by India Kells
“Well, Asher Stonelake is the Sanctuary Master, and holding his tongue is his second nature, especially for everything concerning Valeria. Ian Macon is his beta, and as such, he knows that he could get his head ripped off, but I suspect that he’s willingly protecting Valeria in this current situation. As for Finn, his intentions remain to be revealed.”
Valeria sighed. “I freed him from three wizards who had bound him with silver. He’s lucky I was going to the cabin.”
Violet raised an eyebrow. “Easy indeed, a simple spell would have removed the chains from a distance.”
Valeria shook her head. “I… I didn’t use my powers. It was too risky. I could have lost control and been seen. I was close to finding James, and I wanted answers.”
Violet frowned, a hand naturally rubbing her friend’s shoulder. Asher sensed that there was a strong friendship between the fiery redhead and the mousy-blonde bookworm; one to be reckoned with. “So what did you do?”
“I found a thick branch, waited for two of them to leave and hit the third one on the head. I freed the vampire, Finn, and left him. I was only interested in James.”
Layla turned to Finn before speaking again.
“A starved vampire, especially from silver, is dangerous. I’m surprised you didn’t go for Valeria as soon as you were free.”
Finn angled his head, expressionless. His green eyes skimmed Valeria again, before settling on Layla. “The man she had rendered unconscious was still breathing. I could quench most of my thirst with him. And a few minutes later, I followed her to the cabin, and had the opportunity to drink from another attacker. The third one fled, most unfortunately.”
Sera turned to Valeria. “Did the vampire kill James?”
“No, he didn’t. He’s the one who fled.”
“So? What did you learn?”
Valeria took a deep breath as it seemed that Layla had vetted for Finn too. “That I almost married a crazy man. Or worse, that the intent behind the marriage, was the agreement between him and my father so that James could take the Lancaster name and become the rightful heir.”
“But you’re the rightful heir!” Violet’s indignation reverberated through the room.
Valeria shook her head, a wan smile on her face. “Not for Lionel Lancaster. From the moment I was born, I wasn’t enough. But that’s in the past. There are more important things I need to take care of. Saving my mother is one. But my father, James and their followers are brewing something nasty. In that clearing, near the cabin where Finn was a prisoner, I saw that they were preparing for some kind of ceremony. I don’t know the full picture yet, but what I do know is that they were preparing for a sacrifice. A vampire sacrifice. That’s why I need to go to the council and tell them. Tell them everything.”
Panic etched on Sera’s face. “You can’t. Not in that state … if they feel you’re…” Sera looked at Ian and Finn. “…different, they might execute you.”
Asher couldn’t stay silent anymore. “You’re not putting yourself in danger. There must be another way to tell them what is going on.”
Valeria swallowed and straightened her shoulders. “I don’t see how. I won’t certainly let any of you do it. There are too many risks. And I already bear the name and blood of the Lancasters.”
“You may bear the name, but certainly not the blood.”
Finn’s words hung in the air as everybody held their breath. Asher turned to him.
“What do you know about Valeria’s blood?” Asher took a step toward the vampire.
Finn lifted his hand in an appeasing gesture. “I mean no harm to her, wolf. It’s just that when she saved me, and I realized what she was, it surprised me. And now, here, with those two witches… I didn’t know it was possible. Mixed bloods; I’ve heard and seen it, but between two beings of the Otherworld … and between one of my dear friends…”
Asher looked at Valeria and then back at Finn. “You know who Valeria’s mixed with? Her true father?”
Finn examined the three silent women. “Valeria’s father.”
Valeria laid her hand on the counter as if to support herself. That was enough for Asher, rounding. the counter and circling her waist, lending her as much strength and support as he could. What surprised him the most was that she let him.
Sera and Violet stayed close, and he felt the magic enveloping the three of them. A link and a show of support.
“My father is Lionel Lancaster.”
“The man your mother chose to raise you with is Lionel Lancaster. The man who sired you is Soren Racovan, member of the High Council and one of the few remaining dragons roaming this earth.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Seconds ticked by and it was as though her brain had stopped functioning. Frozen. And then the frost thawed and started to bubble, finding an unexpected way out in her laughter. As Valeria felt Asher tightening his grip on her, probably not understanding her reaction at all, she let that mirth out. All in one reaction of surprise, disbelief and sorrow, she now comprehended so much.
It took a moment for her to calm down again, and between the Layla’s frown, Asher’s obvious concern, and everybody else’s astonishment, she really didn’t care, until something clicked.
“No wonder I can shapeshift. And that Asher grounds me somehow, a sort of workaround for my broken witch magic. I’m part dragon, for Heaven’s sake.”
The vampire nodded. “Yes, from what I can understand. Soren never talked to me about having children. He has never mated, which is not a surprise, weredragons are rare. And being able to breed outside his species is even rarer. I doubt Soren would believe it either. Her very existence is improbable, a freak of nature.”
“That’s absurd!” Violet almost spit out the words. “Just because Valeria’s half-dragon doesn’t make her a monster! And you better not tell me that you agree with this stupid scaled retrograde, vampire! And for that matter, how can we be sure what you say is true? You could be lying for some reason, for your gain and profit.”
