In the Shadow of the Selkie

by M. A. duBarry

  Dubheasa raised an eyebrow. Her blue lips twitched. “What might that be?”

  “If you take me, you leave the selkie skin here. You free Roane in every way, not just from the vampyric hold you have over him. Take my life-force and pass it to him.”

  Dubheasa seemed to mull over her request.

  “Fine. Besides, if I have you, I won’t need Roane.”

  She didn’t like the sound of the dark queen’s words.

  Dubheasa pushed Theo’s hair away from her neck. “Ah, so pale and so smooth. I can taste you already,” she said.

  Theo grabbed hold of her gown and inched the hem up. When the edge of the dress reached her fingers, she slipped her hand underneath and pulled out the oak nail she had tucked into her garter.

  Dubheasa’s teeth grazed her neck.

  Theo raised her arm and lashed out. It was one thing for her to crave Roane’s bite, but she didn’t want to be marked by an evil Fin-Folk.

  The dark queen bit into her flesh. Theodosia thrashed about, clawing at her enemy’s face, but Dubheasa didn’t falter. Pain tore through her body as her blood drained.

  She didn’t want to die like this. Focusing, Theo took one last swing at the wicked creature and stabbed her in the jugular.

  “You little bitch!” Dubheasa shouted. She slapped her hand against her crimson-stained skin and ripped the nail from her flesh.

  Theo dashed toward the door.

  “You can’t escape me.”

  Dubheasa was on her like a bat flying free from Hell. Theo’s silk slippers caught a loose stone on the floor, and she tripped.

  Dubheasa swooped down and grabbed her by the hair. “Say goodbye to your precious little world, Theodosia.”

  The dark queen’s sharp fangs cut through her flesh. Theo’s vision slowly faded away as a black void filled her soul.

  Roane waited in the dining room as he sat across from Miles. The young man played with a silver spoon, tapping it against the side of a crystal wine goblet.

  “Must you always fidget?” Roane reached for the wine glass in front of him and brought it to his lips. The rich taste of blood mixed with wine coated his mouth. He returned the glass and sat back.

  Miles put the spoon down. “I can’t help it. I feel like I have all this energy pent up inside me and my master won’t allow me to release any of it.”

  His brother was growing harder to handle with each passing day. “I’m not your master, Miles. I’m merely your concerned guardian.”

  “Who, may I remind you, should have given up ruling my life several years ago.”

  His brother made a good argument. But letting go was something he found difficult to do since their parents died. “I worry about you, Miles. Until this mess with Dubheasa is cleared up, I insist you deal with your ‘energy’.”

  Miles frowned. He leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers against the arm. “Where is my new sister-in-law? I’m eager to meet her.”

  Roane wondered where Theo was as well. He pushed his chair away from the table and headed toward the door.

  “I’ll go with you.”

  He stopped short, his brother slamming into his back. He let out a deep breath, but refrained from losing his temper. The young pup only meant well. “I think it best you wait here.”

  “But what if something bad has happened?”

  He turned around. “Why would you say such a thing?”

  Miles shrugged. “Why else would your bride stay away from dinner? You didn’t bite her yet, did you?”

  Roane didn’t feel compelled to answer Miles’s question. “Go back to the table. I’ll find out what’s keeping Theo.”

  He left the dining room and made his way down the main corridor and up the stairs. As he rounded the corner heading toward the royal apartments, a cold chill accosted his back. Roane spun on his heel and stared out to the far end of the opposite corridor. The tower. An overwhelming sense of loss wracked his soul. Theo. He couldn’t read her thoughts. In truth, he couldn’t even sense her life-force. Bloody hell, the woman was in danger and it had happened right under his nose.

  Roane made a fast dash down the hall and up the winding stairs to the tower room. The wood door stood open, its hinges crumpled in tiny pieces upon the floor. A sick feeling settled in the pit of his stomach.

  As Roane entered the tower, his gaze focused on the open window. A single silk ribbon sat perched on the pane. On the instant, he flew to the far end of the room and grabbed the strip of fabric. Red stains littered the embroidered decorations. Roane lifted the ribbon to his mouth and licked the largest of the crimson blotches. Theo’s taste lingered on his tongue.

