“I don’t speak to a lot of people there,” I said, “just Natalie and Valenthia.” I wondered how much he knew. Whether he was a covert member of the Dark Legion.
“I heard a bit about all the shit that went down last semester,” said Moldark, with concern.
“Nadasdy has been hounding me ever since to prove my loyalty to vampire-hood,” I said.
“How?”
“He wants me to turn my best friend into a vampire. She’s a very powerful Crystal Witch.” I didn’t care who knew about it. Whether he was for it or against it, would be revealed and then at least I’d know how much to trust him – if at all.
“That’s pretty whacked, even for him,” said Moldark, like I’d shared the punchline of a poor joke. “What are you going to do?”
Our order arrived on a silver tray. There was an array of small glasses, goblets and a thin, slim mug. Each came with two silver straws. The waiter nodded at Moldark, completely ignored me, and quickly disappeared into the background.
I stared at the tray, also noticing that each serving had one of those discreet label cards, that had its description printed on it. I saw Moldark’s eyes change from his usual dark chocolate tone, to a pop of crimson. His skin instantly got paler and the veins beneath surfaced, craving for what sat in front of us.
“Doesn’t it feel good to embrace your inner vamp?” Moldark purred and the way he watched me right back, told me that I must have looked exactly the same. My hands self-consciously cupped my face. “Ladies first,” said Moldark, “I’d go with this one first.” He slid one of the glasses towards me and handed me a straw.
I drank down the ice-cold liquid which was gone before I could stop myself. I felt a rush of energy through my entire body and looked up, realizing the glass was empty. “Sorry, we were meant to share,” I said as Moldark watched me.
“Not a problem,” he said, staring at me intensely.
“How does the waiter not get tempted by all this?” I asked, stupidly.
“They probably eat before they start work,” said Moldark. “Describe how it tasted,” he said, playfully hiding the label under his hand, “let’s see how discerning your palette is.”
“Cold,” I said, “and very sweet. But light and easy to drink.” The moment I’d said it, I remembered the sickly-sweet smell I’d encountered when I’d rescued my High Priestess as she bled to death. I panicked, hoping what I’d consumed wasn’t tainted or mixed with witch-blood.
“You look horrified,” said Moldark.
“It’s sweet,” I repeated, “does that mean it’s got witch-blood?”
“No,” laughed Moldark, “it means it’s fresh and probably from group B. Our heightened senses help us pick up on even the slightest notes.”
“Oh,” I said, embarrassed.
“You were spot on about the rest of it though.” Moldark held the label up so I could see. “And witch-blood is like drinking liquid sugar to a vampire.”
“Here,” I said, passing him one of the goblets, “your turn.”
“Heady,” remarked Moldark, taking a sip and passing the goblet to the middle of our small table so we could both drink from it together with our straws.
***
“Wow, I feel like I’m drunk,” I laughed as we left ‘Blood Brothers’. The volume of blood I’d consumed was really starting to make me feel unsteady. It was mingling with my witching magic and making me feel a bit euphoric.
“We should probably take our time walking back then,” suggested Moldark, casually taking hold of my shoulders and steering me in the direction of Bloodline Academy. “You never finished telling me what you’ll do to avoid turning your bestie,” said Moldark as we crossed the street.
“You would like to know, wouldn’t you?” I said, feeling the urge to giggle, “I bet you’re in cahoots with all of them.”
“The Dark Legion has a vastly diverse following,” he said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, my words almost slurring.
“Only that each individual vamp within the Legion has a unique and slightly different agenda,” said Moldark. “And then there are those of us who come from a long line of vampires who are part of the Sanguine Guild of Europe. Doesn’t automatically make us followers of the Dark Legion.”
“Wait, you’re part of the Sanguine Guild?”
“Not yet. I aim for it once I graduate from St. Erzsebet’s Academy,” said Moldark looking quizzical. “But back to your accusation that I’m in cahoots with the Dark Legion: do I think vampires have the right to autonomy? Definitely.
