The witch pulls notes from a knapsack. "Yes, King Daffyd,"
I almost let procedure fall by the wayside, too nervous to sit in my seat. The witch is an outsider, though, so I make a point of sitting down and following the ritual. Two lieutenants that entered the room with me wait at the door opposite the throne. One steps forward and grabs the papers from the witch, bringing them to me.
“Are you sure this is the course of action you wish to take?” She asks in the gap it takes the vampire to bring my papers to me.
“Yes. The Forsaken have come into my home and created their enemies. They must learn how to live in my world or get out of it.”
“They don’t live here,” she mutters.
“You know what I mean,” I take the papers from the lieutenant and go through them.
Madison Mahoney.
Age eleven.
New Hampshire, England.
These are the only notes I need.
“The full address, witch?”
“It’s on the notes of the girl. What are you going to do with her?” I hear the hesitation in her voice.
“It’s not what I’m going to do with her, it’s what you’re going to do with her,” I snap my fingers, and my lieutenants are upon the witch without hesitation.
"Or rather, the orders you're going to give to whoever is going to carry out the ritual. You are not a prisoner. If you agree to do as told, you may freely walk about my home. If you stand against me, I will have no question in pricing your head for the girl’s."
Nervous excitement bubbles through me. There is nothing stopping me now from fulfilling my oath.
“Release me,” The witch pulls away from the grip of the vampires, “You have no right doing this!”
“I don’t? There is no love lost in times of war. A little lesson from the King, to you.”
Time moves slowly as Aliana thinks.
“I will not remain here. If I am gone long, my coven will come to my aid. Leave me to come and go freely, and, perhaps, I will aid in the ritual.”
“I thought that’s what you’d say. Now, I don’t know if I can trust you, Aliana. I will let you do as you wish, disappoint me and the consequences will hurt you more than they will hurt me. Remember this,” I wave her off.
“I will call on you when it is time.”
With that, I begin making my own arrangements. A task like this must fall on my most trusted warrior, and, as much as I hate going back to him like a scolded puppy, Mason is the only one I can bring on in this.
Chapter 7
Aliana.
I'm a little nervous. There's no doubt about it. I know the King's last threat was aimed at my daughter. I can't have anything happen to her.
In a clearing, among the tree line, I spot my target. A shifter, older than me by a few years but not many. She's gorgeous. They call her Tigress. There’s only one reason I can think of for the nickname. At least she’s not the Flamingo or something silly like that. It helps set my mind at ease.
I begin walking to her. She’s playing on her phone up until I’m upon her. She’s still quiet, even when I’ve stopped.
“Um…,” I pause.
“How do you want to do this?” She finally pockets her phone and draws from the same pocket, a cigarette, lighting it and blowing the smoke away from us.
“How do you mean?” I’m unsure of how the business goes.
She turns to face me. Her features are soft and delicate. Her eyes are golden. The only sign of her true nature, I suppose.
“First time?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Don’t call me ma’am. Verona will do just fine,” She takes another deep drag of her cigarette, “My clients are usually more prepared, but I’ll give you the rundown. I can do a varying amount of missions from contract killings to planting evidence. I don’t care what the task is, as long as the price is right. From my understanding, you’re a witch, right? Well, I’ve got eyes in the skies with weapons on you from the second you entered the clearing, so don’t try anything funny.”
She pauses. I know this is not a threat, merely a warning to cover her tail.
“I want you to kill someone.” There is no delay as I say the words.
"Yeah. That's the general first-time job. Let's talk payment first."
“I don’t have much money,” Verona pushes herself off the log on which she sits and begins to turns as if she is going to walk off, “But I do have an array of magical items you may find acceptable.”
“I’m listening.”
I’m glad her attention has not been separated too far.
“Name your price, and it’s yours on completion.”
“How about you bring me a weapon? One that can slaughter a demi-god. I don’t care what it is, I’m proficient,” I’m not sure why she added the last part. Maybe this is still part of her sales tactic, “Just get it to me as soon as my job is done.”
“Okay. Well, if you’re hunting demi-gods, I think my task may be a tad easier.”
“Spit it out then,” Verona may be losing her patience, so I do as told.
“The King of vampires, Daffyd Llanelli.”
“And how do you expect I do this?” She’s almost shocked at the victim.
"That's what I'm paying you to figure out," That may have come out worse than intended. I retreat back into my shell for a moment, but to my surprise, she laughs.
"You've got spunk. I like that. It will be done, but my god-killer better be ready on arrival of the task…." She begins walking off.
"It will be done," I only say this to put her mind at ease. Artifacts and weapons of this nature come to my doorstep regularly. Or at least, I know others who can make them, if it's necessary. There is no cause for concern.
Chapter 8
Daffyd.
The journey to the Council always brings me down. I generally travel alone, which means it's a twelve-hour flight, followed by a six-hour drive out into the mountains, and then a three-day hike across the Alaskan ice plains until I reach the Council's castle.
This time, it's different, however. Hamish, Sarah-Lynne, and I all head off together. Hamish, because he is my second in command. Sarah-Lynne because she is my release.
