by Emily Shore
Wings retreating back into my shoulder blades, I fought the urge to gush when I saw them. Stallions and mares of all colors: shadow gray, fiery chestnut, rich sable, creamy white, and glossy black.
“Shh…” Skip touched my arm, then proceeded to step onto the field about a hundred yards or so from them. He clicked his teeth together a couple times, then whistled.
One horse broke from the fold and trotted over to him. He feathered his hand along her muzzle, and she neighed, calm, in return.
I approached from behind, marveling, “Skip, she's beautiful.”
She looked young, but she was tall and proud with magnanimous brown eyes, narrow muzzle, and a deep chocolate brown coat — perfect for Skip. Her mane was also white and not dark to match.
“This is Sasha. She’s not fully broken. But we’re working on it.” Skip rubbed the underside of her neck. “Here, girl.” He handed her a few carrots from his jacket pocket and she accepted them gratefully.
I admired him all the more. The fact that he could use his persuasion at any time to break Sasha but his unwillingness to was a point of pride. Perhaps it’s why he showed me this. If he had this much respect for a horse, I couldn’t even imagine how much more he had for his own family members and their struggles after his father’s death. Could I expect him to push them even if he had the means?
I reached out to stroke Sasha’s smooth side, relaxing. Skip surprised me by sidestepping me and swinging straight up onto the horse’s back before extending a hand to me.
“Ready for a ride?”
This was a change to our dynamic. I’d promised him an opportunity. This wasn’t it, but it was a start. So, I accepted his offer and climbed onto the horse’s back behind him.
Once inside the woods, I relaxed my shoulders and breathed in the hearty scent of stalwart Redwoods. No moonbeams. Skip had picked a dark night, shrouded in clouds, which also meant he was stronger. I could sense it in his posture, in his frame, the pride in his shoulders, and the way his blood hummed within his veins. Tonight, his cologne bowed to his blood scent. Almost overpowering, it whetted my tongue, with how close we were with my arms wrapped around him from behind, hands anchored on his chest.
I inhaled, fingers touching his bare skin between his shirt buttons.
“You should be careful,” warned Skip, eyeing me just over his shoulder. “Very careful.”
I flushed. In the darkness, I knew he could see the heat coloring my cheeks and neck. Even if he couldn’t, he could sense it from my heartbeat picking up tempo, shoulders shrinking from embarrassment. I should be more careful.
Deep within the woods, we came to a small rise where the trail forked in two. Skip led Sasha to the right down a small hill.
“We're almost there,” he said.
“Almost where?”
He didn’t respond. A few minutes later, we reached a clearing where birch trees thrived, protected by Redwoods. Long, thin strips of birch bark had peeled off from the papery trees flanked by random browned patches while the older ones had turned chalky. Several white waterlilies atop pads flecked a nearby pond. The bridge across the pond was old. Constructed of stone instead of wood. Vines slithered up through cracks and fissures, breeding with buds and petals halfway fanned, transforming into flowers.
Skip dismounted and helped me off. I leaned on his shoulders for support, inhaling again.
“You’re not being careful, your highness,” he lectured, but I latched onto his flattering hint at the end. His confidence in me transcended everything else.
As we ventured across the stone bridge, I tried to concentrate on my surroundings. But my curiosity got the better of me. “Are you going to tell me the story about this place?”
Skip paused midway across the bridge and cupped the sides, peering over at the pond. “I was ten. Pretty young. Going through a difficult phase after my father’s death. We’d had a week of severe storms. I enjoyed the challenge of surviving on my own in the wild, exposed to the elements, living off the land,” he explained, shrugging. “But the storms had driven game into hiding. I was thirsty, thirstier than ever.
“I wandered onto this land. I smelled the horses and prepared to take one down. But she rose to challenge me.” He nodded back to Sasha. “She protected the others. Even knowing I was a predator, Sasha was ready to sacrifice herself for her herd. I couldn’t bring myself to waste that. So, I fed from her but refused to drain her. Ever since, we’ve shared a bond. She’s my freedom.” Skip mused, his eyes transformed into evergreens in the darkness. “What is yours, Rin?”
