The Ravenous Dark, page 46
A new underlying energy surfaced among the group as they faced their next precipice head-on. Irina tilted up her chin.
"And then what?" Irina questioned. "What if your theory is right, and the dark magic is the same?"
Ronan's lips pursed. "Unfortunately, we never got that far, which is why we turned our focus to finding the real culprit behind the attacks. Jakob, Valdora, and I—"
The front door opened, cutting Ronan off as the room's occupants all turned to face the newcomers. Valdora walked in toting a large satchel, and behind her were Ruby and Sebastian.
"Did someone say my name?" she asked pleasantly as she entered the common room.
"We were just talking of your progress with the dark magic," Briar said. "Or rather, lack thereof."
"Don't be rude, darling," Sebastian scolded as he went straight to Briar's side. He kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arms around her. "The sorceress is friend, not foe."
Briar pouted but said nothing more on the matter as she leaned into Sebastian's embrace.
"Friend, indeed," Valdora assured blithely. "Tonight's raid might have compromised my research thus far, but not the important part." Valdora patted her satchel meaningfully.
"You saved the Otherworld samples?" Ronan asked.
Valdora nodded. "I never kept them in my rooms; too risky."
"Thank the Gods." Ronan sank back into the couch, towing Bailey with him. She snuggled into his side, resting her hand low on his chest. He passed her a soft smile before turning his attention back to Valdora. "Can we test it now?"
"That was my plan. I'll set up on the coffee table." Valdora took a step farther into the room but stopped herself short. "If that's alright?"
"By all means," Jakob agreed. "Clear the table, please."
Nova and Deval acted quickly, clearing the table of its few ornaments—a decorative bowl, some unused bandages and bottled elixirs, and the raven statuette. Bailey eyed the final item being toted away by Nova with mixed feelings.
Sensing the shift, Ronan offered his own comfort through the bond. She sank into the feeling shamelessly, ignoring the mounting questioning looks they were receiving from the others.
"Ronan, I'll need a sample of blood from you." Valdora took Nova's spot at the end of the coffee table, kneeling in front of it with her satchel open.
Bailey watched with curiosity the objects she pulled from its seemingly endless depths. There was a small, cast-iron cauldron, several bottles filled with ingredients that made River's eyes alight with wonder, a set of conical flasks, precious stones, candles, and a small leather case carefully bound with beaded cords.
"By the shape Ronan was in, I assumed all your stuff was destroyed," Nova said as she walked back over.
"I always keep a spare set of essentials tucked away," Valdora replied as she arranged the tabletop to her liking. She passed a knife and one of the empty flasks to Ronan. "Fill it halfway," she instructed. "Clearly, I wasn't the only one who encountered trouble tonight."
When no one chose to comment, Valdora surveyed the group more intently. Her blue eyes lingered over Irina, River, and Bailey the longest.
"Would anyone care to share what else happened tonight? Ronan?"
"You know I was summoned by the rabidus curse," he said, voice tired.
Valdora's eyes narrowed on him and the steady stream of blood that poured from his palm into the flask. "Yes, you're lucky no one saw your neat little disappearing act into the shadows. They simply thought you abandoned me. There one moment, gone the next."
Ronan grimaced. "I wouldn't have if I could have helped it."
"I know, Ronan," Valdora assured him, softening her posture. "Please, go on."
"Two courtiers were possessed by the curse in the Styx."
"Who?" Valdora accepted the flask from him.
"I didn't recognize the man," Ronan admitted with a delicate frown. "But the other…." His words trailed off as his gaze traveled across the room to Irina. Valdora followed his line of sight and froze with understanding.
"I knew you were different somehow," Valdora said, her words belaying her excitement. "Your aura is different." Her mouth twisted in mild confusion as she continued to gape at Irina. "But how are you, er, alive?"
Irina stood taller. "My niece."
Valdora's brightened eyes turned to River.
"It wasn't all me." River’s cheeks colored. "Jax helped anchor me. Without him, I doubt any of us would be standing here."
"And where is Jax now?" Valdora questioned.
