by Sela Croft
This was not a dream. My life was about to careen into a battle that I didn’t understand and take a turn toward a course that I might not survive. I stared through the bars keeping me in, riveted on the walkway leading to the noises that grew ever more threatening.
Chapter 20
Callie
Since we had no night clothes, Sienna and I were fully dressed. My panic abated just long enough for me to gather my wits. Our demise might be seconds away, but in that brief breath of time I had to do something to forestall the inevitable.
I raced to my backpack and riffled through it, hoping for an item I could use to defend us. There was not one thing I had that would do any damage to an attacker. Desperation swamped me, and I sagged onto my bed.
Sienna walked over, looking dazed, and sat next to me. There we sat, as though we might remain unharmed if we huddled together. I reached up and fingered my sister’s necklace, deciding that somehow it would bring luck. Lifting the pendant to my lips, I kissed it. Then I closed my eyes and reached out mentally, using all the power I could muster to contact my sister.
I won’t fail you Rosamon. You can count on me. Death cannot have me, until we are reunited, and I have assurance you are safe. I want to see you, once again, with my own eyes so I know you are unharmed.
My love for my sister was strong, and I wouldn’t allow anyone, or anything, to stop me from finding her. The only bond I had with her was the thin chain around my neck, but it would have to do. That reminder would fuel my purpose, and when the opportunity arose I’d come up with a way to defeat my enemies.
I zipped up my backpack and put it on, unwilling to lose what few possessions I had. Sienna was not as fortunate and had no personal items except for a jacket that she put on. Then she sat down on the bed again. She didn’t speak, and I had no words of encouragement to offer.
This was an unfamiliar circumstance, in a foreign land. I’d yet to get my bearings, gain stability in my surroundings. But I was faced with an unknown force barreling toward me.
Shadowland couldn’t be all bad, or so I attempted to convince myself. So far, the inner city had nothing to recommend it. Terror, fright, and ill treatment had been its offerings. Yet there had to be some good, one person who could help us.
Even as I clung to that hope, it drained away. I was being too idealistic, a personality trait I couldn’t seem to shed. Butting up against impossible danger, I yet thought that goodness would appear. I prayed for intervention, for a protector to come onto the scene to rescue me, and my new friend Sienna.
Then blood curdling screams sent terror into my heart. The ear-splitting sounds were drowned out by deep, male voices. Commands were shouted, and the rumble of the mob through the prison was deafening. I held Sienna’s hand, bracing for what was to come.
“Kill him!” A deep voice yelled.
Another shouted, “This way. Follow me!”
Then a growl of voices drew closer, my precious moments of safety slipping away. Males called out in unison, their messages indistinguishable. But their tone said enough and foretold that the men were frenzied. The angry mob would surely be impossible to deal with.
Chapter 21
Callie
A familiar face appeared, spiking my hope for rescue. It was the guard, who had brought food to us. But his expression was off, his features distorted. He ran toward the door to the cell with others at his heels. If he opened the door, we’d be at the mercy of his enraged pursuers.
The lack of a weapon rendered me defenseless. I could bite and claw at an attacker but doubted I could do any serious damage. The terror had blanked out my mind, and I was unable to read the thoughts of any man in the crowd.
Or maybe it was that the other minds were cut off from me, due to their overly-emotional state. I had no chance to contemplate, as the guard gripped the metal bars of our cell. It crossed my mind that he would open the door, so we could make a run for it.
Where would we go? And could we get out of the prison? It seemed this medieval stone building was massive, considering how long it had taken the intruders to weave along the walkways to our place of confinement.
If the door flew open and I raced to freedom with Sienna in tow, I’d have to make my way out before the enemy caught up. Fright might be on my side, so possibly I’d run faster than I had before. Yet it was more likely my optimism was getting the better of me.
The guard reached into his pocket, as if to retrieve the key to the door. The insane mob surged ahead, mere yards behind him. I held my breath, and Sienna squeezed my hand so hard it hurt. Then the guard’s face smashed into the metal bars, and huge hands gripped his shoulders.
The crowd behind him appeared to be human. Surely, they would see that we were the same species, and rescue us from imprisonment. One voice rose above the others, giving directions. A clamor of weapons filled the hall with discordant sounds, setting my nerves on edge.
A man who was a head taller than the guard stepped behind him. He wrapped a beefy arm around the guard’s neck, then lifted a knife and plunged it into the guard’s heart. I gasped and put my hand over my mouth. Sienna was crying, but her sobs sounded far away, even though she was right beside me.
Held to the spot by shock, I didn’t move. The man sheathed the knife and took the keys to the cell. Human or not, the man was not a friend, not the protector I’d hoped for. The tall, rough-looking man peered into the cell, and his eyes met mine.
His voice boomed, “That’s her. Look…the violet eyes!”
I yelled, hoping the others would hear and prevent this beast from grabbing me. “I’m human. Please…help us!”
But my plea was ignored. Stepping over the dead guard, the man stalked into the cell and came for me. I tried to dodge, but it was no use. His large hand grasped my arm and he dragged me toward the hall. Sienna screamed, and I glanced over to see a monster of a human carrying her away. Her arms and legs flailed, but she didn’t dislodge from his hold.
