The Vampire Gift 2: Kingdom of Ash

by E. M. Knight

  Raul grips my hand tightly. “I don’t mean to fail you, James,” he swears.

  Chapter Fourteen

  ELEIRA

  After having fed in the blood banks, I find myself alone in the new rooms assigned to me, in the highest level of Queen Morgan’s castle.

  Raul left me after ensuring I was comfortable. I told him I was.

  In truth, however, nothing can make me more uncomfortable than facing the reality of what I’ve just done.

  I drank blood. Human blood. I drank it and it fueled me and it made me feel alive and invigorated and raw and whole. It satiated that deep thirst that was ebbing through my bones, that thirst that was unlike any I’ve felt before.

  I sit on the edge of the bed and finger the gemstone on the ring. Raul’s gift. I can’t believe he’s been watching me for so long. How many years have I been known by the Sorens? He said something about the celestial charts, and how my birth was written in the stars…

  Even a month ago, I would have found that difficult to believe. But now? Now, it seems like the most plausible explanation in the world.

  I look at my hands. I open and close my fingers slowly. I curl them in and look at my nails. I feel the claws hiding just underneath the skin, claws that I can push out at any time…

  These are the hands of a killer.

  Everything about my body is now focused on one thing: Death.

  Death, killing, and murder. My enhanced hearing, my acute sense of smell, the strength within my muscles… all of it makes me a perfect killing machine.

  Is that what it means to be a vampire?

  I want to feel sad and repulsed at what I’ve become—at what I’ve had no choice but to become—and yet I do not. I cannot muster up the requisite feelings for those emotions.

  Instead, I feel a growing sort of… excitement. The world has opened up to me in a spectacular new way. I won’t age. I can’t catch disease. If everything I’ve learned about vampires is accurate, I’m bound to live forever, to remain in this body for all of eternity…

  That is a fascinating thought. Yet I don’t feel excited enough. I don’t feel enthused enough.

  Could the ring be tempering my excitement?

  For a few minutes I debate taking it off. I don’t know what will happen if I do. Will I be overwhelmed by the bloodlust? Or will I be able to control it, since I’ve recently fed?

  In the end, I decide to leave it on. Better to not take any unnecessary risks.

  Not this soon.

  A knock on the door makes me leap up. “Come in,” I say, quickly composing myself to try to look less like a startled sheep.

  The door slowly creaks open… and Patricia steps to the threshold.

  She looks horrid. Her face is gaunt and her eyes are rimmed with red. There are tear trails on her cheeks that she hasn’t bothered to wipe away. She’s wearing a tattered white shirt, translucent enough that all the hard angles and jutting bones of her body clearly show.

  Her arms and legs are thin, frail, and borderline wasted away. She keeps her eyes glued squarely to the floor.

  “I’m sorry if I’m disturbing you,” she says. Her voice quavers. “But I had nowhere else to go.”

  “You’re not disturbing me,” I say quickly. I hurry to her. “Come in, please, close the door. It’s wonderful to see you!”

  She shies away with every step I take. I don’t understand why—but then it hits me.

  The vampire hierarchy of power.

  Patricia is so weak that I can barely feel she’s a vampire. And me? Well, my powers are so far above her that she might as well be a candle flame held up against the sun.

  I stop halfway to the door. “Patricia, you don’t have to worry about my strength,” I say. “We’re friends. I know how you helped me escape. I owe my life to you.”

  She glances at me. I see true terror in her eyes. I wonder if a stronger vampire has ever given her permission to be treated as a friend.

  “Truly?” she whispers.

  “Yes.” I say. “Now come in, and tell me what’s wrong. You’ve been crying—where’s Jacob? Is he with you?”

  “No… no. Jacob’s dead!” She emits a sordid sob and rushes to me.

  I catch her and let her cry against my body, doing my best to lend her comfort as she relates the horrible tale of her husband’s fate.

