The Heir - Blood Secret : The Chosen One - Secret Heir, page 16
The sound of raised voices had me slowly opening my eyes.
“You allowed her to summon a demon! You were ordered to protect her. Not have her put in dangers way!” the voice roared.
Uh oh, that could only mean one thing. Anton was at risk of being put in the firing line of Armacey's wrath.
“I’m okay.” I groaned, pushing up onto my elbows, letting them see I was awake. There was no doubt about it, my body was still feeling weak from summoning the demon but I had to make sure no harm came to Anton.
Confusion washed over me, as I glanced over towards the door. Anton had his back to me, tilting his head to see me in his side view, he was trying to block me from seeing whoever else was in his company. It wasn’t Armacey that much I knew, he would have been by my side for sure.
The young man stepped out of view from Anton, allowing me to see him, my brows twitched trying to understand what in the hell was going on.
I frowned “Zander?”
“I’m here” he soothed. Why was he here? He wasn’t due to arrive until the night of the battle and I wasn’t sure I needed him for that either, the black magic was lifted. I could protect myself and the vampires alone, I was sure of it.
He rushed to the bed, offering a genuine smile. He was just as handsome in real life as he was in my vision, his brown hair still fell a little over his brows. I could see he had brown eyes and not the blue shade I had thought he would have had. It had been too dark, the night I had the vision to have seen his true eye color.
I winced in pain as I pulled myself upright.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice a little scratchy. It hurt to move, my body felt as though I had just done a hardcore workout for the first time and now the day after my muscles were feeling the burn. My eyes drifted to Anton who stood wearily watching as Zander sat in front of me on the bed.
The bed he had held me at night, making me feel safe.
He was unsure of Zander, jealousy I assumed.
Vampires don’t get jealous, do they? I thought to myself.
I drew my attention back to Zander, his hand reached for my cheek, he was comfortable with touching me as if he knew me intimately, yet he was still a stranger to me.
I pulled away from his touch, out of respect for Anton and the fact the vision might have shown me we loved each other in the future, but I knew future visions could change.
Zander’s eyebrows creased at me for pulling away from his embrace.
“My link to you had been severed, I had no access to you what so ever. I sensed the presence of a demon entity. I had to know you were safe, I came as soon as I could” he declared.
“Link?” I asked. It was too early in the morning for me to grasp the reality of what was happening, I hadn’t even had my morning caffeine fix.
He shuffled closer to me “We’re linked by our visions, by our future vision” he smirked, looking over his shoulder to look at Anton. I knew he was trying to get one up on him. That was obvious for anyone to see.
Anton was unaware of the vision I had of Zander, I hadn’t told him and I’m sure Armacey hadn’t either, I felt a headache forming at the thought of having to explain that one to him.
“Anton?” I said, looking for reassurance from the one person I knew I could trust. He was by the side of the bed within seconds.
“I’m here” he soothed, looking down to Zander offering him a raised eyebrow back, at me having asked for him instead of the breachers’ son.
“Really!” I rolled my eyes at the petty games they played between each other. For a vampire and my so-called future lover, these two were like a pair of children squabbling over a bag of candy.
I pulled the silk sheets back and stood to be by Anton’s side, my arm looped with his arm, and I leaned my head on his shoulder. I needed to feel his coldness against my skin, then I would know for sure I wasn’t dreaming, that this really was happening.
My eyes looked down in confusion to the black silk gown that I was wearing. Baffled, I glanced up at Zander, his jaw pulsated he was clearly agitated by what he could only assume I was wearing for Anton’s sake.
“It’s not what it looks like” I declared. I knew how it looked. I was in a vampire’s bed, wearing a sexy nightgown that even I had no clue as to how I ended up wearing it.
I didn’t need to justify myself, but I also didn’t want Zander to be hurt by what he thought it was. He was a stranger, yet I was worried about hurting his feelings.
What is wrong with you Francesca, when did you get so soft! My inner bitch scoffed.
I released my arm from Anton’s
I tugged at the thin silk material and glanced down.
“How did I get into this?” I asked. Whoever this belongs to, seriously has to update their wardrobe!
It barely covered my modesty.
I looked up and stared at Anton, waiting for an answer and offering my resting bitch face.
“I dressed you, so you would be comfortable” he replied, diverting a smirk once again at Zander.
I crossed my arms defensively, as I stood beside him. He had stripped me down to my underwear and put me into the nightgown. That would mean he had seen me practically naked.
I lowered my eyes and blushed.
“There was no need,” I snapped, irritation began brewing inside me. However, my body didn’t react, Zander was right my powers had taken a beaten. I pushed my worries to the side for the time being.
Was this what Zander meant when he told me in my vision, my powers would be tested to its limits?
“You weren’t meant to arrive until the night of the battle, so why are you here so soon?” I asked.
I studied the men standing in front of me, both of them powerful in their own individual way.
I observed them both for a moment.
Zander and Anton gave each other blank glances, refusing to meet my gaze.
“Anton!” I said louder “What is it? Tell me!” I demanded. I could surely count on him to reveal the truth, right?
