by Sela Croft
“Walk toward me. Please, Rosamon, come to me!”
But my sister didn’t reply. She didn’t move. Instead, she lowered her head and took a cautious step back. Without looking at me, she turned a corner…and was gone.
“No!” I yelled. “I won’t lose you again!”
I found the strength to move forward, and renewed energy surged through me. My feet hit the ground, and I moved ahead with purpose. I moved forward, getting closer to her.
When I reached the place where Rosamon had just stood, a ripple of familiarity struck me. I was able to sense her again, and she was close. My reaction to her presence was electric. My ears rang and my hands shook.
I didn’t stop as I rounded the corner, hoping to find her there waiting for me. I attempted to convince myself that it was just another game of hide and seek. My sister would be there, like she had been so many times before.
Rosamon knows that I hate being separated from her for too long. She’s teasing me, but she’ll reappear.
When I turned the corner, I came to a halt. The light had faded again. Only a soft glow illuminated the space. I spun around to go back in the direction I’d come, but I couldn’t.
The halls had vanished. When I turned back, the last bit of light snuffed out. I squinted my eyes, trying to see into the distance. Then I jumped back, and shrieked with fear at what I saw.
Glowing red eyes.
Cat-like eyes.
The eyes were suspended in space, floating just ahead, but getting closer. Turning to run, I suddenly found myself in a forest. Redwoods sprung up from the earth to surround me, reaching up into the darkness and disappearing into a non-existent sky.
In desperation, I ran to escape the eyes burning into my back. But more of the enormous trees ruptured through the earth at my feet and blocked my path.
One massive tree appeared directly in front of me. I turned to my right…another shot up. To my left, another. Behind me, the eyes skulked. I covered my eyes and pushed my back against the trunk of the tree, just as the outline of the enormous cat-like creature came into view.
A growl rumbled through the darkness and jaws snapped.
But nothing happened. When I opened my eyes again, I was back in Logan’s home. The regal suite was different, though. The structure was the same, but it lacked the elegance that so characteristically defined it.
The chandelier overhead, once crusted in gold, was now made of wrought iron. The marble floors had been removed and replaced with cold, stone bricks.
I made my way down a familiar yet alien hallway, and wondered where I truly was.
Nothing around me seemed the same as it had been. Yet, I knew in my heart that I was back in only place in Shadowland that had made me feel safe before. But I wasn’t safe any longer.
“No, you’re not. You’re not safe here, Callie.” It was Rosamon’s voice.
Out of thin air, my sister appeared at my side, but not close enough that I could reach out to her. I stared at her, but her face was covered. She wore a long, hooded cloak that concealed her.
But I had no doubt that the figure was Rosamon. “Why am I not safe here, when I’ve been safe in Logan’s home before?”
“Does this look like Logan’s home?”
Her question startled me. “What happened?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does.” I had to understand, or I’d go crazy.
“It doesn’t matter, Callie.”
“How can it not matter?” My voice had risen to a high pitch.
“Do you hear that?” Rosamon said, then turned to the side.
I listened in the direction she indicated. Voices were coming from down the hall. They were soft, and I couldn’t make out their words. But there was something familiar about them.
“You need to go,” Rosamon said.
“I can’t go. I won’t go. Not without you.”
“You need to go!”
The voices were growing nearer. Still I couldn’t make them out clearly. Someone spoke my name and the sound hung, suspended. Then my sister’s voice whispered, “Go, Callie…you must go.”
Panic rose inside me, and my emotions were conflicted. I wanted to stay with Rosamon, but the sound of footsteps falling on the stone floors told me that she was right.
I had to run, so I took off fast, glancing back to see if Rosamon would follow. She wasn’t there. The lights flickered and dimmed, then were gone. I came to a halt, heaving for breath. I reached into the darkness, trying to find anything to tell me where I was.
I pinched my eyes shut, swallowed back my fear, and pushed myself forward. Blindly, I walked. I don’t know how long I walked. It seemed like an eternity. When I finally worked up the courage to open my eyes again, I saw a bright ball of light illuminating a small room ahead of me.
I raced toward it.
Rosamon was in there. I could feel her. A sense of exhilaration overwhelmed me. This was it. I had made it to the end. This had to be my destination. There were no sounds, no monsters or ominous hallways. The light ahead was warm and inviting.
I had made it; I was going to be reunited with my sister. I burst into the room, but skidded to a stop to take in the scene before me. A bright orange glow filled the space.
Rosamon appeared to be trapped in a box. Various weapons were thrust through it, and my sister twisted to avoid being sliced or stabbed. The sharp weapons jabbed in and out of the box, as if controlled by a large, invisible hand. My sister’s soft blond hair was matted to her face, and her blue eyes were clouded with tears.
“Rosamon!” I yelled, then raced forward.
“No, Callie…stay there!”
I fell to the ground beside her, then the box disappeared. I nearly fell forward into the bottomless water, and reached for a handhold to avoid drowning. There was a gaping hole where the box had been. I stared into the infinitely deep pool. I didn’t have time to figure out where it had come from.
