Enchantment's Trap (Vampire Magic Book 4)

by Sela Croft

  Rosamon had a serious look on her face and was focused. But she didn’t seem to perceive the wall either.

  Frustration nagged at me. If my father was playing a trick on us, it wasn’t funny.

  “Don’t give up,” my father said. “It is there, and you can see it. You just need to try a little harder. Your abilities are new to you, and untested. But you’ll be surprised at what you can do, once your power has been unleashed.”

  I continued to focus on the place where my father had pointed. Then my vision went blurry. But I wasn’t viewing with my eyes. That was the secret. I’d just known that it was there.

  I peeked at Rosamon and she smiled. Once I’d spotted the barrier in its filmy form, she had too.

  “I can feel something,” I said. “It’s like a curtain, kind of.”

  “That’s it,” my father said. “You have latched onto the barrier.” I thought that I perceived a tiny smile on his lips but couldn’t be sure. It occurred to me that I hadn’t seen him smile. Maybe being imprisoned for so long did that to a person.

  Rosamon grinned. “I can see it too.”

  “What we must do,” my father said, “is to strengthen that curtain. I’ll instruct you.”

  Rosamon and I nodded.

  “As we cast the spell, the curtain will grow stronger and stronger. We must do it in unison, because individually we cannot create the effect.”

  “Together we will be powerful enough?” I said.

  “We most certainly will,” my father said. “The curtain can become very strong and, ultimately, it will turn into a wall.”

  That sounded pretty amazing. But then some pretty amazing stuff had happened recently.

  My father’s voice boomed, like a preacher commanding his congregation from the pulpit. “The curtain will turn into a wall between the lands that none will be able to cross—not vampire, not Fae, not human—not even sorcerer.”

  A shiver ran up my spine. There was something ominous about such a division of the realms. But it was no time to second guess. I’d committed to the only solution to the war that had been offered. My heart wouldn’t let me turn back.

  Chapter 44

  Callie

  My father motioned for us to step closer. Then he put on gloves that he magically produced from his pocket, and we linked hands to form a circle. He reminded us that we had the power to influence the world, that we could harness unseen forces for our use.

  It had seemed that having such power was desirable. I hoped that I was using it wisely.

  He coached us to purify our thoughts and cleanse our minds of any doubts. We were to visualize the curtain becoming ever more solid until it was an impenetrable wall. With my eyes closed, I put all my attention on the visualization and assumed that Rosamon was doing the same.

  My father recited a chant that we were to repeat over and over. He commanded that we imagine light coming into us and the magic we invoked working. While we chanted and visualized, my father spoke words in a language that was unfamiliar. It sounded like an ancient tongue.

  Energy poured though me and out of me. It held me in place, while electrifying me with its magic. As instructed, I allowed the excess energy to flow into the ground. Gradually, the imaginary wall became more substantial.

  The energy from Rosamon flowed through the circle, as did my father’s. What had started with my own force was gradually compounded with all of ours combined. The flow gained speed and I balked, unsure what to expect.

  My father cautioned us to relax so the spell could happen. I did my best, then directed all my mental processes toward the creation of the wall.

  Yet as things proceeded, I began to feel strange. It wasn’t solely the energy racing around the circle we formed. It wasn’t that I was tapping into my supernatural ability.

  It was something else entirely.

  The uncertainty I’d had about erecting a wall between races nagged at me. The more I tried to focus on making the wall solid, the more another part of me issued a caution that I shouldn’t. I was stuck. I wanted to do all in my power to end the war.

  But I had no prior experience with powerful spells. I should have started with something smaller and worked my way up. Yet I was in a tight spot. The only way out was to create the spell and trust that it would be beneficial.

  Yet what if it wasn’t? My inner voice wouldn’t be quiet. My father must have heard it, because he whispered a caution. “Cleanse your mind of doubts, Callie.” Then he went back to speaking in the ancient language.