He exhaled heavily, unsure of how I would react to whatever it was he knew that I didn’t know.
“Tell me or I will find out for myself,” I warned, holding my hand up ready to force a vision upon myself. I would never take advantage of him like that, but he didn’t know that.
I was merely calling his bluff, but he was one of the few I trusted, and I could only hope he would not lie to me. He knew better than to keep secrets from me, he learned from that mistake on the rooftop with the Zac fiasco.
“I don’t think you could, even if you tried,” Zander added, rubbing the nape of his neck.
He was so stressed looking, it had begun making me nervous.
Something in the way he said those words had me on edge, “Will one of you just tell me, what in the hell is going on?” They were starting to scare me.
I was in the presence of a vampire and a powerful witch yet, something was worrying them. Which only had me fearing the worst.
“It’s been three days since you summoned the demon.” Anton finally informed me.
He came closer to me and reached out for my hands.
Desperate for the reassurance I link my hands with his and stepped closer.
“What are you talking about? That’s ridiculous, I can assure you….” I paused, nothing he said made sense.
I tried desperately to remember what had happened, surely, I couldn’t have been sleeping for three days.
I had passed out from my powers before why was this time any different?
I sighed, pulling away raking my free hand through my bed hair, gathering my thoughts.
“The demon, Vovack. I remember getting pulled into the darkness, so that would make it the morning after?” I glanced back and forth to Anton and Zander.
“Wouldn’t it?” I asked, hoping they would both say yes, and agree with me, and it was them that was confused and not me.
“Francesca, look at me.” I turned to Zander as he whispered my name, his worrying look had me knowing something wasn’t right.
“It’s true,” he said with a look of pity. “You were knocked out cold for three days, hence why I couldn’t link to you. Try and remember, did you have any dreams or visions?” He asked eagerly, standing with his arms crossed as he waited for me to reply.
Come to think of it, I didn’t. Ever since discovering my powers, I always had dreams or visions when I slept, but I didn’t this time.
“No,” I replied back absently.
“I have magic in my blood, I have healing abilities. I don’t....” it was no good, I didn’t even know where to start. That will teach me to think I was invisible for having powerful magic.
I made a mental note, not to take my powers for granted when they returned.
“You frazzled your magic summoning the demon,” Zander announced.
“Wait! So, I don’t have any powers?” I shrieked.
I dashed towards the fire, needing space, the room was closing in on me, and my breathing became harder as I tried to take long deep breaths.
“No…no…no this can’t be happening, the breachers are due to attack in four nights, and I need my powers” I rushed, beginning to panic.
“Tomorrow actually!” Zander said hesitatingly.
I turned my head glaring at him, wondering if he was going to let me figure it out for myself or if he would humor me. How can this be the man I felt so much love for in the future? I knew nothing about him. He wasn’t even my type he had the whole arrogant bad boy attitude oozing from him.
I turned back to the fire, crossing my arms seeking comfort from my own touch.
The warmth of the flames calmed me down.
I felt Zander’s hands on my shoulders, with a sense of protection. I flinched at feeling another human touch, I had been around vampires for what seemed like forever and had gotten used to their cold touch.
I didn’t move, I also couldn’t turn to see Anton’s reaction, I was ashamed to admit I was getting comfort from Zander, his touch was enough to let me know he was also here to keep me safe. I couldn’t refuse his help, he had powers that matched mine, If not stronger. The werewolves even sensed it, he had been doing this longer by the sound of things.
But can I trust him? I barely even know him.
“The breachers are due to attack tomorrow, the night of the blood moon,” he said.
I kept my stare among the flames. “What would have happened, if I didn’t wake up” I whispered back. The thought of my father and Anton in danger with me unable to protect them, had my anxiety levels rising.
“I would have been here and protected you either way. You almost died Francesca, I won’t lose you. We have too much to gain in our future” he declared.
I shrugged from his hold of me and turned to face him, my eyes glanced behind Zander in search of Anton, but he was gone, the room door was left wide open. I knew I should have gone after him, and try to explain as to who Zander was and why he was here, but I needed to know more of what Zander knew.
I stood, staring into his hypnotizing eyes. “Our futures can be altered, if not changed, free will and all,” I replied, he offered a wide smile.
“Ours won’t, it’s written in the stars, so to speak,” he said, with a hint of smugness.
“You’re the light within their darkness, but you’re the leader of our kind”. He told me it in riddles, none of it was making sense to me.
“Wait, there are more of us?” I asked.
Zander gazed at me, pausing for a few minutes as if choosing his words wisely.
I held my hand up, with my fingers flexed.
“Are you going to give me a clue or do I need to play tag to find out?” I smirked, toying with him. His playful banter had me warming to him.
How can I find myself drawn to him? And Anton, it wasn’t fair on either of them, I had to try and figure this out for all our sakes.
“That won’t work, your magic is down, remember?” he replied back, flashing me a cheeky wink, knowing full well I couldn’t tap into my powers.
I dropped my hand.
Damn it!
“How long will my powers be down for?” I asked, desperately needing to know.
“Until your body regenerates, you used a lot of energy. Im rather surprised the demons touch didn’t kill you” he said.
