I smiled at him. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Regardless, that does not explain why you would want to help me.”
“Because if you don’t kill the vampires, then the vampires will kill you. They…” I paused, knowing I had to choose my words very carefully. I couldn’t give him information on the vampires that would enable him to harm them. “…they are incredibly ruthless. If anyone crosses them, they will have no mercy.”
Tarasque smiled. “Is that all? Girl, you saw what I did to your lover, and something tells me he is what the vampires would call quite formidable. If you are genuinely worried for the safety of my people, then let me lay your fears to rest. We will be able to kill them.”
“You’re basing your so-called future victory on the fact that you could defeat one vampire?” I was incredulous. “That’s the kind of arrogance that will get you killed. That will get your people killed.”
“Enough,” Tarasque said, and a sudden coldness overcame his handsome features. “You are a human child whose lifespan is nothing more to me than the housefly is to you. Do not tell me how to plan my battles or how to rule my people.”
“I won’t,” I said. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t want you or your people to die. You want to beat this god, right?”
Emerald eyes flashed. “Girl, I do not merely want to beat him.”
“Duly noted. But if he believes I’m a key player in the upcoming battle, then you shouldn’t throw my opinions out the window.”
“Meaning you believe I should trust you.”
The statement was delivered in a neutral voice, but I knew it was a test, and honesty was the only hope I had at passing it.
“I won’t lie,” I said. “My first loyalty is and always will be to the people I love. But I can promise that I will help you and your people so long as it doesn’t mean hurting the vampires or my loved ones.”
“The only loved one of yours that is threatened by this conflict is your vampire mate.” Emerald eyes chilled even further. “That is why you are so adamant at saving the species as a whole.”
“No, I—”
He closed the slight distance between us. “Can you look me in the eye and tell me that your desire to save the vampires would be as strong if your lover were not one of them?”
My eyes narrowed, unfazed by his scrutiny. “Yes,” I declared.
“You truly do believe that,” he murmured. “But I do not.”
My right hand clenched. “Do you believe I’ll help you?”
“I believe I would have your loyalty if it were not for that vampire lover of yours,” He replied.
I felt the blood drain from my face. “You can’t kill him.”
“I will not violate our bargain, but be certain of one thing, Mercedes. I have every intention of gaining your loyalty.”
His eyes weren’t cruel or controlling. His tone was even quite mild. But I knew beyond any doubt that this was a creature who would not easily let go of something that he wanted. Or someone.
“Loyalty has to be earned,” I said to both state a fact and to prevent the silence from becoming cloying.
“So it does,” he agreed. “And until I do have your loyalty, I cannot completely trust you.”
“I understand,” I said. “But will you at least consider telling me more information about this god?”
He nodded. “I will consider it.”
***
Shadow
I felt her.
It was faint, very faint, but I felt her.
I felt her emotions. Her relief, her elation. She was all right. She was unharmed.
“Oh, bless Lord Order, bless Lord Chaos,” I breathed. The link was dead, but I had felt her. “She is alive, Blackhole. She is alive and unharmed.”
I buried my face in my hands, struggling not to weep in relief. If she had been in pain or dead…I could not think about it. It would drive me as mad as effectively as the time Xavier had attempted to use her against me.
Blackhole remained at my side, emitted a soothing, purring noise that was effective in calming me.
I told you.
“That you did,” I said aloud. “We will continue this again until I can hear her voice. Until she can tell me where she is and how to get there.” I bared my teeth. “And where the scum who took her is as well.”
***
Tarasque
In the depths of Mount Draco, I prayed to my father for guidance.
My son. Are you protecting the sacred grounds?
Yes, Father. The god called Necoc Yaotl demands that I destroy his brother’s children, a race call the vampires, in order to guarantee their safety.
A insignificant price to pay. In fact, this could be blessing in disguise. Make certain you take whatever treasure these vampires possess before you destroy them.
I will do so.
What strategy do you plan to use?
The Mirror has refused to show me where the vampire world is located. I have sent my warriors to the human world since vampires are well known to travel there. My warriors will capture a vampire and interrogate him. We will discover where their world is.
And then you will destroy them.
Soon. My warriors will go undercover in the vampire world. They will discover the secrets and the weaknesses of our enemies. We will go from there.
A wise strategy. Well done, my son.
The happiness I felt was so sudden and so strong, I found it somewhat difficult to breathe.
I thank you, my lord.
It is good that you will be waging war. Hopefully, it will cure you of this shameful desire to interact with lower species.
Upon leaving, the happiness I felt at my father’s praise died a quick, deflated death. Not only was I not cured of my shameful desire, I had fulfilled it. If he ever found out, I would lose all hope of gaining his respect. I would never be a worthy king in his eyes.
Unless I protected the sacred grounds and killed the vampires.
My spirits lifted somewhat as I flew through the air. My father approved of the upcoming war. He would approve of a victory even more. If the vampires did in fact possess great treasure and proved to be somewhat formidable, my father and forefathers would welcome me with open wings when it was my time to join them, shameful desires or not. All I had to do was win.