I focused on Rosamon. She was down there, lost beneath the surface. I could see her face, peering up at me through the murky waters. I reached down, grasping for her. When I felt my hands reach her shoulders, I pulled her up with all my might.
“Go home, Callie,” she gasped, with water pouring from her mouth. “I beg you to go home.”
“I can’t go without—” I started, but my words were cut short when something stronger than me, grabbed onto her from under the water and pulled her from my grasp.
I fell forward. The water rushed up at me and filled my lungs. I might drown.
I tried to scream but no sound came. I froze, unable to move.
Chapter 26
Callie
I sat straight up, and gasped for breath. My body shook, and my face was wet with tears.
But I wasn’t in the pool. I wasn’t in the maze-like world of horrors anymore. I was back in Logan’s home—his real home—in bed. The plush comforter was wrapped around my legs, and the pillows were on the floor.
It had been a dream. A horrible dream I was not likely to forget, anytime soon. Every time I blinked, I was back there. Each time I closed my eyes, the darkness consumed me again. My pulse quickened, and my hands shook. The images replayed in my mind again and again. Flashes of darkness interrupted by visions of my sister—in the box—in the pool—in my arms—and then she was gone.
I didn’t know what it meant.
I took a few calming breaths, and glided my hands over the soft, cotton sheets. The light from Crystal City filled my room with a soothing glow. The regal surroundings, which had once intimidated me, were now a source of comfort.
The room reminded me of Logan.
I was in his home and safe.
But Rosamon wasn’t.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong. I’d sensed her. She’d been there. I’d had no uncertainty. The connection with my sister had been strong. It had been so long since I had felt it, that I’d nearly forgotten how impactful was. In that dream world, I had experienced the
familiar bond. It had been like a magnet pulling me toward her. My spirit had found hers, and I clung to the connection that had bound us in the familiar way.
Yet the sensation hadn’t comforted me. It had terrified me, because I’d felt her emotions—fear, concern, pain. I felt them; I felt her.
It was more than a dream—it had to be.
I was disappointed that Rosamon hadn’t wanted me to stay, and hadn’t accepted my help. It stung that she’d pleaded for me to leave.
My sister was the reason I was in a strange world ruled by vampires. I had done all I could to find her, but she hadn’t wanted me to rescue her.
I reminded myself that it was only a dream, and tried to believe it. No matter how much it seemed so, it wasn’t real.
I got out of bed and made my way across the room. The marble floors were cool on my bare feet and relaxed me. The view of the city below amazed me. The shimmering buildings, and the horizon illuminated by the moon were surreal.
It struck me that the realm was dreamlike. I rested against the glass to take in the beauty outside.
Henry’s voice broke my reverie. “Is everything okay, Callie?” He pushed my door open.
“I’m fine,” I said and looked at him.
“A few moments ago, you were yelling, so I wasn’t sure.”
“It was a bad dream.”
“It must have been. I heard your shouts down the hall. I considered waking you, but…”
“Is Logan back yet?” I said, ready to move past the nightmare and back into reality.
“No, miss.”
My heart sunk. He was the one person, other than my sister, who I truly wanted to see. I longed to tell him about my dream, divulge my fears and concerns for my sister, and ask him for updates on the search.
More than anything, I just wanted to be near him. I wanted to let him hold me, the way he had before. Just the memory of his arms wrapped around me helped to sooth my mood. My confidence that he would return was nearly enough to subdue my fears.
“Thank you, Henry,” I said, mustering a smile. “I’ll be out shortly.”
“Yes, miss. I’ll have Bernadette leave some food in the kitchen.”
“That would be lovely.”
After he left, I showered and changed, hoping that falling back into a normal routine would push the dream from my consciousness. By the time I walked down the hall and into the kitchen, I was more myself.
Bernadette wasn’t in the kitchen. Slightly disheartened, I collected the plate of food she’d left and made my way to the dining room. I had so hoped that she would be there. Even though Logan wasn’t around, I could have discussed my concerns with her, knowing she would understand.
But it seemed as if Logan’s floating mansion had taken on the hibernation-like state, like the night I’d escaped with Noah. Even Henry wasn’t around.
I wasn’t alone for long, though. I’d barely finished my meal when a familiar voice called my name. “Callie…are you here?”
“I’m in the kitchen.”
It was Dequan. My guess was that he’d been sure I was there. When he was around, he seemed overly enticed by my scent. I was sure he‘d smelled me, the second he stepped foot into Logan’s home. That thought was unnerving.
“Will you join me in the study?” Dequan said, then poked his head into the dining room.
I nodded and followed him out, leaving my plate on the table. I hoped that Henry and Bernadette wouldn’t return for a bit, so I’d have the chance to clean up after myself. I didn’t want them to think I’d treat them like human servants, just because Logan had taken an interest in me.
“What is this about?”
Dequan walked in front of me. I was thankful for the space. Although, when he looked back at me with his piercing brown eyes, I became aware that no that amount of space would ensure my safety. If he decided to act on the impulses that raged through him, I’d have no defense.
“I simply wanted to talk to you, Callie.” He pushed open the door to the study.
