Vampire Girl 3: Silver Flame (10 page)

Metsi laughs. "We have many weapons and soldiers here. We have Druids coming back into power. We have a spy amongst the enemy’s midst. And… we have an ally. One of the princes is on our side. He will ensure our victory from within."

Tavian and I both flinch at her words. A prince is working with Metsi? Who? I cannot think of even one who would side with the Fae.

Metsi smiles, probably in response to our faces. "I would very much love to include you amongst our supporters," she says. "Come, Tavian. Join us. Give up your vagabond ways and I will make you wealthier than you can imagine. I will give you anything your heart desires. Join with your kin once more and help us defeat our enemies."

Her speech is persuasive, but I won’t fight my brothers. Tavian however….

"I appreciate the offer, but I am done with war, Metsi. You know this." Tavian sounds casual, but I see the tension in his muscles. This does not seem to be the conversation he expected.

Metsi rises from her throne and walks down the steps to stand closer to us. She stops a few feet in front of Tavian. "Have you not brought me anything then?" she asks. "Do tell me, who is this friend of yours? Has she a tongue?"

"This is Darnsa, my apprentice," he says without missing a beat. "We were just passing through and wanted to pay our respects. I have nothing to offer this visit, but if you have a request, I will do my best to oblige."

He's smooth, but she's looking too closely at me. I resist the urge to clutch the sword at my hip, but my hand is twitching. I'm ready.

"Oh, Tavian Gray. How you disappoint." Metsi raises her hand and waves it over my face. "Look here. Not a mere apprentice at all, but rather Kayla Windhelm. The bastard Shade of the late king. And a pretty prize, indeed."

A low growl forms under Tavian's breath. "She's with me, under my protection."

Metsi flashes a look at him, her eyes narrowing. "I will pay you handsomely for her. Rumor has it you are in want of a small fortune. I can provide that, no strings attached. Leave the girl here and you may leave with what you can carry."

I suck in my breath, waiting. This is what Tavian has wanted. And even if he refuses, why would that stop a Druid? I look around, searching for windows and doors, searching for a way to flee, wondering if I can find my way back to the Waystone. I see no options.

A moment. The air thickens between the three of us.

Tavian takes three measured breaths before answering. "Metsi, you do not wish to press me. We leave now."

"Guards!" the Druid screams, and dozens of armed soldiers surround us.

I pull my sword out, but Tavian lays a hand on mine. "Trust me, please," he whispers.

I don't sheathe my sword, but I lower it slowly.

All eyes are on us.

Tavian growls again, and the room grows dark. Candles flicker out. Smoke fills the space around us and the air crackles with lightning. His voice sounds louder, deeper, when he speaks. "Have you forgotten who I am? Do you take me for a common Fae? You do not wish to challenge me, Druid."

Metsi's eyes widen, and she takes a step back. Her serpent recoils. With a flick of her wrist, Metsi signals the guards, and they disappear from sight. Only then does the light return and the air settle. Only then does the tension fall from Tavian’s body.

Metsi walks slowly back to her throne and sits gracefully. Despite her mannerism, I can see the fear on her face, though I do not understand what a Druid has to fear but a prince of hell. "Now, now, Tavian. No need for all that. It was just a friendly request. Of course you and the princess are free to go."

The look Metsi gives me sends a chill up my back. Then it fills me with anger for the vampires and Shade outside, and I clutch my sword harder. But Tavian wastes no time. He grabs my hand and pulls us out of the room.

We speak no words as we make our way through the garden and back to the Waystone. It isn't until we are behind the stone door and moving back to the Outlands that I finally ask. "Who are you, Tavian? Who are you, to scare a Druid?"

He looks at me, his emerald eyes hiding so many secrets. "I'm not one to be trifled with."

"You will wake the ancient powers of our kind and bring balance back to the Four Tribes. And then we will free our people and rule our world once again."

—Madrid

I sit on
a stump calming my breath after our escape, keeping my eye on the mirror. A part of me still fears Sly’s pet will follow us, finish what it started, but then I remember it’s not the mirror that is magic, but the vampires who brought me here.

Es bends over, puking and cursing between bouts of vomiting. "What just happened?" she mumbles, leaning against a tree in the moonlight. "What was that… that…" She collapses, and Pete barely catches her before her head hits the ground. He pats her face, calling out her name, but she doesn’t respond.

Fen walks over to them, Baron at his side. "She has witnessed too much too soon. I have seen this happen before. It will pass in time, but she needs a healer." He reaches for Pete’s shoulder, to comfort him.

Pete smacks his hand away. "Get off her. Where the hell have you taken us? She’ll be fine back home. Back where—"

"You cannot go back," says Fen. "Not if you want to live."

Pete clenches his jaw. "Fine. A healer then."

Dean leans over to me, whispering, "What’s wrong with the redhead?"

I roll my eyes, "How about the fact that his girlfriend just passed out? Or that they almost ended up as dinner for a giant bat? Or maybe it’s the fact that they’re in a new strange place, surrounded by things and creatures they don't understand, with no way home?"

