by Nadia Heaton
“Have… haven’t you been taught the histories?” Vince asked hesitantly.
“Of course I have,” Tristan snapped. “That’s why I think war is a bad option. Do you even know how many people died in the last war? Vampires, witches and humans, all slaughtered!” She forced herself to stop talking. She wasn’t convincing anyone, and if she wanted to get inside information, she needed to make these people believe she was wiling to become a part of their cause.
Tristan continued in a calmer tone. “Is there more information that I’m missing? I mean, we’ve been living in peace for generations. Is there any reason to believe that this recent spat isn’t just a few isolated witches causing trouble? We’ve had spats like this in the past on both sides, but we’ve managed to move past them.”
“This is more than that. This has gone too far to resolve peacefully.” Zan looked so grim that he almost had Tristan believing him. She gulped, wondering just what she’d gotten herself into. “What you say might have been true, except for Mirabelle. She’s one of the strongest coven leaders around, and she’s whipping the witches into a rage against vampires. She isn’t going to give up this war, and with her still alive, we can’t give it up either, whether we want to or not.”
From what Tristan had heard, it didn’t sound much like the vampires wanted to, but maybe they could be persuaded if they thought there was a real chance. After all, she didn’t need them to like witches, she just needed them to be willing not to throw the entire world back into the dark ages.
But that wasn’t her purpose here. If Lisette couldn’t convince them, Tristan certainly wasn’t going to be able to. Her job was to get inside information and pass it on.
She didn’t have to fake her look of worry. “What are we supposed to do? We can’t allow the witches to wipe us out. Vampires are needed to balance the power of the witches.” Just as witches were needed to balance the power of the vampires, but she didn’t say that.
“We fight.” A couple of people nodded in approval at Zan, and he continued. “We start by recruiting people. Moving against the witches before we have sufficient manpower would be suicide. Once we have enough to take them out, we do so in one great sweep, before they can begin to organize a defense.”
“What about Mirabelle? If she’s the cause of the problems, wouldn’t assassinating her be a better option?”
“We’ve thought about that.” A handsome vampire named Gregory stepped a little closer. “It was a debate for a while, but we eventually decided it wouldn’t work. Killing their leader would only enrage the witches more. They’d be set on revenge and not at all willing to resolve this peacefully.”
That much was probably true. Tristan certainly wasn’t complaining. It wasn’t like she wanted Mirabelle dead, though it might have been helpful if the vampires had been willing to assist in capturing her.
“Speaking of leaders, where is Rashid?” Gregory looked around, and a couple of people shook their heads.
“I haven’t seen him since he stormed out this morning.” Vince grimaced. “He looked mad. Maybe it’s a good thing he’s taken some time to cool off.”
There were murmurs of agreement which Tristan wholeheartedly supported. She had no desire to see Rashid in that terrifying form again anytime soon.
The rest of dinner passed easily enough, with some chatting but not a lot of talk about specific plans. Everyone seemed to want to wait for Rashid, though there was some worry about his absence. According to the vampires who had been staying here for a while, he’d been distracted recently, and some were starting to question his leadership.
Tristan knew what was driving Rashid off the deep end, leading him to isolate himself and crack up. There had been no word from Ariana; he was probably frantic to find her. She kept this information to herself, though, not wanting anyone to start guessing at what sources she had.
As Tristan was walking back to her tower room, Gregory caught up with her. “I was going for an evening hunt – I hate stored blood, and there is plenty of fresh game in the woods around here. Fancy joining me? I’m always happy to show a beautiful woman the sights around here.”
He gave her a flirty wink, sending a shiver of fear down Tristan’s spine. Gregory seemed nice enough, but he was still a vampire, and she didn’t know how well he’d handle rejection.
She certainly didn’t want to drink blood, though, which left her with few options. Tristan gave him an apologetic smile. “Perhaps another night. I’m a bit tired, I want to get to bed.”
“Sure, see you Victoria.” Gregory smiled at her and walked off, leaving Tristan staring after him.