That’s the last I saw of her, as my captor carried me off in the other direction. My heart pounded so hard, I could hardly breathe. A sweaty, earthly smell of the man carting me away was suffocating. I pounded my fists into his arm, but it was hard as stone and just as unyielding.
I was headed down the path out of the prison, yet I’d been safer inside. I had no idea where this man was taking me. And I was horrified that he’d been looking for me. My violet eyes had been my identifier. He’d been instructed to find me, and bring me God knows where. But there was no help in sight.
Chapter 22
Logan
I strolled down the walkway in the direction of the prison, in no real hurry. The brisk night lifted my spirits, and the purified air filled my lungs. The dark sky loomed over my precious city, and the brilliant stars sparkled overhead.
The smoke on the mountainside would dissipate and things would return to normal. But normal wasn’t a state of peace, nor had it been for a very long time. My chest heaved with a sigh, and my breath fogged in the chilly air. The peace I longed for wasn’t within reach.
The vampire clans couldn’t live unmolested, until the enemies were ferreted out and dealt with. The forest fire had been a sign. It was a warning that the vampire hunters had acquired power that didn’t befit their status. The message was clear, yet who or what had been behind the destruction was not.
Callie Mayfair’s arrival hadn’t been a random event. And the timeliness hadn’t been mere coincidence. Her appearance and the escalation of the hunters’ attacks were somehow linked. It was vital to discover how, as that information might be a clue to much more.
The noises of the city surrounded me. The hum of workers was a comfort. At least, something was routine. Sounds of boats being loaded at the docks, and heavy containers thumping onto ship decks echoed within the city boundaries. My acute hearing brought the harmony of life in Shadowland to my ears.
The duty to protect it all was a heavy burden. Yet I didn’t balk. There was no way I’d allow all that I’d kn
own to be taken. And I wouldn’t permit my species to be decimated. My brothers and I would fight, harder than ever. I swore that we’d ultimately succeed.
We had to, because there was no acceptable alternative.
I increased the speed of my gait, anxious to get to the prison. Whatever the human girl knew, I’d make her confess it. And the sooner that happened, the quicker I could put that problem behind me. Although, there remained the matter of Natasha’s vision.
At present, there were plenty of issues to focus on. Whatever role Callie had in the destiny of the realm—if she had one at all—would be revealed soon enough.
The rhythm of the city, its regular sounds and activities were interrupted. A shrill scream pierced the air, the source nearby. I levitated to gain a better view. The prison was close, and I spotted the commotion at the entrance.
A behemoth of a human male sprinted away, with a woman in his grasp. In a brief moment, her eyes met mine. I had no sense that she recognized me, but I recognized her.
Anger flooded my senses. How dare any human attempt to kidnap Callie. She was mine. I’d imprisoned her for safekeeping, not for some vagrant to help himself.
In a flash, I was upon them. Callie’s fists flailed against her captor’s solid form, but her cries for help were muffled by the brute’s hand. The idiot might suffocate her in his attempt to silence her.
Infuriated, I reached for the man, but my hand struck an invisible barrier. Stunned, I drew back. My pursuit had slowed his pace, and he glanced back. His eyes were glassy, but I doubted drugs were at play. The barrier was a tip off that magic was involved in this abduction.
There was no time to ponder how or why. I couldn’t permit the man to make off with Callie. She was of grave importance, seemingly more so by the moment, and I refused to be derailed in regaining possession of her.
No stranger to magic, I seized upon my next move. The type of magical protection that temporarily blocked an attack was not impenetrable. Heavy buildings tended to crash through barriers that a body, even a vampire form could not.
Knowing the city as I did, choosing my target took no time at all. The noise of the abduction had already aroused my guards, as well as the attention of city workers. Yet any action taken would be too late—except for mine.
Instantly, the force of my intention penetrated an empty tower. It was one meant for storage, so would be vacant. Sensing the structure, I imbued it with my strength and lifted its rooftop off. My aim would need to be precise.
I couldn’t chance harming Callie, while taking out the villain who was carrying her off. The man had her in one meaty arm, holding her tightly to his side. Her writhing and beating at him with fists seemed to have no effect. I tossed the heavy top of the tower in the air, aimed toward the man’s head.
The missile flew, nearly faster than the eye could see. The adductor had no chance to swerve out of the way. The force of the glass rooftop broke through the protective barrier, without so much as slowing. It hit the man’s head, then instantly decapitated him.
Blood spewed, then the body fell, taking Callie with it. She screamed with horror. The shock likely rendered her motionless, since she could have pulled free yet didn’t try to. I plucked her from the lifeless arm and moved away from the mess.
If the man had accomplices, no one came forward. Looking around, I spotted humans staring at the spectacle, plus several of my guards. My mind spun, and wild ideas invaded my thoughts. The inner sanctum of the city was sacred territory. Any human permitted to enter was carefully screened.
Yet the dead man was human. The smell of his blood confirmed what my eyes saw. But no human was capable of casting a protection spell. He’d had help. There was no question about that.
