by Sela Croft
“It can’t be the humans. At least, it can’t be just the humans. Their attacks have been too sophisticated. There’s something else at play.”
“Well, now we’ll have to wait to figure out what it is,” Raulia said, then brushed her hair from her face and sighed.
“I don’t plan on sitting around waiting anymore,” I said. “We need to go on the offensive.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“We need to disrupt their network somehow.”
“It’ll take time.”
“I have time.”
“Do you?” Raulia said, looking at me carefully. Her expression was taunting. She had been spending time with my brothers, clearly.
“What do you mean?” I said. “You know I always have time to protect my realm.”
“You seem awfully distracted, lately,” Raulia said, inching closer. She inhaled slowly and eyed me with that accusatory grin. “You smell different.”
I took a slow step back and crossed my arms over my chest. “I don’t know what you could be referring to.”
“You don’t? Because you smell very good, Logan. Very, very good.”
“There are more important things to discuss than what I smell like.”
“The human girl with the violet eyes, for example? You’ve been with her, haven’t you? You smell like her.”
“Of course, I have. You know that I’ve been looking out for her.”
“More than that. You’ve been spending time with her.”
“How can I look out for someone if I’m not with them?”
“You’ve been very distracted since she arrived, Logan.” Raulia was bold in the way she spoke to me. She usually was. Generally, I appreciated it. But right then, I wished she would hold her tongue, the way most did in my presence.
“She’s at the center of all of this.”
“Of course, she is. Which is why she’s at the center of your thoughts, I imagine. That and nothing else.”
The sarcasm didn’t amuse me. “We don’t have time for this, Raulia. We need to figure out how to stop things, before they get even more out of control.”
The discussion progressed, in a more professional manner. Relieved to have the topic diverted from Callie, I hoped to keep my mind on other things, as well.
But I couldn’t.
The more we spoke of the unrest in the city, the more I longed to return to Callie’s side. Memories of soaring over the city with her plagued my thoughts, making me wish for more treasured moments with her.
Maybe one day. But not that day. I was still the prince, and my kingdom was in turmoil.
Chapter 23
Logan
“Perhaps Florian’s expertise could come in handy,” Raulia said.
We had spent a fair amount of time trying to figure out what our next steps should be. Raulia still insisted on striking one of the Fae strongholds in the borderlands. While I felt that her idea had some merit, I couldn’t bring myself to give the order.
There were more important things that we needed to address. While going on the offensive would help us gain the upper hand, if only temporarily, I couldn’t shake the feeling that would be doing exactly what our enemy wanted us to do.
They didn’t want us to focus on their movements or their intentions. They only wanted us to act. The more energy we dedicated to the effort, the less we would have to spend on discovering their true motives. There had to be another way to take control of the fight.
“I agree that we should summon Florian,” I said. “Perhaps he has gained more information that will prove helpful.”
My brother was busy dealing with the problems in our realm outside of the city. But I knew that he would understand the urgency, and agree to meet us.
“Have him meet us at the place where we found your sister,” Raulia said.
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
I did as she asked, and sent a message to my brother to meet us at the designated place, as soon as possible. With Florian’s ability to teleport, he’d be there before us. I rushed across the city, with Raulia leading the way.
Returning to the place where we’d found my sister, brought back the fear and worry over her safety. Losing her, however briefly, had been dark and disturbing. The relief of having her back didn’t wipe away the anxiety.
I wasn’t certain why Natasha hadn’t told me about Callie’s sister. It was common for my sister to withhold information from me. Although, I didn’t always agree with her decision, I could often see the benefit in the result. Yet in this case, I couldn’t understand why she had chosen to keep that specific detail from me.
Perhaps it was my relationship with Callie that was clouding my judgment. Thoughts of her sister, lost out in the world of darkness, alone and afraid, angered me much more than they should have. More than that, Callie’s distress at not knowing her sister’s location caused a great deal of emotional suffering for me.
I wanted to take away her pain and concern. I wanted to make this right—for her. Perhaps more for her, than for my kingdom.
I couldn’t allow my feelings for Callie to be my priority. Unless…she was destined to be most important, for reasons I didn’t yet fathom.
Fate was a word I had scoffed at before. But it might be the only explanation for everything going on. Callie had stumbled into my central office and I’d been drawn to her. Possibly, it was more than her scent that attracted me. I had to consider the possibility that our paths were meant to cross, that our lives might be destined to intertwine.
It might be that Callie was a key to saving the realm, and her sister Rosamon could play a part in the outcome. So, it seemed the twins were meant to appear in the kingdom, even though I wasn’t sure how events would unfold.
Raulia interrupted my thoughts. “We’re here.” She headed toward a tunnel into the ground, a threshold I’d crossed before. It was where my sister’s kidnapper had taken her, and the sight reminded me of that trauma.
Florian hovered by the entrance, looking impatient. “Why are we meeting at this place?”
“Maybe Raulia is dredging up the memories of our previous experience, as an attempt to sway my hand to action against our enemies,” I said.
