Scarlet Mirror (Rise of the Vampire Princess Book 3), page 15
“It was a hundred years ago. I know little about her.” Sasha shrugged. “But everyone else gets to come and go as they please, except Valencia.”
Sounded to me that someone thought the vampire was dangerous and needed to be contained. I kept the thought to myself, in case this vampire could save my niece.
“Sasha,” a soft female voice had Sasha and me turning to look down the hall.
The vampire was a little shorter than Abigail. Her hair was wrapped up in elegant braids, keeping it away from her neck. Her black dress swirled around her as she walked past me and into the room.
“Abigail.” She went and kneeled by the bed and put her hand against Abigail’s head. “What happened? Details.” She pulled her hand away and scored her wrist with her own sharp nails.
I went to protest as she put her wrist against Abigail’s mouth, but Sasha stopped me. “It’s okay.”
“Dagger volunteered to feed Abigail, but once she had a swallow of his blood, she reacted as if he poisoned her. We’re working on getting the details of how he was at Lady R’s when Abigail needed a donor and what he was laced with,” Merick said. “Dagger is in the king’s custody now. Abigail wasn’t responding when I took her to Oliver’s.”
I wasn’t sure if the vampire had heard a word because her focus was completely on Abigail.
Just like when Merick had tried to feed her, the blood dripped out of her mouth, her throat and lips remained unmoving.
“Sasha, please take Merick and Oliver to the foyer. Make them some tea while I work with the princess.”
“Absolutely not.” I stated. “I won’t be leaving her side.”
She glanced at me. “I won’t hurt her.”
“It was one of your donors who did this to her,” I snapped back. “Poisoned her.”
“And for that I’m truly sorry, and if he returns here from the King’s, I’ll make sure that he pays for it with his life.” She didn’t hesitate in her answer. She leaned close to Abigail and whispered something in her ear. Vampire power marched over my skin, and I shuddered. There was a strange pull in me to go to her, to drink her blood.
Merick’s fists clenched as he watched. Abigail’s lips opened and her throat gave the barest of swallows.
She was alive.
Drinking from another vampire.
“Good girl, keep going,” Valencia cooed. Abigail locked her lips around Valencia’s wrist. Her hands shot up to hold the arm, and I relaxed at the sight.
She was going to be okay.
Abigail’s eyes opened, and she looked at Valencia and then glanced around the room. She dropped her hands and Valencia pulled her wrist away.
“Welcome back, Princess. I was afraid we lost you.” Valencia stepped back.
“I…I swore I was dead,” she muttered and put a hand against her chest. “I heard your voice.”
She nodded. “The poison you were given only affects vampires. It’s meant to shut down the body so it can’t survive.”
“Where would Dagger…” she glared at Valencia. “Your person… get such a thing?”
“I haven’t seen Dagger since you left. But as I told Oliver and Merick, if he comes back here, he’s dead.” Valencia stood and smoothed her skirt down. “Now, if you would excuse me. I’m going to go freshen up. If you’d like to speak further, I’ll see you in the tearoom.” She smiled. “I would like to speak about possibly getting my circle taken down.”
“How was your blood able to help if it was meant to kill a vampire?” I asked, not moving out of her way.
She put a hand to her chest. “Magic.” She simply said. “If Abigail had any left in her blood, it would have fought off the poison.”
Abby tilted her head to the side like something was off, but she said nothing. Maybe she didn’t want to call her savor out on a lie.
I didn’t know. I wasn’t like her. Tasting lies on the air was her talent. Mine was reading people, and I couldn’t read this vampire.
She patted my shoulder as she pushed past me through the door, and I stared after her.
“My head hurts,” Abigail muttered, and I turned to find her rubbing her forehead.
Merick gave a short laugh. “I suppose if all you got is a headache after that event, you’re pretty lucky.”
“I’m going to go update Levi and get my phone.” Merick walked toward the door. “Don’t let her leave.” Is what he told me as he passed.
