The Heir - Blood Secret : The Chosen One - Secret Heir, page 13
I jolted upright from the dream.
Any normal person could have smiled and gone back to sleep. But I knew the dream was real, it was what was to happen. How can I have feelings for him along with feelings I knew I had grown stronger each day for Anton. The love I felt for Zander in my vision was nothing I had felt for anyone before. It reminded me of the love I knew Eliza held for Armacey.
Intense and indestructible.
To have feelings that strong for someone, I had yet to meet in person, was mind-boggling. I knew the vision was in the future, I just didn’t know how far ahead.
Though there was an unsettling feeling forming in the pit of my stomach, the type that was warning me all is not as it seems. It was the calm before the storm, I was sure of it.
No matter what, I knew my loyalty stood with my immortal family, they were the ones that had kept me safe from creatures that stalked the shadows.
I am the daughter of a powerful seer and vampire, something that would have freaked anyone out, yet here I was, willing to risk my life for them. I had powers that were over seven hundred years old not to mention ancient magic.
I was determined to be the one to stand with them in their war against the breachers.
There is no doubt about it.
So why does Zander believe we are meant to be together? Love me! He has never even met me. I was completely baffled.
I wanted desperately to go back to sleep, to ask Zander why he thought he was my future, but I decided against it, instead, I lay hugging my pillow, staring at the crackling fire, watching the flickering flames, forcing myself to stay awake. All the while trying to make sense out of everything. At the same time hoping that Anton would come and comfort me soon.
I needed his touch.
I needed him to hold me.
1
THE HEIR - BLOOD SECRET
Chapter ten
I must have fallen asleep, the sun was shining throughout the room and I was woken by the sound of the sirens blaring loudly throughout the castle. I knew that it was an alarm warning the vampires there was an outsider entering the grounds. I yanked the sheets off me, the sound of the bedroom door creaking open had me holding my hands up, hoping that my powers would work from the fear of being attacked.
Only, I let my guard down, once I had noticed it was Anton.
He entered, scanning the room.
“Are you okay?” he asked. He rushed to the tinted window observing the grounds below.
“Yeah,” I assured him “Is it a breacher?” I asked. Why did I not see this, I should have had a vision at least.
Before I knew it, he was standing in front of me. “We’re not sure yet, no one has passed my vampires at any of their guard points,” he stated.
“You know, I just woke up, I haven’t even had time to adjust to light yet, let alone your quick moves.” I said, scolding him.
“My apologies, Armacey had requested I take you to him if any alarm sounds. Ready?” he asked. I knew he was asking permission to swoop me up and dash from the room.
I took a deep breath in allowing myself to gain focus.
“I’m ready,” I whispered, holding my arms around his neck. His red eyes watched me for a lingering second before he scooped me up, holding me into his chest, and dashing out the room.
The sight of the hall walls passed in a blur as we came to a stop, the alarm had also ceased. Anton loosened his tight grip on me. I bent over, holding my hands on my knees, as I tried to fight the queasiness.
“Surely, there’s a spell to prevent me from having the side effects of your unnatural speed.” I sighed, pulling myself up to see a massive looking dog sitting next to Armacey.
My hands reached for Anton, grabbing his leather trench coat, fearful for my safety. I wasn’t a fan of dogs they were unpredictable.
Well, with me anyway. They only ever growled, when they saw me, maybe they sensed my powers before I had even known of them myself.
But the sight of this dog had me more scared, especially since finding out vampires and magic existed.
I moved, standing behind Anton “It’s a ....” I couldn’t get the words out, but I held Anton tighter. If it was going to attack them Anton was the best possible opponent for it.
“He’s a werewolf, not a dog.” Armacey was quick to note.
Shocked, “I’m sorry...what?” I had to ask, hoping he would repeat the words again. I remember werewolves being brought into a conversation, I just didn’t think I would come face to face with one.
My eyes drifted from Armacey to the animal as it shifted from its wolf form to a full standing naked man. His long dark brown hair flowed down all the way to his back. His almond eyes creased as he offered a smile, having noticed me gawking at him.
I wearily smiled back, forcing myself to keep eye contact with his chocolate-colored eyes, and not on the body parts that hung in plain view for me to see.
The handsome fine-looking human turned and kneeled in front of my father, and bowed his head. I couldn’t figure out if he was trying to hide his nakedness or was timid of being surrounded by vampires in their sanctuary.
Was there more than one wolf here? I thought to myself, as I looked over my shoulder to check, only to have Armacey answer my question that no one else heard.
“No, the pack sends only one of their own. However, if there’s something to be concerned about, many will be within communication distance,” he informed me, before turning his attention back to the man that was still kneeling.
I stood completely confused.
“Wait! So, vampires and werewolves get along?” That’s not what the movies portrayed…. Then again, the movies and TV shows are based on make-believe and this was real life.
Armacey glanced back at me, his eyebrow raised at my question clearly unsure how to answer.
