by M Guida
The picture swung open to reveal a safe. He spun the dial several times and it opened. He reached in and pulled out a crystal in shape of a rose with red liquid inside.
I frowned. “Is that blood? Shouldn’t it be refrigerated?”
“Yes, it is Vlad’s blood. And no, it doesn't need to be kept cold. This is vampire blood, not human. You must give this to Anton under the next full moon. Only then will the spell be broken.”
Dad sighed. “The next full moon won’t be until after Christmas.”
“I know,” Costin said heavily. “But it won’t work otherwise.”
I bit my lip. “Those voices I keep hearing…do you think someone’s being held prisoner at Anton’s? Maybe in the dungeon?”
“Perhaps.” Costin shrugged. “Or they could be the Unseelie trying to lure you into a trap. You must be on your guard.”
“I will, sir. Thank you.”
Costin smiled and clapped his hands. “Good. That’s settled. Now, at my party tonight, formal attire is required.” I must have looked a little worried. “Don’t worry, Ebony, Ethan will find you something suitable to wear.”
Meaning being comfortable was out of the question.
But when Ethan brought me my dress, I was floored. It wasn’t just any dress. It was a sparkling blue sequin gown that matched the color of my eyes. It had low v neckline, lace up in the back and a high side slit in the right leg. Dad escorted me on his arm to the dance. I felt like a princess in the gown and wished Gunnar could see me.
Costin had gone all out for his party with an orchestra playing Christmas songs, a huge Christmas blue spruce tree lined with white twinkling lights and decorated with gold balls and red bows, a buffet table with turkey, prime rib, and lamb, and roasted vegetables, cheeses, pate and other charcuterie, and a yummy looking dessert table with pies, cookies, and cakes. Christmas definitely was in the air. The men all wore tuxedos and the women seemed to be competing with each other to see who had the costliest gown. This was more extravagant than anything at Legacy, that was for sure.
Costin came over to us with a blond girl about my age that was wearing a blue taffeta sweetheart gown that matched her eyes. “Ebony, this is Rose Allen. She’s one of my students and she’ll also be competing in the Academy Games. Most of my guests tonight are older, so I thought you two might like to get acquainted.”
Rose smiled warmly. Her hair was piled high into a loose bun and soft ringlets framed her heart-shaped face. “Welcome to Red Rose Academy.”
“Thank you. This place is really elegant.”
She nodded. “I suppose so. New Orleans vampires are from the old guard. Formality and tradition are everything here.” I thought I detected a little sadness in her voice.
I frowned. “Meaning?”
“My dad’s very old fashioned. He’s the one talking to Costin. They are very old friends.”
A tall man with his dark hair pulled back into a queue talked with Costin. With his chest puffed out and his chin lifted high, he thought of himself as being quite important. Something about him spoke of money like a Grand Duke from the Regency area.
“Your sister’s so lucky.” Rose was looking at Raven who was dancing slowly on the floor with Lucien, staring up at him with stars in her eyes.
“Why? Because she’s mated, or because she’s one of the most powerful supernaturals?”
Rose gave me a small smile. “Both—and because she controls her own destiny."
I thought about how formal Ethan was and how he had addressed Costin. “You don’t?”
She shook her head. “No. This is a patriarchal society, Ebony. Women don’t get to choose anything here, not even their mates.” Tears formed in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m telling all you this. I just met you.”
“No, I get it.” I tilted my head. “Let’s go get some food and something to drink. We have more in common than you think.”
She wiped her cheeks. “Really?”
“Yeah, we do.” I clasped her arm. “Come on.”
Chapter 28
Rose and I went over to the buffet table and I didn’t even realize how hungry I was until I smelled the delicious meat. I could hardly wait to sink my teeth into it and suck on the blood. Shit, what I was thinking?
Shut up, dragon.