“Do I think it makes any sense to take someone who’s always identified as a Crystal Witch, the hell away from her coven and insist she’s only a real vampire if she turns, or likely kills, her best friend? Not at all.”
“But your kind – Sanguines – look down on me anyway for being a hybrid. A halfling,” I pouted, wondering what his endgame really was.
“I admit it. If I was in charge, I wouldn’t have offered you a place at our academy,” said Moldark, “but for that I’m glad I wasn’t in charge. And no, I don’t look down on you. Quite the opposite.”
We were on a quiet side-street, one I wasn’t familiar with. I was just about to ask Moldark something when there was a small, barely audible thud from behind a parked car. We looked at each other, signalling we’d both heard it.
Like a prowling cat in the night, Moldark nimbly stepped towards the other side of the car, while I immediately stopped to sense whether or not it was a supe. Human, I realized and followed after him to investigate. The man ran from where he’d been hiding out, near the rear passenger side, to around the front. Within less than a minute, Moldark had him by the collar, almost hoisted off the ground.
“It’s him!” I said, my rush wearing off, “He was following me tonight when I walked to the blood bar.”
“Who are you?” asked Moldark, continuing to hold the man up.
“I’m your worst nightmare,” the man replied, looking down at me with a menacing smile.
“What do you want?” I asked trying hard not to let his lack of fear intimidate me.
“Dude, you do know we could literally drain you of every drop of your blood on the spot, right?” said Moldark bemused.
“Let’s just say, I’m a friend of your mom’s,” said the man, still unphased, “Sophie-Anne Bathory, isn’t that her name?”
“What?” said Moldark, lowering the man back down to the ground in surprise.
“Let him go,” I said, feeling very uneasy even though I didn’t understand what exactly he’d meant.
“Fine,” said Moldark, “if you’re sure?” I nodded and the man brushed himself off and walked away. After he’d disappeared down the street, Moldark turned to me as I knew he would. “You’re a direct descendent of Elizabeth Bathory?” he said.
“Does it matter?” I asked.
“Do Nadasdy and his bunch know – he can’t, can he?”
“I don’t know,” I said wanting the night to end.
“I’d think if Duquette knew, she wouldn’t have the gall to speak to you the way she talks to everyone else on the planet,” said Moldark, “and Devin would practically worship you.”
“Let’s just get back to the academy,” I said.
“Seriously though – a Sanguine of the highest order and a Crystal Witch. I’m impressed.”
“Right. Because that’s what counts,” I said, not meaning to be rude. I was beginning to play back what that weird and creepy man had said about being a friend of Sophie-Anne’s. It had sounded ominous. And this hadn’t been the only time I’d seen him. He had been there, watching me a few nights ago as well when I’d answered Sophie-Anne’s call. The next time I saw her, I’d be sure to ask her who he was.
Chapter 22
“Our fridge hasn’t been re-filled – again,” said Natalie, coming through to my bedroom.
“Oh?” I asked, fiddling with my crystal that Sophie-Anne had given me. The same one that had once belonged to
my father, Cassander Quartz.
“The last time it was restocked was the night before you took out the blood for the grunch.” Natalie looked paler than usual. “That was ages ago.”
“I told you,” said Valenthia, distressed, sitting beside me on my bed.
“Are you sure?” I asked, realizing that I had never even noticed anyone entered the room to restock anything.
“Definitely. I remember thinking how it was the first time we’d gotten so low on blood.”
“When does it get filled? Who even comes in to fill it?” I felt unnerved.
“It’s normally the job of one of the human’s that work here, accompanied by le Boursier or one of her daytime security vamps,” said Valenthia. Natalie, looked flustered.
“Le Boursier comes in here while we’re asleep? Eww!” I said, “Rugrem told me that she’s part of a group of vamps who are going rogue against the Dark Legion.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” said Natalie, sitting down on the bed next to us. Valenthia got up and began to pace, her arms crossed.
“What stops her waltzing in and killing us in our sleep?” I asked. In my case it was a very valid concern.
“If she staked a student in their sleep, it would be too obvious,” replied Valenthia with a frown.
