Curse of Blood and Shadow

by J. M. Kearl

  I’d never seen this side of him before. A friendlier, carefree boy who didn’t have his guard up. His enthusiasm infected me and I cheered so loudly my throat began to ache. Soon after, the stands started clearing.

  Legacy tugged on my arm. “Let’s go. I’m tired.” But when I looked at her face I knew that was code for—sad and wanting to be alone.

  I turned to Zyacus, and began feeling awkward. I wasn’t even sure why. Maybe because I didn’t want to say goodbye and that was out of the ordinary when it came to him. “Uh, have a good night, Prince. Nice to meet you Mateo.”

  His much too pretty smile crinkled his eyes. “There’s an hour until the dorm curfew.”

  I still felt like something was off. Why was he being so nice, so—wonderful? Before I could reply, I saw Aric approaching. Why would he want to talk to her in such a public place?

  Legacy’s hand grabbed mine and she squeezed.

  Aric stepped around a couple and then stopped right in front of us. “Legacy, can we talk, please?”

  “Aric, where have you been?” Zyacus asked, gripping his shoulder. The sober expression was answer enough. “Oh, uh,” Zyacus looked at me. “Maybe we should let them talk.”

  “No,” Legacy said, still clutching my hand. “I don’t want to talk right now, Aric. Maybe another day.”

  “What happened?” he asked, looking so confused. “What did I do?”

  Legacy just turned her head away. So Aric looked at me for answers, and with my blank stare, Zyacus cut a glare my way. “You told her, didn’t you?”

  I swallowed. My telling Legacy about Aric’s supposed curse was not why she broke up with him. Zyacus jumped down to the bench Aric was on. “Let’s go, Aric. Come have fun with the boys and me.”

  Without any more coaxing, Aric headed down the steps. Why did their breakup feel like my fault? And just when I thought maybe, maybe things might be different between Zyacus and me, this happened, and he blamed me for it.

  Chapter 17

  When the weekend break ended and classes resumed, I prepared myself for Zyacus to ask me about Aric during first class, and then for Aric to approach me during Advanced Swords. While I sat in front of the mirror braiding my hair, I rehearsed what I would say. Thinking I’d know exactly how the conversation would go.

  Also while I was sitting before the mirror staring at myself, it hit me that these vampire blood drinkers could be anyone. Anyone in this academy, not just Aric. There could be several of them. The only thing I questioned about that was Finnick was the only death so far and if there were a lot of vampires, wouldn’t there be more students dying? How long could they go without blood?

  When I arrived at my first class, Zyacus was already seated. When I sat down I could feel his gaze on me. I let out a slow, controlled breath and turned my head toward him. “Good morning, Prince.”

  He sucked on what I assumed was a piece of candy and simply stared.

  “What?” I demanded.

  “Before I jump to a conclusion, why did Legacy break up with Aric?”

  He already had jumped to a conclusion. I faced forward. “It’s not my business to tell.”

  His blank face turned into a scowl. “You told her about his curse, didn’t you? After I asked you not to, and then she breaks up with a dying man? How cruel.”

  That response was not what I’d rehearsed in my head, but if I refuted it he’d pester me to know why else. “He’s not dying,” I hissed. Though I knew from my vision he might be. If I had only seen everything I would know if Aric was indeed a monster or was going to die. If I was going to die. There were so many unknowns. It would have been better if I saw nothing at all.

  I tapped my fingers on the table, finding it hard to focus as Professor Tessam lectured about the fact that many people are born with certain gifts. She then asked anyone to raise their hand if they felt comfortable sharing theirs or someone they knew.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Zyacus looking over at me periodically. I wondered what he would give to know of my gift.

  A girl toward the back raised her hand. “I can communicate with animals and they to me. It’s different than with cats, not like spoken words. It’s more like they press upon me what they need and want.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Tessam said. “I would love to know what my hawk is thinking from time to time, especially before he nips me.” The class laughed. “Anyone else?”

  A boy at the table next to me tentatively lifted his arm.

  “Yes, Castian?”