I went and sat on the bed with Abigail. “You gave us a scare.”
“So much for leaving you out of vampire bullshit,” she muttered. “I’m going to kill that bastard once I get my hands on him.”
“That’s assuming Zayne doesn’t beat you to it,” I said honestly. “Or Levi.”
She rolled her eyes. “Levi won’t kill a human in case it gets to the press.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him. Levi knows how to hide things from the press and others.” I tried not to think about the many things in Levi’s past that Lizzy had helped him cover up.
Abigail said nothing for a few minutes. “I’m sorry.”
“As much as I wish to stay away from vampires and their politics, especially on the brink of a war…I will always watch over you, Abigail.” I put my hand on her knee and sighed. “Even if you aren’t a child anymore.”
She laid back on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. “I’m feeling more and more like a child lately.”
“You are anything but that.” I promised. “Marick told me about…”
“Don’t say his name.” She begged me. “I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear 'I’m sorry’ and ‘let me know what I can do.’ I just want…” She hesitated. “I just want time to grieve.”
I nodded. “Was Valencia lying about why her blood helped?”
“There was a lie to her words. I’m just not sure which part she was lying about.”
“You think she was lying about your magic?” I guessed.
“When Liz and Merick took my circle down, I swore I felt it return to me and feed something inside me. But I suppose if bringing down a pack circle didn’t bring my magic back, a simple protection circle wouldn’t.”
I frowned. “How was that circle activated?”
“I walked into it. I assume that’s what activated it. The others were caught in one in the ballroom with a body. Someone is tearing people apart, and at the start, it was just vampires. Now it looks like it’s spread to witches. At least one.” She closed her eyes. “Are you going to take down Valencia’s circle?”
I shrugged. “I don’t want to get further involved in this. If I take it down and it’s a mistake, there’s nothing to keep Levi from killing me. I rather like my life right now, I’d rather it not end.”
Abigail looked at me with a smile. “You love Melisandra.”
“Enough that I’ve left behind most of the questionable things in my life.” He shrugged. “It’s been a long time, Abigail.”
“We’ve had this talk. I’m happy for you.”
But there was something in her voice that was sad. “You wanted that with…him.”
“I did, but I knew it wasn’t possible.” She looked away from me. “I’m hungry.”
I stood. “I’ll find you a donor.”
“No, I want food, not blood.” She sighed. “Where’s Zayne?”
Merick walked back in. “He’s currently with the council dealing with Dagger. I updated Levi, and he’s sending updates to your security team.”
Abigail stood up. “And where do we go from here?”
“Levi wants us to hang tight. They still can’t just pop out of the mansion, and it’s dawn there.”
“Okay, maybe Valencia has some food and coffee.” She sat up. “Coffee first.”
I smirked. “Always with the coffee.”
“Always,” she muttered and got out of bed. “She makes great tea. Wait until you see the tearoom.”
The amusement in her voice warmed my heart. I motioned. “Lead the way.”
I’d never seen so much pink in my life, even at Lizzy’s baby shower.
It was everywhere. Abigail couldn’t hide her amusement when I gawked at the room the moment we entered. Valencia seemed to sense my unease because she stood. “If the room isn’t to your liking, we can move to the foyer.”
“My uncle has seen nothing this bright before.” Abigail patted my shoulder. “He’ll survive.”
I tugged my shirt in vain to straighten it. “I wasn’t expecting so much pink. Forgive me.” I sat down and Abigail sat next to me. Merick sat on her other side.
“Sasha will bring us some dinner. I’m sure everyone here is starving.”
At home, this would have been the time Melisandra was cooking breakfast. My stomach growled at the thought. “That is very kind. How do I know I can trust the food your human brings us?”
“What would I gain from poisoning my current chances to get this damned circle removed?”
She had a point. “You seem quite fond of my niece.”
