Calder smiled and for the first time I noticed his fangs. Two pointed ivory spikes jutted out from his gum line where his canine teeth should have been. For a moment, I was glad that I had I had a metal collar around my neck.
"Ancient magics from a time forgotten by humans. My race was cursed long ago with the stench of death whenever we walk on your world. It is not something we enjoy."
Magic and curses. I almost laughed at the ridiculousness of it all until I thought about my life for the past week. Nothing was outside the realm of possibilities anymore.
"So you aren't dead?"
"The dead do not move. Not even magic can make it so."
I stopped and stared at my captor. "So what are you then? And why am I so important?"
Calder motioned me forward. "Walk Miss Olivia. I will answer your questions on the way to the throne room."
I sighed and started walking again. I was in no hurry to meet the King, and everything I thought I knew about vampires had been proven false since I'd woken up. That scared me more than my current situation. At least before, I thought I knew where I stood. Now I had no idea.
"So you aren't dead. How old are you?" I asked as I slowed my pace.
"Older than you."
"You said you would answer. How old?"
Calder stared up at the ceiling and I knew exactly what he was doing. He was making the face I did when I had to do a bit of mental math. When he reached an answer, he looked back at me and smiled again.
"Four hundred and twelve. Give or take a few decades."
"Four centuries?! You barely look old enough to drink!"
"Drink what?"
I changed the subject quickly. The last thing I wanted to do was remind a vampire about drinking things.
"So what is with the hair?" I asked.
"Do you like it?"
I nodded. "It's beautiful. Do all vampires have hair like yours?"
Calder shook his head wildly, setting off wave after wave of shimmering light as each strand of his golden hair seemed to pulse with energy. "It is what is in style. If you are still alive tomorrow, I could arrange to have your hair enchanted if you like."
My stomach flipped as I process his words. Still alive. Calder had given me all I needed to know about my meeting with the King. This meeting really would decide my fate. We walked in silence as I thought about what I would say to the vampire king.
"You are out of questions already?" Calder asked as we neared the end of the hall. "I was enjoying the conversation."
"Would you do it?" I asked quietly.
"Do what Miss Olivia?"
"Would you kill me? If your King asks you to?"
Calder stopped but didn't look at me as he answered. "I would, but I would not enjoy it."
I walked ahead. "I don't want to talk anymore."
Calder returned to my side and we walked in silence the rest of the way to the throne room. My heart raced as two large wooden doors swung inward and Calder motioned for me to walk through.
This was it. My meeting with the King.
*****
With Calder's hand on my shoulder, we walked into the throne room. Large tapestries hung between stone columns, illuminated by floating orbs of blue light that bathed the room in a peaceful glow. A dark red carpet led up to an upraised platform where a gilded chair sat empty. There was no question that it was the King's throne, but it lacked the King.
I spotted the man I assumed to be the King standing across the room from us. Skinny, bald, and dressed in a crimson suit, his back was turned and he was clearly occupied with whatever was on the table in front of him. As we moved closer, I saw a dozen different trays of food laid out. The King was sampling each one in turn as we moved closer.
It smelled so good! My stomach rumbled and I realized I hadn't eaten in days. Had they made this all for me?
I watched with curiosity as the King dipped his finger into a pudding before licking it clean. Was he eating the food? I thought vampires only drank blood.
"That's a common misconception my dear," said the King without turning around. "I'm to blame for that one. Got a bit too frisky with a barmaid in my youth. Leave a few love bites on a girl's neck and all of a sudden the town is out with pitchforks and fire." The King scooped another finger of pudding into his mouth. "Simpler times. I miss being able to visit the human world."
"How did you know what I was thinking?" I asked. Could vampires read people's thoughts?
"To put your mind at ease, no we can't. Not unless there is a connection between the two individuals." The King turned and I was shocked when I saw his face.
He was old. Well, Calder was old, but the King looked old. I didn't know vampires aged. Was he turned when he was an old man? How old was he?
