Of the Blood

by Cameo Renae

  The room didn’t smell any different, and it was dead quiet. I didn’t dare call her name, especially with the vampire guards outside who were on high alert due to Trystan’s arrival.

  I checked the washroom first, searching for any traces of magic, maybe a swirl or variation in temperature. But there was nothing. I opened the door and scanned the bedroom. It was empty. As I exited the room, I quickly unzipped what remained and slid out of the dress, careful to drape it over a chair to keep it in a good condition.

  I proceeded to check under the bed, behind the armchairs, and in the corners of the room. Again, nothing. Something must have happened to her. Maybe she ran into trouble getting past the guards. Once again, all fragments of optimism were being siphoned out.

  The corset was constricting my air, so I quickly untied it and flung it to the floor, realizing I was half exposed. If Roehl or one of his guards stepped in — I shivered at the thought.

  Heading toward the wardrobe, I opened the door to discover three white cotton bedgowns hanging. Nothing else. I guess I shouldn’t have expected anything less from Prince Asshole.

  I slipped a gown over my head and as it fell over my fragile frame, a hand flew over my mouth from behind. “Shh! Don’t say a word,” a voice whispered in my ear.

  I nodded and it released.

  I turned to meet fiery red hair, freckles, and intense jade-green eyes beaming at me. I’d couldn’t have been happier to see the snarky witch.

  I flung my arms around Melaina’s neck and she hugged me back. Pulling away, she placed a finger to her lips. I nodded and quietly watched her close her eyes and cast a spell. A wall of mist swirled around us, encasing us in a cocoon of air. When it was finished, her eyes snapped open.

  “Great goddess. What the hell did they do to you?” she gasped, her hands clutching my arms.

  “Is it that awful?” I saw real concern in her eyes.

  “Well, no,” she exhaled, then shook her head. “Actually, yes. You look like they starved you to near death.” Her somber eyes met mine. “What happened to you? You were gone so long without a word, and when Trystan couldn’t make contact, we all thought you were dead.”

  “I was in a cell, shackled to a wall. They fed me nothing but stale bread and water.”

  “Goddess in heaven.” Rage flared in those jade eyes, her hands balled into tight fists. “Those bastards.”

  I let out a heavy exhale. “How long have I been gone?”

  “Fifty-seven days,” she said sadly.

  The earth beneath me seemed to shift. Fifty-seven?

  I fell to my knees and burst into tears. I’d truly lost all track of time. I must have been asleep for days at a time. I was grateful for those times of darkness—all the days that eluded me. Because the days I spent awake, starving and in pain, were enough to last me a lifetime.

  Melaina’s eyes brimmed with sorrow. “I’m so sorry, Calla. I don’t know how they broke through my ward. We were scared shitless when Kylan told us he saw a man take you and vanish.”

  “It was a Wanderer,” I said quietly. “He delivered me to Morbeth in a matter of seconds.”

  Her eyes flew wide. “A Wanderer?”

  I nodded and she glanced down. I could practically see the cogs turning in her mind.

  “That’s how they found us and broke through my ward. There isn’t much on Wanderers, except they are sorcerers with great magic who live in seclusion. I wonder what magic Roehl had to conjure to find a Wanderer. It had to have been very powerful.” Her eyes met mine again. “Did he speak to you?”

  I nodded. “His name was Erro. They bound him under an oath that he couldn’t break. The lives of his family were at risk, so he had no choice.”

  “Figures.” Melaina shook her head. “Trystan received an anonymous tip saying you were in a cell in Morbeth.”

  “Do you think it was Erro?”

  “Possibly, since he was the one who delivered you there.” Before I could say another word, Melaina kneeled next to me and wrapped her arms around my neck. “I’m sorry we failed you.”

  “No. You didn’t fail me,” I replied, but my tears said otherwise, flowing uncontrollably.

  I told Melaina everything. About the cell, about Roehl and his abuse, about him claiming me, what I did to poor Ms. Alcott, about Brynna and his warning, and what happened with Trystan.