“It’s just” I shook my head “Never mind.” I couldn’t even try and explain.
Armacey turned his attention back to the naked man.
“You have permission to stand and tell me the reason why you are here.”
The young man stood.
“I have two of my own behind the boundary lines if I require their assistance,” the man said before proceeding to speak with my father.
I turned to see Anton walk towards the door and open it. He was holding something black, he made his way to the young man handing out what I had noticed to be leather pants.
I rolled my eyes. That’s all everyone wears around here. He looked more of a hippie type of guy, not gothic in the slightest.
He thanked Anton and stepped into the leather material, my eyes drifted over his body captivated by his strong lean muscles.
Wow, even werewolves are flawless.
Armacey cleared his throat, catching my gaze.
He read my thoughts again!
I blushed from being caught out admiring the young man “Sorry,” I whispered apologizing, having just been caught out by his gift of hearing.
“I seriously need to find a spell for that.”
Armacey offered a smirk for my annoyance of his gift.
“Oh, come on, stop already! It’s not fair.”
It was unnatural, creepy and just simply intrusive.
Ignoring him, I stood watching them both, a vampire and a wolf in the company of one another. Yet, they didn’t seem on edge at all from being in each other’s company.
“The alpha of my pack asked me to warn you of a power that is coming.” he turned his head staring at me, a look of uncertainty washed over his expression.
He started to walk towards me. “Similar, if not greater than hers,” he said.
I backed up a few feet, having an uneasiness rise inside me.
“There is no such power greater than Francesca’s, that I can assure you of,” Armacey informed, watching the man.
He sniffed the air as he got closer to me, unsure of what he was doing I directed my stare to my father who stood with a stern look, unsure of the strangers’ intentions.
My father slowly starting walking toward me as he watched the handsome but curious human.
“I warn you now! No harm shall come to my daughter,”
The long-haired stranger turned his head and looked at my father. “Daughter?” he scoffed.
“We, as a pack was unaware you had a vampire spawn,” he added with a disgusted tone.
“That’s because she was protected from breachers. It’s clear to me she was also hidden from you by the sounds of it. She’s not a vampire, she’s much greater than that. You will be sure to pass on the information to your pack and any other pack that wishes to know.” he warned.
He was warning them against me. Undoubtedly, putting fear into anyone that was bound to take an interest in the one person he had kept safe and hidden all of these years.
“That explains the confusion that surrounds her, I can’t get a sense of much. It’s the power she holds within her, the light that shines from her is clear to see.”
“Light?” I asked confused, but the wolfman didn’t pay me any attention.
“Look at me,” I said, pointing to myself “Not him!” I demanded, needing him to talk to me instead of talking about me as if I wasn’t even in their company.
He turned, giving me his full attention, carefully looking me up and down as if he was studying me.
He moved his head around as he sniffed again. “We have senses that are beyond any of the vampires. Yet, it’s a cloud of confusion that radiates from you, I can only assume you have used magic to protect yourself?” he questioned.
I glanced at Armacey, for a flicker of reassurance that I could identify what I truly held within me.
Can he be trusted? I asked in thought.
When he offered a nod, I nodded back known it was safe to reveal my secret.
“I hold ancient magic within me,” I told him.
Maybe, that was concealing me from his abilities?
His eyebrows rose in astonishment, then he kneeled before me, “Forgive me, I mean no disrespect.”
I dropped to my knee, to his level and placed my hand on his shoulder.
“Please stand-up.” I was growing tired of people bowing before me. The wolfman stood, towering over me.
Anton took his position by my side. I was sure it was to warn the stranger he was too close for comfort.
“Your fear of the werewolf must have put a shield of protection up against him,” Anton said.
“Then she will need a bigger shield,” the man remarked “We are the least of your problems. The power my kind sensed must not be yours, it’s a mixture of different types of magic.” his human features etched with confusion, he was a lot easier to read than the vampires.
I was sure he was talking about Zander, recalling my dream from last night. How could they have known this quick or have known at all? My fingertips brushed over my eyebrows as I tried to make sense of everything.
“Leave us,” Armacey demanded.
I thought he wanted to be left alone with the unexpected guest. So, I turned preparing to leave the room with Anton.
“Not you, Francesca!” Armacey said with a stern tone. I took a deep breath, before turning around to face him. I watched as the man who looked dreamy but smelled of a wet musky dog walked passed me, making his way towards Anton.
Armacey’s eyes were drawn to the door, the sound of the latch catching had him swiftly divert his attention back to me. He stood staring for a few lingering seconds with the dark red eyes that would have intimidated me if given the chance.
“Your dream, was it a warning?” he demanded to know.
I knew he had heard my thoughts, I wasn’t going to insult him by denying it.
“The breachers’ son came to me, warning me of what could be prevented if I could control my powers,” I said, willing to share what I had known.
“And?” he asked, tilting his head slightly knowing there was more to hear. I kept my gaze locked on him, refusing to let any thought escape me.
