For a second, she thought Ryan would do something, even though it was a foolish thought.
Lukas screamed. The vampire guards licked their lips as they watched their leader feasting on the wizard. “Stop! Stop!” Naya yelled. “We don’t deserve this,” she pleaded to no one in particular, and Ezequiel pulled back, his mouth covered in blood. Lukas fainted, his neck still dripping blood, completely devoid of life.
Ryan stood there, with his back to the wall, doing nothing. She couldn’t believe it. She knew their love was a lie—but how could she have been so wrong?
The vampire lord darted to her, flitting so fast, his ancient powers honed. He grabbed her chin, touching her with long, bony fingers. “You were created to serve usssssss,” he hissed, like a snake. He moved his head slowly to the side. “You must learn this lesson, insolent child. Do not resist me.” He stood up straight, shuddering like he was in a trance. “Offer me your neck, or I’ll suck your blood dry,” he said, cruel and greedy for her life blood.
His fangs seemed to grow even longer, and she felt the vampire’s viper fangs sharp against her neck.
Ryan pulled himself from the wall. “Master!”
Ezequiel pulled himself out of his trance. His fangs slowly retracted, and he turned his attention to Ryan, but kept his hand on her throat. “There’s an emergency. We need you, now.”
The Kulikov brother let her go, and she fell, limp, only held up by the chains. “You got lucky, two-kind,” he hissed, “but your fear will make the blood taste even sweeter.” He looked at his two guards. “Feed them…and give her the special serum, just for fun,” he said, smiling with malice and walking out of the room.
“A special request, just for you,” said one of the guards, smiling that evil wolf smile. He jabbed a syringe into her arm. The serum penetrated her skin like a poison, too painful, and she screamed even though her throat was dry and aching. It was used to torture her, probably to make the blood taste sweeter, or just for the sadistic cruelty of the evil vampires. The agony of her soul breaking and knowing her love was just an illusion, that cold pain of heartbreak, was so much worse than anything.
She screamed at the physical agony, but her tears had a name—Ryan.
Even when the pain subsided, she cried softly to herself, mourning her love. The traitor made her weak, treated her like a fool, and brought her to this place of sorrow.
He came back again—it must have been night, or day, there was no telling time, and watched the room. Seeing him only made it so much worse. She’d rather be drained of blood again than have to look at the hideous guy.
Wizards were moaning along with witches, and finally they fell asleep, exhausted, and only Naya remained awake, unable to sleep with her heart aching.
The second guard looked at Naya, licking his lips. Ryan turned to him. “Ezequiel said to get another dose of the serum. He wants her punished for her insolence.”
“Me? I’m on duty. We should send someone else.”
Ryan shrugged. “I’m just following orders. He said nothing tastes sweeter than tortured blood… plus, they’re sleeping, and chained up. You think they’re a match for me?”
The guard nodded, greedy. “You’re right. Pain gives it that extra…spice,” he said, grinning. “And witches and wizards are no match for a pure-blood.” He left, and Naya shuddered at the thought of another dose of the serum. It was too much.
She clamped her eyes shut, willing everything to go away, when she felt a presence next to her.
Ryan.
She wanted to scream at him, yell, punch him, but she was too weak. Her eyes spoke for themselves, all of her hate and rage distilled and shooting daggers at him. He didn’t deserve a word.
“Listen to me. We don’t have much time,” he whispered.
“Listen?” He clamped her mouth shut.
“Shh. No one can hear me.” Naya frowned, bewildered. “I infiltrated them—I had to, they were going to attack the school, and no one could stop them. I’m going to get you out of here.” He raised his eyebrow, then let go of her mouth.
“How naïve do you think I am? You can’t fool me,” she said, hissing.
“I thought you might say that.” He grabbed her hand, tight. “Focus.”
Before Naya could say a word, he looked into her eyes—and for the first time, she could sense feelings. Images darted through her eyes, and she felt his pain, as bad as when she was in the throes of the serum.
She felt how he looked at her.
In his mind, she was a strong, beautiful, powerful woman. His image of her was the only pure thing in a sea of pain at having to be involved with the cruel vampires.
He let go of her hand, and she was speechless and overwhelmed.
“About… time,” gasped out Lukas, weak, still managing to keep a dramatic flair in his words.
“I’m sorry, Ryan,” she said, and there were no more tears left. “I thought…”
“It’s okay. We don’t have much time.” He gave her a huge hug. “Wait for my signal tomorrow. We’re going to take these killers down. I’m going to pretend to use the serum on you—so you have to scream again, okay? I need you to act.”