To my surprise, we weren’t alone. Seated around the room were four other vampires—two men and two women. They eyed me suspiciously. I wrapped my arms around my waist, nervous in the presence of their staring eyes.
“Don’t worry about them,” Dequan said casually. “They’re with me. And I’m under direct orders from the prince to keep you safe.”
I summoned my courage and stood up a little straighter. “Where is Logan?” I said. “He should be back by now.”
“He’s involved with his royal duties, of course. You know, saving the city from the evils of the darkness.”
“You shouldn’t be so flippant about what he does,” I said, speaking before thinking it through.
“I don’t mean to be. I appreciate what Logan does for us.”
“Well, you don’t sound very appreciative.”
“My appreciation for Logan goes much deeper than words, Callie. We’re family. Perhaps that’s what you’re picking up in my tone. We’ve known each other so long, I often forget that others don’t see him the way I do.”
“And how is that?”
“Why, as my dear cousin, of course.”
“Of course.”
“Nevertheless, he’s occupied. Last I heard, he was working with the wolf tracker to investigate the unrest that is plaguing our beloved city.”
“Raulia, right? She was working on figuring out who took Natasha.”
He seemed surprised by this statement. As if he didn’t expect me to be privy to such information. His face twisted in a way I couldn’t figure out, then he gave me a charming smile. At least, what I assumed was meant to be a charming smile, and it would have been, if it hadn’t looked so unnatural on him.
“Yes,” he said with a nod.
“Well, I suppose that is very important.” I was puzzled over the reason for Dequan’s visit.
The other vampires nodded in agreement.
“The prince’s sister is very important,” one said.
“Probably the most important thing going on right now,” another said.
“Can’t let harm befall the royals,” yet another added.
“Natasha is vitally important to our realm,” Dequan said.
The banter had become annoying. “I’ve heard.”
Logan had mentioned his sister multiple times. I understood her importance to him, since it mirrored my feelings for Rosamon. That was one of the things that had first connected us—the concern for our families.
“It seems as if you’re disgruntled by this, Callie.”
“No,” I replied, shaking my head. “No. I understand. It’s just…”
“Just what?”
I didn’t want to say it. It was selfish to even think it. Of course, the search for answers regarding what happened to Natasha would take precedence over the search for Rosamon. Natasha was more than Logan’s sister. She had abilities that could help the vampires in the war.
It made sense. But that didn’t make it any less frustrating.
“My sister is missing, too, you know,” I said.
Dequan narrowed his eyes. “I’m aware of that.”
“I just feel like everyone has forgotten about her. Or, at least, they’re not doing whatever they can to get her back. Don’t get me wrong, I get it. Natasha is a princess, and Rosamon, well, she’s just a human in a world where humans are…well, they’re not vampires. But, still, Logan knows about Rosamon, and he said he would help. He’s supposed to be back by now…”
“Well, Logan has many responsibilities,” Dequan said calmly.
“I know. I just…” I let out a long groan. “I just wish someone cared about finding Rosamon, as much as I do.”
Logan had said that he did, and I believed him. I truly believed him. But Dequan was right. He had a lot going on. It would be selfish of me to think that he could dedicate his energies to finding my sister, especially when his own family was in peril.
“I wouldn’t say that no one cares about it as much as you,�
�� Dequan said.
“What do you mean?”
“Perhaps you’ve been putting your faith in the wrong person. That’s all I’m saying.”
“You want to help me find Rosamon?”
“Of course, I do,” Dequan said, with a smile even more charming than a moment before. “Why else would I be here?”
Chapter 27
Callie
I was weary of Dequan. Everything about him, from his intimidating presence to his conceited personality, told me not to trust him. He would have devoured me the first time I’d met him, if it hadn’t been for Logan.
He was interested in me in a way that made me uncomfortable He was friendly in the trying-way-too-hard kind of way—the way that the bullies at school had been, right before they revealed their latest scheme to humiliate me.
Yet he’d said what I wanted to hear—what I needed to hear.
“You want to help me look for my sister?” I asked, still leery.
“I want to do more than that.”
He seemed overly confident. But his offer lured me. His attitude wasn’t as annoying as before. It gave me hope. There was a chance that trusting him was a big mistake.
“Explain what you have in mind,” I said.
“Well, as you know, I possess an ability that allows me a certain level of insight in these matters.”
“You can locate vampires. I know about that.”
“True, but it’s more than that. I won’t bore you with all the technicalities. What you should know is that in my search of our realm, I have come across a clue that might be useful in the search for your sister.”
I scanned the faces of the vampires around us. Each had an emotionless expression. At least, they weren’t staring at me anymore. They had their gazes fixed on their leader, waiting to hear what he would say next. It was almost as if they were waiting for some sort of cue from him before speaking.
Dequan was the prince’s cousin. He wouldn’t hurt me. I was just being paranoid. Yet I wavered with uncertainty. Images from my recent dream came back.
I remembered running through the halls with voices coming toward me, and fear squeezing the breath from my chest. The image of Rosaman trapped in that box, narrowly escaping death, filled my mind. Staring up at Dequan with a lump in my throat and a pit forming in my stomach, I felt as if worlds had collided.