  “I can see really far,” he said. “I can see the town from here.”

  “The town is miles away,” Professor Tessam said in disbelief. “What a gift that is.”

  Yes, what a gift. I wish mine was something like that.

  “I bet the princess knows of a good one,” Zyacus said and leaned forward, resting his chin in his palm so casually like he didn’t just do it to piss me off.

  I clenched my hands and looked around the class. I knew the fun Zyacus was too good to be true.

  Tessam waited for a moment before saying, “She didn’t raise her hand.”

  “Yes, actually, I do.” I sneered at the prince. “My mother’s magic has endless power. She never tires like the rest of us, but this is common knowledge. My father’s gift is being able to sense what others feel. Sometimes even their intentions.”

  “What about you?” A girl from Collweya asked. “Don’t you have a gift?”

  “No,” I lied.

  When class ended and we emptied into the hallway, I grabbed Zyacus by the front of his shirt and pushed him into an empty alcove, then slammed him into the wall. “How dare you put me on the spot like that. Stop trying to figure out my gift. You have no idea how I have suffered because of it.” I almost broke into tears. No one had any idea how much I suffered.

  His eyebrows furrowed for a moment. “I’m sorry.”

  I released him and took a step back, surprised he didn’t come at me with some snide remark. He never apologized so perhaps he meant it but actions speak louder than words.

  I took off and found the closest bathroom, knowing he wouldn’t follow me there. I dropped my book and when I bent down to pick it up, I noticed two sets of feet in a stall, and one of them appeared to be male. Quietly, I scooped my book up, although they’d have to be deaf not to have heard the door swing open and the book clatter to the stone floor. To avoid the awkwardness that was sure to ensue, I stepped back toward the exit until I heard, “Ouch, did you just bite me?”

  “Shhh,” the male voice purred. “It only hurts for a second.”

  I could feel the blood drain from my face and a cold sweat breaking out. “Are you alright?” I asked quietly, pulling my dagger.

  “We’re fine. Leave,” the boy commanded.

  “I don’t want to do this,” the girl said and shoved through the stall door. The boy caught her arm and spun her around. Then he looked at me and to where my eyes fell to the two blood droplets sliding down her neck.

  “Vampire,” I breathed, my leer lifting to his face.

  The girl was younger than me, probably fifteen. She wiped the blood with her hand and frowned.

  “Hurry to your next class,” I said and blocked the vampire’s way.

  He was Collweyan by uniform, tall, dark-haired, pale-skinned and had an allure about him I couldn’t quite put my finger on. “You ruined my fun.”

  There was no sense of fear or trepidation that I caught him biting a young girl. Perhaps he’d lie and say it was an accident while making out, if the girl wasn’t too embarrassed to tell anyone. “You call taking advantage of a young girl fun, vampire?”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Interesting that a Delhoon girl knows what I am.”

  In a blur of movement, he had me by the neck and pushed my back into the wall. His nose dragged along the skin of my neck. “Magic-born always tastes so much better.”

  I struck, blade driving into his side and he flinched but didn’t let me go and a wild growl rumb
led. “That hurt.”

  “Get away from me,” I choked out, bringing my knee hard into his family jewels and whispered, “denoo achera.”

  Hissing through his teeth, he let go and stumbled back, his eyes would be burning like they’d caught fire, and I darted for the door. When I pulled it open, I was drug back and I let out a scream. A warm hand wrapped around my mouth cutting off my cry for help.

  “Just for that,” he growled in my ear, “I’ll take more than I need.”

  Every instinct in me screamed to run, even though I’d been trained not to. I thrashed in his arms, and elbowed him hard in the side of the face. When I broke from his grasp, I turned and I threw a blast of ice at him. He put up his arms and… shielded it. That’s when I saw the chain around his neck; not only was he a demon blood drinker, he had a magic stone.

  The door flew open and male voice said, “What the hell is taking—”

  I whipped around. A Collweyan boy stood there. “Princess Visteal.” His face blanched and his onyx eyes darted back and forth between the boy I’d been fighting, who at this point looked feral, and me.

