Vampire Girl 7: Fallen Star

by Karpov Kinrade

  Dean shakes his head. "No way. You're not going anywhere after what you've been through. Draw me a picture and tell me all the details you can. I'll find it myself. You'll stay here and rest."

  Dean looks to Sly. "Will you take care of her? Get her a healer? Food? Whatever she needs?"

  Sly nods. "You know I will, Prince."

  Dean nods as Sly hands me parchment and charcoal.

  I close my eyes, picturing the scene in my mind, and I draw.

  When I open my eyes, I stare, flabbergasted. "Did… did I draw that?" I ask.

  Because honestly, if you'd asked me to draw anything a few weeks ago, it would have looked like a glorified stick figure. But this, what I'm holding now? It's a masterpiece. It shows a castle in full detail, and the path that leads to the cave. Trees and landmarks with shading, texture and depth. I could frame this and sell it on eBay for quite a sum.

  Dean whistles through his teeth and Sly studies the mark on my arm. "You've been dragon-touched," he says in awe.

  I nod.

  "Then this is only the beginning," he says, nodding to my drawing.

  Dean takes the parchment, studying it. "I know where this is." He stands, then sits back down to face me. "Are you okay if I leave?"

  I roll my eyes. "I didn't turn into a helpless female just because I lost my powers. Go. Save the king. Be a hero. I'll be here eating and drinking and catching up with Iris. She owes me some stories."

  He kisses me, and need grows in us both, but that will have to wait too. Then he rolls the parchment, sticks it in his pocket and walks to Sly's mirror. With a final glance to me and a flirtatious wink, he leaves through the mirror.

  I sigh once he's gone, leaning back against the couch. Sly pours something amber from a crystal decanter and hands me the glass. "This will take the edge off," he says, pouring himself one.

  "Now, tell me all about you and the delicious Prince of Lust."

  Alex Stone

  I duck out of that conversation as quickly as possible, citing my desperate need for a bath—since I still stink of that awful water—and actual clothing. Sly guides me to a private room and ushers me in. "Stay here as long as you like. Consider the Black Lotus home whenever you're in need of one."

  Remembering that my Malibu mansion is actually in pieces, I thank him. But before he leaves, I call out. "Sly… you set up that tomb, didn't you?"

  He gives a bow of his head. "That was a very long time ago. And a favor to a powerful king who needed to appease his people's fears." He smiles, the years showing in his eyes. "You're a remarkable person for figuring it out."

  I lower my eyes to hide the grief that wells up. "It was my gift. Nothing more."

  "Malarkey," he says. "I spelled that tomb myself with magic even older than yours. It was you, dear girl. Never doubt it."

  As he leaves, I consider his words and realize that though the Star shard was calling to me, I didn't actually use my powers to decipher the riddle or figure out the traps. A swell of hope grows in me. Maybe my career as an archeologist isn't over just because my gifts have changed.

  With renewed spirit, I bathe and change clothes, then go in search of Iris. I find her at her house, playing a new video game on her PlayStation.

  "Ready for that drink?" I ask.

  She grins and turns off her game. "Sure thing. Where did your man go?"

  I explain about finding Fen and she shrieks. "That's amazeballs. Elias is going to be so happy. But he can wait. Tonight, it's you and me time."

  She pulls out a dusty bottle of something green and scary looking and waggles an eyebrow. "Ready for a night you'll never remember, but will change your life forever?"

  "Um… maybe?"

  She laughs and pours us both drinks.

  The liquor burns going down, then fills me with warmth. I pet Theo, who purrs under the attention, as Iris and I share all our secrets, all our adventures, all the things we've been keeping from each other for so many years, thinking we were the ones with the biggest secrets.

  I'm a Fallen Star. She's the Unseen Lord.

  I'm a famous archeologist. She's a badass Watcher.

  But tonight we're just two women getting drunk, letting loose, and enjoying a moment of respite in a world that sometimes feels a bit mad.

  And while I can't wait to see Dean again, and explore whatever it is we have, and she surely is looking forward to being with her fiancé again soon, we also appreciate the importance of female friendships, of bonds that are thicker than blood, of moments that bind strangers into family.

