by Ciara Graves
My response was to yank the dagger free of his back.
“Hold him!” I yelled to whoever was left standing.
Christian and another guard with half his face missing joined me and pinned the fae to the floor.
“What are you doing?” he shrieked.
I grabbed his hand with the ring on it and stretched his arm away from his body.
“Stop, stop!” he screamed.
I raised the dagger over my head and as he yelled and thrashed, brought it down on his wrist. His hand came free of the rest of him, and I scooped it up, ordering the guards to wrap the stump and get him back to his cell.
The fae continued to moan and curse me over his missing hand until I smashed the butt of my dagger into his face to shut him up. He was taken away, and I was left holding his severed hand, the one bearing the ring. It was a ruby set in a bed of smaller pearls encased in gold. Too bad it wasn’t silver, or we might not be able to use this ring.
I tugged it off the index finger and tossed the hand aside, examining the ring closely. There on the band next to the ruby was a sigil—a sun wrapped with a rose vine. It was small and hard to make out too much detail, but I tucked it away for later.
“How many dead?” I asked Shane, holding the ring in my palm.
“Six. The rest were wounded by that damned sunlight trick.”
As I watched, his face stitched itself back together, and the vampires able to rise began walking around, gathering the bodies of those we lost to this pointless attack. Six more dead. None of them were mine, so it wasn’t a great loss, but Rudarius would not be pleased when he heard about this.
“How did he break out of his cell?” I asked the guard closest to me.
“I don’t know, but I’ll look into it.”
“See that you do and triple the guard down there. I will not have this happening again, not when the master is on his way.”
“The master—” Rudarius’s voice rang out.
I shut my eyes, annoyed,
“—is already here,” Rudarius finished.
Taking a few seconds to compose my face, I turned and bowed my head to Rudarius, who was standing in the open front door.
“Master Rudarius. I am sorry you had to arrive during such an unexpected situation.”
“Did I hear correctly?” he asked, stepping around debris, with Lacy at his side.
She bared her fangs at me, and I imagined ripping them from her head. Soon. Soon, I’d get rid of her.
“Did a fae escape the cells and cause all this damage?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Was I wrong to charge you with this new task, Draven?” He pinched my chin between his fingers. “Well?”
“No, Master. It would appear I made a mistake in not having enough guards below.”
“Who is this fae who caused so much damage?” he mused, releasing my face. “How many dead did you say?”
“Six, Master, and I’m not certain of the fae’s name. He was brought in a few hours ago.”
“But he bore a ring?”
I remembered the item I clutched in my hand. Should I try and slip it into my pocket and keep it for myself? The thought crossed my mind, and then Rudarius was glaring at me.
No, I’d stick to the plan and get Seneca. No one would know about her.
“He did,” I replied and held the ring out to him. “This one and another still in holding below. He used it to call a light as powerful as the sun.”
He picked the ring up and examined it closely. “Walk with me, Draven.”
I did so.
When Lacy made to follow, Rudarius held up his hand to stop her and told her to help with the cleanup.
She glowered at me as I walked with Rudarius to the parlor.
He told me to shut the doors, and I did so hesitantly, knowing this room was completely soundproofed. Either he was going to talk to me about something he didn’t want any other vampire to hear. Or he was going to kill me and be done with it. He removed his cloak, draped it over a chair, and paced toward the fire burning away in the hearth.
“This ring is much like the ones I have already and yet I sense the heaviness in it. Its power,” he said quietly, turning it this way and that, so the flames reflected in the facets of the stone.
“It appeared quite incredible.”
“That it is, and for good reason. Did the fae say anything to you of who he was? Anything at all?”
The fight happened so quickly, I didn’t recall anything that was said.
“The power to call the sunlight can only be achieved by a select number of fae. Very select number. Royals, you see.”
I frowned, but then the fae’s words came back to me. He said it was not night, not for any royal. “I didn’t know they had such power in them.”
“They are quite dangerous, which is why vampires have never been able to overthrow them, why we can’t drink their blood and survive. They can call the sun. And alas we have no way to protect ourselves. None. This ring, however, this ring will give me a chance to use that power against them now.”
“The ones you have already aren’t from royals?” I asked, thinking back to the rings on Seneca’s fingers.
“Sadly, no. Only noble bloodlines.”
“Then not all ring bearers are royals.”
“No. The sigil of their house is here on the band.” Rudarius pointed to where I saw the mark moments ago. “He is a prince, it would appear, of the royal family of the third kingdom. The lesser of the three, of course, but still quite powerful. I am impressed you managed to catch him at all.”
“So am I.” I would have to ask Taylor what he did if he survived the attack. I just realized I hadn’t seen him though. Huh, it would be a shame if he died at the hands of the very fae he captured.
“This is quite a find, Draven. Quite a find indeed.”
“I am happy it pleases you.”
“This does,” he said, holding up the ring once more, then tucking it away in his vest pocket. “Other news, however, does not. Lacy sent word you had several vampires of this household executed.”
“I did.”
