by Sela Croft
“Good,” Florian said. He stepped back to look at Noah and me, examining us with a critical eye.
His gaze made me feel guilty.
“Shall I bring you back to the City?” Florian said, then looked back at Logan.
“Please, brother,” Logan said.
And just like that, we were back in Logan’s floating mansion. I wouldn’t have expected that I’d find it a comforting place. Yet when I opened my eyes to see the sitting room’s regal walls, I could have cried with joy.
There was no time for celebration. Plus, I was the only one in the room who seemed to experience relief.
“Valter will be back soon,” Florian said, then crossed the room and sat on the couch.
“I expected as much,” Logan said. “I’ll need an update regarding the recent attacks on the city.”
“Oh, so you do care,” Florian said.
Logan’s jaw stiffened. “It’s awfully bold of you to suggest otherwise.”
I glanced over at Noah, who seemed to notice the rising tension in the room. He motioned for me to follow him out of the room, but Florian raised his hand, beckoning us to stay. “Please, don’t leave. I wouldn’t want my brother to be distracted by your absence.”
I had no idea how to respond to what he’d said, and I wasn’t sure I even wanted to.
“Florian,” Logan barked. “It’s unlike you to speak so freely.”
“I’m not the only one acting out of character, lately.”
There was a telling calm in Florian’s voice. He reclined and stretched his arms out along the back of the couch, then stared at Logan, as if daring him to reply. I sensed Logan’s anger building by the way his shoulders squared and his hands clenched at his sides.
I was the only one who seemed to notice the flutter of dragon wings at the window, signaling Valter’s arrival. If they did, they didn’t turn to welcome him. It wasn’t until he had crossed the room and stood between his brothers that anyone spoke.
“It’s good to see you, Logan,” he said, embracing his brother.
“You, too,” Logan said and patted him on the back. “Although, I get the feeling that our brother doesn’t share your sentiments.”
Valter turned to face Florian. “You couldn’t let him enjoy being home for a moment, could you?”
“Why should he enjoy returning, when his departure left us in such a precarious situation?”
“What does he mean?” Logan said.
“Your absence caused quite a stir around here,” Valter said. “One that Florian fears may only worsen with time.”
“Maybe we should go,” Noah whispered, pulling at my wrist.
“No,” Florian said, stopping us again. “That isn’t necessary.”
“This seems like a personal thing,” I said, shrugging as I tried to step back toward the door.
“It’s become obvious that there is nothing personal that goes on in our family that doesn’t somehow come back around to you,” Florian said.
“She doesn’t need to be brought into this,” Logan said.
“That’s what I’ve said since the beginning. But you insisted on running off after her, while our City was in the middle of a crisis. You decided that her safety was more important than the future of our land.”
“Don’t be so dramatic,” Logan said. “We had the situation under control.”
“Well it’s not under control now. There are others out there, vying for your crown. Or do you even care? You abandoned us, Logan. The people were left without a leader, at the height of the war.”
The guilt I felt made sense. Another wanted to steal Logan’s crown, because I’d asked him to abandon his duties, to help me.
“What’s done cannot be changed,” Valter said. “All we can do now is consider our options.”
But Logan was supposed to help me find Rosamon. Yet he dared not leave the city again. I couldn’t allow him to abandon his realm for me.
“What do you suggest?” Logan said.
“The people need to see that you are still their leader. They need to know that you are still here to fight for them, to protect them. Any rumors of replacing you must be squashed,” Florian said. “You need to do serious damage control, my brother.”
Chapter 36
Noah
I walked toward my home, located in a tower at the heart of the city. I felt bad for leaving Callie with the other vampires, especially considering the way things were going. Logan’s brothers were upset, and it seemed as if things in Crystal City had gotten worse not better.
My presence there wasn’t helping the situation. I had nothing to add to the conversation. The only part I could play was the awkward bystander. Even if it was my fault that Callie wound up in Shadowland in the first place, there was no way to undo that. But the conversation didn’t revolve around the past. It was the future that mattered.
My mind was on Rosamon, anyway. She was still in Fae territory and needed help.
I felt her presence. My connection with her had been stronger, ever since I’d had a taste of Callie’s blood. That wasn’t the only thing that had changed. I still hadn’t been able to access my power. That was stressing me out. The mess with the Wild Hunt wouldn’t have been such a disaster, if I’d been able to use my ability.
Once I was home, I paced, worried that losing the skill to disappear in mist complicated things. I struggled to summon the ability, yet it wouldn’t come.
I walked past a mirror on my bedroom door, one that I usually didn’t notice. Yet I was drawn to it. While looking into the glass, I began to feel light-headed. I wondered if the poison was still in my system and I was getting sick again.
When I moved away, the dizziness receded. But my desire to look in the mirror increased. Swallowing hard, I took a step toward it. The closer I got, the more my head spun.
I was about to turn away, when I realized that it wasn’t just my head that was spinning. The image in the mirror began to swirl about, until my reflection melted away and Rosamon’s image replaced it.