“I hadn’t thought of that, to be honest,” Raulia said. “Although, if that is the result of our time here, you will not hear me complain.”
“Then what are we doing here?” I said.
“I had to bring you here, because this place has more to offer than you are aware of.”
“Well, out with it then,” Florian said.
“I’ve returned to this place multiple times, since your sister’s abduction,” Raulia said, then made her way into the underground tunnels. “And each time I return, I am able to pick up more information. Now, I believe enough time has passed that the stronger essences have made their way to the surface.”
“Stronger essences?”
“Scents…although, not stronger in the literal sense of a smell. They are the traces left behind of the more powerful beings that were present here before our arrival.”
“You mean that there were others in this tunnel, before we arrived?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Who was here?” Florian said.
“Unfortunately, I cannot provide a specific identity,” Raulia said.
Her words echoed against the thick metal walls around us. The room was empty. A blood stain was visible on the wall, a sign of where Raulia and the Fae shapeshifter had come to blows.
A chill ran through me. The damp air stuck to my skin, and the lack of light was suffocating. “What can you tell us?” I said.
“I can tell you that a vampire was recently in this spot.”
“Of course, a vampire was here,” Florian said. “This is where we found Natasha.”
“I’m certain that it wasn’t your sister.” Raulia paused. “A vampire has been here, since we recovered her.”
“You mean to say that there is a vampire work
ing with the Fae?” I said.
Florian shook his head. “It can’t be.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Then we were right,” I said. “The Fae have allied with vampires.”
Of the many scenarios I’d considered, that was the worst. One of our own had betrayed us, and partnered with the Fae. There could be no other answer.
Chapter 24
Logan
Things were beginning to fall apart, and it appeared that there was nothing I could do about. The more I did, the worse the situation became. One of my own had turned against me. It was unthinkable. I was unable to fathom a vampire in the enemy camp.
It was difficult not to take Raulia’s news to heart. Hearing that a traitor was among us made me doubt my ability as the prince. I questioned my decisions, my orders.
My thoughts drifted back to Callie and the moment we’d shared. It was impossible to ignore my desire for her, and I wished that I could cast off my title to embrace a life of simplicity.
“There’s more,” Raulia said, directing my attention back to the present. “I’ve been able to identify another scent. A Fae, one who is stronger than any we’ve faced before.”
“Stronger in what way?” Florian said.
“That is unclear,” Raulia said. “All I can discern is that this particular Fae has great powers. Perhaps royalty?”
“I didn’t think that species was civilized enough to have divisions of power,” I said.
Raulia frowned. “That may be our problem. We’ve underestimated them.”
I struggle to think of who this powerful enemy could be. “We need to learn more of this powerful Fae.”
“Perhaps that was the Fae, who forced your sister to use her powers against herself,” Raulia said.
Florian chimed in. “It’s a good place to start.”
I didn’t wish to delay. “Can you track the new scent?”
“That’s one question you don’t need to ask, my prince,” Raulia said, then walked out of the small room.
I followed, glad to be out of the space. The events that had unfolded there were too recent and vivid in my mind. The list of reasons I despised that place had grown. Raulia’s news about a traitorous vampire, and the powerful Fae was distasteful.
The direction Raulia went took us deeper into Fae occupied territory. There was a stench to the air that stung my nostrils. After exiting the tunnels, we emerged in the middle of a bustling marketplace. It was a strange place, and one that functioned on lawlessness.
“We shouldn’t be here,” my brother said, scanning our surroundings. “It’s dangerous.”
We were in the older part of the city. A part of the city that had been lost long ago to the darkness. Although my rule still extended to this bleak, forgotten corner of the realm, I’d lost control of this region years before.
The Fae had corrupted the minds of those around me. It was the way they looked at me. There was hatred in their eyes. But not one would dare make a move against me. Their Fae conspirators couldn’t defend them here. We were too close to the city. Valter and his dragons would be here, before any ill-thought plan of attack was put into action.
That was the thing keeping me alive. I ignored the stares and focused on keeping up with Raulia, who was darting through the crowds, undeterred by the swarms around her.
“War is dangerous, Florian,” I said. “These are the risks we must take.”
I had to find a Fae leader and get answers about what was going on in my kingdom. I needed answers. It didn’t seem possible that the Fae outsmarted us at every turn. And it hurt to embrace the fact that a loyal vampire had turned against his own. I was determined to find a Fae leader and learn what Callie had to do with all of this.
That question burned the hottest in my mind. I wasn’t clear yet on why she was in Shadowland or who had allowed her in. It must have a connection to her sister, but I had no clue what that might be. The fact was that I’d been distracted ever since she’d arrived.
Raulia’s pace increased, and we closed in on a group of Fae gathered behind one of the stalls in the crowded marketplace. Even from a distance, I was certain they’d be of little help. They were lower ranking and the second they caught sight of us, reacted in the way I had come to expect—with fear. They scurried away before we could approach them.
