“Corbin and Petra, too. They were pretty forthcoming when they saw me in this cell.” Derek sighed, leaning against the thick steel bars. “If I feel like I’m not getting enough out of them, I’ll break the bead, and you’ll know to come and get me. But let me try first. There’s nothing more they can do to me. I’m already their prisoner.”
“We two, on the other hand,” I replied, unable to hide my displeasure.
“Fine,” Sidyan said. “I’ll play along. But don’t do anything stupid, Derek. I’d like to get you out of here alive. In fact, just to be sure, I’ll leave Maya with you. If things take a bad turn, she might be able to distract the Darklings long enough for us to come back here and get you out.”
The ghoul whimpered softly, her bony arms wrapped around Sidyan’s leg.
“I don’t think she likes that idea.” Derek gave Maya a sympathetic half-smile.
“Neither do I, but better to be safe than sorry,” Sidyan said.
“Thank you,” I whispered, knowing the Reaper would have a hard time parting with his faithful friend like this. But Maya was definitely more useful here, keeping an eye on Derek.
“You owe me big time,” Sidyan retorted, and for some reason, I felt suddenly playful.
“I’ll buy you dinner,” I said. “Take you dancing.”
“You mean a date. You’ll take me on a date.” His tone was clipped, as if I’d just insulted him, and I lost my breath. There were times when he seemed easy to get along with, even friendly and open, and then there were moments when it was impossible for me to ascertain what he was really thinking. Perhaps I gave him too much power over me.
“Whatever,” I replied with a faint shrug. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“Oh, you most definitely will make it up to me,” Sidyan said, and it was a fact. Not a promise, not a threat. A fact. “Maya, stay with Derek. Out of sight, please. The last thing we need is for these bastards to put one of those rune chains on you.”
The ghoul purred, scampering away and curling up in a corner. Gradually, she shimmered away into her subtle form, unseen and unheard. I would feel better knowing she was here.
“Sofia is going to kill us,” I said to Derek, only half joking.
“She’ll understand,” Derek replied, though I could tell he wasn’t comfortable with this. “Make her understand. This is better, and we have an exit strategy, so I’m not exactly taking myself to the gallows here.”
I still couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling. Fate had a way of screwing us over in more ways than one, and we were basically inviting her to do it again by leaving Derek here in the lion’s den. But it was certainly better than Sidyan and me staying close to Corbin or the Whips. If they really were aware of our presence and were just playing along, waiting for the right attack angle, then they would’ve hit the motherlode with our capture.
In hindsight, we’d done far worse in the past. Maybe the universe would smile upon us this time around. We were, after all, trying to restore its balance. Our mission was growing more difficult. Up until now, the Darklings had been a faction, unsanctioned by the empire. With the whole of Visio on their side, they’d be harder to beat, and I didn’t want us to have another Neraka on our hands—especially not one with death magic involved.
Esme
After we assessed every option available to us, we all agreed that we’d be safer in Orvis. It wasn’t close to the imperial city, but it was thoroughly guarded by the Nightmare Forest. Few people dared to venture through those woods, especially at night.
Kailani put out the fire while the Reapers organized the ghouls for their journey. They could travel by treading the world beyond the rules of physical spaces, and the rest of us would utilize the shuttles. Temporarily splitting up made sense—we would all meet back in Orvis before too much time passed.
With invisibility spells covering the shuttles, we left the hilltop behind and headed toward the Nightmare Forest. Nethissis traveled with the Reapers, while Kalon joined me and the rest of our initial crew on the first vessel. Ridan flew the other one, accompanied by Rose, Caleb, Kailani, and Hunter.
The skies were clear and empty. I spotted the occasional glimmer of airships floating in the distance, but they stuck mostly to the airspace above and around the imperial city. Green hills covered in orchards and vineyards—their branches loaded with ripe fruit—rolled beneath us. As the slopes steadily descended, they gave way to the Nightmare Forest, its tree crowns casting dark shadows and holding dangerous secrets.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around Nethissis,” Tristan said. Valaine sat behind him while he copiloted the shuttle by my side. “For her to end up like this, stranded without a body.”