"He's already searching for a way to reverse the curse," Jakob informed Valdora. He twisted and held out a hand to Irina. She hesitated a moment before coming to his side and pressing her hand into his. He kissed her knuckles lovingly. "If anyone can find a solution, Jax will."
"I don't quite understand," Valdora said cautiously. "Reverse the curse? Didn't River expel it? I assumed the change in your aura was due to some kind of magical trauma."
Irina summoned a bitter smile. "Meet the next evolution of supernaturalkind, Valdora."
Inky blackness drowned out Irina's eyes, and for a fraction of a second, hot longing spiked through the room. It receded as quickly as it came, with Irina's eyes returning to their normal hybrid coloring. Valdora stared at her in shock.
"You're… you're a demon?"
A shuttered expression wiped all emotions from Irina's face. "I don't know what I am to be perfectly honest. But yes… I think I am. At least, a part of me is."
"And the rest of you?"
Irina's shoulder lifted in a half-hearted shrug. "Still part vampyré and lycan."
"And now part demon." Irina nodded and Valdora bit her lip pensively. "I'll need a sample of your blood as well. Let me clean the knife and get a new flask."
Once the items were with Irina, Valdora turned her attention back to Ronan. "Anything else?"
Ronan fixed his gaze on Bailey. When she didn’t immediately speak up, he gave her arm a meaningful squeeze. She huffed, passing him an exasperated look, before sitting up straighter.
"A lot else, actually," Bailey sighed. "Gods, where do I even begin."
She ran a hand over her face.
"The beginning," Ruby quipped pertly from Nova's side. Bailey pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Very helpful," Bailey mumbled, shooting a glare at the waif-like vampyré. Ronan rubbed her arm soothingly. She leaned into the touch gratefully and explained her encounter with Franklin and Mercy. Then the Fawzy twins bickering and eventual skirmish with Kane. Bailey paused in her recap to thank Ana, but the raven shifter batted away the gratitude.
"With Ana and the other ravens taking care of Kane, I went to find Stella and Irina." Bailey swallowed, remembering keenly the indecision that had engulfed her in that moment. "It was pure luck that I spotted Stella, but I wasn't fast enough."
Bailey grimaced in apology at Irina. And she smiled back wanly. "You saved my life just as much as River, Bailey. There's no need to be so hard on yourself." Irina forced herself to smile brighter. "Besides, I'm also confident Jax will come up with something to reverse the curse. All he needs is time and resources, which we have plenty of."
Although Irina painted the perfect picture of confidence, the room’s spirits remained on edge. Bailey acknowledged Irina's words with a slight tilt of her head, choosing to ignore the tightness of her delivery and her own lack of confidence. Time could always be cut short unexpectedly… but as for resources.
A sense of sureness filled her, whether fueled by Ronan or herself she couldn’t say. But the fact remained the Vranas had ample resources to supply Jax in his efforts. So much so that perhaps they could afford to give him the time he needed to reverse the curse.
"Of course, he will." Bailey cleared her throat and aimed her regard back at Valdora. "As for the rest, we ended up taking cover in the library for Stella and River to work their magic and now we're here.”
"Stella's magic?" Valdora's surprise was worn plainly as she collected Irina's flask. "I heard a rumor your voice is becoming quite the weapon."
Stella blushed and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "It is." She sat up straighter. Pride colored her next words. "I've been working on it with Bailey." The two women shared grins.
"Good," Valdora cheered. "Keep working on it, because until we uncover who the Wildings' mystery employer is, you're likely still in grave danger."
Stella paled at the grim reminder and shrank in her seat.
"Let's focus on one thing at a time," Bailey suggested. "What will you do with their blood exactly?"
Valdora pulled the small cauldron closer and arranged her crystals and jewels in a half circle around it.
"First, we see if their blood shares the same magic. If it does, then we'll test to see if their blood shares the same magic with the Otherworld sample."