I piled my plate with meat, especially the rare prime rib. Maybe that would satisfy my blood thirsty dragon. The lust for blood had gotten worse ever since I met Costin. What was it with that dude? Not wanting to just feast on rare meat, I also got roasted Brussel sprouts, pistachio fluff salad, and hot buttered rolls.
Rose led me to a table in the back while we watched the couples dance. “So, what did you mean we have more in common than I think?” She cut into her turkey with very little gravy while mine was swimming in it.
I buttered my roll. “My dad’s not a vampire, but he’s not letting me choose who I want, either.”
Her eyes brightened. “Really? Do tell.”
I told her about Gunnar and why my dad didn’t want me to mate with him.
“I thought it was just vampires that messed with their daughter’s future.” She gritted her teeth. "My dad, Grayson, is really powerful and doesn’t want me to mate with a vampire, not at our status, but Valentin is better than all the guys he parades in front of me.”
I clasped her balled up fist. “I’m sorry.”
“My father hasn’t won yet.”
I winked. “That’s the spirit.” I caught someone watching me and knew right away that same pulling sensation came over me. I cleared my throat. “Can I ask you something about Costin?”
“Sure.” She took a bite of her prime rib.
“Does he always look at you as if you want to crawl out of your skin?”
She laughed. “That’s a strange thing to say.” She followed my gaze and luckily Costin turned away to talk with my father. “Costin is an old vampire, much like your Anton, but older, and more powerful. He has the ability to draw out our vampire powers at will. He also is the one that performs the Obliterictus Ceremony.”
I reached for my glass of red wine. “I’m sorry. The what?”
She giggled. “You don't know much about vampire lore, do you?"
“I’m taking Supernatural History, but I haven’t learned anything about a vampire's Obliterictus Ceremony.”
“The Obiterictus Ceremony is where we take a binding oath not to take or feed on humans against their will. It’s binding.” She held up her hand where she had a beautiful ruby stone on her finger. “You receive a Rose Unaknium stone.”
“I’ve never heard of a Rose Unaknium stone.”
She shrugged. “Most people and supernaturals haven’t. You can only get it at the ceremony. Costin gives it to you after you’ve taken the oath. It’s actually not a stone.” She leaned close. “It’s Vlad’s blood that has crystalized.”
“You’re kidding? You mean like Dracula?”
“Yes. Believe me, Dracula is alive and well. The crystal almost acts more like a spell. Breaking the oath, means you’ll turn dark.”
“Where is Vlad?”
“No one knows. Not even Costin. The blood just appears.”
“You mean like magic?"
She laughed. “More like UPS or Amazon.”
Heat washed over me. “Um, so is the ceremony only done here?”
“No. I’m sure Anton performs it at the Vampire Academy at Legacy. Otherwise, the vampires would attack all of you and the humans. Supernaturals can survive a vampire attack, but not so much with humans.”
“So, you don’t drink human blood?”
“No, I meant we don’t force humans to serve us and make them blood slaves. That's against the Oath and Vampire Society. We have humans who will offer themselves. Don’t worry, we don’t kill them. We also purchase blood from blood banks or pay humans for their blood, so we do drink on human blood. However, the older you become, the less you need it.”
I shook my head. “Wow, that’s so weird.” I leane
d closer. “But when he looked at me, I felt something fluttering inside me.”
She frowned. “That’s so strange, because aren’t you a dragon?”
“Yeah.” My cheeks burned, and I lowered my gaze. “But for someone reason, I can’t shift. It’s embarrassing. I’m the only person at Legacy who hasn’t.”
She rubbed my arm. “Don’t worry. You will and I bet you become even more powerful than Raven.”
I gave her a grateful smile. “Thank you. I appreciate that." I could tell Rose and I were going to become good friends and right now, I needed one.
For the rest of the night, we chatted about our families, especially our fathers, about Valentin and Gunnar. I could easily talk to her, as I had Cadye. It was nice having a friendly face.
Rose was competing in the transmutation and the race. She said she was super fast, but as far as I know, no vampire had ever beaten Darius. She didn’t mention what object she could shift into, and I didn’t ask.
