So the fae would've had plenty of time to find Maddox and come here. But why? And was Maddox actually being open about her sire's identity?
Mathias hoped not—he'd warned his daughter to keep their relationship secret too many times to count, and couldn't imagine she'd willingly qualify such information to anyone without cause. So perhaps Isadora had gone to Nightfall and unexpectedly dropped his name, prompting Maddox to admit the truth.
But that didn't explain why she'd brought the fae here, or why Isadora wanted to come—he highly doubted it was a simple matter of telling him thank you for saving her life.
So what could her urgent business concern? Did he even want to talk to her about it?
He almost groaned at the thought. Still, no matter how reluctant he was to see her again, this unexpected visit couldn't go ignored, prompting his abrupt answer.
“Wait ten minutes, then tell them to meet me in the throne room.”
Nodding, the servant left his bedchamber, giving Mathias ten minutes to prepare while hoping it would only take half that amount of time to get rid of the fae for good.
— SEVEN —
Atlantan Spire
Atlanta, Georgia
Waiting until nightfall to gain an audience with Nightfall was both ironic, and a test of endurance.
A human receptionist managing the Order's affairs during the day promised to deliver Isadora's message as soon as possible, which was the best he could do considering vampires didn't fare well in sunlight. So she provided the required information, then checked into a room at the Spire while waiting—and it was no easy task.
All day long, she couldn't stop wondering and worrying, and eventually tried mediation to hopefully unlock more memories, or at least calm her fears. But the plan backfired—not only was it impossible to fully quell her distress, her inability to recall more of what happened over the past week was disheartening.
Still, her spirits rose toward evening when Victoria stopped by to report on her own endeavors, and though there was bad news, some was indeed good.
The bad: Chandra was currently in Ithelyon, making it difficult to send a message, and there was no way to know when they'd get a response.
The good: Victoria's spy network had located a lead in the Captain of the S.S. Malvos, Gregorio Rossi.
After Isadora dropped the ship's name on the phone a week ago, Victoria looked into the crew and learned that their captain had supernatural connections. So he could know more about Sylva Abbott, or at least identify who'd brought her aboard his ship, and Victoria was looking into his current whereabouts.
Finding him could certainly prove helpful. But despite the good news, Isadora was more focused on a vampire knocking at her door half an hour after sunset.
In the middle of a meditation, Isadora looked up the moment the sound hit her ears, habitually attempting to sense what was waiting outside. But no one was there, and such a lack of life proved her visitor was definitely a vampire.
So she took a deep breath. Here's hoping Aislinn's right, and I'm not about to become a quick meal.
Thankfully, if anyone planned on killing her, they'd have to talk her into leaving the Spire first, otherwise forfeit their life due to the sanctuary's peace pact. So she kept her current location in mind while walking to the door to find not one, but two vampires waiting outside.
The first was a well dressed woman of average height with raven hair neatly pinned atop her head. Her golden eyes and friendly smile actually seemed warm, and Isadora could admit to some makeup-envy.
In contrast to her charming facade, the brunette man standing behind her was rugged in appearance, with a day's worth of stubble on his jaw and green eyes that weren't precisely warm, but also weren't malicious.
Still, Isadora didn't trust either of them. Vampires had deceived and betrayed too many times to make her think these two wouldn't plot to hurt her the moment they had the chance, and she didn't plan on dropping her guard—even when the woman introduced herself as the same vampire she'd wanted to speak with.
“Hello, I'm Maddox, and this is my partner, Stephan. We're here about the message you left for Nightfall.”
She's Maddox? Surprised, Isadora replied, “I thought you'd be too busy to see me personally.”
Still smiling, she returned, “Well, I can't say there aren't any other issues calling our attention, but your request was too interesting not to handle ourselves.”
Slowly nodding, Isadora asked, “And would part of that interest be that I'm a fae?”
The question was accusatory, but she couldn't help herself. The last thing she wanted was to show these vampires fear, and if that meant assuming an offensive attitude, then so be it.
But Maddox only shrugged with her response.
“Of course. I never expected a fae to submit a request, but that's not the only thing I found interesting. So may we come in?”
Still wary, Isadora had to remind herself of Aislinn's premonition. Maddox would supposedly help save her sisters, so she couldn't turn the vampires away no matter how difficult it was being in their presence.
Keeping the thought in mind, she stepped aside to let the couple pass, then shut the door and turned around to face them as Maddox mentioned, “The message you left for us said you're looking for more information on a staff, and were directed here by Victoria Dra'Kai?”
“Yes, the staff was stolen from her brother's private gallery, but he's in Ithelyon, and Victoria doesn't know too much about its origins. She only knows it once belonged to a vampire faction.”
With that said, Isadora described the staff while Maddox listened carefully—though, by the time she finished, the vampire only shook her head.
“I'm sorry, that doesn't ring any bells, so I have no idea why the staff would be important. But I have to ask, would this brother of Victoria's happen to be Dalris?”
“Yes,” Isadora started, canting her head. “Do you know him?”
“Not well,” the vampire admitted. “I only met him once several months ago when I was searching for someone we both seem to know.”
Someone we both know? “Who?”
