Blood Relic

by Lucretia Stanhope

  “Fair enough.” He walked with her in his arms to his bed and stretched out with her across his chest. “Your blood is still humming in my head. Don’t fall asleep in here.”

  She gripped the fabric of his shirt in her hand. It could be a good change. She had several close friends. “Do you bite during sex?”

  “That’s personal.” He chuckled softly.

  “Stop it. Answer me.”

  “I do.”

  She cradled closer against him. “Good. Tell me about why you only get three loves.”

  “Good?” He cracked one eye open.

  “Tell me.”

  “That goes back to the creation of vampires.”

  “From what I read you are not a naturally occurring supernatural.” Alice ran her fingers across his chest. Through his shirt she could feel the contours of his muscles. He wasn’t bulky but there was definition. Images of him without his shirt danced in her mind.

  He remained silent, his breaths steady and rhythmic.

  “Matthias?” She pulled up on one elbow and watched his face.

  He was perfectly still. His eyes closed.

  Had her blood and tears mixed into a cocktail that knocked him out? Did vampires nap during the night? She traced his cheekbone with her fingertip. Perfection.

  Pretty dead thing Morrigana had called him. She would know about vampire origins, and their loves. They needed one more visit at least. Alice wanted her input on a ward to prevent witches from being a problem on this mission. Tomorrow.

  Alice watched him resting. Sleeping? After a little while she sat up.

  He reached over and his fingers locked around her wrist. “Not yet.”

  She let him pull her down.

  ALICE GLANCED AT the symbol Morrigana drew on a paper for her and sprinkled another line of the powder they’d spent all morning creating on the floor. The hard concrete scraped her knees as she spun to start the next line. “Do you think it’s possible for a vampire to keep their soul pure even though they feed on blood?”

  Morrigana laughed. The crunching of seeds under her pestle remained rhythmic. “A vampire can’t be created of a man with a pure soul. There must be innocent blood tainting the soul for the curse to take root.”

  “What?” The powder poured out too fast as a shudder raced over Alice. “All vampires were killers as men? Is that why they were created and cursed? Some punishment?”

  “Of sorts. Thin that out and mind the length. That section extends farther.” Morrigana pointed to the line Alice just finished. “The first was a killer who took joy in seeing the suffering of his deeds. That is a story for another day.” Her foot tapped the floor. “Today we have to protect you from the other threat.”

  The other threat. Witches. Not pure witches like Morrigana. Human witches. Her people. Nasty creatures she didn’t relate to any more than she did light elves. Alice stretched and looked over to the paper. “Did someone pay a witch to curse the first vampire?”

  Morrigana used a walking stick to draw through the powder. “Witches didn’t curse vampires. We’ve eased their curse. For a price. Always for a price. You shouldn’t give him your blood for free.”

  Alice looked up at her. What price had she charged Matthias? How many times? She looked away. That was also for another day. “I’m working. I have to let him feed. After this he wouldn’t ask.”

  “He will ask and you are in a special position to regularly walk away with pieces we can work strong magic with. A vampire will rehang the moon to the liking of his dearling.” Morrigana clicked her nails against the walking stick. “That looks good. Read over the spell again.”

  Alice stood and stretched while she said the words out of order. Was her connection with Matthias the only reason the witch wanted to work with her? “Why do I need so much sugar if I am stronger than other witches?” The answer to that might hold other answers.

  “Your human body isn’t prepared to harness the magic you have at your command. We will fix that. It’ll take some work. For the right price, I’ll walk you through it.” Morrigana walked into the shadows and returned with a wiggling sack. “This spell takes three lives.”

  “I understand.” Alice looked at the brown sack. A squeak, followed by a hiss came from it. “In the three points I made, right?”

  “Very good. I’ll mix the conductor while you make the needed sacrifice.” She handed the bag to Alice. “Mind you catch a drop from each in the bowl.”

