Enchantment's Trap (Vampire Magic Book 4)

by Sela Croft

My first order of business was to meet with my brother and sister. There was a kingdom to run and I had some issues with how we’d conducted business.

  I called a meeting in the council room. Florian was the first to arrive, followed by Natasha. My sister had recovered well from the kidnapping ordeal. But looking into her pale green eyes, I sensed unrest. I dared not ask about any visions, because she usually only shared those with Logan. And she’d withheld much from him, already.

  Florian was ever the intellectual. His coppery hair was groomed without a hair out of place. He appeared calm, whether he was or not. His expression showed his concern. At least he took matters seriously.

  I looked from one to the other. “We need to talk.” I sat in the throne chair, as a sign of the power I intended to wield.

  Natasha settled into an available chair but didn’t offer any comment.

  Florian preferred to stand. He crossed his arms. “Please fill us in.”

  “You know of the Fae incursion.” I proceeded to give my siblings the gory details of the battle, its stench still fresh in my mind. “And yet…despite the valiant rescue, not a soul offered a shred of gratitude.” I barely held back my animosity.

  “Well, what do you expect?” Florian said. “The humans don’t put us on some pedestal. They suffer along, as they must. I’m guessing they see protection as our duty, not a gift.”

  I crossed my ankle over my other thigh and drummed my fingers on my knee. “I don’t know how much more we can put up with. In Logan’s absence, the general state of unrest has worsened.”

  Natasha tossed her honey-blond hair over her shoulders. She looked as innocent as the morning dew, if we’d had any in the realm. Yet she was a tough as nails. A force to reckon with, equally ruthless as my brothers. “Being under siege by the Fae is bound to result in dissatisfaction.”

  I threw up a hand. “The Fae are the issue. The way we manage this war going forward, will determine the fate of Shadowland. And I suggest that we need to change tactics.”

  Florian went to the window then turned to look at me. “What do you recommend?”

  “It’s my belief and conviction that we should start an offensive campaign.” I stood and paced the floor. “We’ve defended our territory for long enough.”

  I took a breath, prepared for pushback on this. But I would have none of it. “I’ll organize an all-out campaign to drive the Fae back and see that they don’t encroach on our kingdom again.”

  “Clarify what you mean by an all-out campaign,” Natasha said.

  “Whatever it takes,” I said. “I will not hold to any limits.” Rage surged within me, and I made no attempt to suppress my feelings. “I’m confident that I can orchestrate our armies and dragon fleets for total destruction, if need be.”

  Florian paled.

  “I’m serious about this,” I said. “If we don’t approve such a strategy, it’s likely our kingdom won’t continue to exist. Even if it comes to burning down their mushroom forests…I swear that I will do it.”

  My siblings were aware of my talent with fire and wouldn’t doubt my claims.

  Florian held up his hand. “I must object. We have no idea how numerous the Fae are. Such an attack might encourage them to escalate the war.” He looked at me. “Have you considered that the Fae forces might crush us?”

  I shook my head. “I refuse to believe the Fae are capable of that.”

  “I will gather more intelligence and find out why the current crisis is happening,” Florian said. “The Fae have become more aggressive. There must be a reason. If we understand our enemies, we have a better chance of overcoming them.”

  I stared at Florian. “I disagree. Let me point out that Logan knows much more about this situation than he has shared with us.”

  Florian and I looked at Natasha. Her expression was dark. “If I could share insight into the future that would assist the effort, I would do so. But that would be unwise. I cannot tell you which path to take.” She squared her shoulders. “In the end, I’m sure that you will make the right decision if you work together.”

  Florian shook his head. “I must state my objection, again. We don’t know enough to fan the flames of war. We don’t know what’s behind the Fae’s increased attacks. And until we do, I can’t condone launching the kind of offensive you’re suggesting.”

