by Sarah Noffke
~~~
“I can’t allow you to enter,” Finswick said from the entrance to the quarantine tent.
Azure shook her head at the tiny feline trying to appear like a tough bouncer. “Finny, I need to see Monet.”
“Then I’ll go and fetch him,” Finswick said, twirling about, his tail high in the air.
“I also need to see my people,” she urged. “I need to tell them that they are going to be all right.”
“They may not be,” Finswick said coldly.
Azure sighed, diverting her eyes to a group of wereanimals passing by on their way to the center of Virgo. The quarantine unit had been set up on the outskirts, next to the Dark Forest, but it was an area that attracted many of the wereanimals, since the woods brought them comfort.
Virgo is filled with wereanimal refugees and has a quarantine unit for vampires. Things have gotten horribly strange and strangely horrible, Azure mused before returning her gaze to Finswick.
“Look, you know I could stride right past you, but instead I’m asking you to please move,” she reasoned to the cat standing squarely in the middle of the entrance.
“And you know that I could pee in your bed every night for the rest of our long lives,” Finswick stated, his nose high in the air.
“The quarantine walls are strong,” she argued. “Monet constructed them himself.”
Her familiar dropped his gaze, a guilt surfacing in his eyes. “It’s simply not smart for the Queen of Virgo and the next protector of the Howling Willow to enter this tent.”
Because he was part of Azure, she could read him, and she knew he was hiding something.
She dropped her chin and regarded him under hooded eyes. “Fin, what has Monet done?”
He flicked his tail nervously, to the left and then to the right. “Nothiiiing,” he said, drawing out the word.
“All done,” Monet called from inside the tent.
Casually, Finswick strolled to the side of the entrance, curling up into a ball. “Never mind, you can go on in.”
~~~
“You did what?!” Azure yelled, her hands fisted at her side. She stood in the front of the quarantine tent that Monet had fashioned into a work area by adding a cauldron and various herbs.
“It’s fine. I’m fine,” her friend said, attaching a tag to an amethyst brooch that Azure recognized as belonging to Finnegan.
“You took down the barriers and went into each of their cells?” She threw her arm in the direction of the quarantine area.
“That was the best way to retrieve all of the soul stones,” Monet explained, carefully placing Finnegan’s in a box lined with velvet.
“You could have been bitten,” she argued.
“But I wasn’t,” Monet said simply.
“Whatever, that’s a horrible argument for your foolishness.” Azure and Monet both grew quiet, their own thoughts absorbing their current attention.
It was hard for Azure to fathom that Finnegan’s soul stone sat in a box instead of neatly fastened to his robes, where she’d seen it her entire life. Usually, a witch or wizard from Virgo kept their soul stone on them until the day they died. Then it went into a box, or was passed down, or buried with them. To know that the old wizard’s soul stone now rested in a box while he was in the other room, a soulless being, was horribly heartbreaking.
This was why Azure had kept the details about Virgo from Gran. Finnegan was one of her oldest friends, and although she’d never fancied him the way he did her, the knowledge of his change still would have been a stress that she shouldn’t have to carry right now. Azure just had to save him and the others—then it wouldn’t matter that she didn’t tell Gran. It would be a heartbreak she’d never have to experience.
“We have to help them,” Monet finally said, ending the silence. It was like he’d been in Azure’s thoughts.
“Gran thinks that they have answers,” she shared, forgetting momentarily why she’d come to fetch Monet.
“From the Book of the Dead?” he asked.
Azure nodded. “We need to leave for New Egypt right away.”
Monet pursed his lips, thinking. “Yeah, okay. I just need to find someone to watch the tent.”
“I’m sure Laurel will do it,” Azure said, feeling heavier.
She saw it in Monet, too, and wanted to hug him to make them both feel better. Instead, she ran her eyes over the sparkling soul stones that lined the table, the ones that Monet had collected from the newbie vampires.