She nodded, scared. He fished out something from a pocket in his robe—a flask. He uncorked it, and gave her a big drink of pure water. Then he rushed to Lukas and let him drink before hiding the flask back in his pocket right as the second vampire guard entered.
“This will season the meat.”
“Let me do it. I’ve enjoyed making her fall in love with me…the hatred mixed with the pain will be more delicious than anything we’ve ever tasted.”
The vampire guard laughed, low and cruel, and Ryan pretended to inject the syringe. She screamed out, and other wizards and witches awoke, weak and terrified.
Then Ryan went back to his place at the wall, and though she pretended to scream, she felt that her soul was weak again.
Her heart beat with the strength to handle whatever the Kulikov brothers had planned for her. Ryan was on her side and nothing could stop them from succeeding. In their secret trainings together, they knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses so well it was almost like they could sense each other’s thoughts.
Lukas was weakened from the blood loss, but he too had a star birthmark that showed his unlimited power.
It must have been the next morning. All the wizards and witches were nearly faint from the lack of food and water – they were barely fed. Everyone was tense, looking around stressed, knowing that their blood would be taken again. Naya and Lukas had a calm resolve, ready for whatever could happen.
The two vampire guards watching them licked their lips in anticipation. They would feast at the end of their shift, while the clear pipes must bring the blood directly to the Kulikov brothers.
Ryan came in, with ten masked guards, their features hidden by the evil contraptions. They walked behind the prisoners when Ryan ripped off his mask, yelling, “Now!”
Five of the guards ripped off their masks at once.
Amy, Trevor, Mr. Vickers, Elizabeth and Ms. Zove appeared from nowhere. A guard injected Lukas with serum, and he screamed in pain, but Ryan hit him hard with a punch that cracked the vampire’s mouth and knocked him down. Amy and Trevor were working on breaking the chains while Mr. Vickers coldly fought the other vampire guards. While they were freeing the prisoners, they quickly handed out inhibitor pills to counteract what the vampires had done to them to stop their powers.
“Come get it,” hissed Mr. Vickers, and cut down one with a sweep of his claws.
The screams and yells and sounds of the fight drew too much attention. Baltus appeared at the entryway.
“How dare you disturb my home!” He screamed out the challenge.
Elizabeth broke Naya’s chains with a corrosive potion, then threw the rest of it at Baltus. He tried to dodge, but it was too late, and the potion burned at his face, eating him alive with liquid fire. The ancient vampire fell to the ground, and they freed Lukas, helping him recove
r consciousness.
“Kill them!” Baltus screamed as he clawed at his burning face, commanding the vampires outside.
The newly freed prisoners joined the battle. The pills took quick effect, and they cast first year spells as fast as they could, using their magic to levitate the chains and hit the vampires, knocking them back. All together, they were able to stop the tide of attackers. Naya grabbed Lukas’s arm, but he couldn’t even stand.
“My dear…” he coughed, his voice weak. “If you want to make it…you need to take my powers.”
“No!” she screamed at him, and felt for his pulse. It was getting weaker. The serum had been the last straw—he was dying. “Don’t, Lukas, you are too weak, it can…” Her voice cracked.
“Kill me, take my powers…” He looked down, and Naya shook her head, pulling away from him. “Then hold my hand, dammit, take my hand,” he gasped. She held his hand, trusting him, and with the last of his strength he yelled out a single word.
“Liberatum!” Somehow his voice had strength, booming out, and sparks and light flowed from Lukas to Naya.
“A transfusion!” Elizabeth gasped in awe. “Everyone, link hands!” All the witches and wizards grabbed their hands together, and Naya felt the flow of power from them bursting through her.
She had never felt so much power. It welled up in her. Everything glowed and silver sparks clouded her vision.
Baltus charged, his face melting from the acid, and screamed out “No!” He tried to break the chain, but Naya’s eyes lit with fire.
She floated in the air, facing Baltus down, and Baltus’s fangs drew out. He charged her and all the lights that were holding her turned to embers of orange and red fire and smashed against him. The other vampire guards were covered in the powerful lights and magma, and he screamed out as he was burnt, his hair incinerated and his robes turned to dust.
The wizards let go and all collapsed at once, spent from the force of giving her the power. They had to get out, before anyone else came, all of them weak and vulnerable. Ryan grabbed Lukas, holding him up, and the withered body of the burnt Baltus groped weakly at Ryan. “Don’t be a fool…you belong…with us…it’s in your blood…it’s in your blood.”
Then he closed his eyes, trying to summon up a last bit of power when Elizabeth stabbed a wooden stick through his heart. The vampire’s eyes shot open and he screamed then turned to dust, his hand falling from Ryan.
