“Interesting.” He spoke slower than usual, as if considering it. “But what’s in it for me?”
“Money,” she said simply. “Enough to make sure that you and your family—” She paused to glance at me, and then returned her gaze to Mike. “Will be taken care of for the rest of your lives.”
Mike took a deep breath, and I wanted to tell him not to do it. Because whatever this “job” entailed, it must be extremely dangerous for Camelia to offer such a large reward.
“Don’t do it,” I gave into the urge to tell him, resting a hand on his arm. “You could get hurt. And besides—what could you buy with the money, anyway? Humans are barely allowed anything in the Vale.”
Camelia raised a brow. “I’m offering you the deal of a lifetime,” she said. “I can assure you, no human in the history of the Vale has ever received such an offer. Are you truly thinking about turning me down?”
“Not yet,” he said, crossing his arms. “But I’d like to negotiate.”
She leaned back, shocked. “Very well,” she finally said, a small smirk on her face. “What did you have in mind?”
“A lift on the ban of what I can purchase,” he said. “Because Annika’s right. If I’m going to have all this money, I should be able to spend it on luxuries I can enjoy.”
“You’ll have to purchase the items in secret,” Camelia said. “After all, if the other humans knew that you’re being given special privileges, it could cause a riot.”
“But I’ll be able to buy them?” He leaned forward, gazing at her hungrily. “As long as I keep it secret?”
“Yes.” Camelia nodded. “Of course.”
“Good.” He nodded and leaned back. “How long will I be away?”
“It shouldn’t be long.” She shrugged. “A week, at the most.”
“And how should I explain my absence?”
“The truth,” she said. “A top secret job at the palace. And that if you tell anyone the specifics, you—and whoever you tell—will be sent to the dungeons.”
I shivered, because even though the humans who were brought to the dungeons were never seen again, we all knew what happened to them. The royal vampires used them as a direct food source until they were drained dry.
Apparently, blood straight from the source was a luxury compared to the blood they took from us each month and refrigerated for the non-royal vampires to consume.
Mike nodded and turned to me. “You’ll act as manager at the Tavern until I return,” he said, his voice firm. “Inform them of what’s going on. Then, once I’m back, we’ll never want for anything again.”
“You don’t have to do this,” I begged him, tears filling my eyes at the thought of the danger he could be putting himself in. “We get along fine as we are. You don’t have to risk your life like this.”
“I’m not just doing it for myself,” he said. “I’m doing it for you, for the family I’ll have someday, and for everyone else at the Tavern. I’ll never get a chance like this again. I want to do this. No—I have to do this.”
“So you agree to our deal?” Camelia asked.
“I want to learn more about this task you want me to do,” he said. “I need to understand how dangerous it will be.”
“I will tell you.” She glanced at me again before returning her gaze to his. “In private. Now, come with me. You’ll be returned to the village once your job is complete.”
With that, she took him by the arm and whisked him out of the square, not even giving me a chance to say goodbye.
Camelia
I led the human boy to my golf cart and drove him out of the village. He didn’t say much, instead just staring out the side, his expression solemn. When we came to the road that led to the palace, I turned right, circling away from the imposing building and toward the mountain that loomed over the valley.
“I thought you said the job was in the palace?” he asked.
“I lied,” I said simply, staring straight ahead as I drove.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because your girlfriend had already seen enough, and I needed an explanation that she would believe.”
His eyes darkened. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
I smirked—apparently I’d hit a nerve. “Don’t look so glum,” I told him. “Once you complete the task I have for you and reap the rewards, I’m sure she’ll be throwing herself straight into your arms for a chance to enjoy endless luxuries by your side.”
He said nothing, just staring ahead and brooding.
“Don’t you want to know more about your task?” I prodded.
“Yes.” He didn’t look at me when he spoke.
“Good.” I smiled. “But first, I want to congratulate you on passing my test.”
“Test?” His brow furrowed, and finally he looked at me, confusion swirling in his light blue eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“The wolf.” I chuckled. “I let her into the village to see if any humans were strong—and brave—enough to fight her. You were the only one. Congratulations.”
Horror dawned on his face. “So you lied about the wolves getting through the boundaries?” he asked. “About them working with a witch? You let innocent people die for a silly test?”
“You’re getting ahead of yourself.” I laughed again. “I didn’t lie about the wolves working with a witch and getting through the boundaries. It did happen once—remember that old lady found dead in her cabin recently?” He nodded, and I continued. “But of course, I strengthened the boundaries afterward. We’re safe for now.”
“Stop the cart,” he said suddenly. “No more deal. I’m going back.”
“No.” I pressed harder on the pedal, increasing our speed. “And don’t even try to jump out. I’ve placed a boundary around the cart—you won’t be able to leave.”
He did exactly as I’d suspected—he ignored me and tried to jump from the cart. Of course, he collided with the invisible shield. He banged his fists against it and grunted, and then turned his angry eyes on me.
