A Vampire's Bane

by Raven Steele

  I needed to get out of here and quickly.

  Chapter 24

  I glanced to the sides, searching for an exit, but we only passed closed doors. I didn’t dare escape through one in case it was a dead end.

  Briar glanced back at me, smiling, a twinkle in her eye. I found nothing humorous about our situation.

  Almost at the end of the hall, Oona opened a door and motioned us into a large, richly decorated room with silvers and blues, set onto a backdrop of flat black. Glass sculptures of gnarled and twisted trees grew in the corners of the room. It reminded me of a frozen forest trapped beneath a starry night.

  Briar closed the door and walked seductively toward Oona. “Where do you want me? On my knees or on the vampire?”

  I choked on the growing saliva in my mouth.

  Oona and Briar stared at each other and both their lips curled up into smiles. Then they glanced at me and both burst into laughter.

  “You should see your face!” Briar cried, holding her stomach and pointing at me.

  I looked back and forth at each one of them, truly stunned. “I don’t understand.”

  Briar wiped at a tear at her eye and, in a mock voice that I gathered was supposed to sound like me, said, “Stop talking, Briar. You must be observant and pay attention to the little details.”

  “That’s not how I sound.”

  Oona’s face relaxed into a comfortable smile, watching us carefully. “I take it the student has become the teacher?”

  “Hell, yeah, I did.” Briar strutted across the room to me and slapped me on the back. “You totally thought we were going to have a threesome, didn’t you?”

  “I, well, I,” I stuttered, blood heating my face. “Didn’t you?”

  “Nah. I’ve had enough people want me that I know what desire looks like. Her body,” she glanced over at Oona, “which is amazing, by the way, was doing all the right things, but the look in her eye was saying ‘get-me-the-hell-away-from-this-disgusting-free-baller’. Am I right?”

  “You pretty much … how do you say it? Nailed it?” Oona walked over to a white leathered chair and gracefully sat down. “Join me, please. We have so much to discuss.”

  Briar hurried over and jumped on a sofa, stretching her legs long. Her black dress bunched at her hips and barely covered her thighs. “Could I get my street clothes back? This is super uncomfortable.”

  “Just an illusion.” Oona snapped her fingers, and Briar’s jeans and tank top returned.

  I inhaled a breath and slowly exhaled as I joined them, sitting in an identical chair as Oona. Unlike Briar, I actually liked the leathers. They easily adjusted to my movements and were more comfortable than the ones I usually wore. Except … I looked at Oona. “I actually prefer black.”

  “No problem.” In an instant, they were black. I took a moment to admire them, while recomposing myself. Very rarely was I taken off guard like that, but clearly I was lacking in the sexual desire arena. It made me wonder how much of Mateo I had misread.

  “I apologize for the ruse,” Oona said, swiping long curls away from her shoulder. “But the King only understands two things: food and sex. I have to use both quite frequently to get what I want.”

  “And what is it you want?” I asked.

  “I heard what you said about Trianus, and Folas has told me the same. I was there when Trianus came the first time. It nearly destroyed our species. We cannot let him rise again.”

  Briar sat up. “The King doesn’t feel the same way?”

  “He thinks we are stronger now, and we are, but this time is different. I can feel it. Korin’s involvement is making it worse. I’ve seen the creatures he’s created out of supernaturals. He cannot be allowed to continue. It could create something worse than Trianus.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Briar said. “They’re terrible, but killable.”

  Oona raised her eyebrow. “How do you think Trianus was created in the first place? Creatures evolve, become more than the original intent of the maker.” When Briar didn’t answer her, she continued. “Folas will be instructed to help you in whatever ways you need. Just ask.”

  Her eagerness to help us worried me. We’d only just met. “Thank you for the offer, but wouldn’t you like to be involved?”

  “The safety of my people is my most pressing concern. It won’t be too long before we are effected, no matter what the King thinks. And yet, I am bound to his command.” She shrugged, as if there was nothing else she could do about it.

  “Have you tried talking to him about it?”

