Scarlet Mirror (Rise of the Vampire Princess Book 3), page 22
“It seemed to take more this time around.” She agreed. “But it’s been a while since I’ve used that spell. A good nap and a cup of coffee and I’ll be all good.”
Zayne put his hand on my shoulder, and I jumped, forgetting that he was there. “Goddamn it, Zayne, make some noise once in a while.”
He snorted. “The house is all clear. Let’s go home.”
I rolled my eyes and disappeared, taking myself home.
I rose the next evening, feeling oddly awake. I wanted coffee and a frozen waffle instead of blood. Which wouldn’t have been so weird if it wasn’t the first thing at night.
I wandered down the stairs to see Zayne already at the breakfast bar with a cup of coffee for me, and Merick stood there talking with him.
“Good evening, you two.” I said as I walked over and took my mug. “I’m assuming we’re all set to take down Valencia’s circle tonight?”
Merick studied me for a moment. “We’re waiting on Liz, Levi, and Mario. You look less pale today.”
“My normal complexion is pale, so I’m not sure what to say. Thank you?”
Zayne snorted. “You have a little more color to your cheeks this evening, almost like you already fed.”
I shook my head. “No, I was expecting you to find a donor for me when I came down, but honestly, I don’t feel hungry.”
Zayne’s smile grew. “That’s good, that’s progress. It means you’re moving past the baby vampire stages.”
I glared at him. I’d hated that term since I had changed. He knew it too. “I’m not a baby.”
“You aren’t now. Once you go through a day and not need to feed when you first wake up.” He laughed. “It means we can change up your feeding schedule now.”
I assumed he was so happy about it because it meant he didn’t have to go find donors three times a night anymore. I shrugged and went to the freezer for the frozen waffles. “Good, more time back in my night to do stuff.”
What the stuff actually was, I wasn’t sure, because once this case with Liz was over, I was back to chasing Grayson’s cases, and that was it.
I pulled the waffles out of the plastic bag and didn’t bother with the toaster. I used my elemental ability to call a flame into my hand and toast them.
Both Merick and Zayne were staring at me as I sat down and put the waffles on a napkin. “What?”
“You’re just going to casually toast waffles with your hands?” Zayne asked.
“And not offer me any?” Merick tacked on, a joke in his voice.
I met Merick’s gaze and bit into the waffle, daring him to say something else.
He chuckled and went to refill his mug as the front door opened. Levi, Mario, and Liz walked in together.
“Evening.” I raised my hand and took another bite of my waffle.
Levi and Mario stared at me for a moment and then shook their heads. “Are we ready?” Levi asked, but he wasn’t looking at me, but at Zayne.
He nodded. “I just need to check the area, and then I’ll call Abby in. Levi and Mario will stay at the house as standby in case something goes wrong.”
I finished my first waffle. “Nothing is going to go wrong,” I stated. “The circle is going to crash down, and then Valencia will be free.”
“She will return with you to take her oath,” Levi added. “And the alliance will be set.”
And I would also have an adviser. I wondered if she and Mario would have meetings about guiding Levi and me so that they were both on the same page.
“We’ll let you know when we’re done.” Zayne nodded. “Now, excuse me, I’m going to go do my job.” He disappeared, and I finished my second waffle.
“You look well tonight, Abigail,” Mario said.
“I must look like the walking dead most nights, because you’re the third person to say something.” I snagged my coffee off the counter.
Liz snorted. “Way to go, Mario. Don’t you know not the mention things like that? No wonder she chose Simon over you.” She put her hand to her mouth as if she realized what she’d just said.
And it felt like a punch to the chest. I’d kept myself so distracted the last couple of days, I could almost pretend like Simon was just hanging around the pack lands, waiting for me to call. Or that he was also busy, and we’d call each other and laugh about how crazy things had been.
“Abby, I’m sorry.” Liz bit her lip. “I wasn’t thinking.”
I turned away so no one could see me tear up. “It’s fine. I’m okay.” I knew no one bought my lie.
Before anyone could say something more, my phone buzzed. I picked it up and glanced at it. “Zayne is ready for us.” I put my phone in my pocket and disappeared, taking myself to Valencia’s property.
When I reappeared, I took a moment to recenter my emotions. I didn’t need anyone realizing that I wasn’t focused.
Liz and Merick appeared. Neither one of them said anything about the comment. Liz glanced around. “Wow.”
Merick nodded. “It’s powerful and old. If the witch who did it is alive, then she’s going to feel it come down.”
“Valencia said she owed a visit to the witch, so I’m assuming she’s still alive.” I crossed my arms. “I’m curious to see who it is, so maybe they’ll come running when it’s gone.” More like I was curious to see if my theories were right.
Zayne walked up to us. “Where’s the best place to do this from?”
Liz and Merick glanced at each other. “It’d be best for you and Abigail to be inside. Let us work out here.”
I wanted to see them do it, but after the weird reaction the night before, it was probably best to listen to them.
Zayne nodded and motioned to the front door. “Princess.”
I rolled my eyes and headed up the steps. The moment we reached the door, Sasha opened it.
“Come on in. Valencia has some coffee ready for you and a meal, if you need?”