  He grabbed my hand and I gladly let him tug me out the door. I was relieved that this mystery boy showed up but—what was he doing looking in the girl’s bathroom? And by his question, he’d been looking for someone… wondering what was—taking so long?

  The halls were empty aside from us and I swear my pounding heart echoed off the walls. I jerked away from him. “You… you knew what he was doing... what he is.”

  “You wouldn’t understand,” the boy with silvery blond hair and black eyes said.

  I slowly backed away. “You’re one of them too.”

  Firm hands grabbed my shoulders from behind and I jumped.

  “Don’t ever touch her again,” silver hair growled at the blood drinker holding me. “She’ll draw way too much attention. She’s the Delhoon Princess.”

  “Oh but I want her,” the vampire said.

  “No,” he shot back.

  That’s what my so-called rescuer cared about? Me drawing attention, not my safety? When I was about to fight, my magic surging hot in my blood, the silver-haired boy grabbed my chin and I couldn’t move. Panic shot through me. I was completely paralyzed, helpless in the hands of two vampires.

  He met my eyes. “Sorry, beautiful, but you can’t remember what we are.”

  ∞∞∞

  My eyes fluttered open to bright lights, and the smell of tinctures, herbs and the distinct scent of healing salves wafted to my nose. Quiet voices chattered all around me, and I bolted upright. What was I doing in the infirmary… the last thing I could remember was hurrying off to the bathroom after I’d slammed Zyacus into the wall.

  Ugh, my head pounded, and my watering eyes were super sensitive to the light. Through somewhat blurred vision, I spotted Vyce standing beside another patient’s bed. I cleared my throat to get his attention and he turned.

  He handed a small glass to the girl he was helping then hustled to my side. “How are you feeling?”

  I pressed my fingers to my temples. “I have a headache, but otherwise I’m fine. Why am I here?”

  “You passed out in the hallway.”

  That didn’t seem right… I searched my memories and something was there just out of reach but I couldn’t get to it. Like someone’s name you know but can’t for the life of you remember it. “Who?”

  His finger tapped his chin. “Your guardian, Bindy. She found you outside one of the girls’ bathing rooms.” He sat down in a chair beside me. “There’s nothing wrong with you but Healer Jondo thinks you just need to eat and get more rest.”

  “Oh,” I said lamely. “I guess I didn’t eat breakfast.” But I’d never fainted from skipping a meal before. “How long have I been here? And where is Bindy?”

  “Just a few minutes. She went to the dining hall to grab you something to eat.” He briefly touched my forehead with the back of his fingers. “You’re late for the next class but we’ve already sent a note to your professor explaining your absence.”

  I set my feet on the floor and stood.

  Vyce watched me. “Perhaps you should wait for Bindy.”

  “I’m fine. I’ll meet her in the dining hall.”

  With a quick wave of his hand, a glass floated over from a nearby table. “At least drink this, it’s sweetened cranberry juice. It should help you feel better.”

  Bringing the lip of the glass to my nose, I sniffed. It smelled like cranberry and I drained it then set it on a nearby table. “Thanks Vyce. I’ll see you at dinner.”

  When I was halfway to the dining hall, Bindy rounded a corner, with a tray of food floating beside her. Her stern eyes narrowed on me. “Didn’t they tell you to wait for me?”

  “It was suggested but I’m fine.”

  “What happened?” Bindy asked, handing me an apple from the tray.

  I searched through my memories again, and found nothing after I’d pushed the door open to the bathroom.

  She took my silence as an answer. “I try to keep an eye on you as much as possible but I also am not your shadow. You need space too, but when I peeked into your classroom and found you missing, I did a location spell. You were unconscious when I found you, no signs of harm and the Healer suggested you’d fainted due to not eating.” She looked me over. “Is there a reason you are skipping meals? You’re plenty thin, Visteal.”