“Nadasdy trusts her but even that has a limit. They must have some dark magic in place that picks up other kinds of magic maybe, so she can’t walk around hexing students.”
“They do! Remember that time I communicated with Safi in our room? They knew something was up.” I toyed with the crystal, unable to get the image of the man who’d claimed to be Sophie-Anne’s friend, out of my head.
“Getting back to the empty fridge, I’m scared they’re onto us.” Valenthia said what we were already thinking. She glanced from me to Natalie tentatively, looking for reassurance. We couldn’t give her any.
“You might be right,” I said, “I need to get him out of there – tonight.”
“Could you send a message to that Pearl witch?” asked Natalie.
“I think you’re both missing the point,” Valenthia cut in, “we’re the ones in trouble here. We’re probably being watched!”
“She’d ignore it,” I said in answer to Natalie. There was no way the S.L.A. would ever storm Bloodline Academy to save anyone, let alone a grunch. “And if we are being watched, I’m the one who’s refused to turn my best friend into a vampire so I’m already in trouble. I have to bust Rugrem out and I have to do it now.”
“You still haven’t even dished the dirt on how things went with Moldark, complained Natalie, visibly disappointed.
“It was good,” I said. In truth, I hadn’t thought much about it myself as I’d been too preoccupied. The only up side had been that I hadn’t had time to feel guilty for inadvertently going out on a date with someone that wasn’t Ulric.
“Give us all the gory details about Moldark and I’ll give you a secret weapon that you can use to rescue your precious grunch with,” said Valenthia sighing loudly and shaking her head. Natalie and I stared at her, surprised she was on board.
“Say what?” I asked.
“I’ve managed to unlock some very basic dark magic for that charm you got from Tempus Fugit,” explained Valenthia, “Just so you know, I don’t want to do any of this but we’re friends so…” she smoothed her vibrant lilac hair down with one hand and pointed towards the door with the other.
“Thanks, Val,” I hugged her.
“But first, tell us about you and the ravishing Moldark,” Valenthia said sternly after hugging me back.
I filled them both in and recounting some of the details made me realize that there was a small chance, there had been some slight chemistry between the two of us. Of course, all that had disintegrated the moment that creepy stranger had come along.
“What do you think the sleazeball wanted?” asked Valenthia.
“I haven’t been able to figure it out,” I admitted, “but if that’s the kind of guys my mom, I mean Sophie-Anne, keeps company with…” I said, unable to hide my disappointment.
“Don’t worry, just ask her when you see her,” said Natalie, “and what did Moldark say when he discovered you were a Bathory?”
“Seriously?” I said a little annoyed, “I don’t know, he was curious – impressed was the word he used.”
“Ooh, I bet he’ll ask you to be his girlfriend!” squealed Natalie.
“Awesome, King Moldark has accepted me, now I can really start living and dump that peasant, Ulric,” I rolled my eyes smiling.
“No, that’s not what I mean!” said Natalie.
“Did you kiss?” quizzed Valenthia.
“No! That was it, now can I have your secret weapon?” I asked.
“Fine!” said Valenthia. We followed her to her suite which was as usual, empty. Her roommate was one in name only as she was attending some sister academy for vampires in Europe. Kind of like me at Superno, where I had a flawless record of zero days present.
“Here,” said Valenthia, opening her fridge and offering us a bottle of blood each. Natalie and I eyed the blood gratefully and while Natalie sipped at hers, I took large gulps of mine. I was hungry and I needed all the strength I could get if I was to break Rugrem out and get him a decent chance at escaping.
“Here it is.” Valenthia brought out the charm from a safe that was concealed in her underwear drawer.
“We don’t have one of those!” said Natalie, checking out the small compartment in the drawer.
“It’s one of the annoying but convenient throwbacks from backward vampire hierarchy, I guess,” shrugged Valenthia “Sanguine dorm rooms have a few more amenities than Novus ones.”
“Then we’ve been hanging out in the wrong room all this time!” said Natalie, undeterred.
