Twilight's Spell

by Sela Croft

  Henry said, “I am very fortunate. His grace trusts me. And, given my position in his home, I am afforded a few luxuries—privacy being one of them.”

  “Thank you,” I replied. “I could really use a little vampire-free time.”

  “I figured.” Henry pushed his way into the kitchen, motioning for me to join him. “This is Jeffry,” he said, gesturing toward a snobbish looking man in the corner, polishing the silver. “He is the resident cleaner.”

  Jeffry looked in my direction but didn’t speak.

  “This is Dawn,” Henry said, introducing a younger girl who looked to be my age or slightly younger. “She is new here and a bit shy. Jeffry is her supervisor.”

  Dawn smiled, before turning back to her work.

  “And lastly, this is Bernadette. She is the cook, and moonlights as a maid, also. With you staying here, she’ll have a chance to use that skill.”

  I smiled at the middle-aged woman. She reminded me of my adoptive mother back in Oregon. Her slightly-greying brown hair was tousled about her head, and the skin around her deep green eyes wrinkled when she smiled.

  “Everyone,” Henry said. “This is Callie. She is a very special guest, and his grace has requested that she be looked after with the utmost care.” That was his nice way of saying I shouldn’t be let out of sight.

  “Callie, I’m going to leave you here. I have matters to attend to. But you are in good hands.”

  I nodded.

  Henry stepped closer, and looked down at me. “For your own good don’t try anything. Please, Callie. Do not do anything stupid,” he said.

  He didn’t wait for me to respond. He turned and walked out, leaving me with Jeffry, Dawn, and Bernadette. Despite Henry’s warning, a plan to escape was still in the forefront of my mind.

  My first idea was to speak with Dawn. She was close to my age, which lead me to believe that talking to her would be easier than with either of the others. But I was wrong.

  Dawn didn’t respond to my greeting, only glanced up. When I asked how she was, she looked at Jeffry.

  That eliminated him from my options. If she was worried about speaking to me because he was nearby, that meant that he would be even less talkative than she was.

  One choice remained.

  “Do you need any help?” I said and walked over to Bernadette.

  She was working at the counter, with her hands elbow deep in a batch of fresh dough. The smell made my stomach rumble with hunger. She smiled over her shoulder, then made room beside her.

  “It’ll make the job move along quicker, and from the sounds of it, that’s just what needs to be happening right now,” she replied. “Go wash up. I’m in the process of making some fresh bread. It’s been so long since we’ve made fresh baked goods.”

  I walked over to the sink and washed my hands.

  “That’s not to say that his grace doesn’t feed us well,” Bernadette said. “We’re very fortunate to be here.”

  I returned to her side. “I’ve heard.”

  Bernadette bent her head. “Really,” she said in a low voice. “I consider myself fortunate. I have a family, a daughter near your age.”

  My spirits lifted, then fell. I could sense the emotion behind her words. She worried about her family. Yet she was grateful to be able to ensure their safety, if that lasted.

  But she’d talked, giving me hope. Perhaps, she would help.

  Chapter 36

  Callie

  “I’m sure you’ll get used to it here,” Bernadette said, and carried plates toward the small table in the corner of the kitchen. “Although, it’s probably very different from your realm.”

  “It’s quite a lot different.”

  I sat down across from her and glanced down at the meal. It wasn’t fancy, but I couldn’t wait to dig in. My stomach was empty, and I eyed the chicken breast and vegetables. First, I reached for the bread. It was still warm from just the oven.

  “Have you ever been outside of Shadowland?”

  “No,” Bernadette said. “We aren’t allowed to leave.”

  I sighed. “I suppose that his grace needs to keep his help around. He probably can’t do anything for himself.”

  Bernadette chuckled. “On the contrary, Logan is quite self-sufficient. We’re not even allowed in his room. He doesn’t need human food. Really, I think he just keeps us around, so he won’t get lonely.”