Valdora skimmed through the collection of bottles plucking one that looked as if it was filled with green glitter. She poured a dash into the cauldron followed by half a portion of each blood sample. Valdora turned to her satchel, pulling a long-handled silver spoon to stir the cauldron's contents. A brief sizzle and pop resulted from the action.
Finished stirring, she removed the spoon and dug through her bag once more. Objects clattered distantly until Valdora pulled out a set of matches with a victorious smile. Lighting one, she tossed it into the cauldron. A plume of neon green smoke immediately ushered out the top.
"What does that mean?" River asked.
Valdora's blue eyes lifted briefly from her experiment to glance between Ronan and Irina. "As expected," she relayed. "Your blood shares a common magic. Now we’ll see if it's the same as the Otherworld."
All remained in tense silence as Valdora started her experiment again. The green glittering substance was poured into the cauldron, as well as the remaining samples of Ronan and Irina's blood. Then her hands went to her leather-bound case. Unwinding the beaded cord that held it closed, she extracted a vial of dark matter. She poured it into the cauldron, hand trembling lightly.
She stirred the fresh set of ingredients until satisfied and moved on to the final piece of the process. The match burst to life with a flick of her wrist against the strike pad.
Valdora tossed it into the cauldron… neon green smoke billowed out.
"It's as we predicted," Valdora said, locking eyes with Ronan and then Irina. "The dark magic of the Otherworld is the same as found within the two of you. Which also means it is the same dark magic used in the rabidus curse."
"If the dark magic is the same, then why isn't Ronan a hybrid?" River's brow furrowed in confusion.
"If I had to guess…." Valdora's mouth slanted down. "It's because Irina's dose of the dark magic was laced with something more. Demon blood, most likely. And then whatever spell the Circe clan used to bind it all together, is most likely the culprit, given her current state."
"So, what do we do now?" Stella questioned quietly.
"I'd like to confirm that there is demon blood running through Irina, or demonic magic as it were. But I'll need a sample of demon blood to do that—preferably from a demon of desire," Valdora stated and began to collect her tools.
"Why do I have the feeling this will be even more impossible than getting a blood sample from the rabidus victims," Ana grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Because it will be just as hard, if not more so," Jakob concurred. "Especially with the demons' heavy connection to the Lunar Court."
"What about Jax?" Ruby suggested with sudden excitement. "I might not like his new friendship with Raphael, but he's a demon—and a demon of desire at that! He can get a sample from him."
A terse silence greeted her. Ruby's excitement waned.
"It's not a terrible idea, Ruby," Ronan remarked with careful emphasis on the word terrible.
She snorted and arched an eyebrow. "That's not the impression I got."
"Jax was exposed the same as I was to the dark magic, and my experience has been… trying, to say the least. The sway that magic had on me when I was in its clutches was, at times, all-consuming. I can't tell you the number of times I wanted to give in.
"With the head space Jax's been in recently, I worry he won't be strong enough to resist. And if the demons are involved—"
Ruby held out a hand to stop him from going further. "You don't have to say anymore. I understand." She sighed, a crestfallen expression weighing down her features. "Should we be trying to steer him away from Raphael then?"
Bailey snorted, then slapped a hand over her mouth and nose. "Sorry," she said through the cover over her hand before letting it drop to her lap. "Do you really think you can tell Jax who he should and shouldn't be friends with? He kind of marches to the beat of his own drum."
"Ugh," Ruby groaned. "You're right."
"Sorry," Bailey offered with a shrug, and then turned her regard to Valdora. She was almost finished packing. "What happens if it is demon blood?"
"What happens if it isn't?" River asked.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Valdora said and snapped her satchel closed. "I cannot stress enough the importance of not getting too far ahead of ourselves. Based off my conversations with Ronan on the Otherworld, and my research, which is now gone," she huffed. "There is a very real possibility that we are dealing with the Divine."
"The Divine?" Briar parroted sarcastically. "You think the Gods are meddling in Dark Court affairs?"
Valdora stood, her expression kept neutral as she hiked her satchel over her shoulder. "I think a God is meddling, yes. Just think of what mayhem could be wrought if all the court was under the thumb of the same God. Some of the world’s most powerful supernaturals reside here."
