“First, I brought you here, because this is the only place where I know spies cannot come. If their intentions were not pure, my kraken would have killed them without hesitation. Now, the information you seek about Prime. Originally, he had an urge to change the world, make it safe for everyone while proving his worth to your mother Susanna, but like in all things, there must be a balance. I gifted him with immortality, because I believed at the time that he could, in fact, change the world. Love is a powerful tool if used right, as you have witnessed firsthand.”
Glancing at Jameson, my heart warmed. Our love had saved us, and I would never take it for granted.
“I warned him that my gift would have consequences if he was to stray from the path he had laid out for himself. He did not heed my warning. I watched as the darkness within my gift choked out the light he had once been so full of, and created the monster he is today. In an effort to restore balance, I gifted Solomon with the first hunter’s dagger, and I charged him with stopping my creation by any means necessary.”
Solomon stood taller, proud of his role. I was grateful the Sea Witch had saved him, but I also had mixed feelings about it. She had taken away my father and a lifetime of moments I would never get to experience.
“Nevertheless, for almost two decades now, he has fought a battle that he was ill-equipped to stop, and I was powerless to help. It seemed that the balance would remain in favor of the darkness that rules Prime, but then my prophecy began to come true. The child of a vampire and a human was born. I hadn’t known who you were when I first saw the possible futures that lay ahead, nor was I certain you would arrive.”
She spoke of me almost reverently, and my chest tightened. I didn’t like having so much responsibility lay solely on my decisions.
“At last, there was someone who could restore balance. Someone who had enough power to vanquish my creation and bring back order. Though, I never suspected that you would be his daughter. I can merely imagine what you felt when that truth came to light. I’ve seen the bad he has inflicted on this world, but unfortunately, there is only so much I can interfere with. Now that you have become what you needed to be, you are ready to take on this task.”
Her focus narrowed in on me as she slid closer, restricting my movements and causing my breaths to rapidly increase.
“Only you are strong enough to stand against him, Lavinia. The balance that I sense inside you is the purest I have felt in centuries.”
“But how are we supposed to stop Prime?” I asked before she could start talking again, ignoring the twinges inside at her previous mention of Prime being my father. “We stabbed him with hunter daggers, but that didn’t do much.”
“Prime is the one and only person I have ever bestowed my original gift on. There is no easy way to overcome that.”
“But there is a way,” Solomon interjected.
“Yes, there is,” she confirmed, turning to look at me and holding my hand—to make the truth not sting as badly, or for support, I wasn’t sure which. “You need to bite him, Lavinia.”
I recoiled and a deep, disgusted feeling rose to the surface when her words sank in. “No.”
“I know it’s not ideal, but it’s your only option,” she began, and once again she held up her hand to quiet my next words. “Your venom is just as pure as Prime’s, but yours is stronger, because it hasn’t been tainted like his. If you bite and inject him with your venom, it will overpower his and destroy him. Only you can do this, Lavinia.”
I was struggling to accept this was the solution we had been looking for all this time. She was the most powerful being in all the world. She had created Prime. I didn’t understand why it had to be my venom that would finally strike him down.
“There has to be a different way,” I pleaded, shaking my head. “I’ve never bitten anyone, or anything for that matter.” I was also afraid of the consequences to me biting him. Would it be different because he wasn’t human?
“Biting Prime will not damn your soul,” the Sea Witch answered before I could ask, seeming to catch on to my thoughts. “This is the only way to stop him. I have faith in you, Lavinia. You will overcome this and rise above, like you have done since you were a child, and even more so since you learned who you are.”
Silence descended on our group while I took a moment to think about her words. I had known all along that I was different, since no other had been born by a vampire, but I didn’t truly realize what that meant for me until now. Jameson slipped his arm around my shoulders, holding me to him tightly and keeping me grounded when all I wanted to do was fall apart.
“What will happen once Prime is killed?” Evander asked quietly, breaking the silence.
“Those who are pure will be spared, but those who have killed—drinking the blood of the innocent—and enjoyed it, will die along with him,” the Sea Witch answered truthfully.
Evander closed his eyes while a look of acceptance spread across his face. He must have suspected that would happen once we killed Prime, but having the Sea Witch confirm it was another thing altogether. Reaching out to him, I grasped his hand in mine. His cool fingers squeezed mine, and I could see deep sadness come over him.
“You have changed the path you were once headed down,” the Sea Witch said. “That will count for something when the time comes. You held on to your humanity even when you have been tempted to give it up. It takes a special kind of man to see his mistakes and change for the better. I admire you, Evander.”
“As do I,” Solomon admitted, while Jameson confessed his agreement as well.
A surge rocked the ship from side to side, but the Sea Witch smiled instead of being alarmed like the rest of us.
“My kraken is nothing to fear. He means you no harm… unless I tell him otherwise, of course. He’s here to return you to the surface. I’m sorry we could not speak for long, but I hope with my guidance you can overcome what I have unknowingly unleashed upon the world,” she conceded, climbing to her feet and returning to the upper deck with all of us trailing behind her. Turning around, her sapphire eyes met mine. “If you should need me, enter the sea at twilight and speak my name. I will hear you and answer if I am able.”
