Becoming Valkyrie (Pyralis Book 1)

by Brandy L. Cunningham

  Trying to remember Tamyra’s words, I tried to keep steady control over my body, and my feelings. Too much fear, or too much emotion, and I knew the fire would be released. The Witch had been adamant about hiding my true nature, and I chose to keep that in mind. She had feared me, and already, I had seen fear in the face of this Vampire, so I knew keeping it hidden was best. Often times, humans chose to destroy that which caused them fear, whether it be an animal, another person, or something else. If an animal was too smart, or too threatening, they killed them. I had little hope that this Vampire race was different.

  The red-haired Vampire looked back at me, never faltering in her fast pace. “You must be newly turned. You seem…very human still. I know you are not, but your actions reflect human emotions. Your lungs are still struggling to adjust to your new body. Interesting.”

  I tripped. I couldn’t help it. I was so distracted by what she had said. “Struggling to adjust? I thought it was because I didn’t need to breathe.” I hadn’t meant to ask the question, but unfortunately, it popped from my mouth. It would seem I didn’t have a good filter.

  She stared down at me. “You are a clumsy thing, aren’t you? I must confess, I am curious how you managed to fall from the void above. I’ve never seen anyone do that before. How you managed to penetrate the barrier of this realm, is beyond my knowledge. We still breathe, girl. Just…differently.”

  I frowned. She hauled my sorry hide off the ground, once again. Continuing the path to wherever she was headed, she turned several times to look at me. “You are lucky I was here. Anyone else would have taken you straight to Viren. As it is, I’m not even sure why I’m not.”

  Stopping at a black door that was built into the wall, she pressed her palm against it. The door evaporated. Stepping into the dark opening, she pulled me with her. As we stepped over the threshold, I peeked over my shoulder to see the door solidify once more behind us. Shaking my head, I wasn’t even going to think about that one.

  I looked around the space we had just entered, surprised to see a room of sorts. There was a bed if one could call it that. It looked more like a cushion with creepy cloth around it. There was a dresser to one side and a mirror. I was relieved when she finally removed her long sharp fingernails from my arm. Although there had been no pain, nor wound associated with her nails, I had still felt a bit chained.

  “What is this place?” I frowned as I tried to figure it out. Rubbing my arm, I glanced down, annoyed at myself for the unnecessary action.

  The female Vampire lifted a brow at me. “This is my room, of course. Now, let’s find you some more appropriate clothes. How long have you been alive?”

  I stared at her, not knowing how to answer that. “Alive? What do you mean?” Did she know I had died and come back from the dead? I wasn’t sure what she knew, and honestly, I was getting a headache trying to figure out why I felt emotional every time she looked at me.

  She sent me a vexed look. “Wow. Did they even take the time to teach you anything? I’m surprised you’re still alive.” For a second, a softness crossed her face. It confused me.

  I shrugged. “Uh, yeah. I guess that’s what happened. I don’t really remember.” I was still struggling with the fact that she thought I was a Vampire.

  She sent me a look I can only describe as sympathetic. “That makes me so mad. Used to be that if you created a changeling you took care of them, at least until they had the hang of it all. Now, I feel like these fools just waltz around creating them for the fun of it. It’s very annoying to us Ancients.”

  I was lost for much of what she said. “Uh, yeah. I guess. So, what do you mean by Ancient?”

  She rifled through clothing. “An Ancient is a Vampire that was created in the old days when there was order to all this chaos. The Four families were selective. Not just anyone was allowed to turn others, and not just anyone would be turned. There were reasons and rules. Believe it or not, we once lived in peace beside all the Casts. Now, every time I leave the tombs I have to guard myself against an attack from another Cast.

  Worse, someone has begun killing our own. Can you imagine? A Vampire that has acquired a taste for their own kind? The sad part is, the four families have grown weary. With all the talk about prophecies and destruction of the humans, none of us knows what to expect. If you ask me, I think they need to reel in their loose cannons.”