  I pushed my doubts aside and felt a surge of energy toward the formation of the wall. Still the process of casting the spell pulled me in opposite directions. But I kept going. I followed my father’s instructions and assumed that my sister was doing the same.

  Rosamon’s hand grew warm, while my father’s hand was stone cold through the glove. I continued to focus, willing the wall to come up. In my desperation to cast a spell that promised peace, I drew on every ounce of strength within me.

  I seemed infinite, disconnected from any time or place. The energy spiraled high and yet I dug deep for more. Together we were stronger than apart. I knew that. I trusted our combined power.

  The world spun underneath me, my mind whorled, and the force emitted through our circle made me lightheaded. Dizzy and feeling depleted, I struggled to sustain the power I’d tapped into.

  I wasn’t about to give up. Rosamon held tight to my hand and I knew she fought internally to give all she had to the process. My father’s voice rose in volume and grew deeper. He spoke faster and with more determination. Louder and louder. Faster and faster.

  Gasping, I fell to the ground and my sister collapsed beside me. Much to my amazement, the very wall I’d envisioned was forming before my eyes. It was dark, like looking into the ocean and being unable to see into its depths.

  The wall continued to rise toward the sky, so the Fae fled for their side, disappearing into their realm. The vampires raced across the border into Shadowland and the dragons soared over the wall toward home to avoid being engulfed beyond the barrier. Most seemed to make it to their side and back to their kingdom.

  But the wall kept rising to greater and greater heights.

  I stared as the wall grew as though it would go all the way to the heavens. I hoped that both Fae and vampires had made it to the right side of the newly erected barrier.

  Noah had returned from issuing warnings to retreat. We stood gazing at the formidable wall that rose so high into the night sky that the top of it could not be seen.

  When I saw Logan, I breathed a sigh of relief. He’d made it back. I flung myself into his arms and he held me in a tight embrace. I clung to him, grateful that he’d returned to me.

  But then we looked around. Valter was there, as were most of the troops. But some were missing. Some hadn’t crossed the line quickly enough. And now they might never be able to.

  Logan rose in the air and hovered above. “Where’s Florian?”

  My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t seen Florian. We checked with the others, but no one knew where he was. And he wasn’t the only one missing.

  Logan loomed over my father. “Is this your magic?”

  “Not mine alone. I had the assistance of my daughters, for only with their power was I strong enough to cast the spell.”

  “But many of our number did not make it to Shadowland before your wall blocked their path,” Logan said. “My own brother Florian is missing.”

  My father seemed unmoved by the emotion of the event.

  “I want an explanation,” Logan said to my father. “You created that wall, so tell me why my brother isn’t with us.”

  Chapter 45

  Callie

  Logan was furious. His emerald eyes glinted in the darkness, then he leaned closer to my father. “I’m waiting,” he said tersely. “I want an explanation.”

  My father didn’t flinch; he didn’t even blink. The calmness with which he replied was chilling. “Florian must have been caught on the
other side.”

  “You didn’t manage your spell very well, did you?” Logan’s jaw stiffened. “I daresay that if you put up a wall to protect us, that you shouldn’t leave some of our race on the enemy side.”

  I watched my father, feeling a bit guilty now that I helped. I hadn’t foreseen the consequences. And I certainly hadn’t anticipated this.

  My father didn’t move or speak. It was as thought he was made of stone. I was surprised that he wasn’t intimidated by Logan, who looked every bit the enraged vampire about to rip the throat out of his prey.

  “I demand that you take the wall down,” Logan said loudly.

  At last my father spoke. He shook his head. “I tell you…that cannot be done.” He glared at Logan. “Heed my caution…it should not be done.”

  “That’s unacceptable.” Logan was shouting now. “I. Want. The. Wall. Down. Now!”

  There was some commotion in the crowd. Other vampires were missing loved ones and were supporting Logan in his demand. The vampires were rapidly becoming an angry mob.