“And what proof did you have that Helena, my sweet Helena, was a traitor?”
“Sworn statements of a servant, Master. I usually would not listen to one begging for his life, but right before their heads were taken, Christian told me they all confessed and that they all spoke of nothing but ill will toward you and your coven,” I lied, knowing my guard would agree to whatever Rudarius questioned him about.
“I see. That is tragic indeed. And unexpected. I had high hopes for Helena. For all three of them.”
“I fear they would have been your downfall, Master, and with this war of yours drawing closer, I am simply glad they will no longer pose a threat to you or your plans.”
His eyes narrowed, and suddenly I was the prey caught in the sights of the predator. “And what about you, Draven? Do you pose any threats to my plans?”
“Master?”
“Lacy tells me you’ve been distracted of late. Came home the other night and were wounded.”
“I was tracking down fae for you, ran into a bit of trouble.”
“She says you were nearly killed,” he commented. “By whom?”
“A woman who will not be trouble for much longer. I have plans for her.”
His lips twitched. “Good, I do not take attacks on this coven lightly. Did you happen to catch her name?”
“No name, but she had bright red hair,” I lied, wanting to keep Seneca a secret.
Rudarius’s gaze took on a faraway look as he nodded slowly. “Red hair. I once had a fae in my keeping with red hair that shone like a fiery sunset. She had heart and a fight that kept her going long after so many others perished. A fine catch she was and so young. I planned on keeping her until she was grown, and then turning her into my weapon, but alas fate had other plans.”
I remained perfectly still though my mind raced off in a thousand different directions. Could he be ta
lking about Seneca? “What happened to her?”
“She was stolen from me by a mage,” he spat. “He killed many good vampires that day. Macron thought he was invincible. Thought I would never come after him for what he did to me. But he was wrong. All those bloody mages were wrong.”
“Is he why you started taking them?”
“Mages are troublesome beings,” Rudarius sighed as he picked his cloak up and fastened it around his neck. “They like to insert themselves into every situation regardless if it involves them or not. Warriors for the races, that’s what they call themselves. Meddlesome fools. And now captured and dead fools. If I am to have a war, mages will only get in the way. Best to take them out of play before we attack. One less factor to contend with.” His eye twitched as he spoke. There was more to his plans, but he moved past me for the door. “And Draven?”
“Yes, Master?”
“See this troublesome woman is taken care of. I need you focused, if we are to move forward with our plans.”
He exited the parlor.
Shane joined me a second later, closing the door.
“He leave?” I asked him.
“He’s speaking with Lacy in the entry,” he said. “Well?”
“I think I just found out something very interesting about our dear Seneca. Something that might change this plan of ours.”
“Do tell.”
“Soon. First, I have to find someone who would be willing to speak of an incident that occurred a few years ago in Otherworld.”
“You going to be asking questions about Rudarius?” His widened eyes told me how much my plan worried him.
“Yes, why?”
“Might not be the smartest thing to do. I’m loyal to you, but there are others who will hear you poking around and report right back to him that you’re looking for answers. I suggest you find someone else.”
“Who else would know what happened except someone in this coven?”
Shane leaned in close as he whispered, “There are plenty others, if you know who to go to.”
“You’re speaking of what? A witch? A seer?”
“If you’re that desperate for answers, then yes. They can be bought or killed. Rudarius never did like witches.”
“Who does?” I said absently.
There were several local witches, but they were too close to home for comfort.
I would find one far away, not in a major city. I would get the answers I needed and then ensure there was no trail to lead back to me.
“I’m leaving you to keep an eye on the mansion while I’m away,” I told Shane.
“How long are you going to be gone?”
“Not long, I hope,” I said, ready to open the door.
“And if Lacy should ask where you are?”
I paused, wondering what lie I should tell her, then simply said, “Tell her I’m following our master’s orders.”
Technically it was the truth. He wanted me to take care of this nuisance that was Seneca, so he could continue with his plans for war.
He didn’t have to know I was planning on using her, instead of killing her.
The shack appeared out of nowhere in the densely overgrown forest in the mountains as the sun was setting.
I’d tracked down a witch who very few had heard of, but who was known for her power of sight, if you could find her and convince her to work for you. I had a hefty payday to offer if she would agree to my terms.
The locals in the town at the foot of the mountain said she was a recluse, but all I cared for was her power and if it was genuine. There were plenty who claimed they were witches, who clearly were not.
When I reached her door, it swung inward before I could knock.
“What do you want?” a ragged voice called from the dim candlelit room.
“Questions answered,” I replied, not stepping inside yet. “About a woman.”
“Ah, typical man. Always seeking questions from a stranger instead of asking the poor thing herself,” the witch mused with a light chuckle. At least she wasn’t psychic. “What do you offer in return for services rendered?”
I tossed in the small bag filled with money. A wrinkled hand picked it up, and it disappeared into the shadows. I waited, hearing the paper crinkle then she set the bag aside.
“Come in and wipe your boots. I won’t have you tracking mud in here.”
I did as she asked and ducked to get through the sagging doorway.
