She wiped at the smudge under her eyes. “Tower. My mother has locked me in a freaking tower. She has taken every precaution known to man to make sure that I cannot escape the wedding tonight.”
“Oh, so you are the Princess?”
“Tamara. And it depends on whom you ask. Considering that my mother beheaded my father, I am now actually a Queen over the Zombies and Princess of the Vampires. My father loved her and she loved power. She thought he would use his power to give her soldiers, and instead he tried to make her something she is not. Loveable.”
I didn’t know exactly what to say to that because I wasn’t a therapist, so I went with a safer topic or so I assumed. “You were the first girl that Akeldama turned?”
“Ha! I wish I could say that. Wouldn’t that be awesome? Did you know there is a three percent chance that a vampire can get pregnant after you’ve been turned? That is how unlucky I am. But most vampires already know that I carry her genetics, so you must be brand spanking new.” Her tears had stop flowing, and I could see that there was a warrior hidden beneath the beauty. After she was through inspecting me, she asked, “If you are not here to spy on me, then why are you here?”
I had actually heard about this girl from my best friend Charlie’s brother. The last time I heard Wes was out searching for her but something told me to keep that information to myself.
“I wish I knew. Would you believe me if I told you that I heard you crying and one minute I was on my bed and the next I was in front of you?”
She gave me a saucy look. “No, I wouldn’t. That’s fae magic, and you are clearly a vamp.”
I had somehow traveled to her. I checked for my necklace under my clothes and was relieved to feel it under my fingertips.
I shrugged. “Well, then I have no explanation. Since you seem to have yourself under control, I’ll just mosey on back to my room and get ready for your big moment.”
She laughed. “I would like to see you try. Unless you were escorted in here with about ten guards under the authority of my mother, then you just being in here is treasonous. Even if you get past the guards in the hall, you won’t get past the mass that are stationed in the hall. She will kill you before my first sip of champagne tonight.”
Crap on a cracker. “What do you propose, Tamara? With that gleam in your eye, I am guessing you already have a plan of action.”
“Of course, I do. I need to escape because my evil mother is going to use me as a tool to destroy the world. She is forcing me to marry that vile man, so she can appease her greed and get a second key to the portals, and my fiancé is more than happy with the trade because he believes that I’m worth more than the key. He’s delusional if he thinks he can force me to raise the dead for him, so he can have his own army. Which would be just as destructive as the keys, in my opinion. I am the only one of my kind, part vampire and part zombie, and they mean to use me for their gain. No, thank you.”
I studied her for a second. “You don’t look like any zombie I’ve ever seen on T.V., or am I confused?”
One dainty shoulder lifted. “I might not be a zombie in the sense that I have risen from the grave, but in the sense that I have the authority to make the dead rise. They listen to my call, and no matter what shape they were in when they were laid in their grave, they rise to my command. Put me in a graveyard, and I could have an instant army. That’s how my mother and Cecil, my fiancé, plan on using me.”
“Okay, so you currently have mama issues, you might have some P.T.S.D. from witnessing mommy dearest go all black widow on your father, and you’re in a loveless engagement, but I somehow missed the plan.”
“Listen, Barbie, the moment you somehow magicked yourself in here without a way to magic yourself out was the moment that you signed your own death. So, we will fight our way out of here. We take down as many as we can and make sure that when they take us, they don’t take us alive. We will go out with a bang. Make a statement.”
“Yeah, so I love making statements but not suicidal ones. What’s option B?”
“What witch did you use to get you in here, and was she trying to spy on me? Maybe you could call upon her and she could—”
“I can’t call upon someone that doesn’t exist.”
She tossed her long red hair behind her. “You and I both know you didn’t just abracadabra yourself in here.”
“I have an idea.”
“Do tell.”
“What would you give me if I could ‘abracadabra’ you out of here?”
Suspicion was written all over her face. “What do you want?”
“My friend recently died. Her name was Greta. Your mother was responsible for her death.”
“Oh, and you want retaliation?” I waited to see if she mentioned the crown. If she did, I knew that I could trust her and if not, then I was up the creek without a stake. “My mother feared that someone with enough power would try to dethrone her, so she had a supreme witch make her the crown that sits upon her head. Every single one of us grows weak when we are near her. I’m sorry, but you can’t harm her unless you can figure out a way to get her out of that crown, and it’s rumored that she showers and pleases her lovers with it on.”
What Tamara didn’t know was that I wasn’t all vampire, and it was possible that being around Akeldama wouldn’t weaken me—or at least not all of me.
“Thank you for the scoop. You said earlier ‘second key.’ What about the first key? Do you know where it’s located?”
“Of course, I do. My mother lords it over my fiancé. Please tell me you have been listening. As soon as I marry that creepy Cecil, they are going to band together to make an unstoppable army. I would rather die.”
“Yeah, I’m not really digging how quickly you are willing to throw your life down the toilet. I think I have a way to get you out of here, just tell me where she keeps the key. Is it in a safe? And if so, I’m going to need the number.”