  Fenris Vane, King of Inferna, an Epilogue

  The ride north is long and hard, and yet there is nowhere I would rather be, but back here, in the rugged wilderness of Inferna. I breathe in the scents of pine and earth and snow of my homeland. The realm of War. It has been many weeks since I left to search for Arianna, since Levi captured me and held me prisoner. I have been gone too long. I miss my wife. I miss my children. Yes, even Aya. Perhaps especially Aya. Though Dean told me of what she has done. Of how she bewitched her mother and fought against her brother. He also told me of how she did the right thing at the end. I hope she is safe. I pray she is happy.

  My wolf, Baron, travels to my right, with Dean at my left, his horse prone to nipping at mine when too close. He talks often and about things of little importance, but I am glad for his company. And I suppose, beyond being my brother, he is also one of my dearest friends. Him, Kayla, and Asher are all very dear to me. And yet, I realize I have spent little time with them in these past years, having been so focused on ruling. Perhaps now I will make more time for friends. For family. Perhaps I can even grow closer to Ace and Zeb. For I thought about them often when locked away, inches from death. I thought of how sad it was, that I could die now, and not have truly known them.

  The Prince of Lust looks around at the forest that surrounds our path, his face filling with awe. “Fen, can you believe it’s been 100 years since you and I rode through these forests together, searching for Arianna? I swear, it feels just like yesterday.”

  Memories. Some fond. Some less so, flood my mind. And I look out onto the horizon with a smile. “Yes. I suppose it does.” Dean chuckles, and I study his joyous face, a face happier than I have seen in a long time. “I’m glad for you, brother,” I say. “Glad you have finally found someone to love. And who loves you in return. Alex Stone seems to be an amazing person.”

  He blinks, a twinkle in his eye. “That she is, brother. That she is.”

  We come upon a peak, and in the distance, I see it. Stonehill. Home.

  And without a second thought, I spur my horse on, making haste, charging down the mountain through snow and wind, a big, uncontrollable smile on my face. Baron joins me, as excited to be home with family as I am. And as soon as I am through the gates, I see her standing there. Waiting. My wife. My Arianna. Dressed in a gown of pure white, her black hair drifting gently in the breeze. I leap off my steed with reckless abandon and rush into her warm embrace. I clutch her tightly against my chest. I bury my face in her hair. I take in her sweet scent and every detail of her beautiful face and her gorgeous eyes. She is even more stunning than I remember. And yet she is the same as she has always been.

  Her dragon, Yami, leaps from her shoulders onto Baron's head, the two of them excited to be together again. But I am focused solely on my wife.

  I take her head gently in my hands, and I press my lips to hers, and I am overcome with a love that I cannot even begin to describe.

  “Welcome back,” she says. “Welcome back, my love.”

  “There were times I feared,” I whisper. “Times I feared I would never return to you. But all I had to do was remember your voice. To remember Dum Spiro Spero. To remember to hope. And so I did.”

  It takes a moment, for I am so absorbed by her, to look up, and when I do I see my son. I see Elias. He greets me with a smile and clasps his arms around my shoulders. How long has it been since I last saw him? Since he last went into exile accused of horrible
crimes not his own? Before I can even remember, his words pull me from my thoughts.

  “I missed you so, father. It’s been too long since we last went hunting together.”

  “Yes. Too long, my son.” I pull him closer and kiss him on the forehead as a large black wolf walking by his side notices Baron. The two wolves, who clearly know each other, sniff and nuzzle each other, and my son grunts and steps back, beaming as he gestures to a woman at his side.

  “Father,” he says, clearing his throat. “This is my fiancé. Iris.”

  The woman has short black hair and a smile that is playfully devious, and she holds out her hand to greet me.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I—”

  I wrap her in a hug, cutting off her words. “And it’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Iris. I do not know you yet, but if my son loves you, then I am certain you are a wonderful person, and I can’t wait to get better acquainted.”