“She’s the only other vampire I know of who is like me. I’m hoping we can become friends and allies.” Valencia glanced at Abigail. “I’m sure we can both learn much from each other. I’ve been locked in this castle for a century, and though Sasha and her family have done their best to keep me informed, I can’t wait to get out to the world.”
Abigail folded her hands on the table. “Sasha’s family?”
“Yes, she’s the third generation that’s been at this castle trying to care for me.” Valencia smiled. “She did her best, but what I really needed was Abigail’s blood.”
“Are you two dependent on each other now?” I asked. “An exchange of blood is an intimate thing.”
“We’re different from regular vampires,” Valencia said gently. “It did not form any type of bond. Abigail does not owe me loyalty unless she chooses to.”
Abigail leaned back in her chair. “We can’t bring your circle down until we speak to Levi. As king, he has a final say in it.”
“I understand that.” Valencia nodded. “Perhaps he can come speak with me when he comes to check on you.”
“I will see what I can arrange. I ask that we’re allowed to stay here for the evening until Levi can come?”
She nodded. “Of course. You’re always welcome here, Abigail. That room is yours, and I’ll make sure we have two guest rooms made up for Merick and Oliver.”
The door opened and Sasha pushed an honest to God old-fashion cart in with trays on it. She put a covered plate in front of everyone, including Valencia.
“I hope it’s to your liking.” She grinned and set a teapot in the middle of the table and then a carafe of coffee in front of Abigail. Once she set the cups down, she pushed the tray back out of the room.
I’d been in some weird situations, but I never thought I’d be having dinner with a vampire.
Abigail poured herself a cup of coffee and then lifted the lid off her food. The delicious smell of steak came wafting from her plate. Merick also lifted him to find the same thing. Abigail didn’t hesitate, digging into it, despite having just been poisoned.
But I suppose it would have been counterproductive for Valencia to save her, just to poison her again.
I took my lid off and found the same meal. “I’d like to ask you some questions about the witch that put this block on your home.” I slowly cut my meat.
Valencia smiled and uncovered her meal. Instead of a steak, there was a salad with chicken on it. Maybe she didn’t like red meat. Maybe she was on a diet.
Or maybe she was faking her ability to eat food.
I watched as she took a bite and studied her reaction as she swallowed the salad. Nothing. Either she was very practiced at ignoring the taste of ash in her mouth, or…she really was like Abigail.
“The witch was jealous because her lover became a vampire in order to stay by my side.” Valencia frowned. “He wanted me to turn her as well, so they could live forever together. But she refused, because she wanted to grow old with him. She had no desire to live forever.”
Abigail suddenly went still. Vampire still. I glanced at her. “Abigail?”
“It’s nothing.” She shook her head.
“Did you taste a lie in that explanation?” Merick asked.
She shook her head. “I just wished that…” She choked on her words. “Never mind. It’s nothing.”
“Does this witch have a name?”
“She did. I imagine that she’s long dead by now.”
“Her spell must have been strong then.” Abigail put her fork and knife down and picked up her coffee. “Most likely done with blood.”
Valencia nodded. “And a sacrifice.”
“A name?” I pushed.
“Melisandra.”
I schooled my face so that my surprise didn’t show. Melisandra wasn’t a common name, especially a century ago.
Abigail’s gaze went to me and then back to Valencia. “A beautiful name.”
“For a wicked heart,” Valencia stated. “But nevermind her. She has stolen too much of my thoughts and time already.” She waved a hand. “Abigail, please make sure you take advantage of my donors here to help you recover from the poison. I’ll make sure that Sasha keeps the coffee flowing. I have pictures for you of the bodies that have shown up here as well.”
My niece nodded. “Thank you.” She pushed her plate away. “Thank you for the hospitality as well.”
“You’re welcome here any time, Princess. Please know that.”
Abigail stood. “I’m going to go take a walk.”
Merick stood as well, without a word. Funny how my niece had her own little bodyguards, even though she could protect herself.
Valencia looked at me as she finished her salad. “You know the name of the witch,” she stated.
