Curse of Blood and Shadow

by J. M. Kearl

  Zyacus stood and immediately went for the ladder. I hustled down after him and we darted into the woods. When we drew closer to where we’d seen the person, we slowed and I drew my boot dagger. A branch snapped and we moved toward the sound but after searching for several minutes, we found no one. “Do you think they saw us? And appearus spelled away from here?”

  Zyacus turned in a slow circle. “It’s hard to say but whoever they are, they’re gone now. Or very well-hidden.”

  Other than my own breathing, the animals in the trees above were the only sounds I heard. “We need to talk to my grandparents and tell them what we heard the vampires say.”

  “And when our parents arrive tomorrow we’re going to the meeting.”

  “Are you worried about what our parents will think about—you and me?” I sure was.

  “I have a hunch it was my father who gave that order to separate us, although he’ll blame it on the fight, it was probably because I sent Jennika home. He still has hopes I’ll want to marry her. And…” he trailed off.

  “And what?”

  “Of course he likes your parents now as allies but he still harbors some resentments. Your mother did pretend to want to marry him as a ruse to bring down my kingdom.” He paused waiting to see my reaction. I knew the stories, so I stood stone-faced. “Your father assassinated my uncle… My father told me, after you and I danced at your party, and on other occasions—that you were probably like your mother and I should stay away.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. These things had nothing to do with us. It was our parents, and my mother had good reason to do what she did, as did my father. His uncle was a tyrant, slaveholder—

  “But I don’t care about any of it,” he said, cutting off my thoughts and interjecting before I could say anything. “I have no ill feelings toward your parents or you. The past is the past and if he has anything to say about it, I’ll tell him just that.”

  I hoped it would be that easy, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t.

  Chapter 34

  Bouncing my leg with anxiety, Zyacus and I waited in Madison’s office. She wasn’t around when we showed up and since we’d get in trouble for wandering the halls during class time, we decided to hang out in here.

  She was instructing a class no doubt but I’d bet she would show soon, given that I was sure Professor Tessam would contact her about my leaving class and giving her an order. Zyacus browsed the bookshelves, picking up little trinkets here and there. He turned over a crystal ball in his hands and then set it back down.

  The quiet creak of the cat door made me turn and in strutted my little white fluff ball Atticus. “There you are,” he said, his green eyes going from Zyacus to me. “People are looking for you.” He sauntered over and hopped onto a stool. “Oh and there will be a knock at the door right about—”

  Knock knock knock

  “I am good, am I not?” Atticus was clearly pleased with himself.

  “Who is it?” I asked.

  “Bindy.”

  Of course it is. When I tugged the door open Bindy strode in and folded her arms. “I’m here to protect you, and yet you keep doing shit that makes my job harder.”

  Her brown eyes fell to Zyacus and she nodded. “You skipped classes together, then went outside after an attack and after Senica sent you that note? And gave a direct order to a professor.”

  “What note?” Zyacus asked curtly.

  Bindy put a hand on her hip and gave me the death glare. “He sent her a note a few days ago.” She pulled it from her pocket and tossed it to Zyacus. “Your mother and father are here. Professor Tessam wrote a letter.” She turned to Zyacus. “Your father is here as well. I suggest you find them.”

  My gut twisted, Zyacus didn’t seem worried but I hurried out of the office. Oh I was in so much trouble.

  No pranks or rule-breaking I’d ever done made me that nervous to face the consequences. It was dish duty or running, mucking stalls perhaps, something of the like but I’d never truly liked a boy before. Never introduced anyone, let alone Prince Zyacus to my parents as someone I was more than friends with. And I was nervous about this.

  As we stood outside the double doors of the headmaster’s office where Bindy said they waited, Zyacus tried to take my hand and I pulled away. His brows drew closer and his lips formed a hard line but he didn’t say anything. I wasn’t ready to march in, holding his hand and throw it in my parents’ faces. He should understand that.

