The Heir - Blood Secret : The Chosen One - Secret Heir, page 22
Pained from my words, she blinked away the tears that threatened to erupt.
“The world he knew was changing, and he feared for you and his creations.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
Breachers alone were challenging for vampires to keep under control. Vampires and werewolves breeding, that cannot be good. I was sure of it.
I dropped my hands from Eliza’s.
“What would that make the Hyman twins?” I asked.
I wasn’t even sure there was a name for a creature that had a vampire, wolf mixed with breacher gene-pool.
“Hybrids, much more powerful and evil than the soul-less creatures you have come to see as family, they can survive on blood or human food, they need no sleep and have only one thing in common with breachers; they seek domination. They believe to be the new generation of immortals.”
I slowly looked around at the destruction.
“Did the Hyman twins do this?” Referring to the horrific scene. I looked back to Eliza, having witnessed enough of the town crumbling to nothing but ashes, my heart was heavy with sorrow, at the thought of how much pain the innocent families went through, as the enemies carried out their attacks for no reason.
She nodded “Yes, but fear not Francesca, you are able to see what will become, there’s still time to save everyone.”
I shook my head, side to side “I don’t understand...”
To hear I had time to prevent what we were witnessing, had an inkling of hope glimmer within me. I had a chance to undo what I had seen, make sure nothing like this happened in my town or anywhere in the world. I was willing to do anything. I turned my back on the horrific scenes and faced Eliza, and grabbed her hands needing desperately to know what I could do to help.
“Please, tell me how to prevent this?” I stressed, staring worryingly into her kind eyes.
“You need to cast an invisibility spell on the vampires. Merge with Armacey, Cassius, and Dreven in mind and body”
I dropped my hands by my side, and narrowed my eyes,
“Come again,” I asked, with a raised eyebrow, wondering if I heard her right.
That did not sound like something I wanted to do.
“Merge.” she repeated “Armacey has the power of hearing, allowing you to find out how they will orchestrate the attack. Cassius has a nose like a hound, giving you enough time to warn everyone when the hybrids are close.”
“And Dreven?” I asked, releasing an arrogant laugh. I hadn’t seen any indication he had a gift. Apart from the fact, he was possibly second’s from killing me with his short temper. At first, I assumed he might have been a breacher when he attacked me.
Only he didn’t have black eyes.
Eliza smiled at me “I didn’t like him at the beginning either, but don’t underestimate Dreven, in time you will learn to warm to him, just like I did. He has the ability of telekinesis.” she informed me.
I stared at her in wide-eyed astonishment.
“He can move things with his mind?” I asked in a loud squeaky tone. Holy crap that’s an actual thing, I found myself wondering. She dismissed my shock of hearing Dreven was not just bad-tempered, and simply moved on telling me more of how to defend against the army of hybrids.
“Your powers, mixed with the elders’ gifts, should be able to fend them off, enough for them to retreat at the threat of Armacey and his creations being much stronger than they give vampires credit for.”
I tensed “And if they don’t retreat?” I only had to see her expression to know it wasn’t good. I turned, taking one last hard look around at the horrific scene, knowing this could all be stopped, if I do as I’m instructed.
We stood in silence for a few lingering seconds, before I asked the question, I needed to know the answer to.
“When I kissed Anton, I had a vision of....” I took a deep breath not caring for the ash clogging my lungs, the thought of having to go over what I had seen had tears stinging my eyes.
She held her hands out “Let me show you a future worth fighting for.” She smiled.
Trusting her, I placed my hand’s palm down on hers.
A gust of energy forced me to close my eyes.
It was a vision, a much happier one.
It was me and Anton, we were walking the castle grounds, hand in hand. Something about us being so close and open with our love had a wide smile spread across my face. We walked up the pebble stone path, to the front entrance of the castle. The large wooden gothic doors being drawing open, allowing us entry had my attention. Armacey walked out, his grave face that I was used to looking at, was somewhat happy looking. Dare I say it, a grin, he was actually smiling showing his pearly whites, his fangs nowhere in sight. He held his hand out to his side looking down. My gaze followed to where he was looking, wondering what he was doing, only to see the most adorable little girl, by his side. Holding his hand. No older than four or five years old. Her bright blue eyes opened with excitement from seeing us approach. She looked up to Armacey with a playful chuckle, before running towards us clutching a pink blankly, Anton bent down on one knee, with his arms opened wide.
“Daddy...Mommy.” She wailed rushing into the arms of the man I love. Anton scooped her up and twirled her around, her innocent squeal of excitement had me smiling. Anton held her in his manly hands and leaned in to kiss me. His hand gently stroking my tummy. I looked down in confusion only to see my belly protruding. Pregnant! I’m pregnant! My eyes glanced up to the little girl and Anton before being pulled from my vision.
Not wanting to lose that picture of my perfect family, I tried to hold onto the image in my head, clenching my eyes tighter, only for it to fade.
Eliza let go of my hands. “Fight for this.” She said. “Your children are going to be so magical” She smiled.
I was unsure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
Magic brought enemies.
Do I want that for my children?
“Will they be able to protect themselves, from enemies?”