“Is there absolutely no chance she could be brought back to life?” Thayen asked.
Sofia shook her head slowly. “I doubt it. When we had our Hermessi troubles, we lost many fae at once, but only for a short while. Death approved their resurrection, but they had physical bodies to go back to.”
“And Mother burned Nethissis’s body.” Thayen sighed, even more disappointed with Danika. I felt pity for the boy, so much pity that it made me tear up a little whenever I looked at him. After everything he’d suffered, his own mother was still hurting him, even from afar. I certainly agreed with Sofia that Danika was in no way fit to get her son back. She didn’t deserve Thayen.
“What will happen to her?” Kalon asked.
I glanced back at him. “We’re not sure, but we assume she’ll be reaped, so she can at least move on.”
“Do you think they’ll reap her now, or will they give her more time with us and Lumi before they send her off?” Kalon replied.
No one had an answer. “I hope she gets to stay with us for a little while longer,” I murmured.
The Nightmare Forest opened up ahead. Orvis formed a perfect circle in the middle of it, bordered by black stone fencing. There was a clear area on the eastern side of the village where we could land, so Tristan and I prepared the shuttle for its descent.
“I’ve already sent word to Kalla that we’re coming,” Trev said. “So we shouldn’t get an armed welcoming committee.”
“Thank you. The last things we need are torches and pitchforks,” Tristan said.
Kalla spotted us from the dark tower, and I could see her through the windshield as she made her way through the village toward us. For the first time in what felt like a long time, we were all welcomed with open arms and wide smiles as Kalla took a moment to hug each of us. Her bear hugs were something I’d miss later.
“Prince, oh, little prince,” she said, kneeling before Thayen. “I am sorry you’ve come to us in such difficult circumstances. I wish I could welcome you differently.”
“It is an honor to be here,” Thayen replied. “I’ve heard amazing things about this place.”
“Yes, Thayen is thoroughly fascinated by the idea of Aeternae living off animal blood.” Sofia giggled. “I guess we vampires were odd enough, but when he heard his own people were trying this unconventional diet, well, he was awestruck.”
“Welcome, all of you,” Kalla replied. After all the introductions were made, she took a good minute to simply look at Valaine. “By the stars, you’re a beautiful thing to behold. It’s a pity there’s so much suffering inside you.”
Valaine blinked several times. “What do you mean?” she asked, then briefly glowered at Trev. “What did you tell her?”
“Only the basics,” Kalla replied. “But there’s more to you than the Black Fever. I can see it in your eyes, Lady Crimson. You’re in a lot of pain. You have been for a very long time.”
“Oh, there’s a lot we need to catch you up on,” I told Kalla. “Visio is getting crazier with each passing day.”
“I can see that. You’re back here, and that’s proof enough that there’s insanity happening beyond the Nightmare Forest,” Kalla said.
Several figures emerged from thin air. The Reapers and Nethissis. Kalla froze, her eyes wide and bewildered as she stare
d at them. Seeley, Kelara, Soul, Widow, Phantom, Morning, and Night were quite the sight when they were together. Clad in variations of black and white with galaxy eyes and an overall sense of eternity looming around them—I could certainly see why she’d be fascinated.
Not far from where we stood, the people of Orvis began to gather, whispering to each other as they watched this peculiar reunion unfold.
“I’m not sure if you’ve ever met other Reapers, Kalla,” I said. “The ones who came here before were captured and turned into ghouls by the Darklings.”
“Oh, I know,” she replied. “I was there on several occasions.”
This was new information, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I was overwhelmed with questions as I gawked at her. “What… what do you mean?” I asked.
“Welcome, Reapers,” Kalla said, ignoring me. “Our home is your home. I hope you will accept an apology on behalf of those of us from Visio who do not condone the Darkling practices.”
Soul smiled, introducing himself and the rest of his colleagues. “You used to be a Darkling,” he muttered, his gaze fixed on Kalla.
