Order (Blood Moon Covenant)

by R L Medina

  “Ryn?”

  His head swiveled to me, his piercing eyes making my heart skip. I fought the urge to squirm under his scrutiny.

  What was wrong with me? It wasn’t like I’d never seen a vampire before.

  “Kenzie?” His voice was low.

  I stiffened. Get out. Just get out of there.

  I sucked in a breath for strength and summoned more magic to me, hoping it would soothe me.

  That was a mistake.

  As soon as it filled my senses, my emotions thickened, and I couldn’t deny them—desire and longing.

  Oh hell no. Nope. Not happening.

  Before he could take another step toward me, I turned on my heel and ran.

  Ran away like a little bitch. My face was crimson. Thank God none of my witches were there to see me in such a state. What would they think of their queen now? What would Kohl think?

  Guilt struck me like an arrow. Kohl. Nice, cute, loyal Kohl. Why couldn’t I fall for him?

  Because he wasn’t Fane or Ryn.

  I slapped myself. No. Don’t do that. We’re not doing that. Queen of the witches falling for a vampire? Not just any bloodsucker, but the next vampire King? That love story had tragic written all over it.

  When I returned to the grimoire, I apologized for my absence and explained where I’d been. That I’d had a lot to discuss with Ryn on behalf of the coven. There were plenty of reasons, but I’d never admit to the real ones—that I was curious, intrigued, and drawn to the heartless heir.

  It wasn’t something I could even admit to myself.

  The others had found the written spell for the barrier and lucky for us, it was completed.

  “I don’t understand. If she had this done and had all the ingredients. Why didn’t she use it?” Deepa voiced the question we all were thinking.

  “She would have needed a lot of witches to pull off this spell. Maybe she couldn’t find enough to help her.” Blake shrugged.

  “What I want to know is how a rogue witch came to have so much knowledge and access to these ingredients.” Kohl pointed at the check marked list with a frown. “An enchanted key, a strand of hair from a dead queen?”

  Dread coiled deep in my gut. I wondered the same. Blanca, the previous queen, had been buried in the coven cemetery in the city, but it was warded—warded by the elder witches centuries ago. How could one rogue witch have gotten in?

  “Looks like we have a mole situation on our hands.” Blake’s lip curled.

  My thought drifted back to Fane’s creepy insinuation that he’d been stalking me. A mole? A traitor? Was someone in our coven working with Fane to finish what the rogue witch had started? Then why had the prince dragged me into it?

  The words the vampire had spoken replayed in my mind. They say you’re the weakest witch the coven ever produced.

  Anger lit hot and bright within me. If someone were sneaking around with the vampires and hiding things from me, I would find the culprit. Show them who was weak.

  “We’ll deal with this when we get back. For now, we’re going to have to get some rest and hunt down where she stashed these ingredients.”

  Deepa and Blake exchanged glances. Kohl frowned at me. “You want to stay here… for the night?”

  I sighed. “No. Of course I don’t, but we can’t leave now when we’re so close to cracking this.”

  Rubbing my tired eyes, I led them from the room to see to sleeping arrangements. My heart raced at the thought of staying the night in the prince’s home.

  “I don’t like this.” Kohl scowled.

  Deepa and Blake disappeared into separate spare rooms. The mansion was big enough to house my entire coven and then some.

  I turned to Kohl. “You think I do?”

  He glanced around the hall. “Why is this necessary again?”

  I frowned. “Because Kohl, I need more time to look at her grimoire to figure out this barrier stuff.”

  Kohl shook his head. “It’s a trap. I can feel it.”

  An inelegant snort escaped me. “Please, Kohl. You can feel it?”

  “Well, I don’t trust them. We should respell our charms. Just to be safe.”

  I didn’t answer. It wasn’t that I disagreed with him, I just didn’t want to have to defend my decision—not to him. He, of all people, knew there was no other choice.

  We were doing the best we could. What else was I to do but choose the least shitty option?

  “I’m staying with you. There’s no way I’m letting you sleep alone here.”