Zayne looked at me with a raised brow.
I took a moment to assess how I felt. “No, I’m fine, thank you. I will take the coffee, though.”
She smiled and led us to the pink room. I was really going to start meeting Valencia at our place if we were going to continue to meet in the pink room.
It was too bright.
I tried not to cringe when we walked in. Valencia sat at her table, a teacup in her hand. She smiled and stood when we entered.
I’d expected her to be dressed in a fancy dress, but she stood in a pair of black slacks and a white frilly blouse. She looked…modern.
“Do you like it?” She asked and spun a little. “Sasha said that my dresses were too…fancy for the modern world.”
“You look great, and quite modern.” I smiled at her, and she stepped up and gave me a hug.
I felt Zayne tense at my back, as if he expected her to attack. I returned the hug awkwardly.
When she let go, she went back to her seat. “When I am free, I would like to go to Levi and officially pledge my loyalty to him.”
“That was the plan.” I nodded. “We’d like to settle all the politics quickly so that you can start adjusting to the modern world.”
She smiled so widely her fangs were on full display. “Sasha has told me that there is much to discover now. I want to see a movie first.”
I had to smile at how innocent she sounded. Almost child-like. “That sounds fun. I hope you see something good.”
I picked up my cup of coffee but paused as that itching sensation started under my skin again. I put the cup down and frowned.
“Princess?” Zayne asked.
“I’m okay, I just…I can feel Merick and Liz working on the circle.” I wanted to go outside and see the magic that they were working. My body demanded it, even though I knew I needed to stay in the house.
Valencia titled her head to one side. “You feel their magic?”
I nodded. “I felt it last night too, when they were working a spell for Levi.”
“Interesting. I can’t feel it.” Valencia watched me closely.
I ran my hands up my arms, trying to push off the feeling, but it only became stronger, almost like a burning sensation.
“Follow the feeling, Princess.” Valencia encouraged. “Do what your body is telling you to.”
Zayne put a hand on my shoulder. “Abigail, we should go home.”
I shook my head. “No, let me step out of the house first. Maybe I just need a moment.”
He nodded slightly and helped me out of my chair, as if he was afraid that I was going to trip and fall. Maybe he was. Maybe I looked just as shaky as I felt. “Forgive me for leaving so soon, Valencia.”
She gave me an almost knowing smile. “I’ll see you later this evening, Abigail.”
Zayne kept his hand on my elbow, and I paused as the feeling inside me worsened. “Keep moving, Princess.” He urged.
Something like this would make me look weak, and we didn’t want that in front of our allies. Ever.
I said nothing and forced myself to keep moving. We made it to the door. I stepped out, and magic instantly wrapped around me. I cried out, not in pain, but in surprise.
Magic crashed into me, and my body welcomed it, absorbed it. Heat moved through me, and I swore my heart beat a couple of times. The flame that I thought was out inside me flickered and I could feel my magic.
I let out a joyous cry, but as the surrounding magic faded, so did the magic inside me.
I tried not to be disappointed, but it was like my magic had slipped through my fingertips. I glanced at Zayne, who stared at me speechlessly.
Liz came running up and shook her head. “The circle is gone, but…but the magic—”
“Returned to you.” Merick finished her sentence. “I’ve seen nothing like it. What did it feel like?”
I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to sound crazy. “Like it was trying to bring me back to life,” I said honestly. “Like it was trying to get my heart to beat and breathe magic back into me.”
Zayne nodded. “Your heart beat three times before it faded. Something was going on there.”
I glanced around at the three of them. “What’s going on?”
Zayne shook his head. “Whatever it is, we should probably discuss it somewhere safe and not out in the open.”
I nodded, and the door behind me swung open.
Valencia rushed out of the door, laughter pouring out of her. She stood in the high grass of her front lawn and spun around in circles, her hands held high in the air. “Bless the goddess, bless you Merick and Liz, and bless you, Abigail. I’m finally free.”
She continued to spin and laugh as I looked at Zayne. He shrugged his shoulder. “Let’s give her some time. I’ll send Mario to come get her to finish up with Levi.”
I nodded. “Great idea.”
Zayne disappeared while Merick and Liz stood next to me.
“How do you feel?” Merick asked.
I shrugged. “Like there’s something just under the surface and I don’t know how to get to it,” I said honestly. “Like it was there, but it faded away.”
My phone went off, and I looked at the message from Zayne saying it was safe to go home. “Let’s go.” I disappeared, taking myself back to the house.
Mario had gone back to get Valencia while the rest of us went to Levi’s mansion to prepare for the pledging of her loyalty. Merick, Liz, Zayne, and I sat in the living room. They stared at me while we waited for Mario to return.
I didn’t know what to say about what happened, because I wasn’t even sure what had actually happened. Levi walked in and scanned us all.
“What’s going on?”
Zayne motioned to me. “You might as well tell him before he finds out through Valencia.”
I huffed. “Something weird happened when Liz and Merick took the circle down. I don’t know exactly what happened.”
He looked at Merick for an answer.
“She seemed to absorb the magic.” Merick shrugged. “Liz and I aren’t sure either what happened.”
