Kingdom of the Damned: Provocation (KIngdom Journals)

by Tricia Copeland

  As 1817, the predicted year of the Children of Light, comes and goes, we vampires feel no more spirit-filled than before, and Orm reports no change, so we assume the curse stands. I reach out to Marcus of Michael’s line as he seems the highest in the witch’s leadership with passion for peace. Still the only witch covens willing to talk with us are the handful we’d gathered before, and even they do not agree to attend the next tribunal. In the end, even Marcus walks away from his stance with no explanation.

  With escalating tension, we return to the crystal cave in 1849, convening for the summer solstice. Representatives from the world over descend into the sweltering passages under and around the giant crystals, into a large cavern.

  “Napoleon was a crazed lunatic half-bred witch product with thirst for blood. We find no evidence that a vampire initiated his siring. You can’t expect us to sit passively by and not defend our tribes,” an ambassador from Germany proposes. Calls of agreement rumble through the crowd.

  I shake my head. “That’s not what I ask. Just uphold the covenants we’ve agreed to before. We do not engage the witches, do not expose ourselves, do not kill unless in defense.”

  “What if the witches expose us? What then?” one from London asks.

  A female from France stands. “We could expose them first. It’s been done before. My father told me a story of how our people exposed the witches and convinced humans we were needed to keep people safe. The humans will beg us to rid the world of witches.”

  “How do we do that? The world has moved on from witchcraft. Salem has been deemed a horrible mad tragedy.” Another’s voice is laced with intrigue.

  “Lure them out and make them use their powers in front of the humans,” the French woman answers.

  I raise my hand to call for silence. “Have you forgotten the great flood? How the witches killed thousands of animals, humans, even their own, trying to rid the world of our species?”

  “You sound as mad as the humans of Salem, crazed with fear and hysteria.” Orm’s voice is weak with the harsh conditions, and he draws in a labored breath. “Why are you fearful? Nothing has changed. So, the witches won’t talk. They weren’t talking before you sought peace. Nothing has changed.”

  A German male jumps, landing inches from Orm. “Your people’s population increases with every passing year. We can defend ourselves when we outnumber you, but not if witches are able to amass an army as big as ours. That’s why we must talk of strategy for eliminating your race.”

  Not exactly sure how to quell the situation, I insert myself between the German and Orm.

  Hushed whispers grow in the room. I hold Orm’s gaze for a second, then confront the German. “You are correct. We can’t stand against armies of witches. But, Orm is a friend to us. He has provided valuable information about how we may seek peace with the witches. Please, treat him with respect. He wants the same thing we do—peace for our people.”

  “Where has that gotten us?” the German spits in the dirt beside my feet.

  “We planted the seed. The witches know we want to talk. That’s all we can do for now.”

  “Yet, they still breed these halfling mixtures of beings.”

  “We can’t say how these beings were sired,” I put forth.

  “I tire of these talks.” An old female vampire from the Congo stands. “Can we agree to uphold the covenants?”

  There’s a second, and the vote is unanimous to keep the edicts, although the German and several others abstain from being counted for or against. Next, they discuss representation and decide our group is too big. They move to vote within regions and send twelve delegates to a tribunal in fifty years.

  With the Gold Rush, we move north and inland. I’m sad to leave the coast, but the humans in search of wealth have little regard for others. I know it would only be a matter of time before our people are exposed by accident. The United States is plunged into Civil War over human rights and control of law-making, and most of us feel happy to be away from the debate and death.

  “I don’t understand why we just can’t aid the North. The war would be over in one battle,” Jacob argues.

  “Or at least we could eat someone,” Will quips.

  Jacob rolls his eyes and turns to me. “How can you sit by and let this happen?”

  “If you want to help their army, I’m not stopping you. This isn’t a dictatorship. But, I won’t be involved in human affairs.”

  When war ends the humans turn their attention to scientific progress and travel. The transcontinental railway brings more humans west, and we see the first telephone, electric light bulb, and first skyscraper built.