I studied Skip. Mundane things like books and swimming were meaningless now. Family was love. But freedom… “Freedom is my silver blood. Anytime I transform into the truest parts of me. It’s not pure. It’s not whole. But anytime it happens, I get a taste of freedom. And I suppose I have you to thank.” I chuckled, my curls playing with the neckline of my shirt. “You’re the Phantom to my Christine,” I mused.
Skip took control of my wrist, turning it over, examining my blood. “Yes, you still have much to learn, Rin. But I know you will do your best as she did.” Whether he’d researched the songs recently in light of my penchant for the musical or he’d always known, I had no idea.
Skip tilted his head toward mine. Ever so slightly, I felt my lips part, waiting for him. Another adrenaline rush. His fingers were frozen poems on my cheek until his lips coated mine in a rousing kiss. Magnified even more when his hand lowered to my neck and the kiss deepened into something stronger. I bowed my head to his. Skip’s fingers bedded down on my jawline. In seconds, he made my mind soar just as the Phantom did for Christine. When he paused, I took a moment to catch my breath, but he opened my mouth more. I closed my eyes, wondering why Raoul's face popped into my head. They were nothing alike. Romantic and chivalrous, Raoul kissed me like a knight out of a fairy tale while Skip bewildered me like a ghost.
Only this time, he seemed bewildered when our lips parted. When he hovered just above my mouth, his breath skirting mine, I noticed his pupils swell, dilate from blood-lust as a low growl ebbed from his throat. His eyes feasted on the sight of my neck. Upon my chanting pulse.
“Reina…” he growled before leaping back into a crouch and snarling.
On instinct, my silver veins burst to life. Prepared for anything, I roused my fire, but Skip thrashed his head to the side, eyes narrowing on me. Within one moment, the silver lines faded, taking my fire with them. He’d persuaded my silver blood to shut down! This was…different. Afraid for the first time with Skip, I stepped back, unsure of what to do. No matter how much I tried to use my abilities, Skip managed to shove them back down. Too powerful.
He snarled again, pupils devouring his irises. I didn’t dare breathe as he deepened his crouch, spine arching, preparing to leap. Then., Sasha neighed. My saving grace. Diverted by the noise, Skip flicked his head to Sasha, and when he leapt, I gasped, equal parts mortified and astounded at him overpowering the horse. Like it was no more than a shrieking rat. Sasha’s screams lasted no more than a few seconds as Skip burrowed his face into the mare’s neck and bled her dry until she stopped struggling. Sasha’s struggles faded to a twitch. And finally, to a still. Dead as the shed tree crusts around us.
Slow and steady, the vampire rose from the beast, turning to face me. His hair had escaped its binder and lay in liquid fire down his chest, the ends brushing against a few speckled blood drops. No more than a few. I was still holding my breath when he approached me until his shadow gorged itself on my frozen figure.
Finally, I gasped, leaned on the bridge for support.
Before he could say another word, my cellphone started ringing. Thrilled by the diversion, I scrambled for the object in my pocket and muttered “Heath”, then swiped.
“Rin, you need to get home now!”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Repercussions
From my window, I could see the flames. Various parts of the city burning. Blood gangs running amok. I hung my head, grieved o
ver the riots in Le Couvènte. Despite knowing this was common before election periods, it was something I was more aware of now. Something I was close to. But powerless to do anything. Some were even creating copycats of the Rose Killer murders. By now, several vampires and wolves had filed their own blood claim for the throne. New alliances were formed. Blood rights over territories conflicted. More competition, more violence, more blood spilling.
All because of me. Of the nightmares I couldn’t control. Of a human creator presenting an uncontrollable challenge. Of my claim for the throne.
