by Sela Croft
“Maybe there’s no future, because the time we’re wasting here is just what our enemy needs to wipe us out,” Valter said. “We need to stage a massive attack on the Fae strongholds.”
I looked at Natasha, desperately wanting her to take my side. Her eyes flitted in my direction, but there was no sign that she was going to speak against our brother’s irrational plan.
“I’m sorry, Florian. I can’t say that he is wrong.”
“But you can’t say he’s right, either. “Natasha, don’t you care about finding Logan?”
“Of course, I do. But I know that he’s alive. That is all I can ask for, in times like these. All I care about is knowing that my brothers are alive.”
I grunted and ran my fingers through my hair. I couldn’t believe what either of them were saying. I couldn’t believe that they didn’t understand the direness of our situation. The war was one thing, but an all-out civil uprising would be another.
“I agree with Valter,” I said, having decided to take the diplomatic route to navigate my way through the conversation. “We need to strike the Fae while they’re weak. But we can’t overlook the fact that vampires are prepared to turn against us.”
“Florian has a point,” Natasha said. “The city can’t survive a complete overhaul in leadership, not right now. If it is true that there’s talk of replacing Logan, the allure of the throne could be enough to divide our people.
“They’ll become distracted, more than they already are. We need to avoid that, or we run the risk of undermining the loyalty and unity that has kept vampires alive, all these years. Without Logan, we could lose control of Crystal City.”
Chapter 20
Logan
I requested to speak with Raulia in private. I still wasn’t sure that I could trust her, which made me uneasy, especially with Callie around. It didn’t matter how many times she tried to convince me that any plans to turn Callie over to the Fae princess were now the furthest thing from her mind, I couldn’t push aside my concern.
Raulia walked toward me. “What is it?”
Although, there were plenty of empty rooms in the manor, I opted to have our meeting outside, in the off chance that things didn’t go well. The fresh air helped me think, as well. The manor was on a hill, and even though the air was heavy with fog, I could still see the lights of my city glowing dimly in the distance. That comforted me.
“I need you to venture to one of our towers. My guess is there will be several within a five mile range from here,” I said, without turning to face her.
Keeping my back to her was risky, given that I wasn’t confident she was wholly on my side. But doing so gave her the impression that I trusted her, which is what I wanted.
“You want me to leave?”
“I want you to get word to my brothers. They need to know that I’m still alive and will return, as soon as possible.”
“Can’t you send another?”
“You’re the fastest of the group. You can move swiftly in your wolf form, and defend yourself against any foe stupid enough to go up against you.”
“You’re trying to flatter me.”
“Is it working?”
Raulia smiled and shrugged. I hated that I couldn’t fully trust her. She had been a good friend throughout the years. We’d spent a great deal of time together, fighting in countless battles to defend Crystal City. If it had only been my life on the line, I would have been willing to overlook her renegade plan to strike up a deal with the Fae princess. There was even the chance that I would have been more receptive to her criticism—if it hadn’t involved Callie.
Having Callie involved made everything different for me—she made me different.
“Why don’t you come with me?” Raulia said. “You aren’t safe here on your own. Noah can’t protect you and the human girl… well, I doubt she’ll do much good against a fleet of Fae.”
“That’s exactly why I can’t leave. I won’t leave Callie and Noah undefended.”
“Then you go, and I’ll stay.”
“As I said before, you’re the fastest runner we have. Even flying, I can’t keep up with you in your wolf form. I need you to do this, not just for me, but for Shadowland.”
She gave me a sly look, then agreed. I watched her disappear into the gloom surrounding our hideout, then sighed in relief.
Now rid of that concern, I was able to focus on other matters at hand. Although my list of tasks loomed in the back of my mind, my primary concern was making sure that Noah was being tended to. After entering the home again, I made my way up the creaky stairs to the room the family had provided our injured companion.
Callie was in the kitchen with the woman of the house, eating dinner and getting to know our hosts. She always took a special interest in the people she met, even if they were only going to be in her life for a short time. That was something I appreciated about her, and something I hoped to embody myself, one day.
But today was not that day. With any luck, Noah would be awake, and without Callie around to distract me, I could focus on trying to glean more information from him regarding Rosamon’s presence in the Fae city.
When I entered the room, I saw Noah with the family’s eldest child. He was providing his portion of the blood, which appeared to be improving Noah’s condition. Although he was still weak, he was sitting up in bed and his eyes were open.
Noah wiped a drip of blood from the corner of his mouth. “Logan.”
The boy held his wrist, keeping pressure on the two small puncture marks where Noah’s teeth had pierced into his skin. I nodded to him, letting him know he could leave. Without a word, he hurried from the room, and I moved to the seat he had vacated.
“You look better.”
The scent of blood fueled my hunger. I pushed my need aside, knowing I’d need to wait a little longer, before satisfying my thirst. Asking the family to feed an injured vampire was one thing. Expecting them to feed me, as well, would be pushing it.
