I didn’t even need compulsion to convince him that it had never happened. Like all humans, he was dazed enough from the venom that after emerging from the haze, he would forget everything. He’d find a logical way to explain the empty space in his memory, as they all did.
I leaned back, wiping any excess blood off my lips. “You were feeling generous today and decided not to charge me,” I told him, laying on the compulsion and smiling as I spoke. “Thank you for the free ride.”
“My pleasure.” He smiled back at me, although his eyes were hazy from the venom and compulsion. “Have a great day.”
“You too.” I got out of the taxi, slammed the door closed, and watched him drive away.
I felt bad for not paying, especially after drinking from him. But there was no saying how long the cash I’d removed would last me—I might need it later for something I didn’t anticipate now. I needed to save every penny I could.
I wasn’t yet at the Haven, of course—the Haven was far away from any roads and enchanted to keep humans away, since the vampires there couldn’t risk being near humans and smelling their blood.
Therefore, I removed my flip-flops and headed there the only way I could—I ran.
Karina
The vampires of the Haven were quick to bring me to their official meeting room, where a pitcher of animal blood and a tray of snacks were laid out on the table. One whiff of the animal blood made me glad I’d had that drink from the taxi driver while I still could.
It baffled me how the vampires of the Haven survived on such rancid blood. I certainly wasn’t touching it, although I did have some of the garlic naan with some water. Indian food had always been one of my favorites—their seasoning and spices were absolutely divine.
Back when I’d been human—over a century ago as a peasant in Romania—I never could have dreamed that food could be so delicious. I’d since made it a mission to try food from every culture imaginable.
I was still enjoying the food when the door opened, and Mary stepped inside.
I dropped the piece of naan onto my plate and stood, since the leader of the Haven outranked me.
“Princess Karina.” She smiled, although her eyes were full of question. “Shall we have a seat?”
I did, although I fiddled with the hem of my poorly made shirt, feeling more nervous than ever.
“To what do I owe this honor?” Mary asked, the concern in her eyes growing stronger by the second.
I’d been planning this moment since the drive to the airport in Canada. Everything I told the leaders of the Haven would be confidential, and every vampire in the world knew that Mary was trustworthy with secrets. It was why everyone trusted her—and this place—so much. She was more than just a leader. She was the mother of the Haven, and she’d earned that trust.
In my present situation, I needed a safe haven more than ever.
And so, I told her everything.
“Interesting,” she said once I was finished, taking a sip from the glass of animal blood that she’d poured while I’d been speaking. “I’m not sure what I’d expected, but it hadn’t been that.”
“I love Peter.” I sat forward, swallowing after speaking his name. “I couldn’t refuse the offer King Nicolae gave me—the chance to make a wish on the sapphire ring once he had it in his possession. But the entire time I was reporting to the wolves, I hated that I was betraying the vampires. I also learned that the wolves aren’t at all like I used to believe. Many of them—including Noah—are kind and good. The return of their Savior gives them hope. Who am I to take that hope away? Especially now that Laila’s gone. There must be some kind of compromise that can satisfy everyone and avoid war.”
“There’s certainly a lot of work to do to ensure peace, although I always believe that there’s a solution to everything—the challenge is simply in finding that solution.” Mary studied me with her wise eyes that felt like they could see straight into the depths of my soul, and I fidgeted in place under her gaze. “But you’re not truly here to help the Haven negotiate peace,” she said. “Are you?”
“No.” I looked down at my hands, my cheeks flushing in shame. “I’m not.”
“I suspect I know why you’re here,” she said, and I looked back up at her, glad to see that she appeared to understand—not to judge. “However, if you’re looking for something, you need to be the one to ask. It’s only once you ask that we can try to find a solution.”
“I want the same thing I’ve wanted since the beginning of this mess,” I said. “A chance to wish on Geneva’s sapphire ring and ask her to bring back Peter.”
“And you know that Annika came to the Haven, because you heard her command Geneva to bring her here when you were in the throne room.”
“Yes.” I sat forward, anxiety rushing through my veins with how close I might be to that ring. “Is she still here? If she is, I promise not to hurt her. I’d never do that—especially not on Haven grounds. All I want is a wish on that ring. One wish. That’s all.”
I sounded desperate, but I didn’t care—I sounded that way because I was. In the Carpathian Kingdom, we were always taught to control our emotions and rein them in. But if showing my feelings was the way to get Peter back, then I’d broadcast them to the entire world.
Guilt also tugged at my middle, because I’d told Noah that I was going to try to get that ring and bring it back to the Vale to help the wolves’ cause. Which I still might try to do.
It all depended on Mary’s answer to my question.
“Annika is no longer in the Haven,” Mary declared.
I deflated. It was all because Marigold had refused to transport me straight here. I couldn’t say for sure, but I had a feeling that if I hadn’t had to spend all that time traveling here the human way, I would have been here before Annika had left.
“But you don’t need to be so sad.” Mary held up a hand, as if that could halt my devastation.
