Immortal Suffering

by Shana J Caldwell

  “So, are you ready for today’s session?” I stop spinning and look at him. His arms are hanging loosely at his side as he watches me.

  “Yes. Do I get a prize if I win?” I ask, he strides over to me; confidence in each step. I swallow hard as I marvel at the muscle that moves beneath his outfit.

  “A kiss,” he says simply, stopping in front of me.

  “And if I lose?”

  “You tend to Dominic until the night of the gathering.” I’d almost forgotten we were having the higher ranking vampires over. I’d lost track of time, but I knew the day was sometime soon.

  “Okay, deal.” I hold out my hand, he raises an eyebrow as he looks at it.

  “You have to shake on it.” He places his hand in mine and shakes once. Before he lets go I pull him closer, my face millimetres away from his as I slowly reach my foot around behind his legs.

  “Lesson two; never let your guard down.” I whisper before wrenching his feet out from under him, I slip my hand out of his at the last second. He falls back in surprise, landing on his ass. I grin down at him and as he looks up at me, he bursts into rich laughter. He pulls himself up and gets into position.

  I attack with all my force, back and forth we dance around each other as he deflects my advances. My breathing becomes heavy as my muscles begin to ache. I didn’t want to lose. Not because I wanted a kiss.

  Totally not for that reason.

  His hand shoots out; aiming for my stomach. Without thinking I flip backwards through the air, skidding as I land in a crouch. I look at him in surprise.

  “You’re getting better.” He cocks his head to the side as I stand on shaky legs. I brush my palms against my tights.

  “Yeah, well isn’t that the point?” I scratch my head and straighten. Sweat has gathered on my forehead and my upper lip, I am out of shape badly. I wipe my forehead as he approaches me.

  “You win this round. But I want to practice with your power today.” He takes my face in his hand and angles it towards his. His eyes look at me in question. I stand on my tip toes and close the distance between us. I press my lips on his gently and shut my eyes, he kisses me back as his hands rest against my lower back. Our kiss mingles with saliva and sweat as it deepens.

  I pull back for a breath, he pouts his lips and frowns.

  “Such a sook. Do you think we could just spend the rest of our session doing this?” I ask, not wanting to touch my power. He is a good distraction. I trail kisses against his jaw, nibbling on his ear gently. He growls low in his throat, his hands tightening. It still feels surreal to me that I am touching him like this, yesterday I hated him and today I can’t keep my hands off of him. How had I caved in to him so easily?

  “Allison…” His voice is rough in his throat as I pull my face back and puff out my bottom lip. Giving him my best “please just kiss me” expression that I can muster.

  “Your magic won’t work on me, darling.” He kisses my forehead gently before letting me go and stepping away. I groan as I watch him put distance between us.

  “Now I want you to summon your power, have it in your hands. My shadows will be here to protect you.” At the mention of their name his shadows pool around his feet. I take a shaky breath and shut my eyes. I dig deep, finding the vault I’d mentally locked it in.

  Come to me.

  The vault opens and my power comes rushing to my call. I open my eyes and gasp as it hits me full force. Blue veins run underneath my skin, I look to Kal with wild eyes.

  “It’s okay, you’re okay. You’re in control.” His voice is calming; I look back down and open my hands. I focus on my palms, slowly the blue veins begin to gather and my hands turn a rich blue.

  “Now what?” I ask, my voice shaking.

  “Now you need to beckon it out of you.” I shut my eyes again. I can feel it wrapping itself around my mind, something else settles against my mind as well. Something I can’t touch, and have no control over. I frown slightly but ignore it.

  Out.

  I open my eyes to see the blue veins spill out of my hands; flowing over and hitting the floor but still connected by a thin stream.

  They swim in dormant circles, waiting for an order.

  “See? You’re in control. You shouldn’t be scared of what you can do, the more resistant you are the more you’re out of control.” I look up at Kal, around us his shadows had formed a barrier. I nod once, afraid to speak.

