Shifter Royals 3: The Crown

by Leigh Walker

  Both Duncan and the other guard shook violently, moving so fast their bodies looked blurry. It seemed to last forever, but then their transformations happened all at once: flesh became fur. Duncan’s tall, lithe human body phased into a shaggy pale wolf. The guard next to him turned into a smaller wolf with russet fur the color of his human hair. They tore out of the room and into the windy night.

  I went to Maya, offered her my hand, and pulled her up from the floor. “Are you all right? Tell me everything that happened. But first we’ve got to get Jenny out of these shackles. She’s in so much pain.”

  “Yes, of course.” Maya winced as she stood. “Oh dear, I’m feeling a bit faint.”

  “Here, let me help you.” I put my arms around her and led her to a chair then gently deposited her there. “Put your head between your knees. That might help.”

  “Thank you.”

  I wouldn’t help her if I were you, said a female voice inside my head.

  I whipped my head at Jenny, but she seemed only semiconscious. “Jenny?”

  Guess again.

  The barn door creaked open a bit further, and five spindly fingers slid through. They drummed on the door, as if waiting for an answer.

  I looked from the hand to Maya. “Maya, what is that? Who followed you here?” My voice came out hoarse. “What did you do?”

  Maya lifted her head from between her knees, and from a closer vantage point, I could see that though her gown and hair were mussed and dirty, her makeup was still intact. Her lashes were thick, heavy with mascara. There was no trace of a tear in sight. She smiled up at me, but it was not a nice smile. “I merely asked for help.”

  I glanced at the door again, at the pale hand. Whoever it belonged to seemed to be waiting. “You made a deal with the devil.”

  “I think it was worth it. I heard you and Rhys talking about the vampires out in the woods, and I wondered if they might be in need of a human. So I made a bargain with them. They agreed to take you off my hands, and I agreed to pay them a handsome sum.” She grinned. “Ah, that’s a phrase I’ve never had the pleasure of saying before: a handsome sum. I imagine it doesn’t grow old, the taste of those words.”

  The arm reached in farther. The spindly fingers were attached to a slender wrist, and then a bare arm with pale skin became visible. No longer waiting, the creature threw the door open and finally stepped inside. I was only certain she was a vampire because of her glowing eyes and because she had most certainly been the one talking inside my head. The creature was thin, almost translucently pale, and bony beneath her gauzy gray robe. Brown curls brushed her hollow cheeks, and a ghastly smile finished her haunting face. She looked more like a devil than a vampire.

  I had to look away. “What do you want?” I asked the creature.

  You are to come with me now. You’ve been gifted to me.

  “And if I refuse?” I was only stalling for time. I knew there was no declining the creature, as it would drag me out into the woods or merely drain me dry right there.

  She laughed out loud, a rattling sound. Then she motioned for me to come, her spindly fingers beckoning me.

  Chills crawled down my spine, and my skin broke out in gooseflesh. I did not want to go with the creature—I was petrified of it. I felt certain that following the vampire would lead me to my end. Rhys. Oh, Rhys… The fact that we’d left things on bad terms seemed folly to me now. I might never see him again.

  Jenny roused in her shackles. “What did you do, Maya?” Her voice was hoarse and weak.

  “Shut up, you little plebe.” Maya shook her head. “One more word, and I’ll wrap a silver chain right around that scrawny neck of yours and pull it tight.”

  The creature still beckoned to me, but I hesitated. “Why are you doing this to me?” I asked Maya.

  “Ah, I knew you’d ask that. I even have a little speech prepared.” Maya sat up straight in her seat. “In theory you helped me out of my jail cell, but you were the reason I was dragged up here in the first place. So I do not owe you anything, Lady Layne.”

  “Fair enough,” I said, even though none of this was fair. “But there’s quite a difference between not owing me anything and sending me off with this devil.” I quickly looked at the creature. “No offense, of course.”

