A Blaze of Sun

by Bella Forrest

  It seemed only but a couple of minutes before she leaped to her feet and announced, “We’re done!”

  I creased my brows in surprise as I looked at the sandcastle. I gasped at the sight. A vortex had formed within the sandcastle, sucking me in until I found myself right inside it. I looked around for Sofia and was disappointed when I couldn’t find her. My disappointment, however, was short-lived, because I eventually saw her.

  But suddenly, I struggled to remember her name. I knew I’d seen her before. I knew that she was someone I couldn’t afford to ignore, but I couldn’t remember her name. All I knew was that the mere sight of her took my breath away. She was the embodiment of what I would’ve described as a perfect woman.

  Long, wavy hazel brown hair and deep violet eyes… A curvy, slender form… Tall with legs that went on forever… She was stunningly beautiful as she stood in the middle of what seemed like a lake right outside the sandcastle.

  She smiled at me and lifted her hand in the air in a gesture to reach for me, coaxing me to go to her. I found myself completely drawn by her, as if she were a siren I couldn’t ignore.

  “Come,” she whispered, her voice like music to my ears.

  I didn’t even hesitate. I just stepped into the lake and began walking through it, right toward her. I was so focused on getting to her, I barely even thought about the water.

  “You belong with me, Derek,” she whispered into my ear the moment I reached her.

  “No.” I shook my head, Sofia’s laughter echoing in my ears. “I belong to someone else.”

  “Who?”

  I sought my thoughts for a name and found that I couldn’t remember one. “I can’t remember just now, but it’s not you.”

  “How are you so sure that it’s not me if you can’t remember?”

  I narrowed my eyes at her, absolutely taken by her beauty. “I guess I’m not so sure.”

  “Yes. You’re not. We belong together. You and I.”

  I nodded, but it didn’t feel right. When her lips pressed against mine, I could hear my own voice echoing on my mind. What are you doing, Derek? You don’t belong with her. You are being an absolute fool.

  When my eyes shot open, it took me a while to take in my surroundings. My own voice was still echoing in my head. You’re being an absolute fool. I creased my brows even as my lips still tingled from the kiss I shared from the woman in the dream. I turned to my side and the sight that greeted me made me feel even worse. Your dream is right, Derek. You’re an absolute fool.

  Lying next to me was Sofia, sleeping peacefully; unaware of the inner turmoil I was going through. Despite the guilt I felt over betraying her through a dream, I couldn’t help but smile at how beautiful she looked. I began brushing her auburn hair away from her face, so I could take a better look. That’s when I noticed the fresh bite mark on her neck and remembered what I did to her the night before.

  After she expressed so clearly how much she missed what we had together, I showed up in her chambers demanding her blood. My stomach clenched at the way I’d been treating her. She doesn’t deserve this, Novak. What are you doing to her?

  I rolled on my back and stared up at the ceiling, succumbing to some serious self-loathing.

  I remembered the time when I cared so much about Sofia that even entertaining the idea of drinking her blood made me feel sick, but now, it’d become such a norm between us. There were times when I didn’t even bother to ask her anymore. I just took what in reality, wasn’t even really mine, taking advantage of the knowledge that she wouldn’t mind, that she would willingly give to me what I was asking for.

  Lost in my own thoughts, I didn’t even realize that she’d already woken until her side of the bed slightly shifted as she got up. No words were spoken as she set about rummaging through her closet and picking out an outfit. I watched her and I knew that she was aware that my eyes were on her, but she ignored me. She made her way to the bathroom and in a few minutes, I heard the shower running.

  “Great,” I mumbled, as I sat over the edge of the bed. “As if there aren’t enough wars threatening us, Sofia has to go and declare a cold war on me.”

  It felt like forever before she emerged from the bathroom, already dressed. Her eyes widened with surprise when she saw me still sitting on her bed.

  “You’re still here?” she asked. “Don’t you have a kingdom to run?”

  I didn’t miss the ice in her words. “Sofia… about last night… I’m sorry… I was tired and it’s been a while since I had your blood and I couldn’t get it off my mind…” My excuses sounded lame even to me.

  She was quick to let me know that she was tired of hearing the same things over and over again. “Yes. I know. I understand.” She turned her back on me and stood in front of the vanity mirror, getting ready to fix up her hair and do her make up.

  I knew from her reaction that I had a lot of making up to do.

  I thought about everything that I had to do that day, and immediately concluded that spending time with Sofia was far more important. I rose to my feet and approached her. I held her waist and kissed the back of her neck, breathing in her intoxicating scent.

  “You love me, Sofia,” I reminded her, a smile creeping onto my face. “I’ve been a fool, but you still love me.”

  I could see her pout and roll her eyes as she groaned. “Ugh, don’t remind me.”

  I chuckled as I began to rock her from side to side. “I shouldn’t have done what I did last night. Let me make it up to you.”

  “Do you even have time to make it up to me?”

  “You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?”

  She twisted around and I was surprised when she stood to her tiptoes and pressed her lips against mine. It’d been a while since we last kissed and I ached to once again feel her soft, full lips kneading against mine, reveling on the taste of her tongue invading my mouth. Any tingling afterthoughts about the girl in my dream were completely overpowered by Sofia’s kiss.