For the first time, Finn’s face didn’t only show annoyance, but anger.
“In this particular case, I don’t lie, witch! And if you’re not ready to hear the truth, maybe you’re not worthy of being here at all.”
Valeria saw an eruption coming as Violet clenched her fists. Recognizing the signs, she was about to intervene when Sera put a hand on her fiery friend.
“Calm down, Vi. I don’t believe that he’s lying. In fact, having researched the possible causes of Valeria’s predicament, and how her magic behaved, he’s sort of making sense.”
Violet seemed to ponder that as Sera made her way around the counter to Finn. Valeria saw Ian, who had remained silent so far, slightly shifting, as if placing his body between her friend and the vampire. Now that she knew Ian a little better, she knew that he probably wanted to protect Sera, just as he had protected her in the past.
Ignoring the dark wolf, Sera readjusted her black frames and looked up at the tall vampire. Sera, the little bookworm, never leaving her study, wasn’t even afraid of the century-old being or the wild wolf hovering nearby.
“Let’s play with the idea that your friend Soren is Valeria’s father, shall we? How could she walk among other beings of the Otherworld without being detected?”
Finn shrugged. “I don’t know. I recognized Soren, the scent of his blood in Valeria. I think the witch part of her hid the other. Unless you knew Soren personally, a close friend, you wouldn’t detect it. When Valeria’s experienced difficulties, it may have triggered the dragon part of her, the shifter. That’s why she can function when she’s close to the Sanctuary Master, and use her magic without trouble. Bear in mind that this is just a theory; my specialty isn’t shifters.”
Violet crossed her arms. “Well, that’s just dandy. Soren Racovan is a shifter and old as shit. I’d say he would be able to answer our questions, help Valeria. Why don’t we pay him a visit? Present him with the daughter he never thought he had?”
“I wouldn’t do that i
f I were you.”
Valeria looked at Layla, who swished her tail. “What do you mean?”
The wide witch-cat’s eyes bored into hers. “Because Soren Racovan is not only a member of the High Council but one who strongly supported the anti-mixed blood clause; the very clause detailing why mixed-bloods shouldn’t be allowed to live.”
Valeria whistled. “Wow, so no help from him then. Hope he never knows I exist.”
As she was about to ask another question, magic exploded beside her as Violet leaped over the counter, one of her deadly silver daggers in her hand, and before anybody could blink, Finn was on the floor, Violet about to slice up his throat.
“Violet, no!” Valeria and Sera ran to her but didn’t dare touch their friend.
“I don’t want any of you to be in danger, and currently under my blade, I have one of Soren’s friends, one who could tattletale and put your life at risk.”
Sera dropped to her knees and tried to move into Violet’s eyeline. Valeria knew to wait, as Sera always had a way of getting through to Violet. What surprised her the most was how Finn remained utterly still. His vampire speed would have allowed him to move out of reach, but he remained there, still as a statue, his arms by his side, in a non-threatening posture.
“Vi, he’s not a threat. He’s not even trying to get away.”
Violet clenched her teeth. “What guarantee do we have that as soon as I get off him, he won’t run to the High Council?”
Layla leaped off the counter and went to sit by Finn’s head. “Honey, there is no way to know. But you must decide. Either you kill him now, or you let him live. Just remember that every being on this earth is different and just because his kind murdered your parents doesn’t mean that Finn is the same.”
The dagger pushed forward a little, drawing a trickle of blood from the vampire throat. Still unmovable, his mossy green eyes were locked to Violet’s black ones in an intense connection. The air crackled with electricity, Layla and Sera ready to intervene, until Violet moved. She didn’t push forward to stab him but instead swiped the blade across his neck. A shallow cut, but drawing more blood. And before anybody could stop her she cut the palm of her hand and covered his wound.
Layla hissed. “Violet! Why on earth would you bind yourself to him?”
Violet released the vampire and got to her feet. “At least I will have the assurance I will find the fucker if he ever dares to reveal what he knows to Soren.”
Finn touched his neck where the cut was already closing and got to his feet. “I wouldn’t have told a soul. And you may have bitten off more than you can chew with me, witch.”
Violet sneered. “The only thing I will chew is your head off if you ever threaten my friends. Understood?”
Finn bowed slightly, and Valeria could detect a faint sneer tugging at the vampire’s lips.
Sera sighed and shook her head. “I swear Violet, because of you, one day, I’ll die of a heart attack.” As she scrambled to her feet, Ian offered her a hand. Distractedly, Sera thanked him as he pulled her up and walked back to her stacked of books. “Now what? None of this information is helping Valeria or stopping Lionel Lancaster from whatever he’s doing.”
Valeria thought about it as she returned to the desk, Asher close by.
“Maybe not, but let’s recap. Since an incident two years ago, said incident to be determined, my magic is broken, unless I stick close to Asher, who acts as a stabilizer. My mother is alive and in a coma. Still to be determined if I caused it or not. My ex-fiancé is alive too, secretly named the Lancaster heir and helping my father in a grand scheme that will no doubt bring him more power. Even if under lock and key by the Territorial Council.”