“I’d rather not,” Stella stated woefully.
Valdora offered only a sad smile in return of understanding. The potential outcomes would no doubt change the world, and likely not for the better.
"Valdora hasn't been wrong yet," Ronan interjected when the room’s silence hit the minute mark. Briar's lips thinned, a sense of worry accompanying the gesture that she couldn’t hide.
"Each move we make from here on out must be made with caution and certainty, and under no circumstances can those outside this room know of our intent. Even Jax, I'm afraid. It will be best for his focus to remain on reversing Irina's demonic curse.
"Now, if you'll all excuse me. I need to go and see what I can salvage from my rooms and place a new set of wards up. It's almost my curfew." She smiled faintly at the group, "Jakob, might I suggest you intercept the other heads of the Royal Households? Inform them of the Circe clan’s actions and get your hands on that book. Then we can at least eliminate the threat of the rabidus curse."
"I like that plan," Irina piped up. "If for no other reason than it cements the fact that I am truly one of a kind."
Deval snorted out a laugh, which he quickly masked behind a fist. But the noise had done its job, breaking the rife tension in the room, and putting everyone into motion. Valdora left, and quick to follow on her heels was Ana and her companions.
The Vranas gathered near the fireplace, speaking in low voices, and leaving Bailey, Ronan, River, and Stella on the couch.
"That was a lot to take in," Stella bemoaned, a dazed look on her face. "It's going to take me at least a week to process everything—and you haven't even told me what the hell this Otherworld place is." Stella began to rub her temples. "You don't happen to have something around for headaches, do you River? Maybe something to help with sleep, too? I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight."
"Me either," River commiserated and stood with a heavy sigh. "Let me see what I can find for you. I'll be right back."
Stella passed her a grateful smile, then turned her attention to Ronan and Bailey. Her smile grew as she locked eyes with Bailey. "So, I guess this means you got the guy? You two were very… affectionate during that talk."
Bailey rolled her eyes, “We weren’t that affectionate.”
Stella snorted, causing the pair to laugh and spare each other an adoring look. Bailey’s heart filled with warmth that she knew flowed likewise through their bond.
"I did," she said smugly.
"She did," Ronan agreed.
"So how do you think we'll get the demon blood?"
"Leave the planning to them." Bailey jerked her chin in the direction of the Vrana's. "You keep focusing on your self-defense and new powers. Once you're feeling more confident with them, you can use them as leverage for negotiation." Bailey let her gaze linger obviously on the Vrana's again. "If you can prove you're an asset—"
Stella shook her head, her smile turning sad. "I won't be contracting with the Vrana. Before you reached us in the hall, Irina very kindly explained to me that they wouldn't be able to extend me an offer. Not with the current court climate."
With deftness, Ronan quickly solved the issue.
"Speak with Ana," Ronan instructed. "The ravens keep themselves well-informed and will take extra precautions to see to your safety."
Stella sat in stunned silence. "I—I hadn't thought of seeking a contract with a non-vampyré household. I don't think anyone in my family has ever done that before."
"The pay may not be as enticing, but I can assure you, you'll receive nothing but respect from the ravens. You may even negotiate some self-defense training into your contract. We have many skilled fighters, and so long as you're willing to be open with them, I'm sure they'd be willing to help you hone your new powers as well."
Glossy tears clouded Stella's vision, and she quickly ducked her head. Bailey’s gratefulness touched him and the two shared a look of understanding. The moment made his heart skip a beat in humbled astonishment, as he marveled at how in sync they were in such little time.
So, this is what it’s meant to find your other half, he wondered in contentment.
By Bailey’s returning smug smile, the doubt had been all his own.
"I don't know what to say," Stella sniffled, lifting her head. "Thank you, Ronan. Maybe I'll stop by tomorrow when things are more settled and try to speak with her."
"That’s a wonderful plan."
Stella wiped away her burgeoning tears and smiled. But her smile fell short of its mark. "Oh, wait. Why would I negotiate a contract with Ana and not you?" Stella's tentative inquiry was made as River reappeared with medicine.