“You are stronger than any one of us in the line of witches, your daughters are the next generation of pure magic, and they will grow stronger. They will form a bond to keep one another safe from danger.”
“Daughters, as in more than one?” I asked she gave me a tight-lipped smile back, having given away the sex of my unborn child.
I allowed myself to be lost in the vision I had been shown. Anton, Armacey and my girls.
My girls. Still unable to believe I saw a future vision of my babies.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Tears shimmered in her eyes “You are going to make a wonderful mom, you will be there all through their lives, and hold them, tell them bedtime stories, teach them the craft. I only wish I had time to have done that with you.”
I tried to stay strong and not cry.
“You’re here now, you have guided me and shown me so much and for that I’m grateful,” I told her. She sniffled, before resting her hands on my shoulders, taking a few seconds to admire the daughter who stood before her.
The hurt and pain of having to let me go was visible to see in her eyes.
“It’s time for you to go,” She whispered.
I frowned “When will I see you again,” I asked, it pained me that I never got to know her, but a part of me will be forever grateful that we can see one another through the connection we still had from our magic.
“I’m all around, whenever you need me, ask and I will come, now that there is no black magic blocking me, I’m here whenever you need me” She mused.
Her fingers brushed against my cheek.
“I love you, my darling daughter,” She said, smiling sweetly.
Eliza wiped away my tears that escaped.
“I’m not ready to say goodbye.” I whispered. She smoothed her hand over my hair before locking a strand behind my ear.
“It’s not goodbye, it never will be. I’ll always be with you my darling, but it’s time for you to wake up.” She stepped back, fading before my very eyes.
“Francesca! Francesca!” Anton’s frantic voice had me wake abruptly taking a gasping breath in, only to find my lungs weren’t filled with ash. I was on the ground being held close to his chest.
“Hi,” I croaked, my voice a little scratchy. I took this moment to admire the man who I will one day have children with. Allowing myself to trust everything is going to be okay.
Getting through this chaos would lead us that little bit closer to our future. Anton caressed my face, brushing away the tension my body was holding onto.
“Are you okay?” He asked, worryingly.
1
THE HEIR - BLOOD SECRET
Chapter nineteen
Anton helped me to my feet and kept a protective arm around my waist. He leaned closer, searching my face for some sort of answer.
How was I supposed to answer his question?
I was better than okay, I had just seen the most precious vision yet to happen. Could I tell him? Would it tempt fate? I had no idea how to process all that was shown to me.
Then I remembered the harsh reality if we didn’t win the fight.
“You were out cold for a few minutes.” Anton continued.
Confusion rippled my brows “Minutes?” I asked to clarify, for me it felt like hours.
“I was about to lift you and lay you to rest, only you regained consciousness.” He added.
“When I kissed you, I had the most horrifying vision. Then she came to me, showing me what will happen to the town.” I paused and closed my eyes forcing myself to try and push past the harrowing scenes I was shown.
Instead, focusing on the good “Then she showed me something” I liked my dry lips “You, me and our…”
“Who came to you, Francesca?” Anton asked, interrupting me, his red eyes narrowed in confusion. Before I could inform him of everything I was told and shown from my vision, we were interrupted.
“Anton!” A firm voice roared, both Anton and myself turned, looking down the hallway, toward a vampire who was lanky and had black inky short hair.
“Armacey has demanded you take Francesca to the great hall now! Enemies are approaching.” He warned, before rushing out of sight in the blink of an eye.
I took a slow breath in and glanced at Anton “Do what you need to do.” Instead of asking a fleet of questions that were swirling around in my mind, I was allowing him to do what he was instructed to do, without arguing. I knew my father was only trying to keep me safe. I edged closer until I stood directly in front of Anton and tightly wrapped my arms around him. I squeezed my eyes shut before nuzzling into his neck. It didn’t matter if my eyes were open or closed, Anton’s swift movements still made my stomach summersault. We moved at a speed that still had an unsettling queasiness form in the pit of my stomach. I scrunched my eyes tighter, hoping it would pass.
Anton released me when we came to a halt, my eyes remained closed, and I leaned over resting my hands on my knees, taking a few seconds to breathe through the vertical and to allow my body to calm.
Eventually, I straightened up to find nearly every vampire standing, looking at me. Having so many blazing red eyes, watching me, staring, like I was dinner had me on edge. My heartbeat began hammering so hard against my chest, I thought I was about to pass out. My anxiety levels had just hit the highest peak possible.
“Anton.” My voice was barely audible as my voice trembled. A shiver ran down my neck to the tips of my toes. Some whispered to others while the rest just stood staring.
I tried desperately to ignore their playground manners.
I gripped onto Anton’s arm, cautious of eyes watching my every move. This was the first time being in the company of more than one or two vampires at a time, it was a little overwhelming.
“You are safe, they are only curious. They mean you no harm” He promised.
I leaned closer “If they lick their lips, I’m out of here.”
“What did you expect? You are the heir to the throne.” He added with a hint of smugness.
I glared at him “You’re not helping!”
