Of the Blood

by Cameo Renae

  I promised myself I wouldn’t change her into a blood-sucking monster that had to survive off the blood of others. And I would keep that promise, even if her life was dangling by a thread.

  Time crept on and on. Countless seconds, minutes, hours, days. I couldn’t tell. It had all fused together.

  As I lay back, humming a song my mother used to sing, Spring screamed. I shot up off the floor, aiming my flaming palms toward her face, discovering she was still unconscious.

  “Spring,” I said, dousing the flame in my left palm. I touched her forehead, and she was burning up. Or was it me? Maybe my hands were heated from countless hours of calling the flames.

  Beads of perspiration streaked down her face. I lowered my flame to her shoulder and saw the bite marks I’d left. They were red and inflamed. They weren’t healing, and possibly the cause of an infection.

  “Please,” I begged the air, anything, or anyone who could hear me. “Please don’t let her die.”

  I curled up next to her on the hay, a small flame burning in the palm of my hand, watching her chest rise and fall, listening to her constant but shallow breaths exit from her lips. Each breath meant hope.

  But after a while, my eyes grew heavy. I didn’t want to sleep and leave Spring unattended, but knew it’d been days.

  When my eyelids became too heavy, I extinguished the flame from my palm, wrapped my arm around Spring’s waist, and closed my eyes. I wasn’t sure if I was sleeping because the darkness was still there. But then, I heard a familiar voice within the blackness.

  “I was wondering when you’d fall asleep, my pet.”

  No. No. No.

  “You were expecting someone else?”

  “No,” I lied. “Get the hell out of my mind.”

  “You have no say in the matter. When I return from Northfall with Nicolae, we’ll have a lot to discuss. Especially after witnessing the power you possess. You will be a great benefit to my Kingdom.”

  We were still in darkness, and I was glad for that. I didn’t want to see his face.

  “Morbeth is not my kingdom, and I will never become your pawn.”

  “But, pet. You already are.”

  I didn’t respond. He didn’t deserve my words. Not after what he made me do to Spring.

  “You offer me silence? Well, we’ll talk soon enough.”

  “Wait!” I exclaimed. “Spring needs a healer. She’ll die if she doesn’t get help.”

  “You think you can bargain with me now? If she dies, it’s on you.”

  “You bastard.”

  He laughed. “You are weak because of her.”

  “I know your weakness, Roehl. You have no heart. And if you did, it would be black and calloused all the way through.”

  “Ah, but have you not heard that when placed under severe pressure, the blackest, hardest stone turns into a precious gem? A gem greatly desired by all, and stronger than all others.”

  “I’ve never desired precious gems,” I said.

  He laughed, and I wished I could meet him in the dream, just for a moment, so I could send a fireball to his face.

  I heard him growl, low and guttural. “You’ll learn not to contend with me, pet.”

  Then, just like that, his presence dissipated.

  I smiled to myself, knowing I’d won this match against him.

  Continuing to search through the darkness, I hoped to see a light—a path that would lead me to Trystan.

  “Trystan,” I called out. “Trystan?”

  “Calla?” I could hear him, but his voice was distant. Muffled.

  “Trystan, where are you?” I was desperate to find him. Desperate to meet him again. To tell him what happened when I was ripped from his arms in my last dream.

  “Calla, there’s a block. I can’t get through.” Trystan’s voice was fading.

  Then I heard another voice. The voice of the wicked snake Roehl, strong and clear. “You can’t hide anything from me, pet.” There was an evil bite to his words.

  “I hate you!” I shouted. “Just leave me alone.” There was a pause before I heard Roehl’s laughter. “What do you want from me?”

  “I was wondering what the Prince of Carpathia thought, hearing you shout that you hated him and wanted him to leave you alone.”

  My chest felt like it had been struck with a sledgehammer. “I never said those words to him.”

  “Yes, but he doesn’t realize that. Only you can hear my voice, and after you yelled those awful words, I cut off the connection between you. Treacherous girl. I don’t know how you managed to restore the bond, but you’ll learn that I know everything. I know where you are, when you’re awake, and when you’re asleep.”