  She placed both hands on my shoulders, soothing me. “Trystan would have come sooner, but because of Roehl’s reputation, he had to plan and make sure I could get in without being detected. He also made it a priority that we didn’t threaten your safety. It killed him, Calla. Kylan said he’s never seen Trystan so miserable or unhinged, especially when he couldn’t contact you.”

  Hearing her words made me sad. “Kylan gave me the vial, and I drank it as soon as I returned. Will it work? Will I be able to contact him again?”

  “It could take a few minutes or a few days. But it should destroy Roehl’s spell.”

  Should wasn’t a word I needed to hear. I needed something solid. “What if it doesn’t?”

  “The only reason it wouldn’t is if Roehl finds out and recasts his spell.”

  “I hate him.” Words couldn’t describe what I really felt.

  She sighed. “We all do.”

  “Roehl is covering up the truth about Nicolae. Something isn’t right. There’s more to what he said happened. I know it. I feel it.”

  “Trystan is sending Brone and Feng to Northfall tonight to try to locate Nicolae. From the description we gave, Brone thinks he knows where he might be.”

  “I don’t think Nicolae will want to be discovered, especially by someone like Brone.”

  “That’s why Trystan also sent Feng,” Melaina shrugged. “He’s a lot less scary and has a way with words. Perhaps he can persuade him to come back with them.”

  It was a long shot, but I was grateful they were trying. I needed to talk to Nicolae and find out what really happened. Because I knew I wouldn’t get the truth from Roehl.

  “I thought you said you’d never set foot in Morbeth,” I said, glancing into Melaina’s jade eyes.

  Melaina’s head cocked to the side with a half grin. “I was given an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “You shouldn’t be here. If Roehl finds you, he’ll kill you.”

  “I know,” she said. “But it was a risk we were all willing to take.”

  “Why?” I had to ask. Why would they take that risk?

  “Because he’s wrong, and we won’t let him get away with what he’s doing.”

  Overwhelming emotion filled me. “Will you be able to escape safely?”

  “Yes, but once I do, I won’t be able to return. Prince Roehl’s wards are too powerful. The only way I was able to get in was because he released them temporarily when Trystan arrived.” She looked me directly in the eyes. “I have one spell,” she said carefully. “It can get you and me out of here, right now.”

  “Would you be able to take another?” I pleaded, expectantly.

  Worry was etched on her brow. “I’m sorry. The spell is only strong enough to hold two. No more.”

  I knew Melaina came to save me. But they hadn’t known about Brynna, or that she’d been captured. And Brynna’s safety was much more important than mine.

  I took hold of her arms. “Melaina, Roehl has my best friend, Brynna. You must get her out of this place. Please. If she’s free, I won’t have to carry the burden of knowing if she’s safe or alive.”

  Melaina’s eyes shut tight. “I’m sorry she’s here, Calla. But I was given strict orders.”

  “I’m begging you. I won’t leave unless Brynna is safe. And the only way that will happen is if you take her.” I exhaled, seeing the stress swimming in her eyes. “Look, I realize you made a vow to Trystan, but I feel there are answers here. Answers about Nicolae and my ancestors that I need to discover.”

  She groaned. “Trystan won’t be happy with me.”

  I took hold of her hand. �
�If Trystan is at all like the man I think he is, he’ll understand. And besides, if your potion works, I’ll explain it to him myself.”

  She pressed her fingers to her temples. “I respect your devotion to your friend, but Roehl will kill you if you stay here.”

  “I don’t think he will anytime soon. He is out to prove something . . . especially to Trystan. Plus, there was a perverse gratification on his face when he rubbed in the fact he’s claimed me. So, I’ll play along until I find a way out.” I took both of her hands in mine. “Melaina, please. Brynna is like a sister to me. Her parents were murdered by Roehl.” I swallowed down the massive lump developing in my throat. “She’s mortal, just like you, and can’t stay here. We’ve taken care of each other since we were kids, and I owe this to her. Please.”

  After a few moments, Melaina nodded. “I’ll take her.”

  I threw my arms around her neck and squeezed.

  “You don’t know how much this means to me. Thank you.”