  My eyebrow raised at his command. He flushed, no doubt remembering himself.

  “I mean if you want me to. I would feel much better if we were in the same room.”

  “Fine. But you’ll have to sleep on the couch.”

  He followed me into the room and glanced away, cheeks red. “Of course. I didn’t mean… I wasn’t…”

  I turned my back on him, willing him to drop it. If we were going to be sharing a room, there was no reason to start acting awkward now. It would be a long night. Thankfully, the weirdness faded, and we fell into a comfortable silence.

  Ditching the skimpy slip of silk Ryn had left for me before Kohl could see it, I slept in my own clothes and lay in the giant bed. My face heated. Had he really expected me to wear that?

  I pushed away the thought and struck up a conversation with Kohl about the grimoire and barrier spell. Eventually his well thought out answers turned to sleepy grunts and I left him alone.

  At some point, I fell asleep and when I woke, my heart was racing. I sat up and blinked against the darkness. The candle was out, and the heavy clouds obscured the moon. My eyes scanned the room. The feeling of being watched made the hairs on my neck bristle.

  “Kohl?”

  No answer.

  I leapt to my feet and ran to the couch. He was there. Still sleeping. My shoulders sagged in relief as I walked over to him and gave his shoulder a shake.

  “Kohl.”

  He didn’t stir. Why wasn’t he waking up?

  Fear shot through my veins. “Kohl!”

  I shook him harder. Something was wrong. I bent down to listen to his heart. The steady thump was a welcome sound. Alive, then, but why couldn’t I wake him?

  After trying to jostle him once more and tickling his face, I knew it was pointless. A lick of anger curled inside me. Who was responsible for his deep sleep? Was it compulsion? A spell? How had they gotten past our own protection spell?

  If they wanted my help with the barrier, they’d made a big mistake in messing with Kohl. Slipping into my shoes, I threw my hand over Kohl’s body and chanted a quick spell. It was temporary, but at least it would keep him safe while I dealt with Fane.

  The hall was pitch black and cold. Unnaturally cold for summer with no air conditioning. I rubbed my arms and blinked against the heavy blanket of black. How was I going to find my way now? I didn’t want to summon magic. Not if I needed to defend myself against the vampires, but I couldn’t very well stumble around all night.

  “Fane,” I called.

  My voice echoed down the hall, sounding otherworldly as it bounced off the walls. I fought the urge to call on the magic that was stirring in the air. Not yet.

  “Fane, get your ass out here. I know you’re listening.”

  But was he? Was he even in the mansion still? My lip curled. Someone had done something to Kohl.

  “When I pictured you shouting my name, this isn’t exactly what I had in mind.” Fane’s voice made me jump.

  My head whipped around, searching for him.

  “You guys on a candle budget or something? Can we get some light?”

  “Can’t you do your little magic trick?”

  I bristled. “It’s not a trick. And why can’t you just light some candles?”

  Something rustled and a click sounded. One by one, flames appeared in candles mounted on the wall. The hallway was bathed in a warm, golden glow.

  Fane’s blue eyes drilled into me and I almost wished I hadn’t insi
sted on the light. He fit so perfectly with the castle’s haunting, dark beauty.

  “So, you prefer lights on, huh?” He smirked.

  I flushed at his insinuation. “What did you do to Kohl?”

  “What makes you think I did anything to him?”

  “He’s under some kind of sleep compulsion.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Is he? How strange.”

  “Don’t play with me, Fane.”

  He chuckled. “As endearing as your refusal to use my proper title is, I’m afraid I must remind you that unless you and I are… to put it delicately, rutting the brains out of each other, it’s Prince Fane.”

  My face flamed. “You’re disgusting.”

  “And yet here you are seeking my presence.”

  I clenched my fists. “No, asshole. I’m here to tell you to snap Kohl out of whatever hold you put him in.”

  “Why do you assume it’s me? There is another royal here.”

  “Ryn wouldn’t do that.”

  Fane’s eyes narrowed. “Ryn now is it? Is that who you’ve been rutting with?”