“No more deal,” he repeated. “Let me out.”
“You haven’t even learned what I want you to do for me!” I laughed, since I had him now, and he was powerless. “Don’t you want all that I’ve promised you?”
“You’re a liar,” he said through gritted teeth. “I don’t make deals with liars.”
“I understand your frustration,” I said, since I would doubt myself if I were him as well. But I truly did intend on following through with the deal—if he survived the upcoming task. “I lied to you quite a bit—you’re right not to trust me.”
“So you’re going to let me go?” he asked.
“No,” I said. “I’d like to make a blood oath.”
His mouth dropped open. “Seriously?” he asked.
I couldn’t blame him for being surprised. Supernaturals rarely lowered ourselves to making blood oaths with humans. We controlled humans—we didn’t bind ourselves to promises with them. But this situation was unique. I needed a human—this human—more than he realized.
If it took a blood oath to convince him to trust me, then so be it.
“You’ll follow through with our agreement if a blood oath is made?” I asked, parking the cart at the bottom of the mountain.
“Tell me the task first,” he said.
“Fine.” I sighed. “The task is simple—or at least it’s simple for a strong human like you. Do you see the mountain before us? The one with the peak far above the cloud line?”
“Yeah,” he said, barely glancing up. “It would be hard to miss it.”
“You’re to climb up the mountain,” I told him. “I’ve brought all the necessary materials that you’ll need—hiking and climbing gear, food and water for the journey, and more. At the top of the mountain, there will be a cave—the Crystal Cavern. Inside the Crystal Cavern is a sapphire ring. I need you to take the ring and bring it to me.”
“That’s it?” he asked, looking doubtfully up at the mountain.
“That’s it,” I confirmed.
“Why are you asking me to do this?” he asked, turning to me. “Why not a vampire?”
“Supernatural creatures are forbidden to enter the Crystal Cavern,” I explained. “Only a human can enter—and not just any human. The human must be strong and brave. Which is why I need you.”
“Hm.” He gazed up at the mountain again, his eyes far off in thought. “What’s the catch?” he asked, turning back to me.
“No catch,” I said, but then I bit my lip, thinking it through further. “Actually, there is one catch.”
“Of course there is.” He blew out a long breath. “What is it?”
“There will be other objects in the cavern besides the sapphire ring,” I told him. “They may look harmless, but I must warn you—those objects are very dangerous. While in the cave, you must only touch the sapphire ring. Do you understand?”
“I understand.” He nodded. “And once I bring you this ring, you’ll do as you promised?”
“I swear it.” I removed a knife from my pocket and ran it over my palm. Blood oozed from the cut, and I stared at the boy daringly, handing the knife to him.
He hesitated—for a moment I feared he wouldn’t go through with the deal. But then he took the knife and made an identical cut across his palm.
The moment he did, I took the knife back and grabbed his hand with mine, our open wounds touching. A shock buzzed through my body—the magic of the impending blood oath.
“If you bring me the sapphire ring, I promise to provide you with all the money and luxuries you desire, as long as you tell no one but your family of this deal,” I said. “Do you swear to agree to this blood oath?”
“I swear.” He kept his gaze locked on mine the entire time. If he were a supernatural, I might have been intimidated.
But he was only human, and thus he had no affect on me.
A light glowed around our hands, the warmth spreading to my body. Then the light dimmed, the blood oath sealed.
“Good.” I pulled my hand away from his. As always after blood oaths, both of our cuts had healed. “Now—are you ready to climb that mountain?”
“Yes.” He gazed up at the towering peak, looking as determined as he’d appeared before slaughtering that wolf. “I’m ready.”
Camelia
As expected, I waited down at the base of the mountain for days. The boy had a long trek ahead of him, so I’d come prepared.
It was easy to do a warmth spell around my area, and I’d brought a tent, some food, and reading material—a seemingly never ending supernatural series that I’d recently become addicted to. Much of it was incorrect on the abilities of supernaturals, of course, but it was entertaining nonetheless.
While I was technically still within the boundaries of the Vale, it was nice to get away from the drama of the palace for a few days. But finally, on the dusk of the fourth day, I was awoken from sleep by a loud smack next to my tent. I pulled open the zipper and peeked out, my breath catching at the sight before me.
The boy had fallen from the mountain, his body mangled, his skin burned to a crisp. His face had been smashed to a pulp from the fall. The only way I knew it was him was because he was wearing the red hiking shoes I’d provided for his trek.
Then the clouds moved away from the moon, lighting up an object in his hand.
A diamond, glittering in the moonlight.
Well—a human would think it was a diamond.
I knew better. I gasped and brought my hands together, shocked at the unexpected present lying at my feet.
Because that wasn’t a diamond. It was a seeing crystal. One that had been created by Geneva herself. It had only been rumored of amongst witches, and it was extremely difficult to use, but if handled properly it could apparently answer whatever question a witch asked of it.
