by Sela Croft
“Another assignment? I haven’t finished this one.”
“Are the girls in their realm still?”
“No.”
“Then you’re finished.”
“The point wasn’t to bring them here,” Noah said.
“Then you’ll do better with the next one, won’t you? If they are in our world, they are no longer your concern.”
“But, Callie—”
“That’s enough!” I slammed my fist down on a small desk. It was stacked high with papers that scattered about. “There is a boy in Australia. Natasha has brought him to my attention, and you will go to keep an eye on him.”
“Australia?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“Excuse my frankness, but I think it’s too soon for me to be taking off,” Noah said. “What about Rosamon?”
“Rosamon?”
“Callie’s sister. The other twin.”
“Oh, her. Right, well, what about her?”
“Where is she? What happened to her?”
“How would I know?” I said.
“You know everything, Dequan.”
“You flatter me.”
“I’m not trying to,” Noah said.
I could see that he was growing frustrated. That was fine. I’d already reached that point the second he mentioned that violet-eyed human’s name in my private residence.
“You heard our discussion, Noah. You know as much as I do. We’re going to do everything we can to find the human’s sister.”
“Her name is Callie. And her sister is Rosamon.”
“Why are you asking me so much about them? You seem to be the one who knows everything there is to know.”
Noah glared at me. “I don’t know where she is or why she was brought here.”
“Nor do I.”
Noah gave me an accusatory look, then scoffed. I didn’t need him. I could simply get rid of him. The options began to loom in my mind. I could have him put down. He won’t be able to pester me anymore… Although, the human girl would ask questions. These two make quite the annoying pair. And now they’ve drug Logan into all of this. The last thing I need is him asking questions, too.
In the end, I decided Noah was still valuable. For then, keeping him alive was in my best interest. Taking in a long, deep breath, I tried to calm down. Putting on my best smile, I said, “I’m very sorry about everything that’s happened to Callie and Rosamon. And I promise that we will do all we can to find the missing sister.”
Noah didn’t seem to believe me, but he couldn’t very well argue with me for giving him what he wanted.
“Now, let me do my job and you do yours. You need to begin your research for this new assignment.”
“But Dequan—”
“The longer we stand here arguing, the longer it’s going to be before I can focus on the matter at hand.”
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll leave you to your work.”
Noah turned his back to me, then walked toward the gaping window. Then he vanished in a wispy cloud of mist and was gone.
“Finally,” I said, and moved back to the desk. I hoped he’d do as he was told, and stay out of the way.
Although, Noah interfering with the plan was the least of my concerns. Besides, it was easy enough to keep an eye on him. I would make sure to add checking in on him, periodically, to my constantly growing list of things to do.
I certainly hoped that the Fae princess appreciated everything I was doing for her.
But I had a feeling she wouldn’t appreciate the news I was about relay. My only hope was that she hadn’t learned too much, before I had a chance to tell her. She wouldn’t be pleased about Noah’s interference, and might require a renegotiation of my terms.
The one thing I required, above all else, was her trust. Especially now, given that our plans were about to change.
Chapter 18
Dequan
The preparations didn’t take long. I had the routine down to a science. First, I closed the door and shut the windows. Closing myself off from the rest of the world initially struck me as suffocating—but it was freeing. Being able to close them all out with their whining and worrying and self-indulgence, gave me the peace I needed.
The gem I needed to open the line of communication with the Fae princess was hidden in plain sight. It was best that way. The others tended to be suspicious and curious. They could sniff out secrets. Yet they were blind to what was right in front of them.
I chuckled to myself, then retrieved the stone from the case on the shelf above my desk.
I’d proudly told Logan that I’d found it during my first excursion into Fae territory. I’d commented that it added something to the space, and reminded me of our purpose.
He hadn’t asked about it, after that.
After moving to the center of the room, I removed the tattered rug and placed the gem into the center of the circle.
The princess had stressed that it had to be a circle. It didn’t have to be elegant or extravagant, as long as it was a circle.
I’d had a large circle carved it into the wooden floor, so many nights ago, that I’d lost count. The stone sitting in the center of it looked out of place. The reflective surface glimmered; it was the only truly beautiful thing I owned. The cool onyx surface was dark, but the light cascading down on us from above danced across its surface.
I stared at it, then into it. The longer I looked, the more I focused, the more translucent the surface of the stone became. I could see the speck of light in the center now. It was dull—not really light at all—just an empty glow. It fed off the light around us. When it grew, the room darkened.
A bolt of energy spilled out of it, but I didn’t shrink back as I had done in the early days of our arrangement.
“Why have you summoned me?” Amalia’s voice was soft but harsh. It was melodic in the most dangerous of ways. It could lull me into her words, and before I knew it, I’d become completely transfixed by her presence.
I waited for her to step through the shadows. The Fae princess wasn’t physically there, but her essence could be brought into the realm, by way of the circle, if channeled through the dark stone. She was a stunning sight—tall, thin, elegant in every sense of the word.