The king stuck a finger in his ear. "Quiet your thoughts human. You are very loud."
"How are you doing that?" I asked. I turned to Calder. "Can you hear what I'm thinking?"
The King answered for the both of them. "He can't hear what is in your head. I can because of the enchantment placed on the ring around your neck. I can hear your thoughts when you are within range." He smiled at me. "Would you like to see a trick?"
"Not especially."
The King turned his attention to Calder. "You should have coached her on how to speak to your King."
Before Calder could answer, I filled my head with thoughts of police sirens, babies crying, dogs barking and any other loud, annoying noises I could think of. When the King clapped his hands to his ears, I smiled triumphantly. That's what he deserved for getting into my head.
My victory was short lived. Calder turned and I heard his sword slide from its scabbard. But before he could bring the weapon to bear, the King raised his hand and extended two fingers outward towards me. With a simple flick of his fingers downward, it was as if a hand had grabbed onto the collar around my neck and pulled down harshly. I stumbled forward and slammed hard into the ground.
With an "oomph," the wind was knocked from my lungs. There was nothing I could do but lie on the floor gasping for breath as the large chamber filled with the sound of the King's laughter. Calder sheathed his sword and dropped to a knee beside me. Only a moment ago he had been ready to slice me in half, but now his hand was on resting gently on my back.
"Calm down and breath slowly," he said as his hand drifted across my skin in circular motions.
Just as the air returned to my lungs, I was pulled upwards by unseen forces. I grabbed the collar with both hands as the strange pull lifted me inches off the ground. With my feet kicking wildly and the metal ring cutting into the skin beneath my chin, I struggled to breathe. In front of me, the King was still laughing. This time he stood with his hand open, palm facing upward as if he was lifting something.
As I gasped for breath, the King spoke. "Do you like my trick? Not only can I see inside of your head, but I can force my will on the ring as well." The King closed his hand slowly and the metal collar seemed to tighten around my neck. Darkness clawed at the edges of my vision. When the King relaxed his hand, the collar widened and I could breathe again.
The King dropped his hand to his side and I fell out of the air. I dropped to my knees and lowered my head as he started to laugh again.
Calder held out a hand to help me to my feet but withdrew it when the King spoke again.
"Leave her there Calder, on her knees where she belongs. She needs to learn her place." He stepped closer to me and grabbed me by the hair. With a quick yank, he pulled my head back so I could stare into his eyes.
His eyes were harsh. I could see flecks of blue lost in the sea of red that was his iris. These were the eyes of a monster and I wanted to look away. I dropped my eyes from his, but the King grabbed me by the chin and shook my head from side to side until I met his gaze.
"What do you want from me?!” I screamed.
The King's hand lashed out and caught me across the cheek. His razor like fingertips sliced cleanly through my cheek as I fell to the ground. I pushed myself backwards
from him but I had nowhere to go. He was going to kill me and I still didn't know why.
"Ohh calm yourself you stupid girl. If I wanted you dead I would have killed you days ago."
I pressed a hand to my burning cheek and when I pulled it away, blood coated my palm. I stared at the King's feet. "Why am I here? What are you going to do to me?"
"Do you know what the Blood Rite does? Do you know what you and your little wolf boy started?"
I shook my head and kept my eyes glued to the floor.
"That rite is ancient magic. Our two worlds coexist but are kept separated. We have learned to cross over for short periods of time, but the rite rips a hole through the barrier. You are draining power from our side to feed your own selfish desires. And while the rite is active, I am vulnerable. If you die, I die."
My head shot up. "What? Then why were you trying to kill me?!"
Calder answered this time. "We never wanted to kill you. We were trying to keep you safe. You've started a war Miss Olivia. We are all lucky that I found you before the others did."
"What others? How does killing me kill him?"