Pushing past the fact I was the only human among them. I allowed my gaze to scan the room, they all had gathered in what looked to be a glamorous ballroom. Large iron gothic-looking chandeliers hung low, each and everyone lit with candles, casting a sufficient amount of warm light within the room, varnished flooring throughout, with heavy-duty red crushed velvet curtains draped decoratively on all the windows on each side of the room.
“Who did this to you?” I heard Armacey ask.
My eyes drifted through the crowd, as I followed the voice of my father.
“The Eyman’ twins and their army I’m afraid, they don’t care about peace between us all, they are on their way, they know of your daughter, the breachers have been conspiring with them for some time, they know everything about her. They have been working together, in a bid to gain numbers and strength to bring your empire down.” A voice croaked painfully.
My eyes locked onto the three elders, who stood with their backs to me, they were gazing down to someone lying on the floor, before looking back and forth to one another.
It was clear to see someone was in need of help, the person on the ground was lying in a pool of blood. Not one vampire nor elder was doing anything to help.
Shaking my head, disgusted that he was just lying at their feet, they treated him nothing more than someone delivering a message. I knew I couldn’t just stand back and do nothing. I rushed towards where my father was standing,
“Move!” I demanded, pushing my way past vampires.
“Francesca! It is in our best interest not to get involved” Anton hollered. Maybe so, but I couldn’t just stand and do nothing.
Refusing to stop, I called out “Why isn’t anyone helping him!” Demanding to know. My tone somewhat angry sounding, it caught the attention of nearly everyone especially the elders.
Dreven stepped aside, allowing me room to see that it was the wolfman that had arrived days ago, lying on the floor, his clothes shredded and wounds nearly on every part of his body.
He clutched at his stomach.
Shocked, I took a shaky breath in and dropped to my knees. I held both my hands over one gaping wound, hoping to stop the blood from gushing out.
I looked over my shoulder “Get me something to stop the bleeding!” I screamed to Armacey, he stared at me for a few seconds before crouching down to my level.
“There is nothing you can do for him, he was attacked simply for standing guard behind boundary lines, honoring our deal.” He whispered.
Yeah, well, your deal sucks! I shot back in thought.
“You can’t just let him die! Get me rags, or something, now!” I demanded once again.
I turned my attention back to the young man, who was gasping erratically, struggling through each breath.
The fear in his eyes, as he lay struggling was unbearable.
“Hold on! Please, hold on.” I begged him. The blood wasn’t stopping, it was seeping through my fingers.
“Heal.” I whispered, closing my eyes and pressing against his chest.
There was nothing!
No tingling in my hands. No heat. No surge of power.
“Your magic won’t work on me.” He croaked.
My eyes flickered open “I have to try.” I whispered.
I at least owed him that. His skin was turning more bluish-purple as the seconds ticked by.
He coughed, his body shook as he struggled to breathe.
“It won’t work.” He drew in a long breath, arching his back. After a bout of coughing, he slowed his breaths and focused on me.
“There’s nothing more you can do for me.” He croaked.
“Looks like someone’s lost their mojo.” Cassius said in a childish teasing tone behind me, uncaring for the fact that someone was dying in front of him.
Regardless of this stranger being a wolf, he was also a human.
Keeping my hands on the dying man “Shut up!” I snapped. Refusing to play along with his childish behavior. I took my hands off his wound for only seconds to pull my leather jacket off. Prepared to help him, since no one else was doing so. I crumbled my jacket up and held it against his stomach, but no matter how much pressure was applied, blood still poured from him.
The stranger lifted his head up and stared me in the eyes, his hands gripped onto my wrists tightly.
“Their coming, towns will burn to the ground. They only wanted to end the elder that locked my kind up a long time ago, that was until they discovered you existed.” He panted, trying to push past the pain.
“They want you,” He said breathlessly.
“Why?” I swallowed hard “Why do they want me?”
“For the ancient powers that lie within you. You need to hide, protect yourself, they are no match for you...” He spurted blood before taking his last dying breath.
Pressing my jacket firmly against his blood-soaked body. “No... No! It can’t be, this can’t be happening!” I muttered in shock. The room had fallen eerily quiet. The last words of the wolfman had me fall back onto my elbows.
“Francesca...Francesca...” Anton calling my name brought me back from my train of thought.
Unable to get the words out, I staggered to my feet, Armacey held his hand out holding me so I wouldn’t fall, having witnessed how unsteady I was.
“He....” I glanced back to the wolf man’s lifeless body “He is talking about...” I could hear my voice, but still, I couldn’t get the words out, nothing was making sense.
Eliza told me I had time. I shook my head in confusion.
“What is wrong my child?” My father asked, laying two gentle hands on either side of my arms. I looked up at him, surprised he was showing empathy towards me in front of his creations. He had an image to keep up, he was no doubt used to being stoney faced, yet he stood before me like a normal parent worried for their child.
I took in a deep breath, before trying to explain what I believe to be happening.
“Hybrids. It’s hybrids that are coming, they are going to attack before the blood moon!” I warned. I was sure my father already knew this, he would have invaded the strangers’ thoughts for sure. The shocked gasps of many followed by whispers had me studying the room of immortals, before looking back to my father.
