If anyone noticed that I didn’t pledge my heart and life to her then they didn’t speak. Valentina’s lips lifted into a full smile as the weight of the goddess moved closer to us. I could feel Idun’s power wrapping its way around us like a rope biding our souls together.
Pain blossomed beneath Valentina’s palm on my skin and I sucked in a sharp breath. Valentina gasped as runes began to appear on the flesh above her heart too.
The power finally faded and I retrieved my hand. I glanced down at my skin as Valentina drew back as well and looked at the new tattoo which curled beneath my heart. The runes spoke of love and my bond to the stranger standing opposite me. The desire to burn the thing from my skin gripped me and I clenched my jaw as I forced myself to look away from it.
“It is done!” my father announced. “Let the feast begin!”
A cheer went up from the people surrounding us and they surged forward, slapping my back and calling out their congratulations. I forced a smile onto my face and let them sweep me away from my bride to be.
I hoped the goddess knew the sacrifice I’d made to her. And I hoped she intended to keep her word. Because her promise was the only thing that was keeping me going in that moment.
I’d sat in my room all afternoon, having made my excuses once Miles had taken me back to the castle. He'd returned to his pleasant tone during the journey, but I'd barely said another word to him when I’d realised he wasn't going to tell me more about the mark.
Sitting on my bed, I hugged my knees to my chest, thinking about Nightmare which was now tucked under my pillow. If Miles had found it, would he have been so lenient with me? I couldn't bear to think about what would happen if the royals perceived me as a threat.
The more I thought about choosing Miles at the ceremony, the more fearful I became of my dad’s fate. Why would Erik keep his word to me if I betrayed his? It was too much of a risk. But did I trust him to protect me if I revealed the mark to him? What if he refused to help me then anyway?
No, Miles hadn’t reacted harshly. If anything, he’d seemed possessive of me. Even suggested that all of the humans here had slayer blood running in their veins. Perhaps this mark made me different, but maybe it made me valuable too…
I warred with myself, reaching for Nightmare and taking the hilt in my grasp. I wondered if it could steer me in any particular direction. Insane as it was, the blade did seem to have an opinion on Erik. And a good one at that. I felt in the deepest regions of my bones that I could trust its judgement.
Have faith, Moon Child.
“Have faith in what?” I whispered, feeling foolish the moment I openly replied to the object.
This vampire of old is different.
“You mean Erik?” I asked, but no reply came this time.
I guessed that was as good of an answer as I was going to get. And it had to be enough. My decision was made. I’d tell Erik about the mark.
I hid Nightmare again and waited for Erik to come to my room like he usually did, but the hours ticked by and he never came. As evening arrived, I decided to seek him out myself.
I must be brave and tell him the truth.
Creeping into the hallway, I hurried along it, searching for the red door to his room. I soon found it and lifted my hand, readying to knock.
Hesitation gripped me. Now that Nightmare wasn’t close enough to reassure me, doubts started to trickle in again. What if Erik reacted badly to this? What if he didn’t take it as well as Miles had?
Stress was taking me prisoner and it wasn't letting me knock on that door.
Calm down. Take a breath. Erik won’t hurt you.
But could I be sure of that? Erik had protected me last night, would he continue to do so if he found out what had really happened?
“Impressive, Rebel, nearly a full minute without knocking. Should I be flattered?”
I turned in alarm, finding Erik approaching me in the hallway as silent as ever.
I dropped my hand, my mouth growing dry. Whatever expression was on my face suddenly morphed his into concern.
“What's up?”
“Erik I...need to talk to you,” I said, my palms beginning to sweat.
“Well would you like to do it at a party, we're all going out. Everyone's waiting downstairs, I figured Miles had told you.”
I gaped at him, shaking my head. “I can't, I really need to tell you something.”
He stopped half a foot from me, his brow lowering to shade his eyes. “Go on.”
I opened and closed my mouth.
