The Heir - Blood Secret : The Chosen One - Secret Heir, page 21
“Light within darkness, actually.” I corrected the elder who was the oldest looking between the three, but just as flawless. His eyes bore into me as he just stood gawking at me.
“Young and feisty, I like you already, much easier on the eye than the last seer. He was boring,” He told me.
“And more powerful than her mother, you will remember that or do I need to tell the story of the time Eliza made you remember just how strong her powers were? When she…”
Dreven cleared his throat interrupting Armacey.
“…Let’s not bore everyone with that story shall we” He quickly said.
The younger looking vampire who looked similar in age to Anton offered nothing but a chuckle.
“Now, that was hilarious”
“Shut up, Cassius!” Dreven snapped.
As amusing as it was to be in the company of even more elders, I had no time to waste. Joking aside, I had to hurry.
“If we are all done introducing ourselves.” I gestured to the bedroom “I’m assuming Zander and Ruby have escaped”
“They might also be within the castle grounds,” Anton interjected. I watched as all three elders walked together, with a need to check the room for themselves.
In a fit of anger, Armacey slammed open the door further, so hard that its hinges broke. He stepped in and over the debris of the broken door.
Cassius and Dreven followed. So did me and Anton.
A muscle in Armaceys jaw twitched as he turned and glanced at Dreven.
“Find them! And kill them!” Armacey demanded.
Dreven nodded to his leader, understanding his orders, before turning to Cassius “Do you sense them,” He asked with urgency.
My eyebrows twitched, unsure of what Cassius was doing. His head moved in all directions sniffing the air.
“There scent is smothered with Francesca’s, it’s hard to separate them.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in again.
I edged closer to Anton, “What is he doing?” I questioned. Anton whispered in my ear as to not to disturb his elder
“He is trying to lock onto their scent. Witches are still human, so it should be easy, but with your scent, it could prove difficult.”
“Why?” I frowned.
What was so special about my scent?
“You are unique.” He leaned closer. “Witches blood and vampire blood courses through you, so that makes it hard for a tracker to zone out. It’s a distraction.”
After a few lingering seconds of concentrating, Cassius looked over his shoulder, clearly not amused we were talking from the hatred stare he shot at me.
“They are not on the castle grounds.” He announced.
Puzzled, I peered up to Anton “How is he able to do that?” I whispered.
Cassius walked towards the other elders, joining in on a conversation. Anton stepped out, turning his back on the elders and stood in front facing me, blocking me from their view.
“Whenever an elder is chosen, they gain power; a gift from the seer,” Anton informed me.
His lush lips were moving, I could hear the words but I couldn’t concentrate. All I could think about was Anton.
Saving Anton.
Kissing Anton.
I stared long and hard. His hair was neat with not a single strand out of place, his red eyes warm and inviting. He was too damn distracting for my liking.
I cleared my throat.
Stay focused.
Stay focused.
“So, what is his?” I asked, referring to the young elders’ gift. I peeked around Anton, only to see my father staring at me. Not in the least bit amused.
Shit! I shifted ever so slowly so Anton’s frame shielded me from his prying eyes.
Did he hear me? Or was he listening in on our conversation? Curious to know how much Anton was willing to tell.
“His smell is much greater than any vampire, identical to werewolves, which makes him a much-needed tracker.” Anton continued, unaware that I was more focused on him than the conversation, but at the same time hoping my father hadn’t just invaded my thoughts.
“Huh,” I mused. I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
Anton reached up and cradled my face, the pads of his thumbs brushed over my flushed cheeks ever so gently, as he stood allowing himself to get lost in our stare-off.
I shoved his hand away “Anton!” I didn’t dare look to see if anyone was watching, the thought of what my father would say or do to Anton was unbearable.
“They are right there,” I stressed, with wide eyes.
He looked to be amused by my reaction, a tickle of a smile teased his lips.
“Your father was so unsettled at the thought of you putting yourself in harm’s way,” Anton whispered softly, leaning in so close as if going in for a kiss.
Curious to know just how strong Armacey is when communicating with his own kind.
“You sensed that?” I asked, leaning that little bit closer.
He nodded “He channeled through me to communicate with you,” Anton said, “I could sense his love for you, how he was willing to protect you by any means necessary, he even prayed to Eliza, hoping she was looking over you.” Anton stood staring down at me.
I found myself wondering if vampires being afraid of the cross was indeed just a myth.
“Vampires don’t pray.” I was sure of it. I would bet my life on it.
“True, the symbols of faith repel us but I witnessed first-hand your father going against everything he believes in, hoping that his prayer would be answered.”
I processed that for a second.
“I was willing to do anything to keep you and my father safe.”
Anton rested his forehead against mine.
“At the risk of killing yourself? Francesca, you are my world. If anything was to happen to you, it would destroy not only your father but me also.”
“I’m sorry…” I began, only the shuffle of the elders had me abruptly pull away, unsure of Armaceys intentions of Anton being so close to me.
I decided I wasn’t going to hide my feelings for Anton any longer.