  “I am highly skilled in reading people. I know when to press him, and when to wait.” She paused, giving me an assessing stare. “The moment I met you two, I felt, not only your power, but I sensed your hearts. You chose not to fight, but to analyze the room for our weakness instead. A wise choice. You are both strong and want good, but you also battle darkness.”

  “Isn’t that bad?” Briar asked.

  “Not when the desire to shun the power is there.” She gave Briar a small smile, holding her hand to her chest, over where her heart pounded. “All of us have darkness inside of us. You’d be surprised how many entertain those dark, rhythmic heartbeats when they think no one is watching. And yet, I don’t feel that with you two. You abhor it, but also accept it.” She paused, tilting her head to the side and dropping her hand. “Although, I must admit, there’s something missing. A piece to the two of you. Is there another?”

  Briar and I looked at each other.

  I turned back to Oona, thinking of the prophecy. “Lynx, a witch.”

  Oona’s eyebrows lifted and she smiled. “She is the sun to your moon and stars.”

  Briar nodded. “That about sums her up.”

  “I heard of a prophecy once,” Oona began, her eyes lifting to the silver ceiling, “that spoke of three powerful sisters who would be involved with Trianus somehow. I can’t recall it, but I wonder if it was about you three.”

  “A prophecy?” Briar exclaimed. “About me? That’s so badass.”

  I stood up, not wanting to discuss the prophecy right now. It was one that, in my mind, would never come to fruition. I’d give my life to make sure that happened. “Do you trust Folas?”

  She nodded. “The fae will always be concerned with our own interests firsts, we do not hide this fact. But he is trustworthy. He will not steer you wrong.”

  I nodded, tucking this little bit of information away. I was still uncertain if we could trust her, but for now, I would. “When can we meet with him? I’d like to discuss plans with him right away. We recently discovered where Korin keeps his monsters and must act quickly to stop him.”

  “Of course.” She rose with me and led us to the corner. As she approached, a small section of the wall sunk back. “Follow this to the end. It leads to Folas’s study. You’ll find him there.”

  Briar flashed her a knowing look. “You and Folas having a sordid affair?”

  “Not this week.” She winked at Briar.

  Briar laughed. “I like you. We should hang out more. I bet you have lots of cool shit in this palace.”

  She laughed a beautiful, sweet sound. “I do. When this is all over, I’d love to show you all of my amazing ‘shit.’”

  She turned to me, her expression tightening, and placed her hand over my heart. “Your darkness is raw and growing. I believe you will overcome it, but I’m not sure you believe you can. Your fear may have severe consequences.”

  I lightly grabbed her wrist and lowered it. “I’ve been managing just fine for centuries.”

  She tilted her head, analyzing me again with those cool eyes. “But something’s changed.”

  “Her ex is in town,” Briar said as she unwrapped gum from its silver package and popped it into her mouth. “But don’t worry. I’ll make sure he doesn’t break her heart again. If he tries, I’ll break him.”

  She said this with such passion that it surprised and touched me. “Thank you Briar—I really mean that—but I can handle myself.”
I sighed. “Let’s go. I have other things to do tonight.” I shifted my gaze to Oona, but only let our eyes meet briefly. Her insight into my soul was unnerving, reminding of Sersi. “Thank you for your assistance.”

  She bowed her head in acknowledgment. While Briar said her goodbyes, I jogged down the steps, anxious to see Folas. If I didn’t go over to Winter Cove early enough, I’d get stuck there for the day, something I didn’t want to do.

  Briar caught up to me, popping a gum bubble in her mouth. “I really dig that Oona chick.”

  “She needs to mind her own business.”

  “I rather liked her insights into your heart. And if what she says is true, you need to be careful. Or at least talk to me or Lynx about it. Don’t bottle that shit up. I know first-hand how quickly things can spiral.”

  “I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.” I stopped in front of a wooden door and knocked quickly. Too many personal conversations in a short amount of time had me on edge. I took a quick moment to calm my pulse and clear my head. By the time Folas opened the door, I was a mask of control.