That answered one of my many questions, but I needed more context. “What do you mean?” I asked, occasionally looking back at my brother in the hope he might’ve understood more than me. Tristan only gave me a shrug in return, so I was at a loss. “Kalla, what is Soul talking about?”
Kalla wore a sad look on her face, not taking her eyes off Soul. “That was a very long time ago.”
“How can you tell?” Tristan asked Soul.
Soul pointed at the Nalorean woman’s bone necklace. Some of the pieces were engraved with different symbols. “That’s death magic,” he said. I moved closer to get a better look. Some of the runes did look familiar. “It’s a ward that keeps her hidden from ghouls, and I’m guessing she’s made sure everyone in the village wears one, as well.”
“Is that true, Kalla?” Kalon asked, equally befuddled.
She exhaled sharply but didn’t dispute Soul’s words. “Like I said, it was a long time ago. And it’s certainly not who I am anymore.”
“But I thought the Darklings only forced or paid Naloreans and Rimians to do their dirty work,” I said. “I don’t remember hearing anything about non-Aeternae Darklings.”
“I was one of the few exceptions,” Kalla explained. “I wanted to become an Aeternae at the time, and I had proven myself to the Darklings more than once. My village was poor. My people were starving. I thought if I became an Aeternae, I might be able to do better by them, to provide for them.”
“So they just let you in?” Trev asked. This was news to all of us, judging by the shocked faces around me—foreign and local alike.
“It wasn’t easy,” Kalla said. “There were tests. I had to do some unpleasant things along the way. But when the tenth division took me in and accepted me as a member… well, that’s when I truly understood what they were doing, what they were about. To be honest, I would’ve been okay with that, since the general focus seemed to be on preserving the Aeternae species. But there were a lot of things they weren’t telling us. Knowledge that was only reserved for the Whips and the Master of Darkness. The more I asked, the more they pushed back. Once they started threatening me, I knew I’d made a huge mistake.”
“When was that?” Kalon asked.
“About twenty years ago. I got out, and I made sure they would never come after me,” Kalla said. “I apologize for not being truthful about this before. It wasn’t merely to deceive you, but rather to protect myself and Orvis. The Darklings burned down my village with everyone in it after I left. I might’ve been warded, but my friends and family weren’t.” Her voice broke, and I knew these were painful memories she was sharing with us.
Widow chuckled. “Leave it to the Reapers to stir up crap.” He gave Soul a friendly nudge.
“Hey, I applaud your initiative,” Soul said to Kalla. “I mean, you’re trying to do something good and right by your people. It’s honorable, and it definitely proves you were never Darkling material. I suppose you gave up on the idea of becoming an Aeternae, too?”
Kalla shook her head. “Not yet. I’m just taking all the time I have before I take that step. There are plenty of Aeternae here who are willing to turn me.” She paused, instinctively brushing her fingers over the bone necklace beads. “Let us go to the inn. There is a lot we must talk about…”
“I hope you don’t mind, but we let our ghouls roam freely through the Nightmare Forest,” Phantom said, pointing a thumb over her shoulder at the woods behind her. “They know not to touch the villagers.”
Kalla stilled. “Ghouls?”
“You’ve got the runes, remember?” Soul shot back with a cold grin.
“Yes, I’m just thinking they’ll probably go after the sabre tigers and the deer,” Kalla replied.
“They ate very well the other day, back in Laramis,” Widow said. “Right now, they just need room to run around and blow off some steam.”
“And you… What sort of vision are you?” Kalla asked, looking at Nethissis. The poor girl had been quiet since she’d learned about her body.
“A lost soul,” Nethissis murmured.
“This is Nethissis,” I said. “Our friend and colleague.”
“Oh my… Your dead friend,” Kalla replied, remembering the stories I’d told her during my first visit to Orvis. “I am so sorry, Nethissis, for everything that has happened to you here.”
Nethissis shook her head. “There is absolutely no need for you to apologize, Kalla. It’s not like you killed me or anything.”