  “Leave. Me. Alone!” I snapped out each word, spiked with bitterness and hate. And then, I felt Roehl’s presence leave like a frigid wind.

  But now Trystan was gone too. Blocked again by that bastard.

  I was crushed. The thought of Trystan thinking I shouted that I hated and never wanted to see him again . . . I couldn’t bear it. I could only believe he knew those words weren’t meant for him.

  I needed to get out of this nightmare and wake up. Wake up!

  My eyes opened to see the walls glowing and pulsing in a deep crimson. Then it stopped. Something was wrong. Was I still sleeping?

  “Calla!” a voice called from beyond the door.

  “Sabine?” Fear surged through me at the thought of her coming in and being bound and crushed to death by the veined curse. “Don’t open the door! You’ll die.”

  “I know,” she responded.

  But how was she here? Was I still dreaming?

  The lock clanked and the entrance to the cell swung open. But it wasn’t Sabine who walked in. It was Markus.

  “Hurry. You must come at once,” he said, holding his hand out to me.

  “Markus? How did you get in?”

  “They’ll explain.” He pulled me up to my feet, then headed for Spring and lifted her swiftly into his arms.

  As I moved toward the exit, Sabine and Summer were just beyond the doorway.

  Behind them, standing against the walls, were six others in white robes holding wands in their hands, aimed at the three dark mages who had cursed the cell.

  Sabine ran over and grasped my wrist, pulling me out. “You have to leave now.”

  “What about Spring?”

  “We’ll take care of her,” Summer replied. “This is your only chance, Calla.”

  Markus exited with Spring in his arms. “Put the mages inside and spell it,” he ordered, and the white witches moved, forcing the dark mages into the cell.

  “You will all perish,” one of the mages roared, her voice gravelly.

  “Like we haven’t heard that before,” a white witch snapped, slamming the door shut. Then, the six white witches faced the cell, wands up, casting a spell over it.

  “It won’t last long. A few hours at most,” the oldest of them said when the spell was completed.

  Summer came over to me and took my hand, drawing me out of the hallway and toward the stairs.

  “Markus told us what happened. I know you were forced to do it, and I don’t blame you.”

  I didn’t know what to say. Emotions bubbled inside and began to spill over. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” Summer hugged me. “You’re already forgiven.”

  I wiped the tears from my eyes as we moved up the dank stairwell. Then, I glanced back at Markus, carrying Spring, who had just risked his life to save us. “Why?”

  “Because what he did was wrong,” is all he said.

  That was enough of an answer for me. Markus, the head of the king’s guard, had confirmed there was good in this wicked country.

  When we made it to the top and exited into the bright flowery hall, Markus gently laid Spring’s body on the floor. Summer and the rest of the white witches kneeled around her. They held their wands over her body and recited a spell in unison. In moments, Spring’s eyelids fluttered open.

&nb
sp; “Spring,” I breathed, dropping to my knees at her side

  She sat up and took my hand. “Calla. You saved my life. You kept your promise.”

  I tried to hold my tears in, but they spilled uncontrollably. “You were hurt and sent to the cell because of me.”

  “We must leave,” one of the white witches said. “We could be captured at any moment.”

  “Go,” the oldest one spoke. Five of them stood and hurried away.

  “Wait,” I responded. “I need to see the king. I have to speak to him.”

  Markus stepped beside me, offering me a hand. “Come with me. I’ll take you.”

  I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up. “What about the guards attending him?”

  He gave a half-grin. “They’ve been relieved of their duties. Indefinitely.”

  “You killed them?”

  “I had help,” he stated, shifting his gaze to the oldest witch.

  “Spring can’t stay here,” I urged. “Roehl will kill her.”

  “I’m taking her to Northfall,” Summer said, “back to our home and our family. We’re already packed and ready to leave. We’ll detour through Havendale to avoid Roehl and his men.”