“I feel better,” Noah said, although his words were strained.
“You’ll need more.”
Noah nodded.
“Before you continue feeding, I hoped I could talk to you. Are you strong enough for that?”
Noah pushed himself upright. His arms shook against the movement, and he collapsed back in the bed. “I’ll do my best.”
“I’d like you to tell me more about Rosamon.”
Noah’s face lit up at the mention of her name. I wondered if that’s what I looked like when Callie’s name was spoken. If it was, no wonder my brothers had taken to teasing me about my feelings for her. He looked like a love-sick puppy.
“How did you learn of her presence in Shadowland?”
“She found me.”
“When?”
“Sometime after I returned from my failed attempt to escort Callie from your home. Dequan sent me away. He ordered me to return to the outside world, but I didn’t want to go. So, I stayed out of sight. It was then that she came to me.”
“Has she told you anything about where she is?”
“She’s not sure. But it’s obvious that she’s being held prisoner.”
“By Amalia?”
“That’s my guess.” Noah let out a pathetic string of coughs. “That’s not all. She’s learned a lot about herself since being here.”
“About herself?”
“She’s learned about her ability. She has magic, Logan. I always suspected, but now I know.”
“She’s certain?”
“She wouldn’t be able to communicate with me without it.”
“Does that mean that Callie…?”
“I assume. All I know is that Rosamon insists on keeping Callie away from her.”
“But we agreed to help Callie find her.”
“I know, and I have my reservations about that. But you know Callie. There’s no telling her no. Noah said. “And I worry about the danger Rosamon is in.”
“Did Rosamon say why she wants Callie to stay awa
y?”
“Her captors want them together. She believes that, alone, she isn’t powerful enough to provide what they need. That’s why they’re looking for Callie.”
“And what happens if they are brought together?”
“She doesn’t know for sure…but fears that it’s something terrible.”
Chapter 21
Logan
That wasn’t good. I’d promised Callie that I’d help find her sister. But if what Noah said was true…
I was torn. Talking with Noah hadn’t been encouraging. I’d learned more than I’d known before, but the information presented new problems.
“I shouldn’t have told you,” Noah said, probably noting my reaction. “You’re not going to help her find Rosamon now, are you?”
“I don’t know.”
“We have to save Rosamon.”
I paced beside the bed. “I’m aware of that.”
But if getting the sisters together was what the Fae wanted, then perhaps we should be trying to avoid that, at all costs.
But I’d made a promise.
Finding her sister had been Callie’s one motivation to stay in Shadowland. Our mutual concern for loved ones had brought us together. Talking to her about my family, hearing her talk about hers, formed the spark that had grown into a flame of desire.
Callie had pleaded for me to help her. And I’d agreed. I recalled the way her eyes had lit up, when I’d agreed to go through the portal with her. That had warmed my heart and brought me closer to her.
But if fulfilling that promise meant putting Shadowland in danger, I couldn’t follow through. I couldn’t allow the Fae to gain control of whatever power the girls possessed. It could mean the end of everything I held dear. I’d fought to keep my siblings alive and the realm united.
I couldn’t let that fall apart, just because I made a promise. Yet her sister was in trouble, and Callie wouldn’t give up until she was safe.
Besides the internal battle over the risks of going after Rosamon, I still had my doubts that the illusion in the Fae city had been Callie’s sister.
It wasn’t unlike the Fae to use mind tricks to get what they wanted. In battles gone by, when the borderlands had been a place of constant contention, the Fae had disguised themselves as friends or allies to infiltrate our camps. I’d fallen victim to their tricks in a foolish decision that nearly cost us thousands of acres of land.
A man had been injured in that incident. He’d come to me, begging for shelter, and claimed that the Fae had killed his family. He’d sought revenge, and had offered to lead us to their camp to show us their hiding place.
But he’d led us into a trap.
Before that, he’d spent two weeks with my men, learning our strategies and reporting back to his Fae commander. So, when we’d encountered the enemy, they’d been prepared.
We had lost a lot of lives that day.
I’d learned from that experience. The princess would go to any extreme to claim our lands. She was capable of evil deeds, and with victory within her grasp she would have no mercy. Toying with the emotions of a human girl, trapped in our world, was child’s play.
Agony filled my heart. Callie didn’t understand the dangers around her. She refused to consider the risks in going after her sister, so trying to stop her would be pointless.
The only thing I could do was keep her safe. But that meant more distraction, and less time spent on my duties. I had no way of knowing what condition Crystal City was in. When I’d left, the vampires had been winning.
But the Fae had been stronger than we’d imagined. We’d thought we were safe inside the city, with the border separating our lands to keep us safe. The Fae had figured out how to cross the line, though.
I had to maintain confidence that my brothers and sister would take care of things in my absence. Each was just as capable as I was to rule Shadowland. Considering recent events, perhaps one of them was better suited.
Chapter 22
Callie
The family was nice, but I wasn’t sure whether that made me feel better or worse. I’d spent the better part of an hour getting to know them. Although, they were part Fae, I couldn’t help but compare them to other humans I’d met in Shadowland.