For all that she’d always been the most open minded of the four sisters, she’d still been worried, and Gregory had put her to shame. It brought home once more that vampires weren’t all that different to witches. Underneath all the magic and stigma, they were all really just people.
Of course, they had a darker side – if Vince and Zan were to be obeyed, the world would be thrown into war. Zan may think that there was a chance of taking out all the witch opposition in one blow, but that was a stupidly optimistic wish. Witches wouldn’t go down that easily. If the vampires attacked, the witches would defend, and they would have war.
The worst part was that it seemed the witches were just as likely to attack first as the vampires, with Mirabelle in charge. Tristan felt like a helpless bystander, unable to check the seemingly unstoppable tide of conflict that was coming for them. She shielded her tower room thoroughly before initiating a link with Fleur to make her report. She just hoped that it helped, because if it didn’t, she didn’t know how many people would be left to pick up the pieces when the war was over.
9
The hut was a mess, and that was nothing compared to the tunnels below. Those witches who remained with her had taken refuge on the other side of the catacombs, behind one of the collapsed tunnels.
Mirabelle knew she was scaring them, but she couldn’t seem to bring herself under control. Every effort to find Ariana had failed. She’d lost count of the number of times she had lost her temper and let her magic get away with her.
Whirlwinds and explosions seemed to follow Mirabelle around now, and she couldn’t seem to have a normal conversation without degenerating into screaming at whoever she was talking to.
This couldn’t go on. She had to find Ariana. She was spinning out of control, knowing that her daughter was out there somewhere, probably thinking that Mirabelle hated her. Ariana had just found out she was a witch. She’d need guidance on how to manage her powers, and not being there to help her with it was a constant ache in Mirabelle’s belly.
For maybe the hundredth time, she thought of Rashid. Mirabelle harshly pushed the thought down. She was not going to a vampire for help. She’d done everything she could to forget what happened between her and Rashid.
After failing miserably in this attempt, Mirabelle had decided that she simply wouldn’t think about it any more than she could help it, and she certainly wouldn’t allow herself to be within a dozen feet of Rashid anytime soon. No way did she need that kind of temptation while she was supposed to be finding Ariana.
There was no question, however, that she needed help. Mirabelle had no experience or knowledge in tracking down vampires, and none of her attempts had even gotten her close. The witches she’d surrounded herself with hated vampires almost as much as she did, and the only advice they’d been able to offer was along the lines of beheading vampires or leading into spells that would cause them to self-combust.
Of course, there was one more avenue that Mirabelle had yet to explore. Her nieces would know very well how to track down a vampire, but how could she face them and ask them for help? Would it even be safe? Judging from Fleur’s recent attempts to break into her hut, they were still trying to capture and confine her, to stop her from pressing war against vampires.
Mirabelle was getting to the point where she didn’t care anymore. Let them confine her, as long as they helped her find her daugh
ter. They had no reason to help her, but what else could she do? This was her last option.
Maybe Barrett would help her. Unlike most of her nieces, he wasn’t in love with a vampire. Perhaps he’d be more inclined to forgive her indiscretions. If Mirabelle could get him on her side, she was sure he’d be able to convince Tristan and Fleur to help.
Well, if she was going to do it, there was no point in putting it off. Mirabelle sat down at the remains of her desk and scribbled a hurried note, not trusting her magic to deliver a message without causing destruction while she was so distressed.
Amanda
I’ve gone to my brother to ask for help in finding Ariana. If I’m not back in two days, please assume that I have been captured and I’m in need of rescue. I’m sorry about all of this. Once I find Ariana, everything will be better.
Mirabelle
At this point, she didn’t know if the witches would even bother with a rescue attempt, or consider themselves well shot of her. Mirabelle honestly couldn’t blame them if they chose the latter. She’d hardly been a model for good leadership ever since she’d found out about Ariana.