What if he hates me for this? What if he tells the other royals and they have me locked up? Or worse...executed.
I dug deep for my faith in Erik, but with Nightmare too far away to call on, it wouldn't come. I was choked and unable to force the words out.
He folded his arms, waiting.
I cleared my throat, trying to gather my thoughts as they shattered around me. “Is my father free?” I blurted suddenly.
His eyes swam with confusion. “Not yet, Wolfe is on his way there. He'll be free by tomorrow.”
“I changed my mind,” I said suddenly. “I want you to let him go. Once he's free, release him outside the Realms.”
He gazed at me in astonishment. But maybe this way I could keep my secret and still give my father a chance at freedom.
“That is a big ask,” he growled.
“Please,” I breathed. “Don't bring him here, he'll hate it. I just want him to be free, where he always wanted to be.” And maybe he’ll find Callie and they’ll evade the vampires together.
He shook his head. “Rebel, it's not that simple. There are laws I must follow.”
I reached for him, gripping his arm tightly. “Please,” I begged, desperation drowning me.
He took my hand in his, drawing me closer.
“Please,” I whispered again, hating myself for being reduced to begging. But it was that or trust him and my faith in him was floundering. Dad had impressed upon me never to trust vampires, it was ingrained in me. How could I go against that?
Erik nodded stiffly. “I'll do my best.”
“More than that,” I urged. “Promise me, Erik.” I moved into his personal space, driven on by my need, sliding my hand up his arm and gripping the back of his neck.
His throat bobbed as he gazed at me.
“Montana...” he said in a dry voice.
I tip-toed, pressing against him, willing him to comply.
Say yes, please say yes.
He nodded at last and I released a shuddering breath, pressing my forehead to his chest. He ran a hand down my spine and electricity sparked through my veins.
“You're shaking,” he commented, drawing me into a firm embrace. “What's gotten into you?”
“After last night, I'm afraid,” I said and it was partly true, but not for the reason Erik believed. I was afraid of this mark and what it meant. I was afraid for my own life and of what would happen if I chose wrongly at the ceremony. But most of all, I was afraid for the only people I cared about in the world. Callie and Dad had to be safe, that was all that mattered.
I pressed my cheek to his chest, breathing in his rich scent, comforted by his hold and this quiet moment of peace.
I wish I could trust him.
Erik reached into my hair, releasing a soft sigh. “I'll always protect you.”
Did he mean it? Maybe I should have told him the truth. But even as I considered it all over again, he stepped away and took my hand. “Come, get ready. We'll enjoy the night and you'll feel better.”
I moved to follow but a deep, male voice called from Erik’s room. “A circle of gold shall join two souls…”
Erik stiffened at the voice and I turned to the door, a strange presence creeping over me.
“Who’s in there?” I asked, my skin chilling all over. Something drew me toward the door and I found myself opening it.
“No one.” Erik followed me as I stepped into his room.
Dark walls stared back at me. The s
pace was vast with a huge four-poster at the heart of it, draped with blood-red curtains. Beyond the bed was a large desk piled with books.
I glanced over my shoulder and Erik watched me intently as I approached the desk, my heart drawn to something atop it. I scoured the names of the books; all of them had titles to do with Norse mythology but I didn’t really know what that meant.
As I search for the source of the strange pull in my chest, my eyes fell on a silver hand mirror. The handle was engraved with flowers, running up and around the oval glass. It was captivating, more than just beautiful. Something about it called to me almost like Nightmare did. I picked it up and Erik darted to my side in a flash of movement.
“Don’t,” he warned, but I didn’t know why.
My reflection stared back at me. It was just a normal object...wasn’t it?
“What is this?” I asked.
Erik took it from me, his face etched with some unreadable emotion. “It’s just a mirror.”
I shook my head, certain it was more than that, but I didn’t know why.
Erik’s grip tightened on the handle and his eyes searched his own mirrored gaze. As I watched, his reflection smiled, but when I looked up Erik wasn’t.