“Yeah, okay,” he said and then spun around, looking into the cauldron stationed on the table. “Oh, and I have to figure out a safe way to dispose of these.”
“What’s in there?” Azure asked.
“I collected all of the bats that we shot down. The ones from Earth,” Monet explained. “I was afraid they could be dangerous even dead, so I rounded them up and kept them so I could find a way to destroy them.”
Luckily the bats had been killed by the dragons before they’d bitten anyone. But on the ground, not everyone had been so lucky. Founder vampires had broken through and attacked, creating the followers in the quarantine unit.
A smile sprang to Azure’s mouth. “You’re a genius!”
“Duh, but what does that have to do with anything?” Monet asked.
“Don’t destroy the bats,” she instructed. “Bring them with us. You might have just secured the ingredient we need to cure our people.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Manx, in his black dog form, barked, bouncing around in front of Blisters. The unicorn lay on his side, a carton of mint chocolate chip ice cream sitting between his hooves.
“Would you stop that damn racket?” Monet yelled from the far side of the carriage.
Manx halted, and gave him a dignified expression. “No, I kindly will not.” The pooka resumed barking, leaning back on his hind legs in a puppy pose.
“I didn’t say ‘kindly’,” Monet retorted.
“Just imagine if you had,” Manx countered in between barks.
Blisters’ head lolled to the side, as if he were drunk on ice cream, and then he plunged his face back into the container.
Azure stopped pacing, which she’d been doing since they set off for New Egypt. “Manx, can you find a different way to try and cheer Blisters up? I think the bark-in-his-face approach isn’t working.”
Manx shifted into the form of a black fox, giving Azure a mischievous look. “I have no idea why. I’ll try biting him.”
Blisters jerked his head into the air, the carton of ice cream stuck on his muzzle. “No!” he protested in a muffled voice.
Ever shook his head at Azure before trotting over to the unicorn and pulling the container off his face.
“Thanks,” Blisters said, his white fur covered in green ice cream. He dropped his head, resting it on his legs, and she could see melancholy written in his eyes.
“Blisters, I already told you that there will be a job for you,” Azure reminded him in a sensitive voice. “Gran hasn’t told us anything—”
“In typical Gran fashion,” Monet interjected, pushing up from the sofa and weaving his way through the empty Cheeto bags and Laffy Taffy wrappers on the floor to get to the grand piano in the corner.
“Once we know what needs to happen, we’ll figure out a plan,” Azure continued.
“But everyone else has a job,” Blisters cried. “Manx delivers messages or carries you in his stallion form. Monet creates potions. Ever looks good in tight pants. And you’re the queen of Virgo, a fearless warrior. I’m just a dumb old unicorn.”
Monet’s mouth popped open in protest. “I look good in skinny jeans. I just happen to be a real man, unlike some Light Elves who don’t need room for their—”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Azure said, cutting him off. “Blisters, you’ve helped us loads of times.”
Blisters looked up with hope in his bloodshot, blue eyes. “Like when?”
Azure shot a look at Ever and then Monet. “Like…that one time. Remember, guys?”
Ever cut his eyes at Monet before clearing his throat. “Remember when you were Gillian’s steed?”
Blisters dropped his head back down on his hooves. “Yes, and I got lost, and Azure had to rescue me.”
Azure gave Manx a furious look. “Yes, I believe you got lost chasing a certain pooka who was trying to disorient you.”
Manx shifted into bunny form and twitched his nose, his big eyes blinking back at her innocently.
“To be fair,” Monet cut in, “that’s what pookas do. He also saved you from a kelpie.”
Blisters blew his nose loudly. “That’s when we first met,” he said through a sob.
Monet leaned in and whispered to Azure, “Only you would have a depressed unicorn.”
“He’s not depressed,” she argued. “He just wants to have a purpose. We can all relate.”
“I might as well let Scabs take over for me,” Blisters said, still wailing.