  Alice untied the bag and reached in, grabbing something furry. Don’t look at it. She twisted until it stopped wiggling and then twisted again. “I’m so sorry.” Over the bowl, she gave one twist and warmth spread over her hands. After a few drops spattered the bowl, she placed it at the right point on the floor and repeated the process two more times. Could she judge Matthias? Was her soul tainted with innocent blood now?

  Morrigana took the bowl from her hand and added the blood to the mixture she was working on. “Take your shirt off, little arcana.”

  “Will this protect me from all witches? Even pure witches?” Alice slipped her shirt over her head and sat it outside of the symbol. She returned to the center and glanced over the spell once more.

  “There is no protection from everything, little one. It’ll take something mighty powerful to penetrate this ward. Hold the bowl.” Morrigana handed Alice the mixture and pulled a needle from the end of her walking stick. “Recite the spell slowly three times. Do not move. This ward must be precisely drawn.”

  Alice wet her lips, gripped the bowl, and said each word, holding the syllables as Morrigana instructed. “Resitauthal.”

  Morrigana dipped her forefinger in the bowl and traced over Alice’s skin above her breast.

  “Perithal.” Alice closed her eyes, focusing on the words with her soul. “Joranthal.”

  “Resitauthal.” Morrigana dragged the needle through the bowl and positioned it over the drawing she’d just made on Alice. She smacked it with the end of her walking stick in rapid strikes. Between each hit, she moved it slightly. “Perithal, Joranthal.”

  “Encathiaum, toritian, liberathuim.” Alice swayed as heat penetrated her chest. Stinging from the needle drifted as if her veins absorbed the mixture and were on fire. Her mouth dried, making the words crack.

  Morrigana wiped a damp rag over the tattoo and started again, going over the same lines, deepening the ward. “Encathiaum, toritian, liberathuim.”

  “Kilarth, firmathial, minanduirm.” Alice clenched her jaw, grinding her teeth. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the bowl. She kept her eyes closed tight and started the recitation again. White streaks shot over the darkness.

  The walking stick rapped out a steady beat, punctuating the chant from Morrigana.

  At the conclusion of the third repeat Alice opened her eyes. The room spun. She focused on Morrigana.

  “Easy.” Morrigana took her hands and walked her into the shadows.

  In the corner she guided Alice to a chair and left her. A few seconds later she returned with a chipped tea cup.

  Alice stared at the milky liquid. Something brown floated on the surface.

  “Drink.” Morrigana tipped the cup toward her mouth. “It’s better than sugar.”

  Alice held her breath and swallowed. She gagged as the sludgy liquid slipped down her throat, leaving a film as it went. “Can we fix that soon? The way this kind of magic wipes me out?” Each word came out on a forced breath. “I don’t feel well.”

  “Sit.” Morrigana left her again.

  Sounds of sweeping and bowls clattering filled the darkness.

  A stinging continued to radiate from her chest. She glanced down. Even though it was bleeding, the symbol was clear. A small black version of what she’d drawn on the floor. Could something so small really protect her from witches’ curses? Would it work beyond this mission? Her mother.

  She closed her eyes. Morrigana, for all the warnings, had helped her twice now, without asking for a single thing. Yet. There was an implication that her
and Matthias would pay for the help at a later date. “Thank you.”

  “You will, little arcana. Together we will be some force.” Morrigana reappeared. “Stand up.”

  Alice took her hand and stood. The room didn’t spin. “Can you teach me how to make that nasty drink?”

  Morrigana twirled a finger in her hair. “Not today. You have an important night ahead. Run along, and remember, he will give you anything your heart desires.” She folded Alice’s fingers over a small jar. “Put this on the ward twice a day for three days. Unless you are ready for his final taint, you’ll need it to heal.”

  “Twice a day.” Alice took the jar and slipped it in her pocket. She found her shirt and tugged it on, wincing as the fabric brushed the tender ward. “I have a lot to do in a week. If I don’t see you again before I go, I really appreciate you preparing me for this.” More helpful than Sarg El or Maxwell had ever been.

  “Don’t give away something as treasured as your blood.” Morrigana stood in the doorway watching Alice leave.