  I lifted Sofia up against me as I returned the kiss, my hand finding the back of her head, my fingers entangled in her hair as my arm wrapped around her waist to keep her close.

  I was so caught up in that kiss, I couldn’t help but gasp when she suddenly pulled her mouth away from mine. A smile formed on her face. I don’t know what possessed her to do it, but she suddenly pinched my nose.

  “We’re sooooo serious,” she exclaimed, before blowing up her cheeks and crossing her eyes.

  I was so taken aback by her antics, I couldn’t even find a valid reaction to it, but it reminded me of why Sofia was such a breath of fresh air. She had a way of making even the heaviest of situations feel a lot lighter. After everything she’d been through in The Shade and even outside of it, after multiple vampires threatened to kill her, she still managed to pick herself up and find a reason to smile.

  It’s like nothing could break her – not completely at least.

  Her face softened when she realized how intently I was studying her. “Smile for me, Derek Novak,” she pleaded, as she wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a quick peck on the lips. “Come on… I know the world is crashing all around you, but this moment is ours. This one moment… I want to see you smile.”

  I couldn’t voice the words out, but I was fascinated by her. “How do you do it, Sofia?”

  “Do what?”

  “Not hold grudges? It’s like you’re immune from it. How do you forgive so easily?”

  I wished I hadn’t asked the question because the atmosphere immediately felt a lot heavier. A frown then marred her beautiful face. She looked away as she gestured for me to put her back on the ground. I gently let her slip through my arms, holding her until her feet were planted on the floor.

  She wet her lips and forced a smile. “I’m not completely grudge-free you know. I visited Aiden yesterday. I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to forgive him for what he did, but it is. He’s broken my heart so many times, and he’s not supposed to. He’s my fa
ther. Maybe that’s why it’s so hard.” She heaved a sigh and mulled over that thought for a few moments before seeming to decide that she’d had enough of the melancholy. She stared up at me and smirked. “You, on the other hand… there’s something about you, Derek Novak… that makes it easy for me forgive and forget your numerous offenses against me. What is it about you?”

  I raised a brow at her, unable to keep the grin from forming on my lips. “I think it’s the charm. You can’t resist my charm.”

  She pouted and shook her head. “No.” She grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled it upward so she could look at my stomach. “I’m pretty sure it’s your abs.” She nodded as she stared at my torso. “Yeah… definitely those abs.”

  “I knew it. You just want me for my body.”

  She let go of my shirt and nodded. “I was wondering when you would finally figure that out. Good thing you’re too in love with me to care.”

  I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. “I missed this, Sofia.” I couldn’t remember the last time I exchanged light-hearted banter or even just a good laugh with her. Now that we were having it, I felt like such a fool for being so consumed by the troubles surrounding us.

  How could I forget that she’s my refuge, that when I’m around her, everything seems to just fade into the background?

  She smiled and nodded at me. “I know. I missed this too, but seriously, Derek…” She drew closer to me and rested her head on my shoulder. “I find it easy to forgive you, because from the moment I gave you my heart, you never once broke it.”

  “And I never will.” The words came out instinctively, and I meant every word of it, but the moment I said it, an image of the dream I just had flashed through my mind. It wasn’t the first time I dreamed of the beautiful brunette with the stunning violet eyes. Now completely aware, I remembered the woman’s name. Emilia. She was the original vampire’s daughter, and I knew without a doubt that she was trouble. Holding Sofia close, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread over what the dreams meant. She might be the reason I was distancing myself from Sofia.

  I couldn’t understand them, but I knew they were lies. Sofia and I belonged together. No dream, vision or premonition could ever change that. I wasn’t going to allow it.

  “I have an idea,” I told Sofia. “Let’s spend the day together. I’ll call everything off…”

  I could see delight spark in her eyes at the suggestion. “Can we actually do that?”

  I shrugged a shoulder. “Why not? I’m the king of The Shade. What could they possibly do to me if I miss a few meetings?”

  She was about to open her mouth to respond when someone began pounding on her bedroom door.

  “Sofia?!” a male voice from behind the door called out. “It’s Gavin. Open the door!”

  He sounded alarmed. I was annoyed that Sofia and I were interrupted. “Is he always this demanding and impatient?”

  “Yes.” Sofia nodded. “But I think it’s mostly because he doesn’t know you’re here.”

  Gavin had been like a brother to her since she met him in The Shade. There was a time when I even found myself jealous over how close they were. Of course, Sofia was quick to reassure me that Gavin didn’t pose a threat to what we had.

  I made my way to the door and pulled it open just as Gavin was about to start banging on it once again. When he saw me, surprise registered in his eyes.

  “Oh, it’s you. I didn’t know you were here.” He quickly recovered from his shock and walked right in.

  I was expecting him to address Sofia, but was surprised to find him talking to me instead.

  “It’s good you’re here though, because everyone’s looking for you.”

  “What’s going on?” Sofia’s fists clenched as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “What happened?”

  “They’re coming. The other covens are coming,” Gavin said grimly. “It’s war.”