“Do you know where she went?” I needed a clue—anything. This was the only lead I had on the girl, and I didn’t intend on wasting it.
“I do know where she went,” Mary answered. “But where she went is irrelevant for what you seek. Because while she was here, she left Geneva’s sapphire ring with me for safekeeping.”
“She gave you the ring?” I blinked, not buying that it had been as simple as that. “Why?”
“She had her reasons, and they were good ones. But surely that isn’t what you care about right now?”
“No.” I straightened, because she was right. “Where are you keeping the ring?”
“I’m keeping it right here.”
She reached for the delicate chain around her neck and pulled out a charm that had been hidden beneath her shirt—Geneva’s sapphire ring.
Karina
I gaped at the gleaming sapphire, wanting to grab it and take it for myself.
But I couldn’t do that—not to an original vampire, and especially not on Haven territory—so I took a deep breath, controlling myself.
Mary wouldn’t have told me she had the ring just to dangle it in my face and torture me. Of all the original vampires, Mary was by far the kindest.
So there was only one reason I could think of why she was telling me she had the ring—she must want to help me.
“You met Peter when he was alive,” I said. “I don’t know if you’ve ever been in love before, but Peter is my soul mate. I’ll never love anyone but him. So I’m asking you—no, I’m begging you—for one wish on the ring. Just one. It’s all I ask.”
“I have been in love before,” Mary said slowly. “I’ve fallen in love many times, although nothing as strong as what you claim to have with Peter. So yes, I’ll give you your wish.”
“Really?” I asked. “Just like that?”
“Not quite.” The words were like a knife to my heart, but she said them so calmly that I didn’t lose hope entirely. “I’ll do it in exchange for something from you.”
I wanted to tell her that I’d do anything,
but I held my tongue, since saying such a thing could do nothing but get me in trouble.
“What do you want?” I asked instead.
“A future favor,” she replied. “Sometime in the future, when I need you do to something for me, I’ll let you know. You’ll be bound to do as I ask, no matter what.”
“I can do that,” I said, since it was far from the worst thing she could have requested from me. “As long as you don’t ask me to do something crazy, like kill myself.”
“I hope you trust my character enough to know that I would never ask you to do such a thing.”
“I do,” I said, since it was true. Mary had founded the Haven because of her insatiable desire for peace and harmony between kingdoms. She cared about not just supernatural lives, but for human lives, too.
If there was one person I trusted to promise a future favor to and not be unfairly taken advantage of when it was time for me to fulfill that favor, it was the leader of the Haven.
“I’ll do it,” I said, and with that, she brought out a knife, and we made the blood oath.
Karina
Once the blood oath was made, Mary rubbed the sapphire ring, and out came Geneva.
The witch was dressed in the same black flapper outfit she’d been wearing when Annika had called on her in the throne room of the Vale. But her hair was smushed and her eyes were red—as if she’d been crying.
“What?” She sniffed and rubbed under her nose, glaring at Mary.
I had no idea what was wrong with Geneva, but truthfully, it wasn’t my problem. All I cared about was her completing my wish.
“I know I promised to give you space while you grieved.” Mary spoke calmly and softly, as if talking to a child. “However, Princess Karina has come to me with a request, and it simply cannot wait.”
“Get on with it, then.” Geneva crossed her arms and raised her chin, waiting. “Although I’m sure you know that while you wear the ring, I don’t have to do anything she asks.” She tilted her head toward me, scrunching her nose as if I smelled bad.
After my long travel day, I likely did.
“I’m aware,” Mary said. “Which is why I’m commanding you to bring the love of Karina’s life, Peter, back from the dead.”
“No can do,” Geneva said simply. “I can’t bring people back from the dead.”
“You can’t?” My stomach sunk, and I glared at her, ready to grab the knife from the table and attack. But I controlled myself, since violence wouldn’t get me anywhere in the Haven. “Or you won’t?”
“I can’t,” she said. “No witch can bring someone back from the dead—not even me. It’s beyond our capabilities.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” She had to be lying. I’d come too far for her not to be able to do this.
“Because I’m bound by the spell on the ring to do anything its owner commands,” she said. “If I were able to do it, I’d have to do it. Also, you’re not the only one who’s lost someone you love. If I were able to bring people back from the dead, don't you think I’d have done it by now? Witches can’t raise the dead. Trust me, I wish it were otherwise, but it isn’t.”
“Fine,” I said. “No witch can bring Peter back from the dead. But if a witch can’t bring someone back … who can?”
Geneva shrugged, looking wistfully back at her ring. She clearly wanted to return there so she could get back to her private little pity party.
She seemed pretty tough, so I assumed that whatever she was crying about had truly shaken her to the core.
“You need to ask her,” I said, turning to Mary. “She’s not bound to answer me.”
“Okay,” Mary replied. “Our agreement only allowed for one wish, but I’ll give you this exception.”
“Thank you.” I smiled, grateful to Mary for doing this—and also knowing that if there was ever a way for me to pay her back, I would.