“Oh, you’re funny. You think my mother needs a safe? She keeps it out in the open. Who is strong enough to take it from her? You want to see the key? I’m sure that she’ll have it where everyone can view it tonight, but you won’t be leaving here with it.”
We would just have to see about that.
“Once Mother opens the portal, she can’t pick and choose which degenerates she allows to come over here to earth. Whoever happens to be waiting next to the door is the one or ones who are allowed over. My mother is confident enough that if a reckless degenerate came over, she believes she could control or annihilate them before they do too much damage. Cecil doesn’t have as much faith in his abilities. Another way he will use me. He will have me call up an army if the degenerates get out of line.”
“Well, we can’t have that now can we? Come hold my hands, and let me see if I can hocus pocus you to somewhere else.”
She looked at me with skepticism. “Why would you help me? I haven’t given you anything that you have asked for, and if they find out that you tried to help me, they will skin you alive.”
I shrugged. “Sometimes us girls just have to stick together. You are obviously in need of a friend but not only that. If you do get married, your mother would have her hands on two keys, and that means she could open more portals and do more damage. That doesn’t seem great for us here on earth, so why wouldn’t I help you escape?”
Tamara still wasn’t sure of me. The expression on her face told me she thought I was either on crack or was somehow going to betray her, but nonetheless she came over to me begrudgingly and extended her hands. “This better not be a waste of time, Barbie.”
“Hmm. Remember if this works, you will owe me a huge ass kissing.”
Holding on tightly to her hands, I said the magic word in my head to take me to Pops. I felt her trying to jerk away, but I refused to let her go. Within seconds we were at my destination. Tamara was beside me, whimpering.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
At her nod, I took a moment to orient myself before I dragged her behin
d me as we crossed the bustling street towards my grandfather.
He shook his head at me in the way of greeting. “New York? Really? I hate this place with its smelly sidewalks and rude people.” He tilted his head in acknowledgment to Tamara. “And who is this?”
“Pops, this is—”
“I’m just a friend. A friend who will be forever grateful. I must go—”
“Wait for a second, child,” Pops said. He laid a hand on her forehead, and her body immediately stopped trembling. “One that doesn’t carry fae blood in their body should not travel the fae lines. It contorts the bones. I will heal you this time, but think twice before jumping into lines that are meant for fae.”
She was in too much pain to fully register what he was saying, which made me feel like the backside of a donkey.
I watched while he healed her, and then I apologized profusely. “I didn’t know that—”
She gave me a bright smile. “Please don’t regret taking me. What other choice did we have? We would both be dead by now if you hadn’t risked it. Besides, your grandfather here has fixed me good as new. My fae friend.”
My eyes widened. “You can’t tell anyone about that.”
“Not a soul. You have my word.” She glanced around. “I want to get off these streets for a while and then lay low for a bit. Maybe you can tell me how it is a vampire as yourself has fae blood as well.”
I shook my head. “I can’t and even if I wanted to, I have to get back.”
“Get back?” she screeched, causing several tourists to give us a wide berth.
“If I don’t go back, Stephan will be the one that takes the fall for it, and I can’t let that happen. I can poof myself back to my room. Or at least, I’m hoping I can.”
“But… but—”
“Listen, any girl that refuses to be part of an evil plan is fantastic in my book. Me and you will have plenty of time, Lord willing, to gossip on a beach in the future, but right now I have to get back. My other friend needs me.”
Pops, who was leaning on the side of a building, straightened up. “How about I call you Roxane? With all that red hair, you look like a Roxane.” Without waiting for Tamara’s permission, he said, “Tandi will be fine. If she finds herself in trouble, she can always escape using the fae line. How about you say goodbye, and this old man will buy us a hotdog. I know you can’t eat it, but you can still smell it and pretend. I might not like this place, but they do have great hotdogs. And maybe while I’m eating, you can tell me what it is that you are running from and in return, I can think of a way to help you stay hidden.”
“That would be great, sir.” Her eyes welled up with unshed tears, and then she shocked me by giving me a soul-crushing hug. “Thank you so much. You have just changed the future.”
That was what I was afraid of but instead of commenting, I hugged her back. I took a step away from her and walked into an alley smelling faintly of urine. Closing my eyes, I pictured myself in a form-fitting black lace gown. The same exact one that a famous actress had worn on the red carpet. At least there was an upside of kidnapping the princess. When I returned, I would be donning the best-looking gown in that place. Oh, crap, my necklace. I glanced down and realized I still had the cuff and the necklace. That made no sense.
“It’s because they mean something to you.” Pops smiled. “You can control what you lose in the fae lines.”
Tamara and Pops had followed me into the alley, and she gave me a once-over. “Now, that is a trick I would love to have.”
Pops grinned. “You think that she came here to save your life, but really the girl loves fashion.”
“So true.” I laughed. “See ya later, um…Roxane.”
“Wait!” She grabbed my hand, and her beautiful face scrunched up. “Tandi, Akeldama wants to open up the portals, so she can let the most evil of beings come through. With her wielding the power, she can rule all of earth. She is not going to let some teenager stop her by taking the key. You must be smart and please be careful.”
I gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll do my best.”
“See you soon, friend.”