  “And after Phillip fed,” she finishes, “that awful new guard, Captain Commander Smithson, he released me and told me that I was free to go. I didn’t know where else to turn. Jacob was my life—he was everything to me! And now he’s gone, and I have nothing, nothing to live for, nothing left, nothing at all...!”

  She collapses into another round of helpless sobs.

  “I can’t get Jacob back,” I tell her, after giving her appropriate time to grieve. “But I can offer you my friendship. And—” I hesitate, “— my protection.”

  She looks up at me. “Really?”

  “As much as I can give,” I say. “But I have to be honest. I don’t know the extent of my influence or even my powers. But if you stay close to me, I will do everything I can to help.” I take her hands in mine. “I just need you to promise me one thing.”

  She wipes her eyes and gives a tiny nod. “Yes. Anything.”

  “That you won’t be frightened of me,” I say. “And that you won’t defer to me because of my strength. I can be your friend, Patricia, but our friendship has to transcend all that.”

  She nods again, more resolutely this time. “I… I think I can do that.”

  “Now.” I stand up and feel a new determination growing. “Since I’m back, I need to get a feel for this place. For The Haven. Can you help, will you be my guide?”

  She bobs her head up and down once more.

  “You need to feed first. Even I can see that. We’ll go up to the blood banks—”

  “But those are forbidden for all vampires but those of the Royal Court!” she exclaims in alarm. She takes a step back. “The only time I can feed will be at the next Hunt.”

  “The blood banks are only for the Royal Court?” I question.

  “Yes,” she says. “They are barred to us.”

  “No, no.” I shake my head. “That’s ridiculous.”

  “If all The Haven’s vampires were given access to it, it would quickly run out of blood.”

  “That’s what you think?” I ask. “I was just there—there’s enough blood to last everybody here for decades.”

  Her eyes widen. “You have access to the banks?”

  “Of course,” I say. “And as my friend, so do you. Now come on. If you won’t go, I’ll bring you some blood. But it’s obvious we need to get your strength back before doing anything else.”

  And what comes next, I tell myself firmly, is finding out where Morgan placed all the humans… and returning them to their regular lives.

  At least, until I can do something to improve their standards of living.

  Chapter Fifteen

  PHILLIP

  I race around The Haven, trying to find some glimpse of my Mother. But every time I get a hint of her whereabouts, she’s gone by the time I arrive.

  The beast inside me is growing stronger, continuously. I thought April’s blood would unleash it, but it only served to nudge it awake. Now, it’s using the influx of human blood to stretch out its long-dormant muscles and ready itself for the next time I feed.

  Next time… can I even envision such a thing? But what choice do I have? My body will demand more blood for as long as I live. The fast has been broken, and there’s no going back.

  Not unless I want to end up like one of The Convicted. I’d only managed to survive on animal blood without devolving into their state because I hadn’t ever tasted human blood before.

  But now?

  Now, animal blood will never sustain me. All it would do is slow the descent into the horrific existence The Convicted live.

  I end up back at the castle. This is where all this began, and this is where everything can com
e to its end.

  As I enter, I look upon the paintings on the walls. I shiver. I witnessed the profane ritual Mother used to cast a vampire into that eternal hell.

  She needs to be stopped. Before she can inflict more damage upon The Haven, and have us crumble from the inside, she needs to be stopped.

  I start up the stairs when I hear a door open. I sense who it is immediately. Without looking down, I say, “Raul.”

  He joins me on the stairs. “I just spoke to James,” he says.

  “You found him?” My eyebrows go up.

  “It wasn’t easy. Mother put him in one of the deepest cells.”

  “She’s really serious about the sentence, isn’t she?”

  “Have you known her to backtrack after making a public announcement?” Raul shakes his head in disgust. “I think there’s only one way we can save our brother. And it’s not through diplomacy.”

  “You mean…” my eyes narrow and I lower my voice. “You mean we need to help him escape?”