Mirabelle teleported to a secluded spot a few blocks away from Barrett’s house, then walked the rest of the way. She could feel magic rippling around her, but didn’t make any attempt to thwart it. Fleur and Tristan were no doubt listening to internal alarms warning them of her approach.
She hesitated, but it was too late to turn back now; they already knew she was here. Mirabelle raised her hand and knocked on the door.
Fleur answered a moment later, her movements cautious, as though getting ready to fling up a shield at any moment. She looked surprised that Mirabelle hadn’t waltzed in like she used to, but Mirabelle had judged it safer to knock. She didn’t want to be entangled in a trap, and getting into a magical fight with her family was the last thing she needed.
“Hi, Fleur. Can I come in?”
Fleur nodded, her face set in concentration. Mirabelle could sense the powerful wards her niece was putting up around her, and she didn’t fight them. As she’d expected, she was being contained. Once the wards were all up, even she wouldn’t be able to break through them.
Mirabelle was hoping to convince her family to let her go. She wasn’t willing to fight them, not after what had happened to Lisette. They may decide to keep holding her, but that was a risk she would take, if it meant she had a real chance at finding Ariana.
Barrett and Emily were already in the kitchen. Fleur gestured Mirabelle to one of the empty chairs. Mirabelle grimaced, sitting down and feeling the wards snap around her like a clam shell. Now she was truly stuck, but she wasn’t interested in leaving, at least not yet.
“What do you want?” Fleur’s voice was cold, and Mirabelle bit back a retort about how Fleur should show more respect for her coven leader. She turned to her brother, speaking only to him.
“Barrett… I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done. You know I’d never have hurt Lisette on purpose. I think about her every day. If I could take it back…”
“My daughter is still alive, Mirabelle. The other victims of your war may not be so lucky.”
“I’m not here about that. I know that our views on vampires aren’t going to align anytime soon.”
Fleur snorted, but didn’t say anything.
Mirabelle continued as if she hadn’t heard. “I came because I need… I need help.”
This time, Fleur wasn’t content to remain quiet. “Help? You’re coming to us for help? What about your army, why don’t they help you?”
“Fleur,” Barret said quietly, “let’s hear her out. She’s still family, no matter what has happened between us.”
“I have to find Ariana.”
“Yeah, right, like we’re going to let you anywhere near her.”
“I wouldn’t hurt her! How could you think that of me, Fleur?” If she was being honest, Mirabelle knew exactly how Fleur could think that of her, but she was still hurt.
“So why do you want to find her, then, if not to hurt her?” It was clear from Barrett’s tone that he’d been told everything.
“When I found out… I panicked. I ran. She must think I hate her now. I just need to see her, to get a chance to apologize. I want to know her.”
Even Fleur seemed to soften slightly at this. “She’s still half vampire, like Lisette.’
“She’s my daughter. I…” Mirabelle thought about what Rashid had said, that a cure was impossible. As much as she didn’t want to, she believed him. “Vampire or not, I still want to be with her. I’ve already missed so much…”
Fleur was the first one to ask the question that had to be on everyone’s mind. “What does this mean for your war on vampires?”
“I don’t know,” Mirabelle answered honestly. “I really don’t. All I know is that I need to find Ariana. I’ve tried everything I can think of, but I don’t have any spell that can track vampires. Please, will you help me?”
Barrett was the first one to answer. “Of course. Of course, we’ll help you. I love you, Mirabelle, even if I don’t agree with some of your decisions. Besides, I want to meet my niece.”
“Thank you.” Mirabelle’s voice was little more than a whisper. She turned to Fleur, knowing that her agreement was crucial. “Fleur? I don’t want to remain a prisoner here, but if that’s the price of your help, I won’t fight you.”
Fleur sighed. “We can decide what to do later. For now, you’re right. Ariana is family, and she could be in trouble for all we know. I’ll help you find her, but after that, we’re going to talk about your war on vampires.”
