A Shade of Vampire 24: A Bridge of Stars (5 page)

B
efore I could pose
another question, the scene around me faded, as did the oracle. I found myself lying on the ground. I opened my eyes. My real eyes. River was crouching over me, one palm against my forehead. Aisha hovered nearby, too.

“Are you okay?” River asked anxiously. “You were talking to yourself.”

I sat up, rubbing my head, livid at the oracle for having sent me back without any explanation as to what she’d meant. It took a few moments to collect my thoughts before standing up again.

“We need to return to Lake Nasser.” I sighed. “I’ll tell you everything when we get there.”

Aisha was strong enough to transport us back to the islet where we’d left the others, and on arrival I recounted what had happened to River, Aisha and myself.

“So you’ve got to return to the Drizans’ palace,” my father murmured.

“Yes. I have to observe some more…”
And hope against hope the oracle isn’t messing with me.

“You’ll really go alone again?” River asked.

Before I could answer, Lucas stepped forward. “I’ll go with you,” he said, eyeing me steadily.

My parents spun around and gazed at him in shock. I couldn’t miss the flash of gratefulness in their eyes, while I could not say the same for Jeramiah. The last thing he wanted was to let his father go again, naturally.

“Okay,” I told Lucas. I wasn’t exactly sure why he had volunteered but I was grateful. I didn’t think it was a good idea to go down with any more than two, but two of us should be manageable.

Lucas and I left the islet, even as the expression on River’s face cut me to the core. We dove through the portal and arrived back in The Dunes.

We zoomed to the entrance of the Drizans’ lair and, in our subtle forms, passed through the scorpion entrance, which, after the oracle’s tale, now held new meaning for me. As I led Lucas onward, the palace was much quieter than before. We didn’t spot a single jinni in the hallways. I guessed because it was so early in the morning.

We approached Cyrus' apartment and entered it. I headed straight for the bedroom where we’d left him. No laughter drifted from it now, but rather deep heavy snoring. We drifted inside to see Cyrus lying in the middle of his giant bed, beneath silk sheets, with Nuriya—apparently also sleeping—clutched to his chest. The other female jinn had gone.

Lucas and I roamed silently about the large chamber before exploring the rest of the apartment—which was like a palace in itself. It took us a surprisingly long time to explore every corner of it. We spotted nothing of particular interest, just more of the same, senseless luxury.

We returned to the bedroom again, the couple was still sound asleep. My eyes traveled over the walls, settling on a display of bejeweled daggers. W
hat if I just tried to kill him now? In his sleep? Wouldn’t it be easy?

Lucas and I—transparent, though still visible to each other—exchanged glances. I sensed that he had guessed what was going through my mind. His expression was uncertain.

Despite everything that I’d been told about Cyrus' powers, and how it would not be easy to end him, I couldn’t stop myself from at least attempting it… with him lying here so vulnerable. Turning solid, I moved to the daggers and silently removed one from its holder.

Stilling my breathing, I moved closer to the bed, tightening my hold around the blade’s handle.

He was so close.
All it might take is a slash across the neck, and this whole nightmare could be over…

But as soon as I reached the edge of the bed frame, the jinni stirred. Then, to my horror, he twisted away from Nuriya. I barely had time to even think how to react. I thinned myself in an instant and dropped to the floor, causing the dagger to clatter down with me. Lucas had dropped too, and together we raced for the door.

Detaching himself from Nuriya, Cyrus crawled over the bed, peering over the edge at the fallen dagger. He let out a low growl and his dark, dangerous eyes flashed as they darted around the room, his nostrils flaring.

“Who goes there?” he hissed.

We sank through the door, hoping he hadn’t spotted us. Emerging on the other side of the door, I whispered my uncle’s name.

“We need to leave the apartment,” I breathed to my uncle.

I caught sounds of Cyrus tearing through the rooms in search of the intruder as we sank through the walls and arrived back in an outside hallway.

If Cyrus had detected my silent approach through the depths of his sleep, I could only imagine his reflexes when awake.

Lucas and I hurried onward, creating more and more distance between us and that jinni. Eventually we paused in a quiet corner of what appeared to be a dining room.

“What now?” Lucas whispered, his breathing uneven.

The oracle’s “advice” rang in my head.
“Remember… everybody has something to hide.”

I clenched my jaw. “We have to keep watching.”

W
e did not
dare reenter Cyrus' bedroom, though we had no choice but to return to his apartment. As it turned out, we found him in the kitchen. His back was turned to us, a glass of bright orange liquid in one hand, while the other rested on the marble counter. He drank slowly from the glass, his mind clearly elsewhere… on the strange events of this morning, no doubt.

We watched him finish the glass. Then we followed him as he left the kitchen and returned to the bedroom.