  I wasn’t sure why she was telling me all of this, but I admit I was grateful she was so willing to share. I absorbed every detail I possibly could. I needed to know everything possible if I was to survive this world. When she threw some clothes at me, I grabbed them up, grateful for the opportunity to rid myself of the frock. Looking down at them, however, I had a slight change of heart.

  The black leather pants looked far too small for me, and the tiny black corset, well, enough said. “Uh, thank you, but I don’t think these are my style, or going to fit me.”

  The female Vampire eyed me in annoyance. “Look, girl, I don’t exactly live here full-time and my wardrobe isn’t much, as of now. The leather will stretch. I’ll see if I have a jacket to hide your…well, your differences.”

  Frowning, I held eye contact with her. “What do you mean my…differences?”

  Rolling her eyes, she giggled. “Oh, did you see that! I made a completely unneeded human reaction. I’m getting better at this. Anyway, we both know what I speak of, fire girl. We are not all what we first appear to be. Many of us hide secrets. If you learn nothing else from me, learn this: it is not about what you are. It is about how well you hide it. The best disguise, the best defense, is knowing how to blend in with your enemy.”

  I stared at her. She knew what I was, or at least that I wasn’t a Vampire. I nodded. When she turned her back, I attempted to squeeze into the tight-fitting clothes. Apparently, no longer eating had done me wonders. I no longer had the small belly I had always had. I found that I could slip into the tight leather pants without much trouble. They definitely were not my style, but I couldn’t help smiling at the sexy way they hugged my body.

  Tying the laces of my corset together, I glanced up as she walked to me with a leather jacket. Fitting, I guess. Pulling it on, I sighed. My arms and legs were covered, and if I buttoned the leather jacket closed, my chest would be also. I felt much better knowing my little secret would be hidden.

  Going out on a limb, I said, “Um, I’m not sure if you have noticed, but I don’t have fangs like you.”

  She smiled. It was a rather chilling look on her frighteningly lovely face. “Not many have fangs like I do dearie. I am hundreds of years old. Most new Vampires like you cannot even see theirs. Some only descend when they feed. It’s doubtful anyone will question you. Besides, the stench of old blood is strong in you. It’s obvious you are somehow descended from one of the Ancients.”

  She trailed off for a moment, and her face took on that soft expression as her eyes seemed to lose focus, as though she were seeing something else.

  I stared at her. “You mean, I am somehow related to an old Vampire? I’m not sure...” faltering, I remembered the man with the green eyes, the man with the name of my long dead ancestor, Valkyrian.

  When I lifted my eyes to her face, she had regained her focus and she was studying me. I felt like she had read my thoughts, the look on her face was too knowing.

  She laughed. “What is your name, child?”

  I hesitated. I wasn’t sure revealing my true name to this woman was the best idea. “Uh, it’s Emily.”

  Tilting her head to the side, she ran her tongue across the sharp tip of one fang. “No. It’s not. Look, if I’m going to help you stay alive, you are going to have to trust me. Don’t lie to me again or I’ll leave you the way I found you. Alone.”

  I swallowed, frowning as I remembered I shouldn’t. My throat was dry and scratchy. “All right. My name is Valkyrie Walker.”

  When her already pale face became even paler, I worried I had made a mistake in telling her my true name. For several long minutes, sh
e didn’t move. She sat and stared at me. Finally, she blinked. I don’t think she realized she had just displayed another human trait.

  “Oh. All right, well that certainly changes things a bit. I thought you resembled her, but I didn’t want to hope it could finally be you. Has it really been that long?”

  I stared at her. I was beginning to wonder if now would be a good time to run. If a Vampire could cry I think she would have. Her eyes displayed a range of emotions that scared me.

  “I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you’re talking about?”

  She smiled sadly. “Of course, you’re not. I cannot believe it has taken so long for you to come back. If you are standing here before me, recently changed, then I guess it means the prophecies are true.”

  Again, I was lost. “Who exactly is it you think I am?”

  She smiled softly. “You are Valkyrie Walker, the lost child of the Walker Cast. You are my…”

  A knock sounded at the door, and the female’s head whipped around unnaturally. “Who is it?”

