by Sarah Noffke
Another shiver shook her. She needed to get inside, and quickly. Almost as important, she needed to find a way back to Oriceran. Azure spun toward the skyline of the city and sucked in a breath. A man with a bald head and a beard stood inches away. She hadn’t even known he was there. He had a large stone in his hand and a wide smile on his face, displaying the sharp fangs prominent in his mouth.
“Well, hello, love! This is gonna hurt a bit.” He brought the brick down on her head, and the world went black.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The howling pain in the top of Azure’s head woke her. She tried to sit up, but realized she couldn’t move. She hadn’t been bound, but her muscles didn’t work. Desperately she tried to twist or turn, but it was impossible. Her limbs were paralyzed, and the realization sent panic through her mind.
She cracked open one eye to find that her face was pressed into a bed, her gaze blurry. Could she blink her eyes? Yes, she had that much control, but that wasn’t saying a lot. Her head hurt badly and she tried to groan, but her mouth wouldn’t open. It felt as if it were sealed shut. It took several seconds for her to realize that all she could see was a blue blanket under her face.
Tapping. It was the first noise she heard.
“I thought you’d be impressed by what I’ve brought you, Madam. I was amazed when the queen turned up. I hadn’t expected to find her there, and poof! She appeared just as I was trying to find my way into the Sphinx,” a voice said.
“You want me to pat you on the head, Lux? You got lucky. And you know there’s no way for you to get into the Sphinx, not anymore. It’s protected from vampires. We haven’t been allowed in there in centuries,” a woman’s voice said, sounding impatient.
The memories flooded Azure’s mind. Coming out of the Sphinx, the vampire, the stone. She’d awakened here among more vampires. Doom crushed her spirit. She was trapped…a prisoner.
“Well, you said there was something important in the Sphinx, so I thought I’d try and find it. What was it again?” the man’s voice said. He sounded as if he were desperately trying to impress the woman.
“I didn’t say, since we don’t know what it is. There are things scattered all over Egypt that can help or hinder us—that’s all Ata knows for sure. One of them can be found in the Sphinx, or maybe more than just one clue,” the woman said.
“So why don’t you send Ata into the Sphinx?” the man asked.
“Because I need him here, and he couldn’t see a tear between Oriceran and Earth like we can. They are intended for vampires to use to get between worlds,” the woman explained, her voice tight with irritation.
Azure pressed her eyes closed, trying to listen over the pounding in her head.
Tap. Tap. Tap. It was an impatient sound. “This girl, the queen—how did she get to Egypt?” a new person said, this. It was a soft, melodic male voice.
“She’s wearing the Mage’s Necklace. I’m guessing it gives her vampire sight. It certainly makes her appear as a vampire, which is how she can go unnoticed on the streets by our followers. They don’t even smell her. It’s as if she’s one of them,” the woman explained.
“But you smell her, don’t you?” the first man asked. “I didn’t smell her, but I knew who she was based on what you told us about her.”
“I can smell her blood, but I can’t touch her. Not until we get that damn necklace off her. Ata is working on it. Soon the girl will be vulnerable once more,” the woman said.
“Before I opened a tear and brought her back here, I tried to get the necklace off her. It burned my hands…see?” the first man said.
“Lux, I’m tired of looking at you. You were supposed to be on Earth rounding up bats. Get back to your job! I need those to turn this queen into a founder, since the other bats were lost.” The woman seemed to blame Lux for losing the bats. She didn’t sound pleased with him, however he tried to earn her favor. “Actually, I think Azure’s entire entourage will make excellent founders. Our spies say the wizard and Light Elf are very powerful. They couldn’t be more perfect,” the woman said coolly.
“Yes, Madam. Devo and I have heard rumor of bats in Lancothy, so we’ll go there next before returning to Earth.” A door opened and footsteps trailed away.
“What is it, Ata?” the woman asked, her voice echoing in the opposite direction.
“The binding spell I put on the girl tells me she’s trying to fight it. That means she’s awake,” another voice said.
A small bit of clapping. “Oh, good news. I’ve been dying to talk with the little witch,” the woman said.
“Good one, Cordelia,” the smooth voice of the second man said.
“Sit her up. I’d love to have her looking at us,” the woman said.
A second later Azure was whipped onto her back, the act making her head scream. She launched to a sitting position and her eyes sprang open to ascertain what was before her.
The space was similar to her hotel room. She was lying on a stiff bed with tables on either side. The walls were covered in burnt-orange stucco, and large potted palms were scattered here and there. In front of the bed stood a woman with long silky black hair, which was half up and half down. She wore a midnight-blue Victorian dress that trailed behind her, reminding Azure of one of her own stifling garments. The woman was exceptionally beautiful, with porcelain skin and ruby-red lips. Her eyes were curious as they studied Azure, who was still wearing the white gown Nefertiti had given her.