  It becomes more and more evident that, as we did on the east coast, we must again assimilate into human culture. Returning to our lands in California, we find a city teeming with people and our Spanish neighbors having established El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula which in English translated to The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of Porciúncula.

  “Home of the angels,” I repeat to myself, thinking of Lucas.

  “What was that?” Orm asks as we tour our plot of land.

  “Nothing, there’s bit of work to be done, but it will be beautiful again.”

  “As long as we still have a beach. Right, Anne?” Will smiles at me.

  In 1898, Marcus reaches out to open a dialogue. Because he abandoned talks with no explanation before, I’m wary of his intentions. He explains that like us, the witches realize, that blending is the best way to preserve our species.

  “There’s little space left, technology advances quickly, we don’t want war with your race,” Marcus tells me as we walk the beach.

  “We’ll need assurances. After you left last time, my people will not be so quick to believe you. There have been too many mixed beings, and they seem to be of witch origin. Besides being evil monsters, these beings risk exposing us all.”

  “I believe we have enough support to sign such a contract.”

  “We will meet again next year then, agreed?”

  “Yes, agreed.” Marcus dips his chin and jumps into the air, his form disappearing within seconds.

  “You think it’s wise to make deals with these beings?” Will asks as he joins me.

  “I’m not really making a deal. We decided long ago that siring a mixed being should be forbidden.”

  “But to pledge it to another species is a different matter. Can trials still be internal?”

  “I don’t know.” I stare into the sea, wondering if Lucas is still alive and if I will see him the next year.

  Sailing to England, and then to Ireland, we hold the conclave days before the Mabon of 1899. Two representatives from each continent, save Antarctica, have been elected to serve as electors. I speak for the western area of North America stretching from the Mississippi to the Pacific, and the Mexican border to Alaska.

  The twelve of us draw up guidelines as to how elected representatives should decide and enforce law. The governing body established by the twelve chooses me, Anne of Scotts, as the first Chancellor of the vampire race. The chancellor holds the duties of organizing the meetings, keeping discussion on task, and breaking a tie if one arises. The sole outstanding issue becomes a proposed agreement with the witches. In the end, we draft a treaty outlining edicts for behavior, including peace between our species, and illegality of mixed-species beings, with accused judged by a jury of equal number of vampires and witches.

  It falls on me to negotiate a treaty with the witch leaders, and I meet Marcus in London. There are weeks of talks and meetings with hundreds of their coven leaders.

  “You’ve brought your species out of ancient times and given them a government. You must be quite proud,” Marcus comments when we reach an agreement on verbiage for the treaty.

  “I want to be sure I understand your structure of government,” I inquire, although I know the coven system and the five lines being ruled by Michael’s line, more specifically Michael’s coven, at least p
reviously headed by Sonia. “Do you have the authority to make this treaty with us?”

  Marcus crosses one leg over the other. “I have talked with leaders of the four lines. I speak for Michael’s line.”

  “But what of Sonia and her coven?”

  “We’ve decided not to follow them. Their agenda does not align with the needs of our people.”

  “So, their coven does not agree? They will not abide by any treaty signed between us?”

  “No, they won’t. But they’re but one coven, maybe of a hundred witches at most.”

  “That seems like a large group, and Sonia and her son are powerful witches.”

  “Yes, but please know that having so many witches worldwide agree to a treaty with our mortal enemies has been no small task. If you have ninety-nine percent of us willing to honor this, isn’t it enough?”

  “I guess so, my friend.” I smile and set my signature to the document.

  Marcus rises and bows. “And now I leave you to celebrate as you please.”

  “Won’t you stay and have a glass of wine?” I motion to Will as he approaches with a bottle and glasses.

  “I must be off with our copy of the treaty. All Saints Day is almost upon us, and we honor the passed souls on this holiday. I wish to be with my family.” Marcus tucks the document under his arm, and I feel a gust of wind. The door swooshes open, and he and his two friends are gone.