As the ship began to pull away from the caves, I had one last thought. One of importance to those who waited for us back home.
“Can you reverse the effects of venom on a turned child? Can we call on you to help Maggie?”
Her lips moved, but I couldn’t make out what she said over the torrent of rushing water, as we broke through the dome once more. I had no idea if she heard me or if she could even help, but I hoped for Maggie’s sake she could. With a parting wave, she morphed into a liquid as she dove over the side just as the tentacles from the kraken tightened themselves around the mast and deck once more.
Chapter 9
The days following our visit to the Sea Witch were spent sailing home, with as much speed as we could coax from the sails. I spent much of that time locked in my room, thinking about everything the Sea Witch had revealed, especially how I was the only one who could end Prime, and what it would take to do just that.
On the morning of our last day at sea, Jameson found me in our chambers, lying on our bed, reading instead of interacting with the crew. Some alone time was what I was hoping for before we arrived back in Port Valor.
“The sun is out today. Why don’t you come enjoy it with me?”
He had been doing his best to distract me and keep me from overthinking about what the Sea Witch had said, and I very much appreciated his efforts.
“How long until we’re back to Port Valor?” I asked instead of answering.
“Only a couple of hours if the wind holds. Come join me on the deck. There might be a surprise out there for you.” He might have answered my question, but he wasn’t going to let his request go. I knew he thought I needed the pushing, but it wasn’t what he thought.
“I’m not avoiding anyone, I’m enjoying a good story. I’ll come out when we’re almost to the island.�
� Sitting up, I leaned against the wall and met Jameson’s gaze.
He wasn’t having any of it, though. Before I knew it, his hands were around my waist and he lifted me over his shoulder.
My head dangled upside-down while my feet kicked in the air. I screeched. “Jameson, put me down right now or I won’t be responsible for the harm that comes to you.”
“You wouldn’t hurt me.” His words were laced with laughter and a bit of wickedness, and before I could retort, he moved with incredible speed about the ship.
I had no idea where he was taking me. I was still hanging upside-down and ready to vomit, but I wouldn’t fault him for any of it as long as I didn’t throw up. Just as I closed my eyes to try to gather enough strength to fight back, my feet hit the deck with a thud.
Immediately, I turned and dry-heaved over the edge, my fingers digging into the wood of the rail as I searched for my equilibrium. Thankfully, none of my breakfast was lost.
“Don’t ever do that again.” I moved to retaliate, but he already had his arms wrapped around me from behind.
“Look.”
His hands gently grasped my chin as he guided my head in the direction he wanted me to see. When my eyes finally focused, I was in awe.
Before us, the sun was midway into its rise, casting red across the blue sea, making everything purple when the two colors collided. To our left, a school of brightly-colored fish jumped in and out of the water. They captured my full attention, until water shot out of the surface several yards away, causing me to glance to the right.
A black-and-white tail slammed onto the water just before the head of the most magnificent orca rose above the surface. The whale had to have been close to ten meters long, seizing my attention until Jameson tugged at me.
“Did you see the little ones?” he whispered, pointing behind the orca.
My eyes moved from the enchanting creature to find her young. Two baby whales, maybe three meters in length, swam after what I supposed to be their mother.
The pod of orcas began to move with the waves, disappearing every few seconds as they dove back under the blue sea. I waited with bated breath for the water to shoot up in the sky again, and just when I was about to turn for Jameson, the mother whale did it again.
“Fascinating.” I was struck with admiration, and a part of me yearned to jump into the water. My mind began to wonder if my vampire speed and strength would allow me to keep up with them as they glided along the surface.
“Now you can’t hurt me for forcing you to come outside.”
My body turned in Jameson’s arms so I could face him. “I might not harm you now, but I’ll remember it when you need a bit of prodding in the future.”
His smile showcased my favorite dimples, and all my earlier stress vanished. We stood on the deck, watching the orcas until they disappeared into the depths of the ocean. The warmth of the sun soaked into my skin, and I savored the tranquil moment.
I wasn’t sure how long we stood there, just enjoying the day, but it had been just what I needed to get out of my previous sullen mood.
Solomon found us a short time later. “We are approaching the island.”
My heart tensed for a second before I shook it off. I didn’t need to be nervous about coming back and explaining what happened. Regardless of whether I liked the course of action we needed to take, we were arriving with a plan, and that was all that mattered.
Being with Jameson on the deck had given me time to think about everything else outside of my revulsion for having to bite Prime. I realized in our late morning under the sun that it wasn’t as horrid as it sounded, and I had been through worse. I would do what needed to be done to stop the tormenter Prime had become, and make sure the rest of the world didn’t have to know of his treachery.
After we disembarked from the ship, Jameson, Solomon, and Evander all came with me to the main house, while the crew finished securing the vessel and taking care of supplies.
When we entered the house, it was quiet. Too quiet. All four of us were instantly on high alert. I calmed my racing heart and listened for any sounds, but the only things I heard were coming from outside.
Where is everyone?
There had been no bodies outside, which was the only thing keeping my emotions in check. If there had been an attack on the island, we would have seen proof as soon as we pulled into port. At least, I assumed we would have.