Her long, dark hair fell to her waist, and her eyes—the deepest brown imaginable—demanded attention. Her skin was pale, almost translucent. She didn’t resemble the Fae beasts she ruled. She was from the elite class, the ones gifted with beauty—yet another aspect of her that could lull victims into a false sense of security and awe.
“Our situation has changed, princess. I’m afraid we need to accelerate our plans.”
“I do hope you have a good reason to come to me with such an outlandish request.” Her figure moved, swaying back and forth, suspended over the portal leading to her realm. Her eyes remained fixed on me.
I shivered, swallowing back my fear, and spoke as boldly as I dared. “Logan has the other sister.”
“And he’s keeping her safe for us, while we prepare for her arrival?”
“I’m afraid he’s doing more than that.”
Her voice deepened. “What are you implying?”
“It’s nothing need concern yourself with,” I said.
“Then why have you disturbed me?”
“Logan has begun to draw conclusions about the nature of the events, unfolding in the realm. He believes the Fae are behind the attacks.” I waited for her response.
“We’re behind everything,” Amalia said, a haunting laugh trailing behind her words.
“He’s close to discovering the girl’s worth,” I said. “He’s beginning to understand her power, and may even be close to discovering its source.”
Her laughter ceased, leaving a hollow silence in the room.
“Well, that we cannot allow,” Amalia said. “An ignorant vampire prince is enough of a bother. An informed one? Well, I do understand your reasons for reaching out to me.”
I stifled my sigh of
relief.
“This is an inconvenience, though. We have everything arranged, Dequan. Years of preparation and waiting has gone into this.”
I spoke without hesitation. “Which is why we cannot allow the chance to pass us by.”
“What do you recommend?”
“Have your people begin, right away.”
The princess frowned, and appeared reluctant. Although clearly unhappy about it, the princess finally agreed. I was grateful for her approval.
“Thank you, Dequan, for bringing this to my attention.”
“Anything for you, my princess.”
“Is there anything else?”
“I would like to review the terms of our agreement. As you know, I am taking a great risk by aiding you and your Fae subjects.”
“One I have not overlooked. We have been over this, my dear, sweet, trusted servant.”
When she spoke like that, it could only mean one thing. She was displeased.
“The arrangement stands?”
“The arrangement stands. Once the Fae are victorious, you will take Logan’s place as prince and, ultimately, king of Crystal City.”
“Thank you…”
“That will only happen, if you do not fail. Remember Dequan, I’m as generous as I am spiteful.”
I didn’t doubt that in the least.
Chapter 19
Logan
Usually, I cherished quiet time, but that night I dared not trust my own thoughts. My idle mind would become my heart’s playground. Something I wasn’t prepared for.
With no clear investigational route to pursue regarding the Fae’s plans, and my sister’s decision to remain unavailable to me, there was no action required, just then.
Which left only one thing for me to think about—Callie.
The degree with which my feelings for her had grown was alarming. What was even more disturbing than that was the effect she had on me. Each time I saw her, I felt the same draw, the same intense pull to be near her. It was a constant battle with my senses to maintain my composure.
I reflected on Raulia’s comment about Callie’s scent. It had been the initial spark that had drawn me to her, and the enticing aroma burned bright in my memory. Yet my attraction to her had become more than that. And there was no use denying it.
I couldn’t lie to myself any longer. My need for her had evolved from one of hunger-induced longing to a more emotional one. Not only had she awakened my physical senses, but her presence ignited a flood of feelings I’d long since forgotten about. It had been more than a century, since I’d experienced anything resembling the dizzying rush of passion I felt, when I was near her.
And it was clear that she didn’t plan to go away, until she found her sister.
I wanted to find Rosaman, for Callie. But the thought of saying goodbye to her, after it was all over, made a lump form in my gut. It sat there, uncomfortably, as I considered the alternatives.
I scolded myself for being foolish. Callie wouldn’t consider staying in Shadowland. She had no reason to.
Would she stay for me? I didn’t ponder that question for too long. It was a dangerous contemplation. One that would surely lead to disappointment.
Yet, I could show her the realm, introduce her to what Shadowland was really like.
It would mean more than telling her about it. So, I waited for her to wake up, taking advantage of the time alone to eat, once more. The hours crept by. Then finally, I heard her feet hit the ground in her room. I was down the hall, trying not to seem too eager, waiting for the moment when I could see her again.
“Callie,” I said, gently knocking on the door. “I was thinking you might enjoy having a tour of the realm.”
“Really?” she said, struggling to pull the door open. “You mean, actually go out and see it?”
“What else would I mean?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you have like a crystal ball or something.”
I furrowed my brow. Crystal balls were nothing more than myth. They had no place in the real world.
“You can’t blame me for asking. As far as I’m concerned, anything is possible here,” Callie said.
“Well, sorry to disappoint. No crystal ball, only a flying dragon.”