  I exhaled in relief. I didn’t want any more lives in danger because of me. I stepped toward Spring and gave her a hug. “Be safe. I hope our paths cross again.”

  “I’m counting on it,” she replied, hugging me back.

  Summer came to me next, holding both of my hands in hers. “May the goddess be with you. And may the light of Incendia defeat all darkness.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “For everything.” She bowed and took her daughters hand, then moved to stand near the oldest witch. “Calla, this is my mother, Aurelia. She is one of the most powerful white witches in Morbeth.”

  I bowed my head to her. “Thank you for rescuing us. I wish we had more time, but we don’t.”

  “Yes,” Aurelia agreed. “We must hurry if you are to speak to the king and make your escape. Once the dark mages break free from the cell, their vengeance will be great.”

  We said our last goodbyes before parting ways with Spring and Summer. Aurelia came with us as Markus swiftly led the way to the king’s chamber. Three headless bodies were sprawled on the floor outside the door.

  “Don’t ask,” Markus said, rushing past them. “The king is inside.”

  I followed closely to discover more dead bodies sprawled out on the ground. Did Markus do this to his own guards? If he did, there was no way Roehl would let him live. And I was certain he would make it slow and painful, especially if I was missing.

  Markus stopped in front of two broad wooden doors, embellished with gold.

  “Go. Our time is running out,” he said.

  I moved past him, swinging the doors wide, stepping into a great, lavish bedroom. Thick velvet draperies were drawn over the windows, the room illuminated by candles and a crackling fire in the fireplace. Against the far wall was a huge bed. And lying in that bed was a man.

  I moved closer, my heart racing.

  The figure lying there wasn’t just the King of Morbeth, Romulus Tynan.

  He was my great-grandfather.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  As I walked to the side of the bed, my breath hitched at the sight of the king’s gaunt face. He had shoulder-length chestnut hair, graying on the sides, with a full mustache and beard. His body was still, eyes closed.

  Upon closer inspection, I watched his chest rise and fall with steady, heavy breaths.

  “Your majesty.” I spoke softly, reaching my right hand toward him, gently nudging his shoulder. “Majesty?”

  He didn’t move.

  “He’s under a sleeping spell,” Aurelia said.

  “Can you help him? Can you remove the spell?”

  She stepped forward, lifting her wand, and kept it hovering an inch above the king’s body, moving it from head to toe while reciting a spell. I didn’t pay much attention because my eyes were fastened to his face. A face with an unmistakable resemblance to the face I saw in Melaina’s water bowl. The face of his son, Nicolae.

  But what was I going to say to him when he woke? Would he believe who I was, or anything I said?

  Aurelia went silent, stepping back behind me. When I shifted my attention back to the king, I noticed his arm twitch, and then saw movement under his eyelids.

  His eyes popped open. They were a rich chestnut brown but horribly bloodshot.

  “Go ahead, dear,” Aurelia said quietly over my shoulder. “Say what you must but make it quick.”

  I nodded, taking a step closer. The king’s head lolled to the side, meeting my gaze.

  My heart was thundering inside my chest, and I knew if I didn’t speak now, I’d lose all train of thought.

  “Your majesty, I’m sorry to barge in like this, but we don’t have much time.”

  The king’s tired eyes fixed on mine, broadening. His trembling fingers reached for my face.

  “Leora?” His voice was weak and hoarse; a tear seeped from the corner of his eye. “Leora?”

  I glanced back to Aurelia, and she gave me a slight nod.

  Taking another step closer, I reached for his hand. It was ice cold. “No, sir. My name is Calla Caldwell.” I paused, gathering my courage. “I am Leora’s great-granddaughter. Your great-granddaughter.”

  The king’s expression was unreadable. His eyes shifted to Aurelia, and then to Markus, who both confirmed it was true. Then, his weak, shaky hand gripped mine. Tears slipped from his tired eyes before his trembling lips uttered, “Great-granddaughter?”