I shrugged “And...Nothing.” Trying my best to block him from entering my head.
“You’re a bad liar. So was Eliza,” he replied, offering nothing but a raised brow waiting for me to explain myself.
I rolled my eyes “Fine...!” I sighed “The breachers’ son showed me a vision of my future. His love for me is strong. Yet, I have never met him. I don’t understand.” I felt relieved, I had told someone, but a little uneasy at it being my father, the elder that despises breachers. How was he going to take the news of a breachers’ son being in love with his daughter?
My father held his hands out palms facing up.
“Show me,” he demanded. I had no idea what he was trying to make me do. Truth be told, I didn’t even know if it was possible, but I had the need to prove to him that Zander posed no threat. I was desperate to try and show Armacey so when Zander arrived no harm would come to him.
“I don’t know how to,” I stressed, placing my hands on his hands, just for nothing to happen. I looked at our hands touching, willing for it to happen. But still, nothing happened.
“Breathe and imagine showing me what you saw, Eliza had done it many times. The power is within you, just concentrate.” he soothed. I closed my eyes, listening to my breathing as I got lost in my thoughts, recalling my dream.
Suddenly the shock of an electric current vibrated through our hands, I scrunched my eyes tighter, trying to push past the pain that had formed from allowing him to share my memories.
I didn’t get pain when I took the visions from anyone else, why now when I was showing him?
It was as if I was standing watching myself on the rooftop, an out-of-body experience, watching myself and Zander talking.
Replaying for Armacey to watch and hear, to evaluate the situation for himself.
The link was broken from Armacey having seen enough.
“I have heard stories of the coven he spoke of. What makes you believe he is the one to help you, for all you know it could be a trap.” he warned, resting his hands behind his back, waiting for me to answer.
I was sure I could trust Zander.
I truly believed him and was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, to help us all in the battle that drew closer.
“Then I will learn to control my magic and hope he is genuine.”
I watched Armaceys jaw clench, both sides pulsated, unsure of how he was going to handle the situation. I was determined to stand my ground. I was not going to allow him to lock me in a room and hope the battle played out to how he had known them to do in the past.
“Very well, I trust your judgment.” was all he said.
“That’s it...No, I’m an elder and you will do as you are told?” I asked, shocked.
“There would be no point in arguing with you Francesca. As I said before, you’re very much like Eliza and she was never one to back down. I won’t waste either of our time in trying to reason with you.” he added, taking his position in his chair that sat in the middle of the other two empty chairs.
It suddenly dawned on me, he had been alone the whole time I had been here. He was in a castle full of vampires that obeyed everything he ever asked of them, only to be sitting alone in this room, that I had come to appreciate.
Willing and wanting to spend more time with him.
“The castle roof, can you show me the way?” I asked, hoping he would take me himself.
“I will let Anton know you require his assistance,” he replied.
“Can you show me?” I was unsure if he was used to leaving this room or how long it had been since he was around a human since Eliza’s death. However, I wanted to try and learn more about him and who my mother was.
He stood, “Very well,” he said, agreeing to my request.
“Ladies, first” he gestured to the door.
1
THE HEIR - BLOOD SECRET
Chapter eleven
I followed Armacey up the turret of concrete stairs, and out onto the top of the castle. The swoosh of the fresh air was refreshing. I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs. I suddenly realized I hadn’t been outside since I had arrived at the castle.
It was strange to be standing out in the broad daylight with a vampire. I was waiting for him to spontaneously combust at any given moment. I found myself wondering just how powerful his amulet was for it to allow him to walk among humans.
“Amulets are only given to the ones that have proven themselves” he announced, as we walked towards the edge.
“You know I’m going to find a spell to stop you from doing that?” I replied, offering him a smirk.
Armacey offered nothing more than a bemused smile back. I quickly turned the conversation around.
“Breachers, can they walk in daylight or do they need amulets too?” I asked.
“They are still part vampires at the end of the day, just more destructive in nature, they would still need an amulet. I have seen them out in the light. I can only assume they have found a witch that granted their wish to be protected.”
I pushed the breachers to the back of my mind, as I took in the view. I gave myself a moment to reflect back on my dream.
I walked over to where I stood in my dream, talking to Eliza and Zander. My eyes drifted to the trees that covered the ground below.
“It was here, Eliza had come to me in my dream.” having remembered it was only the Zander memory Armacey had seen.
There was silence for a moment before he spoke.
“Your mother always loved being up here, she would retreat to the roof to think and recharge after times that tested her magic,”
I kept my eyes on the trees below, as the leaves gently blew in the wind.
“What was she like?” I questioned.
“She was kind, fearless and too damn stubborn at times. She was so tenacious. In fact, it would test even a vampire’s patience,” he answered, with a humorous chuckle. The amusement in his voice caught my attention, all I could do was watch him.
He turned and glanced down at me.
“You’re very much like Eliza. She wanted to protect you as best as she could,” he whispered, trying to hold his composure.