  “Oona said you’d help us.” I walked past him into a small room decorated in rich reds and dark mahoganies, the complete opposite of the rooms we’d just left. Briar joined me.

  “I will, but we must keep our movements as secret as possible. The King cannot find out. I hoped he would see reason, but too many years of peace have made him soft.”

  “And fat,” Briar mumbled.

  Folas gave her a sharp eye, but said, “What do you need from us?”

  And here came the tricky part. I searched his eyes hoping to spot any kind of deceit.

  “We found where Korin is creating his supernatural army,” Briar blurted, clearly not concerned about Folas being the Phoenix. “But it’s heavily guarded.”

  “We cannot fight,” he said quickly. “The King will find out.”

  “That’s not what we need,” I clarified.

  Briar frowned. “Isn’t it?”

  “What we need are your powers of illusion. If you can provide this, then the shifters and vampires, maybe even some witches—”

  Briar snorted as if that was entirely out of the realm. I still held out hope they would come together.

  “—will infiltrate Korin’s building and rescue who we can. We have received word that there are many supernaturals being held there who haven’t been changed yet.”

  He nodded his head, a thoughtful look in his eye. “We can do illusions. I’ll choose my best men.”

  “If I may,” I said, “we need to keep this operation to as few people as possible. As you know, the Phoenix could be anyone. We must be careful.”

  “I understand. I’ll choose wisely. When will you need us ready?”

  “When can you be ready?” Briar asked.

  He thought about this. “I’d like to see the place ahead of time to know what we’re up against and to choose the right kind of illusion. The wrong one and Korin will see right through it.”

  “I can take you there,” Briar said. “Tonight?”

  His eyes looked toward the ceiling as if he could see through to the King. “I can do that, but let me get word to the Queen in case the King asks for me.”

  While he circled to his desk and scribbled on paper, I turned to Briar, keeping my voice low. “I need to take the SJ to Winter’s Cove.” Ideally, I should take it to the Sangre Nocturnas, but I was being selfish. I wanted to try and get it to Faithe, Teddy and Kristina. They needed it more than the Nocturnas. They were under his control much stronger than the Nocs, plus they would probably have more information we could use.

  “Will you have time to get some to the Nocs?”

  “Possibly,” I nodded, thinking. It was a hard choice, to decide who to give the SJ to first. “Or if Mateo is there, I can give it to him to pass along.”

  She grabbed my arm. “Be careful around him. I can tell he has strong feelings about you, but something’s holding him back. Whatever it is, I fear it will end up hurting you more than him.”

  “I’ll be careful, but so must you.” I lowered my voice. “Things aren’t always what they seem in this place, including the people.”

  Folas straightened, holding the paper in his hand. He crumbled it, mumbled a few words, then tossed it upward. What looked like a mouth on the ceiling opened up and swallowed the note. “Let’s go.”

  Outside of Warwick, we met up with Eddie again. Briar would ride with him and Folas to Fire Ridge, where they would pick up Gerald and Luke, who knew the most about White Pine. With nothing left for me to do, I parted ways and drove to Winter’s Cove, my hand on the briefcase, and my mind on Faithe. Briar assumed the restless darkness inside me stemmed from Mateo, and maybe some of it did, but most was because of Faithe. Even beyond Mateo, she was the only thing that mattered to me in this life. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for her, including giving my own life. I prayed I could convince her to take the SJ and flee Korin once and for all. And while she was away, I would devote the rest of my life to hunting and killing Korin.

  It was nearly one in the morning by the time I reached Winter’s Cove. I emptied half the ampoules into the car and took the rest. Moonlight reflected off the silver trim of the great mansion. Pressure squeezed my chest as I walked up the stairs.

  Gripping the briefcase in my hand, I pushed open the door and tensed just as I sensed someone standing behind it.

  A hard fist crashed into my jaw, followed by two people flanking each side of me. They gripped my arms tightly.