  “Well, that wasn’t creepy,” Will comments as he sets the wine on the table.

  I lift a glass for Will to fill it. “We should drink.”

  Jacob exits to fetch Elizabeth and Orm. When we’re all gathered, we lift our glasses in a toast.

  “To peace,” I remark.

  “To the Queen of the Vampires.” Will smiles at me.

  As we touch our glasses together, the doors to my suite fly open, banging against the wall. Sonia and Thanatos stand in the hallway.

  “I believe you forgot one queen.” Sonia floats towards us.

  I, along with the others, snatch our spears and crystal-clad shields from their spots along the wall. I hold my shield in front of my torso and spear, cocked and ready to throw.

  “Odd how humans have developed all this technology—muskets, rifles, pistols, revolvers—and yet you still cling to your ancient weapons.” Sonia stops in front of me. “Nice shield. I guess it may even the playing field for a few seconds. But you’ve no need for defense. I’m here to talk since I was so rudely left out of your prior discussions with my people.”

  Sonia lifts her hand and holds it in the air, palm up flat. Thanatos produces a scroll of paper from behind his back and lays it atop her fingers.

  Sonia unrolls the document. “I see your signature, and my sources tell me your people have made you Queen or Chancellor, is that the modern term, so I acknowledge it as valid. However, Marcus is not the leader of our kind. I’m the leader of my people.”

  Shield up, I take a step towards Sonia. “Marcus was under the impression that he had the majority vote in favor of the treaty, and he signed for his people.”

  “May I?” Sonia points to the wine.

  “Of course,” I reply.

  She lays the scroll on the table and takes a seat, filling her glass with wine. “Please, sit, all of you, have a drink with me. I have a proposal that may interest you.”

  “Excuse us if we don’t trust that you mean us no harm.” Will approaches her.

  Sonia’s eyes trace up Will’s form. “It’s hours until midnight. I suspect if her life were in danger, her winged friend would make an appearance.” Sonia looks to me.

  My heart leaps in my chest. Lucas is alive?

  Sonia chuckles. “Your eyes are as big as saucers, dear. What, you haven’t seen your guardian yet? Oh, but perhaps you’ll never see him again.”

  Although my heart clenches, I steel my gaze on her face. “His presence is of no consequence to me. We’re well defended.”

  “I can see that. Sit.” The chair opposite her slides out from the table. “I think we can come to mutually beneficial terms. I’m ready to seal this agreement for my people.”

  I approach the table. “Marcus said you were against it. Refused to even discuss it.”

  She motions to the waiting chair. I lower myself to the seat, spear and shield still firm in my hands. “What do you want?”

  “Aye, smart girl.” Sonia’s lips form a thin smile, and her eyes cut to Orm. “You know of the prophecy.”

  “We do,” I acknowledge.

  “We’ve come to believe that a hybrid may be the key to breaking the curse.”

  “A hybrid?”

  “You’ve read Mendel, correct?”

  “I have. You refer to a being who is witch and vampire? We’ve forbidden those beings for hundreds of years. Are you behind the creation of the ones we suspect to be halflings?”

  “I am.”

  “And you admit it openly?”

  Her hand slams down on the tabletop. “I’m the Queen of the Witches. I do as I please. I’m above the law. Breaking this prophecy will do more for our people than any other act. I’ll see it through.”

  “But they’re demons.”

  “Yes, there have been problems. But, we’ve come to believe if they’re raised in the correct manner so that they know their place, are trained by both witches and civilized vampires such as yourselves, they may be more stable.”

  “You want us to help you sire hybrid beings?”

  Sonia glares at me. “Why are you having problems with this concept?”

  I jump to my feet. “Because it’s absurd. We will do no such thing.”

  “Don’t you see?” Sonia rises and approaches me. “A hybrid being produced out of a mutual goal for peace represents a transcendence of our true nature, an enlightened view. Surely, The Creator will recognize this. These Children of Light, like no others, will have the capability to break the curse.”