In the distance, I could hear the baying and howls of wolves, screams and shouts of vampires. Tonight, the Queen had assigned only one Guardian outside my home. The rest were dealing with the chaos. I wondered if Raoul was with them. But I didn’t fear for him. Raoul’s shifting ability served him well. If the Civil War and following ones didn’t kill him, a few roving blood gangs wouldn’t either.
My cellphone was on its multiple ring when I finally answered, not entirely sure if I wanted to hear from her.
“Yes, you do,” were the Queen’s first words, her ability all too aware of my subconscious, foreseeing everything. Even now, I could hear the grin in her voice. How could she stay positive on a night like this?
“This is all―”
“Not your fault. Yes, there are more riots than any other election since the founding days. It’s overwhelming. But if I were to share with you one last piece of advice, Reina Caraway, let it be this: you did the right thing. You are doing the right thing. Your humanity is your greatest strength.” My humanity. No, that was wrong. My humanity was what led to all this. If I was just born vampire or werewolf, none of this would be happening. She couldn’t assuage my guilt. No, not guilt. Responsibility.
“Why are you calling me now? I thought the Council had the monarchs on lockdown.”
“I am. But sometimes, foresight dictates the risk is worth it. And whatever else is lost, remember your humanity.”
Caroline hung up, so abrupt, I imagined there was a reason.
I was ready to close my window when I noticed movement from the tree line. A dark shape swung past a redwood. No. Dark shapes. My flesh turned icy, pale goosebumps erupting, quickening the silver blood in my veins. That was why she’d hung up. She knew. Vampire senses awakened, I narrowed my pupils to a pinprick to observe the formation. Both vampires and werewolves pouring from the trees lined up like an impenetrable war chain, closing in on my house.
There was no time to flinch. Or to stand tall. Heath and my father showed up first thanks to their wraith shadowing from inside our house. Next, Mom and Brian appeared from the other side of the Victorian. Her howl was what made me flinch. So strident, I was forced to cover my ears. Her Alpha howl. Calling her pack. But would they reach us in time?
What did this pack and clan want? And why would they unite like this? Especially when most of the city was warring?
Two leaders, one vampire and one wolf, though not yet in wolf form unlike the rest of his pack, took two steps forward from the formation. Dressed in black leather trench coats as if the choice was some cult association, they prepared to address my family. My parents did not budge.
The wolf was the first to bark, “Bring out your daughter, Queen Caraway,” He demanded.
“Time for her to withdraw her blood claim!” The vampire announced.
My skin chilled, sprouting goosebumps like ice buds. But inside was another story. Silver blood grew hot within me, boiling my human blood, leaching into my hands, rousing my fire. Stronger than the night I almost died, I channeled it, funneling telekinetic energy, weaving a firestorm waiting to be uncaged.
My mother growled ceremoniously, stomping at the ground, crouching. A sharp contrast, my father maintained his aloof posture, pride lifting his chin befitting a former sovereign and voiced, “My daughter does not answer to you.”
The wolf drew his gaze to my window, gestured to me before singling me out before his pack. “Look at her hiding away in her house. Thinking she could ever rule over ones such as us!” He spread his arms and his pack responded, pawing at the ground, shaking their fur. Dad’s warning to remain inside was moot. My family needed help.
“We will not serve a human queen,” proclaimed the vampire. His clan echoed with their own insults, varying degrees of “mortal spawn” and “flesh bag” “human filth”.
That is why they united. Against a human. Against me.
For a moment, I considered surrender. Renounce my claim. But two things stopped me. One: it was already too late. Every name they called me echoed in my head.
“Abomination!” The vampire whispered, but I heard it all the same.
It was the nail in my coffin. After my first claim, they would not risk such a stake from ever arising again. Our races were immortal and held onto grudges for centuries. If we did not take a stand now, I knew they would try again. When we were even less prepared, their thoughts confirmed. Two: I had something stronger on my side. More than hope, it was belief. Belief in the strength of my family. Belief in the prophecy. Belief in the bloods of my family.