"And then what?" Irina questioned. "What if your theory is right, and the dark magic is the same?"
Ronan's lips pursed. "Unfortunately, we never got that far, which is why we turned our focus to finding the real culprit behind the attacks. Jakob, Valdora, and I—"
The front door opened, cutting Ronan off as the room's occupants all turned to face the newcomers. Valdora walked in toting a large satchel, and behind her were Ruby and Sebastian.
"Did someone say my name?" she asked pleasantly as she entered the common room.
"We were just talking of your progress with the dark magic," Briar said. "Or rather, lack thereof."
"Don't be rude, darling," Sebastian scolded as he went straight to Briar's side. He kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arms around her. "The sorceress is friend, not foe."
Briar pouted but said nothing more on the matter as she leaned into Sebastian's embrace.
"Friend, indeed," Valdora assured blithely. "Tonight's raid might have compromised my research thus far, but not the important part." Valdora patted her satchel meaningfully.
"You saved the Otherworld samples?" Ronan asked.
Valdora nodded. "I never kept them in my rooms; too risky."
"Thank the Gods." Ronan sank back into the couch, towing Bailey with him. She snuggled into his side, resting her hand low on his chest. He passed her a soft smile before turning his attention back to Valdora. "Can we test it now?"
"That was my plan. I'll set up on the coffee table." Valdora took a step farther into the room but stopped herself short. "If that's alright?"
"By all means," Jakob agreed. "Clear the table, please."
Nova and Deval acted quickly, clearing the table of its few ornaments—a decorative bowl, some unused bandages and bottled elixirs, and the raven statuette. Bailey eyed the final item being toted away by Nova with mixed feelings.
Sensing the shift, Ronan offered his own comfort through the bond. She sank into the feeling shamelessly, ignoring the mounting questioning looks they were receiving from the others.
"Ronan, I'll need a sample of blood from you." Valdora took Nova's spot at the end of the coffee table, kneeling in front of it with her satchel open.
Bailey watched with curiosity the objects she pulled from its seemingly endless depths. There was a small, cast-iron cauldron, several bottles filled with ingredients that made River's eyes alight with wonder, a set of conical flasks, precious stones, candles, and a small leather case carefully bound with beaded cords.
"By the shape Ronan was in, I assumed all your stuff was destroyed," Nova said as she walked back over.
"I always keep a spare set of essentials tucked away," Valdora replied as she arranged the tabletop to her liking. She passed a knife and one of the empty flasks to Ronan. "Fill it halfway," she instructed. "Clearly, I wasn't the only one who encountered trouble tonight."
When no one chose to comment, Valdora surveyed the group more intently. Her blue eyes lingered over Irina, River, and Bailey the longest.
"Would anyone care to share what else happened tonight? Ronan?"
"You know I was summoned by the rabidus curse," he said, voice tired.
Valdora's eyes narrowed on him and the steady stream of blood that poured from his palm into the flask. "Yes, you're lucky no one saw your neat little disappearing act into the shadows. They simply thought you abandoned me. There one moment, gone the next."
Ronan grimaced. "I wouldn't have if I could have helped it."
"I know, Ronan," Valdora assured him, softening her posture. "Please, go on."
"Two courtiers were possessed by the curse in the Styx."
"Who?" Valdora accepted the flask from him.
"I didn't recognize the man," Ronan admitted with a delicate frown. "But the other…." His words trailed off as his gaze traveled across the room to Irina. Valdora followed his line of sight and froze with understanding.
"I knew you were different somehow," Valdora said, her words belaying her excitement. "Your aura is different." Her mouth twisted in mild confusion as she continued to gape at Irina. "But how are you, er, alive?"
Irina stood taller. "My niece."
Valdora's brightened eyes turned to River.
"It wasn't all me." River’s cheeks colored. "Jax helped anchor me. Without him, I doubt any of us would be standing here."
"And where is Jax now?" Valdora questioned.