Levi let out a ‘hm’ sound that made me think he didn’t believe us. “Liz?”
“It’s new to me too.”
He turned to me. “Are you okay?”
“I feel fine.” I said honestly. There was no need to mention that my heart had beat a few times and that my magic felt like it had returned for a split second.
Levi pressed his lips together and was about to speak before Mario walked into the room with Valencia on his elbow.
She was still wearing the modern clothing and a giant smile as she walked in.
“This is a beautiful home you have, King Levi.” She curtsied for him. “I am looking forward to visiting often.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but we agreed she could work as my advisor, so I guess it made sense for her to visit.
Levi gave a slight bow of his head. “Please, stand. We have the oaths to go through and the blood pledge.”
I wrinkled my nose and then remembered to smooth my features.
“Of course, please lead the way to the office. I’d like to see the papers that you’ve drawn up.”
I wasn’t aware that this was so formal. Levi nodded and led Valencia out of the room, and I looked at Zayne. “Are all alliances on paper?”
“It’s more of a modern thing. There’s also some vampire power that goes into it. Valencia will take his blood. Even though she can’t gain nutrients from it, it allows a sort of bonding between the two of them. It’s not something to take lightly.”
“The council has all done this?” I asked with a raised brow. “So, if someone betrays Levi…”
“They’ll be killed. Someone would have killed Grayson if you hadn’t.”
I snorted. “That’s good to know. Does this count for allies with their own territories?”
He shook his head. “No, those are just paper. To break it, it could mean war, or Levi could just cut his losses depending on who it is. Why?”
I locked my jaw, thinking back to the list I had of Grayson’s travels. “Because I’m worried we have a territory betraying Levi. I don’t have enough proof, but I have a gut feeling.”
“Have you talked to Levi about it?” Liz asked.
I shook my head. “I haven’t really had time, between the assassination attempt, the news actually picking up on my origins, Valencia, the lab… it kind of took a backseat. I plan on talking to him about it tonight after Valencia leaves.”
“That would be wise.” Merick stood. “I’m going to go talk to my leaders about your recent development.” He smirked. “You may not be lost to us yet, Abigail.”
He disappeared, and I looked at Liz. “What on earth is he talking about?”
Liz shrugged. “I don’t actually know.”
I looked at Zayne, who looked just as dumbfounded as me. “Okay, well. Maybe we should go participate and at least watching this blood oath.”
Liz held her hands up. “I’m going home and going to bed. Good luck, Princess.”
“Thanks for the help.”
She grinned. “Always happy to help.”
Zayne held his arm out to me. “Come on Princess, I’d hate for you to miss all the fun.”
I tucked my arm into the crook of his elbow. “You know what I want?”
“Hm?”
“I want to call Simon up and curl up with him to watch movies, because tonight is just too weird.” I swallowed. “But I can’t.”
Zayne placed his hand over mine. “I’m sorry that you’re hurting, Abigail.” There was sorrow in his words, but I let it go.
If I thought about Simon anymore, I was going to turn into a puddle of tears, and we couldn’t afford that right now.
I took a deep breath, and Zayne and I walked into the office, where Valencia was handing Mario back some papers.
“Ah Princess, I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to take the blood oath with you as well.”
I couldn’t keep the surprise off my face. “Why?”
“Abigail,” Levi spoke. “Valencia is worried that something will happen to me, and she wants to make sure that our alliance continues with you.”
I tried not to think about that. Something happening to Levi would make me the Queen of Vampires. I didn’t want that responsibility right now, and probably never would. “Okay.” Was what finally came out of my mouth. “But I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“I’ll guide you through it.” Levi promised. “Watch me, listen to my words carefully, and then you’ll repeat it.”
I nodded and watched as he cut open his forearm with a silver knife.
“Valencia?” He held his arm out to her.
She stepped out and sealed her mouth over the wound. Foreign words flowed out of his mouth, and I swore I felt a snap of magic in the air.
Valencia pulled back and smiled up at Levi. “Thank you, my king.”
Levi handed me the knife. I felt a little scared, but also thrilled at using my vampire abilities in a different way. It reminded me of the same feeling I had when I’d completed my first spell.
I took a deep breath and cut my arm, just like Levi did. A mirrored mark. I held my shaking arm out to Valencia, and she pressed her lips to my skin.
“Repeat after me,” Levi instructed and then said each word slowly, letting me repeat them after each word.
The snap that went through me felt exactly like magic, even touching that glowing ember deep inside me. Blood magic.
Holy shit.
That’s all this was. Ancient, very ancient, blood magic.
Valencia stepped away with a knowing smile. “Thank you, my princess. I’m so happy to be allied with you, and I look forward to working together to bring down Ivan and Samara.”
I was still trying to wrap my head around what just happened as the ember inside me faded back down and the magic left my veins. It had been a rush for sure, but I didn’t know what to make of it.
“Princess?” Levi urged, and I shook off the strange feeling.
“I look forward to it as well.” I smiled.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Levi
Abigail and I leaned over the timeline that she had drawn out for me. Parallels between Grayson’s travels and different events involving Ira, as well as several trips to a territory we’d recently gone to.