  I step back, turning to Arianna. “Any news of Aya?” I ask, hopeful.

  She shakes her head somberly. Then Iris, seeming to notice our exchange, closes her eyes, and speaks as the wind picks up around her. “I can sense her,” she says. “Aya is safe.”

  I do not know how she has this ability, but her words bring joy to my heart. Elias winks at me. “We have much to discuss, father.”

  “Yes. Yes we do.” I stand between my son and my wife, holding each of them close, and together we ascend up the mountain. To my castle. To my Stonehill.

  To my home.

  Asher Vane, Prince of Pride, an Epilogue

  Lovely. The ship is taking us to the island in good time, but I spend most of the journey lounging on a pillow that is far too comfortable and snacking on grapes that are far too sour. The door creeks, and the most beautiful of men enters my quarters. His skin is gold like honey and covers thick chords of muscle underneath. His head, completely devoid of hair and covered in serpentine tattoos, is perfectly proportionate. His face is kind, and strong, and mesmerizing.

  Varis meets my eyes. “You’re doing it again.”

  “Doing what?” I ask, tossing the hundredth grape into my mouth.

  “Brooding. You’ve been locked in this cabin all day.”

  I puff out my chest. “I do not brood. And if I do, I do so in enough style as to not make it brooding, but rather contemplating. Now come sit with me, my love.”

  He chuckles, removing the heavy white cloak of feathers around his shoulders, and joins me on the sofa, stretching his arm out behind me. “What’s bothering you?” he asks, gently, stroking my hair with a soft touch.

  I don’t speak right away. Instead, I take in his scent, the fresh aroma of silver trees and the slight hint of gryphons, things so much a part of his homeland in the air tribes. And I lean my head against his chest, and feel his strong pulsing heart against my ear, and I think, this is the only person who truly knows me. The only person I feel so comfortably safe around. And then I proceed to tell him of my worries.

  “Recently, I have felt this new feeling. And I don’t know what to make of it, so yes, I have been in here all day, thinking on the matter, and I still don’t know what to think.”

  His chest vibrates as he speaks. A strong warm rubble. “And what is this new feeling?"

  “I feel… old,” I say.

  He laughs, and I feel the heat rising in my cheeks. Of course. Why would I, a vampire who has lived for millennium, always youthful in body and mind, suddenly complain about being old? How silly of me… he must think me foolish.

  But then my love surprises me, as he often does. “I understand,” he says tenderly. “Once, we were the true leaders of our people. Thousands looked up to us. Relied on us. We bore that great responsibility, because we were the only ones who could bear it. But now, the vampires have a new prince in Elias. And slowly but surely, he is taking on more and more obligations. Iris stands by his side, assisting and leading in all sorts of manners. And soon their children, if they choose to have children—and I suspect they will—those children will too become leaders. Even I, the Air Druid of my people, have seen Kayla take up many of my duties. And now, Arias, the new water druid, takes on even more. A new generation has come, my love. A new generation that does so well what we once thought only we could do. And so yes, I understand why you feel old. Because for the first time in my life, I feel the same.”

  I look up at his kind and glorious face, and I smile and touch his cheek gently.

  “Varis, you are, and always will be, my Karasi. Spirit of my heart."

  Our lips meet. I feel his hot breath mix with my own. We stay together for a while, holding each other, enjoying each other’s bodies. Quite sometime later, and yet altogether too soon, we are interrupted by a knock on the door. “We have arrived,” hollers a crewman from outside the cabin.

  Finally. Hopefully I can feel useful once more. And forget all about feeling old. Even if just for a moment. Though, I suspect the worry will return to me in time.

  Varis and I get dressed and depart our lodgings, stepping into the sunlight and looking upon the island where the ancient Storm Spirit once slumbered. The place is in ruins. Dead trees still cover much of the forest. Burned and crumbled buildings still litter the village.

  This will not do. This will not do at all. The island needs even more help than I anticipated. Not only to repair, but to grow. This measly village could be a paradise of wonder and splendor. Who better than the Prince of Pride to endow some style and panache onto this little corner of life? Yes, indeed. This project is all I could have hoped for and more.