  Maya lifted her nose higher in the air. “I’ve heard that His Highness has already declared himself to you—and that’s not fair, just like this contest hasn’t been fair from the start. Everything was in your favor. You were already part of their little club: you, Princess Blake, Lady Eve. You’re a member of the royal court, and you already had King Black’s ear and attention. Rhys never had a choice in the matter. If he chose any of the rest of us, it would be at his folly. He had to choose you; I never had a fair chance. You don’t deserve a happy ending because you stole mine.”

  I shook my head. “You could look at things that way, or you might consider that you had some role in your own fortune. When Rhys dismissed you, it had nothing to do with me: it had to do with you and how you chose to conduct yourself while you were here. ”

  “Oh, of course—blame the victim. Isn’t that what your kind always does?” Maya scoffed. “But it was fate that I overheard you with His Highness this afternoon. We must both have our justice. I’m so relieved I’ve finally found a way to deliver your judgment. You’re a vampire-lover, loyal to King Black. Now the vamps will have you at the end.”

  “For what good?” I cried.

  Maya’s eyes were bright with conviction. “Once you’ve gone, His Highness will finally be able to see clearly. The spell that your pedigree and position have cast over him will be broken, and he will see things—me—with fresh eyes.”

  “Haven’t you learned anything, Maya?” Jenny wheezed. “You ruined that other girl’s life back home because you wanted her boyfriend. Where’s that bloke at? He left you if I remember correctly. You can’t make people want what they don’t want. If the werewolf loves her, it doesn’t follow that killing her will make him love you. There’s no logic there, only delusions.”

  Maya tilted her head and smiled. “Ah Jenny, even when you’re half-dead you never cease to be a pain. I am going to enjoy watching you char.”

  “She’s got a point, Maya.” I remembered the story Jenny had told me. “Sending me off into the woods to die is quite a bit worse than vandalizing a school. You’ll go to jail for life for this, or worse.”

  Maya’s smile remained intact. “I don’t think that’s going to happen. I’ve taken every precaution to protect my good name, haven’t I, vampire?”

  The creature by the door nodded.

  “But I appreciate the concern.” Maya snapped her fingers. “Please take Lady Layne out of my sight. I might also toss this vampire’s carcass out for you later. I don’t need another lecture from either of them ever again. Your payment is forthcoming, of course.”

  The creature headed toward me, and I said, “I will come with you willingly. But please, you don’t need to harm me or these other women.”

  Maya jumped up as I went to the door. “Do not fall for her tricks,” she told the creature. “She’s a very clever girl. Remember the bargain we made. If you follow your part, you’ll be rewarded, indeed.”

  With gathering dread, I followed the strange vampire out into the dark night. As the wind howled around us, I wondered exactly what sort of bargain Maya had struck.

  Then I wondered if I would even live long enough to find out.

  In Retrospect

  I followed the creature out into the wild night. She beckoned for me to walk behind her into the forest, and I obeyed. I had little choice. It was too windy for me to talk or ask her questions, but I half-hoped she would speak inside my head again. I didn’t know where she was taking me or why. Any little hint could be helpful.

  I wracked my brain, trying to think of some way I could either outwit or escape her. If I tried to run, she would catch me. If I screamed, she would attack. There wasn’t much I could do besides try and keep my wit
s about me. But icy fear needled my spine as I followed her hunched form. I prayed that Duncan and Jim were somewhere close by, still in wolf form. They would catch our scent and come for me. But we encountered no one as we traveled deeper into the dark forest. The vampire moved easily ahead of me, but I had to watch my footing. I kept stumbling over the roots.

  Not much farther now, she thought into my head.

  “Th-Thank you. I’m freezing.” I hoped that would spark some sort of conversation, but she said nothing further.

  After another few minutes, we came upon a clearing. There was an encampment there, a series of makeshift seats and blankets strewn about. I couldn’t see well in the dark, but it seemed dirty and squalid to me. I wanted nothing more than to run back to the castle and the safety of my room, light a fire in the fireplace, and watch Elsa and Beast snoring peacefully in their little beds. But that wasn’t to be, maybe not ever again.

  Sit. Wait, the vampire thought at me.