  As Alice navigated the halls back to the ambassadors’ wing to get ready for her final night with Matthias, questions rattled in her mind.

  There was something to what Jasper believed. The creatures of darkness were the teachers. Did all light beings hide things? Knowledge was power. They were the ones with missing history. Maybe after this mission she needed to dig in other light beings’ origins and see if they too had missing spots.

  Chapter Eight

  TITUS PULLED HIS office door closed and strode to his desk. He turned on both monitors. One had a myriad of program icons, files, and folders. The other was blue with white letters that read: NO FEED.

  With a click of his mouse, he opened his private email. Three hundred sixty-five new messages since he left for his morning meeting. He scanned the senders, searching for one in particular. The one he wanted was there.

  Project: Looking Glass

  Sender AES5791V

  HYB95364 is due today for training. Advise on handling changes.

  Short and sweet. Reginald was one of his favorite contacts, as well as a successful project in his own right. He typed a fast response:

  Push her mental capabilities as far as you are able. Do not damage her mind. Verify ward on upper right breast. Sample her blood. Report unique effects from drinking. Report immediately, if she is unprepared. Confirm.

  There was no point in risking Alice by sending her to face creatures that could destroy her before she was fully explored or enhanced. Other ways to pull her and Amarok into his hands would arise.

  The message came back quickly

  Room TM7894. Confirming orders received.

  If only they were all as easy, and loyal, and ruthless as his elite Aries squad. The witch would have done her part. Reginald’s blood and a fingernail were on the line. A witch like Morrigana could be counted on for the right price. If Alice’s mind had been shielded and the ward held up in the field, it might be time to reconsider pulling Morrigana into Looking Glass again. Especially if Alice trusted her.

  Time to see how good the witch’s casting was.

  He punched in a few numbers. An image of an empty room filled the formally blue monitor. He lit a cigar, leaned back, and waited for the training to begin.

  THE SOLES OF Alice’s tennis shoes squeaked on the industrial tiles of the military wing as she navigated to the training rooms. She glanced at her notes with the map. Almost there.

  After the last turn, a knot of anxiety formed in her stomach. Was she ready to face off with vampires? How would Sarg El test that? She watched the numbers on the doorplates. TM7892. One more. The door to TM7894 was opened. Sarg El wasn’t alone.

  Alice stepped into the room. Her gaze flicked from Sarg El to the cold presence. Vampire. She would know one of them from any distance.

  Faint blue eyes stared back at her.

  Don’t get caught in a trance. She glanced from his eyes to his sandy blond hair. That was unusual on a vampire. The tight buzz cut and broad shoulders also didn’t fit with the species on the whole. Would he be as graceful? She swallowed against a lump in her throat. Was he there to test her readiness?

  “HYB95364, you are late. AES5791V is here to ensure you have been trained thoroughly.” Sarg El closed the door, and moved to the corner. “I will observe and determine if we need further training.”

  The vampire crossed the room and extended his hand. “HYB95364. A pleasure to train with you.”

  “My name is Alice. I’m not sure training is a pleasure, but it’s nice to meet another team member.” Alice grasped his hand. A spark popped from her fingertip. That only happened when she was in danger. Her magic didn’t react to Sarg El before. The vampire was the danger. “Do you have a name? I’m not really a fan of being a number, are you?” She glanced to Sarg El.

  Sarg El flicked the air with his tongue and typed something on his tablet.

  Another strike? Alice turned her attention back to the vampire, who looked less like a vampire than any vampire she’d met. He was graceful like they were. Too graceful for someone built like a linebacker. That and his cold presence were the only things about him like other vampires she come across.

  “General Reginald.” He pressed his lips against her knuckles.

  She drew in a breath, making a soft sound as she did. “Nice to meet you.” Damn it. She already said that. The name startled her. Did her voice shake? She glanced at their hands. Was hers trembling? No. Say something else. Something brave.

  His grip was tighter than it needed to be. The side of his mouth hitched up. “Shall we?”