  Connor appeared in the doorway. “What the bloody hell happened?”

  He hesitated. Pain flared in his chest. “Theo’s missing.”

  “I’ll gather an army.”

  Roane turned toward the wall. The tapestry in the center of the room dangled from its gold rod, several loops at the top bunched in the middle. Something didn’t sit right in his mind’s eye. As he approached the wall hanging, he took in a sharp breath. The feel of a stake slicing into his heart sent ripples of excruciating pain pulsing through his body. Visions of the night in the crypt came rushing back to him with full force. “My skin,” he said, calling out to Connor. “She’s stolen my selkie skin.”

  Connor reached out to him just before his legs gave way.

  He reached up and grabbed hold of the man’s waistcoat. “Dubheasa. I have to go to the crypt. It’s my vampyric haven, and the bitch knows it. She’d take Theo there before she’d bring her anywhere else. She’d do anything to soil my world.”

  “You’re in no shape, my king. If Dubheasa has your skin, she controls you. That, coupled with the fact she’s the vampire who turned you, means you have no chance against the woman. You can’t go after her.”

  He had to save Theo. Now that Dubheasa had his selkie skin, she’d have no use for Theo. And the thought of his wife dead caused him more pain than did the wound inflicted upon his vampyric heart.

  Roane caught his breath and pushed Connor away. “I can manage. Get me a crossbow.”

  Connor released him. “You can’t fight Dubheasa. Any weapon you use will only turn on you. You’re powerless against her.”

  He shook his head. “No. I have other weapons. Remember what I told you about Theo being fully armed?”

  “Yes, but Dubheasa can only be killed by oak nails fashioned in an ancient style no longer in use today.”

  “One group still makes them the old way—the Barretts’ secret Society of Selkie Protectors. And Theo brought several nails with her when she came here. She also brought a vial of holy water that burned my skin.”

  The look of sudden realization crossed Connor’s face. “If you dip the tips in the holy water, they should suffice to kill Dubheasa.”

  “Or at least stun her long enough to drive a stake into her heart.”

  Miles came running into the tower chamber. “Let me go. I can help you, Roane.”

  He hated to turn his brother down again, but this time it really was too dangerous. “I need you here, Miles.”

  “You always say that.”

  He didn’t have time to argue. “Go with Connor and ready a crossbow for me.” He prayed to the gods his brother would stay out of the way. Visions of Theo’s alabaster face filled his mind. “Sweet Mother of God, let her still be alive…”

  Chapter Nine

  All but one of the wood and hammered metal bolts Roane normally used with his crossbow were now fastened with Theo’s oak nails placed over their silver points. “It’s a deadly concoction,” he said, staring at his brother who sat carving a hole in the head of the last nail to be used. “No soul is capable of withstanding such a weapon.”

  “Isn’t that the point?” Miles didn’t look up at him, but rather kept his eyes pinned to his work.

  “Dubheasa is a horrid creature,” he said, hoping to justify his pending kill. “When she first seduced me, I had no idea she was a
vampire. I’ll never forget the searing pain that pummeled through my body as her bite tainted my blood.”

  “Then she deserves to die by this weapon, brother.”

  “Yes. But what if I die too?”

  Miles let out a sigh. “There’s a chance you can survive, even if Dubheasa is killed. Save Queen Theodosia and take her life-force. It will replenish whatever you lose by your maker’s death.”

  He’d grown too fond of Theo to take her life-force. He loved her. “Now that I know Theodosia, I would never put her in that position. She’s not like us. She’s not selkie. A mortal with a shared life-force can only survive in the underground and I’d never take her away from her parents like that.”

  “Perhaps Queen Theodosia should have her own say in the matter.”

  “What are you concocting in that wild brain of yours? If Theo survives this mess, you are forbidden to speak to her about her life-force. Is that understood?”

  Miles shrugged. “You might be my brother and my king, but you are a bit daft at times.” He went back to working on the lethal stakes.