A fond smile lifted the corners of Maddox's mouth, though she answered cautiously.
“Mathias, actually.”
Eyes going wide, Isadora took a curious step closer without thinking.
“You know Mathias?”
“I do,” she supplied, “though I wouldn't normally admit it. I've been warned all my life about the dangers of casually discussing him, but I probably know him better than anyone in Terra as he's my sire.”
“Your sire?” Uncertain, she asked, “You mean he turned you into a vampire?”
“Yes, about four centuries ago, and Victoria is right to think he knows more about this staff. Still, as much as I hate to say it, talking with him won't be possible. He left this realm just last night with no intentions of ever returning.”
Maddox sounded regretful relating that piece of news. But if Mathias was her sire, it wasn't hard to guess why, and Isadora had to fight her own disappointment as well—as strange as it seemed to lament a vampire's absence.
Still, there were other ways to contact Mathias, and she wasn't giving up on the matter.
“Could we send him a message? How long do you think it would take him to respond?”
“Honestly? I'm not sure,” Maddox admitted. “Time flows differently where he is now, and for every day that passes, three weeks go by here in Terra.”
“Three weeks?”
Isadora couldn't help her surprised exclamation, staring at the vampires in disbelief before turning to pace while stating, “That's more than a day's worth of time in a single hour! And what if it's daylight when the message arrives? Mathias would sleep for several hours before he'd even receive it!”
Coming to a stop, she cast a concerned look at Maddox and concluded, “I can't wait that long.”
“I know, and you're right about most of what you said, except the daylight part. Sunlight doesn't
harm vampires where Mathias went, so it's possible to contact him immediately, though it may take an hour or so to get there and come back.”
Isadora released a slow breath, wondering what type of realm this was while weighing her options. If it would take over a day to get word from Mathias—who may not even know anything useful—should she wait? Could she? Maybe her sisters would be fine, but Sylva might also kill them the moment she didn't need them anymore.
The thought led her to a single conclusion. Definitely not worth it.
Yet Maddox seemed to have a different idea, tapping her chin as if struck by an interesting thought, though she didn't automatically speak her mind. Instead, the vampire cast her golden gaze on Isadora as if uncertain, and the fact that she was a vampire made the look seem even more suspicious than usual.
But Isadora asked over it anyway.
“Is something wrong?”
“Not specifically,” she started. “I was just wondering if you'd allow me to take you to him personally. It's not an offer I'd normally make, and I know you don't have much time to spare. But you'd be more likely to get a quick answer by putting in an appearance, and you may even convince him to help free your sisters. He's strong, after all, and skilled.”
Isadora almost denied her on principle, thinking such a trip would be a waste—until she recalled Aislinn's intuition. If Isadora wants to help her sisters successfully, her best chance is speaking with Maddox alone, and accepting whatever the vampire offers.
The notion gave her pause. Maddox was making an offer now, so could Aislinn's vision mean Mathias did know more about the staff stolen from Dalris' gallery? Or maybe he'd help personally, and could she really pass up the skills of a five thousand year old vampire?
Either way, she couldn't ignore the possibility that helping her sisters meant taking the time out to visit him instead of rushing in without asking questions.
Yet Stephan didn't sound as confident in the idea, asking, “Are you serious, Maddox? Take a fae to a vampire realm?”
“Vampire realm?”
Isadora hadn't expected to hear those words, and Stephan groaned as if he either knew how it sounded, or spoke too soon. Maybe both.
So he explained, “That's a basic description. Have you ever heard of Sutrelle?”
She shook her head no, prompting Stephan to continue, and while his words were sincere, the description of this place was … strange.
“I'd never heard of it either, and most vampires think it's just a fairy tale, like a lost paradise. But it's a real place where vampires, humans, and elves live together peacefully. Damnedest thing I ever saw.”
Stephan spoke as if the mere thought seemed impossible, and Isadora was just as incredulous. He'd just described a realm where sunlight didn't harm vampires who lived in a nonviolent coexistence with mortals instead of tormenting them like frightened animals.
It sounded too good to be true, a fact Stephan had no trouble pointing out.
“But even though Sutrelle's peaceful, there's no way to know how a fae would get along.”
“I'll protect her, Stephan,” Maddox qualified.
The vampire eyed his partner, asking, “You? Don't you mean we?”
“Not this time. I want you to stay here so Isadora knows I won't waste time bringing her back.”
With that said, Maddox returned her gaze and explained, “You see, Stephan is my lover. We're bound by blood, and the thought of leaving him here alone for too long is unbearable for me.”
Isadora glanced between them, trying to process everything they'd said. Though it sounded strange to the point of being unbelievable, Maddox was obviously trying her best to prove they were trustworthy—and crazy as it seemed, Isadora got the feeling she'd believe them even if Aislinn hadn't directed her to accept this offer.
Also, if the witch's intuition wasn't enough reassurance, she recalled Adriana's story of feeding Maddox blood, and the thought was too curious not to inquire about before agreeing to anything.
“Maddox, before I accept, would you answer a question?”
“Of course.”
Nodding, Isadora started, “My sister, Adriana, said she fed you blood, and didn't have to tell you to stop. So I was wondering why you let her go. I thought it was impossible for a vampire to release a fae.”