  “Now call them back in.” I shut my eyes and visualise them going back into my hands. Slowly I begin to feel them fill me up again, the warmth spreads through me as they gather back inside of me. I take a shaky breath and open my eyes.

  “Now we’re going to continue doing this, in and out. Get you accustomed to the feeling of them, have you in control of them. Understood?”

  “Yes, understood.” I say. He nods once and I shut my eyes. We repeat this process until Kal’s shadows are forced to guide them back into me. I use the last of my strength to lock them back in the vault. I sit down in a heap and then lay down, Kal lies down beside me. My breathing is heavy as I adjust to being normal again.

  My mind is exhausted, this was the first time I’d ever tried to deal with my power without having to attack anyone or defend myself.

  “What is your power?” I ask, still half breathless.

  “My shadows?”

  “Duh,” I grin, what else could I have meant? He sighs.

  “They came when I found my humanity, as does every vampire’s little ability. Mine is stronger than anyone I’ve ever met, I’m not sure why. I assume it’s because of my royal and pure blood, but don’t hold me to it.” I tilt my head and look over to him, his shadows dance above us, shaped as horses and small people, running side by side like a cloud.

  “They’re mesmerising.” I reach out and brush against them, they swim gently around my hand, but even so I feel the power they hold.

  “Yes they are, very demanding as well. Sometimes I feel they control me more than I control them. I haven’t used them in their full ability for a very long time now, but the shadows can transport me instantly to places when I focus. Like that day by the stream. That’s winnowing and I’m the only one capable of doing it, which is probably for the best. They tell me secrets they hear in the dark, they’re my eyes more often than not.”

  “So you’re a spy?” I ask, lowering my hand back to my stomach. He chuckles.

  “When I want to be. I don’t think it would be in the best interest for the King to be a spy.”

  I’m more than aware of how close my body is to Kals. Although his skin is cold to touch, it always helps me cool down. I felt too much like fire without him around.

  “Thank you.” I roll my head to the side and watch him. He faces me as well, a smile tugging at the side of his mouth.

  “You’re welcome. I can say today’s lesson went fairly well.” I roll my eyes at him, although he is right.

  “Whatever, are we training again tomorrow?” He contemplates my question.

  “You can rest tomorrow. You have five days until our guests come, I can’t have you too sore for it. They wouldn’t know why, and I can only imagine their assumptions.” I gasp and a blush stains my cheeks as I look away from him.

  His naked body presses against mine, kisses litter my neck. I run my hands along his defined back, my nails digging into the soft skin.

  I push the fantasy out of my mind before I get flustered. I’d never been with a man before. I’d pecked Xavier and I’d only gone as far as the other night with Kal. He wouldn’t know that though and I wasn’t about to tell him. I stand up and start to walk to the door.

  “Does that conclude our lesson?” I call over my shoulder, not trusting myself to look back. Every part of my body is heightened and I would have no self-control if he was to touch me. As if he knows this, he’s suddenly in front of me. I skid to a stop, bumping into him.

  I scowl as he wraps his arms around my waist but I allow the touch, welcoming the coolness of him. I rest my hands
on his chest.

  “Yes, our lesson is over. I have duties to attend in the city until later; will you be okay by yourself?” He asks, his eyes searching my face. I force a smile.

  “I’ll be fine, thank you. I’m sure I’ll find something to occupy myself. I could even go for a nap.” Doubt flickers across his face, but before he can reply I press a kiss to his lips, silencing him. He melts into me after a moment, a hand comes to my face and he cups my cheek gently.

  Minutes tick by as we stand there, I pull back for air. He grins down at me.

  “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up. You stink.” He crinkles his nose at me; I swat his arm and laugh. As we walk back to the castle he intertwines our fingers.

  I don’t let go.

  Chapter 14

  Kalabhiti

  Allison.

  My thoughts are still fixated on her as I enter the conference room in the largest tower of the city. Zuriel, Zeke and Cassidy sit at the long dark oak table. Still no sign of the twins and with Nardia on leave; I’d have to relay all the information to them at a later date. They were currently on a mission to find more of Dominic’s kind, so if we were to face a wipe out, we would have a chance.