The journey is quicker with them. They talk to me and one another, and, at night, we share tales around a campfire.
Hamish is younger than me. He claims to recall his youth, but I’m not sure if any of that is true. I certainly don’t. Remembering so many eons before is impossible.
When we arrive at the castle gates, there is a greeter. He’s scrawny, dressed in nothing more than a tunic. It looks like he hasn’t been fed in ages, “Greetings, Sire,” He bows, and I return the gesture.
“Hello, greeter. I bring myself and my companions to speak with the council.”
“Indeed. Why else would you be here?” Is that a hint of attitude I sense?
“You forget yourself, greeter.” I cock a brow.
"No, it is you who forgets himself," The greeter turns and begins leading us upwards, through a mountain path. All around, apart from that one single crack, the mountain is solid. This particular section of the Alaskan skyline is always covered in clouds, no doubt a powerful tempestarii keeping the appearance up.
I just realize I don't even know the time.
Within the mountain, it all seems to change. The icy tundra is replaced by an ethereal garden. Beautiful and lush. It is eternal night here among the council. The gardens lanterns are continuously filled by one or another servant. In fact, if I remember, no one even cares about technology here.
I check my cell phone.
As I suspected, nothing.
How great such a simple life must be.
We walk through the garden. Hedges and archways overflowing with vines and flowers lead up to the entrance of the castle. There, stands another. The greeter says nothing but begins his journey back to his post.
The new vampire, who stands and waits seems to have a chip on his shoulder. Unlike the g
reeter, I can sense this one’s power. He’s older than me. For a moment, I wonder if he’s stronger. I shrug it off to just being a part of our kind.
"You're late," This one is dressed in similar robes as the other. Instead of only white, this one has golden slivers across the garment in the fashion of a belt, with the lapels holding a similar golden sheen. In his hand, there is a parchment on which he records three entering the building.
“You did not mention there would be others accompanying you either, King Llanelli.”
He seems displeased.
“Sometimes things just happen. Get used to it,” I spit.
"Mind your tongue. You have already stepped on the greeter's toes. It is not wise to burn all bridges."
“Yeah, yeah, just get me where I need to go,” There’s no threat from the vampire. No hostility. So far, that is.
“Yes, King.” The new vampire leads us through the entry hall, then a corridor, rooms all with closed doors apart from three at the end, “These three rooms are yours. When you have unpacked, return to the entry hall, and we can go to the council,” The vampire looks between Hamish, myself, and then Sarah-Lynn, “But only you.”
“Sure,” Hamish goes into his room. Sarah-Lynn and I go into my room. The moment she steps into my room, the third room’s door slams shut.
“Guess you’re sleeping with me tonight,” I tease, both of us knowing it was going to happen anyway. The room is flawless. Immaculate and beautiful. Wooden furnishings, a beautiful view of the garden below, and a bed that matches even mine. Must be a king-size, it might even be bigger. Pillows and blankets all comfortable, by the looks. This is going to be a good night.
~ ~ ~
The Council; a collaboration of the elder vampires slightly after the ancient revolution. Together, seven vampires sit on their thrones. Their eyes are fixed on me. Mine look across the room. It’s empty. All empty apart from the seven and me.
“My lords and ladies,” I show them the respect they deserve. The most powerful vampires in our hierarchy, I would not do anything to go against them. Well….
“King Llanelli,” The seven speak in unison. Their voices powerful, beautiful, an odd combination, “Why do you come to us?”
To my understanding, when the Council was formed, they bonded their minds and spirits by the magic of a powerful necromancer. They are linked, forever to remain in the council hall, only feasting in separation. Together they are powerful. Alone, they are weak. This could have been tales from my youth, though. Someone could have come up with it because of their talking in total equality.
“My lords and ladies, I come to you to discuss times of war.”
“Against the Forsaken?”
"Yes," I spread my legs an inch, push my hands behind my back, my left hand grabbing my right wrist in a military pose.
“Then state your case. We have heard rumblings from the outside, but you know we do not concern ourselves with the outside, unless it is of necessity.”
"As I told the Forsaken, they are stepping out of line. Their food sources come from the wars they create. Still, I find them toying with humanity, creating plagues, disease, and disaster across the board for amusement. They kill hundreds of thousands to feed on, and then dwindle our supplies for their fun."
The Council's gaze is focused on me without any motion, “Then what do you propose? There will be no discussion of war if there is no solution or victory that benefits us.”
"Indeed," I don't know which Council member is best to focus on, so I constantly look at them all, "That is why I have only come to you now, when I have a solution to the problem. That solution, Madison Mahoney."
“Who is Madison Mahoney?”
I can’t help but smile. “She is what the old world called a Deicine. She is the first of her kind in thousands of years.”
“Go on.”