  Her statement made me feel sorry for him. Shaking my head, I attempted to push those feelings aside. Lonely or not, he was still the man holding me captive and standing in the way of finding Rosamon.

  “Do you get to visit your family?”

  “At times, but not nearly as often as Henry. But Henry is Logan’s most trusted servant. I hope to earn his favor like that one day.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “There are different levels among the human servants. The vampires are very cautious around our kind, Callie. They don’t allow just anyone into their homes. It takes years to be invited in.”

  The stuff I’d learned about vampires from books and movies wasn’t accurate. The living conditions under the vampire rule were all new to me.

  “Why don’t you tell me more about yourself and your daughter?”

  Bernadette’s eyes lit up. She gushed over her fifteen-year-old daughter Meagan. It was strange hearing someone speak about a girl close to my age, but not mention school or driving or any of the other things that comprised high-school life back in Oregon.

  “She’ll be eligible for training in a few years,” Bernadette explained. “And I hope she gets chosen. Fortunately for us, our blood isn’t pure enough to be chosen for—well, you know.”

  “Right,” I said with a nod. “Fortunately.”

  I grew more comfortable with the middle-aged woman seated across from me. So comfortable, in fact, that I decided to take a risk. I glanced around the kitchen. Jeffry and Dawn had left to attend to other things, and Henry was nowhere in sight. The guards hadn’t returned since he shooed them away.

  It was as good a time as any.

  “Can I tell you something?” I asked. “It’s very personal.”

  “Of course, dear…anything.”

  “I have family here, as well.” I spoke in hushed tones, despite no one being around. “And I need to find her. My sister is lost and alone and…”

  My voice drifted off as thoughts of Rosaman’s situation surfaced. I could feel tears burning my eyes, but I choked them back. “I really need to get out of here, so I can help her.”

  Bernadette leaned back in her chair. “Oh, dear. I can imagine that must be horrible for you. But, I’m not sure what I can do to help.”

  “I just need a distraction,” I said. “The second I step foot out of this room, those guards are going to be all over me. I considered jumping from the window in my room, but it’s too high.”

  “All the windows are in the upper stories, and the whole place is floating above ground.”

  “But there must be some place where there’s an exit.”

  Bernadette put her hand on her chin, thinking. “There is one room…” she said, but let her words trail off. “I don’t know, Callie. His grace would be so angry if—”

  “He doesn’t have to know it was you,” I said. “He’ll have no way of knowing. We can make it look like you tried to stop me, even. Please, Bernadette. I just want to find my sister and go home.”

  Her lips pursed together. I held my breath. After what felt like an eternity, she gave me a tiny smile. “Fine, but we have to make it look really good.”

  “Thank you.” I ran around the table, then threw my arms around her neck. “What should we do? How will this work?”

  “Well, there is a window in the storage room at the back of the kitchen,” she said.

  “Can I go out that one?”

  “Oh, heavens no. It’s way too high. You’ll want to go for the window in the parlor, just down the hall. It’s one of those rooms that never gets used, but still requires regular
cleaning. I go in there often.

  “If I remember correctly, there’s a way out of the penthouse from that room. Let’s make it appear that you tried to jump from the storage room window. I’ll call the guards in, and when they go to look out that window, you can slip past.”

  “That could work. It has to.”

  “Good,” Bernadette said, getting to her feet.

  She carried our dishes to the sink and began to wash them. I stared at her, confused.

  “I thought…”

  “It’s all part of the cover story, love.”

  After Bernadette finished washing one of the plates, she motioned for me to stand in the corner of the room nearest the exit. It was out of the light, so I wouldn’t be spotted. I did as she asked, then held my breath. When I was in position, I gave her a thumbs-up. She glanced at me over her shoulder, then let the plate in her hand fall to the ground.

  When it hit, she let out a terrified squeal and yelled, “Guards…guards!”