“That’s probably why he uses James, to do everything he can’t on his behalf.” Sera nodded.
“But for what purpose? He tried to fool the Territorial Council, and it didn’t work. And now he’s under more scrutiny than ever.”
Asher narrowed his gaze at Valeria. “I think you’re looking at this the wrong way.”
“What do you mean?”
“Instead of analyzing their actions, look at what they’re doing. Why would they need to sacrifice a vampire?”
All the witches stared at each other. After a moment, it was Layla who answered. “There may be several purposes. A long time ago, way before the councils were established for protection, vampires were kidnapped for healing spells. They were highly sought after because of their immortality. Some have tried to drain their life force, which would increase their powers for a while.”
Finn came closer, closing the circle. “I didn’t hear much, but when they spoke in my presence, they said they weren’t ready yet. Some parts of the spell were missing.”
Layla blinked. “What parts?”
“I don’t know. It could have been anything.”
“Enchanted objects, potions, runes?”
Finn shook his head. “I don’t know, Layla. They just said that parts were missing.”
“It’s impossible to know what they were up to without more details.”
“Well, they spoke about filling all quarters of the moon with blood. I assumed they meant with mine.”
“It can’t be about the Blood moon. That was three months ago.”
Sera closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. “No, that can’t be it. Let’s focus. What ritual would require the blood of a vampire to fill the moon?”
Ian snorted. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
Sera opened her eyes to look at the dark wolf over her dark frames. “In the strictest sense, no. Tonight is the full moon, Vampires are at their most powerful at the dark moon; their blood the most potent.”
Asher nodded. “Werewolves and shifters are at their most dangerous under a full moon.”
“And faes. Well, for them waning moon spells are the best.”
“But not witches. We use the full moon to influence our spells, but it doesn’t impact us on a molecular level. For us, a waxing moon is better, gives us added juice.”
“Again, a dead end.”
“No, no, no…” Sera turned to the large bookshelf and started to search for something. Without a word, her fingers started flitting over the book spines, searching for something until she found a thick book with a red leather cover. Putting it on the desk, she began searching through the pages.
Layla came around to peer at the book. “Damn it, I should have thought of that.”
Valeria stood beside Sera as Violet flanked her other side, all witches entranced by what was written on the page.
“Care to tell us what’s going on?” Asher ground his teeth.
“Yes, ladies, I can’t stand the suspense.” Finn’s voice was even, but Valeria could detect some level of sarcasm and amusement.
She wasn’t as versed as Sera and Layla on dark spells, but she had a certain level of black magic understanding for her training as a witch, as well as profound principles never to be broken. When she looked up at the three men in front of her, explanations were in order.
“Laws of nature and the universe, the preservation of all living things, blah, blah, blah, you guys know the drill. Same as for freedom under the supervision of your coven or pack and the High Council. Well, what if those rules didn’t apply anymore? What if you became not only the leader but could control everyone, even the Territorial Councils or the High Council?”
Asher shook his head and glanced at Ian who was frowning. “It’s impossible, even the most powerful beings have an absolute limit, a trigger point that prevents them from being masters of the universe.”
“Well, one loophole was theoretically developed centuries ago.”
Finn tried to see what was written on the book. “Theoretically?”
Sera winced. “Witches were always keen on studying and researching. We still are, I’m the living proof. So through the study of magical arts, we develop spells. But the higher ranking the wise witches are, the deeper they explore, delving into more philosophical levels, and o
ne of them wanted to see if magic could be harnessed in a way to take control over other species.”
Layla sat. “It’s only a theory.”
Sera bit her lip, thoughtful. “A possible and feasible theory, and, I suspect, known by scholars like Lionel Lancaster.”
Showing the first sign of impatience, Finn racked his reddish hair and stared at Sera with contained fury. “I can’t believe that this stupid thing is written like a recipe in that book for anyone to see!”
Before Valeria or Violet could intervene, Ian stepped between the witch and the vampire. “Calm down. She’s not the one who created the spell, but she’s bright and intelligent enough to have found it. At least we have something to work with. Stow your anger, vampire, or get out of here.”
Finn stared at the dark wolf and a silent standoff ensued, before he took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing.
Ian still partly blocking his path, Finn bowed to Sera. “Please accept my apologies. Of course, you had nothing to do with that spell. And I’m grateful for your knowledge of obscure magic.”
Sera blinked at his formality at first and then smiled. “No problem, Finn.”
But Ian didn’t move. Asher must have sensed the growing tension and coughed, bringing Ian back to the present, forcing his second in command to relax an inch.
“Can you explain the theory, so we can think of a way of stopping this madness?”
Valeria nodded. “Layla can concur, but it’s an old theory. Symbolically, there are four quarters of the moon; full, waxing, waning and dark, with each one bringing an energy related to specific beings of our world. Simply put, killing a being at its exact moon phase, allows the spellcaster to steal its energy. That’s widely known but rarely used as the power can’t be kept. It dissipates quickly after the killing. But this theory spins the spell differently. If you kill one being at its determined moon phase using the core of this spell, and you repeat it for each quarter of the moon for each different creature, you don’t steal its energy, but its pure essence. And that essence gives you control over the same beings.”