  “No, it’s nothing like that,” I said, rolling the apple in my hands. “I was running late this morning and didn’t have time to stop and eat.” But I couldn’t shake the feeling that my lack of memory and unconsciousness was due to something else. I kept that to myself in case I was mistaken. Concerning Bindy over nothing wasn’t what I wanted.

  “Well, eat up and get to class. You’ve missed enough already.”

  I chowed down a muffin and took the apple with me and as I turned to leave, Bindy said, “Do I need to be following you closer?”

  The last thing I wanted was Bindy on my heels all day long. Everyone would notice and I wanted some privacy. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

  ∞∞∞

  Advanced Swords class came too quickly. I tried to keep busy talking and sparring with Lora. Today we chose our sparring partners and simply practiced. No competition. Anytime we had a break I kept my back toward Aric and Zyacus, hoping neither one would approach me to talk about Legacy.

  As soon as class ended, Lora said she wanted to ask Madison a question and that she would catch up with me. I debated on staying but it looked like Aric and Zyacus were hanging around too so I bolted. Cowardly as it was, I didn’t know what to say to Aric. I felt bad for him and suspicious at once, two very conflicting emotions.

  Chapter 18

  I managed to avoid Aric for a whole other day before he practically mauled me on my way out to Advanced Swords. And by maul, I meant he came out of nowhere and slung an arm around the back of my neck.

  Confused and alarmed I gave him a sideways look. “Um, hi Aric.” He’d literally never put an arm around me before so this was strange.

  “Zyacus said you told Legacy about my curse then she broke up with me. So you need to help me fix this.”

  I tugged out from under his grasp. “No, and that’s not why she broke up with you.” I only mentioned that part after she believed he was a vampire and she didn’t even consider that the mark might indeed be a death curse. I still wasn’t sure about either.

  He sighed. “Then why?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Does she like someone else?”

  Ugh, that was probably the best excuse I could think of. I couldn’t outright accuse him of being a blood sucking monster. It’s not like he’d admit it. “If I told you the truth it would only hurt you. Let her go.”

  Taking a light hold of my arm, he stopped me and his expression grew solemn. “Please, I—I think—I love her. What can I do?”

  Love? Oh no, why must this involve me? “I don’t know if you can,” I said truthfully.
“I’m sorry.”

  His bottom lip quivered for a moment and then he walked away. This was killing me. How could someone so sweet be a blood drinker? I needed to talk to Legacy.

  Right before class started Zyacus and Aric stood beside each other chatting and both of them kept looking at Lora and me. “He said he loves her,” I told Lora groaning.

  “Why did she break up with him?” Lora asked. “And will she be mad if I swoop in to mend his broken heart?” She laughed and I couldn’t help but smile.

  “You’ll have to ask her,” I shrugged. “About why.”

  “I did, and she said she wasn’t ‘feeling it’ anymore.” Lora’s eyes roamed over Aric like he was a juicy piece of meat she wanted a bite of. Then she looked at Zyacus much the same way. “And what’s with you and the other prince? Are you still in denial?”

  “I’m not in denial about anything,” I crooned. “If he wanted me he’d come after me. That’s how Zyacus is. And I’m not sure I’d let him.” Although he was growing on me, the complications of that would be too much.

  “I would.” Lora grinned and gave me a little shove. “You should. Even if it’s just for fun.” She watched him again. “I bet he’d be a lot of fun.”

  “I’m the princess of Delhoon. I’m not allowed to be courted for fun.”

  Lora frowned. “That’s stupid.”

  Madison let out a loud whistle and drew our attention. “I’m sensing some tension so I have a game for you all today.” She waved a hand toward one side of the ring and a big bubble, about the size of my head formed. Then another one on the opposite side floating about a foot off the grass. “Visteal,” she pointed to the ground in front of her. “And,” her eyes scanned the others.

  Don’t say Aric. Don’t say Zyacus.

  “Zyacus.”

  He stepped forward and we stood next to each other. I kept my gaze forward. I didn’t know what we were doing but this was the first time we’d gone up against each other since capture the flag.

  What the hell is she doing?! She sensed tension and knew exactly who to call on?