“What the…” I stared at him hoping for an answer, but he gave me none.
Erik placed the mirror face-down on the desk, his eyes hardening. “Forget you saw this.”
“Why?” I demanded, my neck prickling uncomfortably.
“I shouldn’t have let you come in,” he said, but not harshly.
I frowned, hugging my arms around myself as the room seemed to grow colder. “I heard a voice Erik, who was that?”
He sighed wearily, taking hold of my arm. Something stopped me from pulling away. I sensed a heaviness weighing on him. And I was sure it had to do with that mirror.
“I have lived a thousand years, Montana,” he said and shock rolled through me. That long? It was impossible to imagine living so many lifetimes, seeing the world change through all that time.
“The mirror is almost as old. Sometimes it speaks to me....in riddles.”
“What?” I breathed, thinking of Nightmare. Did this mirror speak to Erik the same way the blade spoke to me? I knew I couldn’t ask too many questions without revealing my possession of the knife. It was too risky. There was so much we didn’t know about each other and it was too difficult to put my faith in him.
“Forget the mirror.” Erik squeezed my arm. “Let’s go out and enjoy ourselves for once.”
I sighed, giving in. I had my own secrets to keep and Erik clearly had his, so I nodded, letting him guide me across the room.
We exited into the hallway and a feeling of relief swept over me at putting some distance between the mirror. Its aura was oppressive, unlike Nightmare’s warm presence.
Erik escorted me to my room, halting me outside it. His eyes bored into mine, holding a hundred unsaid words in them. Taking a breath he whispered, “Go get ready.”
I slipped away into my room, shutting the door between us. It felt like much more parted us. An entire sea of secrets. But until I found a way to trust him, it had to remain that way no matter how curious I was about that mirror.
As quickly as possible, I changed into a pale blue gown of soft silk and did my make-up as best as I could. My hair had curled from the time in the pool, but it looked surprisingly okay so I left it as it was. Exiting the room, Erik took my hand and I soaked in the final moment of comfort before the reality of my horribly complicated situation sank in again.
Nightmare was strapped to my thigh once more and it seemed to purr in response to Erik. It was a strange sensation and I wondered why it reacted to him differently than it did the other vampires. It was weird enough that the blade seemed to emit certain feelings at all.
“Fabian will be there tonight,” Erik said, dragging me back to reality. “If you get a chance to listen in on any of his conversations, I'd appreciate it.”
I realised he seemed agitated which was only apparent because of the way he kept pushing his hand into his hair. I'd not seen him like this before; something was bothering him.
“Okay,” I agreed. “Is everything alright?”
“I think so.” He squeezed my hand and his thumb brushed back and forth across my knuckles.
My stomach swirled as I realised he wasn't doing this for show. No one was looking at us as we approached the staircase. My breathing quickened and I wondered how such a tiny movement could fan the flames of a thousand fires in my body.
Clarice waited in the hall below us in an incredible black gown that hugged her narrow waist. Beside her was another one of her Courtiers with sun-kissed skin and huge muscles. I vaguely recalled his name was Luke.
“I sent the others ahead,” Clarice announced, tossing a golden curl over her shoulder. She beamed at me as we joined them. “You look gorgeous, Montana.” Her eyes snapped to Erik. “Miles took Brianna with him, she looked a bit disappointed.”
“She'll get over it,” Erik growled, gripping my hand tighter. “Montana would have missed the party if I hadn't fetched her.”
Clarice shook her head at him with a knowing smile. “Well we wouldn't want that, would we Erik?”
He pursed his lips and said nothing more. My heart beat a little harder. Most likely, he just wanted me to spy on Fabian.
Clarice clapped her hands. “Come on, the car's waiting.”
She took Luke’s arm and we followed them down the corridor leading toward the entrance hall. Erik released my hand and slid his arm around my waist instead, pulling me against his hip. I glanced up at him and he looked down. His touch was starting an earthquake in my body which was impossible to ignore. Why was he all over me again? His moods were as fickle as the wind.
