by Sela Croft
I watched the city he called home change and flourish. It was no longer a Medieval structure, but had been rebuilt, with glass and crystal. The central area was named Crystal City. The structures defied physics with buildings constructed of sparkling crystal spiraling into the sky.
The structures were strong, seemingly indestructible. The city glowed in hues of blue and gold. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and I was reminded of the first time I’d seen it. It was a magical city, filled with magical vampires, yet constructed by cutting-edge technology. The vampire technicians and architects had studied the outside world, then perfected the science to create a city that had magic of its own.
Then I saw a vision that stopped me in my tracks. It was a moment that I hadn’t thought about, for a while. There before my eyes was the instant that Logan had first met me. The emotions that Logan had felt then, seemed to swirl inside me.
Logan’s confusion over my unexpected arrival, his confusion about who I was, and all the questions that had filled his mind were revealed to me. He’d suspected that I was in the enemy camp, sent to infiltrate.
Above all that, was his unexplainable attraction to me. And the overpowering draw of the scent of my blood. It occurred to me that Logan no longer had to resist. I was distantly aware of the blood exchange taking place between us. Instinctively, I sucked harder at Logan’s wrist, craving more of his blood and drinking all of it that I could.
Chapter 32
Callie
Logan had always loved me, even though he hadn’t recognized it at first. It had been love at first sight; I could see that now. With that tender thought, I was propelled forward and drifted though the special moments of our relationship, as seen through Logan’s eyes.
I’d been a mystery he couldn’t solve. But he’d been drawn to me as I was to him. Whenever he’d heard my voice, been close to me or gazed into my eyes—it had been nothing like he’d ever encountered before.
I finally understood the craving for my blood, and how my scent had driven him crazy. For I had an equally strong craving for his. I saw through the visions how difficult it had been for him to retain control and not give in to his desire.
The overpowering attraction compelled Logan to discover its source, and to find out what I meant to him. There was a reason that I had been drawn into his realm and he was convinced I played a role in the outcome of events.
Even beyond that he’d been charmed by my behavior, unfamiliar with my human approach. After all, it had been centuries since he’d felt some of the emotions that I so easily expressed. I blushed to see that he admired my goodness.
In the beginning, he’d suspected it, disbelieving that it was real. I was flattered to see that he’d focused on that positive side of my personality, since I knew that I was no angel.
With each passing day, Logan’s love had grown. The images flowing before my eyes showed that he began to experience a need more powerful than any other. For the first time in centuries, he’d experienced a love stronger than love of family or his need to protect his realm.
I was faced with a new perspective, when I saw that imprisoning me in his floating mansion had been an act of caring. It hadn’t been the action of a jailer; he’d only wanted to protect me. That’s all he’d ever wanted.
Slowly, Logan had given in to the attraction. And finally admitted his love. I was deeply moved at feeling the depth of emotion from his perspective. Instead of denying the bond between us, he’d relinquished control. Logan had followed his heart, rescued me from the Fae palace—and continued to rescue me, again and again.
Chapter 33
Callie
Logan’s love had grown stronger and stronger. Watching things unfold, I could feel his love for me supersede his sense of duty to his realm. His love for me had eclipsed his love for his family. He’d chosen to abdicate as ruling prince of the world that he’d sworn to protect, so he could love me with every part of his being.
Logan’s acts made me consider what love was, or what I imagined it to be. I’d been on a journey of transformation, just as he had. It had gone from fear and doubt to trusting and love.
I sat, transfixed, as everything became clear. The choices I’d made that had led me to Logan had been the right ones. I no longer doubted my path or feared destiny.
The amazing journey drew closer to the present, leading me through the visit to Morrigan’s castle and the travel to the prison. My mind encompassed the horridness of the prison, the most recent destination.
Then I sensed a force more powerful than I’d experienced before, radiating out from my core. It began as a warm sensation, but rapidly became hot. The heat was nearly unbearable, before it abated.
An electrical sensation began to flood my body, merging into a torrent of heat raging around and through me. The forces stirred something new, a force unlike anything I’d known. The inner force expanded, until it filled all my senses and it was all I could feel.
The power burned inside me like the sun, searing every part of me. It was as strong as an impending supernova, yet I managed to avert exploding. The energy pulsed and surged inside me. I accepted it, thrived within it, then became it. I had been transformed; I was a vampire.
Chapter 34
Logan
Looking through Callie’s eyes, being in her mind and seeing her past terrified me. It was a phenomenon that I hadn’t experienced in a very long time, so I resisted it.
Centuries ago, when I’d first become a vampire and had made my first feeding attempts, a similar thing had occurred. In drinking the blood of the human feeder, I’d imbibed their essence. The effect had been overwhelming.
The human feeder had been a source of sustenance, but by drinking I’d lost myself in that person. That sort of thing happened, before I’d become accustomed to my vampire state. Over time, I had stabilized and gained strength.
The all-consuming effect of blood drinking had faded. I’d even forgotten about it.