  My brother’s reticence infuriated me. My nature wasn’t passive. And I was certain that if we didn’t take the control of the war immediately, the kingdom would suffer for it. Natasha refused to offer any insight and Florian was convinced the offensive should be delayed. I was forced to act independently. If my brother and sister wouldn’t support my efforts, then I’d take matters into my own hands—regardless of what anyone else thought.

  Chapter 7

  Callie

  Morrigan had warned against my ongoing quest to reunite with my sister. And to worsen matters, it seemed that my father was quite likely a sorcerer. That idea was difficult to process.

  My life had been as normal as any, albeit I had been odd. I had to confess that I wasn’t like the others in my high school. But to attribute that to having sorcerer blood was a bit far-fetched.

  “I have warned you,” Morrigan said. “Don’t be rash in your decisions. I don’t say that lightly.”

  I glanced at Logan. “You haven’t told us what could happen, just that it might be dangerous. It has been all along. But you must understand that I will not abandon Rosamon. If there is danger, as you say, then my sister is at risk.”

  Morrigan returned the glass globe to its stand on the table. “I cannot argue with that.”

  “I hadn’t thought of myself as any more than a teenager from the outside. It’s a bit of a leap to accept that there is magic in my blood.”

  Logan took my hand. “But think about it; consider all that has happened since you arrived in Shadowland.”

  “I have, which is the only reason that it kind of makes sense. It would explain why Amalia is after me…sort of. Yet it still leaves many questions.”

  Morrigan stood by the fireplace. “You’d be wise to heed my warning, before it’s too late.”

  My heart was with my sister. There was no way that I’d give up the search for her. If Morrigan considered that was possible, then she didn’t understand the bond between sisters. Rosamon’s necklace was still around my neck. It was my one connection to her.

  I lifted the necklace and held up the pendant, showing Morrigan the engraving on the back.

  Morrigan read the engraving, “Heart To Heart…that’s very sweet…but it doesn’t mean you will succeed in your aim. Your sister may be out of your reach.”

  I closed my hand over the necklace. “I need to know more then. How do you know that I have sorcerer blood? And what does it mean if I do?”

  Morrigan’s expression intensified. “It means that you and your sister are very valuable.”

  I glanced at Logan.

  “There is more I can tell you,” Morrigan said. “Something quite unusual.”

  She had my attention. What I’d learned so far was quite unusual, so it was difficult to imagine what more there could be. “Whatever you know you must share.” I watched the sorceress, wondering if I’d overstepped my bounds.

  Morrigan stared into the depths of my eyes, as though she could glean more about me that way. But she didn’t talk about me. She turned to Logan. “It’s strange that you’ve connected to Callie. It’s more than a blood craving. There is a bond there.”

  “I haven’t tried to hide that,” Logan said.

  “It has been apparent,” Morrigan said. “I noticed the moment you arrived. But it’s more than fondness…goes beyond love.”

  Logan flinched, making me wonder if he knew something that I didn’t. “What do you mean?”

  “For vampire magic to connect with sorceress blood is nearly unheard of.” Morrigan’s dark eyes turned jet black. “Your connection to Callie is far more powerful than you have imagined.”

  For some reason
, Morrigan’s statement rang true. It was a sense that I’d had but hadn’t allowed it to surface.

  Morrigan’s attention turned to me. “You are aware of it, aren’t you?”

  There was no need for me to answer.

  “The connection is powerful,” Morrigan said to Logan. “But if you are together and fall under the control of someone more powerful…that would be extremely dangerous.”

  Morrigan’s words resonated with me. I don’t how I knew, but it felt true. It was as though my life had followed a course leading me to Logan. The bond we shared was unbreakable, our combined strength undeniable.

  Our relationship transcended life as I’d known it. It was eternal love, because I would love no other. Maybe it was fate. But it went beyond mere destiny. My bond with Logan meant more than we had been aware of. I was sure that Morrigan was right about that.

  When I glanced at Logan I saw love in his eyes. He felt as I did. And seeing that truth gripped my heart. The idea of the power we had, now that we were united, made my spirits soar.