"He's already searching for a way to reverse the curse," Jakob informed Valdora. He twisted and held out a hand to Irina. She hesitated a moment before coming to his side and pressing her hand into his. He kissed her knuckles lovingly. "If anyone can find a solution, Jax will."
"I don't quite understand," Valdora said cautiously. "Reverse the curse? Didn't River expel it? I assumed the change in your aura was due to some kind of magical trauma."
Irina summoned a bitter smile. "Meet the next evolution of supernaturalkind, Valdora."
Inky blackness drowned out Irina's eyes, and for a fraction of a second, hot longing spiked through the room. It receded as quickly as it came, with Irina's eyes returning to their normal hybrid coloring. Valdora stared at her in shock.
"You're… you're a demon?"
A shuttered expression wiped all emotions from Irina's face. "I don't know what I am to be perfectly honest. But yes… I think I am. At least, a part of me is."
"And the rest of you?"
Irina's shoulder lifted in a half-hearted shrug. "Still part vampyré and lycan."
"And now part demon." Irina nodded and Valdora bit her lip pensively. "I'll need a sample of your blood as well. Let me clean the knife and get a new flask."
Once the items were with Irina, Valdora turned her attention back to Ronan. "Anything else?"
Ronan fixed his gaze on Bailey. When she didn’t immediately speak up, he gave her arm a meaningful squeeze. She huffed, passing him an exasperated look, before sitting up straighter.
"A lot else, actually," Bailey sighed. "Gods, where do I even begin."
She ran a hand over her face.
"The beginning," Ruby quipped pertly from Nova's side. Bailey pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Very helpful," Bailey mumbled, shooting a glare at the waif-like vampyré. Ronan rubbed her arm soothingly. She leaned into the touch gratefully and explained her encounter with Franklin and Mercy. Then the Fawzy twins bickering and eventual skirmish with Kane. Bailey paused in her recap to thank Ana, but the raven shifter batted away the gratitude.
"With Ana and the other ravens taking care of Kane, I went to find Stella and Irina." Bailey swallowed, remembering keenly the indecision that had engulfed her in that moment. "It was pure luck that I spotted Stella, but I wasn't fast enough."
Bailey grimaced in apology at Irina. And she smiled back wanly. "You saved my life just as much as River, Bailey. There's no need to be so hard on yourself." Irina forced herself to smile brighter. "Besides, I'm also confident Jax will come up with something to reverse the curse. All he needs is time and resources, which we have plenty of."
Although Irina painted the perfect picture of confidence, the room’s spirits remained on edge. Bailey acknowledged Irina's words with a slight tilt of her head, choosing to ignore the tightness of her delivery and her own lack of confidence. Time could always be cut short unexpectedly… but as for resources.
A sense of sureness filled her, whether fueled by Ronan or herself she couldn’t say. But the fact remained the Vranas had ample resources to supply Jax in his efforts. So much so that perhaps they could afford to give him the time he needed to reverse the curse.
"Of course, he will." Bailey cleared her throat and aimed her regard back at Valdora. "As for the rest, we ended up taking cover in the library for Stella and River to work their magic and now we're here.”
"Stella's magic?" Valdora's surprise was worn plainly as she collected Irina's flask. "I heard a rumor your voice is becoming quite the weapon."
Stella blushed and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "It is." She sat up straighter. Pride colored her next words. "I've been working on it with Bailey." The two women shared grins.
"Good," Valdora cheered. "Keep working on it, because until we uncover who the Wildings' mystery employer is, you're likely still in grave danger."
Stella paled at the grim reminder and shrank in her seat.
"Let's focus on one thing at a time," Bailey suggested. "What will you do with their blood exactly?"
Valdora pulled the small cauldron closer and arranged her crystals and jewels in a half circle around it.
"First, we see if their blood shares the same magic. If it does, then we'll test to see if their blood shares the same magic with the Otherworld sample."
Valdora skimmed through the collection of bottles plucking one that looked as if it was filled with green glitter. She poured a dash into the cauldron followed by half a portion of each blood sample. Valdora turned to her satchel, pulling a long-handled silver spoon to stir the cauldron's contents. A brief sizzle and pop resulted from the action.