Raulia changed course, leading us toward a clutch of goblin-like creatures, called boggarts or bogeymen. As soon as they noticed that our path would soon cross with theirs, they shifted into different shapes, and blended in with the crowd.
“This way,” Raulia said, then motioned for us to hurry and pointed at one of the boggarts. “I’ve got his scent. He must be the leader.”
Florian and I rushed behind her, chasing the creature through the market. He was quick and had chosen the shape of a human for his escape. His disguise would have served him well, if it weren’t for our tracker. He blended in with the groups of humans around us. As we raced on, I wondered how many were vampire hunters, or worked for the Fae.
I didn’t have time to ponder that thought for long. Raulia bounded forward, and took hold of the fleeing man’s shoulders. She threw him forward, and knocked him to the ground.
When he hit, his body began to shake, and a puff of smoke filled the air around him. When it evaporated, we found that the boggart had returned to his beast-like form.
He appeared as a squat, hairy man with thick arms. His long shaggy hair and saucer-like eyes were common for his type. Boggarts were malevolent, and created untold trouble.
The creature’s uncouth behavior was expected. “You’re good, bloodsucker,” he said, then pushed himself up and brushed off. “Very good.”
My temper snapped. “We’re not here to exchange compliments.”
“I assumed as much. I’m sure you get plenty of undeserved praise back in your shiny city. Tell me, oh great prince, what brings you to our little slice of paradise?”
Florian stepped up. “We’re here for answers.”
“Do you even know the questions?” the boggart said and rolled his eyes.
“What do you mean by that?”
The boggart laughed and clapped his hands together, then bounced up and down.
“You know nothing!” he yelled between cackles. “You know nothing!”
“We know that there are traitors in our midst,” I said, tired of his games.
This seemed to appease him. He looked at me, and his smile widened. “Then you do know something,” he said. “I assume your question has to do with that.”
“It’s not worth it,” Raulia said, and turned to face us. “He won’t tell us anything.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” the boggart said. “I can tell you everything you want to know.”
Raulia gave me a cautioning look. “He’s playing mind games.”
“Then do it,” I said, ignoring her warning. “Don’t delay, if you have information. Out with it.”
His cackle exploded through the air. His eyes rolled then he threw his arms up. “I can tell you how this whole thing will end. Listen closely, because you don’t want to miss a word.”
His hands trembled with excitement and he beckoned us toward him.
“You’re correct. There are traitors among you. The vampires are helping.” His voice had a sing-song rhythm. “They are helping us and not you. They will make your race extinct, and put an end to your realm. We shall win. The glass city will shatter.”
When the ugly creature uttered the last word, he exploded into thin air, an annoying skill the boggarts had. Smoke flooded my lungs and my ears rang. In a fit of coughing, I stumbled back. Florian reached out to steady me.
I caught my breath, yet reeled at what the creature had shared. Although, I didn’t want to accept it, the boggart believed his prediction, a fact that was disconcerting.
“He exploded,” Raulia said, staring at the empty space where the bogart had stood. “He’s gone.”
“Good,” Florian said. “He was
crazy.”
“No,” I said, and shook my head. “I’m not sure he was.”
Chapter 25
Callie
Darkness surrounded me. I blinked my eyes once, twice, three times. Each time my eyes flew open, it seemed as if the darkness was denser.
I held my hand out, but I couldn’t see it. I couldn’t see anything.
My heart leaped into my throat, when I tried to call for help. The words wouldn’t come. My voice was swallowed up by the blackness that surrounded me. I stumbled forward, and blindly reached into the ominous void.
Panic overwhelmed me, and tears stung my eyes.
“Logan?” I prayed he would answer. “Noah? Henry? Bernadette?”
“They aren’t here, Callie.” My sister’s voice echoed around me.
“Rosamon?” I dared not believe it was her.
The space behind me was illuminated. The light was dull, and I strained to see. My vision returned, so I took in my surroundings.
It wasn’t difficult. I’d been in that place before—countless times. I recognized the locker-lined hallway, at once. I’d walked over the grungy tiles with their blue and white checkered-pattern, day in and day out, for years.
“My school,” I whispered, trying to orient myself. “I’m at school.”
No one was around. The halls were empty, and the lights overhead gave off an eerie, blue-tinted glow.
“Rosamon…Where are you? I can’t find you.”
“I’m here, Callie.”
The hallway stretched out in front of me, but at the end I made out my sister’s slender form, with her light-blond hair falling around her shoulders. Her eyes pierced into mine. She was cast in shadows. The faint light around her made it hard to see her clearly. But I knew it was her.
“Rosamon!” I yelled, then ran in her direction.
I stretched my arms out in front of me. Tears of excitement replaced the tears of fear. I could sense her. She was right there. I rushed forward, but as my feet moved the hallway elongated.
I sprinted toward my sister, but my legs gave out. I paused to catch my breath, only to see that the distance between us remained the same.