  A few other vampires edged beside Logan and yelled at my father. “Take it down!” “We will force you to undo the spell!”

  Logan continued to stare at my father. And several other vampires approached venomously and threatened his life.

  My father disappeared.

  Just like that.

  My mouth fell open. I hadn’t known he could do that. Apparently, once unfrozen and released from his prison he could do quite a lot.

  Rosamon put her arms around me, and I rested my head against her shoulder. This was terrible. “We didn’t know,” she whispered in my ear.

  Did that make it any better? I didn’t think so. I felt every bit as responsible. The horror of what had happened weighed on my heart.

  Logan came over and put his hand on my back. When I moved away from Rosamon, he took my hand.

  Glancing around, I noticed that the vampire mob had dispersed. “I’m so sorry.” Tears filled my eyes, although I swore I wouldn’t cry. This was no time to be a baby about it. It had happened. I had to face that.

  “You are not to blame,” Logan said to me. Then he looked at Rosamon. “And you aren’t either.”

  Rosamon was flustered. “It was all so…overwhelming. I’d trusted him. He’d taught me, helped with my magic…in prison.” She put her hands to her cheeks. “How was I to know?”

  “It isn’t her fault anyway,” I said, regaining my confidence. “I encouraged her. Rosamon followed my lead. She wouldn’t have gone along with our father’s plan if I hadn’t agreed.”

  “The burden isn’t on you,” Logan said. “If you recall, I asked Bram to use any magic he could to help us.” He sighed. “I just assumed that he would be prudent and consider the results of his actions.”

  I wiped a tear from my cheek. “It’s possible that he didn’t know either. After all, he did originate that call to retreat. That means he intended for the vampires and humans to return to Shadowland.”

  “What we need to do now,” Logan said, “is to breach the wall. Then we can recover our loved ones.”

  “Is that safe?” Rosamon said.

  “The fighting has stopped. Even if the wall comes down, it will take time for the Fae to regroup.” Logan stared at the wall, then looked up to the sky where the top disappeared into the night. “We’ll face that, once we get this wall out of the way.”

  I stood silently behind Logan. He focused his mental energy and attempted to create a crack in the structure. But the wall remained as solid as it had been.

  Then he tried to use his force to punch a hole in it. But he had no luck with that either.

  Rosamon and I had helped envision the wall and create it. Maybe we could reverse the spell, even without my father participating.

  I tried to remember exactly what we’d done. Rosamon and I held hands then closed our eyes. We went through the steps we remembered, including the chant. My father wasn’t there to speak the ancient language. Maybe that didn’t matter.

  We used all the energy we could muster. But the wall didn’t come down. It didn’t even get weaker or get more translucent. It was as solid as steel.

  Valter was nearby, so he gathered some of his men. They used various weapons but couldn’t blow it up or even make a dent. The dragons breathed fire on it. But the wall didn’t melt. It wasn’t even marred.

  Logan turned to face everyone. “We’ve done all we can. It’s time to go home and regroup.”

  Noah put his arm around Rosamon, then Logan and I stood close to them. He surrounded us in mist to carry us back to Crystal City. I was saddened by the circumstances yet glad to return home.

  It struck me that the city felt like home to me. Noah carried us to Logan’s penthouse, then lowered us onto the terrace. We all went inside.

  It had been a rough few days. Logan called his servants and had them provide accommodations for my sister. “And bring her food and water,” he said to Bernadette. “It’s been way too long since she’s been fed.”

  Bernadette looked at me curiously, then hugged me in her warm way. I read her human thoughts, so understood that she knew I was a vampire. For so long, I’d been in the company of vampires and supernaturals whose minds were impenetrable. I’d nearly forgotten that I had the ability to mind read.

  “I’ve changed but I’m okay,” I whispered in the cook’s ear. “I’ll visit you in the kitchen when I can.” It would be odd not having to eat food, but I missed her company.