“Noah,” she said, her blue eyes sparkling. “I found you.”
“Rosamon,” I said, then moved close to the mirror. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
“I could say the same. I’m so relieved to see that you’re okay. You made it out of Caros, without injury?”
“Yes, all is well.”
“And Callie?” she said, with a worried look. “How is she doing?”
“She’s struggling but she’s strong,” I said. “Physically, she’s unharmed. But I’m afraid the situation is weighing on her. And she’s very worried about you.”
“I worry about her, too.”
“She wants to come after you again.”
Rosamon shook her head, her blond hair bouncing around her shoulders. “No, you can’t let her do that.”
“You know there’s no stopping her, once she has her heart set on something.”
“It’s too dangerous, Noah. I don’t want to think about what Amalia will do, if she gets her hands on her again.”
“But she won’t. We’ll keep her safe, Rosamon. I promise. Logan and I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“Logan does seem to care for her a lot.”
“There’s no question about that.” Logan had jeopardized the safety of vampires of the realm, because he cares so much for Callie. But I dared not upset Rosamon with such revelations.
Rosamon moved closer to her side of the mirror. “I would love to be able to see you again. But…how will you rescue me, since you don’t know where I am?”
“Have you been able to figure out more details about your location?” I said, then looked deeper into the mirror to get a better glimpse of the scene behind her.
I could see her room more clearly. Previously, when she’d appeared to me, even her image had been blurry, but that was no longer so.
“All I can tell is that I’m in a tower. The walls are—”
“Rounded,” I’d finished her statement for her. “And
lined with mirrors.” I had known that, but hadn’t seen the mirrors for myself.
“You can see that?” she said, then looked around the room behind her. “You’ve never been able to see that much before.”
“This is new,” I said, then reached out to touch the mirror in front of me.
But my hand didn’t stop when it hit the glass; it went through it.
Rosamon jumped back. “Whoa!”
My energy poured through the mirror, as though I was being transported through a portal. I stretched my leg out and through the mirror, then leaped forward. I was with Rosamon, but wasn’t certain how illusory it was.
Rosamon gaped at my projected presence. “How did you do that?”
“I have no idea. But things have been different lately.”
“Different, in what way?”
I wanted to hold Rosamon in my arms, but, held back from reaching out to her. It might throw me back to the other side of the mirror. I didn’t know the rules about projecting. She’d achieved it before, but that time we hadn’t embraced.
“I haven’t been able to use my ability.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Rosamon furrowed her brow. “When did it start?”
“After we left Caros. I was hurt during the escape.”
Rosamon scowled. “You didn’t tell me any of this.”
I smiled at her then turned to look around her room. She was in a tower, with walls made of large stone blocks. There were no windows. Her bed was small and looked uncomfortable. Even in my projection form, the cold dampness in the air seeped into my bones.
Rosamon was in horrible conditions, and must be lonely. It was my fault that she was in the realm, at all. It’s a wonder she hasn’t held it against me.
“Noah, what happened to make you lose your ability?”
“I got poisoned, but I’m fine now. I was very weak, for a while. I needed blood. And, well…you know how your sister is, always trying to help everyone and—”
“You drank Callie’s blood?”
“It was the only choice.”
“And ever since, you’ve been feeling different?”
I nodded.
“That must be it,” Rosamon said, then appeared lost in thought. “It has to be the reason your ability has faded, why you were able to come through the mirror, and why we’ve been feeling more connected, lately. Drinking Callie’s blood somehow transferred a small portion of her magical powers from her to you.”
“That makes sense to me.”
“What does she think about all of this?”
“I haven’t told her about her powers. I don’t think she realizes that she possesses any sort of magic.”
“That’s for the best,” Rosamon said. “But still, if you plan on rescuing me, your ability is the best chance we have for making an escape.”
“You’re right, but I have no idea how to get it back. What if it doesn’t come back?”
“Hold out your hands,” Rosamon said, then stretched her hands toward me. “I’m going to try to connect with your magic.”
I stared at her. “Isn’t this breaking a rule or something?”
“Rule? Noah, there are no rules.”
“Fine,” I said, holding out my hands. “I wasn’t sure. I’m new to all of this, you know.”
“It’s cute.” Rosamon giggled, then rested her hands on top of mine.
The second our palms touched, a surge of energy filled me. Her eyes drifted shut just seconds before my own. In my mind’s eye, I saw everything. I was able to get a glimpse of her location, the distance it was from me, and the direction I needed to go to find her.
And I was struck with a realization. If I diluted Callie’s blood, my body would make more of my natural blood. Once the new blood filled my veins, my ability would return.
There was more to be discovered. But before the knowledge reached my consciousness, Rosamon pulled back from me. I tried to reach out to take hold of her again, but she was gone.
Opening my eyes, I found myself standing in front of the mirror in my bedroom.
“I will find you, Rosamon.” I said, looking at my own reflection in the glass. I spun around, feeling energized. “I’ll do whatever it takes to find you.”