And Mercedes would never forgive me.
Such a thought should not bother me in the slightest, but it did. Far more than I cared to admit. I was attached to Mercedes, and I wanted her loyalty, her companionship, and not just because she may be a key to dragon victory. I wanted my father’s approval, but I also wanted her. And like all dragon kings, what I wanted I always got. However, there was an obstacle I had to acknowledge: her vampire lover. The one called Shadow.
I decided then and there that I despised him. Reckless, arrogant, barbaric fool, thinking he could challenge me, the king of all dragons. Granted, I rightfully punished him for his presumptions, but now he was more than an annoying fly to be swatted. So long as he lived, Mercedes would never be truly mine.
No. So long as she loved him, she would never be truly mine.
Loved him.
I had witnessed many kinds of love, thanks to the Mirror, but I knew I had never experienced it for myself. Supposedly, it could cause untold pain and pleasure, meaning it was the ultimate paradox. If that were true, I had no intention of experiencing it, but if I could make Mercedes love me…then her loyalty would be all but guaranteed.
***
Leyan
Gathering vital information on the vampires did not take long. They were determined to hide from humans, yet they seemed to believe that humans were the only potential danger to them. They only came out at night, which made me wonder if the sun’s golden rays were deadly to them, or if they simply did not care for the sun. Their main source of nourishment appeared to be human blood, which they took willingly or unwillingly.
“Are you impressed, comrade?”
I didn’t look at Kel. Like any seasoned dragon warrior, I kept my eyes on my target. The one who possessed treasure that I desired. My two copies remained hidden in the alley behind me.
“I don’t care if they impress me now,” I said. “I care if they impress me with their fighting abilities. And their treasure.”
Kel moved to the side of me, also keeping his copies safely hidden from view. His human form was nondescript in both physical appearance and in the style of his clothing. He was a warrior who always believed it prudent to blend into a crowd when gathering information. I was of the opposite opinion. My human form was considered incredibly attractive due to its long, golden hair, clear gray eyes, and lithe, mature figure.
I was a hunter disguised as a flower. And the vampire inside that small structure was my prey.
“Stay in the shadows,” I said to Kel. “That one is going to tell us where his kind dwells.”
I didn’t wait for Kel to reply before sauntering into the structure. So tiny, insignificant. In my natural form, I could effortlessly balance it on one of my frontal claws. And all around me, humans fluttered about their business. I wrinkled my nose at the smell of alcohol. To the human’s credit, their choice of liquor did not have the pungent reek of Bar Root Ale, which was greatly favored by the ogres, but it was distasteful enough. I resolved to retrieve my prey as soon as possible and leave this tavern.
My prey was a seemingly young man, attractive by many human standards. Like me, he possessed pale skin, golden hair, and exotic features. He also seemed to appreciate the company of the fairer sex than the drink surrounding him. Leaning on his shoulders and grinning like crazed banshees were two scantily clad women, clamoring for his attention. I could see the hunger in his eyes, and it was not just hunger for intercourse.
I stopped barely a few feet in front of him.
“Hello,” I purred. “My name is Lenore. May I join you?”
He was mine from there. It did not take long for me to convince him that the two useless lumps beside him could never provide him with the satisfaction that he desired. Less than fifteen minutes later, we were both out of the tavern, his arm around my waist.
“Mmm.” He put his nose near my neck. “You smell good.”
“It’s a bit stuffy out here,” I commented. I teasingly caressed his youthful face. “Why don’t we go somewhere more comfortable?”
He grinned. “That’s sounds great.”
I pressed my body against him. “Why don’t we go to your home? The sun will rise in mere hours, after all.”
His eyes widened. “You know what I am?”
I nodded, smiling. “I’ve had my fair share of vampire companions. But I must say, you are the boldest I have ever met.”
It appeared flattery worked like a charm with vampires. His responding grin was filled with arrogance and pride. “I can show just how bold I can be.”
He took my arm and led me to the alley right where Kel was waiting. I almost laughed. The kings of the past were certainly smiling on me tonight.
He led me to the end of the alley to a stone wall. None of his movements escaped me. I watched him withdraw the thin, dark wand from the inside of his coat. He pricked his thumb on one of his fangs and smeared his own blood on the tip. He then slashed the wall in an X-shaped pattern. In response, a portal opened.
The vampire grinned at me and made to pull me inside. I had him against the wall before he could touch me.
He incredulity was quite comical.
“What in the hell--!?”
His eyes widened even further when I summoned my copies. Kel and his copies appeared moments later. I put my hand against his mouth.
“Scream and I break your neck,” I hissed.
Fortunately, he possessed enough intelligence to obey. I relieved him of the wand-like object and held it up.
“What is this?” I demanded.
His fear was suddenly mixed with recognition and rage. “You—you’re with him, aren’t you? You’re with the one who took the human, Mercedes Strand.” He bared his fangs at us, and his eyes glowed blue. “You’re dead, you know that? The royal family won’t rest until they’ve got your heads on pikes!”