Finished stirring, she removed the spoon and dug through her bag once more. Objects clattered distantly until Valdora pulled out a set of matches with a victorious smile. Lighting one, she tossed it into the cauldron. A plume of neon green smoke immediately ushered out the top.
"What does that mean?" River asked.
Valdora's blue eyes lifted briefly from her experiment to glance between Ronan and Irina. "As expected," she relayed. "Your blood shares a common magic. Now we’ll see if it's the same as the Otherworld."
All remained in tense silence as Valdora started her experiment again. The green glittering substance was poured into the cauldron, as well as the remaining samples of Ronan and Irina's blood. Then her hands went to her leather-bound case. Unwinding the beaded cord that held it closed, she extracted a vial of dark matter. She poured it into the cauldron, hand trembling lightly.
She stirred the fresh set of ingredients until satisfied and moved on to the final piece of the process. The match burst to life with a flick of her wrist against the strike pad.
Valdora tossed it into the cauldron… neon green smoke billowed out.
"It's as we predicted," Valdora said, locking eyes with Ronan and then Irina. "The dark magic of the Otherworld is the same as found within the two of you. Which also means it is the same dark magic used in the rabidus curse."
"If the dark magic is the same, then why isn't Ronan a hybrid?" River's brow furrowed in confusion.
"If I had to guess…." Valdora's mouth slanted down. "It's because Irina's dose of the dark magic was laced with something more. Demon blood, most likely. And then whatever spell the Circe clan used to bind it all together, is most likely the culprit, given her current state."
"So, what do we do now?" Stella questioned quietly.
"I'd like to confirm that there is demon blood running through Irina, or demonic magic as it were. But I'll need a sample of demon blood to do that—preferably from a demon of desire," Valdora stated and began to collect her tools.
"Why do I have the feeling this will be even more impossible than getting a blood sample from the rabidus victims," Ana grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Because it will be just as hard, if not more so," Jakob concurred. "Especially with the demons' heavy connection to the Lunar Court."
"What about Jax?" Ruby suggested with sudden excitement. "I might not like his new friendship with Raphael, but he's a demon—and a demon of desire at that! He can get a sample from him."
A terse silence greeted her. Ruby's excitement waned.
"It's not a terrible idea, Ruby," Ronan remarked with careful emphasis on the word terrible.
She snorted and arched an eyebrow. "That's not the impression I got."
"Jax was exposed the same as I was to the dark magic, and my experience has been… trying, to say the least. The sway that magic had on me when I was in its clutches was, at times, all-consuming. I can't tell you the number of times I wanted to give in.
"With the head space Jax's been in recently, I worry he won't be strong enough to resist. And if the demons are involved—"
Ruby held out a hand to stop him from going further. "You don't have to say anymore. I understand." She sighed, a crestfallen expression weighing down her features. "Should we be trying to steer him away from Raphael then?"
Bailey snorted, then slapped a hand over her mouth and nose. "Sorry," she said through the cover over her hand before letting it drop to her lap. "Do you really think you can tell Jax who he should and shouldn't be friends with? He kind of marches to the beat of his own drum."
"Ugh," Ruby groaned. "You're right."
"Sorry," Bailey offered with a shrug, and then turned her regard to Valdora. She was almost finished packing. "What happens if it is demon blood?"
"What happens if it isn't?" River asked.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Valdora said and snapped her satchel closed. "I cannot stress enough the importance of not getting too far ahead of ourselves. Based off my conversations with Ronan on the Otherworld, and my research, which is now gone," she huffed. "There is a very real possibility that we are dealing with the Divine."
"The Divine?" Briar parroted sarcastically. "You think the Gods are meddling in Dark Court affairs?"
Valdora stood, her expression kept neutral as she hiked her satchel over her shoulder. "I think a God is meddling, yes. Just think of what mayhem could be wrought if all the court was under the thumb of the same God. Some of the world’s most powerful supernaturals reside here."