Needing to reassure him “I’m not going anywhere. I’m right where I need to be, with you” I whispered, holding my hand over his unbeaten heart. It was no good trying to hide my feelings for Anton, the connection between us was too strong to deny. It made no difference whispering anyway, there was no privacy with vampires around their ability to hear every single word, was at times bothersome.
“Looks like someone has their fangs into your daughter already” Cassius added with a hint of amusement in his tone. His playful childish behavior was not of the serious tone I was used to from Armacey. I would have thought a vampire that was an elder, would have been expected to act more with grace, nonetheless, the blend of the three surly has worked for them over the centuries they stood confident in each other’s company.
“I am very much aware of the situation between Anton and my daughter.” Armacey snapped, glaring at the young elder. He was not willing to go into detail, simply drawing back to what had to be done.
“Anton, take Francesca to the armor room, assist her in whatever she needs for the spell. I will have Dreven and Cassius gather everything she needs.” Armacey announced.
Anton nodded, his hand reached for mine once again, interlocking his fingers.
We walked along the corridors.
I glanced over my shoulder to the elders who were walking in the opposite directions of the hallway, talking between themselves.
Confusion washed over me “Wait, what just happened? He didn’t try to kill you for holding my hand.”
I was more confused than ever.
“We had an interesting talk, so to speak. Well, after your father read every thought, I ever had of you. He believed I was a distraction, he was quick to note I amplify your magic whenever I’m around you, somehow when you fear I’m in trouble or the thought of something happening to me, you are much stronger than you give yourself credit for. He also is aware that your feelings for me are too strong to even begin to challenge it.” Anton declared.
I stopped at the door of the elders’ room, and looked down to the floor sheepishly, unsure how to declare my feelings for the one person that had loved me, long before I even knew of him.
Anton’s hands cupped my cheeks, urging me to look at him, we both stood, gazing into each other’s eyes.
“My feelings for you are like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I want to be with you” I said, continuing to stare at him.
He smiled “I want to be with you. I need only you” He whispered before leaning down and gently pressing his cold lips against mine.
The tender kiss we shared should have had me feeling content. Instead, a vision seared through me so violently.
The castle was under attack, breachers everywhere, and slaughtering vampires. Armacey was forced to watch the fellow men he had chosen to stand by him be killed in a manner that would even have demons close their eyes. Then silence fell, followed by the stench of metallic from the blood that had been shed, possessing an unpleasant pungent smell, it forced me to hold my breath. I walked among the torn bodies of vampires that lay strewn all over the castle only to see Anton about to be ripped to shreds by a man with blazing yellow eyes. He was not a vampire or a breacher, I was sure of it. The fear in Anton’s eyes at having the woman he loves watching him be tortured in such a monstrous manner had me screaming.
My curdling screams from having to witness such an attack, had me pull back from my vision back to reality.
Gasping for air into my lungs, my heart hammered painfully against my chest. I could feel my body shutting down, my legs buckled and my eyes strained to focus.
“Francesca....” Anton cried out, before catching me safely in his arm, I tried to speak, but I was so weak. Before I knew it, I was being pulled into the darkness.
1
THE HEIR - BLOOD SECRET
Chapter eighteen
“Francesca... you have to wake up my darling.”
I could hear the concerned tone of Eliza’s voice, calling my name. My eyelids flickered, blinking excessively through the ashes that were falling from the sky, like a snowstorm in the winter, I glanced all around, confused as to what was happening.
The sky was a hazy orange color, polluted air caused by smoke had me cough through the cloud of dust that had managed to dry my mouth up.
Panic clawed at me.
“Where are you?” I called out, my voice harsh from my lungs being forced to inhale more dirty air. Unable to see two feet in front of me, I tugged at my leather jacket trying my best to cover my mouth, trying to prevent inhaling anymore.
My breathing became slow and raspy.
It’s okay, it’s just a dream. It’s just a dream. I repeated over and over, forcing myself to keep calm through the chaos. I began doubting it was a dream. I could smell the burning flesh in the air, and feel of the torturous heat from the raging fire that surrounded me.
Where is Armacey? Where is Anton? Fear was stirring within me. Was I too late to save them? Did the breachers win?
Nothing made sense.
I reached my right hand out, trying to find my way through the smoldering heat.
“Eliza...” I called out “Where are you?”
“I’m right here” She replied, her soft gentle touch locked with mine.
She guided me through the haze.
“What’s happening?” I asked, choking on the thick smoke, it took a few seconds for me to cough through the heaviness, gaining my composure “Where are we?”
With a few more steps the cloud of smoke subsisted.
I found myself walking side by side with the woman who had guided me through my visions – my birth mother, only to find us walking on the streets of the town I grew up in.
Terror quickly washed over me.
I lowered my eyes to the ground. I was barefoot and standing in a pool of something warm.
I frowned, then I gasped in horror.
Blood! It was blood, only it wasn’t a speckle or a pool of blood like I had assumed it to be, more like a river flowing through the town I called home.