Sitting relaxed in an armchair to the side was a man as attractive as the woman. He had black hair with a silver streak through it, and wore a smart suit as well as an arrogance that screamed he knew something of great importance and refused to share it. In the doorway stood a man who was completely covered in tattoos. Unlike Chibale, whose face was half-covered with tattoos, this man had them all the way to his hairline. Also like Chibale, he had black hair pulled back in a ponytail, and similar blue eyes. He actually looked a great deal like the king of the New Egyptian coven. He wore a loose-fitting black shirt and pants, and a look of pure intolerance.
The woman named Cordelia looked sideways at the wizard. “Ata, allow her to speak, but nothing else.”
Ata held up a wand similar to the one Azure had seen Nefertiti use. He waved it, and Azure’s lips parted. She hadn’t even realized that she had been holding her breath until her mouth popped open and she gasped. The two vampires and the wizard before her had stolen her attention.
“She’s a pretty little thing, isn’t she?” Cordelia said to the man in the chair. “Just imagine how much more beautiful she’ll be once she’s been turned.”
“I won’t be turned. You can’t do that. Who are you, and how dare you hold me against my will?” Azure demanded, trying to break free of the binding. The wizard named Ata must have placed her under an enchantment. An incredibly strong one, by the feel of it.
“You’re right, we can’t. Not as long as you have that little necklace on, but soon Ata will figure out how to remove it,” the man in the chair said calmly.
“Where are our manners? We completely skipped introductions. How rude,” the woman said, sounding amused. “I’m Cordelia, and this is Hamilton. We are founders who survived the great persecution. After spending a hundred years in hiding, we’re ready to rebuild our coven. We’ve selected you to join us. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Azure tried again to break free of the binding charm, but it seemed useless. She’d never encountered magic that was so resistant to her power. In the corner she spied her bag. Her wand was in there, along with the parchment she had found in the Sphinx, but it was useless to her on the other side of the room. And it didn’t matter, since she was still frozen. This wizard, based on the number of tattoos he had, must be incredibly powerful. Why was he working for these vampires, Azure wondered?
“Delia my love, I don’t think she believes this is wonderful,” Hamilton observed, looking quite amused. Tap. Tap Tap. He rapped his fingers on the lion head which comprised the arm of the chair.
“You’re sick. You’re the one who turned Nenet, aren’t you? You two are attacking New Egypt,” Azure said, a sour taste in her mouth. Her head was still throbbing, but right now her anger owned her.
“Guilty as charged,” the woman said with a laugh, her fangs showing. They strangely made her more beautiful, and Azure hated that the thought had even occurred to her.
“Ata, how long until you can remove the necklace from the queen?” Hamilton asked.
“I’m not certain. It’s appears to be a part of her currently, like it was bound to her with magic,” the wizard said, standing stoically in the doorway.
“I expect it to be done by the time Devo and Lux return with more bats. Once Azure is a vampire she’ll have no trouble turning her friends,” Cordelia said.
“As I mentioned, removing the necklace will be difficult. I will do it, but can make no promises about how long it will take. It shouldn’t be long, though,” Ata said.
“Oh, fine. Maybe we should turn Azure’s friends first. Then she’ll have to join them,” Cordelia insisted.
“Yes, vampires need forever companions,” Hamilton said tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair again.
“We still have one or two bats in storage, correct?” Cordelia asked.
“Yes, but you know that the art of creating a founder isn’t precise. It all depends on timing,” Hamilton said.
Cordelia whirled and stuck her hands on her hips. She had long red fingernails that matched her lips. “You, Queen Azure, can make this easy or difficult. When the time comes you must perform magic; something simple is fine. The bat will do the rest. If you don’t screw it up it will go as planned, and then we don’t waste bats.” She looked at her companion. “How many did we go through with you, dear?”
Hamilton tapped his fingertips again, thinking. “Too many to count. I admit I was scared, but in the end you were right. Becoming a vampire was the right choice.”
Cordelia casually looked at Azure, reaching out her long-nailed hand and nearly touching her cheek. It seemed as though she couldn’t actually close the distance, though. Something was preventing the founder from touching her. The necklace, she guessed. “See?” Cordelia said plaintively, like that explained it all and washed away any arguments. “It’s all going to be lovely. We’ll be one happy coven. Finally vampires will return to the glory that was stolen from us.” Cordelia knelt, looking fondly up at Azure. “And it’s all going to start with you, my dear. You, your friends, and then your kingdom.”
“No!” The word shot out of Azure’s mouth so fast it stole her breath.
“Oh, yes,” Cordelia said, nodding patiently. These two were too casual, acting as if they were discussing something trivial over afternoon tea. “Virgoans are perfect. And once we have you and your people, taking over the coven in the Sphinx will be easy. We can’t touch Chibale yet, but soon. Isn’t that right, my darling Ata?”
The wizard nodded, reminding Azure more of a robot than of a man.
“You can’t do this,” Azure argued, trying again to twist free but remaining as still as Ata.
“Now shush, dear. Don’t wear yourself out.” Cordelia looked at Hamilton. “I think I should go and fetch her friends. That will make her feel better, don’t you think?”
“That’s a lovely idea. Just the two, though. I don’t want the werecat in here. I loathe cats,” Hamilton said, his nose crinkling in disgust.
“I agree, and the pooka is worthless to us as well. I’ll just kill those two. It should only take a second,” Cordelia said cheerfully.