  I take a seat at the head of the table; Cassidy had left abruptly last night after giving me vital information about the human camp. Their numbers had increased, with abnormalities as well.

  “So Cassidy, relay exactly what you saw,” I say. Zuriel cocks an eyebrow as he looks at her. Zeke turns to her and she straightens in her chair and clears her throat.

  “Well when I walked in, you were on top of our innocent Allison, sucking her lips off—” she starts, Zuriel coughs as he fights his laughter. Zeke scowls as I clear my throat.

  “Not that. You know what.” I say, fixing my eyes on her. She sighs and flips her hair over her shoulder.

  “I was doing the usual rounds; anyway I scaled a tree and got a look into their camp and it’s overflowing with humans. That boy that escaped at the river is there, in charge it seems. I can’t remember his name. Their eyes were all green, it’s hard to explain and their skin has a green tinge to it as well. And they are fast, almost as fast as we are.” She looks to me, her black eyes creased with worry.

  “I think whatever they’re doing, it’s going to match us. If we don’t interfere and eradicate them while we still can, I don’t think our kind are going to fare well in the next run in.”

  “But we have our powers. Surely they can’t one up us on that.” Zuriel jumps in, drumming his fingers on the table. I had that same thought, although it was worrying.

  “With the rate they’re progressing, it wouldn’t surprise me. How long until they discover how to enter our city? We would have nowhere to run or hide,” she exclaims, looking fiercely at Zuriel, he rolls his eyes at her.

  “You were always one for dramatics. First we can always alter the requirements if that were a threat. Secondly, no other human camps or towns around us are experiencing the same problems. Zeke and I returned to Penrith, there’s a slight rise in grobblers but other than that everything is how it was when we were last there.” He sits back and arches an eyebrow at her.

  “Yes but—”

  “He’s right Cassidy; I haven’t been able to find anything.” Zeke says, crossing his arms over his chest. His eyes flicker to me.

  “Well that’s even more of a reason to get rid of them while it’s contained. What will we do if we can’t drink their blood? We can’t survive off animal blood for the rest of our days.” They all look at me.

  I’d tasted Ali’s blood; it tasted like normal human blood. But would it still after a mouthful or two?

  “Capture one, take some blood. Return here with it, and someone can volunteer to drink it over the course of a few days. We’ll see how it affects us and if it makes us sick.” I know Ali would not approve if she knew what I was allowing but I had to look out for my own race.

  “And if we can’t?” Zuriel asks. I sigh heavily.

  “Then we will wipe them out.” Cassidy looks visibly relieved as she sits back in her chair. Zeke nods once.

  “Ah well, what can you do?” Zuriel shrugs. He raises an eyebrow. “But, have you told Ali any of this?” Zeke watches me steadily. Fear flickers across his face, he still cares for her.

  “No, as far as I’m concerned it doesn’t have anything to do with her. I need her to focus on herself right now; she doesn’t need to be bothering with official business just yet.” I say calmly, picking my words wisely. I would tell her, once I deemed her well enough to handle the information.

  “I think you’re over stepping your boundaries with her. You’re a king and leader of this city. What I walked in on the other night didn’t seem very professional.” Cassidy raises an eyebrow at me. Zeke clenches his jaw.

  “Wait, you’re telling me… you and Ali are…?” Zuriel asks, leaning against the table; his eyes wide with amazement. I rub my temples as I look down at the table. I had no idea what we were.

  “It’s complicated,” I say. I wasn’t about to rush anything. I may be overstepping my boundaries with her but God when she looks at me the way she has been lately it’s hard to keep my hands off of her. Cassidy snorts.

  “I knew it!” Zuriel exclaims, hitting a fist against the table.

  “Zuriel, please,” I say. He grins ear to ear at me.

  “If you hurt her, my King or not I will have the pleasure of kicking your ass.”

  “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. Anyway, what does Allison and I have anything to do with this?” I ask, pointing the question at Cassidy.