For the next couple of weeks, Rose and I grew closer, but the time came for us to say goodbye. School would be starting soon, and Dad was anxious to give Anton Vlad’s blood. I never knew how powerful Dracula really was. I thought Anton was the most powerful, but shows you how much I really knew about vampires.
Rose and I hugged as I was ready to leave. My parents and Raven had already shifted and were waiting for me to climb on Raven’s back.
“I’ll miss you,” she said. “It was nice having a friend over the holidays.”
I released her. “But I’ll see you at the games.”
“True,” She whispered in my ear. “Then I can see Gunnar.” My heart quickened at his name.
I whispered in hers. “And you can show me Valentin.”
She laughed and held up her pinky. “Friends for life.”
“Friends for life.”
“Come on, Ebony,” Lucien said. “Daylight’s wasting."
Dawn had just peeked over
I hugged Rose one more time before I climbed up on Raven's back and then we were off. Rose waved as Raven soared into the air. The wind blew around me, my hair flying around me, and Red Rose Academy got smaller and smaller. Once again, I clung to Raven’s neck, but instead of being sad, energy surged through me. Soon I would see Gunnar again and I could hardly wait.
An hour later, we landed at Legacy in the courtyard. We got here a day before everyone else returned. Dad wanted to give Anton the blood before students returned, hoping it would work immediately, but Costin said it might take time since Anton was under an Unseelie dark spell.
I climbed off Raven’s back. Dad, Mom, and Raven shifted as they were getting dressed, Anton and Dr. Greenwood came out to meet us. Anton looked worse than when we left him and Dr. Greenwood had a hold of his arm, steadying him.
Dr. Greenwood bowed slightly. “I take it you had a nice holiday and safe trip." His syrupy voice made me cringe.
“Yes, we did,” Dad said. “I would like to speak with Anton alone, if you don’t mind. I have news from Costin.”
Dr. Greenwood frowned. “But I—“
“I said alone." Dad’s tone left little doubt he meant business.
Dr. Greenwood narrowed his eyes. “I will be in the infirmary if you need me.” But he wasn’t looking at Dad, he was looking at Anton, as if trying to pass on some kind of secret message.
He headed off to the infirmary while Dad clasped Anton’s arm and led him into his quarters.
“I’ve never seen Anton look like that,” Raven said. “This makes me so sad.”
Mom looked at each of us. “Let’s take Ebony’s bags to her room and grab a bite to eat. I’m starved.”
I wanted to be in the meeting with Dad, but if I made a fuss, then Greenwood would insist on being there, and that was the last thing we needed.
Twenty minutes later, Dad joined us in the cafeteria as we were sitting down to eat cold cut sandwiches, potato salad, and baked beans.
Mom glanced over his shoulder. “Where’s Anton?”
“Asleep. I gave him all of Vlad’s blood and told him it was wine. Nothing changed except he got sleepy.”
Mom clasped Dad’s arm. “Costin said it might time for the blood to work, but it will work. You just have to be patience.”
Dad rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know if we have time to be patient. I think we need to call the Defenders and start canvasing for any signs of the Unseelie and Dark Demons. It’s been much too quiet.”
Mom put a plate in front of him. “Eat first then play hero.”
Dad laughed and kissed Mom on the cheek. "As you wish, love.”
Mom, Dad, Raven, and Lucien left shortly after lunch, leaving me alone with Anton and Mr. Creepy. I just wished the Sentinels would arrive soon. Unfortunately, I was still banned from my room in Wyvern Tower.
Anton was still asleep, and I had nothing to do but unpack and doing laundry. Anton had a great laundry room, more fancy than all the machines in the basement at Wyvern. His laundry room was at the end of the hall. I put all my dirty clothes in the washing machine and turned it on.
Ebony, help us.
I froze. The voice was back. Raven had mentioned the passageway in Anton’s study that led down to the dungeon. I hadn’t explored that yet. Anton was sleep and maybe, just maybe, I could see what was down there. I tiptoed down the hallway and went through the living room to Anton’s study.