Geneva had created the seeing crystal for the use of witches only. If touched by any other creature—supernatural or human—it would kill them instantly. It was a dangerous weapon. That was why the witches had thought it best to lock it away inside the cavern.
The stupid human boy must have been so greedy for wealth that he’d gone against my warning and touched the crystal anyway.
But how close had he been to the sapphire ring? Maybe he’d gotten to the ring before the crystal?
I searched his pockets and found nothing. He’d gotten all the way up the mountain, inside the cave, and his stupid greed had been the end of him.
I paced around his corpse, nearly screaming in anger. I’d been so close to getting what I’d wanted.
But I stopped pacing, realization dawning on me. This wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened. No… it was a blessing in disguise. Because if—once—I learned how to use the seeing crystal, I could ask it exactly how to free Geneva.
I pried the crystal from the dead boy’s hand, shoved it inside my bag, and headed back to the palace.
I smiled the entire drive there, knowing I was one step closer to freeing Geneva, marrying Jacen, and finally becoming a vampire.
Jacen
The blood poured down my throat, and the human went weak in my arms. The warm, delicious liquid called to me, urging me to keep drinking—to drink and drink until I was bursting with it—but if I did that, this human would surely die.
And so, I pulled back.
I took one step away, and then another, wiping the excess blood off my lips. It smeared on my hand, bright and red, and I ran my tongue over it, determined not to let a single drop go to waste.
Then I stared at the twin pinpricks in the woman’s neck—at the droplets of blood peeking out from them—but I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms and forcing myself to back away until I stood against the opposing wall.
The woman opened her eyes, looking wearily around the room.
“Take her away,” I ordered to Laila.
“Are you sure?” the vampire queen asked. “She’s still alive. There’s more blood left…” She took a deep breath, indulging in the exquisite aroma. “It smells so delicious.”
“Take her away!” I glared at the human, aware of each pump of her heart as it sent blood rushing through her veins. But I forced myself to take shallow breaths. The shallower my breathing, the less sensitive I would be to the tantalizing scent that urged me to keep drinking until the woman was drained dry.
“Only if you’re sure.” Laila’s voice was silky and smooth—I might have even thought she sounded seductive, if she wasn’t annoying me to death.
I huffed and turned to Daniel. “Take her away,” I said steadily, looking straight into his eyes and putting as much power into my voice as possible.
Compelling him.
His face went slack, and he picked up the human, carrying her out of the room.
Once the doors closed behind them, I allowed myself to breathe normally again. I looked at Laila, waiting for her to say something. We were the only two in the room now—Camelia had been noticeably distant since my refusal of her proposal earlier this month.
At least she seemed to be accepting my rejection with dignity.
“I see you’ve been improving your compulsion,” Laila observed.
“I have,” I said.
“And that’s seven days in a row that you’ve been able to stop yourself while feeding.”
“It is.” I nodded. “I’m able to control myself around humans now.”
“In a sanctioned setting,” she pointed out.
I waited for her to continue—waited for her to say that it was time to move onto something bigger. That I was ready to leave the palace.
She said nothing.
“I’m ready to leave the palace now,” I said, since clearly she wasn’t going to say it first. “This past week has proven that.”
“Perhaps.” Laila smirked and raised an eyebrow.
“What else do you need me to do to prove myself?” I asked, raising my voice at her again. I knew she was a queen and that she technically deserved respect, but
she frustrated me to hell, so screw the rules. “Do you need to bring a whole crew of humans in here to tempt me? If so, then do it! Do whatever’s necessary for you to trust me.”
“When you’re ready, I’ll know,” she said, giving me that irritatingly knowing smile of hers. “In the meantime, it’s Christmas Eve. I have some tasks to attend to in order to get the palace ready for tomorrow. I’ll see you soon.”
She smiled at me one more time, swished her dress around herself, and left the room.
Jacen
I’d been pacing around my room for the past hour since Laila had left, deep in thought. What more did she expect of me? How many more humans did I have to successfully feed from before she trusted me enough to leave the palace? It almost seemed like she enjoyed keeping me here.
Like she was purposefully keeping me prisoner.
Music and voices started to fill the village—Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were apparently two of the few days each year that the humans were allowed to let loose and celebrate.
Excited chatter drifted through my window, and I couldn’t help thinking about my last Christmas—how I’d insisted on going to swimming practice instead of spending the entire day with my family. I’d always been so goal-oriented and ambitious, putting my Olympic medal dreams before everything else. I’d refused to slack off, not even for a holiday. After all, I wouldn’t be in my athletic prime forever. I’d figured I would have more time with my family after I’d completed my goals.
I’d never expected that my life would be taken from me in a single night. That I would never see my family again.
They thought I was dead.
It was probably better for them to think that. They would never accept me for what I was now—a monster.
Hell, I didn’t even accept myself as I was now.
The Vampire Wish: The Complete Series (Dark World) Page 5