“Wait, did you hear that?” Solomon whispered.
Straining my ears once more, I finally heard a rumbling of voices. Grasping Jameson’s hand, we sped toward the voices. They were leading us to the children’s rooms, and my heart pounded in fear that something had happened to Maggie while we were gone. Maybe I had been too far away, and the compulsion had failed, or I hadn’t even done it right from the start.
If anything happened to any of the children, I wasn’t sure I would be able to handle that kind of guilt.
When we entered the room, Alice had tears streaming down her face, and I froze in place before I could take in the rest of the room. Jameson stepped around me and said something, but I was so focused on Alice, I hadn’t heard him clearly.
When I didn’t respond to whatever he had said, he turned for me, his hands gently cupping my cheeks. “Lavinia?”
“It’s all my fault,” I whispered.
Alice’s voice sounded from behind him. “Lavinia, these are happy tears. Nothing is wrong. In fact, everything is better than it has been in weeks.”
Lifting my head, I peeked around Jameson and stared at her, confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Come see for yourself.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me further into the room.
On the bed, I saw Maggie and Timothy surrounded by Henry, Nathan, Nettie, and Ruth. Maggie’s eyes beamed with joy, and the constriction around my chest eased.
“Maggie, tell Lavinia what you told us,” Alice encouraged as she sat down next to them.
I kneeled in front of the bed, taking the young girl’s outstretched hand.
“An angel made the bad stuff go away. Like you did, Lavinia, but different.”
Confused, I glanced at Alice, but a whisper reached my ear the next moment.
“Sea Witch.” Jameson stated, having caught on before I could.
Tears welled in my eyes. I hadn’t thought she heard my request, but seeing Maggie now, there was no denying the Sea Witch had made her human again.
“She told me I was a special little girl, and that if I promised to be good and protect others, she would grant me a wish. I wished to be like my brother again, and she did it. I asked her to stay so that everyone would believe me, but she said she couldn’t stay long. Wishes like that made her very tired, and she had to go home to rest.”
“That is the best news I think I have ever heard.” I struggled with more words as elation filled me.
Jameson pulled me up, pure joy evident on his face as well. I wanted to call for the Sea Witch to thank her, but I knew what she wanted more than gratitude, and I would do everything in my power to make it happen. Seeing what she did for Maggie brought my focus back to making Prime pay for harming her in the first place.
We stepped out of the room, and most of the others followed, but Alice and Henry remained with the children. Ruth led us to an office two doors down the hallway, and everyone took seats except Jameson and Solomon.
“Seeing as the Sea Witch made an appearance to Maggie, I take it your trip was successful?” Ruth asked, her attention moving from Solomon to me.
“We know what will kill Prime now, and it’s not a hunter’s blade.” Solomon spoke first. “It’s Lavinia’s venom. She’ll have to bite him as if she’s trying to turn him, but it will do the opposite for him, and he will die.”
As Solomon said the words, my gaze moved across the room to see the reaction of the others. Ruth seemed to be the most surprised.
“There’s no other way? She can’t lace the dagger with her venom and just stab him?” she asked, seeming to hate
the idea almost as much as I did.
She had a point and her suggestion intrigued me, but I wouldn’t leave anything to chance. If the Sea Witch said I needed to bite him, then I would figure out a way to be fine with it.
“If there was any other way, I’m sure the Sea Witch would have told us, but you bring up a point,” Jameson agreed. “Prime is powerful and physically stronger than Lavinia. She’ll need a way to weaken him before she’s able to bite him, and if none of us are able to assist her, we need to make sure she’s capable on her own.”
“What did you have in mind?” I asked.
“We can still do as Ruth suggested. You’ll need to practice releasing your venom to make sure you only have to bite him once, and when you’re practicing, we can store your venom and lace all of our daggers with it. So those without hunter’s daggers will still be able to defend themselves without having to behead the vampires.”
“That is brilliant,” Evander marveled. “Prime won’t see it coming. While they might have more numbers than us, this just gave us a considerable edge in the battle.”
Listening to Evander sound so excited about the prospect of us winning made me question his loyalty. I hated that I did, but I couldn’t help it. He had been so angry a moment ago, and I didn’t know where his excitement originated.
“Will you be able to kill those who used to fight at your side?” I asked. “Are you positive that you are willing to die in order to stop Prime? I know you’ve changed, the Sea Witch said as much, but death is still a possibility, and we wouldn’t begrudge you if you had any doubts. I just can’t risk you changing your mind at the last minute and putting the people I care about at risk.”
His forest-green eyes met mine, swirling with tints of red. I had hit a nerve by questioning him, but his feelings were the least of my worries if my family was in danger.
“While I may be disappointed, I understand your questions and the need for answers. The pirates and vampires who used to fight by my side were not special to me. They would have sooner killed me than defended me if Prime had asked. I will have no problem striking them down if they get in the way of you ending Prime. As for dying, yes, I am ready. I have done many evil deeds in my life, but I have tried to do good as well, and if this is the last thing I get to do, then maybe my life will have meant more than that of a man who killed and pillaged.”
Blood of the Sea Omnibus Page 38