“Nuriya,” he said, standing in the doorway.

“Mmh?” an absent voice replied.

“Come,” Cyrus said, extending his hand.

Nuriya arrived next to him, and he took her hand, leading her to the kitchen. Opening a silver cabinet, he took down a large flask of the same orange juice he had been drinking. He filled his own glass with it, but this time handed it to Nuriya.

“Drink up, my sweet.”

Nuriya still looked bleary-eyed from sleep, or perhaps that was her normal expression now. Obediently she took the glass and sipped. She immediately choked.

“Drink it all,” Cyrus insisted.

Gingerly, she swallowed the rest. After setting down the empty glass, she clutched her throat, wincing.

Cyrus looked pleased, his full lips broadening in a smile. Running his palms down her arms, he took her hands in his and leaned forward to kiss her lips.

“You will be my queen, Nuriya. My tenth and final queen.”

Tenth and final. Wow… way to woo a woman.

I wondered if all of his nine wives were still current. I also wondered how many children he had fathered. According to the oracle’s story, before he was crowned he had already had several wives and children.

Nuriya swallowed harder than when she’d been trying to down the potion. Still, she nodded, though her eyes remained distant.

“I must leave you now,” he said. “I have a meeting.”

We followed Cyrus out of the kitchen and the apartment, along the winding hallways, until we reached a magnificent courtroom—empty except for one jinni hovering in the centre. He turned around to glare at Cyrus as soon as he entered the room. I could tell immediately from his stark features that he must’ve been one of Cyrus' relatives, and from his youth, most likely one of his sons.

“Horatio!” Cyrus boomed cheerily.

Horatio
. The name rang a bell. I was sure that he was the jinni Aisha had mentioned—her old friend, the person who’d banished her from The Dunes for her own safety. Unless there were two Horatios…

“Father.” Horatio stormed over to the king, not even giving his father a chance to rise to his throne. “Are they true, the rumors?” Horatio asked, unrelenting in his glower.

“What rumors?” Cyrus asked, a half amused look on his face.

“That you plan to wed Nuriya?”

Cyrus heaved a sigh. He took to his throne, one elbow resting against its arm, while the other hand massaged his temple.

It seemed that was enough to answer Horatio’s question. The young man’s eyes narrowed. “You promised my mother she would be your last. You promised us all.”

Cyrus' smile faded. “You forget, Horatio, that Nuriya was meant to bear my heirs long before I made that promise.”

“You’re an abomination,” Horatio spat. “That’s what you are.”

I was shocked to see Horatio insult Cyrus in this manner, even though he was his son. Horatio must’ve been very dear to Cyrus, for Cyrus did not admonish him in the slightest. He simply rolled his eyes as his son stormed out of the room.

Crouched down in one corner with Lucas, I dared breathe, “Let’s follow him.”

Lucas shot me a quizzical look. I jerked my finger toward the door and whizzed toward it.

To have found somebody who did not worship the ground that Cyrus walked on was more than intriguing. Horatio had just become far more interesting than any meeting Cyrus might have been about to call in his court.

We hurried after Horatio as he rushed along winding corridors and then through the doorway of an apartment not far from Cyrus'.

“Mother!” Horatio called, his voice booming through the apartment.

“Horatio?” A female voice drifted from one of the rooms. Horatio turned into a sitting room, where his mother—a beautiful ebony-skinned woman—was seated on a sofa with a servant behind her, brushing her silky black hair with a bejeweled comb.

Her honeycomb eyes widened with concern as her son stormed toward her. His chest heaving, he took a deep breath. “It’s true what they’re saying. He will wed Nuriya.”

Although the news clearly came as a blow to his mother, she did not appear surprised by it.

“What are you going to do?” Horatio asked.

She furrowed her brows. “What do you mean?”

“Are you just going to stand by and say nothing? Father’s gone back on his word.”

The woman smiled affectionately at her son. Reaching out, she took his hand and held it in hers.

“Darling, we cannot expect that promises will remain unbroken forever.” She said the words firmly, as though she was speaking partly to comfort herself about the situation rather than solely for her son’s sake. “He carries the destiny of our tribe on his shoulders. Remember that Nuriya was meant to wed Cyrus. Now that he’s found her again, his plans to wed her shouldn’t come as any surprise. You know the value that she could bring him… that she could bring all of us. The marriage can only strengthen our clan, and that’s what we all want, isn’t it?”

Fire leapt in Horatio’s eyes. “No,” he said in a low voice. “That’s not what I want.”

His mother’s eyes widened. “What are you saying?”

“I said that’s not what I want!” he shouted. He brought his fist slamming down against a crystal side table, causing it to shatter.