“I’ve heard the name before,” I said easily. “But I will look into it before I agree to pull the circle down.”
“Abigail seemed to think that it was Levi’s call.”
“I don’t work for Levi. I work for myself. The only reason I’m here is because of Abigail.” I met her gaze. “I don’t care for vampire bullshit. You’re being nice because Abigail is going to give you what you want. There’s something you want from her, and the moment she decides not to give it to you, you’ll turn on her.”
She set her silverware down. “And why do you think that?”
“Because that’s the nature of vampire.” I stood. “Now that Abigail is safe, I think I’ll take my leave.”
Valencia stood and was suddenly in front of me. “If you know where Melisandra is, tell her I hold no ill will towards her. That I hope she’s found the healing she needed after she killed her lover.”
I said nothing and disappeared from her house.
I reappeared in my and Melisandra’s home. I found my wife lying on the couch asleep. I sighed and pulled a blanket over her. I tried to pull away, but she caught my hand.
“How is Abigail?”
“She’s fine now. Merick knew where to take her, and we could get her help.” I squeezed her hand and sat in my chair.
She sat up, her hair sticking out from the statistic of the couch, and I smiled at her.
“What?”
I shook my head. “Nothing.”
“So now that Abigail is better, you’re home? Done with the vampires?”
“For now, yes,” I said. “I’d rather spend my time trying to figure out what your brother is up to, and we still have heard little from PIB about that teacup.”
She hmmed for a moment. “I sense that something is bothering you.”
I laughed. “My niece was just poisoned, and I thought I was going to lose her in truth. I think it’s the start of me truly accepting what she is now.”
Mel smiled. “That’s good.” She stood and wrapped the blanket around her. “Let’s go get a couple of hours of sleep.”
I stood. “That sounds like a plan. When we wake, I’ll tell you about it.” And see if she knew the vampire. Paranoia. That’s what Abigail would tell me. I was being paranoid.
Of course, Abigail was staying with the vampire right now. Playing the part of the princess.
Maybe I should have stayed.
“Oliver?” Melisandra brought my attention back to her. She held her hand out to me. “Bed?”
I nodded and stood. I took her hand, and she pulled me toward the bedroom. My phone rang and Levi’s ring tone came from my pocket. I went to reach for it, and Mel caught my hand. “You aren’t at his beck and call anymore, Oliver. He can call Merick if he wants an update on Abigail.”
I nodded and let it go to voicemail before I switched my phone to do not disturb.
Chapter Eighteen
Levi
Catalina and I walked into Dagger’s cell to find him leaning his head against the wall, his eyes staring up at the ceiling.
“Human, do you know where you are?” I asked, stepping in front of him.
He glanced at me and then back up. “Probably at the end of my rope. Feels like it.” He closed his eyes. “If you don’t kill me, Valencia will.”
“For?” Catalina asked.
“Trying to kill the princess. Valencia is very fond of Princess Abigail. Says she’s precious and must be protected at all costs.” He opened his eyes and looked at me. “Said you’d slaughter anyone that hurt her.”
I smirked. “Abigail normally takes care of her own problems, but seeing as she’s not here…” I flashed fangs at him. To his credit, he didn’t flinch.
“If you’re going to kill me, I don’t suggest draining my blood. I don’t know how long that shit is going to stay in my system.” He stood and held his arms out. “The Underground hates Abigail.”
Catalina raised a brow. “If you know that, why would you go down there as a donor?”
Something played across his face. “You knew,” I stated, keeping my temper in place. “You know you were laced with something.”
He locked his jaw. “I don’t know what I was laced with. They promised me a good time and good payment.”
“And then you fed Abigail. You said you didn’t want to hurt her.” I snarled at him. “Clearly that was a lie.”
His heart skipped a few beats, speeding up, then slowing down just as quick. He struggled to take a deep breath. “I didn’t feel any effects. I thought it was safe.”