  I shot him a glare. “No. Shut up. And nobody says rutting anymore.”

  He shrugged. “The words may change, but the act itself hasn’t. Is it that other guy then? Tell me, does that puppy dog fulfill all your needs?”

  “What?”

  He nodded toward the room. “Your man servant.”

  Anger rolled through me. “Kohl is not my man servant. He’s my friend.”

  “Friends with benefits?”

  I made a face. “He’s just a friend. What do you care, Fane?”

  His eyes pinned me. “Curiosity?”

  “Fix him. Now.”

  He chuckled. “It’s just a sleep compulsion, cariad. It will wear off in thirty minutes or so. Just enough time for me to show you something.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  Fane circled me, eyes dipping down my body. I called my magic to me to guard myself from whatever he was planning.

  “Come with me, or stay and forever wonder what it was I wanted to show you.”

  I grunted. “Get over yourself. Why would I care about anything you wanted to show me?”

  He shrugged a shoulder and started to turn. “Suit yourself.”

  My heart sped up as he walked away. What if it had to with the rogue witch and the barrier?

  Or it could be a trap. Like this doesn’t happen in every horror movie. Don’t go.

  But I could handle Fane.

  “Wait,” I blurted.

  He stilled and turned around slowly. Wordlessly he waved me forward and idiot that I was, I followed.

  My eyes narrowed on him. “Did you compel me?”

  He laughed. The harsh sound echoed off the walls. His smile wasn’t like Ryn’s. It was smug and cold. So why did I still find it so alluring?

  “I didn’t need to, cariad.”

  I paused. “Why do you keep calling me that? What does that mean?”

  Instead of answering, he picked up his pace and led me through a set of doors and corridors. Voices drifted in the distance, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying.

  Worry filled me as we made another turn. Any hope of finding my way back on my own was shot. My magic thrummed around me, giving me strength.

  Fane pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the massive door ahead of us. Fear crawled on my skin as I blinked against the dimly lit room. It looked like some kind of ancient parlor room with lounge chairs and side tables strewn about. Large shadows moved in the back.

  18

  McKenzie

  Fane strolled farther in. “Ah. Looks like they’re awake.”

  A wave of nausea rolled through me as I trailed him. “What is this Fane?”

  “Don’t worry. They’re just humans. Not witches.”

  My heart lurched at the sight. There were five of them. All with slave collars around their necks. Their eyes were glazed under compulsion and their mouths hung open. As badly as I wanted to, I couldn’t look away from them.

  They were dressed in stark white clothes and I couldn’t see any sign of violence, but I doubted he kept them there just to look at them.

  I could feel Fane’s eyes on me. Pushing down my apprehension, I turned to face him. “This is horrific.”

  He laughed.

  Anger stirred in my gut. It was barbaric and disgusting. How could he think I wanted to see this?

  “Release them, Fane.”

  His arms folded across his chest. “Why would I do that?”

  “Because I told you.”

  His laugh deepened, and I hated how it sent a shiver of awareness through me. What the hell was my problem? The vampire was sick. Sadistic, even.

  “You think these are innocents? Look a little closer, McKenzie. Don’t you recognize any of them?”

  His words caught me off guard. I glanced around, body growing numb. I did recognize them.

  They were the humans who’d led the mobs in the beginning. The ones who’d killed some of my own witches in cold blood. Images of the shootings and violence flashed in my mind.

  What they’d done was unforgivable. Worse than what Fane did to them but keeping them like this… it still felt wrong.

  Guilt stung me. I’d been the one to help Diego capture them. Nausea rolled in my gut.

  “You can’t keep them like this, Fane.”

  He scoffed. “Why not? This is the only way to tame monsters.”

  I shuddered.

  “Does Ryn know about this?”

  Fane’s face darkened. “You mean Prince Ryn. Only his closest acquaintances call him sans proper title.”

  I ignored his clipped tone. “Does he know what you’ve done?”

  “The prince of darkness? He’s done far worse things than this, darling.”