  Logan had his lead servant Henry arrange a room for Noah, who had no permanent residence in Shadowland. He’d spent most of his recent years in Oregon and had been tossed around since. “See that he has what he needs,” Logan said.

  When they’d left, Logan wrapped me in a warm embrace. “I’m so relieved that you’re safe. And so glad that you’re with me.”

  I was touched by the sentiment and loved him as much as ever. But another need suddenly had my attention.

  Logan pulled back. “You need to feed. It should have been done sooner, but there was no opportunity.”

  As soon as he said it, I was ravenous. But not for food. I was thirsty and only one thing would satisfy me. I craved blood and a lot of it.

  We went to his refrigerator and pulled out several bottles of blood. He offered one to me first, before taking one himself. I didn’t even sit down or bother to breathe. I opened the lid and drank it down in one long drawn. Then reached for another.

  Bottle after bottle was emptied. At long last, Logan and I were satisfied. “It’s not advisable to wait so long between feedings.” He kissed my lips, then licked a drop of blood away with his tongue.

  I smiled at him. “I understand your craving for blood now.”

  Logan kissed me again, with more passion this time. I was lost in his love, so happy to be home.

  I spoke with my lips still close to Logan’s. “We’re safe…for now.”

  “Yes, the Fae can’t bother us. We have a chance to recover…and to figure out the future.”

  *****

  In the days and weeks that followed, I began to adjust to my new state. I enjoyed the power and relished using my strength. It seemed that human blood was a nutritional requirement, so I learned to use the human feeding station. Logan taught me how to make it almost pleasurable for the victim, though I was relieved that they didn’t die in the feeding process.

  I had laser-sharp eyesight and astute hearing. My fangs were kind of cool. I wondered if I’d be able to go to the mortal realm again. As a vampire, how would I fare?

  Yet I had concerns about having such power. Would I use it wisely? Would I know the difference between right and wrong, since I could take whatever I desired?

  I had achieved my goal to rescue my sister…almost. Rosamon was safe and sound. She hung out with Noah, and I could tell that their relationship was growing.

  Yet she wasn’t back home. My sister was in another realm, one that had proven to be wholly unpredictable. I wouldn’t have saved her, truly,
until I delivered her to the warmth of our home in Astoria. And reunited her with our adoptive parents.

  That seemed so remote. Our home near the forest was as unreal as Shadowland had been, before I’d arrived. But Ian and Emma held a special place in my heart. I knew I’d return and that I’d take Rosamon with me.

  I wasn’t ready for that yet. One day, I returned Rosamon’s necklace to her. I’d worn it through all our adventures and it had brought luck. We’d been reunited. When I handed her the necklace, her eyes filled with tears of joy. “Oh, Callie…”

  My sister gave me an affectionate hug. “You kept it.” She rubbed her thumb over the engraving. Heart To Heart is what we would always be.

  “Of course, I did.” I smiled at her. “You dropped it as a clue…to let me know which way you’d gone. Otherwise, I might not have found you.”

  “It’s all I could think of, at the time,” Rosamon said. “I’m surprised I had the presence of mind to think of doing that.” She seemed thoughtful. “The morning I was drawn into Shadowland, and the night before, my ability to see the future had been blocked.”

  “I remember that.”

  “It’s interesting…but since the wall went up and the Fae have no control over us…I have been getting premonitions. It seems that maybe the Fae were blocking them and I’m glad to have my perceptions back.”

  “Is there anything you want to share?”

  Rosamon sighed. “I’m not sure. It’s not precise. I just…get feelings that the peace and joy we have now won’t last.”

  I hugged her. “You’ve been through a lot. It’s all going to be fine…I promise.”

  My sister and I were together again and that brought me joy. Yet when I was alone I had a nagging feeling. It was like I’d left something undone…but I was unable to think of what it was. I worried over it, without coming up with an answer.

  If there was something else I needed to do, I’d know. There was no need to concern myself with it. I wasn’t going to allow it to burden me.

  I had Logan. We were together. I was happy.