It would be foolhardy for a human to challenge my prison guards. Not one that I knew of would dare to do so. Yet that is exactly what had happened. I dreaded to think whom he worked for, but he’d been sent by a formidable ally. Magic had been used against the city, a crime that would be dealt with.
For now, Callie was my priority. A flurry of activity ensued. My guards took charge, directing the humans away from the gore. The area was secured then order restored. But that wouldn’t be the end of it.
One guard stood close by, in case I needed his assistance. He had the presence of mind to hand over a cloth. Callie took it to wipe blood from her arms. Her clothing would need to be changed. She was a mess. But at least she was alive and back under my protection.
That was an odd thought. It hadn’t occurred to me before that I was protecting her. I’d considered her a possible enemy, so saving her hadn’t entered my mind. I was as much as potential threat to her, as any. Yet I didn’t relish another faction scooping her up.
As prince, it was my prerogative to determine the future of any human, and that included one from the outside.
The nearby guard said, “I apologize for this, my prince. I’m told that a band of humans, disguised as prison workers, infiltrated and went undetected.”
That meant the barrier that had been created to protect the abductor, extended to disguising his identity and that of any accomplices.
“That hasn’t happened before,” the guard said. “I will see to this matter and tighten security.”
I glowered at him, not at all pleased that my own guards had failed to spot an enemy before disaster struck. “See that you do.”
My arm was still around Callie, likely all that held her up. She trembled, so I put my other arm under her knees to lift her into my arms.
Her eyes were wide, her skin pale. Her dark hair was tangled and matted. Yet she looked at me, without blinking. “Put me down,” she said.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re likely to crumble to the ground or have some other mishap.”
“I will not.” Callie’s eyes narrowed. “I’m perfectly capable of walking under my own power.”
“I’d rather not put that to the test. I intend to carry you to a safe place.”
She stiffened in my arms. “Then you can interrogate me?”
“As a matter of fact, I had been on my way to get you, for that purpose.” I watched her expression, noting a lack of fear. “And it’s a good thing, because if I’d arrived any later you’d be in the enemy’s possession.”
“And whose possession am I in, right now?”
I had no delusions. Callie didn’t trust me. But then, that sentiment was mutual. It didn’t matter to me one whit what she thought of me. I marveled at my reaction. For some bizarre reason, I preferred that she know the truth about me. And not perceive me as an empty, cold-hearted beast.
Although, ripping a man’s head off couldn’t have helped to cast me in a good light. Even though I’d had no choice. “You are in my possession, Callie,” I said. “And you’d best remember that. I’m in charge here, and I don’t advise you to get on my bad side.”
I perceived her effort to reach into my mind, as though attempting to read my thoughts. That was curious. Humans could not interact with vampires in that way. Surely, she would know that. But if she was new to this world, she might not be aware of her limitations.
And that was a big if. I still wasn’t convinced that Callie was from the outside. For all I knew, this was a ruse. She could be a vampire hunter, under a different guise. Strange things had happened recently, and it was best not to rule out any possibilities.
I respected how Callie had handled the crisis. Normally, humans were queasy about blood. Yet she hadn’t cowered but was bold enough to challenge me—even after she’d witnessed my power.
“Aren’t you afraid of me?” I said.
Callie studied me for a moment. “Yes,” she said. “I am afraid, because of your cruelty.”
“I saved your life.”
“Did you have to be so brutal?”
“Humans have such strange ideas,” I said, and began walking toward a secure building. “You think I’d be able to talk a man like that out of capturing you?”
“Probably not,
but wasn’t there a more humane way to stop him?”
I wasn’t in the mood to explain the magic involved, or what her fate would have been had the man disappeared with her. She was already skeptical. I’d let her find out more about her situation on her own.
Whether she wished to admit it or not, she had to be in shock over what had just happened. I knew that much about humans. “What’s done is done,” I said. “I have you back. That’s what counts.”
I was more pleased than I should have been. Carrying her in my arms felt right. Whether it was because Callie’s destiny intertwined with mine, or that I had managed to overcome an enemy, I wasn’t certain.
Callie rested her head against my chest, so for bit I didn’t have to look in those deep violet eyes. I didn’t have to further explain my actions to her. Turning things around like that had annoyed me. It was my intent to question her, not the other way around.
Holding her in my arms spelled danger, but not solely because I hadn’t decided if she was friend or foe. Callie was covered in blood, and I recoiled at having to exhibit self-control. Not all the blood was from the dead man. Some of it was hers.
During the capture, Callie must have been injured. The scent of her blood was strong, filling my nostrils, and compelling me to do something I shouldn’t. The influence was powerful, much more than I was used to. It hadn’t been that long since I’d drunk from a human’s veins.
Resisting blood was easier after feeding. But Callie’s blood had that special quality, one that made it overly enticing. The scent enveloped me, offering a unique treat. It was unwise to have a taste, as once I drank such a delight from her veins, I might not be able to stop.
It was unnerving. A human female wasn’t any more than a feeding source or shouldn’t be. I tried not to breathe in her aroma and attempted to lock down my desire. What is it about you, Callie? What makes you so different? I hurried into the building, anxious to put her down, and to move away from the lure of her blood—a temptation that I just barely resisted.