  I’m pulled from my thoughts when I see my very good friends coming up to greet us. Tavian and Kayla. Looking as marvelous as ever. Tavian with that luxurious copper hair and olive skin of his. Kayla with her purple and silver phoenix perched on her shoulder, blue ponytail waving carelessly in the wind. I’m so happy to see them, I almost fail to notice the dirt on their leather clothes, or the slight stench of mud upon them. Almost. I mean… I am still the Prince of Pride, after all.

  We hug and exchange greetings, laughing and smiling just because we can. And then the four of us, Kayla, Tavian, Varis, and I, descend from the ship and head into the village, observing the work that still needs doing.

  “We are grateful for your help,” says Tavian, clasping my shoulder. “Your crew should double our workforce and can make good progress before the next winter. We have families in need of homes. Though of course, they are being provided for, the circumstances are not ideal.”

  I nod. “Indeed. We came as soon as we heard of your peril. If you don’t mind, I have some other suggestions and ideas to discuss with you soon.”

  Kayla squints her eyes at me. “You’re not intending to add a hotel, are you?”

  I raise my arm to my chest, aghast. “A hotel? Dear no, Kayla. Why stop there? I intend to add an entire resort and recreational park to this little slice of heaven.”

  She rolls her eyes at me, but smiles all the same, and I know she will agree with me eventually. In the meantime, there are more hellos to make. “Where is that boy of yours, Arias?” I ask.

  “Likely helping the men on the hill,” says Tavian. “He feels personally responsible for much of the destruction that occurred here. And he does his best to make up for it every day, I think. I will take you to him tonight, if you wish. But right now, you must be weary from your journey. Come. The inn is still functional. We have wine and ale and juicy roasted duck for you.”

  I lick my lips, in deep need of something other than nearly rotting grapes and bread.

  “That sounds lovely,” I say, following Kayla into the tavern.

  The four of us order everything on the menu, a delectable selection of crab and lobster and moon fish, and of course the duck, along with a variety of cheeses and sweet meats, roasted veggies and powdered pastries. Though we start drinking early, we don’t stop until late into the night, exchanging stories of our many years together and apart. At one point, Tavian falls over with laughter, and
as I mention my little “honeymoon incident” Varis turns as red as a cherry. By the end, Kayla outdrinks us all, ordering another round while we’re quite ready to call it a night. It is good to see my friends so happy. And I realize I missed them far more than I had thought. And that perhaps it will be a quite long while until I leave this little island.

  I look at each of us. A druid, a vampire, an ancient Fae, and a Shade. All of us equals, all of us comrades. And for a moment, I cannot believe that the goal I set out to achieve so many years ago, of peace between our races, has finally been accomplished.

  And an overwhelming sense of pride and love consumes me.

  As the new round is served, I step away for a moment, grabbing some fresh air on a pier overlooking the water. The stars are shining brightly tonight, and the waters are calm and splendid for a swim. Perhaps I will take one later with Varis. But right now, I notice a figure in the distance. Arias, dressed completely in loose, white clothing, leaning down on one knee by the waves, his golden hair spilling over his shoulders. He is talking and smiling and laughing, and I follow his gaze to a most lovely creature. A mermaid laying on the beach, propped up on her elbows, listening intently to his every word, her cheeks flushing red. Even from this distance, I can tell they are in love. Ah, yes. Young love. How fiercely it burns.

  It makes me think of my own youthful days. Of passionate affairs and causal dalliances, of dangerous flirtations and broken hearts. And yet, for all the excitement of those days, I would never trade them for the comfort and love I share with Varis now.

  He comes out from the tavern, my glorious druid of the air, my wild one, and wraps his arms around me. “I missed you,” he whispers. “What have you been up to, my love?”

  “Thinking,” I say, taking a deep breath. “Thinking that I am truly old. And that might be perfectly fine. Yes. That is perfectly fine indeed.”

  He kisses me upon the head, and I take his hand in mine, and together we turn around and walk back into the tavern, to be amongst friends.