Clarice led the way out of the castle and we were swallowed by darkness as we followed, moving down the steps.
Two black cars awaited us on the road and Erik promptly steered me toward one of them, opening the door and sliding in beside me. Clarice and Luke headed off in the other vehicle and our driver sped after them.
I understood the concept of a party from what Dad had told me, but attending one was something else. I had no idea what to expect as we carved a path through the flood-lit streets of New York, gazing out of the window in search of our destination.
As we arrived on a brightly lit street, I spotted a crowd of vampires on the pavement behind a cordon. A row of guards held them back with large guns strapped to their bodies. The crowd’s faces were skewed with anger and they held signs in their hands which highlighted the cause of their protest. The words written on them made my stomach churn.
We have the right to bite!
Let us chase the human race.
We won’t abstain from the vein!
“Who are they?” I asked, turning to Erik.
He scowled out at them. “Rebels. They don’t want human blood provided to them. They want to hunt for it.”
My breathing hitched and he reached out, resting a hand on my wrist. “It’s just a bunch of fanatics. My family and I would never allow it to happen. Well...most of us anyway.”
“Fabian?” I guessed as nausea gripped me. “He supports them?”
“Not openly. But I have my suspicions. They have been more organised lately. My guess is that someone more powerful is leading them.”
We rolled up opposite the crowd beside a fine-looking building on the corner of the road. It was a gigantic square tower of cream stone with an impressive porch. Flags of red, white and blue hung from a balcony over the doorway, fluttering in the breeze.
A guard before the entrance hurried forward to open the car door and Erik stepped out, pulling me after him by the hand.
The crowd started shouting as they spotted Erik, chanting, “We have the right to bite!” over and over until the words were drilled into my head.
Erik ignored them, pulling me toward the doorway but I glanced over my shoulder to look back at them. Some bared their fangs at me, openl
y salivating.
“Erik give the humans to us! Their blood belongs to everyone!” a female vampire cried, looking desperate to move past the armed guards.
Erik’s jaw ticked as he led me up the steps, but I couldn’t look away. A shadowy figure caught my eye amongst the crowd, standing rigidly with no picket in hand. He was huge, built with muscle and something about him screamed familiarity. Though his hood was pulled up and his face was shrouded, I was certain I recognised him.
“Erik,” I hissed, tugging his sleeve.
He turned to me with concern and I pointed back at the crowd. I narrowed my gaze, searching for the vampire, but he was gone.
“What is it?” Erik asked.
“I…” I looked left and right, hunting for the vampire who’d reminded me of the frightening brute who’d killed Faulkner. But I hadn’t seen him properly and there could have been a hundred vampires like him in the city. Maybe I was wrong.
“Rebel?” Erik questioned.
“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head, convincing myself I was imagining things.
“Come on then.” Erik guided me up the steps and I tried to shake the anxious feeling crawling up my spine.
As we approached the door, I spied a name above it written in golden lettering on the frosted glass. The Plaza.
“What is this place?” I asked, thankful for the distraction.
Erik slid his arm around my shoulders.“It's a hotel, a place people stay when they're visiting from elsewhere.”
“Are we staying here?” I frowned. We hadn't exactly come far from the castle. What was the point in it?
“No, we're using some of the rooms for the party that's all.”
“Oh,” I breathed, ready to ask more questions, but as we stepped into the entrance hall, my thoughts abandoned me. An ornate floor sprawled out before us, decorated with painted red roses on swirling gold vines. A huge table at the heart of the room was topped by an elaborate arrangement of white flowers.
Vampires milled about the space in elegant clothing; the women wore sparkling dresses and high heels which they walked in with impossible ease. The men were dressed almost as fine as Erik with long-tailed coats and bright waistcoats glinting beneath them.
Age of Vampires- The Complete Series Page 38