“Y-you’re letting your bias toward the Nasiris blind you, my darling,” his mother said. “You never said such things before their arrival. Of course it’s only natural you have an attachment to the clan you spent much of your childhood with… but your father has the greater picture in mind.”

“A greater picture I want no part of!” Horatio hissed.

With that, he turned on his heel and shot out of the room, leaving his mother shell-shocked.

Lucas and I hurried after the jinni, my interest in him now increased tenfold. He made his way up through the palace until he reached the medallion exit. Pushing it open, he burst out into the desert, his chest still heaving, agitation marring his features.

I wasn’t sure where he was planning to go as he went hurtling in the opposite direction, toward the shore. Perhaps merely to blow off some steam. He stopped at the water’s edge, arms wrapping around his chest, and gazed out over the sparkling waves.

I looked around to check that nobody had followed him—half expecting his mother to come after him—but no. He was quite alone.
We
were quite alone…

Acutely aware of our escaping time, I didn’t stop to consider the consequences of the idea that had just flitted into my brain. I solidified myself behind Horatio and spoke his name.

He whirled around to face me, almost jumping out of his skin.

“What—”

Before he could finish his question, I said, “I’m Aisha’s friend.”

He was speechless as he gaped at me and then at Lucas, who followed my cue and solidified himself beside me.

“Who are you, and what are you doing here?”

“My name isn’t important,” I said. “For I am here on the bidding of Aisha Nasiri. She awaits at the other end of the portal, miles north from here. She wishes to speak with you.”

His frown grew more severe, although I couldn’t miss the flash of anticipation in his eyes. “What about? I-I banished her…. Why would she want to speak with
me
?”

“I’m afraid I do not know,” I said, bowing low. “We are only messengers. Will you come with us to see her ladyship?”

Horatio stumbled for words for several moments, narrowing his eyes on us and running a hand through his hair. Finally he shrugged and said, “A-all right. Take me to her.”

Clearly his affection for her was—or had been—as strong as I’d hoped for him to agree to come with two strange fae, on the promise of meeting her on the other side of a portal.

But I hadn’t expected him to agree quite so easily. And now, as Lucas and I sped with Horatio toward the portal, I found myself wondering what the hell I’d just done.

M
y gut was churning
as we passed through the gate. My first instinct was to take him to Aisha, because she had a history with him. He had helped her before—albeit against her will—and if anybody had a chance of obtaining information from him, it was her, certainly not me or Lucas. Especially while he was in a mood over his father.

I’d entered the portal first, hoping to have at least a few seconds to warn Aisha of his arrival and what I had just gotten her into. On the other end, I flew out to find everyone sitting among the rocks, looking tense. The dragons had spread their wings to protect the vampires from the sun.

“Horatio,” I hissed, barely even having the time to register River beneath Jeriad’s wing, my eyes shooting to Aisha. “He is coming, and—”

I didn’t have time to speak another word as he and Lucas darted out of the tunnel.

Horatio straightened and gazed around at our group. As he found Aisha, his deep green eyes softened a touch.

I winced at how shocked Aisha looked. She rose from her resting place beneath a tree, gaping. I hadn’t had a chance to even explain to her what I had said. I just had to pray that things worked out for the best.

Horatio moved cautiously toward her. “You… uh, wanted me?” he asked.

Aisha’s eyes darted to me. I widened my eyes and mouthed
“Say yes!”

“Yes,” Aisha said, reverting her attention to Horatio. The most unconvincing “yes” that was ever spoken.

Horatio raised a brow, looking around again at our group, before fixing on the dragons. “Why are you with these people?”

Aisha cleared her throat to buy herself some time. “I, uh…” My gut clenched as there was a pause. Then she found her line. “I need my family back,” she said, her voice suddenly strained. And I could see from the tears lining her eyes that this was no act.

Horatio ran a hand through his dark curls, rolling his eyes in exasperation. “I already told you. Your family is in my father’s clutches. You need to move on.”

“I’d rather die than live without them,” she said, her tone bolder this time. “If you won’t help me, then at least allow me to try.” She planted her hands on her hips, her teary eyes hardening. A frown formed on her pixie-like face. “It’s my life. Who are you to decide what I can and cannot do? Remove the ban from me and let me try at least.”

“You’re insane!” he said, raising his hands in exasperation. “You’re young. You still have things to live for. You’ll be better off anywhere than back in The Dunes.”

“That’s for me to decide,” she said, teeth gritted. “I want to see my family again.”

Horatio pursed his lips, his jaw tightening. Agitation marred his chiseled features, and even a touch of disappointment. “So… So that’s all you wanted to see me about. Your family.”

“Yes,” she replied, her gaze steely. “I want to go to them. The Dunes are just as much my home as yours. Being a Drizan doesn’t make you God, you know.”