Dean raises an eyebrow. "You sure he didn’t just have a bad lunch?"

I groan and push him away, then stand and walk over to Es. "Here, I can help."

Pete looks at me coldly, the same stare he gave Fen, but then his face calms, and he nods.

I hold my hands over Es’s chest, and whisper incantations Varis taught me. My energy flows through me, and I feel a presence I have not felt in a long time.

Yami.

I turn my face, seeing the little dragon perching on my shoulder, his skin like moving stars in a dark sky. His company fills me with happiness, and I channel that bliss into Es.

She gasps, then breathes in deeply, steadily. Her eyes do not open, but she is stronger than she was.

"Thank you," says Pete, avoiding eye contact with me. I'm waiting for the questions, but whatever he's thinking, he doesn’t ask. I'm sure he wishes I'd never brought him and Es to The Black Lotus, never gotten them involved. I wish that had been an option. I wish I could explain it all to him in a way he'd believe. And for a moment, I wish I had never come to Inferna myself.

Fen takes Es by the shoulders. "May I?"

Pete nods, and Fen lifts Es up in his arms, carrying her to the glowing city.

Varis and Dean are arguing about something at the edge of a river. The Druid turns to me. "We cannot stay here."

Dean grins. "Well, I’m not leaving, and your precious Midnight Star goes where I go, so…"

"You are far too happy," says Varis to Dean, sighing. He turns his attention to Fen. "Do you not fear retaliation from your brothers?"

Fen nods. "The Druid has a point. We can’t be seen gallivanting around Inferna. We escaped hanging and are still wanted."

I shudder as I imagine being locked in the dungeons again, and Yami trembles on my shoulder. Oh, how I missed my baby dragon. I scratch his chin, soothing him, and he purrs and rubs his head against mine. No one seems to notice the behavior, so I assume Yami is keeping himself hidden again, invisible to all but me.

Dean laughs. "No one in my realm cares about politics. You’re safe here. Now, let me show you why the Moonlight Garden is the most popular city in all of the Seven Realms."

"The most popular city?" I raise an eyebrow. "And you think no one will report us to Levi? Not even someone passing through?"

Dean growls, clearly done with this conversation and ready to return to his palace.

Varis sighs, rubbing his tired eyes. "If we must stay, I can cast an illusion to hide who we are. Only a powerful wielder of magic could see through it, and only if they knew to look."

Dean grins. "Well, why didn’t you say so earlier, my good friend? You know, this illusion thingy seems incredibly useful. There’s this lady friend of mine, absolutely gorgeous. We didn’t leave things off so well, if you know what I mean. She still hates the sight of this pretty mug. So, maybe we could alter it for an occasion. Just keep it beautiful though, okay?"

Varis ignores the prince, addressing everyone else. "Each of us will be able to see through the illusion, but strangers will not. Understood?"

Fen purses his lips, looking down at the woman in his arms. "Cast the spell on Arianna's friends as well. I don't want the vampires here tempted to feed on them."

"And no illusion for me at the moment," says Dean. "My people must see their prince."

Varis nods and pulls a stone from a pouch around his neck. He mumbles words in a language I recognize as ancient Fae but don't understand, and a glimmer of magic shimmers over us, like a light rain on a warm day. For a moment, I see what Varis, Fen, Es, Pete, and even Baron will look like as someone else.  Then the glimmer fades, and they return to normal. Pete's eyes are round and scared but he's still not saying anything. I think he's in shock.

"Neat trick. You'll have to teach me that," I say.

The Druid rolls his eyes. "I've been trying to teach you things exactly like this. Pay better attention."

Dean chuckles at my expense and leads us into his glowing city.

***

When we enter the Moonlight Garden, I lose my breath, and fall deep into its wonders. This is nothing like the rugged Stonehill, nor even the elegant Crystal Palace. This is like a dream, one in which everything moves slowly, for everything is too beautiful to experience in haste, and in which you are happy without even knowing why. It is a dream from which you do not wish to wake. It begins with the gates, carved from pure white wood, resembling a tree and branches that you can see between. It continues in the white and purple flowers, filling the air with scents I can only call intoxicating. Scents that makes me glance at Fen and wish we were alone. It follows in the cobbled paths, and the people that fill them, scantily clad in silver and black clothing, dancing to a primal beat that reverberates through the city, stirring my body to movement. It is found in the piper sitting on a beautiful boat as it glides through the canals, and he fills the passages with the sweet melody of wonder and bliss. It is there, when we arrive at the palace. A structure of the colors of night, glowing like the moon in the darkness, its spires vanishing in the pale blue clouds. Purple vines spill from its balconies, running into gardens where naked women and men swim in glorious fountains, spouting water that glows when disturbed. There is no place like this dream. No place like the Moonlight Garden.