“No!” Azure screamed again. “They’ll fight you. Ever and Monet can’t be taken. You’ll fail.”
Cordelia gave her a pitying smile, as if Azure had failed to understand an important truth. “You have your necklace, so you don’t get it. If you didn’t, you’d understand that we can do anything as founders. We have control over people’s minds. Isn’t that right, my lovely Ata?”
The wizard nodded at once. “That’s correct, master.”
Now his situation made sense. A wizard wouldn’t knowingly serve vampires. He was being forced. And they hadn’t turned him because they needed his magic. Azure had to find a way to break the mind control, though. She had to release Ata. That was going to be difficult, since he currently had her magically bound.
“Well, I’ve really enjoyed our first meeting, and can’t wait for many, many more.” Cordelia reached out again to pet Azure’s head, and her hand hovered an inch away before she pulled it back. “I daresay it will be nice to have a woman around. Hamilton is lovely, but there are only so many things he can understand. It’s been too long since I shared the company of another founder besides my love.” She indicated the man, who stood and straightened his suit.
“Do you need my help rounding up the wizard and the Light Elf?” Hamilton asked.
Cordelia thought for a moment. “I don’t need your help, but I do think I’d enjoy your company. So yes, please come along to fetch our next coven members. Our first new founders in over a century.”
Azure screamed again, tears welling. How could she be so helpless? “Please don’t. Leave Ever and Monet out of this. I’ll become a vampire. I’ll do whatever you say. Just leave them alone. Leave my people alone.”
Cordelia clicked her tongue three times and shook her head. “What you don’t understand is that you’re going to do what we say no matter what. We don’t settle or negotiate. We’re vampires. We get what we want. We’re going to have you, your friends, and your kingdom of witches and wizards.” She smiled with a diabolical look in her eyes, her sharp fangs showing. “It’s going to be simply lovely, my sweet. You just wait and see.”
Hamilton offered his arm to Cordelia, who took it appreciatively as they turned to Ata. The wizard stepped out to the hallway at once. “Please keep her restrained, and continue to work on removing the necklace.”
“Yes, master. It won’t take long. I will try to have it done by the time you return,” Ata said, his voice flat but still sounding like Chibale’s.
“Very good.” Cordelia turned back to Azure as she grabbed the doorknob. “Please get some rest, Queen Azure. When we return, your change will take place. I simply cannot wait.” The vampire flashed Azure a wide smile, her large brown eyes twinkling. Then she shut the door, and a force she couldn’t control made Azure lie flat again. She stared at the ceiling, frantic worry overtaking her chest and stress crowding her head. If she could have cried she might have, but all she could do was blink at the ceiling, breathe, and talk.
“It’s going to be okay. It’s going to be okay. It’s going to be okay,” she repeated to herself.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Stretching out, Monet plopped his feet on the coffee table. Laurel eyed his dirty shoes with disapproval before returning to scratching notes on a pad.
“You remind me a bit of Gillian, writing notes as we journey.” Monet stirred the olive in his martini before taking a sip.
“You miss the old gnome, don’t you?” Ever asked, sitting next to Monet with his own feet out and a drink in his hand as well.
“I wouldn’t tell you if I did, but I will tell you that I’m curious what the short guy is up to. Hope he’s not running the Potions Shop into the ground,” Monet said.
“You know he isn’t,” Laurel said, more censure on her face. She took herself quite seriously, but Monet was working on breaking that nasty habit.
“You could try scrying him,” Ever offered.
Monet gave him a look of disgust. “But then I’d have to get up and go all the way over there to the scrying bowl. I’d have to pour a potion into it, and use magic. That a
ll sounds rather exhausting.”
“And you can’t be bothered to do anything, can you?” Laurel asked, absentmindedly petting Manx, who was currently a giant black dog. He had curled up at her feet. “I’m not sure it’s wise for you two to get drunk while the queen is on Earth. She could need our help at any moment. Didn’t you say you were supposed to go after her at some point if she didn’t return?”
Monet eyed his watch and yawned. “Yes, but not yet. We have plenty of time to get drunk.” He held out his martini glass to Ever, who clinked his against it appreciatively.
“One day I’m going to get you an iWatch or an iPhone so you can check up on Gillian and stay connected. I just have to figure out how to get reception on Oriceran. There’s got to be a way.” Ever muttered the last part to himself like he was thinking about a solution.
“Yeah, tell me more about this phone business… Is that connected to that Bookface thing?” Monet asked.
Ever laughed. “Facebook. And yes, social media is connected, and people use certain devices to access it.”
Monet picked his olive out of his drink and threw it at the werecat, and she growled in disgust. “Ever was telling me that on Earth people post about their lives on this Facebook thing. They put up pictures of themselves and tell people what they’re doing. What did you call the photos again?” he asked Ever.
“Selfies,” the Light Elf supplied.
“Yes! They take selfies and put them up for everyone to see. ‘I’m at the pub checking out a hot witch.’” He smiled broadly and then winked, as if posing for his own selfie. “People on Earth have nothing going on in their lives, it seems.”
