A shrill whistle pierces the night, signaling something far worse than Emmett’s discovery looms. I shoot for the porch, nearly colliding with Jacob and Mambi. We enter the front room where Will and the sentinels from the north are gathered.
“What’s happened?” I ask Will.
“A group of witches landed in Massachusetts two days ago. The northern tribes prepare for war.”
“How many witches? Which tribes?” I look to my head sentinel.
“Five families. Nine adults plus younglings. The three tribes nearest their settlement think the witches should be rounded up and killed.”
“Why? We spoke of peace last we were there.”
“Stray vampires from Europe have joined the tribes. They tell tales of covens attacking vampires.”
“Unfortunately, all true.” I pace away, considering our best move. “We leave for the north tonight. Will, gather all the sentinels, send out word to meet at the cave in a month as we discussed. It’s time to band together. We must have a vote for peace before lives are lost. We can’t risk exposure.” I almost laugh at the irony of my words when a mile away a friend has learned of our secret. “If the tribes attack, then the witches may retaliate, and it won’t end well for anyone.”
Will sounds the call for the sentinels to gather. I bolt up the stairs to change into traveling clothes and grab my satchel. Opening the cabinet with my stores of venom, an idea forms. As large tribes that haven’t befriended us lie to the south, we’ve stock piled our venom in case of attack. It’s not a comfortable process, but after the incident with Chief Crow, and with unknowns in Florida, we don’t want to be left vulnerable. Slipping one bottle in my bag, I add an extra one to the pocket. Next, I make a slit in my wrist and let the blood drop into an empty bottle and slide it in beside the clear venom.
“Are you ready, Queen?” Will’s voice startles me.
“Yes.” I drop my dagger in the bag and grab sword. “I’m going to warn the Schmidts. I’ll meet you at the road.”
“What? Why?” Will follows me downstairs.
“I don’t want them crossing onto our land while we’re gone. You never know who may find their way here.”
“We have a good crew staying behind. They will watch for them.”
“I would rather they be warned.” I jog down the front porch stairs.
Will catches my arm. “Is this about Emmett? Do you have feelings for him?”
“No, you know I don’t.” I hold his gaze. “But I don’t want them getting hurt.”
“Fine, I’m coming with you.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Jacob’s attention is divided. Mine will not be.”
“Fine.” I hike my bag higher on my shoulder and start to run.
“You should never have allowed him to marry.” Will keeps pace with me.
“What would you have me do? Tell him not to fall in love?”
“It should’ve been set from the beginning. You need guards who only think of your well-being.”
We reach the Schmidt home, and I start to scale the wall. Emmett’s window is open, and I jump inside. His head rests on a white pillow. With shallow, even breaths and a slow rise and fall of his chest, I guess him to be asleep. For a split second, I admire his form, the taut muscles on his chest and arms and the complete relaxation evident on his face. Then, I remember how many things could kill him.
“Emmett,” I whisper, shaking his arm.
His eyes open, and he bolts up. “Why are you here?”
“Everything’s okay,” I whisper.
“You’re leaving.” He grasps my forearms.
“Yes.” I slip from his grip. “I came to warn you. Please, make sure you, your family, and your workers stay away from our land. I can’t control who may come and go in my absence. Here.” I produce the two bottles from my satchel. “This, the clear one, is my venom. Soak it on a dagger and keep it handy. It will weaken one of us long enough for you to get away. But, don’t ever use it on a human. It will kill them.”
He blinks and takes the bottle and sets it on his bedside table. Then, he turns back to me and holds the other bottle up to the window. The moon’s rays produce a red hue inside the glass. “What’s this?”
“My blood. If someone gets hurt, it will heal them. There’s plenty there for whatever you need. Just a few drops are enough for a human.”
He sets the second bottle beside the first. In the next second, his lips are on mine. They are soft and cool, so different from when I kissed Will or Alec. Still, for whatever may have been, I will not give him reason to think we will ever be more than friends. I push Emmett away, and he falls backwards to the floor.
“You gave me your venom and your blood.” He jumps to a stand. “And you still pretend not to care for me?”
I shake my head. “I do care for you and your family, just as if you were my blood. Do you understand?” My eyes hold his. “Keep them safe. I must go.”
“Wait.” He grabs my hand. “You said you can’t control things in your absence, is that what you said? You’re the leader, aren’t you? Not Jacob like you pretended with my family.”
My smile spreads across my face despite my annoyance of his hand on my arm. “Yes. Keep your parents safe. I’ll be back in two months.”
Pulling my arm from his fingers, I vault the window sill and land on the ground. Looking up at the window, I see him peering down at me.
“I’ll be waiting,” Emmett says.
I shake my head and bolt to the trees where Will sits. “What was that?” He drops to the ground beside me. “About him waiting?”
“He’s delusional. Thinks he’s in love with me.”
“What you wouldn’t give for a witch right now, eh?”
“Maybe I like him.” I start to jog.
“But you don’t love him, aren’t in love with him.”
“No. They’re good people. I admire their innocence.”
“But not enough to love him.”
“I loved Alec. His memory stays with me.”
“Well, that didn’t feel like a dagger in my side.”