  From the other side of the door, a woman’s voice drifted to us. “Viren has summoned you to his quarters. He said to be sure you bring your little friend.” Wicked laughter echoed across the void to us. This place was creepy. The female Vampire looked at me once more.

  “Come. We must always answer when we are summoned. Try not to do or say anything too…human, or forthcoming, all right. And whatever you do, never repeat the name you just gave me.”

  I felt a foreboding sensation creep down my spine as I followed her back into the tomb-like passageway. This place was like a labyrinth. Trying to maintain my cool, I walked silently in her wake. Her bright red hair luminesced every time we came close to the torches. My own dark hair, I realized, reacted in a similar fashion to the torches. I wasn’t sure if this was just an effect that occurred here in these creepy tombs, or not.

  We walked along several passages and through many doorways. Apparently, whoever Viren was, he didn’t like to be easily found. The last door we came to was not black, but red. She stopped at the door to peer back at me. Giving my arm a comforting squeeze, she nodded. I watched her step through the door. Entering after her, I found myself in a chamber, unlike anything I had expected.

  The entire room was made of ice. The walls were thick sheets of ice, and icicles hung from the ceiling. My eyes widened in surprise. Every piece of furniture was carved from ice, like a finely chiseled sculpture. In the middle of the room sat a thick ornate ice desk. Behind that, a man sat on an ice throne. I immediately knew he was Vampire from his icy-blue eyes. Beyond that, he was not at all what I would have expected.

  His hair was not black as most others I had seen, but a pale blonde. He wore it shoulder length and slicked back from his face in one perfect piece. His skin was pale, even paler than others. He sat with his hands perched together as he rested his elbows upon the ice desk. Muscles pulled the white dress shirt he wore tightly across his chest and shoulders. He was handsome, in an old-world way. I imagined he had ancestry from Europe, with his sharp nose, and high, finely chiseled cheek bones. Lifting his chin as we entered, he looked over the female in a way that made me want to blush.

  When his gaze moved to me, he became very still. His eyes registered shock. They widened, the dark pupil expanding until it encompassed his entire eye for a brief moment before returning to its previous state. I froze in place behind the female. As I waited, he stood. The movement was lightning fast. Before I even realized it, he stood before me. Six-foot of long lean muscles, and power. Somehow, I could sense the power as though it wafted off him like cologne. I recognized the look of fear on the face of the female Vampire.

  The man, male Vampire, whatever, reached his hand toward me. Before it connected with me, he stopped. The hand was right before my throat, suspended in air as he seemed to fight an inner battle with himself. He inhaled deeply, his eyes doing the weird contracting thing again. When his lips drew back to reveal long sharp fangs, I wanted to scream. Every inner human reaction I still possessed flared to life, telling me to run, to scream, to be very afraid.

  “What have you brought me, my sweet Belladona? Much more than meets the eye I see. This creature, she is…curious. I smell old blood, familiar blood. I smell…fire. Death, destruction.” The male Vamp stepped back quickly as though I would scorch him. His eyes widened with fear. Turning on the woman, he pulled his lips back and hissed at her.

  “Do you disobey me so easily? You bring this creature into my very city? Are you a fool? Do you want me gone so badly? What is it? Found someone better? Someone else to share your bed and protect all your little dark secrets?”

  He was pissed. There were no two ways about it. Whatever he had sensed in me, it had sent him into a rage. Pacing angrily around the ice chamber, he dug his sharp claws into the ice, splintering one wall.

  In front of me, the one he had called Belladona kneeled. Looking up at him, she cried out. “Please, my Lord. I have not brought death to your door. She is no danger to you. She knows not what she even is. I need no one like I need you.”

  The male, who I had guessed by now, was Viren, stopped his tantrum. Walking to her, he pulled her off the icy floor in one smooth movement. Pressing against her, he kissed her fiercely. I wanted to gag. I had never seen anyone kiss like that before. I looked away, trying to drown out the sounds they were making. Finally, to my great relief, they pulled apart. He looked down at her. Running his hand down the side of her face, he bowed his head.