  Did he know he frightened her? Was that a smirk because he wanted to scare her? Don’t feed his predator. This could be part of the test. She steadied her voice and drew her hand back. “What are we doing first?”

  “Trance her.” Sarg El glanced at his watch and made another note. “Resist him as long as you can.”

  Alice stared at Reginald’s eyes and returned his smug grin. “Give it a try.”

  Reginald took a step back and waved his fingers to himself. His pupils glinted with what she assumed was amusement. His mind pressed into hers and wrapped around her will. Come here.

  The suggestion tugged at her.

  One of her brows arched. His call was stronger than Matthias’. Was he older? She remained where she was.

  His pupils grew, doubling in size. Get over here, pet.

  She took one step and stopped. A twinge of pain splintered across her forehead. His abilities were on par with what she felt from her dad so long ago. Her fingers rubbed together, grounding her as she connected with her soul. Had Matthias not trained her hard enough because he loved her? Morrigana said she was protected from trances and manipulation.

  I’m going to devour you. Come here, now. A dimple appeared on Reginald’s face as he offered her a warm smile.

  Sarg El’s phone buzzed. He made a few clicking sounds. “Continue. I must attend to something else. Note any weak spots. Use a seconds timer to determine how long she is able to fight your trance.”

  Reginald didn’t take his eyes off Alice as Sarg El left and closed the door behind him. “How long did you fight Matthias? Minutes? Hours? I’ll give you a few seconds before I start trying for real.”

  “He couldn’t trance me. You are wasting your time.” He wasn’t trying? Alone with a ruthless killer. The warning from Matthias and Amarok about Reginald played loudly in her mind, drowning out her beating heart. “What else did he want us to test?”

  He looked toward the camera and cocked his head, and then took several steps, herding her to the corner of the room. “That’s a neat trick, resisting. Impressive even. Rather than hurt you more, I’m going to take a memory.” His thumb rubbed her head.

  Did he know she was struggling? A memory. What memory did she want to sacrifice in case he could take it? Her thoughts raced to the night before Matthias left. Not that. The touches. The final bite. Kisses on her neck. Wrist. Thighs. She felt heat rise in her ches
t. Protect it. No one gets to see that.

  As he slipped into her thoughts, she shoved her last lunch to the surface, making it into a barrier to her inner thoughts. She and Matthias did this at least fifty times, making sure she could hide her PPK affiliations from den masters.

  Reginald shoved against the wall in her mind. Let me in, little pig.

  A warm drop of blood trickled from her nose. What was he? His presence felt like a vampire. He had fangs when he smiled. “That’s rude. And sloppy. I can hear your suggestions.” She straightened into his space. The scent of sandalwood cologne mingled with mint. Gum? Did vampires chew gum? “Are you a hybrid?”

  “Why, doll? You looking for a date?” He pressed one hand against her right shoulder, pinning her to the wall. “Didn’t your keepers tell you I wasn’t one to play with?”

  “I’m not playing. Your mind feels different.” She winced and rolled her shoulder. “That’s tender, if you don’t mind.”

  “Why’s it tender? Did Matthias get rough with you?” He tugged her collar to the side. His eyes lingered on the ward. “Nasty.”

  Alice pulled her shirt up. A glistening behind his ear caught her attention. Swirly. Was that the symbol she saw on the Aries doors? She leaned in. It was gone. “He didn’t have anything to do with that. Thank you. That is personal.” Would he know it was a ward? Old magic? What would happen if he reported it? “What’s next?”

  Reginald let her go and strode to a table in the corner. He scribbled something on a paper and returned. “This is a special targeting device made for you and this mission. There are five hundred targets. Have you used one before?” He extended his hand toward her. His predatory gaze ran over her.

  Her magic sparked again.

  He didn’t touch her. He didn’t have to. His energy wormed around her, caressing her with its malice.

  A surge of magic rushed through her. Calm down. He is testing you. Don’t fail. “No.” Alice looked at the silver ring in his hand. Magical symbols flanked a milky white stone. “Is that an opal?”