  “What are we waiting for?” I croaked.

  The creature’s eyes flashed. Not another word.

  I took a seat. I didn’t say another word.

  The creature stalked the perimeter of the camp, watching the forest. She was obviously waiting for something. I wondered why she looked so ghoulish. As a rule, vampires were unusually attractive, but her sunken face, twisted mouth, and blazing eyes were repellant. As she stood there, tilting her head and listening, she reminded me of something from a nightmare, something that couldn’t be but absolutely was, a being sprung from an imagination much older and greater than mine.

  I guessed that she was one of the rogue vampires I’d heard so much about, the ones that King Black had sent to support the rebels. I wondered what she owed him or what he’d promised her in order to engage her support for the rebel cause.

  She’d agreed to fight for King Black, but then she’d been in talks with Rhys to change allegiances. And then she’d struck a bargain with Maya. It occurred to me that this vampire and her group were mercenaries. They had an alliance with no one but themselves. I shivered. A vampire with nothing to lose was a dangerous vampire indeed.

  I watched her, but she only stared off into the forest.

  My mind wandered away from the present moment as the night continued to darken. I looked up at the sky. The stars occasionally peeked through as the treetops swayed above me. If this was my last night, I should wish upon a star. I should think about things that made me happy.

  I wrapped my cloak around me, shivering, and wondered what Rhys was doing. Was he still with Joely? Were they warm, asleep together in that big bed in the tree house, their arms wrapped around each other?

  That thought didn’t make me happy, but it all seemed so silly now—the contest, the balls, the jealousy between us contestants. I’d been green with envy when Rhys had played croquet with Joely and kissed Dae in the gardens, but now I wanted to laugh. What a fool I’d been! What silly things to fret about!

  When the vampires had hurt him, I’d wept at his side because I’d been afraid of losing him. I’d known then that I loved him, just as I loved him now. He’d told me that he loved me, over and over. Yet I’d continued to doubt him. I’d squandered my last precious moments with the werewolf king by arguing, and now I would pay the ultimate price: regret that would follow me to the grave. I glimpsed a star above and quickly wished on it. Please let me tell him I’m sorry.

  But chances of that seemed grim. The vampire paced behind me as she continued to guard the perimeter of the clearing. I wished I knew who was coming and when. Panic squeezed my throat. If this creature was a preview of coming attractions, I was in no way prepared for the main show.

  I took a deep breath and tried to refocus on brighter thoughts. If I were safe in the castle, and none of this had happened, I would likely be worrying about Rhys’s final decision. I would be fretting about what I would do if he decided to pick Joely instead of me. But what I realized at that dark hour was that it didn’t matter—I would love him just the same. My love for him had little to do with circumstances; it simply was.

  As I sat looking up at the branches swaying wildly above me, I couldn’t imagine a future in which we didn’t end up together. I couldn’t imagine him going to bed with another woman every night, holding her and telling her that he loved her. But what if he did? What would my destiny look like? I racked my brain, trying to imagine a future that didn’t include my werewolf. I would probably move back to the settlements. I would have a very important cabinet position, or perhaps I would create some sort of local government office for myself…

  But I couldn’t picture it. I couldn’t imagine living alone somewhere, coming home after a long day of work to a quiet house. I’d been spoiled by the warmth and affection of my big werewolf. Squirrel carcasses and his rather large ego aside, life would be so dull without him. No, I couldn’t envision a future anywhere except for the Realm, surrounded by our friends, and I couldn’t picture it with anyone other than Rhys.

  I looked up at the sky again, but I couldn’t see the stars.

  My happy thoughts were well and good, but they weren’t going to get me out of there. Neither was wishing on a star. I sat up a little, scanning the shabby encampment for some sign of a weapon. These bloody supernaturals were lucky they could use their fangs and claws to thwart their enemies. I needed something else—a gun, a stake, something. The nearest item was a flimsy twig. It wouldn’t suffice to scratch the vampire, let alone stake her.

  The wind whipped around me, and I pulled my cloak closer. Then I heard something in the trees behind me: a thump and then a muffled curse.

