A Castle of Sand (13 page)

That day, however, I was alone, marveling over the pure white roses that had just begun to reach full bloom. I missed my sister, I missed her wisdom and serenity. I missed how understood I felt when she was around.

I plucked a rose, careful not to get pricked by its long, thorny stem. Brushing my fingers over its petals, I couldn’t help but let my mind speak to my beloved twin, part of me still hoping against all hope that she was still alive.

Viv, you put yourself at risk in order to get Sofia back to me. Now, I’m afraid I’ll lose her. How could a beauty like her ever remain true to a beast like me? What if she realizes that she’s better off living her life as a normal human being, marrying a man worthy of her? A man not plagued by this curse…

Before I could once again lose myself in my own melancholy, my ears tingled as I heard the sound of footsteps on Vivienne’s hardwood floor.

“Your highness? Are you here?” A familiar voice came from outside the greenhouse.

“Sam?”

The door to the greenhouse creaked open and an uncomfortable-looking Sam peered through it.

“What happened?” I asked him. “Is there something wrong with Ashley?”

“Ashley is recovering quite well, but she is craving human blood desperately. She almost attacked one of the Naturals when Kyle brought her back to his home, but we were able to hold her down. It wasn’t easy. The adrenaline rush is making her strong.” Sam paused and gave what he was saying some thought. “She’s not why I came here though.”

Panic surged within me as I stepped forward. “Sofia?”

Sam quickly shook his head. “As far as I know, Miss Claremont is perfectly fine, though I doubt she’s going to be very happy about the news I’m about to give you.”

I was growing impatient. “Just spit it out, Sam.”

“Three young women were brought into your penthouse. A gift from your father. Three new slaves to replace the ones you lost.”

“
Slaves
?” I already knew the answer to my next question, but I asked it anyway. “And where did these girls come from?”

“Your father has once again allowed human abductions.”

“Unbelievable!” I hissed, storming past Sam, my blood pounding with so much fury. “Does he have any idea how much risk he’s putting The Shade in by doing this?”

“Their reasoning behind it is that we’ve been doing it for years without getting caught.” Sam was trailing behind me, knowing fully well how against abductions I was.

“Pure dumb luck!”

“What are you planning to do, sir?”

“Stop this.”

I headed straight for the Great Dome, a large, round hall located at the Crimson Fortress. The large space at the topmost level of the fortress’ west tower was the site of all governmental, judicial and military strategic gatherings at The Shade.

The dome was one of the places on the island that was close to my heart, because just before she was taken by the hunters, it was the last place Vivienne had re-designed and modernized. She did a wonderful job and being there still reminded me so much of her.

Since my father’s return, however, there hadn’t been much reason for me to visit the dome. He never really did ask for updates on how the military trainings were going and he never summoned me for any of the council meetings with the Elite either.

After what Sam had just told me, that’s exactly what I found myself walking into—an Elite council meeting. The moment I pushed the large double oak doors open, it was my father who I first saw. He was seated on the throne at the front end of the room, on the balcony, towering three feet above ground—above everyone else.

At the center of the room, the round stage that served as the stand was occupied by Eli, the island’s resident scholar, and Felix, a vampire I mistrusted to say the least.

The hushed whispers and nervous glances that went around the amphitheater-styled hall made it clear that I’d just walked in on something very important—something that they would rather keep hidden from me.

“What’s going on?” I demanded, my eyes glued to my father as I marched right up to the stand.

All eyes shot toward Gregor, who had a bored look on his face. He was looking at me like I was just one of the many annoyances that he had to bear with in his life. “Good of you to pry yourself away from your redhead and join us, Derek,” he drawled.

“Could someone explain to me why we’re once again abducting people? Did I not make it clear that this has to stop?”

“I overturned your decree,” Gregor shrugged. “I’m king of the island, Derek. Learn your place.”

An audible gasp came from all present. Never before had my father challenged me in that manner. He may have been king of the island, but he wasn’t a fool who would underestimate how much sway I had over the citizens of The Shade.

“Why?” I asked, trying to reel my anger in. Ripping my father’s heart out wouldn’t really do anyone any good. I found myself longing to have Vivienne there even more. She was always the bridge between us Novak men. Without her, we would’ve killed one another a long time ago. “You realize how much risk you’re putting The Shade in whenever you bring these teenagers here, right? And for what?”

“I am under no obligation to explain my decisions to you, son.”

I hated the patronizing tone his voice took on. I knew then that it was a challenge. Every single person in that room was watching me for a reaction.
Was I going to fight back? Was I going to defy the king?
There was no doubt in my mind that should I defy my own father, more than enough vampires would side with me. I could’ve easily taken Gregor Novak down many times before, but I chose not to. I chose to honor him because he was my father, but at that moment, I was never more tempted to take him down.

“You’re going to regret this,” was all I could manage to say.

Gregor smirked. “Sure I will. Until then, enjoy the lovely young ladies, Derek. I’m sure you’ll appreciate them the moment you get tired of ravishing your freckled redhead.”

At that callous jibe once again thrown at Sofia, I lost all control of my temper. I sped forward right to his level, lunging toward him with so much force, the recliner he was seated on went crashing to the ground as I pinned him down.

The tension was electric as screams and nervous mutterings burst out around the hall. I was certain that much of the commotion was over a certain level of confusion over whom they were going to help—their savior or their king.

I didn’t really care. I was too busy relishing the terror in my father’s eyes. He might have been a vampire longer than I was, but I was far more powerful than he was. Cora had made sure of that.