“I never did skewer you for killing him.”
“You know I’ll be making up for it the rest of my life.”
“I’m counting on that, my friend.”
We run through the night, reaching the first tribe south of Massachusetts at sunset. The motion helps me sort out my feelings. Part of me wishes I had the capacity to love Emmett. I wonder why I don’t. But then I realize we can never be equals.
I switch to tactical mode. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to think about politics, and I review our goals in my head. Will, Jacob, Mambi, and I wait at the border of the tribe’s land to be welcomed. Minutes later, a pack of warriors arrive to greet us.
One approaches. “You were quick. Thank you for coming. We don’t know how hard it will be to take out this threat.”
I step forward. “We should be clear. We’re not here to help you get rid of the witches. We want you to reconsider. Any move against them could draw attention and cause more problems.”
“We’re half a world away from any others. No one will learn what happened.”
“I don’t believe that. What if they are connected? We don’t know the full extent of their powers. Even if there’s no spiritual bridge, the news will eventually reach Europe, and their brethren will descend in droves. If two strong witches can kill hundreds of our kind, imagine what a coven can do.”
“That’s exactly why we need to burn them in their sleep.”
“What of the humans?”
“The witches are the only settlers for miles.”
“Can you take me to your elders?”
“Yes. I’ve been given orders to bring you to them.”
Our troop follows the warriors into the village, and the four of us enter the elders’ tent. Five sit around a fire—three in favor of ending the witches, and two opposed. We debate for hours before one switches sides, the fear of retribution
winning him over.
Needing a break, I rise and step outside into the cool air. Unbraiding my hair, I let the wind blow through it.
Will joins me. “I can’t believe they don’t see how stupid it would be to end the coven.”
“They don’t know witches.”
“Not that we really do.”
“We know them better than they do.”
“And better than I ever wanted to.”
“We have to get to the other tribes before they act.”
“I’ll gather the others.”
Encountering the same resistance at the other tribes, we convince them to wait until after the tribunal to strike. Next, we head southwest, crossing a mountain range, forests, and desert onto the land bridge between the northern and southern Americas.
“They say the cave is hot, very hot, especially in summer,” Will comments as we start for our destination just after sunset.
“It’s the only place we can meet in secret. We’ve planned this out very carefully. The Americas tribunal must be a success,” I contend.
“If local lore is to be trusted, it’ll be safe.”
“The stories have been handed down for generations. I believe them. What I’m worried about is what will be decided.”
Will slows to a walk. “People listen to you. There’s something about you that makes them think.”
“Yes, because almost everyone I cared about has been murdered.”
“You have quite a story.” Will resumes his pace, and I match his tempo.
We arrive at the entrance at midnight. I smell the others gathered inside. Multiple openings to the cave allow us to enter at different locations, making the spot better suited for our purposes.
“Are we ready?” I face my group.
Seeing nods of affirmation, I jump down the gap in the rocks to the first crystal structure. The moist hot air presses against my skin, and every nerve sends an impulse to flee. Shaking out my muscles, I push off to the next structure. My eyes adjust to the lack of light as I descend. Reaching the bottom, I take in the scene above me.
Huge white pillars, larger tree trunks, jut out in every direction. The native’s legends tell of a tribe of vampires being hunted by a coven of witches. The vampires descended into the cave, hoping to escape, only to be followed by the coven. Once inside, the witches’ powers ceased to work. The giant crystals blocked magic, and the witches were slaughtered by the tribe. The tale spread around the globe, and witches have avoided the Americas until present day.
The other tribe representatives have gathered in a cavern closer to the surface. It’s not as hot in the space, and I set my pack with the others. We’re the last to arrive, and I jump atop a crystal near the ceiling and call the group to order. I take suggestions and set goals for the tribunal.
The humid air grates at my nerves as the debates continue into the next day and night. In the end, the vote for an edict of peace outweighs the counterview, two to one. As the others take leave, our tribe waits, giving me time to speak with each group as they depart over the next three days.
“I’m ready for a trip north. What do you say, Queen? Care for a dip in the Arctic?” Will quips as we exit the steamy cavern.
“That sounds amazing, but it must wait. We have a residence to attend.” I take his hand as he helps me over a boulder.
“Are you sure you just don’t miss a certain Emmett Schmidt?”
“No, I don’t miss him.” This isn’t a lie. Although, my thoughts have turned to him often, they were more in fear for his safety. It’s odd to think of a human this way. I haven’t in so long, not since Henry. I think of Emmett as part of our tribe now that he knows the secret, and above all, we protect our tribe.
As we run, the stress of the tribunal falls away. I revel in the physicality of our journey and reflect on our progress. Soon, I can call a worldwide tribunal, perhaps even suggest a treaty with the witches.
I insist on a fast pace home, and a welcome call sounds as we approach the property just after sunset a week later. Still, few greet us, and as we make our way towards the lodging dwelling, sounds of metal clashing reaches my ears. Through the windows, I see bodies flying past.
Entering, Emmett’s form whizzes past me and slams into the wall to my right. A loud roar of laughter follows.
Rage consumes me. “What have you done?”