“Oh, because that’s so much more normal.”
She laughed, then stepped out into the hall. I couldn’t help but laugh with her. Trying to imagine what my realm must seem like to her was a difficult task, since it’s the only world I’d known. But I had to admit, I could see the humor in her situation. What for me was the real world was the very definition of an enchanted place for her.
“Well, allow me to show you what normal is around here.”
“I doubt if you’ll ever convince me that any of this is normal.”
“I’m a man who enjoys a challenge.”
“That doesn’t surprise me, in the least. And speaking of challenges… what about Rosamon?” Callie said, turning to look up at me.
“I have every individual under my command looking for her,” I said. “As soon as any information is obtained, we’ll be informed. In the meantime, we have to wait.”
“Waiting is annoying.”
“Hence, my recommendation to look around my realm. Let me distract you from your worries, for just a little while.”
“You certainly know how to distract me,” Callie said, under her breath.
“I’m sorry?” I said, not sure I had heard her correctly.
Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes widened. “Oh, nothing,” she said, smiling. “I was just agreeing with you.”
“Then you’ll understand my confusion, because I’m not used to you agreeing with me so easily.”
“Hey,” Callie said, then playfully pushed my arm.
I glanced down at the place where her hand had brushed against me. She pulled it back, and her face flooded with color. It was another human interaction I didn’t understand, but enjoyed.
I hadn’t seen her act like that with any of the other humans. She had clasped Henry’s hands upon meeting him, hugged Bernadette after an extended absence, and even gone as far as to reach out to me in a time of discomfort.
But this was playful.
Part of me remembered that about being human—carefree and relaxed. Communicating with subtle gestures, and wondering if the meaning was understood. It was so long ago. In a sense, life as a vampire was simpler, more direct. But it had lost much. I hadn’t realized that before. In a world filled with mind readers and fortunetellers—beings with abilities a mere human would consider nothing short of miraculous—subtle had come to be considered a waste of time.
I couldn’t figure out why we’d closed off that part of ourselves. I found Callie’s blushing and confusion oddly appealing.
“So, Kaida will be joining us, I assume?” Callie said, then turned away from me and walked down the hall.
“Unless you would prefer one of my brother’s dragons.”
“That’s okay. I’ve seen them in action. I prefer a non-lethal dragon for my first jaunt around the city.”
I didn’t tell her that Kaida was more than capable of joining the others in battle. Instead, I agreed and led her through the halls, then up the stairs toward the rooftop.
“Do you want to call her?”
“She won’t listen to me,” Callie said.
“You never know…she seemed to like you before.”
“But she’s your pet.”
“Which is even more reason why she’ll listen to you. She knows that I like you, too.”
“Oh,” Callie said, glancing down. “She can tell that sort of thing?”
“I shouldn’t have said that,” I said, wanting to suck the words back into my mouth. “I just mean… well, she trusts my judgment and…”
“Right,” she said, rolling her eyes and spinning around to face the horizon. “So how do I do this?”
“Just call her name.”
“That’s it? There’s no special summons or anything?”
; “What do they teach you about dragons in the outside world?”
“Well, for starters, that they aren’t real.”
“You have so much to learn.”
“Good thing I have you to teach me.”
She smiled at me over her shoulder. Her violet eyes locked on mine, and she brushed a strand of her black hair from her face. Everything about her took my breath away. The way the light fell over her, accentuating the lines in her face, her eyes, her smile.
“Go ahead and try it,” I said.
Callie turned back to face the mountains in the distance, then called out, “Kaida.”
“That was cute,” I said, then walked up behind her.
“What do you mean? I said her name.”
“Exactly, you said it. How many times have we said her name since you met her? She doesn’t respond to that.”
“I asked you what to do.”
“Call her.”
“I feel silly.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
Callie sucked in a deep breath and tried again. “Kaida!” It was slightly louder, but still nowhere near as zealous as it needed to be.
“Try again.”
“You do it.”
“No, you can do it. You might need to summon her one day. It’s good for you to learn how.”
“Fine,” Callie said, then sucked in another breath. This time, she threw her arms out to her sides and called out Kaida’s name. It echoed slightly, bouncing off the cement ground around us and stretching out into the glowing sky.
In the distance, the flutter of wings caught her eye.
“I did it!” Callie exclaimed, then turned to me with her arms still outstretched. When she threw her arms around me, I gave into her embrace and let emotion wash over me. It was a moment of rare joy, a luxury to me.
Chapter 20
Logan
When we took to the air, Callie gasped. Her arms were wrapped tightly around my waist and the sound of her excited laughter rang in my ears. It elicited a series of laughs from me, as well.
“I have never seen Kiada take to someone, as quickly as she’s taken to you,” I said. “You must be very special. She doesn’t usually like humans.”
She was about to speak, but Kaida took a sharp turn and dove downward. The rush sent another flurry of giggles flying from Callie’s mouth, stealing her words. She tightened her hold on me and pressed her face into my back.