"Right. The deicine were a race of witches and warlocks specializing in blood magic. The magic they used linked their blood to the Forsaken realm. Whatever spell they cast was never uncovered, but a coven of witches and warlocks had the ability to kill the gods. From what my eyes and ears in the field tell me, they didn't join a part of the Forsaken realm, but, instead, they found something else. Something darker, something stronger than the Forsaken. Their powers untethered…," I stop to compose myself and my thoughts, "I'm rambling on a topic I can't truly explain. You see, I don't know all the details, but I do know that this girl, Madison Mahoney, has somehow been born under the right conditions that she has all the bloodwork relating to a deicine.”
“What happened to the deicine? Why is she so special?”
My hands begin fidgeting behind my back. “The Forsaken lost a few of their members to the deicine and so, they slaughtered as many as they could. The coven was among the Viking era. Many of them went on travels through Europe and the bloodline spread. Now, it’s a recessive gene, but, as we can see, under the right circumstances it is still a possibility.”
They fall silent in contemplation. I grow more excited.
“And we assume you are ready to call on her and make her fight your cause?”
“Not quite. She’s too young, and she wasn’t brought up in a stable, coven environment.”
“Then we assume you will be sending Mason to retrieve her….”
I almost blush. I almost sneer. The Council constantly remark they do not deal with the outside unless it is necessary, yet they keep track of all these small details.
So be it.
“Yes. Mason will be sent to retrieve the girl.”
“Then have him fetch her. We will not discuss this further. This is your duty to see through, King Daffyd.”
That’s what I wanted to hear. They don’t bother with the rest of it, but, by the end, the Forsaken will be gone.
“Now that we have discussed business, tell us of the Veil.”
The constant unflinching and unmoving is…unnerving.
“The Veil is well. We recently had defectors from the Veil, though we had the threats neutralized. We gave Jonah his last chance, you see.”
“You should have had Jonah executed or sentenced years ago. It is only for the best. I am glad your coven is running strong. Your rule, however, is no longer what it should be. We hear rumblings. This is not the time to discuss these matters. We have much to deliberate in regards to your request. Finally, how long will you be with us at the Council buildings?”
That was a lot to take in, even for me. They jumped from here to there without pause. Discussing my rule and throwing the comment away as if it does not concern me. Ending on how long I will stay? I shake my head.
"My companions and I will venture back tomorrow evening, my lords and ladies. The storms have been rumored to stay until the end of the week. We'd prefer being gone before any sunny spells come about."
“Indeed. Goodbye, King Llanelli. We will call on you again shortly.”
Chapter 9
Aliana.
I know my place. There's no doubt about it. Witches have been the go around's for all of the races for centuries now. The eyes and ears. We've learned our place; lies, deception, deceit and most understand this, but, from time to time, we find the knights in shining armor, who won't shun us for our dictated place in society. My husband, for example, being one. A werewolf alpha. The only man who has ever looked at me as anything other than a spy to aid their cause. Daffyd keeps me on a short leash, the Forsaken force my hand for their power. The Shifters will no doubt find a way to throw mud in my eye sometime soon.
The werewolves? They are different.
“Oh, husband. What are we going to do?” We lie in bed. Romulus rests his head on my chest, listening to my heartbeat. I’ve always loved this room. Simple. The bed, a television stand, a widescreen TV, and one single chair. There’s nothing more we need.
“Nothing. If Daffyd throws himself into the firing line, then let it be so,” It’s no secret that the wolves and the vampires have never been in good standing, “Daffyd’s rule of the
veil has been tyrannous for what, a hundred years?” We are both young in this world. We were raised understanding the vampires rule with Daffyd as King.
"Yes, but we must remember he is also the King. Had we been somewhere else, with different clans rule, maybe we would have stood a chance."
"Wishful thinking. They are all the same. They are ruled by a tyrannous king, they are all tyrannical."
I stroke Romulus’ hair. “Then let’s just run away. We take Abbey and we go.”
He lifts his head up and looks me in the eye, “You know I can’t leave my pack. They need me. Someday they will need Abbey.” He sits up.
“Yes. I know,” I jump up too. Romulus is resting his legs off the side of the bed. I slide up behind him, wrapping my arms under his, head resting on his shoulder, “I guess I just had to try.”
“Don’t go back there. He can find another witch to do his dirty work,” It was the first time he’s brought this up since I mentioned it a few days back.
“He will come for me.”
"Then Daffyd will face the full might of the werewolves. He will not stand a chance." That sheer determination in his voice, his protective nature, the all-around primal nature of Romulus is what I fell in love with.
“Then let it be so,” I kiss his shoulder, “I won’t go back to the king.”
Aliana considers her words and know they are a lie but to appease her wolf, she would not go against his words.
Chapter 10
Daffyd.
Mason walks into the throne room, where I have perched myself upon the royal seat. Brooke sits next to me, reading a magazine. She's never taken the traditions seriously. Once upon a time, I enjoyed that streak of rebelliousness but now?
Now it just shows insubordination. I leave her be, for now. A fight will do nothing to better our already on edge circumstances. Not that I really care anymore. I've given up on her now. I've moved on to bigger and better prospects. Sarah-Lynn….
“What do you want, Daffyd?” His lethargic movements show me he does not want to be here.
The Vampire Touch 1: The Forsaken Page 3