The witch sat at a small round table with two chairs in front of it. A crystal ball sat on the table, and I smiled, though cynicism filled me.
“Really?”
“You doubt the simple magic?” she said, but she was smiling in return. “I will admit, it is mostly for show, but the tourists enjoy it after trekking through the mountains for hours to reach me. Now then, have a seat, and tell me what you would like to know, vampire.”
“Her name is Seneca,” I said, shifting my tone of voice to a lighter one, and acting as though I was infatuated with her, instead of wanting to track her down, so I could capture her. After years of playing someone I wasn’t, changing personalities was easy enough. “She is amazing, truly amazing, but…”
“But?” the witch urged when I paused, working on what to say.
I remembered our fight and the cold, hard look in her eyes. Seneca had been through hell. Only a survivor had that look in her eyes, the need to survive. To win.
“She’s haunted by a dark past,” I said quietly, sadly. “I want to help her, but she won’t open up to me. I just want to be there for her, understand what she went through.”
The witch reached out and patted my hand, her brow furrowing with concern. “I understand, but are you certain you wish to know? Sometimes we keep our pasts secret for a reason.”
“I do, I want to help her. She has no one else in her life.”
“Very well then.” She closed her eyes and placed her hands on the crystal ball. The clear glass grew foggy, and the witch opened one eye to wink at me. “Mostly for show,” she whispered, then cleared her throat and whispered Seneca’s name repeatedly.
I had never seen a witch use this method to see into the past before, but shapes began to form in the crystal ball. I saw Seneca’s face framed by that fiery red hair. Her green eyes were cautious, hard. There was certainly no fear in them. Her face was gone for a few seconds, and when it returned, she was much younger. Standing before her was a vampire I knew all too well.
“Rudarius,” I whispered.
He was talking to her, but I couldn’t hear the words.
Seneca began to cry when she lashed out as two more vampires appeared in the image, chaining her up in his dungeon.
The image shifted as the witch gasped, her face scrunching as though in pain.
My gaze darted back to the crystal ball to witness Seneca’s blood being taken. She appeared a bit older, but that fire was in her eyes. A fire that proclaimed that she was not going to die there. She fought against the vampires. Even managed to get a hand free to strike out at Rudarius. He retaliated, and she screamed as he slashed her arms more and more, draining her nearly dry. Then the image shifted again and again. Each time, the scene grew worse, and my stomach roiled at the sight, remembering my own time in that very same dungeon.
The images cut off completely quite suddenly and I was left reeling from everything I’d seen, and knowing it probably didn’t cover half of what she endured.
The witch sucked in air as she pushed away from the table. “That poor girl,” she whispered horrified. “So many years with him, so many years spent in pain.”
I nodded, thinking over a new plan. I didn’t see it all, but I didn’t have to. Seneca was just like I was. The notion opened several intriguing possibilities. Here was another who wanted revenge against Rudarius for all the hurt he caused her. She was the redhead he captured and lost. The one he wanted to turn into a weapon which meant she was strong. Damned strong. Was Seneca a royal? Why was she on her own, without protection of any kind? H
ad her kin dismissed her so easily simply because she was turned by a vampire?
“You appear lost in thought,” the witch mused. “I hope this was able to help you.”
“It was,” I said quietly, pondering. “I always knew she kept something from me, wanted to protect me, but didn’t understand how bad it was until just now.”
“Her life has indeed been tragic in the past.”
“Yes,” I agreed.
“Was that all you required of my services then?”
I smiled at her as I stood. “There is one more thing I must have from you, I’m afraid.”
“I shall help you if I can.”
“Good, that’s very good.” My fangs tingled with the promise of fresh blood so close at hand. Getting here so quickly had taken much out of me, and I was famished. Sadly, I could not leave evidence of my visit. “I’m afraid I have not fed yet, today.”
The witch’s look of horror was astounding when I charged her. She shouted a spell and a burst of fire struck my shoulder, but she was too old and feeble to fight for long. Too trusting of strangers who came knocking at her door. Her screams died away, after a while, as did her flailing. One final desperate kick dislodged the crystal ball from the table, and it rolled toward the front door.
When I finished draining the witch, I wiped my lips and found a box of matches to set the place on fire.
Regret churned inside me. No loose ends.
I picked up the money she took, struck a match, and tossed it against the dry herbs on a shelf. They caught instantly as I walked toward the door.
The crystal ball caught my eye, and I scooped it up. As the shack burned like a torch in the night, I studied the artifact in my hands. Seneca’s face shimmered into view, those green eyes latching onto mine, as if she was looking at me, as I was her. Was this the present? I held the ball closer to my face, studying the fake smile she wore and the strain around her eyes. Whatever she was doing, she wasn’t happy.
“Soon, we’ll be seeing each other again. It appears we have much more to talk about than I first assumed.”
If she was truly as powerful as Rudarius believed, then I would have to succeed where he failed. I would convince her to join me and turn her into the weapon he had wanted for his war. She would be mine to use against him and kill him.