The reminder of those events shook me to my core. At the time, they’d been frightening. But for centuries now, I’d swallowed all the blood I wanted with no ill effect.
I hadn’t stopped to consider what gulps of Callie’s sorceress blood might do. She was no ordinary human. The potency of her blood was beyond what I’d previously savored.
Her blood was delicious, a rare delicacy. The scent and the flavor beckoned me to have more.
The pull was so overpowering that resisting hadn’t entered my mind. Yet as I took in the elixir, the essence of Callie, it began to feel as though I was losing myself.
With effort, I reasserted my personality over the sensation of being dominated by Callie. But it was to no avail.
I was dragged along through visions of Callie’s life. Her school, her home, her summer vacations. I shot through a stream of life, witnessing what she’d experienced—whether I was willing to or not.
The vibrant life of Callie’s being had stolen my independence. I could no longer control how my experience proceeded. I wasn’t an immortal vampire, distinct and separate. I’d been imbued with sorceress blood of such impressive lineage that it overshadowed my personality.
Callie and I were inseparable. I could no longer retreat into my individual self. Instinctively, I realized that there was no way to undo the new state.
For a moment, I balked at losing myself, at alloying the purity of my vampire blood with that of a sorceress. I hadn’t predicted the consequences and feared that the partaking of such potent blood might have been ill conceived.
I had no knowledge of what the permanent effects might be. I hadn’t heard of vampires and sorcerers sharing blood before. I should have thought it through. But it was too late for second thoughts.
A voice inside me spoke of doubts. Possibly, drinking Callie’s blood had not been a good thing.
Then feelings for Callie filled my heart. I’d already given my life to a path of love. My love for her guided me in my decisions and actions. I’d risked all for love.
&
nbsp; So how could this be any different?
The merging with Callie spiraled to new heights, and like an addict, I gulped more of her blood. I was insatiable. There was no way for me to get enough of her.
Callie was goodness, humility, and caring—combined with power that ignited her potential. I felt it as surely as she did. I was one with her, part of her—and she of me.
There could be no parting, and nor did I want it.
Her beingness, the exuberance for life that she possessed flooded my body, mind, and soul. It was like nothing I’d experienced in hundreds of years. Being a vampire, even a magical one, didn’t compare. Having drunk her blood, my magic was expanded exponentially.
Willingly now, I traveled through her life, knowing what she’d known, and seeing what she’d seen. When fate delivered Callie to Shadowland, the images slowed.
I viewed through her eyes with horror. The fear she endured over being in a strange realm where all was unfamiliar. The terror when confronted with bloodsucking vampires. Her heart wrenching over the travail of the human slaves, and empathy for the downtrodden and the plight of the prisoners, powerless against the ruling vampires.
All of it shocked me, changed my reality, and my conception of my world. Then there was Callie’s reaction at facing me for the first time. Despite her trembling, her vulnerability, she had stood her ground. And she had been as surprised as I was that the attraction to me rivaled her terror.
Yet above all was her need to find Rosamon. Her sister meant so much to her. Callie was loyal. The bond between them was unbreakable. As twins they were inexorably linked, and in their hearts, forever bound.
I was in awe of Callie’s bravery, her ability to put her sister ahead of her own comfort or safety. I sensed her determination in a way that I hadn’t before. The vow to rescue her sister and return her home safely, superseded all else.
I’d thought of myself as loyal, as a good family member, and a good brother. But I realized that I had a lot to learn. That through Callie, emotions and love that had escaped me for so long were suddenly accessible.
Behind it all, woven into all I’d experienced with Callie, was the undying love she had for her sister. That love had compelled her to enter forbidden territory, face impossible challenges, and rise above at every turn. I’d mistrusted Callie’s goodness, thinking it had to be false. Yet I could no longer deny its truth.
I wasn’t used to such volume of emotion. Her deepest feelings came at me like fists, hitting me hard. Her thoughts of life and love flooded forth, like a blast of water that might drown me—if I let it.
Even through all the emotion, I understood one thing clearly. Callie was forever coming toward me. Even as I tried to move back from her, to breathe, to have space—inevitably, she still came.
As much as a part of me wanted to pull away, another part of me wanted to accept her. Conflicting emotions tormented me, yet I could see no way out.
I’d fought many things in my existence, gone into battle, pushed back enemies, and so much more. But I hadn’t dealt with such inner conflict. My mind reeled, and my heart ached. Still I could not quell the flood of emotions.
My power, my ability, even my supernatural condition didn’t seem to be of any use against the overpowering feelings. I was lost, spinning in a sea of emotion, that wasn’t my own—or was it?
Chapter 35
Logan
Even as I fought the confusion, I sensed a power growing inside me. Virile sorcerer blood pulsed through my veins, as it did through Callie’s—from her father and possibly from his ancestors—a lineage unknown to us.
The force was growing, seemingly more within Callie than me. That was alarming, making me question the transformation. My survival instincts kicked in, and I began to fight against it. Fearing that the new strength might overwhelm us both and propel us into some unwelcome destiny, I struggled to get free.