  The doors opened from the inside and their conversations stopped. The way my father’s jaw hardened when he looked at Zyacus and I walking together, made me ill.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Zyacus said with all the confidence in the world. I was shocked he didn’t wither under my father’s piercing gaze, all the other boys our age did. I hadn’t even dared to look at King Enden yet, knowing what he thought about me. “There’s going to be another attack on the academy and the vampires plan on taking the youngest.”

  Headmaster Jace paled, putting a hand over his mouth and my mother looked like she might rip someone’s head off right now. The talk of our less-skilled students being taken, changed the atmosphere in the room and the spotlight was no longer on Zyacus and I. More important matters were at hand, and they were demanding to know the details. We told them all we had heard. More guards, more protective enchantments, the same suggestions were made, but I said, “I want to go and hunt them down. We should make a move before they do.”

  “When we hunt them, academy graduates—soldiers will be the ones to do it,” Father said. “Not you.”

  It was hard to miss that King Enden had a disdain for me that wasn’t there before. I wondered if Zyacus noticed too. “I think the hunting should take place tonight. When these disgusting people, if we can even call them that, will be out,” Enden said.

  “Since hearing about what blood drinkers are and what they are capable of but also their weaknesses,” Mother said, tapping her fingers against the hilt of her sword. Her tight black pants and long-sleeved top lined with white fur made her look regal, unlike me in a uniform that everyone else wore. “I think we find their hiding spot and kill them during the day. They’ll be confined since they admitted to hiding in a cave.”

  “Going into an enclosed area with them is risky,” Enden said, tapping his foot. “They could trap our forces inside and tear us to pieces.”

  “I could kill them all myself,” Mother said. “With one massive blast of a sunlight spell.”

  With her magical power, I didn’t doubt it. But not all of them were confined to the dark, we’d seen the five during the day and Senica was a daywalker, if he had been enrolled here. All of us looked to my father. My mother may be the most powerful but my father, the famous Boaden Exavior Veilspar was the strategist, the best warrior in Delhoon.

  “You’ve both brought up good points,” he said slowly as if still processing everything. He looked to Enden. “You should have brought your wife, she knows more about them than any of us given that she is Collweyan. Faustus could not come until tomorrow.”

  “She’s not feeling well—we’re expecting another child.”

  Zyacus’s eyes went wide. “Mother is pregnant? But she almost died giving birth last time.”

  “She’ll be fine,” Enden said and gave him a hard stare. I knew that look; we’ll talk about this later, it meant.

  “Congratulations,” Mother said.

  Enden only nodded.

  Father paced back and forth. “If there was a way we could draw them to one area outside their hiding place that would be ideal. I don’t think going into a cave or similar area is wise given that they could trap us inside but it doesn’t mean we don’t need to find the place.”

  I swallowed hard. I knew how we could draw them out. Using me as bait. I was what Senica wanted, and if Kyan was on our side and brought me to them, I would bet the others would flock just to see the Princess of Delhoon in his possession. But they’d never allow it of me. “We use someone or a small group
as bait. Those blood drinkers we faced on the road between here and Henalae were eager to get to us.”

  “That wouldn’t draw all of them but it is a good strategy to draw a few. Then we get one of them to lead us to the hiding spot and if the others want their friend to live, they will come out and fight us.” Father stopped pacing. “I will take a battalion and we will end this tonight.”

  To be safe, I walked to my father and wrapped my arms around him, making sure to touch the skin of his arms… He wouldn’t die.

  “I’ll join you,” King Enden said.

  “I’ll stay here. The winter formal is tonight,” Mother said. “I need to be here in case something goes wrong.” Mother set her cold gaze on me. “Let’s go get you ready.”

  I groaned internally. She was going to talk to me about Zyacus.

  Chapter 35

  We went to my room where Legacy sat in front of the mirror braiding her hair in beautifully intricate ways. She stood immediately seeing my mother and bowed. “Hi, Aunt Daelyn.”

  “Hello, Legacy,” Mother said and wandered about. This was the first time she’d been in here. It was simple and small, so much different from my bedroom at the castle.

  “Who is escorting you to the dance tonight?” Mother asked. I wasn’t sure if she was talking to Legacy or me.