Mirabelle nodded. She didn’t know what to say. Somehow, destroying vampires didn’t feel as right as it always had before. Rashid and Ariana were vampires, and she didn’t want them dead. What right did she have to make exceptions? How was that any different to Fleur not wanting Savion killed?
Perhaps something of her troubled thoughts showed on her face, because Barrett leaned forward and put his hand over hers. “It’s never too late to make amends, Mirabelle. You could turn this all around.”
“How? I may be able to make peace between witches and vampires, and find Ariana, but I can never undo what I did to Lisette.” She pressed her lips together, willing herself not to cry. The guilt bubbled inside her like lava. Mirabelle didn’t think she’d ever get over causing her niece’s death, no matter how long she lived for.
“She’s not dead.” Barrett’s voice wasn’t angry. He wasn’t looking at her like he hated her, like she’d killed her daughter. “Lisette may not be the same lively daughter I remember, but at her core, she is the same. Her personality, values and memories are all the same as they were before she was turned. I’m not saying you weren’t wrong, but you didn’t kill her.”
If only she could believe that. Mirabelle desperately wanted to believe him, but before she could say anything more on the subject, the door burst open.
A vampire hurried in. Mirabelle leapt up at once, barely registering that Fleur had let the wards around her drop in surprise.
“Fleur, I’ve come to –”
“ – give me news of Savion,” Fleur interrupted, suddenly looking scared. “Did they take him?”
The vampire faltered, but Fleur didn’t wait for an answer. She put an arm around the vampire and quickly led her outside.
Mirabelle didn’t like it; there was something off about the situation. As the pair left the house, she whispered a listening spell that would allow her to hear everything Fleur and the vampire were saying. She tensed, waiting to see if Fleur sensed the spell, but it seemed that Fleur was distracted with worry for Savion. The spell latched on unnoticed.
Mirabelle sat down at the table, listening intently.
10
“What’s wrong?” Tristan didn’t understand why Fleur looked so worried by her appearance. “You do remember who I am, don’t you?” Surely, her sister wouldn’t have forgotten the appearance of the disguise she’d helped make?
“Of course
I do, I just didn’t want anyone else hearing. Mirabelle is in the kitchen, I had to make up an excuse and get you out of there before you started talking.”
Tristan grimaced as she realized what a big mistake she almost made. “Mirabelle? What’s she doing here? Do you need help?”
“I’m fine, for now, you’ve got your own job to do. She isn’t here to fight, at least not yet. She wants help finding Ariana. I’ve agreed to help her.”
“Is that wise? Shouldn’t you be locking her up and keeping her somewhere secluded?”
“For now, all she wants is Ariana, and she’s right. What with everything going on, we should be keeping tabs on everyone in the family, Ariana included. We won’t know if she’s in trouble unless we’re in contact with her.
“Besides, even if she’s not in physical danger, she must be torn up about how Mirabelle reacted to finding out Ariana is her daughter. Mirabelle wants to make amends. I think it’ll be good for both of them.”
“Well, you should do whatever you think is best, but be careful. What do Lisette and Bethany say?”
“I haven’t had time to contact either of them. Mirabelle just arrived. Enough of that, though. Why are you here? You’re supposed to be posted at Rashid’s.”
“I have a report for you, and I didn’t want to risk sending it by magic, it’s too important. Rashid has gone off the deep end, he’s not leading anyone right now, all he cares about is finding Ariana. Vince and Zan have taken over for him, though, and it’s not good. They’ve finally recruited enough vampires to enact their plans. They’re taking a group to the Antarctic to take the eternal flame from the witches. That way, when they finally make a broader attack, the witches won’t have any leverage over them.”
Some of her own panic was mirrored on Fleur’s face. “How? It’s too cold for them, they can’t survive up there!”
“They took a leaf out of Mirabelle’s book. You remember that submarine she created to attack the vampires underwater? Well, Zan has hired some engineers to make suits for the vampires, kind of like space suits. They’re heated, so the vampires will be able to survive and move around. I’ve seen them being tested, and they don’t seem to reduce vampire speed at all.”