  Roane searched the young man’s mind, wanting desperately to know what he meant, but much to his annoyance, Miles had blocked him out.

  “Don’t go there, brother,” Miles said. “My thoughts on the matter should be of no concern to you.”

  Bloody hell. The young pup was getting far too good at living with a vampire. Roane prayed his brother knew the severity of the situation. “You do realize if I don’t succeed in taking down Dubheasa…”

  Miles cut him off. “There,” he said, holding up the last bolt. “She’s all set.” He handed Roane the crossbow and stack of bolts. “Now, I’m leaving. I’m going to meet with Connor and see if I can be of any help at the barracks.”

  Roane knew he needed to say something, but his heart seemed caught in his throat.

  Miles gave him an inquisitive stare. “What? No lecture about me staying put?”

  “Whatever I’ve done… I’ve always had your best interests at heart, Miles.”

  His brother smiled at him. “I know. But I’m not a child anymore, Roane. I’m a man and I can care for myself.”

  “Dubheasa’s a deadly creature. Are you positive you’re ready for this?”

  “I’ve a suit made of sterling, double thick bracers and even a collar to protect my jugular. No vampire can penetrate the armor I’ve made. Besides, I refuse to leave my personal interests in the trust of others.”

  “Personal interests?” Perhaps Miles did fancy him out of the way. “I assure you, when the time comes Connor will see to it you succeed me.”

  Miles let out a deep breath and rolled his eyes. “For the love of heaven, Roane. That’s not what I meant. I was only referring to dinner. You still owe me a meal. And that, dear brother, I wouldn’t leave to anyone else’s care. The gods’ know Cook only follows your instructions. Without you, I’d starve.”

  Despite the tension pounding his head, Roane laughed. “I promise a feast after Dubheasa’s fall.” The fact he wouldn’t be alive to share in that joy unsettled him, but bringing down the dark queen was far more important than sustaining his own life. “Remember me, Miles.”

  Tears clouded his brother’s eyes. “I’ve faith in you.” He reached for Roane’s waistcoat and pulled out the bloodied ribbon hanging from the pocket. He placed it in Roane’s hand. “Now would be a good time to think with something other than that damn brain of yours. For once, brother, think of yourself and the rewards you’re owed, not what you owe Cu Mara. I’m sure if you do that, you’ll find a solution to your dilemma.” Miles stepped back, then patted him on the shoulder. “May the gods be with us both.” Without saying anything else, he turned and headed out of the room.

  Roane prayed it wouldn’t be the last time he’d see his brother.

  Chapter Ten

  Theo woke with a start and gasped. Her heart pounded in her chest like a wild beast, while beads of sweat dripped down her forehead. At her neck, a burning sensation seared her skin. She couldn’t move. From her facedown position, she squinted and tried to survey her surroundings, but the earthen floor pressed against her cheeks made deciphering the location difficult. Theo racked her brain, desperate to remember where she was and how she’d gotten here. But save for a hazy vision of Dubheasa’s aging face, her memory ran blank.

  She took a deep breath. The familiar scents of pine, eucalyptus and mint filled her nose and lungs. Roane’s crypt. Relief washed over her, but quickly faded. She remembered Dubheasa biting her neck. Kidnapped.

  The realization of the matter made her angry. She’d spent her life protecting selkies and ancient relics, and now she found herself unable to protect the most important of things—her own self. The irony of the situation irked her.

  “Enjoying your new life, Theodosia?” Dubheasa asked from somewhere above.

  Theo shifted her head about an inch—all that she could move—and focused on the wall in front of her. A bright orange glow illuminated the crypt. At least she wasn’t in a dark place.

  From the corner of her eye, she watched a black shadow move across the wall, its form growing larger as Dubheasa’s voice grew louder. “When Roane comes for you, my mission will be complete.” The dark queen knelt down beside her and brushed her hair to the side. A cold chill ran down her spine.