  “I see no other choice,” Raul says grimly. He grunts in frustration. “It seems all we’re doing recently is sneaking someone out or bringing them back in.”

  “Mother won’t take kindly to another escapee,” I say. “She has Eleira here, too. Aren’t you afraid she’ll take her frustrations out on her?”

  “I’m terrified of that,” Raul says. “That’s why, if we do it, we need to have Eleira’s full support.”

  “Will she give it?” I ask. “You haven’t told me about her rescue. How did you— ”

  “I love her, Phillip,” Raul says.

  My head snaps to him. “What?”

  “She’s it, she is the one, she’s the girl for me.” His breath hitches. “And I won’t do anything, ever, to compromise her safety.”

  “And… does she know?”

  “She suspects it, I believe. But we haven’t had enough time together since getting back for me to be sure.”

  “Now that she’s a vampire, you have forever,” I say. I feel an unexpected twang in my heart when I say the words.

  April doesn’t have forever.

  “It’s not that simple,” Raul says. “Not with Mother leading the coven. There’s also the threat of war.”

  “War? What war? What are you talking about?”

  “When James went to Father’s coven he got involved with a woman. She came back here with us.”

  “I met her,” I say. “The Captain Commander brought her down when he freed me.”

  “Call him Smithson. Don’t grant him courtesy of his title.”

  I nod. “Okay. I didn’t get the woman’s name, though.”

  “It’s Victoria. She’s our prisoner—for now. But something about it doesn’t feel right. If we spring James loose, I don’t know whether he’ll try to free her or not. The woman was part of Father’s Inner Circle. She knows all their secrets. Once Father discovers she’s gone, he’ll send his entire force for her—and it won’t be pretty.”

  “Christ,” I mutter. I rub my eyes.

  “I warned Mother about it when she sent James on his mission.” Raul looks up the stairs. “She didn’t listen. Let’s hope she does now.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  RAUL

  I bang on the doors of Mother’s uppermost chamber. Phillip is at my side, shoulders pulled back, staring at the imposing doors with stark determination.

  There’s not a trace of fear in him. Nor any fragility. Either the things he suffered during his imprisonment changed him…

  Or drinking April’s blood did.

  Whatever the cause, I’m glad for the transformation. Even though it saddens me that he wasn’t given a choice, it feels good to have my brother beside me. It feels good to know he’s more confident, more assured, more forceful than before.

  With James underground and Eleira in the midst of the most tumultuous change of her life, I’ll need him more than ever now.

  “I can’t sense her,” Phillip says under his breath. “I don’t think she’s there.”

  “Neither can I,” I say. “But she could have easily put up a protective spell.”

  Phillip nods. “Good point.”

  I raise my fist to knock again. At that precise moment, the doors open.

  Mother sweeps into view.

  “Raul. Phillip!” She smiles. “How wonderful to have my two sons join me.”

  I scowl without meaning to. Her upbeat air is absolutely at odds with the gravity of the situation.

  “We’re here to talk about James,” I say. Phillip grunts in agreement.

  Mother puts on an expression of absolute wonder. “I’m sorry, who?” she asks. “No, no… I don’t know any James. I’m sorry.”

  She starts to close the door.

  I kick my foot out and stop her. “This isn’t a game anymore, Mother.” My voice is low and threatening. If you think the other vampires will just step aside while you sentence your oldest son to become one of The Convicted, you’re gravely mistaken. If you think Phillip or I will just stand by and do nothing—”

  She laughs. Her eyes take on a cruel glint again. “Is that so? Tell me, son dearest, just what is it you intend to do? The three of us know—” she looks at me, and then at Phillip, “—exactly who is in control here.”

  A thick band of tension stretches between us.

  “But I suppose I might let you in,” Mother sighs. “As it so happens, I’m already entertaining company. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

  She holds the door open wider. Inside, I’m shocked to find Victoria—unbound, uncuffed, and completely free.

  Opposite her stands Mother’s newest recruit, Captain Commander Smithson.