“What do we do with it?” I asked, as we inspected the charmed bracelet.
“The time you carried it on you, to bring it out of Tempus Fugit, it made you black out, right?” said Valenthia, “I could be wrong but I think that’s because it zapped you. If we’re to break through those gates or you’re to do whatever magic you need, to rescue the grunch, we need the opposite to happen. I was experimenting with the charm and I think I’ve found a way for it to give the wearer extra strength. In your case, hopefully that would mean giving your magic powers a boost too!” Valenthia looked pleased with herself.
“Why didn’t you tell me before? I could have used it on Moldark in Duquette’s lessons!” I smiled proud of what she’d achieved with no guidance other than our door-stopper of a textbook, that I hadn’t even looked at outside of class.
“I only just figured it out and anyway, I enjoy the tension and the chemistry you two have,” smirked Valenthia, “it’s what’s led to your hot date – so romantic!”
“For the last time,” I began.
“You have a boyfriend,” laughed Natalie, “we know but there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a bit on the side. And if that bit is Moldark Whitlock, then all the better for it!”
“Exactly!” said Valenthia, “now come here and let’s test it.”
“Not here!” said Natalie, “Please don’t tell me you’ve been working on it in here!”
“I’m not stupid,” said Valenthia notably offended. “I went outside the academy. St. Louis Cemetery is surprisingly friendly since the S.L.A. lifted the magic you and your friend did,” she said to me.
“Just checking,” pouted Natalie.
“Okay, let’s go somewhere then,” said Valenthia, “how about the tunnels seeing as we’ll need to end up down there anyway?”
“Sure,” I said.
We walked through the main floor of the academy. Not wanting to draw attention or look available, I made small talk with Natalie and Valenthia, hoping that the more immersed in our own little clique we’d appear, the less likely we’d be approached by classmates like Clara. We didn’t have a moment to waste. I roughly checked inside my bag for any spare bottles of blood that might be lurking there
for Rugrem but knew there were none. I should have thought of this earlier and nabbed one from the common area in the dorm. I instantly looked down to avoid eye-contact as I saw Kane coming our way.
“Can I talk to you a second?” he said, walking up to me and stopping in our path so there was no getting past him.
“We’re kind of busy,” I replied, still not looking at him.
“It’s about Ulric,” he continued, looking unsettled, “it won’t take long.”
“Okay,” I said. I’d been actively avoiding him since Ulric had left. Things had been complicated enough between us since Winnie had gone missing.
“Do you know where Ulric is?” asked Kane, running one hand through his red hair and sighing. Valenthia kept her poker face but I felt a knot in my stomach as I saw Natalie’s eyes go wide. She had to be the least stoic vampire in the whole world.
“Can we talk in private?” I said, ushering him over so he wouldn’t be able to see my friend’s reaction and put two and two together that of course, I knew where Ulric was.
“Okay,” replied Kane, too absorbed in his own angst to notice my ploy. Once we were standing in a semi-private corner of the floor, next to a window facing out into the courtyard, Kane continued, “He’s gone.”
“Oh?” I wished I could tell him the truth. He wasn’t mad but distressed. And yet, it was too big a risk. Kane may have been Ulric’s alpha in the academy but being at Superno, Ulric had definitely secured a much grander future. There was no predicting how the alpha of a broken pack would take the news. It likely wouldn’t go down well.
“Come on, as his girlfriend, you must know where he is,” tried Kane, “I’ve tried to put off Professor Volke – I told him I gave Ulric permission to go looking for Winne – but if I can’t come up with something more satisfactory in the next day or two, he’s going to file a report with Nadasdy. And then there will be trouble.”
“I don’t know where he is,” I lied, “and I wasn’t really his girlfriend. We had a thing, it ended and now I’ve moved on.”
“Wow, that’s real nice,” snapped Kane, “I knew vamp chicks were as cold as they came but being half-witch, I thought you’d be different.”
Dark Spark: A Young Adult Urban Fantasy Novel (Bloodline Academy Book 2) Page 20
