At the entrance was a massive arched gateway. The guards nodded to me and opened the first set of double doors. I passed through a massive stone archway to the other side. There I found another set of doors. One of the guards knocked on the door, and with a word between the guards, the interior doors opened. The guards bowed to me and I passed by and into the first courtyard.
Inside the first courtyard, the magical families who lived there were busy working. They were tending gardens, doing the washing, and mothers were chasing small chi
ldren who ran all over the place. But the place was quiet. The gardens were spindly. And a pall I had never noticed before seemed to hang heavy in the air. The lavish courtyard held the beauty of the dead world, but the inner glow—like I had seen at Yedikule—was missing. We were unhappy. How had Emine, Baran, and the others let this happen? I had thought it was only me who felt…well, miserable. As I looked around at the faces of my people, I saw sadness shadowing their eyes.
Lost in my thoughts, I passed through the first courtyard into the second courtyard where my people had built the tower. I looked up at the energy pulsing from the upper terrace. The magic was coming in quick spurts. Since I’d left Yedikule, someone else had taken over. It wasn’t Emine maintaining the dome.
Nodding to the guards, I slipped through the doorway and wound back up the tower stairs. There, in the main tower room, I found Emine and Baran standing over a map. They sparred words in jagged tones. Meryem held the dome.
Mira, the young acolyte, watched Meryem spin. She looked at me when I entered and smiled.
I returned her smile then crossed the room to join Emine and Baran.
When Baran looked up, he scowled but said nothing.
Emine stood staring at the map. The evil eye on her chest glowed.
I went to the table and stared at the map. It showed all of the old city of Istanbul. Areas where no one lived had been marked out. Emine’s energy seemed to be focused on a zone across the waters of the Golden Horn in Taksim, an area of the city that was once very active. Taksim, like most areas of the city, had gone dark. No one lived there anymore. What was Emine looking for?
Touching my pendant, I looked down at the map. At first, my head spun. Emine’s magic was so strong. Mine was nothing in comparison. I followed her eyes, looking at the map. I could feel Emine hunting something. But there was nothing. Collapsed buildings, massive fissures where the earthquakes had broken the land, rusted shells of buses. There was nothing.
But then, I felt it.
More accurately, I heard it. A sound like a soft whisper emanated from Taksim.
My head swam, and I pulled back. Gasping, I held the edge of the table.
Mira rushed from the side of the room to steady me. “I’ll get you some water,” she said then crossed the room to pour me a glass.
“What did you see?” Baran asked.
“I am sure you’ve looked for yourself. What did you see?”
He shrugged. “I see nothing.”
“At first, I didn’t either. But it wasn’t really seeing, it was more that I heard—”
“I mean, I saw nothing,” he said sourly, cutting me off.
I didn’t say anything else. Was his magic so weak that he really could not see how the map served as an eye into the unseen?
Mira handed me the water.
“Thank you,” I whispered then took a sip.
A moment later, Emine exhaled deeply. She shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said then sat down. She stared in front of her with a faraway look.
“What did you see?” she asked me.
“In truth, nothing more than the ruins of Taksim. But—”
“But?” Emine asked, a smirk playing on her lips.
“But I felt something…a presence. And I heard voices, like whispers.”
Emine nodded. “Yes. As did I.”
“There is no one in Taksim,” Baran said sternly.
Emine shrugged. “I felt movement there. But I cannot see what. Sit, Pelin. And you, Baran. Pelin, tell us what you learned from Mehmet the Wise.”
“His report confirms what I have seen. People are going missing. At first he assumed they had been taken after dark, but that is not the case. People are missing who would not break the law. He’s ordered his people to stay inside the walls.”
“This is disturbing news,” Baran said.
I nodded. “There is more. He mentioned that he petitioned Erlik for the return of one of his community members. Erlik denied having her.”
“Treacherous vampire,” Baran spat.
Emine lifted a hand. “Erlik has been alive longer than the three of us put together and has kept peace since the Rift. Something does not sit well here. At dusk, you will go and remind Erlik of the accord. Play upon his goodwill to abide the law.”
“His goodwill?” Baran scoffed.
“You are full of prejudice,” Emine scolded him.
“No, I am cautious. And, please excuse me, but I don’t think sending Pelin is a good idea.”
“Why not?” I protested.
“She is not prepared to face the Berkano.”
“I have faced plenty of vampires—“
“Berkano? They have powers you do not understand. They must not be underestimated,” Baran said sharply then turned to Emine. “She is not ready.”
Emine turned to me. “The Berkano are very powerful. They can probe the mind and even mesmerize. You will need to be cautious, but you are going. Now, both of you, go get cleaned up and change into your ceremonial robes. It’s time we reminded the Berkano who rules Nazar.”