  “Raul, Phillip,” the Captain Commander of the guard greets us. “It’s good to see you.”

  “Save it,” I grunt. I could never trust the vampire. I’ve known him as a wanderer for many years, living amongst humans, rejecting all claims to a single coven or clan. That Mother would bring him into The Haven now speaks either of her desperation or her madness.

  The Captain Commander chuckles. “Always so cordial.” He addresses my brother. “And you, Phillip. How does it feel to be a proper vampire?”

  Phillip glares at him without answering.

  “Oh!” Mother says as she joins the tense assembly. “You should know how proud I am of you, my son.” She puts her hands on Phillip’s shoulders and kisses his cheek. “I heard how you managed to stop before killing that filthy human girl. I didn’t think you’d have it in you. But it fills my heart with much joy that you did. Eleira would be crushed if her little friend died.”

  Phillip goes absolutely still. “You meant for me to kill her,” he says stiffly. “So that Eleira would be turned against me. Isn’t that true?”

  “Oh, pah, pah,” Mother says dismissively. She glides to an unoccupied white leather chair and drops down into it. “How you and your brother enjoy making baseless accusations against me. If I were a tad bit stricter—” her eyes flash at us, “—you would not be so free with your tongues. Especially not around such esteemed company as we have now.”

  “What is she doing here?” I demand, looking at Victoria. “You know who she is. You know how dangerous she is.”

  “And that’s why I’ve invited Captain Commander Smithson to provide protection for this meeting,” Mother flutters on. “Victoria wouldn’t be fool enough to try anything while he’s here. Would you, darling?”

  To my surprise, the blonde vampire bows her head with the utmost respect. “Certainly not,” she tells Mother.

  “See?” Morgan asks me. “There’s absolutely nothing to worry about. Now, why don’t we resume our previous discussion? Before we were interrupted.”

  “James,” I start to say.

  “—WILL NOT BE SPOKEN OF HERE!” Mother screams.

  Her voice rocks the room. In the ensuing silence, not a single breath can be heard.

  “I’m sorry,” Mother says after a moment, having regained control of herself. “That was
… unladylike of me.”

  “You were provoked, my Queen,” Smithson says. He shoots an evil glare at me as he comes to her side. He kneels down and takes her hand. “Just say the word, and I’ll escort the two of them out.”

  “No, no,” Mother sighs. “They should both hear what Victoria has to say. After all, if I cannot trust my only two sons with such information… who do I have left?”

  It rankles me how easily she dismisses James—and makes light of how easy it was for her to treat Phillip and me as nothing more than vermin when Eleira got away.

  “Shall I continue, then?” Victoria asks.

  Mother nods. “Please.”

  I listen on as Victoria starts to describe the inner workings of The Crypts. She talks about their defenses, their strengths, their weaknesses. She goes on and on about the ruling class, and how Father has fortified his coven to be a near-impenetrable fortress.

  But her information is only surface-deep. There are no great insights she provides.

  I grow tired of it. “Enough,” I say. “Mother, James or I could have told you as much from having visited. She is not telling you anything useful.”

  Victoria sneaks a malicious glare at me when she thinks I’m not looking. I catch it.

  “She should remain in chains underground,” I say. “I came here with Phillip to discuss things of actual importance to The Haven. Not to listen to her prattle on and on about frivolities in The Crypts.”

  Mother ignores me. “You must excuse my son,” she says. “He’s had a difficult few days. He thinks only of himself—”

  “That’s not true,” I growl.

  “Perhaps of Eleira, too,” she concedes. “But little more.”

  Mother stands and walks to the open window. She looks out into the night. “Victoria, why don’t you tell all of us of the link you have with my eldest son’s beloved?”

  That request makes Victoria stop short. Her confidence wavers. “Excuse me?” she asks, thrown off-balance.

  Phillip and I make eye contact. Ever so subtly, he shakes his head, indicating he doesn’t know what Mother’s talking about either.