All they wanted was a good life, including land, crops, and peace. They only wanted to survive, but had been pulled into the war, just as I had. They hadn’t started the battles that had become a very real part of their lives.
The mother Lisette, reminded me a lot of Gretl, the human woman who had taken me in, on my first day in this strange world. She was rough around the edges, but she had a good heart.
She insisted that I eat all she offered.
“I only need a piece of bread, maybe some juice,” I said. “I know you don’t have a lot of food on hand.”
“Don’t be silly child,” Lisette said, then tossed her tangled hair over her shoulder. “You need your strength, if you’re going to be running around with the likes of vampires.”
I wondered what her experience with the vampires had been. But I was afraid to ask the question. I could guess her answer, and something told me it wouldn’t be what I wanted to hear.
After spending time with the twin girls, I grew more attached to the family. I added their names to my mental list of people to check on, once things settled down. So far, that list consisted of Gretl, her husband, and Sienna, my cell mate from the vampire’s prison.
When I had my fill of food and emotional bonding, I excused myself to see to Noah and provide the portion of blood I had promised.
When I walked up the rickety staircase, my stomach fluttered with nerves. I had heard Logan promise that giving blood wouldn’t hurt. Yet I couldn’t understand how it wouldn’t.
Biting had to hurt.
When I reached the top of the stairs, I crossed paths with Geoff, the family’s eldest child. He’d been the first to offer his blood, not wanting his sisters to go ahead of him. And he’d been concerned about any adverse effects on his parents, who needed to look after the twins, if something did go wrong.
Geoff was brave, but I supposed he’d have to be, to survive in this world.
I had trouble imagining growing up in Shadowland. I’d thought high school was the worst thing that I could endure. That was so far from the truth. A little bullying was nothing compared to fighting for survival, on a daily basis.
Geoff held his wrist and appeared slightly shaken. But overall, he seemed unharmed.
I stopped in front of him. “How was it?”
“He was right,” Geoff said. “It didn’t hurt—much.”
“How do you feel?”
“Lightheaded, but that’s to be expected.”
I noticed the color of his eyes. They didn’t glow like his sister’s, but they were unique. The color was more vibrant than any I’d seen before. My eyes appear dull, in comparison.
The more I was around them, the easier it was for me to pick out the defining qualities that identified them as part Fae.
“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate you doing this,” I said. “I know we’re asking a lot.”
“More than you think,” he said and pushed his way past me.
I was puzzled, but my concern for Noah’s condition outweighed my curiosity. I quickened my pace and made my way toward the room. To my relief, my friend was sitting up on his own, talking to Logan. “Noah,” I said, then rushed across the room.
“Umph,” he said, when I threw my arms around his neck. He held tightly, before leaning back and giving into exhaustion.
I sat on the edge of the bed. “How are you?”
“Better, but I still need more blood. Don’t worry, I’ll recover.”
“That’s great news,” I said, then looked up at Logan. His expression gave away that something was off. I slipped my hand into his, before turning my attention back to Noah.
“Well, I’m here to help,” I said. “I don’t know how this is supposed to work. Do you bite me, or, do I have to do somethi
ng to make myself bleed?”
I noted the tension in the room, despite my attempt at levity. The unease emanated from Logan. It didn’t take long for him to voice his concern. “I don’t think you should give blood. There’s no telling what effect it could have.”
“Don’t be silly,” I said. “I’ve given blood before. I can handle a little light-headedness. I’ll just eat a cookie or something.”
“Callie, I—”
“Really,” I said. “I’ve given blood at blood drives. I’m a pro at this. Although, those usually involve needles. Something tells me this will not.”
Noah chuckled, and I laughed, but Logan remained stoic.
“The bite will hurt,” Logan said.
His words were laced with emotion. He sounded so serious. I turned and looked up at him, unable to hide my frustration. He was being jealous again, and while it was endearing, he had to know I wouldn’t be dissuaded from helping my friend.
“You told the others…”
“I lied.”
“Logan, I’m doing this,” I said. “I can handle a little pain. If it will help Noah, I’m going to do it.”
“Callie, please, can we just talk about this?”
He was using his diplomatic tone. I’d enjoyed it before, but now it upset me. There were only a few things that made me truly and genuinely angry. And being told I couldn’t do what I knew was right was one of them.
“You have farms, right?” I said, the words spilling out of my mouth. “Farms where you keep humans to take their blood. You don’t kill them, obviously…because you need their blood.”
Logan stepped back, as if thrown off balance by my tone.
“Well?”
He nodded.
“And I’m guessing that there have been other occasions when something like this was necessary. When you had to take blood from humans to survive. You say you’re not heartless, and I know you’re not. You don’t just roll into towns and villages draining the inhabitants of their blood and leaving behind nothing more than a pile of lifeless bodies, right?”
He nodded again.
“Then what’s the problem?”