A muscle twitched in Horatio’s face and blood rose to his cheeks, as though she’d just slapped him. “I never claimed to be,” he murmured. “I was just… trying to protect you.”

Aisha’s glare didn’t relent, and I almost felt in that moment that she was being too harsh on him. He clearly liked her a lot, and I did believe him when he said he’d banished her for her own good.

I also found myself wondering just how he was so much stronger than Aisha that he could banish her from her own realm. Perhaps the Drizans were simply a superior race to the Nasiris in terms of magical prowess.

“All right,” Horatio breathed, deflated. Aisha’s glare had worn him down. “I’ll let you back in but… what exactly do you plan to do? Surely you don’t intend to just barge into our palace.”

“I need to find a way to free my family,” she said. As Horatio began to respond—most likely to repeat his statement that it was not possible—Aisha held up a hand and cut him off. “I don’t care what you say. I don’t believe there’s no way to get them out.”

Horatio scoffed. “You’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”

“And you’re a coward!”

Ouch.

A deathly silence descended upon the islet, Horatio looking as though he’d just been whacked in the gut.

Aisha—unrelenting as an angered bull—charged forward until she was barely two feet away from Horatio. Although she was half his height, her eyes appeared fiery enough to burn holes through Horatio’s. “You don’t agree with the things that your father’s doing. I know it. Yet you’ve let yourself become… this.” With two flicks of her hand, she gestured up and down Horatio’s imposing form, looking him over with great disdain. “You’re no longer anything like my old friend. You’ve just become your father’s shadow.” She paused, her nostrils flaring, then for good measure, added, “Your father’s
pawn
.” With that she folded her arms over her chest and pursed her lips, her brows knotting in a frown.

Good luck to the man who winds up with this jinni…

Horatio’s fists clenched into balls. His breathing became labored, his face so wounded and insulted, his pain was almost tangible.

Aisha’s words had hit a raw nerve. Perhaps he realized that he had been a coward. For not standing up to his father, or at least leaving his father’s palace. No matter how much he complained to his mother or raged in front of his father, by staying in the palace and being an onlooker, he was essentially a part of his father’s atrocities.

The hurt in Horatio’s eyes gave way to resentment. His face darkened in a scowl.

“Even if you’re right,” he breathed, “it doesn’t change anything.”

“Why not?” Aisha shot back. Her tone hadn’t gotten any less severe.

“I cannot go against my father,” he said. “My siblings and I only have so much sway. The only thing I could conceivably do is leave, but… he would find me. You do not know me, Aisha—”

“Clearly not,” she interjected.

“I have considered these things many times over.”

“Then why didn’t you attempt any of them?”

“Because it would kill me,” he said. “I know my father better than anyone. His leniency, even with his children, only stretches so far and… escaping… my sister Yalisha already tried it.”

Recognition sparked in Aisha’s eyes. “Yalisha?” she said in a hushed tone. Another childhood friend of hers, I supposed.

Horatio swallowed hard. “He killed her for it.”

Whoa.

That silenced the girl.

“We are the children of royalty. Escape would bring humiliation to my father; for how is a king who cannot command obedience from his children ever to be respected by his citizens?”

Aisha found her voice again. “Well… if you don’t escape, at least you could help us. I know you don’t want my family trapped in there. You don’t even have to do anything. Just throw me a bone. Your father would never know.”

Horatio swallowed hard. Aisha, suddenly gentle—timid, even—reached out a hand and touched his arm. Horatio’s cheeks flushed.

“Is it true that the only way to my family’s freedom… and yours… is to kill your father?” she asked quietly.

Horatio frowned. “Who told you that?”

Aisha cast a furtive look my way before shrugging. “It’s a logical assumption,” she replied, to my relief. I didn’t know how Horatio would react if he knew Lucas and I had been creeping around his home spying.

“Your relatives are bonded to my father, but… I don’t think killing him is the
only
way to free them,” he said, running his tongue over his lower lip. “But if I ever revealed it to you… his secret… he would not hesitate to murder me with his bare hands.”

“I would not want to put you in danger,” Aisha said. “But how would he ever know that you told us?”

“Because there are only very few who know. I found out quite by accident. If you acted on the information that I gave you, it wouldn’t take him long to suspect me.”

Aisha withdrew her hand from his arm, crestfallen.

Horatio, on the other hand, looked conflicted, in spite of his words—as though he were fighting a battle within himself.

He heaved a sigh. “But,” he went on, “perhaps I’ve been a coward long enough.” He cleared his throat, gazing down at Aisha. “Maybe… Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s time for me to take a stand… regardless of the consequences. If I don’t do it now, when will I ever?”

Aisha’s eyes brightened. “So you’ll tell us? What this mysterious weakness is?”

Thoughtfully, he shook his head. “Rather than telling you, I think it’s best that you see it for yourselves…”