"The magic of our world flows through the King. While the Blood Rite is active, you siphon that power. Power that is used to keep him safe. To keep this kingdom from crumbling. There are other vampire lords who would kill you quickly, and anyone else in the way, to assume the throne."
I could see real worry on the King's face. "This has happened before hasn't it? Kings have died because of people like me."
"Smart girl," said the King as he played with a side of meat on the table. "We live for a very long time. Coups are the only real way to transfer power within the clans. But we have a plan. One that will keep this kingdom safe for a long time." The King turned to Calder. "Go ahead and tell her."
"The other lords know we have you. They assume we will keep you locked up. Instead, you will accompany me on a trip outside of the walls. When word gets out, we will find out who the traitors are."
I was stunned. I was a pawn in a power struggle in a world that wasn't mine. "So I'm bait? You're just going to dangle me in front of bloodthirsty vamps and see which one bites?"
The King nodded. "To put it plainly, yes."
"And if I say no?"
The King's hand rose from his side and I felt the collar pull me upwards. I stumbled to my feet and pulled on the metal ring. "Stop! I'll do it! I'll be your bait!"
The King's hand returned to his side and the magical pull ceased. He smiled at me. "Glad you have found reason. Now go with Calder and find my traitors."
Calder tugged on my wrist but I hesitated to leave the room. I stared longingly at the table full of sweet smelling food and licked my lips. But another tug on my arm made it clear that it was time to go. Calder led me from the throne room and back into the hall where he stopped and turned to me.
"So Miss Olivia, since you have been thrust here against your will, I shall allow you to pick our destination."
My stomach rumbled and I knew instantly where we should go. "Where's a good place to eat?"
*****
We didn't have to go far for food. Calder led me to the common hall where a few guards sat around scattered tables. Servers flitted in and out of the room bringing trays of food and drinks to the seated patrons. A waitress practically ran to our table when she saw Calder. He spoke a few words that I didn't understand before she disappeared into the kitchen.
"What did you say to her?" I asked. "And what language was that?"
"I asked her to bring something of everything and that was the language of our kingdom. I apologize for speaking in a tongue you do not understand. It was rude."
It had never even crossed my mind that the vampires would have their own language. But then again, everything that I had thought I knew about vamps had been wrong. I wondered what else I didn't know.
We sat quietly at the table for a few long minutes. The silence was eating away at me as I bounced my foot under the table nervously. My stomach rumbled again as the smell of food from another table drifted in our direction.
"So Calder, tell me about yourself," I said in an attempt to distract myself from my increasing hunger.
"What would you like to know Miss Olivia?"
That was a good question. "Well, umm, when were you turned? Where were you from originally?"
"I do not understand your question."
"You know, where were you born? What did you do before you became a vampire?"
Calder smiled. "I understand now. Your world seems to know only false things about my people."
"Shit. I'm sorry if I offended you."
He shook his head, setting off another wave of golden sparks in his hair. "No, I am not offended. Meeting you is as much a surprise to you as it is to me. You are the first human I've even spoken to for any length of time. When our paths cross, there is usually not much to say."
The meaning of his lasts words took a moment to sink in. "You mean the only time you meet humans is when you kill them?"
"When required. There is much you do not understand about this world, or yours for that matter."
Calder's stoic attitude was starting to get on my nerves. "Well, I seem to have nothing but time. Why don't you go ahead and explain how the world works to little ol' me."
"I ask again then, what would you like to know?"
"Well, you still haven't told me how you became a vampire."
"I was born a vampire, the same as all vampires before me. You do not become one."
"Well is anything humans know about your kind correct? Can you turn into a bat? Does silver hurt you? How about garlic?"
"There are a few shape shifters in the kingdom, but they are not true vampires. And none that I know of turn into bats." Calder rapped his knuckles against his breastplate. "Silver does not hurt us. Garlic likewise."
"Holy water? Wooden stakes? Fire?"
Calder shook his head. "Whatever may kill you will kill me. We are not so different Miss Olivia."