  “I just don’t think it’s professional to be fucking her when we brought her here for business. You may be forgetting our main goal, but I’m not.” Cassidy storms out of the room, Zeke watches her go.

  “To clarify, I’m not fucking her,” I say to both of them. Zuriel laughs but Zeke is silent. He avoids looking at me. He stands and goes after Cassidy, leaving me alone with Zuriel.

  “As long as she’s happy and is getting better, I could not care what you do with her. She’s like a little sister to me; I’d do anything to protect her. Even if it meant kicking some King ass.”

  “I don’t doubt you. I am needing a favour though, and I trust her with you more than anyone else. Would you be able to take her into the human world tomorrow?” I ask.

  “Yeah, of course. What for?” Zuriel asks as he stands up.

  “She’s missing the sun, and I’m sure she’d be more than grateful to get some fresh air with a friend for a day. Get her in the morning and return her that night, in one piece please.”

  “Of course, I’ll be there early. You can trust me; she’s safe in my hands.” I nod once before he leaves me alone.

  I tap the table in thought, could I trust her though?

  Chapter 15

  Allison

  I lay in bed thinking. Kal hadn’t returned until what I assume was late last night. He’d looked even more tired so I didn’t bother him. I let him know I’d made his bed and there was a bottle of blood waiting for him beside it then he’d kissed me on the forehead and disappeared. If it was a normal day I’d be getting ready to train, but I could well and truly just stay in bed all day if I wanted.

  I roll over and get comfortable, preparing to go back to sleep. A knock comes from my door. I frown and roll back over.

  “What?” I call, sitting up. The door opens to a smiling Zuriel.

  “Come on missy, why are you still in bed? We have a day full of adventure awaiting us!” He exclaims, grinning. He was wearing black jeans and a long sleeved black shirt. I raise an eyebrow at him.

  “What do you mean?”

  “We’re going into the sun today, orders by the King.” He fakes a salute as he says this, causing me to grin. Kal was letting me go to see the sun. I squeal and leap from my bed, it’s been far too long. Maybe I could even go to a trade and get some more human clothes.

  Zuriel steps into the hall while I get dressed. I pull on a pair of
black shorts and a white blouse. It isn’t ideal but I could not care how I look right now, I pull on my slip-ons and find Zuriel in the hall.

  “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go.” I run towards the front entrance, Zuriel laughs as he begins to run after me. He has no idea how much I need this. I skid to a stop as Kal comes into view, arms crossed over his chest with a smile playing on his lips.

  “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I squeal as I launch myself at him, engulfing him in a hug. He hugs me back, his chest rumbling from his chuckles.

  “I literally owe you one.” I pull back and look up at him. Do I kiss him goodbye? Is that the kind of thing we did now? Before I can see if it is, Zuriel strolls in. Kal sighs and looks away from me.

  “Boss man, it’s good to see you. I’ll be taking your damsel in distress.” I turn to see Zuriel bow low, a smirk on his lips. I roll my eyes at him, stepping out of Kal’s arms.

  “Please just return her in one piece,” Kal sighs, stepping away from the door. I link my arm with Zuriel’s and drag him to the door, looking over my shoulder at Kal and smiling. I’d be safe. I always am.

  We leave the castle and run through the forest. I stay close to Zuriel, not wanting whatever that thing was from last time to find me. Before I know it we’re on the busy streets of Dafria. Zuriel doesn’t slow down, so I keep pace beside him.

  Slowly the platform comes into view. Its grand white stairs welcome us onto the circular platform, a blackness that’s too dark to see sits in front of us.

  “Are you ready?” Zuriel asks. I nod once and take his hand in mine. I was holding onto Kal last time I went through. As we get closer, the blackness begins to swirl and come to life. We step through.

  Blinding sunlight hits us full force. I buckle to my knees and cover my eyes. What in God’s name?

  “Yeah, that gets easier once you’re accustomed to it.” Zuriel says, helping me get to my feet. My eyes water as I adjust to the light, my bare skin already warming up. Birds chirp in the distance, a soft breeze ruffles my hair. I take a deep breath, inhaling the forest around me.