KIngdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals Book 1)

by Tricia Copeland

  Wandering back to the exit, I named all the flowers, plants, and bushes, noting their medicinal qualities where appropriate.

  He stopped when we reached the gate. “How do you know all that?”

  “Orm is sort of a gardening wizard.”

  “And Orm is…?”

  My face flushed with heat. “Oh, he’s the mentor I was telling you about.”

  “The old guy in the black sport utility vehicle?”

  “You spied on me?”

  “A little.” His nose crinkled, and he rocked on his heels.

  “I guess you’re allowed. I mean you don’t even know me.” I tucked my hair behind my ear on one side.

  “You do that when you’re nervous. I remember that.” He reached to me and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

  Feeling the intimacy of the moment, I stepped back.

  “I’m sorry. That was weird.” He stared into my eyes. “You’re such a mystery.”

  “Why do you say that?” I subconsciously repeated the movement of tucking my hair behind my ear. “I’ve told you almost everything about myself.”

  “It seems like you know everything about everything.”

  “I don’t know much about you.”

  “Good deflection,” he said.

  “It’s rude to talk about yourself.” My phone dinged, and I slipped it from my pocket to look at the screen. “I have to get back to school.”

  “That’s my alarm too then.” He moved to the gate and held it open for me.

  Outside the garden, the noise and smells of the city accosted my senses, and I looked back at the small oasis. “That place is amazing.”

  “Yeah, it must be the surrounding buildings that keep out sound.”

  Walking a block together, I fought reaching for his hand. At the corner, I faced him. “This is me.” I pointed over my shoulder at the library.”

  “Yep.” He motioned in the other direction, his eyes not leaving my face. “Want to meet at the garden tomorrow?”

  “Sure.”

  I hurried back to school, trying to decipher my feelings for Hunter. My cheek still tingled where he’d brushed it with his fingers. Did I feel connected to him because of our history, or was my draw to him about something different? I couldn’t be attracted to him like I would another guy. If he turned out to be my brother … I ended that thought, vowing to figure out who my father was that weekend.

  In class, I slid into my seat as the bell rang. Ganby plopped into the seat beside me. “Looking a little peaked today. Forget to eat your Wheaties?”

  I clasped my hand over my forearm, noticing my skin had become a couple of degrees cooler. “I forgot to get lunch.”

  “Cheerleaders and their need to be thin.” He swung to face the front of the room.

  “You really don’t look good,” Annabelle said to me.

  “I had to study over lunch.” I pulled the cheese cubes from my lunch bag, realizing my blocking spell had probably taken a toll on my energy level.

  My cheese and dried fruit stash got me through French and Spanish. As I walked out the front doors, bound for Fahim’s bookstore, I pulled out my phone to text Nick an explanation for my absence from study hall.

  NO WORRIES. He messaged back. I’LL CALL TONIGHT.

  MIGHT BE TIGHT. HAVE CHEER, GYMNASTICS, AND TUTORING SESSION.

  K. TEXT ME.

  K.

  Outside the bookstore, I stopped to assess who might be present. Sensing the witch’s magic, I drew in a deep breath. There were several vampires in the back but their scents co-mingled and I couldn’t distinguish them. I pushed open the door, and the bell announced my arrival.

  “Alena, you are back,” Fahim called from behind the counter. He looked to the office. “Eden, Alena is here.”

  “The humming is quite loud today,” I said as I approached Fahim.

  “Yes, Chalondra has something brewing in there. I’ll have to introduce you soon. She may be able to help with your father.”

  I chuckled nervously. “Honestly, I just want to understand what I am first,” I told them. The toll of my lies weighed on me, and I wondered how long it’d take to figure out if they had the information I needed.

  As soon as I registered his scent, he slammed me into the wall, arm pressed to my throat. “Who is this?” he growled.

  Fahim was beside him an instant later as were Aaron and Dimitri. Dimitri and Aaron pried at the vampire’s arms, but they were locked on my chest and neck. I could feel the pressure of his bone on my windpipe, and I struggled for breath. My mind processed all the input. This was the vampire who killed the hostess at the sushi restaurant. He was stronger than Aaron and Dimitri together. I couldn’t use my magic and without it, I wasn’t strong enough to best him. Mother and Orm were right. I shouldn’t have been out alone.