  Michael stepped away from me with a smug smile. “Just the bitch I’ve been waiting for.”

  Chapter 25

  I sucked in a breath and fought against them haphazardly while I dropped the case and subtly kicked it to the side. My vision slowly began to clear.

  “Take her to the dungeon,” Michael ordered and let us pass. “And take her phone.”

  I glanced sideways at those holding me. I didn’t know the name of the vampire on my right, but I’d seen him before. It was the silver-eyed one who had been at Sinsual with Silas. Teddy held my left arm, his eyes downcast.

  “Teddy?”

  “Sorry, Sam. I don’t have a choice.” He reached into my pocket and removed my cell phone. So Teddy was compelled, of course.

  “Don’t speak to her!” Michael called after us.

  Just before they dragged me through the door to the basement, I glanced near the front door. The briefcase was partially concealed beneath a small table. I hoped no one noticed it.

  The dungeon must be the oldest part of the mansion. The air held a tangy, moldy smell that only centuries worth of blood-soaked floors and walls could give. Korin loved the scent and had always refused to have any of his dungeon’s cleaned. He said it added to one’s suffering to see rusted bars, dirt floors, old torture devices.

  “Why are you doing this?” I jerked back a little, but not anywhere near my full strength. That would be saved for later. Korin obviously suspected me of something. I had to know what and if my friends might be in danger, too.

  “You’ll find out soon enough,” the silver-eyed vampire said to me.

  Teddy held my arm gently. “Korin will visit you soon.”

  “And what’s your name?” I said to the dark-haired vampire.

  “That’s Zane,” Teddy offered quickly. “He joined us a decade back.”

  “Shut your mouth,” Zane snapped.

  I studied Zane from the corner of my eye. The way his gaze stay focused up ahead, the surety of his steps, his flexed jaw. This was a vampire who was sure about his place in the coven, strange for someone so new. Also odd I’d seen him with Silas. Could he be the Phoenix? Maybe plans between Korin and the Phoenix had been in place longer than I thought. I always assumed it was a recent merge, but that, I realized, was a foolish thought. Korin had never made moves without calculating for years, decades often. He didn’t make decisions lightly.

  We reached the bottom of the stairs, three levels beneath the mansion, to a s
mall area that barely held three cells. Two lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling attempted to fill the space with light, but their efforts were in vain. Too many shadows, too many unseen ghosts, overwhelmed the small room.

  When Zane briefly let me go to open the cell door, I whispered in Teddy’s ear no louder than a breath, “Get the briefcase. Hide it, then drink it when it’s safe and share with those on our side. It will break the compulsion.”

  He nodded once.

  Zane turned around. “Get in.”

  I did as he said, reminding myself not to breathe. They left me alone, Teddy casting me a sorrowful look as the door closed behind them.

  I approached the metal bars, my mind racing. Korin must’ve found something out about me. Maybe he’d seen witches at my house, or any of the others, for that matter. He never liked mingling with other species. He said it made us weak. But he knew he didn’t own me anymore. Maybe he wanted information.

  Sniffing the bars, I detected holy water, recently applied. I ground my jaw together and gripped the bars tight. I pushed outward, my palms smoking. The pain was sharp and immediate, but I continued to push until I felt the old metal began to break. I let go, gasping. This cell couldn’t hold me.

  The thought comforted me as I lowered onto a turned-over bucket. I’d stay here as long as necessary to find out what Korin wanted. I hoped this also gave Teddy enough time to take the SJ and also give it to Kristina and anyone else who wanted it.

  The door leading to the dungeon creaked open. I came to my feet, expecting to see Korin, but instead, Faithe glided in. The shadows in the room seemed to attach themselves to her as she descended the steps. My heart picked up, then slowed to a near stop when I caught her pained expression as her eyes studied the walls and she smelled the terrible scents. That’s when I remembered. Faithe had been imprisoned in a place similar for weeks before her captors had killed her adopted human mother. I wished I could take the pain from her. I’d tried once. And I would keep trying until I succeeded.