  “I’m going with our friend Lora,” Legacy answered. “She doesn’t have a date and Aric is in Collweya.”

  “Boys are trouble anyway,” Mother said and winked as she sat on my bed. Then she looked to me. “And what about you? I’m assuming you have an escort since you’re not going with Legacy.”

  “Zyacus asked me,” I said and couldn’t help but smile even though my mouth went dry.

  It was disappointing when she all but frowned. “Oh.” Her eyes flicked to Legacy then back to me. “Did I miss something? I thought you two didn’t get along? I was really confused when I got a letter yesterday from Headmaster Jace telling me you got into a fight over Zyacus which resulted in the entire dining room fighting and then Professor Tessam wrote to me this morning and said you and the prince skipped class together after you yelled at her.”

  So she hasn’t heard. I guess Madison, Papa, and Bindy kept quiet about it. They probably wanted me to be the one to tell my parents who I was dating. “I didn’t yell at her,” I said, getting defensive.

  “You gave her an order.” Mother didn’t sound displeased or approving. “And what’s with the fighting over Prince Zyacus?”

  I felt a blush coming on. Instead of answering, I fidgeted with my sword hilt.

  “They’re together now,” Legacy said in my stead. “And Jennika tried to punch Visteal in the face during dinner last night. She came right up, didn’t say anything and swung, she missed and punched Zyacus instead, Visteal tackled her and yeah, we all started fighting after that.”

  Mother’s eyes widened for a moment and then she cracked up laughing. My mouth dropped. I expected a scolding or yelling, or the famous “I’m disappointed in you” speech but not laughing. A moment later the three of us were practically rolling as we told her the details. She thought it was hilarious that Taz was the one who stood up and yelled.

  Dabbing her eyes, Mother stood and pulled me into a hug. “I wish I’d had a life like this when I was your age. If Zyacus makes you happy then I am happy, just please be careful with him. I’ve always liked Zyacus but don’t get too serious—”

  Oh my unicorn, I hoped she wasn’t going into the “how babies are made” talk. “I’ll stop you there before this gets awkward.”

  Legacy laughed again and then Mother helped us get ready for the winter formal.

  Unlike my dress for my birthday, this gown was layers of fabric and long-sleeved. The bodice was tight and laced up the back which gave my average-sized breasts a push up and the heart-shaped neckline showed a subtle amount of cleavage. The sleeves were sheer and jeweled at the wrists and the folds and yards of fabric from my hips down bunched decoratively in places, pinned with small crystals. The color wasn’t bright red but more of a dark wine color which I loved. Bindy had good taste in dresses.

  Legacy wore a silver form-fitting gown that glittered with every step she took. Her high-heeled shoes made her much taller than me. Just to be on the safe side, I wore new black boots so I could have my dagger with me. No one would see my shoes anyway, the dress was too long.

  “You girls are so beautiful,” Mother said and pulled us both into her arms. “I’ll be around but I’m not going to chaperone so you probably won’t see me.”

  “Keep me up to date about Father and the hunt,” I said and leaned back.

  Mother smiled. “Don’t worry about that, my darling, he’ll be fine. Just have fun for one night. You are here to train and become great warriors but you’re still young and need free time. My mother never let me do anything and I resented her for it. We have this celebration to give you all a break. So dance, laugh, and just be seventeen.”

  “You don’t have to tell me twice,” Legacy said and took a bottle of something from her bedside drawer.

  Mother chuckled but shook her head. “But don’t overdo it either. I need to go talk with some guards and make sure our security is tight. See you later, girls.”

  “Bye,” I said and waved as she walked out.

  Lora appeared and knocked on the doorframe. “You ready to party?” She looked us over. “I love your dresses!”

  “Thanks,” Legacy and I both said at once then laughed.

  “When are you meeting Zyacus?” Lora asked.

  Our plan of meeting at the bottom of the stairs at six might be off. I didn’t get the chance to talk to him before I left with my mother. “I’m not sure now that his father is here. I’ll send him a note.” The ticking clock on the wall showed one minute to six.