  Chills ran up my spine, accompanied by panic. This was the moment we’d all been preparing for, and yet, now that it had arrived, I couldn’t help but admit to myself that we were nowhere near prepared. As I ran off to what felt like absolute death, I forgot to do the most important thing: kiss my fiancée and assure her that everything was going to be alright.

  If I hadn’t been too busy fearing for the fate of the island, I would’ve once again heard my mind echoing to me those familiar words: You’re being an absolute fool, Novak.

  Chapter 3: Sofia

  As I watched Derek speed away, my heart ached with disappointment. I wanted to hit myself over the head for being so stupid. We were at war. We could lose our lives any time and I was standing in the middle of that bedroom, feeling sorry for myself over missing a date with Derek.

  “Sofia.” Gavin laid a hand over my shoulder. “Ian, Kyle and I are trying to round up humans from The Catacombs – anyone willing to assist the vampires in defending The Shade. Are you coming with us?”

  I was about to nod, but then I caught sight of Vivienne, Derek’s twin sister, standing by my door, leaning on my doorpost. I was surprised to see her at a time like this.

  Gavin shifted his eyes from me to Vivienne and then back. “I guess that’s a no…” he said, before rushing out of the room.

  My eyes were set on Vivienne. The two of us had come a long way since the night of my seventeenth birthday when I was brought to The Shade. Vivienne had gone from referring to me as Derek’s “pawn” to Derek’s “queen.” There was a time when she had to transfer some of her memories to me. These memories were instrumental in reminding her of who she was after the hunters had brainwashed her.

  “Vivienne?” I asked, not sure if I was pleased to see her.

  Vivienne was a seer and often times, when she sought out a person, she rarely came bringing good news with her.

  I stared at Vivienne, making a mental note of how ridiculous it was that we were both standing there, about to have a conversation while the island was under attack by other covens. “What can I do for you?”

  She slowly walked inside my room and sat on the edge of my bed. It was as if she was unaware of everything going on in The Shade. “I told you that finding the cure is an absolute necessity. Has there been any progress?”

  I stared at her, unsure of what to say. The Shade is falling apart and you came to ask about the cure? “Well, there’s no progress whatsoever, Vivienne, but I’m not going to give up…” I began feeling antsy. I stared at Vivienne and she seemed to have not a single worry over the fate of The Shade. What is wrong with you?

  Vivienne took a deep breath. “I am so sick of all this war and bloodshed and revenge. I can’t wait until Derek actually finds true sanctuary. We need that cure.”

  “Vivienne, you do know that The Shade is under attack at this very moment, right?”

  She gave me a knowing glance and shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly. “I know.”

  “Aren’t you worried?”

  She shook her head. “No, not really.”

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “We’re going to win this one.”

  I knew she was a seer, but I still wasn’t able to resist the urge to ask, “How could you be so sure that we’re going to win this war?”

  She chuckled at my naiveté. “We’re going to win this particular battle, Sofia. Not the war. I’m not sure what will come of this war or even how it will end or if it will even end. I do know for certain that the war has just begun, and that the first victory... is ours.”

  Chapter 4: Ingrid

  I hate her. I hate Sofia.

  The image of Borys lying dead on the floor was still fresh in my mind. I had no idea how they did it or how they could’ve outsmarted him, but they did and I felt like I was to blame. I knew that Vivienne and Sofia were Borys’ greatest weaknesses. He’d been pining for Vivienne for centuries. His obsession with her only subsided after Sofia came along and replaced Vivienne in his mind.

  I relied too much on the women’s fear of him and his brute strength. I s
hould’ve been aware that he would be weak against their manipulations, against their attempts to seduce him. I should’ve known.

  But it’s too late now. He’s gone. And while I have my own part in his demise, it’s still Sofia I ought to blame.

  My daughter was a plague I couldn’t escape from. She took everything away from me and I was determined to make her pay.

  I was backed up in a corner of the cot they provided inside their dungeon, moonlight streaming from the small window above the cell, barred with UV rays. Consumed by my own dark thoughts, I shuddered when a freezing wind began to blow through my cell. The breeze was unlike anything I’d experienced before. I could sense power coming from it and when it hit my skin, it felt as if it were penetrating right through my flesh and bones. I began shivering as fear took over my senses. What is going on?

  My eyes darted across the small space surrounding me. I couldn’t see anything. Suddenly, I was enveloped by pitch black darkness and all the moonlight that had been previously streaming through the small window somehow disappeared.

  “Camilla…”

  The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I recognized the voice. The voice was Borys’, but he never called me Camilla, especially after he turned me into a vampire. “Who are you?”

  “Anybody you want me to be really…” the voice responded.

  I could sense a presence near me, so I began waving my hands in front of me, but I felt nothing and saw nothing. “What do you want? How did you get here?”

  “It doesn’t matter how I got here, but yes… we must discuss what I want.”

  Another cold breeze swept through the room and I found myself crashing to the floor, balling myself up in a fetal position as I sensed the strange presence standing over me. Immediately, it sank into me that I was up against a powerful force I had no business messing with. “Please…” I begged. “I don’t want any trouble.”