I’d be damned if I cowered back inside. My blood was too royal for that. And my resolve too strong. If I wanted the throne, if I wanted to earn the right to my claim, I couldn’t retreat. Especially not when we were so outnumbered.
Caroline was wrong. Tonight, I would need all my strength.
Time to show them how not human I truly was. Without allowing my family to respond, I stepped onto my window ledge, gaze needling into the formation, daring to target their eyes. Faster than I’d ever managed before, I jumped from the ledge, free falling for two seconds before liberating my wings and raising my voice so all could hear. “And I will not serve a false one!”
Judging by the momentary shock on some of their faces when I beat my wings and landed in front of my family, it was clear no one knew of this sudden emergence.
“Leave our property at once!” I commanded, knowing my words would incite more retaliation. It didn’t matter. My whole body, my beating heart sparked retaliation long before this. And my actions would only serve to buy us time before my mother’s pack and more Guardians, more allies arrived.
The vampire straightened. “You might have some pretty wings. But we can still smell the carnal blood on you. Baseborn.”
“Abomination!” The wolf retorted.
Rin, I heard Heath’s warning voice in my head. But he was too late and he knew it. Oh damn…
His curse came just on the cusp of my firestorm. A firestorm that became my own violent formation. Fueled by my telekinesis, my fire formed a flaming wall a hundred feet high. I grinned as both pack and clan were taken aback, their line wavering, shifting back from my surprise ability. But I could read their rebellion. My fire became my invitation. But we had a telepath and wraith shadower, an eraser, and an Alpha Queen and her son on our side. Above all, we had a creator.
So, when both leaders sharpened their gazes, pupils dilating with blood lust, emotions writhing for my flesh, I whispered, knowing full well they could hear me above the flames.
“Bring it on!”
As predicted, the vampires’ first move was to fly over my flames. But to their surprise, I could shift the wall. My firestorm climbed higher to thwart them. And burned hotter when the wolves tried to make it through. Flames singed fur, licking at their hides. I made a mental note to apologize to my father later for incinerating his herb garden. But I doubted he’d rail me about it.
Still, I knew I was just delaying the inevitable. Even as I shifted the flames into an arc when eying the wolves at its edges trying to weave around it, I knew I couldn’t keep this up forever. Just needed to keep it up until reinforcements arrived. They should’ve been here by now. Enton had my father’s ear.
The reinforcement who arrived shouldn’t have been such a surprise. Especially since he descended to the ground from my window. I nodded to Raoul, who joined ranks next to Heath, grateful for his experience as Guardian and s
oldier. The pack and clan continued to test their boundaries, but every action forced my firewall back, hemming us in closer to the house. This wouldn’t last long.
While the wolf leader prowled, sniffing the air, the vampire preyed his eyes on me, declaring, “Time to stop this foolishness, little fire gatherer. You’ve showed us some pretty fireworks, but we all know this won’t last forever. What happens when those flames singe your pretty human skin?”
To that, I shot my hands forward, launching a powerful shockwave, hurling dozens of them back. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see my stunned family balk at the sight of several members crashing against the tree-line. Bones cracked, whole trees felled. Some did not rise but merely twitched, stumbling, crumpling back to the ground in pain.
“Reina!” Raoul was the first to cry out.
I gasped, awed by the force, how the power still raged within me. This was our house. This was our land. This was our family. This was my body…and blood. Pride and protection roared within me. A creator dragon unchecked.
Still, they came for me. With their several members still lying on the grass unconscious or biding their time for their supernatural bodies to heal, the leaders charged forward. More violence, more determination, but something else…fear. Fear made them desperate and unpredictable.
And even as my blood rampaged on, my body grew weak, adrenaline depleting. No choice but to fold my wings back under my shoulder blades.
The leaders seemed to sense it because they tried harder, ordering their members to test the firepower more, cornering us further. Resolved to see this through to the end, I packed as much telekinesis into the firewall. Only the most stalwart of members could get through the shield. And the wolf leader was the first, rolling and snapping at the flames.