  The vampires entered the room, in a flash. They rushed up to Bernadette, and she said, “I was washing dishes and Callie said she would return the produce to the storage room. But she’s not there. I think she…”

  When the guards went to investigate, I scooted out of the kitchen, as silently as possible. Bernadette’s voice grew faint behind me, and I sprinted in the direction the parlor.

  It was one room I hadn’t been in yet. But I’d seen it during the initial tour that Logan had given me. I searched my memory. So much had happened in such a short time that my mind reeled.

  My pulse pounded. I was so close. If I could only remember exactly where it was. I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by. The chances of getting another one were slim. The fact that I hadn’t run into Henry during my mad dash around the vampire prince’s floating mansion was a miracle.

  “There she is!” The guards were coming at me. Their speed was amazing. I could feel my chance slipping away. Propelling myself forward, I burst through the first door I came to. It wasn’t the parlor, but there was a window.

  Without taking in my surroundings, I rushed forward. The breeze coming in tasted like freedom. I hadn’t longed to be outside more than I did in that moment. Throwing myself against the glass barrier, I leaned out and peered down.

  Directly below me was a rooftop. It wasn’t too far down. Still, if I fell wrong, I could break my leg or my neck.

  I could hear the guards at the door.

  My heart pounded, and my hands were sweaty. I leaned out one more time. That’s when I saw a pool. It was past the roof, which meant I would have to make a very long jump, or risk cracking my head open. I was out of time.

  The door flew open, so I hoisted myself up over the ledge, shut my eyes, and prayed.

  Chapter 37

  Logan

  By the time Florian arrived at our sister’s home, Valter and I had examined every inch of the residence.

  “Where have you been?” I asked, when my brother materialized in the center of the sitting room.

  “In case you forgot, our city is in a state of chaos because of those missing fugitives.”

  “I haven’t forgotten. But this is more important.”

  “I’m as worried as you are, brother. Which is why, I redirected the fugitive search efforts. I’ve met with the fleet leaders and ordered them to call all their men back.”

  “Good, you did the right thing.”

  I hadn’t meant to be short with my brother. The last thing we needed was tension between us. My thoughts raced, and my emotions were in overdrive. Anger, fear, and guilt bubbled just under the surface.

  “What do we do?” Valter said. “There’s no evidence about where she could have been taken.”

  Florian scanned the surroundings. As the intellectual one of the group, I hoped that he’d have some insight. My brother shook his head and turned to face us. “I don’t know.”

  “Is there any chance she’s been taken outside of the city?” Valter asked.

  A shiver ran down my spine. “Outside of the city? It is a possibility. With everything going on—chaos and break-outs and fires—everything has been so disorganized.”

  A pang of guilt struck me. My realm was falling apart, and it was up to me to fix it. But I didn’t know how. Part of me felt remorse at the amount of time I’d dedicated to our unexpected human visitor.

  Natasha had said that she was important though. I tried to find solace in that and pushed those feelings aside. I needed to focus.

  “Wherever she is, we’ll find her,” I said. “I will not lose another member of this family.”

  With determination, I spun on my heel and directed my brothers to the garden terrace, ignoring the sadness the place brought. My sister’s gardens were her favorite.

  “Florian, we need Raulia—now.”

  Raulia was the realm’s leading tracker. If there was anything to be found, she could do it. Her abilities were impressive, and I hoped they held true to their fame now, when we needed it most.

  “I’m on it,” Florian said, then disappeared.

  I paced, running my fingers through my hair, and muttering under my breath. Time was running out, and with each second that ticked by, my sister was more and more in danger.

  It didn’t take long for him to return with the scarlet-haired tracker, but it felt like an eternity.

  “What is it, your grace?” Raulia said, when she appeared at my brother’s side. “Florian said it was urgent.”

  Her big green eyes were filled with worry. She turned her head to the side, sniffing the air. Her brow furrowed, then she recoiled. “What happened here?”

  “That’s what we need you to figure out,” I said.