"Well what about the fangs? Why do you have them if you don't drink blood? Why do you bite people?"
"Many animals have fangs. Wolves for instance." Calder opened his mouth wider than humanly possible. His jaw clicked as it unhinged. He pushed one of his long fingers against the tip of his fang and when he pulled the finger away, a bead of dark brown liquid rested where the tooth had touched his skin.
"Poison, much like a snake. It induces paralysis and drowsiness."
"So you bite people to knock them out?"
"More or less. One cannot fight back if one cannot move."
"Wait, so why do werewolves grow stronger from vampire bites? How does that make sense?"
Calder sighed and looked around for our server. "You ask a lot of questions. It is not the poison that makes them stronger. It is the magic held within the liquid. Your kind draws power from our side, but only in limited quantities. When you are exposed to pure magic, it can have... interesting side effects."
"My... father... told me the night you took me that sunlight kills you. Is that true?"
Calder shifted in his seat. "In a way. I would rather not talk about that."
A line of servers approached our table before I could press Calder for anything more. Tray after tray was laid out in front of me and I stared with wide eyes as the intoxicating smells mingled in the air. My mouth watered and as soon as the last plates were put down in front of me, I dug in.
Nothing was familiar, but everything tasted amazing. Meats and fruits piled high on my plate and I ate greedily using only my hands. After days without food, I didn't even think of how I might have looked to everyone else around me. It wasn't until the pangs of hunger subsided that I glanced up from my plate to see Calder staring at me with a look of embarrassment.
I dropped the hunk of meat that I had been ripping apart back onto my plate. "Ohh geez," I said with my mouth still full. Embarrassed, I chewed quickly and swallowed the food before trying to talk again. "I'm so sorry Calder. I was just so
hungry."
He waved his hand and picked up a shank of meat as well. "Food is meant to be eaten. Enjoy."
We didn't leave the table until every serving tray was empty. My stomach hurt but I was happy for the first time since I woke up this morning. I smiled at Calder and he returned it with a grin of his own. For a moment I lost myself in his good looks.
"Ready to return to you room?" he asked as he held his hand out to help me from the table.
I nodded and dropped my hand into his. His skin was warm to the touch and when he helped me up, he pulled me close enough that his breath tickled my cheek. For a moment I thought he was going to try and kiss me, but Calder stepped back quickly.
A tickle between my legs and a vague sense of disappointment at the distance Calder put between us set me on edge. I wasn't upset that he had pulled back. No, I was upset that I felt anything at all other than relief. I loved Sam! I'd only been away from him for a few days and already I was having feelings for someone else.
Right? Was that what was happening?
I looked at Calder and the tickle grew stronger. My nipples hardened under my dress and I dropped my eyes to the floor. This couldn't be happening. Calder was the enemy! He had taken me from Sam and set my house on fire! He was a killer, a monster. Not human. Why was I feeling this way?
"Miss Olivia? It is time to go," said Calder.
"Huh? Ohh okay."
I followed him back to my room. No, my prison cell. It may have been decorated but that was what it truly was. I wasn't a guest here. I was a pawn. I couldn't forget that.
"I will come for you in the morning Miss Olivia. May your rest be peaceful," said Calder as he stepped from the room.
I dropped onto the bed, not even bothering to undress. These weren't my clothes. I didn't care if they wrinkled. I slid under the silky sheets and stared up at the ceiling trying to sort out what I had learned so far, but my mind kept circling back to the strange attraction I was having for Calder. And every time it did, I would immediately picture Sam. I would get back to him. I had to get back to him.
I drifted off to sleep and dreams of Sam I together in the woods filled my head again. But when he laid me down in the grass and leaned down to kiss me, a dark shadow fell over us. A flash of fangs and the surprised face of Sam as his body went stiff filled my head. My love slumped to the ground next to me while Calder, my vampire jailor, wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth before leaning down to kiss me in Sam’s place.
The Pack - Shadow Games Page 2