Smiling, Maddox explained, “Normally, it would be. But the blood bond I share with Stephan is so strong we only desire to feed from each other. So though you and Adriana certainly smell delectable, the temptation to drink your blood isn't as strong for us as it would be for other vampires who lack a lover's connection.”
Isadora pursed her lips, wondering how true that was, or how safe she'd actually be traveling with this vampire outside of the Spire. Still, she wouldn't waste time discussing the matter. They needed to find Mathias and return before anything horrible happened, and who knew, maybe Victoria would have news on Captain Rossi by then.
So she relented.
“Well, I guess we're going then. How do we get to Sutrelle anyway?”
“You allow me to take you to the gateway in mist. I'd tell you where it is, but the less you know, the better. Several vampires want to access this place already, so giving you more information would be dangerous.”
Isadora groaned, hating how cloak and dagger vampires were, even when trying to help—apparently. But she decided not to mention her ability to sense where in the world she was located considering it would just cause a needless headache, and all she wanted was to get this over with.
So she finally gave in with a muttered, “I hope I don't regret this.”
Maddox smiled as if she understood the reluctance, but the more reassuring part was her method of telling Stephan goodbye with a kiss and a promise to return soon.
Somehow, watching the couple's loving embrace made Isadora feel much better about the entire situation. They regarded each other with such deep affection in their eyes and kissed so sweetly that it was truly difficult imagining them being capable of the same cruelty most vampires exuded.
So, once Maddox opened the nearest window and offered her hand, Isadora didn't hesitate to accept—and the trip was more exciting than expected.
As the vampiress' body dissolved into vapor, Isadora grew lightheaded, the world around her turning fuzzy. Simultaneously, she could feel the vampire pulling her along as they moved over the streets of Atlanta, which passed by slowly at first, but quickly reached dizzying speeds.
Just like a roller coaster ride.
They rose to heights that made the vehicles below look like matchbox cars, then swung a little lower at the outskirts of the city, and if Isadora had the ability, she would've squealed in delight the entire way.
The last time she'd flown this way was in Ithelyon on the back of a green wyvern, and the only difference was her fuzzy perception. Perhaps that part of the ride wasn't so enjoyable, but it didn't detract from the thrill of hurtling through the air over tree tops and buildings at a breakneck pace.
Eventually, they reached a remote cemetery overgrown with foliage and littered with a few plastic bags and empty beer bottles. It seemed strange that anyone would neglect a burial ground, but Isadora was too focused on the trip to question it.
Instead, as Maddox entered a mausoleum at the center of the property and took solid form next to a sarcophagus, she couldn't stop grinning.
The look earned an amused smirk from Maddox.
“What has you smiling?”
“That was fun!”
Her exclamation elicited a laugh. “I think you're the first person I've ever heard say so about traveling in mist. Most people get airsick and swear they'll never do it again.”
Isadora snickered, watching Maddox turn to the sarcophagus and place her hand on the bust of a woman's face etched into the surface.
“What are you doing?” she asked, though the question proved to be premature.
Punctuating her words was a low whir emanating from beneath their feet. At the same time, a bright light rose
around them, blotting out her vision for several moments before fading away to reveal an unexpected sight—the ocean under a cloudless, morning sky.
A cold breeze gusted by, carrying the faint scent of salt. But though sunlight poured down on their backs, Maddox was fine, smiling as she remarked, “Welcome to Sutrelle, Isadora.”
Realizing the sarcophagus served as a gateway into the realm, she turned around to see precisely what Stephan had described in the Spire. An idyllic town lay at the opposing end of a bridge connected to the platform where they stood, and she could sense the human and elven residents as clearly as the fish swimming through the waters below.
The town they'd built was rustic and beautiful, yet the most intriguing sight of all was standing tall in the distant mountains—a palace with towers jutting up to touch the very clouds.
Intrigued, Isadora pointed at it and asked, “What's that?”
“The Cardinal Citadel where Mathias lives,” Maddox explained, “and I'm glad it's daylight. Most vampires should be asleep, so we won't have to worry much about how you stand out.”
Though remaining inconspicuous was preferable, she asked, “Vampires still sleep during the day here?”
“Yes. Sutrelle's sunlight may not harm us, but we're still nocturnal, and the light is already getting to be a bit much for me.”
With that said, Maddox held out her hand, obviously ready to travel to the Citadel where she'd be more comfortable, and Isadora didn't make her wait.
Still, in the process of traveling, it was difficult to ignore the fact that something in this realm was wrong. The form of mist seemed to dull the senses, but Isadora could detect environmental troubles. Much of the plant life was in dire need of water, or dying due to the frigid climate, which was impacting the local wildlife.
Without a closer inspection, it was hard to say how extensive the problem was, yet it gave the distinct impression that Sutrelle was dying.
The thought was as unpleasant as it was surprising, and Isadora was glad she'd come now if only for the chance to warn Maddox.
But that task would have to wait. Her prior engagements took precedence, and that aside, she was distracted from the matters by the architecture of the Cardinal Citadel as soon as they arrived.
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