  “Unhand her.” Fahim met the vampire’s intensity with a guttural sound.

  “Do you smell her?”

  “She is a newly discovered halfling. She is mine.” The vibration of Fahim’s voice shook the room.

  The rogue vampire lifted his head and cackled. “You think that has an impact on me?”

  “Think!” Dimitri yelled. “She is one of our own. You will die for harming her.”

  “Or I will kill you before you get the chance.” Aaron snarled in the rogue one’s ear and slammed his foot into the vampire’s leg.

  His knee buckled, and his grip on my chest loosened for a half-second. I moved a half-inch before his arm pounded into my chest again.

  “Not so fast, my pretty.” His breath on my face made my stomach turn as I pictured the girl from the sushi place. The image of his bandana shot through my mind. “Do you smell her, she is not one of us.”

  “She is my family.” Fahim repeated his claim on me.

  A whoosh of air brought a wave of magical energy, and my senses fought for control.

  “Witches.” The vampire holding me hissed and fell to the ground.

  I jumped, propelling my body over the group, landing on the cashier’s counter, crouched and ready to face further threats. I couldn’t let that witch touch me. My eyes cut to the crowd holding the rogue vampire to the floor and to the bar, wondering if I should bolt out the back.

  The sound of metal clinking brought my attention back to the rogue vampire. Dimitri and Aaron locked metal clamps around my assailant’s wrists and ankles, binding them together.

  “That surge I hit him with should last a good twelve hours,” Chalondra indicated.

  Aaron looked to Fahim. “Without sustenance these will hold him for a while. What should we do with him?”

  “Dump him in an abandoned building. I’ll deal with him later.”

  Dimitri and Aaron lifted him by the arms and legs and carted him into the back room. Fahim, Eden, and Chalondra turned to me.

  I stood wondering how a newbie halfling would react. “Don’t touch me.”

  “You’re safe. No one’s not going to hurt you.” Eden crept towards me.

  “How did I jump like that?”

  “Your vampire mode kicked in.”

  My eyes lock on Chalondra. “What did you do to him?”

  “I killed a couple of brain cells. Unfortunately, they will heal.”

  “Thank you.”

  “No problem. Glad that one is gone for a while. Been making me jumpy all day.” Chalondra shuffled to her room.

  “Come down, child.” Fahim held a hand out to me. “You’ve had quite a scare. Let’s get you some tea.”

  I squatted and lowered myself to the floor.

  “You now have many more questions than before, I’m sure.” Fahim guided me to a chair.

  “Who was he?”

  “A very old, very senile vampire. I didn’t realize he was a threat or he wouldn’t have been here. I’m very sorry, dear.” Fahim set a teacup on the table.

  Eden wrapped a blanket around my shoulders. “Poor child, you’re shivering.”

  I clutched the fabric, realizing she was right. I
lifted the tea to my nose.

  “It’s lemon and lavender. They will help calm your nerves.” Fahim and Eden sat across from me.

  “What time is it? I have cheer practice at three.”

  Fahim chuckled. “That whole scenario played out in two minutes.”

  Acting desperate for grounding, I dug in my bag for my phone. “It’s two-twenty.”

  “Vampires move fast child.” Eden patted the table beside my hand.

  We sat drinking tea for several minutes.

  Fahim cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “Have you had enough for one day or do you want to ask more questions?”

  “How long will I live?”

  Fahim started by telling me about the blue zones, places on earth where people lived longer. Those communities contained people, half-vampire and half-human people, who were immune to many diseases and tended to live well into their hundreds.

  “But the books said vampires can live for a thousand years.”

  “But you are a halfling.”

  “Okay, so what am I to a full vampire? Also a half-citizen?”

  Fahim cut his eyes to Eden, who returned his glance. “Most full vampires will not recognize you.”

  “But you claimed me as your family.”

  “You will be under my protection. I may not look like much but I do hold some clout in these parts.”