  He circled me, eyes sharp and demanding. “Oh, I see. You think I’m the monster, and what? That my brother is prince charming?”

  His harsh laughter echoed off the stone. “Did he tell you about them? Ask him about Isabel. I promise you won’t like the ending to that story.”

  I swallowed, trying to steel myself. Fane’s words were like little arrows flying and finding their mark deep into my chest.

  “I don’t care what your brother has done. And I don’t care what you’ve done. You want to keep the humans here as slaves, fine. Just keep away from me and my coven. And stay the hell out of my territory.”

  Fane’s smile widened. “How else will we be able to see each other? I can’t seem to get your attention any other way.”

  My skin flushed with anger. “My attention? You thought I wanted to see this?”

  I flinched as his finger came nearer to my face. “Of course. It’s all for you, cariad. Don’t tell me you haven’t felt the pull. I know you have.”

  “What the hell, Fane? I don’t have time to play your stupid mind games. Leave me alone.”

  His face lowered, inches above mine. My heart stilled. Piercing blue eyes pinned me to the spot, and I shuddered. His perfect lips quirked at the movement.

  Damn him.

  “You’re sick.”

  “And yet you still want me? Doesn’t that make you just as sick?”

  He clucked his tongue and gave me a patronizing smile. “What would your coven think?”

  “Don’t talk about my coven. I know you’re the one who killed that girl—Julia. In payment, I’ll see you staked. For eternity. How does that sound?”

  All humor fled from his face. “It’s cute you think you have that much power.”

  I bristled but recovered quickly. “Oh, that’s right. I’m talking to the wrong brother. You’re just… what exactly? The court clown? The city slut?”

  His eyes narrowed. “Careful, you wouldn’t want me to have to cut out that pretty tongue of yours. Not when we could find so many other good uses for it.”

  My hands balled into fists. The bastard knew all the right buttons to push.

  “You will pay for what y
ou’ve done, Fane. I’ll make sure of it.”

  Fane leaned in toward me, his scent overpowering.

  “And you? Will you pay for what you’ve done?”

  Heat rushed over me. “I haven’t done anything.”

  A cold smile spread on his face. “If you say so.”

  With all the swagger of a king himself, he turned away from me and disappeared into the shadows. I watched him go, furious at myself for letting him goad me.

  There was no doubt, my threat meant nothing to him. Well, I’d just have to make myself extra clear. The next time I found a drained body in Savannah, I’d stake him myself.

  I took one last glance at the humans. Fane’s words rang through me. It was my fault they’d become enslaved, but they’d started the fight first. I’d only done what I’d done to survive. There was no right or wrong at the end of the world.

  There was only survival.

  Stumbling my way back to my room, I tried to bridle my emotions. What was I thinking letting Fane fluster me?

  A nervous chuckle escaped me. It was this house. It had to be. Maybe despite his denial, they had compelled me. Even as I thought it, I knew it was untrue. It was all me. Stupid, pathetic me.

  Somehow—magically—I made it to my room and threw open the door. Kohl was standing on the other side and collided with me as I entered.

  The glow of the candle revealed his hard face. Relief flashed across it.

  “Kenzie! Where were you? I woke up and you were gone. I was just about to hunt down Ryn.”

  My pulse was still racing, and heat spread across my face as I thought of a response. I couldn’t tell him.

  “Are you okay? What happened?” His hands gripped my wrist.

  The concern pouring off him made me shrink further into myself. I was a horrible queen and a horrible friend. Pushing away the emotions, I gave him a big smile.

  “What? Nothing. Just went to snoop on the grimoire.” The lie came easily.

  His eyes searched my face. “Why didn’t you wake me up first?”

  I licked my lips and sighed. “I tried. They had you in some kind of sleep compulsion. I went to tell them to break it.”

  “And then you… went to the grimoire?”

  Stilling myself, I nodded. “They said you would wake up on your own, so I took a quick peek at the book when they thought I was gone. But it was useless, anyway. There’s no more info.”