I exchanged looks with Kel. We both knew that King Tarasque had taken a human from this world. However, we did not know that she was so important to the vampires themselves.
No matter.
“Kel, do what he did.” I commanded. “Try to open a portal.”
One of my fingernails morphed into a sharp claw, which I used to make a small cut on the vampire’s hand. Kel copied his previous movements. To my relief and anticipation, a portal opened.
I glared at the vampire. “Do we use the same methods to come back here?”
He smirked. “Why don’t you try it an—ACKK—yes!”
I smiled. “Thank you for your cooperation.”
With a twist of my wrist, the vampire’s neck broke. We collected several vials of the vampire’s blood before proceeding inside the newly created portal.
***
Jeremy
Lord Order must have been watching out for me. Those two freaks had honestly thought breaking my neck would kill me. I did nothing to correct that notion and laid perfectly still until they were gone. Then I called Comet.
Comet. Come on, girl. I need help.
Ever since I bonded with her, I knew it was never wise to underestimate her speed. She was the fastest Evanescence I had ever seen in my one-hundred thirty-two years. Within less than a minute, she was by my side.
“Hey, girl.” I laughed as she bounced on her spider-like legs and licked my face with her gray tongue. “Some jerks stole my Chaos wand. Can you take us home?”
She yipped an affirmative before obliging my request.
***
Blackhole
The pieces were coming into play. It was only a matter of time.
Your cousins can be extraordinarily stupid at times, don’t you agree, my child?
Yes, Titlacauan, I said without taking my gaze from Mercedes’ prone form.
They believe they will take the vampires by surprise, but it appears they should have gathered more information on vampire anatomy. And the wise and powerful dragon king thinks that he can make someone love him without being affected by it himself. Stupid, stupid, stupid, I HATE such stupidity!
I didn’t reply. When my father spoke again, his voice was calm.
Comfort your charge, my child. I will not stop you.
I crept toward the bed. My steps were soft, but Mercedes sat bolt upright when I was barely in front of her. Her gaze locked with mine. I braced myself for anger, disgust. But my father never would have chosen her to be a key if she did not have the heart and soul of angel.
Mercedes sighed and reached for me. “I’m not angry with you.”
I leaped onto the bed and allowed myself to be engulfed in her arms.
“I know you’d help me if you could,” she whispered. “Thank you for being here for me.”
Her arms were so frail, yet there was an inner strength in them that I found quite terrifying. Her compassion was boundless. Her mercy unending. Her love infectious.
You are a powerful key, Mercedes Strand, I thought. Perhaps even my father is unaware of what doors you will unlock. Once they are open, it may be impossible to close them.
***
Shadow
With Mercedes gone, I tended to get quite carried away when I hunted for food. As the royal family ordered, if we killed humans, we were supposed to kill ones who would not be missed for long. The second rule was that an Evanescence was supposed to clean up the mess. That was what Blackhole was currently up to. When he returned, he would assist me in my attempts to contact Mercedes.
For several hours, I sat in silence, reaching out to my love. The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was my own frustration. I had to remain calm. I had to focus on the bond I shared with her, the love I had for her. That was what would enable me to speak with her.
This time, however, frustration won, thanks to an insistent knocking at my door. With I growl I got up to answer it. It was Brandon, and he looked quite fearful.
“Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“That creature who took Mercedes. Rumors are spreading that more of them have invaded our world. The royal family has summoned us both.”
“Do you know where the rumors originated?” I asked on the way to the palace.
“Supposedly, a vampire was attacked in the human world by six human-looking creatures, but the three men looked exactly the same, and so did the three women. The victim was little more than a youngling, and he claims they were stronger than his own maker.” Brandon looked grim. “His maker is nearly fifteen-hundred years old.”
Meaning he was a rare ancient elite. This was terrible news indeed.
“The royal family is putting a stop to the rumors under pain of death,” Brandon continued. “They’ve sent everyone a message: we’re all ordered to go about our lives and pretend nothing has happened.”
“What!?” I bellowed.
“My thoughts exactly. But Shadow, you have to keep your head when we arrive. Shouting at them will only get you killed.”
“You don’t need to remind me.”
“Then I’ll just say this: Mercedes needs you.”
I clenched my jaw, but did not respond.
Fifteen minutes later, I was kneeling in front of the royal family. And I was surrounded by Kshatriya.
“All rise.”
We obeyed at King Yuan’s command. Queen Radella stepped forward. Her pale blue eyes were glittering. I would not have been surprised if they all of a sudden started spitting shards of ice.
“Warriors and present Harijans, our priests have received a warning from Lord Chaos. These creatures that have invaded our home mean to destroy us. They are powerful enough to do so, but they are also greedy, narcissistic.”
How familiar that sounds, I thought bitterly.
“They wish to steal all of our valuables,” Radella continued. “That is why they do not risk a frontal assault at the moment. We will use their greed to our advantage. But not right now.”