  Turning her nose to the sky, Raulia moved back to the house. We followed her as she walked through the sitting room, out to the fountain terrace, down the stairs to the bedroom, through the kitchen, and finally back to the sitting room.

  Raulia’s expression was somber. “There’s been a struggle here.”

  “That much we know,” Valter replied. “What we don’t know is who was involved, besides our sister.”

  “Vampire scent is strong here. But a human has been here too.”

  “The traitors,” Valter said.

  “Wait,” Raulia said, lifting her hand in the air. “There’s more.”

  Her nose wrinkled as she worked to identify the remaining scent. Then she let out a gasp. Her hands flew to her face. “It can’t be.”

  I dreaded to ask. “What is it?”

  “Fae.”

  “Impossible,” Florian said. “They aren’t able to enter the city.”

  “They did,” Raulia said. “I don’t know how, but they did.”

  Fae in the city? The mere thought caused me to shudder with fear. My mortal enemies had found a way to threaten my home.

  That reminded me that Callie was still in my home. My enemies would go after her. If they knew the role she would play, the role my sister had foreseen, they would surely hunt her down. Even if that role was yet to be written, it was there. I didn’t know what it was. Hopefully, they didn’t either.

  Concern for Callie’s safety plagued my mind. I tried to shake it but couldn’t. Why in this moment did those violet eyes appear in my mind? Why did her refusal to speak to me openly work its way into my thoughts?

  “It can’t be Fae,” Valter said, bringing me back to the urgency of the moment. “We set up barriers to keep the dark ones out. We established the barrier. Their life force cannot pass into the light. How could they have gotten in?”

  “Perhaps it’s their magic,” Florian said.

  “What magic? They’ve never had magic like that before,” Valter said.

  “There’s no use debating this question now,” I said. “We will have our answers when we have our sister back.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Raulia said.

  “Can you find her?” I said.

  “There’s only one way to find out.” And with that, Raulia took a s
tep back. Her eyes closed, then she reached inward to access the full breadth of her magic. It wasn’t the first time I’d witnessed her abilities. Yet I was amazed as I watched her inner being to rise to the surface.

  Her body shook, and her skin became covered in fur. The sound of bones snapping filled the air as her body contorted through the shift. It had been so long since I’d experienced pain, but I imagined it looked and sounded like that. Raulia had assured me countless times that her transition was more of a euphoric experience than a painful one.

  Yet watching her change made me wince with discomfort.

  By the time it was done, the scarlet-haired woman who had stood before me was gone. In her place was a wolf so tall that her eyes met mine. Her fur was red and her eyes green, the only traces of her human form. Around her paws were a pile of clothes, tattered and ripped.

  Her nose darted to the ground as she picked up the scent. It wasn’t hard to tell when she did. Standing rigid, the hair on the back of her neck bristling, her eyes looked off into the distance, directing our path.

  Whoever had my sister was out there, and I was going to find them. Vampire, human, or Fae, it didn’t matter. They would experience the full extent of my wrath.

  Chapter 38

  Logan

  Following closely behind Raulia, my brothers and I exited my sister’s home. As if out of instinct, my eyes went to the sky. I hoped to find some sort of solace there. Instead, I found something else.

  High above our heads the swarm of birds continued to dart about, some moving quickly, others more slowly. Their beady black eyes stared down at us.

  “The birds,” I said then turned to face my brothers. “They’ve been here all day. They’ve been watching us all along.”

  My brothers turned their faces to the sky and stared at the flock of birds. They agreed that their presence gave them the sensation of someone watching.

  “Florian,” I said, “see that they are dealt with. They are probably Fae spies.”

  Florian nodded and in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

  Raulia let out a low growl, expressing her impatience and propelling Valter and I forward again. We followed the crimson-furred wolf through the streets of the city. They were not the streets that any of the royal family would have taken on a regular basis. They were the streets that led to the outside world. They were the streets that were occupied by the human servants and their families.