Once again, his office was decorated as if Dracula lived here with the red Queen Anne stuffed chairs in front of the desk, red curtains down to the floor, and a couch. There were several bookcases, but it was the one to the left of Anton’s large mahogany desk and that led down a passageway to the dungeon. Raven said the bookcase was almost like a door. I put my hands on the edge of the bookcase and pulled.
Nothing.
I put it all my muscles into it, straining and arching my back, but it was as if the damn thing was nailed shut. Pulling out books like you see in the movies to reveal a secret passage didn’t do any good either. I ran my fingers underneath Anton’s desk to see if that triggered anything.
But no such luck.
“What are you doing in here?” A crisp, evil voice made my pounding heart lodge in my throat.
I jumped up to see Dr. Greenwood scowling, standing in the doorway.
“Nothing. I was just looking—“
He headed toward me, and I ran around the desk, keeping at arm’s length. The look in his eyes was deadly. “You were snooping.”
“Stay away from me.” I thought of turning into fog to get away from him.
“What’s going on in here?”
We both turned to see Anton, whose eyes looked brighter and more alert.
Dr. Greenwood pointed at me. “She was going through your things, Anton. She should be punished.”
Anton looked at me curiously. “And did you find what you were looking for?”
“No. I mean, I wasn’t looking through your papers.”
Dr. Greenwood folded his arms. “Then why were you lurking around his desk?”
“I was just curious about the dungeon. Raven told me about it.”
“No one can go into the dungeon. It’s off limits.” Dr. Greenwood rushed his words a little too fast.
Anton frowned and rubbed his forehead. “Yes, it’s being worked on.” His voice sounded strange again. He looked at me. “I’m afraid Ebony you must leave my office and not come in here again.”
Dr. Greenwood flashed me a smug look, but that only made me more determined. Something was in the dungeon that neither one of them wanted me to see. I wished I could get word to my dad, but that wasn’t happening. I needed The Sentinels.
Chapter 29
I couldn’t sleep that night and got up and went to sneak into Anton’s office again, but this time, the door was locked.
Crap.
I reluctantly crawled back into bed and tossed and turned into morning. The Sentinels would be back today and I could hardly wait. I got up early and showered. Anton was nowhere to be seen,
so I decided to go to the cafeteria for breakfast. Since students would be arriving today, all cold self-serve breakfast was available. I got a bowl of cereal and coffee with cream and sat down where Rusty and Evan and I usually sit.
“All alone?”
I froze. Greenwood.
I didn’t turn and look at him. “Obviously.”
He squeezed my shoulder, his nails digging into my flesh.
I winced. “Let go of me.”
But he only increased the pressure. “Don’t take that tone with me, Ebony. I suggest you stop your endless snooping, or you’re likely going to find yourself in a spot you can’t get out of here. After all, you’re nothing like your sister.” His cruel voice stole the fight out of me.
He laughed and strolled away and headed to the cafeteria. I wanted to run out of here crying, but I refused to give him the satisfaction. It took everything I had to continue eating my cereal, as if nothing was wrong.
He flashed me an I-know-I-just-hurt-you look before he left and I wished I could shift into a dragon and burn him to a crisp.
I slumped in my chair, fighting the tears threatening to burst.
“Well, look who’s here, feeling sorry for herself.” Instead of making me mad, the sarcastic voice chased my tears away.
I turned around to see Rusty coming toward me with a big ole grin on his face. He looked the same with a bandana tied around his head and sunglasses resting on top of his bandana. He had on a Legacy sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. I jumped up and hugged him.
He untangled from me. “Hey, hey. What’s this?”
I took a deep breath. “I’m just glad to see you. Is everyone else back?"
He shook his head. “No, not yet. Just Montae and I. He wanted to get back early to get ready for class and I wanted to come to check on my best girl.” He winked. “And I have a message for you from Pretty Boy.”