  The witch’s eyes beamed. “Well, when you get the chance, please explain it to Trystan. He’ll be upset when I return with the wrong girl.”

  “I know he’ll accept her.” I had no doubt he would.

  From the start, Trystan was looking out for me and my family. If he knew Brynna was here, I had no doubt he would have worked out a plan to get us both out.

  I gave Melaina a brief description of what Brynna looked like and where Sabine said she was being held. And to look for a door with guards outside.

  Melaina stood and drew me to my feet. “Calla, just promise me I’ll see you again.”

  I sighed deeply. Not knowing what the future had in store. “The best I can give you is . . . I’ll try.”

  She exhaled loudly with a snarky grin.

  “Thank you, Melaina. I owe you one. And trust me, if there is a way out, I’ll find it.”

  “I have no doubt,” she said. Suddenly, her face went pale, and her head shot to the door. “He’s coming. I have to go.”

  “Be safe. Tell Brynna I love her, and I’ll see her soon.”

  She nodded and closed her eyes. With a twist of her hand, she vanished, and the surrounding cocoon dissipated. I felt the chilled air against my skin as I rushed to the bed. Slipping under the blankets, I rolled sideways, away from the door, hoping they’d think I was asleep.

  Hearing Roehl’s voice, I cringed and prayed to the gods that Melaina would make it to Brynna in time. Roehl asked the guards if I was inside, and after they confirmed it, I heard the doorknob twist and the door swing open. I counted twelve heavy footsteps across the floor in my direction. Then they halted.

  I remained still and relaxed, hoping Roehl would think I was asleep. He moved closer until he stood at the edge of my bed.

  A firm hand clutched my right forearm and snapped a familiar bond around my wrist. Gasping, I twisted to meet Roehl’s bitter, merciless eyes.

  “This is assurance. To make sure no one outside of Morbeth tries to free you.” He closed his eyes, and when they reopened, they were glowing red, fixed on the wall behind me. Following his gaze, the thick chain connected to my wrist was connected to the wall behind my bed. Where the chain and wall connected, symbols were glowing in a bright red circle. He angled back to me with a vicious smirk. “Like I said . . . assurance.”

  “Haven’t you done enough?” I broke down, looking at the iron cuff around my wrist, which had more symbols glowing in red around it. I could feel the strength of that spell, gripping my wrist, coiling up my arm. “Just leave me alone.”

  He shifted to leave, but before he walked out the door, he paused. “One day, you will come to love me, and you will become my mate.”

  “Never!” I wailed. “I will never love a monster like you.”

  A growl burst from his throat. The red around his eyes blazed bright, and his lip curled over lengthened incisors. “Then you will rot in this room, shackled and alone.”

  I fell back onto my pillow and cried.

  Never in my life had I felt these emotions. Despair, and a hatred so deep it was eating away at my insides. Eating away at all goodness inside me.

  The door clicked shut as he took off. I would rather die here alone than to see his vile face again. I wept until there was nothing left. Until my tears had dried up. Until sleep had finally claimed me.

  Voices yelling outside my door yanked me from a deep sleep. The door swung open and heavy feet stomped inside.

  My eyes were swollen and blurry, focusing on Markus as he entered the room with three guards behind him. As soon as his eyes met mine, he relaxed. “Tell the prince she’s here.”

  “What the hell is going on? Why are you here?” I demanded.

  “Your friend is missing,” he declared sternly. “Do you know where she is?”

  I stopped breathing. Melaina had done it. She kept her promise and freed Brynna. I wanted to scream with joy, but instead kept my face emotionless.

  Lifting my wrist, I yelled at Markus. “Do you think I know where the hell she is? Your prince shackled me to the wall with dark magic and has a gazillion guards outside my door.” I tightened my eyes at him and felt something shift inside, like a rubber band expanding so wide, it finally snapped. “I hope she’s gone. I hope she found a way out of this shit hole. No one deserves to be kept against their will. Especially when they’re innocent!”

  Markus stood still, as if weighing my words. “I’m sorry I woke you,” he murmured. With a bow of his head, he gestured to the guards, then withdrew out the door, sealing it.

  Letting out a sigh, my insides burst.