I continued to suck at Callie’s wrist as she took long pulls from mine. Yet I resisted the compulsion, fought the magic that threatened to swallow us up. Gradually, my awareness of our surroundings began to return.
I began to slow my intake, more cautious now. Beginning to come out of the trance, yearning to discover what I’d become, before some misguided force was unleashed upon the world.
As I drank slower, Callie sucked harder then began to shake. Her breathing grew increasing ragged, her condition unsettled. Concern for her riddled through me.
Yet the images hadn’t fully abated. The past haunted me, pulling me down into memories of events, reliving what Callie had already lived. I tried to shake them off, attempting to pull away from Callie’s wrist. I fought diligently to wrest free of the blood craving.
As I began to resurface, I was aware of Noah and Rosamon looking on, waiting.
Then Bram’s voice pierced my universe. “It’s not advisable to quit just yet. You must drink more of Callie’s special blood…and there is no wisdom in delay. I’ve held off the Fae for as long as possible, blocked their perception of our activities. But that won’t last much longer.”
Still I struggled to cease drinking, not trusting the words of the sorcerer. This blood exchange had been his idea, and I had serious reservations about the outcome.
I would have released Callie’s wrist, arrested my thirst and moved away. But I was unable to do so.
Callie gripped me harder. She clung to my arm, her hands holding so tight that I felt pain. She held to me with a strength that I couldn’t break away of.
The ebb and flow between us was renewed. Once again, I was under the sway of her blood. As if from some distant quarter of the world, I heard Bram’s voice.
The ancient sorcerer’s voice broke through the energy I was lapping up. “I am pleased that you complied, vampire prince. I need not remind you that the power must flow between you and Callie, so we can break the prison walls that surround us and save all we love.”
Even in my stupor, I noted the insincerity of his words. I wondered whom he loved, or what he sought to save, and whether he cared about his own daughters. There was smugness in his tone that put me on guard.
For a moment, it all seemed wrong. I was startled by a thought, one that seemed all too real. The blood sharing, following Bram’s instructions, allowing him to control the exchange…
Just before I went under again, lost to the hypnotizing effect of Callie’s blood, I realized in horror that I might have made a monumental mistake.
Chapter 36
Florian
With Logan still away and Valter out with his troops, I temporarily ruled. Yet all that surrounded me seemed to be crumbling.
Over the years, I had developed support within the ranks. I was respected for my intelligent view of matters and many wished to follow my cautious approach.
In my mind, caution was not automatically linked to cowardliness. Quite the opposite. Good reconnaissance provided the intelligence needed to come up with an effective strategy.
I found much agreement with that point of view, so lobbied for my allies in the council to act in accordance. Each swore to use any influence they possessed to slow Valter in his rash offensive against our enemies.
Pleas were made to lieutenants in the vampire armies to do what they could to stop Valter. If my brother wouldn’t pay attention to me, possibly he would value the opinions of those he trusted.
I bided my time, but with no positive result. No report arrived claiming to have persuaded my hot-headed brother to back off.
Raulia did her best to convince Valter, and even went to the battle scene to talk to him. After trying to make him take a more sensible approach, she gave up. Her report to me was that he didn’t even listen to what she had to say.
Despite the admonitions from all sectors, Valter’s attacks on the Fae realm continued unabated. I leaned on my comrades to try harder, but it did no good. It seemed that no argument was valid in my brother’s mind. The bloody war raged on, and to what end I wasn’t sure.
Already, the situation ap
peared hopeless. Then I began to receive frequent reports of occurrences within Shadowland, far inside the border where Valter fought. The ongoing guerilla tactics of the Fae, deep within my kingdom, were disconcerting.
The flood of reports about that were a distraction from the battles waged farther out, near the perimeter of the land. The threat became urgent, demanding my attention. So, I called a council meeting to discuss an effective approach to the issue.
One of the more seasoned council members succinctly stated the situation. “You must forget about dissuading Valter and concentrate on protecting the vampires and humans in the interior of Shadowland.”
Raulia agreed. “It’s clear that your brother won’t listen. We’re wasting time and resources trying to convince him.”
I rubbed my hand over my face. The entire matter was exhausting. “My brother has a taste for violence and a lust for vengeance. The combination holds a lure that compels him to fight, given provocation.”
“We have done all we can,” Raulia said. “The results of Valter’s aggressiveness will be seen in time. As it stands, you are responsible for doing all you can to save Shadowland.”
I wanted to argue and clung to false hope that my brother would yet see the sense in not fighting blindly. But I had no idea what else I could do to stop the violence, or to mitigate our losses in the heat of battles we’d instigated.
Silence descended on the room, as all waited for my verdict. With everyone’s eyes on me, I recognized that the duty was mine. I had to make the decision. If I turned away from Valter’s atrocities, there would be nothing to curb the mayhem.
Yet, if I didn’t align all resources to defend internally, all may be lost anyway. I stalled, aware that time had already run out. Given what I knew and what my loyal consorts had relayed, I had no choice in the matter. It only seemed as though I did.