  “So, do I just live out my life as a normal human? Can I have children?”

  Eden clutched my hand. “You will have everything you desire, dear. You are free to choose your path.”

  “If I marry another halfling, could I have a full vampire child?”

  “That is a possibility,” she confirmed.

  “But if I marry a human, my children will likely be normal.”

  “Yes.”

  “Do I need to register with some authority?”

  “It is best you don’t, especially if you don’t know your heritage,” Fahim answered.

  “So, I go back to my life, like nothing happened?” I turned my hands over pretending to be exasperated.

  “You can’t tell anyone of our existence. It is forbidden. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.” I nodded.

  “But, I wouldn’t say you’ve gained merely an explanation. You witnessed your ability a few minutes ago. If you come back when it is dark, we’ll show you some tricks.” Fahim crossed to the kettle refilling his mug.

  “I’m not sure I want to come back.”

  Fahim reached for me. “I am so sorry dear. I meant what I said. You are mine. I’ve claimed you as family. No harm will come to you.”

  “You come back when you’re ready.” Eden rubbed her hand down my arm.

  “Okay, thanks.” I stood and gathered my bag.

  Walking back to campus, I texted Mother.

  WALKED OUTSIDE AND CAUGHT A WHIFF OF ROGUE VAMPIRE ON BREEZE FROM THE EAST. NOT MORE THAN A MILE FROM HERE.

  YOU STAY INSIDE.

  HAVE CHEER PRACTICE IN A FEW MINUTES.

  THAT SHOULD BE SAFE. HE WON’T ATTACK WITH WITNESSES. AT LEAST HE HASN’T YET. IF YOU SENSE HIM CLOSER GET EVERYONE INSIDE.

  WILL DO.

  I LOVE YOU. BE SAFE.

  LOVE YOU TOO.

  Wanting to go home, take a shower, and curl up in bed, I made my way back to school. As I reached the door, the bell rang, and I walked to the locker room and changed with the rest of the squad. Going through the routines, I wished I only had school and boys to worry about. My connections with Hunter and Fahim confounded things, generating more questions than answers. The lies to Mother were stacking up, and I needed some resolution fast. Maybe I’d have to be more direct with Fahim, drop my birthdate into a conversation, or talk to Chalondra.

  After cheer, Nick waved at me from the field, reminding me of yet another complicated relationship. Maybe I should halt our connection before it progresses any further, I thought. I remembered Fahim’s words about having the life I wanted. I wondered if choosing to pose as a normal human would mean giving up my family. Mother lived in the human world but engulfed herself in vampire business. At home and at work, she didn’t need to hide. But she wasn’t a halfling.

  “Alena?”

  “Yeah.” I spun to face Sophie.

  “Did you ask your mom about Friday night?” She swung her bag over her shoulder.

  “I did and she said yes.” I followed her outside and to the street. “Do you want a ride?” I asked wanting to keep her off the streets till Mom confirmed they’d apprehended the rogue vampire.

  “That’s awesome, and I guess I’ll take you up on that ride.”

  Opening our car door, I leaned in to ask Orm if we had time. He confirmed we did, and Sophie and I piled in.

  We chatted about her week and the upcoming game and weekend plans. As soon as she jumped out at her place, I scooted forward in my seat.

  “Did they get that rogue vampire?”

  “They did. Odd thing. They found him shackled in an abandoned building. Would have taken several vampires, perhaps a witch to bring him down.”

  “That’s creepy.” I played my part. “What will they do with him?”

  “He lives no more. They took they chains off and started a fire. It will look like the house burned by accident with him drunk inside.”

  “That’s morbid. But I’m glad he’s not a threat anymore.” Do you know if Mother and I have an outing coming up?”

  “Not to my knowledge.”

  I slumped down in my seat, thinking she had run out of leads for whatever she was looking for. I wondered if Hunter was the closest thing. Maybe he was the key. But I didn’t plan on playing my cards until I knew the rules.

  The vehicle stopped, and I clutched my bag and heaved the door open.

  “Miss.”

  “Yes?” I turned to see an open window as Orm’s brow furrowed.