  Yet that wasn’t the end; it was only the beginning.

  Logan had agreed to support me in my quest. I didn’t question whether he would give up, based on Morrigan’s warnings. He would not. He was by my side and no dire predictions would sway him. I had that confidence, which was something I hadn’t had before.

  “Danger will have to be faced,” I said, looking at Morrigan. “I’m concerned for Rosamon, and vow that she won’t have to face the future alone. I haven’t come this far just to give up.”

  Morrigan glanced at Logan, but I wasn’t going to be deterred.

  “You’ve revealed more about my nature and about my connection to Logan.” I paused, praying that this would all lead to some advantage, that we hadn’t come to this ancient castle for no good reason. “But how will all of that help to rescue my sister?”

  Morrigan gripped the arms of her chair and leaned forward. “The first step is for you to find out where your sister is.”

  “Can you help me do that?”

  “There is a way,” Morrigan said. “But I will require some of your blood.”

  Logan leaped to his feet. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He turned to look at me. “We’ll find another way, Callie.”

  I wasn’t so sure. I didn’t know what other way there could be. I’d struggled to find my sister for too long, already. Delays would only make things worse for her. I couldn’t risk losing my sister—not to save myself.

  Logan was reluctant for Morrigan to proceed. He was being protective, and maybe he had reason to be. But my choice was clear. I was presented with an opportunity to find Rosamon and I wasn’t about to pass it up.

  I stood up and put my arm around Logan. “Let me hear what Morrigan has to say. She claims that giving her some of my blood is the way to find out where Rosamon is.” I took a breath. “I will do whatever it takes to find my sister.”

  Logan glared at Morrigan. “You will keep her safe…no tricks. If you harm her—”

  “That’s not my intention,” Morrigan said. “Callie wants my help and I’m offering it. I have a method for learning where Rosamon is. But if you prefer that I—”

  “No, Morrigan…I prefer that you take my blood and proceed.” I held out my wrist. “If there is a chance that I can find my sister, I want to do it.”

  Logan didn’t look pleased, but he didn’t try to stop me. There was a ray of hope that I’d be reunited with Rosamon, so I pushed any trepidation aside. Saving my sister was my sole focus.

  Chapter 8

  Callie

  Morrigan asked me to lie down on a long velvet sofa and to open my mind for what was to come. Using a silver lance, she made a tiny slit in my wrist then dripped some of my blood into a crystal glass. I pressed a wad of gauze over the cut without taking my eyes off the sorceress.

  Holding the glass of blood in both hands, Morrigan began to chant in a language I didn’t recognize. She focused on the blood without blinking. Her dark eyes turned to black orbs, drawing me in. Then an unbreakable connection formed between us.

  I was transported with Morrigan by my side. Inky darkness swallowed us, and I was terrified that we’d be pulled into a void from which we couldn’t return. Only dark was visible, but I sensed Morrigan was with me and drew confidence from that.

  Out of the depths of the darkness, came a sliver of light. It was barely visible, so I thought I’d imagined it. Then the light grew, distracting me from the black surrounding it. When the light expanded, it began to take shape.

  I watched with awe as the light became form. And the form became structure. As though it had been there all along, a gleaming structure appeared before my eyes. It was massive, so I was unable to fathom how large it was.

  The building seemed infinite in size with no definite end to the walls. The architecture was geometric, precisely constructed according to some elaborate mathematical principles. It radiated evil in its beauty. The sight was a creation unlike any I’d seen before.

  I sensed that Morrigan perceived the structure as I did. She assisted me to move closer, to see inside. The interior was as geometric as the exterior. Endless cells lined walls that seemed to stretch to a remote place with no clear boundary.

  We entered a hallway, aware of others present. But didn’t see anyone at first. Then I discovered Rosamon. She was in a room lined with mirrors. I’d found her at last.

  A heavy electric jolt shot through me body—the last thing I remembered.

  When I opened my eyes, I wasn’t sure how long I’d been away. Logan was kneeling beside the sofa, holding my hand with a worried expression on his face.