  I’m coming, said a voice in my head. And I’m sorry that I won’t be much help.

  Bleeding Out

  The vampire turned suddenly and looked past me into the trees. “Who’s there?”

  I froze in my seat, waiting.

  “I can smell you, you fool.” The vampire crossed the camp quickly. She grabbed me by the arm and jerked me to my feet. “If you try to attack me, I’m going to drain the bait. I’ll pop her like she’s a water balloon.”

  “P-Please don’t do that.” Jenny stepped out from between the trees. In the semidarkness, I could see that she was gravely injured. Her wrists were gashed deeply, and she was unsteady on her feet. “Maya told me to ask you not to hurt her. She’s changed her mind. She knows she’s made a mistake.”

  “Well, of course she did. Only a fool makes a deal with the devil.” The vampire pursed her lips. “But tell her I accept. I will not hurt this one.”

  “Ah, thank you.” Jenny held out her hands for me. “Now if you’ll let her go…”

  “Oh, but I won’t do that. I agreed not to kill her. Returning her is not part of the bargain.” The vampire’s tone indicated that was nonnegotiable.

  “M-Maya said you can keep the money, just like she promised. It’s a lot—it’s her whole stipend from the show.”

  “Stop babbling, child. I never cared about the money. I’m only interested in what this girl”—she squeezed my arm so hard that it hurt—“can bring me in terms of a bargain. I would’ve simply taken that other fool captive, but I figured no one would want her back.”

  “What sort of bargain are you looking for?” I asked.

  The vampire’s blazing eyes regarded me. “Did someone speak to you?”

  “N-No.”

  “Then not another word, or you’ll be punished.”

  “But Tamara has connections, you see.” Jenny was definitely still babbling. “She’s about to be engaged to the werewolf king, and she’s a member of the royal court.”

  The creature’s lips curved into a ghastly smile. “Are you, now?”

  I didn’t say a word. I didn’t dare.

  “Ah, so obedient. Go ahead and speak, pet. You have my permission.”

  “Yes, I am.” I raised my chin, trying to mask my terror with what remained of my dignity. “I’m to marry the werewolf king, and I am also a Goodwill Ambassador, a member of King Black’s royal
court.”

  “So you are playing for both teams. Well now, this is welcome news. We shall have the opportunity to choose our reward.” The vampire shoved me back into my seat and stepped closer to Jenny. “Now child, I will spare you if you go and fetch me that other one. I can hear her breathing back there, hiding behind the trees, the coward. I will drain her, and you can be free.”

  “Y-Yes, of course.” Jenny turned and ran back into the forest. I’m sorry, she thought inside my head, but she’s too strong for me to fight. I’ll go find Rhys. I’ll send help!

  She disappeared through the trees, and I heard Maya yell, “Jenny! Come back here.” But Jenny didn’t answer.

  “Ah, she ran for it and left that wretch to rot. Not surprising. Don’t worry, pet.” The creature turned toward me. “You still have me.”

  I half-hoped the vampire would leave me alone in order to chase Jenny or collect Maya, but she didn’t move. I understood I was the bigger prize. Never in my life had that seemed less fortunate.

  “M-May I speak?” I asked haltingly.

  “Only if you have something pertinent to say. The older I get, the more it seems you humans talk and talk but say nothing.”

  “Very well.” I fought to stay calm. “I will try to focus on how I can help you. King Rhys will surely offer a reward if you return me unharmed. If I’m hurt, I imagine there will be a very different outcome—one most likely involving a sharpened stake.”

  “Are you really his fiancé—the winner of that ridiculous contest?” the creature asked, looking me over. “I suppose you’re better than that other girl, but then again, that’s not saying much.”

  Before I could answer, a loud snarl erupted from the trees behind us, and the brush shook violently. It happened all at once: the vampire whirled as a werewolf shot out of the forest and launched itself at her. The wolf landed on her chest and knocked her off-balance.

  “You’re making a mistake,” the vampire shrieked. “We’re on your side!”