Eliza and I both glanced at one another at the same time, Eliza’s kind smile I had seen in previous visions was expressionless, she refused to show worry in her face or voice.
“What happened?” I repeated, turning my attention to the fleet of bodies that were cast aside like garbage throughout the streets. Families had suffered cruel and vicious acts of violence, slaughtered in such a brutal manner, houses were burning to the ground, and the blood-curdling screams of innocents far away in the distance were screaming in agonizing pain.
“I fear the end is near for humans, the vision that you saw is nothing compared to this one,” Eliza whispered, her voice laced with so much sorrow.
She gripped my hand a little tighter, almost as if she was scared herself from what she was witnessing.
“Not only are breachers our enemies, but they have also managed to side with the packs of many wolf clans who have gone rogue, they have turned their back on the deal between them and the vampires, and they want revenge for having been held as slaves, over one hundred years ago.” She informed me.
I frowned “Werewolves were slaves?” I asked, shocked by what she was telling me. If werewolves were slaves, and despised vampires then why would they be willing to warn my father?
It made no sense.
Shaking my head in denial. “Werewolves, are on our side, I am sure of it, one came to the castle to warn Armacey of trouble brewing, why would they turn against us now,” I asked.
“Centuries ago, they were held as slaves by vampires, only a few rebelled and gained freedom, seeking help from clans from all over the world. Years later, they attacked the castle freeing their kind, bringing the battle of creatures to the brink of another war” Eliza informed.
I stood in shock, unable to move, my body rooted to the stickiness of the blood around my feet.
“Vampires and werewolves were about to go to war?” I asked. They were both powerful creatures, to hear this was unsettling.
“Yes, both werewolves and vampires fought for days on end, unable to bring each other down, both creatures are equal in strength. It was pointless fighting and they soon realized this, both leaders; Armacey and Greyson called a truce.”
I looked to Eliza “A truce?” I repeated, to hear that both species had discovered they were undefeatable, when it came to fighting had my curiosity spiking.
Eliza didn’t look at me, she was staring out into the distance. Her gaze never settling on a body or an object for long. “Armacey agreed under the laws of the elders; werewolves would no longer be slaves to the vampires under one rule”
I kept my eyes focused on Eliza, refusing to witness any more of the apocalyptic destruction that was upon us. I tried to refrain from breathing through my mouth, as each breath burned my lungs from the sickening stench of burning flesh that smothered the air.
“What was the rule?” I asked.
“Werewolves were to guard the perimeter of the castle, but behind boundary lines that were agreed on, they were to warn Armacey of any immediate danger of breachers ever approaching to attack.”
“That’s all he asked?”
She nodded “Breachers, was the only threat back then vampires had to worry about. Armacey feared nothing else, other than the breachers trying to bring his empire down. He has walked this earth for centuries, he wasn’t going to let them take over and allow the wolves to seek revenge over a grudge.”
“So, did the werewolves agree, even after what the vampires had done? To be held in captivity and treated in such a cruel way, surely they wouldn’t have agreed.”
A slight part of me could not blame them if they didn’t.
“Yes. Only Greyson, the alpha of the wolves, had no idea some werewolves rebelled against him and formed an alliance with the breachers.
“If he was an alpha, surely he ruled his own?” I watched the movies. I read books, an alpha called the shots. So why wasn’t this the case?
“His pack seen his truce with the vampires as a betrayal. When in human form, many mated with breachers. Ruben and Russell; twin brothers from the Eyman pack never forgave Armacey for holding the wolves against their will. They warned him, they would fight against him one day, building an army of their own creations.”
I frowned “And have they?” I asked, “Build an army?”
My mother nodded. “Yes, the Eyman twins, aren’t just werewolves, their mother was a werewolf and their father was a vampire, making them the blood of both species,” Eliza informed me.
“Werewolves with vampire blood running through their veins,” I whispered, in disbelief, they were just like me, only I was human, had witches’ blood and vampire blood coursing through my veins.
“Yes. Children born to two different species are known as a blood secret.” Eliza answered having heard me “Not only that, but they have breachers blood also coursing through their blood. They inject the blood into them. That is what created the monster they are today”
Confused “How do you know all of this?” I questioned.
Eliza turned and held both my hands in hers.
“I had a vision, but straight after it, you decided you were coming into this world at a speed even my herb magic couldn’t slow down. I never had time to alert your father. Armacey had received word breachers were approaching the castle. You were only a few hours old when the threat was imminent. He feared they would discover you.”
Eliza gave my hands a gentle squeeze “He decided to kill them before they could find out we had a child. When he came back having done what was expected of him as an elder, it turned out to be a trap. To lure him away from me. When I was dying in his arms, I had to decide to tell him who you truly were, that was more important, for I knew you were the only thing to keep him from causing death, destroying everything and everyone in search of the breacher that killed me.”
The vision I had of them flooded my mind.
“I saw him, he stood over you, holding me in his arms, and his pain was heartbreaking,” I whispered.