  My voice was raspy, but I managed to say, “I must have blacked out.”

  Vague memories swirled through my mind. So much blackness. Terror. Then a gleaming building, teaming rows of cells constructed precisely. It had been spellbinding.

  Then I remembered the most important thing.

  “Callie? You were gone for a while,” Logan said. “What happened?”

  I looked into Logan’s emerald eyes, still dizzy from my experience. I was filled with happiness. “Morrigan took me there.”

  “To Rosamon?”

  “Yes, I found her…we both did. It worked. Morrigan’s spell took us to the prison where Callie is being held.” I could hardly believe I was saying it. After all this time, I had found my sister.

  “Did you speak with her? Is she okay?”

  I looked at Logan, so glad he was with me. “I didn’t…there wasn’t time. I wasn’t able to stay there for long.” I rubbed my temple. “But I do remember seeing my sister. There was an instant…when I connected with her.”

  Logan lifted my hand then kissed my palm. “I’m so glad that it worked.”

  “Rosamon knows I was there. She knows that I’m coming to save her.” It was a relief. I could rescue my sister from whatever horror she was trapped within. I just had to take Logan with me then we’d find a way to release her.

  For the first time since returning to consciousness, I noticed Morrigan. She appeared distressed. I sat up and watched her mixing a potion.

  The sorceress poured liquid from a flask into a golden bowl. She added two powders then stirred. When she sprinkled the last powder in, the concoction frothed. Holding the bowl in her palms, she sipped the steaming elixir.

  Apparently, the experience had given Morrigan a jolt too. She seemed out of sorts and I hoped that the drink would allow her to recover.

  I glanced at Logan. “What do you think happened?”

  “I can’t really help you there. It’s beyond me. You’ll have to ask her.”

  It was a while before I could do that. Morrigan ignored me. She appeared to be in a trance, so I hesitated to startle her. She seemed unaware of us, but the more of the liquid she drank the calmer she looked. I assumed the travel to the prison had been tougher on her, since she’d had to navigate the trip.

  After some time, Morrigan put the bowl on a table and turned to lo
ok at me. She appeared to be better, so I dared to ask about her welfare. “Will you be all right?”

  Morrigan’s expression clouded. “It’s not me you should be concerned with.”

  “What happened when you were away?” Logan said.

  “Before I share that, I must caution you.” Morrigan clasped her hands together. “I am going to explain what happened. But I cannot stress enough that you should think very hard about what I tell you. Take what I say seriously, as I do not exaggerate.”

  “Please…we’re listening,” Logan said, holding tight to my hand, as if fearing I’d drift away from him.

  “Sit here, and I’ll relay something important.” Morrigan motioned to a table with rays of light illuminating it.

  I took a seat next to Logan and the sorceress sat across from us. “That trip wasn’t what I expected. Do you have a memory of it, Callie?”

  “I have vague recall, some images. But I do remember connecting with my sister.”

  “The prison where we found your sister was constructed to hold something very powerful…something that should not be released back into the world.” Morrigan held our gazes, making sure that we understood.

  “There was a risk in seeking out Rosamon that I hadn’t predicted.” Morrigan’s distress was evident. “Callie, when we entered that prison…our minds and souls were trapped. We barely escaped. It strained my magic, immensely, to get us back here.”

  I was speechless.

  “Listen to what I’m telling you,” Morrigan said, looking at Logan. “You’ve troubled me enough.” Then she looked at me, her gaze like a laser. “I advise you to return to Shadowland and forget about rescuing Rosamon.”

  My heart sank.

  “The world is safer with that prison unpenetrated,” Morrigan said. “Whatever is in there must stay inside…or we will all suffer the consequences.”

  Logan didn’t respond. He seemed to ponder what the sorceress had said.

  I was at a loss. Without Morrigan’s assistance I wasn’t certain I could find that prison again. Fighting back disappointment, I waited for Logan to say something.