Manx, who had shifted into raven form, perched on Blisters’ side, pecking at his fur like he was picking bugs from it. “For the last time, you don’t have a shadow self.”
“I’ve seen him!” the unicorn insisted. “Twice.”
“Well, there you go,” Monet said, punching Azure softly in the arm. “If Blisters saw it, then it must be true.”
Ever strode over and sat behind the piano. “Actually, we all have a shadow self, but most of us never encounter our other part.”
“See!” Blister called. “Scabs has black fur, a black mane. His horn is black. And—”
“We get the point,” Monet said, shaking his head.
“I wonder what my shadow self looks like,” Manx said, peering down at his black, feathered body.
“Thing is, pooka, you are the shadow self,” Monet said with a laugh. “Out there somewhere is a kindly version of you, with golden hair and a loving disposition.”
Manx squawked. “They sound awful!”
“I should let Scabs take over,” Blisters whined again. “You and he would get along better, and you’d match.”
Ever placed his fingers on the piano keys, a relaxed expression on his face. “How about I play a tune I wrote for you, Blisters?”
“You wrote me a song?” the unicorn asked, his eyes wide.
“I did,” the Light Elf said, winking at Azure. “And I think it will make you feel better.”
Melodic music began to vibrate from the piano, making everyone fall still. Ever’s focus turned inward as he swayed to the soft notes. The melody sped up, captivating Azure. She’d never seen Ever play the piano; if she didn’t love him already, this would have been the moment she fell.
He played for what felt like too short of a time before hitting a final note and looking up hopefully at Blisters. “There you go! There’s your song,” he said triumphantly.
“Which also sounds eerily like Chopin,” Monet teased, a smile on his face.
~~~
Gran was stretched out on a chaise lounge when Azure found her.
“There you are,” Gran called, looking up from her grimoire, which was perched on a nearby table. “You can put the chocolate and herbs on the table over there.” She motioned absentmindedly to the corner.
Azure pursed her lips, confused. “I…um…didn’t bring you anything.”
“You what?” the old witch asked, giving Reynolds beside her an appalled look.
“Gran, you didn’t ask me to bring you chocolate or herbs,” her granddaughter explained.
“No, I didn’t,” Gran agreed plainly. “Soggy bread! That’s why you’re supposed to read my mind. Haven’t I taught you anything, child?”
“Calm down,” Reynolds urged.
“Wilted flowers, I will not calm down,” Gran protested, looking agitated.
Gillian had soundlessly arrived at Azure’s side. He whispered, “Sari has been a little stressed after I decoded all the Book of the Dead pages.”
“I can hear you!” Gran stated loudly. “And of course I’m stressed, which is why I asked for chocolate.”
Azure took a steadying breath, aware that servants stood around the room, eavesdropping. “Again, you didn’t ask, but there appears to be plenty of treats here.” She indicated a long table stocked with various fruits, breads, cheeses, nuts and vegetables.
“Do you see any chocolate?” the Queen Mother challenged.
Azure swept her gaze over the table. “Well, no, but—”
“No, because it’s hot as tarnation, and chocolate would melt, wouldn’t it?” Gran pulled a folded fan from her lap and began waving it in front of her face.
“Riiiiight,” Azure said, drawing out the word as she turned to Gillian. “The pages, do you want to update us?”
A loud hiss erupted from the side of the room. Everyone spun around to find Manx in cat form, his back arched and fur puffed out, making him look larger. In front of him stood Cleo, Chibale’s familiar. The sleek, black cat with the golden necklace lifted her chin high in the air as she trotted into the room, Chibale behind her.
“Manx, what’s gotten into you?” Monet asked, stalking over and picking up the pooka.
“That cat…” Manx said, his voice shaking.
“Yes, you’re a cat presently,” Monet explained. “And so is Finswick and, technically, Laurel.”
“T-T-That cat isn’t the same as them,” Manx stuttered.
“No, she’s wearing some bling,” Monet whispered. “A bit of a showoff, if you ask me.”