  “Are you eating enough? Getting enough sleep?”

  “Sure, Orm.”

  “Just eat this for an old man.” He tossed me a bag of trail mix.

  “Okay, see you in an hour.”

  I tore open the package with my teeth as I walked into the gym.

  Gymnastics equaled freedom for me. For two hours a week, I could flip through the air and hurdle a vault without thinking. The workout was exactly what I needed to calm my twitching muscles. After my cool down, I found the coach in the office.

  “I’m done.”

  “Back on par today I see. You were amazing as always, Alena. I really wish you would consider joining our team or at least take a stab at the Olympic tryouts.”

  We went through this at every new gym. “I really just like the workout. I’m not interested in anything more. Do you have any other hours I could come in? Maybe over the weekend?”

  “Sunday mornings I come in to do paperwork sometimes. It’s not every week, but I could text you when I do.”

  “That would be great. Will you email my mother and let her know too?”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Thanks, see you next week.”

  Mother paid the gym owner well to shut the facility down for two hours a week. With nearly fifteen years of gymnastics under my belt, I figured she could have built a space for less.

  Studying via audio chat with Nick that evening, my phone dinged with a text message from Hunter.

  THOUGHT MAYBE YOU COULD MEET MY FRIENDS. LUNCH FRIDAY?

  Meeting his friends felt daunting. What would they think of me? I had no hard evidence about my witch theory. Should I try and meet his mother and father to rule it out? Would I know my father if he stood in front of me? My mind careened through scenarios that had brought us together.

  “You still there?” Nick asked.

  “Yeah. Hey, I think I need to go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “No problem.” He ended the call.

  Cradling my phone in my hands, I thought of how to reply to Hunter. CAN’T FRIDAY. WE HAVE TO WEAR OUR CHEER UNIFORMS AND SIT TOGETHER AT LUNCH.

  THURSDAY?
He replied.

  LIKE TOMORROW?

  YES. AT THE SUSHI PLACE YOU LIKE?

  OKAY. I texted him the address of the new place I’d adopted as my favorite.

  MY FRIENDS ARE GIVING ME GRIEF ABOUT MAKING YOU UP.

  WHAT DID YOU TELL THEM?

  THE TRUTH.

  REALLY? I texted.

  THAT OKAY?

  I GUESS.

  YOU HAVEN’T TOLD YOUR FRIENDS?

  BEEN HERE THREE MONTHS. NOT SURE I WANT TO ADD SAMO FRIEND TO MY ALLERGY KID STATUS. I punched in the words feeling proud of my distraction technique. He wouldn’t understand. He didn’t live in a masked world. In truth, he did. Most beings, pure humans, walked through life believing they were the only type of people that existed.

  He asked me what I was doing and how the rest of my day had gone. My phone rang, and I could see from the display screen that it was him.

  “This is way easier than punching in all those letters,” he said. “Can you talk?”

  “Yeah, I finished my homework.” I closed my computer and hopped onto my bed.

  “So how was the rest of your day?”

  I thought about almost having my windpipe crushed and the smell of the rogue vampire’s breath on my face. I described my friends Sophie, Nick, and then Ganby. Listing the people I’d meet the next day, he used voices to mimic each one. By the time he’d gotten through three of them, I was rolling on my bed unable to control my laughter.

  “What is this?”

  I sat up to see Mother, Elizabeth, and Orm staring at me from the doorway.

  “Sorry, gotta go. Bye.” I ended the call and stood, shoulders squared. “Nothing.”

  “Who were you talking to?”

  “A friend.”

  “Well, your magic is sputtering all over the house like a rocket. You’re giving me and Elizabeth the worst migraines. It’s late. You should be sleeping.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s been a long day. You should get some rest,” Mother instructed.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Orm, Elizabeth, and Mother retreated, closing the door behind them. Finding my phone on the covers, I texted Hunter.

  SORRY. PAST MY CURFEW. DIDN’T REALIZE. SEE YOU TOMORROW.

  Next I sent a message to Sophie. MEETING NEW FRIENDS FOR LUNCH TOMORROW. WANT TO COME?