I was sure it was something to do with the ancient magic that kept me safe from the demons deadly touch.
If my powers didn’t come back soon, I knew Armacey would never allow me to fight or even attempt to try and protect the vampires.
Oh no! Armacey! Was he angry at me for summoning the demon? I found myself thinking.
My insides crumbled at the sound of the chastising tone of my father. I turned abruptly, to see him at the entrance of the bedroom door.
“You are right, I won’t allow you to fight. You have no idea of the darkness that follows from summoning a demon. Especially Vovack!” He hissed, walking closer towards me, with a scowl etched on his face, his eyes glanced up and down, not in the least bit amused by the lack of clothing I was wearing.
Feeling a little underdressed, my hands reached up trying my best to cover the flesh I had on show, feeling a little unnerved.
“I did not choose to wear this!” I assured him. Where on earth did Anton even find something so skimpy? Urgh.
Before I could speak up and apologize for many things but mostly for summoning a demon, Armacey pulled at the neck strings of his robe and untied it, he held it up and laid it over my shoulders, covering me up.
I pulled the thick velvet robe over my practically naked body and glanced wearily at my father, who stood wearing a surprisingly elegant suit. His fashion sense was not what I was expecting from a vampire as old as he claimed to be.
He stood staring at me “To answer your question. No, I’m not angry, I’m grateful for the Zander’s promise.”
I edged a few steps away from Zander, I didn’t want my father to get angry at the breachers son, for being too close to me. He gave Zander a slight nod, before diverting his attention back to me.
“Wait you heard my thoughts? How?” I asked.
I could have got used to him not hearing what I was thinking.
But more importantly.
“What promise?” I frowned, it was clear to me I had missed out on a lot while my body recovered from the summoning.
“I promised your father, your safety,” Zander said watching me immensely needing to see my reaction.
Confused, I diverted my stare to my father slowly.
“In return for what?” I asked, there was no way an outsider would have got a promise from Armacey if he wasn’t gaining out of it.
I looked back and forth between my father and Zander.
“In return, I fight the battle with my magic and keep you protected, so no harm comes to you” he replied.
“I knew it,” I said loudly. Exasperated, I threw my hands up in the air and stormed closer to the window, needing space “Why do you think you can keep me from doing what I was born to do. I have your blood coursing through my veins. And I have powers from the oldest magic, let me help and stop treating me like a god damn child.” I hollered.
“Oldest magic?” Zander queried.
“Francesca’s magic is over seven hundred years old.” Armacey was quick to interject.
It was a lie, well, kind of. I did hold old magic but I was referring to the ancient magic, the fact my father never mentioned that forced me to keep it to myself.
“And yet you still treat me like a child!” I snapped.
I glanced over my shoulder to the vampire that many feared. He was the elder of vampires and here I was comfortable screaming at him for interfering in my life like a normal father would have done.
I was conflicted, I knew he was trying to keep me safe but my stubbornness was rearing its ugly head.
“Thanks, Eliza!” I muttered under my breath, knowing I got that trait from her.
Armacey didn’t move, he stood staring at me, with a hint of amusement in his eyes. His resting bitch face wasn’t fooling me at all.
“Are you finished?” he asked dryly, having allowed me to vent my anger out. I turned and gave him my undivided attention with my arms crossed.
I kept my eyes on him trying to keep my temper from erupting. I was so damn angry, maybe it was for the best that I didn’t have my powers. For I was sure, I would have vented out more using my magic to teach him a lesson.
“When your powers were weakened, I was able to get back what you had taken from me. I don’t appreciate you trying to stop me from keeping you safe, Francesca,” he said sternly.
“I’m eighteen years old! I’m not a child”
“Yes you are! You are my child!”
Somehow, he was getting better at showing emotions, I could feel the tension building in the room from where he stood, I knew I had to try and gain his trust and reassure him.
“I’m sorry, okay. I was just trying to protect you all from…”
His hand flared high “I do not want to hear it! No more excuses.” he snapped. I couldn’t finish the words as he was quick to give me a stern warning. The click of his patent shiny shoes echoed throughout the room, as he walked towards me oozing power. I wondered how many of his vampires were scared of him or looked up to him like I had known Anton to have done.
“You are my daughter, the heir to the throne. There will be no lies from my own blood, understood!” he demanded, waiting for me to answer him.
Own blood, why couldn’t he just simply say. From you Francesca. He had to go all medieval dark times speech on me, only adding to my guilt I had niggling inside of me.
“I’m sorry, it won’t happen again,” I said, blushing at the fact my centuries-old vampire father was scolding me in front of a man who apparently thinks I’m his true love.
“Good!” Armacey smiled before he turned and left with grace and closing the door behind him.
“You’re a lot like him, you just don’t see it yet,” Zander stated as he began walking to the side of the bed I had awoken from. He was crouching and peering under the bed as if looking for something. I stood, curiously watching as he found his way to my family grimoire.
“This will help us set up for the battle,” he announced pulling the grimoire into view, I watched as he held the book, opening it up, and admiring the pages. He was touching it, and yet he was still on his feet, that must be a good sign.