  They waited for me to write it and then we talked for a few minutes but there was no reply. “Let’s just go and if he’s not downstairs, I’m sure I’ll see him there.”

  As we descended to the lower level, I held my breath, hoping he’d be there waiting but he wasn’t. So many things started running through my mind. Would his father make him break it off with me? Would he force him to take Jennika instead? It felt childish and stupid given that King Enden was probably more worried about going out and hunting blood drinkers than his son’s juvenile love interests but why wasn’t he here?

  “Did Freya already meet up with Taz?” I asked. I may have been in my own little Zyacus world but I still tried to keep up with my friends’ affairs.

  “Yes, like a half-hour ago,” Lora replied brushing her blonde hair behind her ear. “I thought Vyce was going to ask me but he never did and I haven’t seen him all day.”

  “He’s stupid if he doesn’t like you, Lora,” Legacy said. “You’re amazing and fun and so pretty.”

  She shrugged as if it didn’t bother her either way. “Thanks.”

  Other fancily dressed teens made their way to the dance. No uniforms meant it wasn’t obvious where each of us was from and I didn’t think we’d ever looked more unified. There weren’t kingdoms or allegiances to separate us. We were simply a bunch of young people looking for a good time, exactly like my mother wanted.

  Upbeat music drifted our way and when we stepped out the back doors and outside, it was unusually warm. A thin glittering veil surrounded us; someone must have spelled the area to keep warm for the evening. Small blue and white orbs hung in the air giving off an ambient glow. Azure, turquoise, and white flowers were placed decoratively on pillars and along the paths. Magic snowflakes the size of my hand floated randomly above our heads. I reached up and touched one; it was made of ice. It also smelled vaguely of citrus, mixed with baked goods. It was a winter wonderland without the freezing temperatures.

  Yet even with the beautiful atmosphere, anxiety crept up like a slow trickle as I looked around at all the smiling faces and none of them was my prince.

  “He’ll be here soon, don’t worry,” Legacy said, locking her elbow around mine. �
��Come dance with your girls.” Lora grabbed my other arm and they skipped to the dance floor which was a large stone circle and to the left on a raised platform was a band.

  I tried to let my worries go and danced, swaying to the music. Legacy passed me her bottle of bubbly, “It’s happiness wine,” she said.

  I took a slug of it, then another and gave it back. It was sweet and welcome. I needed some happiness to mask my angst. We spun around and giggled but I was still on the lookout, and when I saw a beautiful boy with dark hair I froze. It wasn’t my prince but the other. Aric was here in a suit looking as dashing as ever but I almost threw up at the sight of him. Why is he here?!

  Legacy stopped dancing when she noticed my stillness. “What’s wro—” she followed my line of sight and then squealed and ran straight into Aric’s open arms. He lifted her up and spun her around.

  What is he doing here?! I screamed in my head. I tried to control my breathing, remembering my vision didn’t have us in dresses and suits. If he was going to die it couldn’t be tonight right? We couldn’t be attacked now… ugh but I felt sick. I thought with him gone I wouldn’t have to worry.

  I jumped when a hand slid around my waist. “Apologies for being late, Princess.”

  My skin crawled as I turned because I knew that wasn’t Zyacus’s voice. Senica pulled me close to him and as I was about to scream, about to let my magic loose, when he said, “Keep quiet or the prince dies.”

  My mouth clamped shut and a sadistic smile curled at his lips. “Good girl.” He led me around the dance floor and all I could think about was that I hadn’t seen Zyacus’s death. So how could they possibly have him? But as I was considering the ways I could kill Senica, I noticed his eyes following Aric. Oh no— that’s the prince he meant.

  “What do you want?” I snapped.

  “Your blood.” He answered, as casually as if he’d asked for water.

  “So what? I slit my wrist, pour you a glass, and you leave Aric alone?”

  Senica laughed and lowered his hand on my back to a place I wasn’t comfortable with. “I want your blood every day for eternity and maybe a few other pleasures once we get to know each other better. My personal blood slave.”