Naya felt so weak—then from the top of the stairs, vampires poured in. So many of them, there was no way to fight them. These were ancient beasts, with yellow-red eyes and bone white fangs. They charged and Naya summoned all her strength, opening a portal—and collapsed, blacking out from the pain and exertion.
Naya’s eyes cleared, and she looked around. She was in the main hall of the Academy, along with the weak, stressed students who had been captured. They were shaking with relief and fear.
Mrs. Belour’s high heels clinked. “You’re back!” she gasped out, not understanding.
“Please, Lukas needs help! Now!” Naya pointed to Lukas, in Ryan’s hands.
Mrs. Belour and two teachers grabbed Lukas, pulling him to the infirmary, and Ryan rushed to Naya. He gave her a hug. She looked at him, full of trust, and gave him a long, sweet kiss, knowing there would be time to explain everything. They were lifted in the air, their love pure again, and the sparkling lights of her magic filled her.
He held her tight, nearly breaking down from the stress, needing her as much as she needed him. As they came down from their magical kiss, she heard cheers and whistles. The rest of the students had come to greet them, and the rescued witches and wizards were already gushing about what had happened.
They held each other’s hands, walking through the cheering crowd.
16
Naya and Amy were dressing to receive a medal from the General himself, in honor of their bravery, when there was a knock at the door. Ryan entered as they laughed in relief.
“Baby, are you ready?” Naya kissed him softly, and Amy made a funny face, imitating her words.
“Yeah…” He looked down. “Can we talk outside for a second?”
She nodded, letting Amy know they would meet her at the ceremony. He walked with her down to the balcony, where they could talk in private.
“What’s going on?”
“I wanted to…I wanted to talk to you.” He sighed, unable to touch her hands. “What Baltus said before he died, it’s true. I have cursed blood.” Naya was dazed.
“A few weeks ago, I got a horrible letter. It said that my real parents belonged to the Thiliviel family.” A tear came down his cheeks. “My real name is Durnan Thiliviel.” He turned away from her. “I come from a family of killers, Naya, and you deserve better. I saw how disgusted you were.”
“Ryan, stop!” She faced him, holding his hands. “I don’t care about your name. I have seen your true essence. Your heart.” She smiled, cleansing his tears from his cheeks. “You have a wonderful, warm heart, full of love and kindness.” He looked at her eyes, finding hope.
“Your name could be Voight, or Thiliviel, or anything you want, but it doesn’t change who you are.” She touched his chest, where his heart was. “This makes you you, my love.” He hugged her tight, feeling secure again.
“I love you, Naya Colt. I’m the luckiest guy on earth, having you at my side.”
“I know,” she said, and they both laughed at her cheeky comment. “So do I, Ryan,” she said, and they sealed the moment with a kiss.
“I don’t even care about the ceremony. I could stay with you forever,” he said, smiling—and they kissed again, lifting up, until they were almost late and had to rush.
As they walked across the stage, she realized her whole life had been turned upside down, showing her the strength she didn’t think she had. General Nikit made his speech, thanking the heroes, but she barely heard the words.
She couldn't stop to wonder how lucky she was to have found a place like this. Finally, her life came to this—becoming a powerful witch with extraordinary vampire abilities, having the most amazing and supportive friends she could ever wish for, and being by the side of the most amazing man in the world. She knew that next to Ryan, they could have the greatest love story ever.
And this was just the beginning.
About the Author
Estefania Lezameta Mino is an emerging author of YA romance and fantasy.
The Mage-Blood Test is her debut book. From Lima, Peru, her first language is Spanish. Estefania holds a bachelor degree in Economics. After university, she embarked into business, giving a chance for one of her many passions. She co-founded an inclusive fashion line for women of all sizes, which is a 100% Peruvian company from design to production.
Estefania has always considered herself as a hopeless romantic. Whether it’s books, movies, or musicals, she always picks romance.
In 2019, Estefania travelled to Cusco, a wonderful city in the highlands of Peru. This is where the idea of Arumrose found her. With the help of a dear friend, it came to life.
The book had many challenges along the way. Estefania encountered different sets and emotions that, if you pay attention, are reflected in the story. Even though the making of her baby, as she calls it, took longer than expected, she is proud of the results and hopes that Arumrose gave you a wholesome experience, and most of all, hope.
As a new author, Estefania is open to all feedback! If you liked the book, or have any suggestions on it, please send an email to [email protected]. She hopes dearly that she will be able to make a sequel for year 2 of Arumrose Academy!
Would you be interested in reading book 2? If so, please sign up to the mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/g4xrlH
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The Mage-Blood Test: A YA Paranormal Romance (Arumrose Academy Book 1) Page 20