The room falls silent as the vampires fall into line in front of me. Beside me, Emmett pushes to a stand, shoots me a half smile, and joins his comrades. He’s shirtless, and I note his bulging biceps, rounded chest muscles, and solid torso.
I ball my hands into fists. “Gregor, you were in charge. Why is he here?”
“What do you mean? He had your blood, said you invited him to join our tribe.”
“Are you mad? What’s our first law?”
Gregor hangs his head. “No human may know of the existence of vampires.” He lifts his eyes to meet mine. “Do you deny that it’s your blood?”
Now, it’s my turn to fess up. “No.” I lift my chin as loud sighs break through the group. “Emmett discovered me the night we learned of the witch coven in Massachusetts. He’d been watching for months. There wasn’t time to deal with the issue, but I didn’t want him harmed, so I gave him a vial of my blood.”
“Then he’s a quite crafty fellow, and I say he stays.” Gregor takes a step towards me. “Shall we have a vote?”
Anger pulses through my veins. I don’t want Emmett fighting beside vampires. There are too many ways he could die. Then, I will have to inform his parents, look into their eyes and see the grief I feel for the loss of Alec, Henry, my parents, and siblings.
“I think he’ll be of value as more humans move into the area,” Will asserts.
I shoot him my hardest stare, but the corners of his mouth form a smile. My glare has no effect on Jacob, Mambi, or Gregor, and in the end, I’m the sole vote against him.
“You won’t live here.” I seethe at Emmett and then throw my bag to the ground and storm from the room.
Halfway to the shore, I regret my rant, but I need time alone after the months of travel with the tribe and Will always at my side. I shed my clothes and jump into the sea. The moon rises to its apex before I’m ready to exit the water. Will approaches from the tree line as I finish dressing.
“I know I reacted irrationally. It won’t happen again.”
“He’s smart, and he goes for what he wants. You have to admit that.”
“It puts the whole tribe at risk.”
“You’re the only one who sees him as different. The deal he made with Gregor is that he’d be one of us in every way. No one is to give him special consideration.”
“He can’t stay with us forever. Our blood may slow his aging, but it won’t cure it. And what of his parents? What will he tell them?”
“He wants to give them small amounts of vampire blood to keep them healthy too. It could be explained away as good family heritage and clean living. There are two new farms to the south just since we’ve been gone. We need a human ally if we want to stay here.”
The wind picks up, and I pull my coat closed. “It doesn’t matter what I think. It has been decided. I want to be alone.” I walk away, leaving him on the sand.
“He wants to be part of something bigger than himself. Surely you can understand that,” he calls as I jump to a tree branch.
Swinging to the next tree, I pick up speed in an effort to outrun my raging turmoil.
Our sentinels continue to monitor the witches in Massachusetts. The coven lives integrated with the human population, and we don’t see evidence of more joining them from the Old World.
A month later, I find myself beside Emmett on the cart. Somehow, I’ve been tricked into making a provision run to the port with him. Flour and sugar for his property sits beside nails and ropes for ours.
“What are we building?” Emmett asks as we jostle along the path under a darkening sky.
“They melt down the nails to make swords.”
“I’ll have to learn that.”
“I’m surprised there’s something you don’t know.” I smile up at him. Every time I see him he’s with a different group using new tools.
“I don’t know much about you. No one ever talks about our queen.”
“Don’t refer to me as Queen. We’re friends.”
“You pretend to be a friend to my mother. You treated me as friend once. Now you avoid me.”
“I thought you were in training.”
“I am. But I would think you’d be interested to know how I’m doing.”
I look to the sky. “That’s why I have Will and Jacob.”
“And Gregor and Mambi.” He nudges my shoulder. “Mother inquired about us. She thinks I should find a wife.”
Shrugging, I scan the forest, keeping watch as we travel the barren road. “You’re welcome to marry.”
“But, I want to marry you. It would make Mother happy.” He pulls the reins, slowing the horses to a stop. “Please consider it. Or does my presence offend?”
“No, to the contrary, I enjoy your company. But, we’re not well matched. There can’t be anything more between us.”
“I would be fine with that. I have pledged my loyalty to your cause already.”
I don’t want to talk about intimacy, so I skirt the subject. “That’s not fair to either of us.”
“You’re waiting for another?” He rests his hand on my forearm, and his eyes hold mine.
“No.” I expel a breath.
He jerks his hand away and flicks the reins. The cart lurches forward. “You just think it would be unfair to me?”
“Yes, it would be. I’m sorry. I think of you as a comrade. I can’t reciprocate your feelings.”
“I gave that up the night you returned from Mexico.”
“Then, why still insist?”
“It was Jacob’s idea, because of the talk in the town. You all look eighteen. It’s odd. It would be helpful for them to see a normal married couple.”
“But we can’t—” A snapping sound catches my attention, and I cut my eyes to the source.
An arrow whistles towards us. I shove Emmett to the floor as I dodge the tip. Rustling noises from each side of the cart signal an ambush. I slide to the floor and grab the reins, flicking them hard to signal the horses to gallop. With a gust of wind, two bronze bare-chested beings appear in front of our rig.
Kingdom of the Damned: Provocation (KIngdom Journals) Page 18