“Understand this, Father,” I said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “If you ever touch Sofia or put her in danger or even
dare
speak of her in my presence again, you can be certain that I
will
take your throne. Without hesitation.”

“How Vivienne would roll over in her grave if she saw what you’ve become! Have you forgotten who your family is, Derek?”

“Vivienne sacrificed her own safety, her own life in order to get Sofia back to me. She would
never
do that for you. That’s
how important
Sofia is, Father. I’m pretty sure that if you asked Vivienne now who she would rather spare, she would choose Sofia.”

A bone-chilling silence followed my statement as everyone let the words sink in.

“Why?” The voice was Claudia’s. I had no doubt about it. “Why is the little freckled redhead so important?”

I rose to my feet, letting go of my father as I did. I slowly backed away from him, finding pleasure in the mixture of fury and fright in his eyes. After reaching the stand, now unoccupied by Eli and Felix, I addressed Claudia’s question.

“Sofia is the girl Cora prophesied who would help me find our kind true sanctuary. Without her, I
cannot
accomplish the prophecy.”

“Nonsense. You already accomplished the prophecy when you brought us to The Shade and secured it with Cora’s protective spell,” Gregor spat.

At that, I scoffed.
How blind could he possibly be?
“Don’t be a fool, Father. The Shade isn’t a sanctuary. It’s a nightmare.”

Gregor straightened to his full height, his eyes fixed on me. Unable to say anything in response, he looked at the council surrounding us, every single one gawking at the sight that had just unfolded before them. “I want Derek Novak arrested for high treason. His punishment will be discussed at the next council meeting.”

I couldn’t help but smirk at how delusional my father was.
He really thinks that he holds the power.
I didn’t know what he was expecting to happen after his announcement.
Does he really expect the council to pounce on me to make the arrest? Does he expect me to panic and make a run for it?
Apart from Felix making one hesitant step forward, no one else moved. I was certain that it was one of the most awkward moments the Great Dome had ever stood witness to.

My father’s breaths were coming in pants, infuriated by the fact that nobody bothered heeding his command.

“Why isn’t anyone moving?! Your king has given a command! Arrest him!”

After a few moments of stunned and motionless silence, Claudia burst out laughing. Claudia was one of the most twisted and demented people I’d ever met. She was certainly not an ally and there was no doubt in my mind that she hated my guts, but she was no fool either.

“I have no love for his highness, the prince, my dear king,” Claudia managed to say after her laughter subsided, “but no one here will ever be foolish enough to imprison Derek Novak. The only way you can get that man inside a prison cell is if he goes in willingly. Otherwise, a lot of blood will be spilled, and we love our immortality too much to see it end so quickly.”

Knowing that I had all the leverage I needed, I glared triumphantly at my father. “The abductions
will
stop. Understood?”

“All right,” Gregor said through gritted teeth, the expression on his face making it clear that he was admitting defeat. “This only means one thing then.”

“And what would that be?” I asked, suddenly growing anxious.

Eli stepped up nervously. “Even you knew that this would be inevitable since we put a stop to the abductions…we won’t have a supply of human blood forever.”

I was filled by an overwhelming sense of dread, knowing what my alternative to the abductions were. “You’re talking about a culling.”

The rest of the meeting flew right over my head, as the council discussed what had to be done to get the culling in order. My father kept glaring at me. I knew then that I just made an enemy out of him, though I wasn’t entirely sure if he ever truly was my ally.

Vivienne was the Seer of The Shade. She had the premonitions, but at that moment, I had a premonition of my own. And it wasn’t one that I liked.

Blood will be shed.

Two things stayed at the forefront of my thoughts: how to protect Sofia and how to keep her mine. I was once again afraid of losing her, because I doubted she could ever forgive me if a human culling actually took place.

After the council meeting ended, my first urge was to immediately locate Sofia. I knew that after the stunt I pulled, she wouldn’t be safe from my father. I knew Gregor Novak. He wasn’t just going to just sit there and take that kind of humiliation without striking back. It was clear to see that striking Sofia would be equivalent to striking me where it hurt the most. Upon reaching The Catacombs, I found her wearing muddied-up clothes. She was laughing over something the Natural boy, Gavin, said. A pang of jealousy hit me, but I shoved it away.

I cleared my throat to catch her attention.

She looked my way and a brilliant smile formed on her face. “Derek!” she exclaimed before throwing herself at me in an exuberant embrace. “I had a great day. How was yours?”

“Can we talk in private, please?” I eyed Gavin warily. I wasn’t thrilled about what I had to reveal to her.

Worry traced her green eyes as she pulled herself away from me. She turned toward Gavin and smiled sheepishly. “Thanks for everything, Gavin.”

The boy nodded his head toward her and curtly bowed his head in my direction. “Tomorrow again, Sofia,” he said. “If you’re still alive by then.”

She snickered at the statement, so I figured it was some sort of inside joke they had between them—an idea that grated at my nerves.

I was relieved when Gavin was finally gone and I had my girl all to myself, but any pleasure I felt in her company was overshadowed by the news I carried with me.

“What’s wrong, Derek?” she asked pensively as I held her hand and pulled her to a seat on the couch.

“My father reinstated the abductions…”

“What?” Her alarm was immediate. “But why? I thought…”

“I have three new girls at my penthouse. I have no idea what to do with them. I’m thinking of sending them here with you. They’ll be more comfortable with you I think…”

My suggestion seemed to go way over her head. “Why would your father do this?”

“We don’t stand on the same ground when it comes to these things, but after I found out, I went to the dome and found them having a council meeting. I made sure that there would be no more abductions from here on out.”