  Dubheasa brushed her lips over Theo’s neck, her wet tongue drawing circles around the area of skin she’d previously bitten. The notion of being made a vampire by a Fin-Folk disgusted Theo, but in her paralyzed state she could do nothing to defend herself.

  “I’ll finish taking your life force, and then I’ll have the selkie king all to myself. And once I have Roane right where I want him, my armies of dark Fin-Folk will attack Cu Mara and take back the realm we should never have lost.”

  The thought of Roane giving up his kingdom for Dubheasa didn’t please Theo. If it were only for the man, she might not care, but Cu Mara belonged to the selkie and for them she had to fight Dubheasa. She refused to let her soul slip away.

  Dubheasa remained at her side, licking at the wound she’d inflicted.

  Warm, sticky liquid oozed down her neck as the dark Fin-Folk queen slowly drew out her blood. Theo’s world faded to nothing more than a blurry fog. In the mists she imagined she’d heard Roane’s voice, felt his presence. If only such dreams were true…

  The sight of Dubheasa lapping at Theo’s neck sickened Roane. The evil creature was so consumed with her perverted task she didn’t seem to have noticed him enter the crypt. And for that, he thanked the gods. Fighting against his foe’s lack of guard could be used to his advantage. If only he’d arrived sooner, he might have been able to save Theo. The pain of seeing her lifeless body on the floor of his crypt tore at his heart. He should never have allowed his wife out of his sight.

  Roane pushed his emotions away from his present thoughts and focused on the task at hand. He had to put an end to Dubheasa once and for all, even if it meant his own death. Besides, he had nothing else to live for. Miles was his heir. The selkie kingdom would survive without him. Using his preternatural ability to cling to walls and ceilings like a bat while still in human form, he steadied himself on the ceiling and prepared for what he had to do.

  From the far corner of the room, Roane swept down, his crossbow ready to fire. As he neared Dubheasa’s body, he fired a silver and oak-tipped bolt.

  A whooshing sound echoed across the chamber.

  Dubheasa raised her head, the bolt missing her by no more than a hair.

  Roane cursed to himself.

  “Such an unexpected welcome, Your Majesty. I would have preferred you come on different terms, but I can see by your attack, we have nothing to discuss.”

  “Oh we have much to discuss, Dubheasa,” he said. “More than you can ever imagine.”

  “I’ve all the time in the world, now, my sweet selkie. What dark secrets do you care me to tell?”

  He gave her an inquisitive stare, not sure he could trust her. But his ov
erwhelming desire to know the truth nagged at his soul. “Why did you order Theodosia to stake me rather than come for my soul yourself?”

  She laughed a hideous screech. “The woman’s father stood to destroy me, to reveal the existence of both Fin-Folk and selkie vampires. I knew the woman would do anything to save her father’s life. She was easy game.”

  “You had no right to blackmail a mortal, Dubheasa. I would have thought even you knew better than that.

  Dubheasa glared at him. “I had every right if she stood to destroy me. The Barretts and their society are the mortal link to the selkie kingdom. They are the key to preserving your secrets in the human world and to continuing the half-selkie bloodline. We all stand to lose if one of them slips up.”

  “In the centuries since the first selkie mated with a mortal, there’s never been a single incident where a Barrett betrayed us or the Fin-Folk. Your actions were not justified. The gods will have your soul.”

  The dark queen approached him.

  Roane stepped back.

  As she came closer, Dubheasa placed one hand on his chest, directly over his heart, and the other at his neck. “I follow no gods, save for my own heart.” She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’ve missed you, Roane.”

  “You can’t miss something you never had.”

  “How quickly you forget.”

  “You tricked me, Dubheasa. I thought you mortal when you cried into the sea. If I had known then you’d used another’s tears, I would never have answered the call.”

  “But still you came. And still we played.”

  He didn’t consider the exchange between them the same way Dubheasa did. “We sinned. And, more you than me, might I add.”

  She feigned a smile. “You wound my heart, dear Roane.”

  “If only that were true,” he said, hoping to do just that with his crossbow. “Forget Cu Mara, and we’ll discuss our relationship.” He lied, but it was all he had at the moment.