“Pops, take good care of her, and I’ll come back to visit soon.” I gave him a quick hug and said my magic word, concentrating on the room that I prayed I returned to.
I laughed when I opened my eyes to see that not only was I in my appointed room, but no one was ringing the alarm bells. If the estate wasn’t in a panic yet, then no one knew the princess was missing, which meant that I was going to be fine. I would put on my make-up and my dancing shoes and be absolutely surprised as everyone else when the wedding was canceled. Maybe with everyone running around, I would have a chance to take that key. I just stole a princess, who was to say that I couldn’t steal a key?
Chapter Sixteen
An hour later, Stephan had come to escort me to the ballroom. He had made a couple of inquiries on my attire. He couldn’t figure out where I got something so exquisite without visiting my grandfather. Since Stephan had this uncanny ability to know when I was lying, I just shrugged and said, “I really can’t remember.” And that was the God’s honest truth. I couldn’t remember which alley it was, or what street I had poofed us to. I know it was somewhere near Macy’s, because someone had passed us on the street talking loudly on their phone about the excellent deals they just bought at the store, but the exact location was a mystery even to me, and because my prevarication was wrapped in truth, he seemed to buy that I didn’t remember where I picked up the beautiful dress.
“Well, you look stunningly beautiful.”
His eyes traveled the length of me and there was such a hunger in his gaze. Finally he cleared his throat as he stepped up beside me to escort me. He was still staring at me as I hooked my arm through his and dipped my head shyly as I walked beside him. On the way to the throne room, Stephan commanded me again to lay my revengeful plot of killing the Queen to the side.
His words sternly entered my mind. “Remember that we have to wait until the time is right. If you lose your temper or act hastily, then everything we’ve done this far will be for naught.”
I gave him a curt nod, as we finally reached the throne room.
Akeldama’s estate was probably the second or third largest in America. It had to be a hundred thousand square feet, with at least thirty of that being different rooms for hosting, the rest was living space. Her throne room was made for entertaining and was easily big enough to fit every vampire in the States. Looking up to the wraparound balcony, I saw Dani for the first time, unabashedly flirting with two vampires. Her eyes met mine, and she gave me a small finger wave.
It wasn’t until Akeldama came in and sat on her throne in a flourish of burnt orange silk that somehow didn’t clash with her bright red hair that I was secretly glad he had commanded me to chill. I wasn’t on a kamikaze mission. When she motioned Dakin over to her throne, I knew all hell was about to break loose. I knew the moment Dakin leaned over to whisper something in her ear that the princess’s disappearance wasn’t going to be as cut and dry as I had initially hoped for.
Dakin walked over to us. “Stephan, our Majesty wishes a word with you.”
Giving me a light squeeze on my elbow, Stephan said, “Stay here and don’t talk to anyone. I’ll be right back.”
I tried not to show any worry on my face as Akeldama whispered into Stephan’s ear. He gave a curt nod and then remained by her side. I knew he felt my emotions as his eyes met mine.
“May I have your attention please,” Akeldama said, tapping her long nails on the arm of her chair. “There has been a change of plans…”
She was slowly looking around the room.
“Each one of you will be brought before me,” Akeldama said. “My former right-hand man, Stephan, will ask you each a question. If you lie, you will be tortured before I drain you dry. Try and leave this room, and I will kill not only you, but everyone in your vampire line. Until then, dance, drink, and be merry.”
I was up the creek without
a paddle. Dani found me a couple of hours later, sitting alone on the bottom stair. The crowd had thinned out, and there were only a few vampires left. She plopped down next to me, looking stunning in her blue dress, making her look like a fairy princess.
“Anything exciting happen earlier?” she asked.
I lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. “Nope. Just stayed in my room relaxing. And you?”
She gave me a small smile. “Flirting with everything that moves. It’s nice to see that I haven’t lost my touch.”
A nervous laugh escaped me.
“I wonder what this is all about?” she asked. “The last time Akeldama was this ornery was when she found out that her late husband was conspiring behind her back. The poor guy literally lost his head.”
My stomach rolled. No one knew that I’d helped the princess escape. It was going to be okay; I just needed to show no fear. “Why does she need Stephan and why is he standing off to the side of the throne?”
“Most vampires are just reborn with strength, but there are a few that have more powers than most. My brother is part of that few. One of his powers is knowing when someone is lying. It’s as if he can smell the untruth in their words. If he chooses, he can actually fish around someone’s head like he is looking for a file on a computer, but very few know that, so keep that tidbit to yourself and he can’t stand close to her because of her crown. It will cancel out his powers.”
“He can also feel others’ emotions and let his emotions be shown?”
Dani gave me a deer-in-the-headlights look. “Um. I’m not sure how much I’m supposed to say, so maybe you should ask him that question.”
“Like he will answer my questions.”
Dani jumped up. “The line is starting to thin. Let’s go answer whatever questions they have for us, so we can get it over with. I’m assuming it has something to do with the missing princess. I’ve been trying to overhear what the others are saying, but it’s hard with all the chatter. Stephan can listen to just one person out of thousands but not me. It’s so unfair that he got all the cool stuff.”
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