“Believe it or not, my inability to do more for this world does give me a sense of responsibility for every crime committed by the Darklings.” Kalla sighed. “All the suffering could be avoided, if only there were more of us and fewer of them.”
Kailani cleared her throat, frowning slightly as she glanced up and around. “Why don’t we continue this conversation at the inn?” she said. “I’d like to put a cloaking spell on the village and grant access only to its people and our crew.”
“Good idea. We will place a few wards, as well,” Phantom replied. “Just to make sure the Darklings don’t come sniffing around. They are truly resourceful bastards.”
“Yeah, and I want the cloaking to resemble the forest, so we don’t have Aeternae airships to deal with, either,” Kailani said. “Danika and Corbin have control of the armed forces, after all.”
Kalon took my hand in his, smiling softly. “Just like old times, huh?”
He made me laugh. It was only a few days ago that we’d escaped his mother’s clutches and had found refuge here in Orvis. Our circumstances hadn’t improved much since then. Now both the Aeternae and the Darklings were coming for us, the entire situation skillfully orchestrated by Danika. But it wasn’t just the two of us anymore.
My brother was here, and so was Valaine. We had Sofia. We had Amal, Amane, and now Ridan, too. Rose and Caleb. Kailani and Hunter. Trev was on our side, and even little Thayen. We had Reapers and ghouls galore, plus Lumi, Sidyan, and Maya still out there doing their thing. I didn’t feel alone or hopeless, in spite of all our difficulties.
There was still so much we didn’t know, but there was a clearer path ahead. We had something to work with and a safe place to do it in. Orvis had become a temporary home to which we could return, if needed. Most importantly, we had Kalla’s support. I deeply admired the Nalorean woman, especially now that I knew more about her personal history.
The Darklings had hurt us all in one way or another, and I was looking forward to repaying the favor, in fire and in blood.
Esme
There were plenty of rooms in the inn for our GASP crew, and it only took us a few minutes to settle in. Ansel had been given a room to share with Tudyk and Moore, while Kalon’s chamber was right next to mine, and I could hear him through the thin wall. There was a sense of tranquility here, in the silent curves of the wooden furniture and the embroidered curtains. Every single object was simple i
n its functionality but beautiful and elegant at the same time. I hadn’t noticed these details before—I’d been running and hiding and fighting, with no time to stop and admire the furnishings.
My mind wandered back to Kalon’s kisses and the way he made me feel. We’d gotten off to a rocky start. All his family members were basically Darklings, but he’d chosen to be with me. I knew he was in a lot of pain about them, yet he did a damn good job keeping that to himself most of the time. Kalon was strong, however, there was also a sensitive side to him—and I had come to deeply appreciate both aspects of his personality.
He matched my character in so many ways, it was as if we’d been designed as two separate parts that had always been meant to be put together, to function as one. His observation skills were out of this world—he could almost sense when I was angry or anxious or in any kind of pain, and he would always try to make me feel better. I did the same for him, but I doubted I was as proficient as Kalon.
My heart swelled as I remembered our first kiss back at the lakeside cabin. The sweet moments before the storm. Only we existed, gazing ahead into an uncertain future. Not much had changed since, except maybe my feelings. They’d grown, and I would soon be overpowered, overwhelmed by what I could only describe as love. Our romance was thorny and rife with shades of gray, but the pull between us remained undeniable.
I left my room just as Kalon was pulling his door closed behind him, and we nearly collided in the narrow hallway. After glancing around to make sure no one was watching, he locked me in his arms and pulled me into a deep kiss. I melted in his embrace, his lips taunting mine, our tongues playing.
“With all this craziness, I didn’t want you to forget about me,” he said, his breath tickling my lips. He didn’t let go, and I didn’t protest. For a moment, I was weightless. A part of him, sharing in the fleeting bliss.
“You’re glued to my brain, Kalon. I doubt I’d ever be able to forget you,” I replied, half-smiling as I gazed into his cool blue eyes. “But thanks for the reminder, nonetheless. It does add the extra kick in my heels.”
A Shade of Vampire 83: A Bender of Spirit Page 4