“I’d rather not,” Stella stated woefully.
Valdora offered only a sad smile in return of understanding. The potential outcomes would no doubt change the world, and likely not for the better.
"Valdora hasn't been wrong yet," Ronan interjected when the room’s silence hit the minute mark. Briar's lips thinned, a sense of worry accompanying the gesture that she couldn’t hide.
"Each move we make from here on out must be made with caution and certainty, and under no circumstances can those outside this room know of our intent. Even Jax, I'm afraid. It will be best for his focus to remain on reversing Irina's demonic curse.
"Now, if you'll all excuse me. I need to go and see what I can salvage from my rooms and place a new set of wards up. It's almost my curfew." She smiled faintly at the group, "Jakob, might I suggest you intercept the other heads of the Royal Households? Inform them of the Circe clan’s actions and get your hands on that book. Then we can at least eliminate the threat of the rabidus curse."
"I like that plan," Irina piped up. "If for no other reason than it cements the fact that I am truly one of a kind."
Deval snorted out a laugh, which he quickly masked behind a fist. But the noise had done its job, breaking the rife tension in the room, and putting everyone into motion. Valdora left, and quick to follow on her heels was Ana and her companions.
The Vranas gathered near the fireplace, speaking in low voices, and leaving Bailey, Ronan, River, and Stella on the couch.
"That was a lot to take in," Stella bemoaned, a dazed look on her face. "It's going to take me at least a week to process everything—and you haven't even told me what the hell this Otherworld place is." Stella began to rub her temples. "You don't happen to have something around for headaches, do you River? Maybe something to help with sleep, too? I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight."
"Me either," River commiserated and stood with a heavy sigh. "Let me see what I can find for you. I'll be right back."
Stella passed her a grateful smile, then turned her attention to Ronan and Bailey. Her smile grew as she locked eyes with Bailey. "So, I guess this means you got the guy? You two were very… affectionate during that talk."
Bailey rolled her eyes, “We weren’t that affectionate.”
Stella snorted, causing the pair to laugh and spare each other an adoring look. Bailey’s heart filled with warmth that she knew flowed likewise through their bond.
"I did," she said smugly.
"She did," Ronan agreed.
"So how do you think we'll get the demon blood?"
"Leave the planning to them." Bailey jerked her chin in the direction of the Vrana's. "You keep focusing on your self-defense and new powers. Once you're feeling more confident with them, you can use them as leverage for negotiation." Bailey let her gaze linger obviously on the Vrana's again. "If you can prove you're an asset—"
Stella shook her head, her smile turning sad. "I won't be contracting with the Vrana. Before you reached us in the hall, Irina very kindly explained to me that they wouldn't be able to extend me an offer. Not with the current court climate."
With deftness, Ronan quickly solved the issue.
"Speak with Ana," Ronan instructed. "The ravens keep themselves well-informed and will take extra precautions to see to your safety."
Stella sat in stunned silence. "I—I hadn't thought of seeking a contract with a non-vampyré household. I don't think anyone in my family has ever done that before."
"The pay may not be as enticing, but I can assure you, you'll receive nothing but respect from the ravens. You may even negotiate some self-defense training into your contract. We have many skilled fighters, and so long as you're willing to be open with them, I'm sure they'd be willing to help you hone your new powers as well."
Glossy tears clouded Stella's vision, and she quickly ducked her head. Bailey’s gratefulness touched him and the two shared a look of understanding. The moment made his heart skip a beat in humbled astonishment, as he marveled at how in sync they were in such little time.
So, this is what it’s meant to find your other half, he wondered in contentment.
By Bailey’s returning smug smile, the doubt had been all his own.
"I don't know what to say," Stella sniffled, lifting her head. "Thank you, Ronan. Maybe I'll stop by tomorrow when things are more settled and try to speak with her."
"That’s a wonderful plan."
Stella wiped away her burgeoning tears and smiled. But her smile fell short of its mark. "Oh, wait. Why would I negotiate a contract with Ana and not you?" Stella's tentative inquiry was made as River reappeared with medicine.