“Who’s capable of bringing back the dead?” Mary said, turning to Geneva. “If you know, I command you to answer truthfully.”
“The fae,” Geneva said immediately.
The moment she said the words, Mary’s face paled.
“What’s that look for?” I asked, continuing before she could answer. “The fae are impossible to find, aren’t they? Or they’re all dead?”
In all my time on Earth, I’d never met a fae, nor met anyone who had.
But they could bring Peter back. Which meant if I needed to go to the end of the Earth to find a fae, I would.
“They’re not impossible to find, and they’re certainly not dead,” Mary said, her expression grave. “I know how to find them.”
“You’ll tell me?” I knew I was asking for another favor, but I was so close to getting Peter back that I could practically feel the warmth of his lips on mine. I couldn’t stop pushing now.
“I recommend against going to the fae,” she began. “You might think they’re helping you, but in reality, the fae are always helping themselves. However, I can tell from the look on your face that if I don’t tell you, you won’t rest until you find someone else who can. So yes, I’ll tell you how to find the fae. But whatever the outcome, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I simply nodded for her to continue, and from there, she told me everything.
Annika
The mages had cast a boundary spell around the boat—it would last until we got past the mist—to keep it a bearable temperature. Jacen had taken the role as captain, and after a few starting difficulties at the wheel, he’d gotten the hang of it.
“I think it’s time that I took a turn,” I said playfully, somehow managing to be lighthearted despite the challenges I knew we had ahead.
“No need,” he said, pressing a few buttons. “I’ve got it on autopilot. We should be good until we hit the mist.”
“Nice,” I said. “How’d you figure out how to—”
He grabbed me and kissed me, stopping me mid-sentence.
My heart leaped into my throat, and I kissed him back with all the longing I’d felt since we’d been taken down by the vampires in the woods when he’d been trying to help me escape the Vale. Yes, I’d kissed him since then as Princess Ana, but it wasn’t the same.
He pushed me back against the window, and I broke the kiss for a second, wanting to see his face. His eyes were closed, but then he opened them, the intensity of his silver gaze reaching deep into my soul. He was looking at me like I meant the world to him. I had a feeling that I was looking at him in the exact same way, too.
Despite the past few weeks being a total mess, they’d gotten me here, with Jacen. For that, I would always grateful.
Suddenly I saw a flicker in the corner of my eye.
I turned my head and saw a glowing green light, growing larger with each passing second. There was pink in it as well, swirling together to create a breathtaking show.
“The Northern Lights.” I gasped, taking hold of Jacen’s hand. “Come on. Let’s watch.”
He led me to the outside deck, and we snuggled on the bench, watching the incredible display. The lights were science, not magic, but they were more amazing than any magic I’d ever seen.
“Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?” I asked.
“Other than you?” he teased, and I rolled my eyes, nudging him in the side.
“Come on,” I said. “I’m serious.”
“Me too,” he said. “You’re more beautiful to me than even the Northern Lights.”
He lips found mine once more, and while I enjoyed the kiss, I pulled away again.
“Hey.” Mischief crossed his eyes, and he leaned toward me. “I was enjoying that.”
“Me too.” I smiled to make sure he didn’t take it personally and glanced back up at the dancing sky. “But how often do we get to see this?”
“Fair point.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and together, we took in the spectacle. The bright colors covered every inch of the sky—a dancing neon flame that went on for miles and miles.
We
watched the light show in peaceful silence for a few minutes.
Then, my stomach growled.
My cheeks flushed, embarrassed by its loud rumble, and I silently commanded my stomach to be quiet. But it betrayed me, growling again.
Ever since my Nephilim blood had been activated, I’d been hungry a lot more than I’d been as a human.
“We have those sandwiches in the fridge,” Jacen said. “Stay here and watch the lights. I’ll go get you one.”
He returned a few minutes later with a blanket, drinks, and a sandwich. He laid the blanket on the ground and started setting up.
“How do you feel about picnics?” he asked.
“I’ve never had one,” I said. “But I couldn’t think of a better first time.” I helped him finish setting up, and then dug into the food. I was the only one who ate—he insisted on only having blood. While vampires could enjoy food, they didn’t need it to survive, so he refused to dig into our limited food supply.
“This is our first date as us,” I said once I finished my sandwich. “As Jacen as Annika.”
“What about the night we met?” he asked. “When we hung out in the attic of the Tavern.”
“That wasn’t an official date,” I said. “It was the night we met. It’s different.”
“All right.” He smiled. “If that’s how it is, then yeah, I suppose this is our first date.”
And what a perfect first date it was. We snuggled, kissed and talked—all while watching the Northern Lights—eventually falling asleep in each other’s arms under the dancing spectacle in the sky.
Annika
I awoke with a gasp, unable to breathe.
I was surrounded by white mist, so thick that it was impossible to see. It burned my lungs. They felt like they were on fire.
The Vampire Wish: The Complete Series (Dark World) Page 56