Chibale and Cleo, who didn’t appear to be listening, crossed to the far side of the room. The wizard took a seat in a throne of sorts, while his familiar dutifully stood majestically beside him.
“Now that the queen is here,” Chibale began coldly, “we shall discuss the pages from the Book of the Dead.”
“Good to see you, too, King Chibale,” Queen Azure said, not able to help herself.
He gave her an unamused stare.
“We learned both the cure for follower vampirism and the way to kill founders,” Gillian said, hopping up onto a chair and leaning over the pages from the Book of the Dead.
“We can’t also cure founders?” Ever asked.
Chibale shook his head. “Their soul is irretrievably lost.”
“But followers?” Azure asked.
“Their soul is trapped, so to speak,” Reynolds stated.
“And there is a way to un-trap it?” Monet asked.
“Yes, there’s a potion that reverses the effects of vampirism, but it’s complicated. Only an incredibly skilled potion maker could pull this one off,” Gran said, letting out an exaggerated sigh.
“I must admit, I don’t have anyone with the skills for such a task,” Chibale said darkly. “Not to mention that the ingredients are impossible.”
Monet snapped at Gillian. “Read the ingredients. I’ll make this potion before dinner.”
“Snap root, mum flower, coddle weed,” Gillian obliged.
Monet’s brow wrinkled. “Would you quit making shit up and read the list?”
“Those herbs are from the ginseng family. They promote healing and are often used in longevity potions,” Chibale stated.
“But…” Monet said, drawing out the word.
“But those herbs have gone extinct; there is none in all of New Egypt, where they originated,” the king informed him.
“Because vampires eradicated them,” Azure guessed.
“Precisely,” Chibale said with a curt nod.
Monet wagged his finger through the air, thinking. “I’m not defeated yet. Keep reading, shorty,” he said to Gillian.
“There are a few more ingredients, but most are common enough,” the gnome said. “However, there is one that I have zero idea how we’ll safely obtain.
“What’s that?” Monet asked.
Doubt covered Gillian’s face. “Bat blood.”
Monet smiled wide, holding the bag he was clutching high into the air. “Well, then not all hope is lost. I have a dozen charred bats right here.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Chibale seemed reluctant to strategize for the final battle, and so was drawing out the meeting. Already famished from the long journey, the group decided to take a break to replenish their reserves.
Gran, on the other hand, appeared more tense than usual. She tapped her foot nervously all through dinner, making a commotion that constantly caught Azure’s attention. Every time she tried to make eye contact with her, though, the old witch avoided her and tore her gaze away.
Chibale snapped his fingers when everyone had pushed their dinner plates aside. Servants filed into the room with stony expressions on their faces. “We are ready for dessert,” he said to the closest servant.
“Actually, we’re ready to plan,” Azure argued. “We’ve spent enough time stuffing our faces. We need to get to business.”
“But dessert…” Blisters complained from the far end of the table.
“Can wait,” Azure said adamantly before turning to Chibale and Gran. “The founders. How do we kill them?”
Gran dropped her gaze to her unfinished plate of roasted chicken and marinated vegetables.
“We wake the king,” Chibale said, his voice deep.
“King?” Ever asked. “Aren’t you the king of New Egypt?”
“I’m the ruler of our coven, but only the true king can stop the founders.” Chibale’s words ended abruptly and were followed by silence.
“King Khufu was the ruler of Egypt when the first founder vampire rose,” Gillian explained. “He is the one who asked the gods to restrict them. The Book of the Dead states that the only one who can destroy a founder is the one who first cursed them.”
“King Khufu,” Azure said in a hush.
“Yes, but there are a few issues to consider,” Reynolds said, his hands resting calmly on the table in front of him. His poise seemed to help Gran straighten and shake off some of her nervousness.
“First, you’ll have to enter the Great Pyramid,” Chibale said.
“Me?” Azure asked. “Just me?”
He shook his head. “I’ll go with you.”