Chapter 37
Callie
I was back in the room that was my safe haven, yet was uneasy. Laying on my bed, I tried to push away a chilling sensation. But it seemed like a dark presence surrounded me.
I focused on Logan, which helped to ease my discomfort. I’d known him a short time, but that experience had changed me.
And it had changed him.
There had been a time when his presence had filled me with dread. But that was no longer true. He was the only one who could provide solace. I loved him, and was endeared to the person he’d become.
I hadn’t wanted him to change. And couldn’t be sure that my influence had affected him that much. But judging by the way his brothers looked at me, it was certain they blamed me for the shift in Logan’s behavior.
I wondered if a vampire often changed his behavior. Then I realized that Logan had been the way he was, before I arrived. On some level, he’d already been this way.
I remembered the talks we’d had, when he’d still terrified me. Then I’d perceived that he wanted to be the person he’d been before the war—before the spell had turned him into a vampire.
I contemplated this thought as I stared out the large window on the far side of the room. The Crystal City’s landscape sprawled out before me, shimmering in a soft glow of blue and gold. Even locked in a state of uncertainty, the city was mesmerizing and beauty.
I fixed my eyes on the horizon that was barely visible. In the distance, the Fae lands loomed. The princess and her palace. My sister. My heart raced, and the feeling of unease crept into my stomach.
I closed my eyes to reassure myself that I was safe.
Then I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. A gasp escaped my lips. The horizon had changed. I was no longer looking out at Crystal City. All around me, the brick buildings of Caros rose against the dark, eerie sky.
I got off the bed and staggered to the window. The room around me melted away. The marble floor transformed into cold, gray stone and the ornate walls shifted to match the floor.
It couldn’t be. The window had become a roughly carved hole, chiseled into the stone wall.
Amalia’s voice taunted me from behind. “Haven’t you learned that anything is possible here, little one?”
Ripping my eyes away the window, I spun around to face her. I shook with fear, but met her gaze. “I won’t let you frighten me,” I said, though I’m sure she could see through my bluff.
“I’m not worried about frightening you. I only need to get in your head. And it seems that I have.”
“I will make you pay for what you’re doing!” I shouted.
“Are you concerned about yourself…or your sister?”
Holding her gaze, I clenched my hands into fists. “What are you doing to her?”
“If you care to know so badly, why don’t you come find out for yourself?”
“I won’t give you what you want.”
“So, you’ll let your sister suffer? She is suffering, Callie. She is suffering horribly.”
“Stop!” I yelled and covered my ears with my hands.
Her laughed bounced off the walls. Her eyes danced as she watched me agonize under her emotional torture.
“It’s only going to get worse…for everyone.” Amalia loomed before me. “You can stop it. You can make all the hurt stop, if you return to me. That’s all you need to do. Come back to me, Callie.”
And with that, I was back in my room. She disappeared as easily as she’d arrived, her land of darkness gone with her. My legs trembled, then gave out. Collapsing to the ground, I pressed my palms into my eyes and let the tears flow.
Chapter 38
Callie
“What’s wrong?”
I heard the voice, although t
he words weren’t spoken. It wasn’t the sound of her voice that was familiar to me. It was the way she spoke to me.
Opening my eyes, I saw Kaida hovering outside of my window. I flashed her a smile, then scooted back. She fluttered into the room, her wings causing a gust of wind to swirl about, before landing just a few feet away.
It had surprised me that Logan called her small. Her size impressed me. The scales running along her body shimmered in the soft glow of the city behind her. The purples and golds mesmerized me. There was something about her presence that comforted me. I had connected with her at our first meeting. And each time I’d seen her, I’d felt our connection grow.
“It’s nothing,” I said, wiping away my tears.
“I don’t believe that,” Kaida said, sending her thoughts to me through telepathy. “You’ve been through a lot, Callie. Of course, you’re not okay.”
I smiled at her and took a step in her direction. Resting my hand on her scale-covered neck, I stroked her gently.
“It’s just a lot, you know? My sister, Logan, the Fae princess. It feels like no matter what I do, I end up hurting someone.”
“In our realm, the lines of right and wrong often overlap.”
A puff of smoke filled the air, and I giggled as it wafted up into the air, swirling about for a second before disappearing.
“I need to speak with Logan,” I said. “Do you know where he is?”
“Logan is busy. He’s meeting with the ruling council to discuss everything that’s going on.”
“I’m sure he’ll figure out a solution.”
“He usually does.” Kaida nestled her head against my hand.
“Can you bring me to Noah, then? He’s really the only other person that I can talk to about this.”
“Of course,” she replied, lowering herself to the ground. “Hop on.”
I eyed her cautiously. I had never ridden a dragon without someone else with me. Remembering my failed attempt to ride a horse on my own, I was nervous.
“It’s okay,” she said, scooting closer to me. “I won’t let you fall.”
Swallowing my fear, I nodded. Climbing up onto her back was easier than climbing aboard Dequan’s dragon that night in the Fae woods, which I attributed to her size.