***

We enter the main hall of the Pleasure Palace, and I raise my arms to the ceiling so far above I can barely make it out. Purple clouds drift there, fooling my mind into believing we are still outside in nature. "An enchantment of my Keeper, Baldar," says Dean, noticing my gaze. "Ah, look, he is here to greet us." Dean motions to the Fae before us, his face perfect and pristine, his white beard short and well kept. He is a short man, the shortest I have seen in these lands, and his face is kind.

"Prince Dean," Baldar says, his voice loud and jolly. "How splendid it is to witness your return. May I prepare a bath or—"

"My friend needs healing," says Dean, gesturing to Es. "Take them to the eastern wing and use only your best potions."

Baldar nods and motions to a nearby servant, a shirtless Fae with ivory skin and long, elegant limbs. The young man takes Es into his arms, then Baldar guides him and Pete into a grand hallway, out of sight.

"I should go with them. Explain things." I step forward, and suddenly my knees buckle and I fall backwards.

Fen catches me from behind. "Let the Keeper do his work. Later, when Es is awake, you can explain. Right now, you need to rest." He glances at my arm, where Lopsi’s venom burned my dress and left a red mark.

"Fine," I say, knowing he’s right.

Dean waves us over. "Come, I’ll show you to your rooms."

He guides us up a marble staircase, into floors even higher than the grand hall. There are so many steps, I grow exhausted, and Fen lifts me into his arms. I don't even bother protesting. It feels too good to be this close to him. To feel his body. I lean my head against his chest, taking in his scent, and listen to the strong beat of his heart.

Dean glances my way and rolls his eyes. "Here you are," he says, motioning to a room with the largest bed I have ever seen. Silk sheets and purple pillows cover the mattress. Four wooden posts surround the wooden bed frame, and see-through curtains spill from their tops, like a dress that shows more than it hides.

The entire back wall of the room is missing, leading to a grand balcony overlooking the city, making way for soothing aromas and wistful songs.

"Varis, you will find your room next to hers," says Dean.

Varis nods, looking at me. "Call if the vampires cause problems." Then he disappears into his room.

"And this," Dean points to the door opposite mine, "Is my room."

Fen grunts. "Where do I sleep?"

"Down the hall. Four levels down. To the right. Behind the kitchens." Dean’s face is pure seriousness. "Can’t have you sneaking into the princess’s room now, can I? It
is
my turn after all."

Fen puts me down and mumbles something about "not wanting to be king" and "bloody contract." Then he cups my face in his hands and kisses my lips softly. "If you need anything, call my name. And I will come."

He turns away and disappears down the hallway, though Baron takes a few more moments to follow, and I wonder if Fen truly can hear so far. If he was bluffing in front of his brother, I can always draw his mark to summon him. The thought fills me with a sense of security, and I fall into the bed, letting myself sink into the soft mattress, Yami curling up against my neck. The aches in my body seem to fade instantly, and my mind starts to fall into sleep.

"Sweet dreams, Princess," says Dean as he closes the door, and I rest comfortably for the first time in a long time.

***

I dream of fire and pain. Of buildings crumbling around me and leaving nothing but ash. I see Daison before me, half his body blackened and dead, the other half innocent and pleading. Pleading for me to save him.

But I cannot.

I cannot.

I cannot.

No matter what I do, he is gone. He can never return.

I turn away, and now, amidst the burning ruins, I see Es and Pete. They stand together, their eyes filled with tears and rage. "How could you bring this upon us?" says Pete, his voice cold.

"You were our friend!" yells Es. "You were our friend and you let us die!"

No. No. No. You’re not dead. There’s still time.

Time.

Time.

It seems to stand still.

I run forward. To reach my friends. To save them. But I cannot move. I cannot stop the flames.

They reach down, tendrils of smoke and heat, curling around flesh and bone and burning hair. I watch as their faces melt. As their bodies turn to blood and bone and ash.

I watch.

I watch.

I watch.

And I can do nothing.

***

I wake with a gasp, covered in sweat and a stench. For a moment, I can’t remember where I am, and panic begins to grip me, but then I recall the Moonlight Garden, the Pleasure Palace. Fen.

I slip from my bed and undress, throwing my sweaty dress across the room, and go the bathroom. It’s bigger than the room I grew up in, and the shower proves warm and soothing. I use various soaps laid out on the counter, and they fill the air with a sweet, orange citrus scent. Next, I find an armoire to the side of the balcony and scan it for something new to wear. Everything seems more undergarment than actual clothing. Figures. Finally, I settle on a plain white dress that is only
slightly
see through. I slip it on, and it feels smooth and cool against my skin. This is not a material I have ever felt before. It's lighter than feathers, and more comfortable than a warm embrace. There are beauties to this realm that are indeed to be cherished.

I think of returning to bed, but my nightmares still haunt me, so I leave my room and wander the halls, searching for something to distract. After passing many closed doors, I come upon an open library, with shelves higher than I can reach, and ladders taller than I dare climb. Lanterns hang on the walls and sit on tables, illuminating the room with warm orange glows. I hear shuffling of paper and realize I’m not alone.