In a huff, Baran rose, gave Emine a curt bow, then left, the door banging closed behind him.
Rising, I gently took Emine’s hand and set a kiss thereon. I turned to leave but paused for a moment. “There was something else about my visit to Yedikule that I found peculiar.”
Emine raised an eyebrow.
“The fortress…it’s like a garden. Trees filled with fruits, vines covered in vegetables, and their bazaar was filled with goods unlike any I’ve ever seen. It was like the stories of the old days before the Rift. Ah,” I said, my memory jogged, “I nearly forgot.” I dug into my pocket and set a package on the table before her.
Curious, she undid the ties to reveal the Turkish delight I’d purchased at the bazaar. She stared at the confection, leaning over to inhale deeply. She lifted one of the sweets then leaned back in her seat.
“The human’s bazaar has lokum?” she asked in amazement, staring at the confection.
“And cheese, olives, simit, stuffed grape leaves, and mountains of fruits and vegetables.”
She stuck the confestion in her mouth and ate slowly, closing her eyes. “The taste…I’m remembering television, air conditioning, and the sound of your mother’s voice begging me for one more sweet.” When she opened her eyes once more, they were wet with unshed tears. “Thank you.”
I bowed my head. “Mehmet has offered to send us seeds and for someone to help with our crops.”
“That is kind of him, and an offer we should accept.”
I nodded. She was right, but taking from people was easy. There was more we could still give. Even as I thought it, an image of Aydin flashed through my mind. Much more we could give.
“Tonight, be cautious,” Emine said, interrupting my thoughts. “I hate to agree with him, but Baran is right. Erlik is powerful and dangerous. Watch him. But also keep an eye trained on Baran as well.”
“Don’t you trust—“
“Something is happening. The dome—have you felt it—is unstable. The magical storms are getting stronger. There is mischief in Nazar, and as of yet, I don’t know who the players are.”
I nodded. “I have felt it as well.”
“Come, Mira. Have a taste,” Emine called to the girl, sliding the package of Turkish delight across the table toward her. “Be safe, Pelin,” she said, nodding to me.
I bowed to her once more then left.
Mischief in Nazar. May Mother Umay protect us all.
Chapter 9
I returned to the haremlik as the sun began to sink low into the sky. Once more, I went to the bath. There, I stoked the fire, heating the room, and let water drain into the massive marble tub. As I sat down in the hot water, I whispered a prayer of thanks that the old plumbing system in the palace had survived the Rift. I washed my long, dark hair with rose-scented soaps and worked oil through my long locks. Rubbing a sponge over my long limbs, my mind went to Aydin. I had never been in love before, but this was
surely what love felt like. There was an ache that washed over me every time I thought of him. As my sponge passed over my breasts, my mind imagined Aydin’s touch. Aydin’s mood had seemed dark, almost sad today. It was unlike him. His affection toward me had not faltered, but something was troubling him. Was Nazar troubling his mind or something more?
But now was not the time to worry about that. I would be face-to-face with the vampire king tonight. Gathering my thoughts, I finished my bath then brushed out my long locks. Pulling my hair into a braid, I wrapped the braid at the back of my head into a bun then went back into the sleeping chambers to dress.
I opened the massive wardrobe and pulled out the black dress. The long garment, with its billowing skirt and fitted top, was touched with embroidery all along the neckline that depicted silver moons, golden stars, and small blue evil eyes all sewn with silk thread. The dress complemented the glass evil eye at my neck. I touched the amulet. Evil eyes warded off dark magic. But properly tuned, they did far more. They tapped into the living magical energy of our world. The magic therein was good and pure. As priestesses, we’d learn to channel this magic and use it to supplement our own natural stores. The evil eye was, indeed, an eye. It could see into the unseen magical realm. And from it, we drew power.
Feeling ready, I headed back outside to meet Baran. I loathed the prospect of taking on this complex meeting with him at my side. But it was Emine’s wish that we go together. The fact that she didn’t trust him made me even more ill at ease.
The courtyard was eerily quiet as dusk fell. In my mind, I compared the palace with the human fortress Yedikule, the human bazaar, and the liveliness of the human zone. It was my kind who protected the city, maintained the dome. Yet our lives were bleak, dark.
Frowning, I went to the entrance of the first courtyard where I found Baran waiting.
He eyed me over from head to toe then nodded. “Good. A little showmanship will help. Pelin, I know Emine is confident in you, but she has not been inside the Dark Bazaar. It is…repugnant.”
I didn’t want to tell him I had, actually, edged my way in. I had seen some of the horrors. But I understood what he meant.
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