  I nodded. “Yes. My grandfather is Nicolae Corvus, your firstborn son from Princess Leora of Incendia.”

  The king pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “What happened to me?” he asked.

  Markus came to his bedside, on the opposite side of me, and bowed his head. “My king, Roehl put a spell on you after Rurik’s death. Then, he issued a death decree for Nicolae Corvus and his entire bloodline.”

  The king struggled to sit up but couldn’t. He was still too weak. “Treacherous son,” he declared through gritted teeth. “How did he happen to learn of Nicolae?”

  I sat on his bedside, his hand still in mine. “The late Queen told Roehl about Nicolae and cautioned him of the threat to the throne and his future as king. After hearing this, Roehl plotted to murder Nicolae and convinced Rurik to join him. But somehow, Nicolae found out about their plan, and when they came to murder him, Rurik happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  The king’s expression was one of complete bewilderment. “How do you know all of this?”

  I shook my head, realizing how hard it was to believe. “It’s a long story. But in short, I participated in a séance during the Shadow Fest, and in the In-Between, I met Princess Leora. She’s the one who told me everything.” I grasped both of his hands. “She wanted me to tell you that she still loves you and has been watching over you all these years.”

  “Leora,” he murmured to himself. “I’ve never ceased loving her.” He closed his eyes, then opened them again, this time with a stern look. “Where is Roehl?”

  Markus bowed again. “Majesty, he’s on his way to Northfall in hopes to capture Nicolae. We don’t have much time, my king. The guards loyal to Roehl will arrive soon.”

  I gazed deep into the king’s eyes. “I’m leaving Morbeth, and I want you to come with me.”

  “No,” he replied. “I won’t leave my kingdom.”

  “Roehl will come back. He wants your throne, and I have no doubt that he’ll kill you to get it.”

  The king slowly sat up and stood from the bed, his strength steadily returning. “Don’t fret, child. When Roehl returns, I will be ready for him. I am King of Morbeth, and I will make sure my kingdom survives his betrayal.” He took hold of my hand. “Do you have a place to go?”

  I nodded. “I’m going to Incendia.”

  The king’s eyes swam with sadness. “All of Incendia lie
s in ruins. I’m afraid you won’t find much there.”

  I squeezed his hand. “Princess Leora said that most of my answers are there, and I feel a call. I have to go.”

  The king slowly nodded before gesturing to Markus. Markus stepped to the side of me, then bowed deeply. “Your Majesty?”

  The king placed his palms on Markus’s shoulders. “I want you to leave Morbeth and travel with my great-granddaughter. Guard her. Keep her safe. This is my decree.”

  Markus looked at the king, and then at me with widened eyes. I was just as shocked as he was.

  “Yes, your Majesty,” he responded with another bow.

  “Behind the tapestry,” the king spoke. Raising his arm, he pointed at a specific one hanging against the far wall of him on a great black stallion that reminded me of my horse Shadow. “There is a loose stone. Remove it and take whatever sacks of gold skrag are inside.” Markus did as he said and drew out six small sacks. “Head to the docks at Crimson Cove,” the king continued, “and seek out Captain Sebastian Salloway. Tell him I sent you. If he doesn’t believe you, tell him I should have believed the story he told me at the Mermaid’s Tavern. He’ll understand.”

  “I want you to come with us,” I pleaded. “Who knows what Roehl will do once he returns and finds out what happened. He’s powerful and dangerous.”

  “I will not deny that my son has great power, but that power is also his weakness and blinds him to a great many things surrounding him. I have lived a much longer life than he, and trust me, this time, I won’t be easily deceived. I have powerful witches in my kingdom, like Aurelia, who can protect me.” Aurelia bowed before Romulus, confirming her loyalty. “Now that I am aware of his treachery, I will prepare. I will be ready.”

  I could only hope he was right.

  I swung my attention to Aurelia. “Roehl said he is able to find me no matter where I am because of the partial blood bond. Is there any way to remove it?”

  “Yes,” she answered. “I can remove it.”