  “And if we help you sire and raise these beings, then you will sign the peace agreement?”

  “Yes.” She lifts the scroll.

  My mind works to grasp what she’s saying. Does she really believe I will abandon my principles?

  “Do you need to confer with your counsel?” Sonia motions to Will and the others gathered around me.

  I look to their stoic faces, hoping they’re thinking as I am. Shaking my head, I stand. “It shall not be. The vampires have no need for this supposed curse to be broken or approval from your Creator. I will not go against our laws in this way.”

  “Are you sure?” Her mouth turns up on one side. Circling behind me, she runs a finger across my shoulder blades. Piercing cold shoots through my chest, and I grip the chair back to stay upright. “The next hundred years of violence may be long for you. I know you feel immense compassion not only for your own people, but the humans too.”

  I force blood to my back to heal the fissure in my skin. Stretching my shoulders, I face her. “You think your Creator will let you break this curse, seeing what an evil being you are?”

  “That’s the beauty of our Creator. He allows free will and forgives our sin. He’ll see I have done this for the good of my people. They need to be free of fear of the afterlife. Our departed souls lay trapped in purgatory forever because of the actions of a few selfish beings, beings of The Creator.”

  Orm steps towards her, and I divert my gaze to him. Sonia spins, and her eyes land on him. Shields up, Will and Jacob jump in front of Orm.

  “I can see you value his life. I wasn’t going to hurt him. You have something to say Orm?” Sonia’s voice oozes from her mouth.

  “Be gone, witch, and take your warlock son with you. She has said no. There’s nothing for you here.”

  Sonia’s eyebrows peak. “What is it that you do not want me to say? The Creator made the angels, the angels are one with The Creator, or at least most of them, save Lucifer, who wanted to be like The Creator and formed his own realm and his own people, who would those people be?” Her eyes cut between Elizabeth, Jacob, Wi
ll, and me. “Oh, yes, the soulless vampires.”

  I stomp my foot. “Enough. We tire of your endless ramblings of Heaven and Hell. You forget we’re of Mother Earth. She has granted us long lives, and we’re grateful and need no more.” I stare into her eyes. “Go. There will be no agreement.”

  “Fine, have it as you may.” She points at the scroll, and it turns to flames.

  I grab for our copy, but it alights in my hand. With a blast of cold air and a flash of light, Sonia and Thanatos disappear.

  Goosebumps form on my skin, and I shiver. “Those retched beings disgust me. Did they think I would bend? Agree to sire hybrids to help them break a curse I don’t even believe in?”

  My friends’ eyes are fixed on the doorway, and I follow their gaze. Seeing nothing, I zip over and close the doors, securing the bolts.

  “I can’t believe we’re alive.” Elizabeth slams into me, wrapping her arms around my chest.

  Jacob rubs his chin. “Why didn’t they kill us?”

  “Your deaths would make your cause stronger. As it is, I believe we’re doomed to a century of misery.” Orm lowers himself to a seat and pours a glass of wine.

  “What say you, old man? How much power can this coven possibly have?” Will leans down and studies Orm’s face.

  “A lot.” Orm downs his wine.

  “Well, then, I’m going to need a glass of those spirits too.” Will settles in the seat next to Orm.

  We all fill a glass and drink in silence. I can’t help but keep one eye on the door, hoping to see Lucas. The night passes and the next day. None of us rest.

  “Queen, we will watch until it’s time to leave for the boat. Please rest,” Will begs.

  “I’ll rest when we’re in the middle of the ocean where Sonia can’t reach us. Until then, I’ll see we’re all safe.” I hate feeling like a prisoner, but we don’t dare leave the room.

  It nears midnight on All Saint’s. My body is weary and my spirit nearly crushed. I run through a list of achievements in my head. My people have a solid government in place. No matter what may come, we stand ready to face it. My thoughts turn to Chief Black Crow, to Emmett, to Alec, to Lucas.