  Brynna was free, and my father was still hiding. Roehl could no longer sway their lives carelessly above my head. I felt that burden lift, and smiled, staring at the ceiling. It was a huge victory. My best friend was safe, hopefully on her way to Trystan. I knew he’d take care of her.

  Melaina said it could take a few hours, maybe days, before I could connect with him again. How long had I been asleep? I wasn’t even sure what time it was. Glancing out the window behind me, the sky was still dark.

  It didn’t matter though. My best friend was out of Morbeth, and I now had some clarity to figure out my next move.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I couldn’t sleep. The thought of Brynna’s safety had my stomach twisting in relief and happiness.

  Did she and Melaina arrive in Carpathia? Would they inform her about her parents?

  My heart ached for her. I hoped she would forgive and not hate me for having a grandfather who dragged her into this chaos. Dragged us all into it. But I wouldn’t blame her if she did. At least she was safe. I just had to trust my father was too.

  My eyes flickered open to see a welcomed face.

  “How are you?” Sabine asked, moving to my side, her eyes examining the long steel chain.

  I shook my shackled wrist. “I’ve had worse days.”

  “Yeah, I suppose,” she breathed. “I heard about what happened last night. Word has spread like wildfire about the young woman who captured Prince Roehl’s heart. The girl the Carpathian prince came to take, but in front of everyone, she turned him down.” She frowned. “Sounds like that girl had an overwhelming night.”

  I moaned, throwing my free arm over my eyes. “You have no idea.”

  “I also overheard a few guards talking about a missing girl. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” Her eyebrows rose, as did her lips.

  I shrugged, then finally sat up. I would inform her, but not with the guard's right outside. “Have you heard any news about my father?”

  “I haven’t. But that’s a good thing, right?”

  “I hope it is.” No word could hopefully mean he was still out there, running and hiding.

  I wondered if he knew why those men were after him. Or if he knew I was still alive. Did he see my mother and the rest of his company get murdered?

  I couldn’t begin to understand what was going through his mind, except for that short glimpse into Melaina’s magical water. He
was frightened and confused, trying to stay alive.

  “Hey, did you hear what I said?” Sabine asked, plopping down on the bed.

  “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

  “Never mind.” She said, but leaned forward and whispered quietly into my ear, “I found a witch who might be able to help you.”

  “Really?” A spark of hope reignited inside me.

  She raised a finger to her lips, her head gesturing to the door. She then mouthed the words, “She’ll be here shortly.”

  “How?” I mouthed back.

  “Spring is ill,” Sabine said out loud. “Someone else will be coming to help me with the chores today.”

  I didn’t answer but acknowledged her with a nod.

  “When was the last time you fed?” she asked.

  “Ms. Alcott,” I replied, then grimaced as the thought flashed in my mind. “He’s going to starve me again, isn’t he?”

  “We aren’t allowed to feed you unless the prince tells us to. I’m sorry.” She gave a wink, then withdrew her small bowl and pocketknife from under her dress. I watched as she made a slight incision on her arm, filled the vessel, and offered it to me before dressing her incision.

  “You don’t have to do this,” I whispered, as she pushed the bowl toward me.

  I received it and immediately drained its contents, handing it back to her.

  “Thank you,” I replied quietly, and she nodded.

  Sabine disappeared into the washroom to clean away the evidence. While she was gone, I settled back and closed my eyes, letting the limited amount of blood run its course through my veins.

  I could have easily let my anger and self-pity overwhelm me, but I was thankful I wasn’t back down in that dingy, cold cell.

  Sabine had become my friend, the only one who was trying to keep me alive. I knew I could depend on her because she was putting her life at risk for me. I would never forget her kindness and hoped that one day I could repay the favor and free her from this miserable place.

  When she returned, she started to clean the room, sweeping, dusting, and humming as she worked. She had a beautiful voice, melodic, and it made the room seem happier and a lot less lonely. She was a bright and beautiful soul amidst Morbeth’s gloom. Fate had led her to me. It had placed her in this castle to comfort me through these trying times, and somehow, I felt she would play an important role in my future.