  “Forgive my outburst, my sweet Belladona. I…I have heard things lately. There are rumors of an uprising. I was afraid you had betrayed me.”

  Belladona shook her head. “Never, my love. I would never betray you. Why do you think I stay so long away from you? It is to protect you. If the others knew of us, do you think we would be safe?”

  He nodded at her. “I know. I know.” Turning to face me once again, he lifted a brow at me. “So, we should kill her now, before she discovers her powers then?”

  I felt fear rise up inside of me. It was followed quickly by heat. I could feel the fire as it came to life within me. I had to get ahold of myself. I had to control it. The ends of my hair flared to life, but I managed to keep my body from bursting into flames.

  Viren stared at me. He seemed, fascinated with me. Belladona placed a hand on his arm, redirecting his attention to her. “Please. She is Valkyrie. She is my sister.”

  My mouth dropped open. Was she lying to win over his approval? There was no way she spoke the truth. Right? I watched as Viren’s gaze whipped back to me once more. His handsome face crunched up in a deep frown. Apparently, he was familiar with my name. Deep down, I still held out hope that everyone was confusing me with another Valkyrie, but in truth, I knew it was unlikely I would be so lucky.

  “She’s your sister…you mean…it’s not possible. How? How can it be possible? We all watched him kill her, Belladona. Perhaps she resembles her slightly, but it is not possible. Besides, Valkyrie was not a creature of fire and death.”

  “No, she was not Viren, but she also was no ordinary Vampire. Do you not see the potential? If she has been reborn, as they said she would be, then there are now so many unknown factors. I would know my own sister anywhere, even if she knows not who she is, even if the convergence is not yet complete, it is still her.”

  The one called Viren looked at me for a long time. Frowning, he shook his head. “If she is what I think she is, then she is a danger to us all. Just being here is dangerous. You know that they will be hunting her.”

  Belladona nodded. “I know, my love, but I cannot abandon her. She has only just come back to me. There are many things she needs to know, for example, who to trust, how to stay safe, there is so much danger out there for her.”

  Viren ran his hands through his hair in an agitated way. Pacing once again, he turned to look me over. When a softness entered his face, I felt hope that he would allow me to stay, to offer me protection. That hope was quickly dashed when he gave one long
shake of his head.

  “She cannot stay.” Looking directly into my eyes, he said, “If you are what they speak of in these prophecies, then we do not know what to expect of you, what you will choose, or what you will become. I have heard so many different versions of this foretelling. There are stories of a great firebird rising from the ashes of the lost Valkyrie. There are tales of darkness that cling to you and enshroud you.

  There are tales even of you rising up to be the leader of a rebellion against the Vampire. How do I know what shall come to pass, what shall be true? It is too much to ask that I harbor her. There are spies even here, and to hide you here would be the doom of us all. I am powerful, but I cannot face the Four families and all the Casts together. Please, understand that I would seek to help you, but it must be in other ways.

  I will stand beside you when the time comes if your side is the right side. I will watch for you, and offer what help I can through the course of all this, but I believe in order to reach your true potential, to become what I believe you will, you must tread your path alone.”

  Belladona let out a cry of grief. “You would send her away from me when only now I have found her? How could you be so cruel?”

  “Tis not cruelty but hope that causes me to act thus. My love, you must see. There are still ways we can help her, but if we coddle her the way she was coddled before…You see how that turned out.”

  Belladonna froze. She looked up at him with hope. “You will still help her then?”

  Nodding, he looked at me. “I will give you a gift. You will be able to call me whenever you need my assistance. This is a gift I do not give lightly.” Turning to face the red headed Belladona, he pulled her into his arms. Looking down at her, he continued, “Only to one other have I ever given such a gift.”

  ͼ ͼ ͼ ͼ

  Tamyra paced the dark alley. She was angry. Glaring down at the black cat, she cursed. “How the hell did you lose her? I mean, is it so hard to watch one girl?”