The Vampire Gift 2: Kingdom of(79)
A noise sounds from beyond him. “Someone’s here,” he says. “I’ll be back when I can.”
And, without waiting for a goodbye, he slides the little panel shut. I’m left all alone in the room of icy silver once more.
Chapter Fifty-One
PHILLIP
I stand next to my brother, half a step behind the Queen, as a marching procession of Wyvern Coven vampires flows down the main pathway of The Haven.
They are a raggedly bunch—without order, without discipline. Their adopted coven name is a mockery of the great creature a wyvern represents.
They march in a straight enough line, but so many of them look bedraggled, weak, and perhaps even… frightened?
And why not? There isn’t a single one amongst them who matches us in power. These are the castaways, the unwanted, the ones who’d been kicked out of their original homes and banded together to as nomads.
They are the gypsy wanderers of our time. And for some inane reason, Mother decided to open the doors of The Haven to them.
I look behind me. All the vampires of our coven are here. The humans have been ushered back underground. They’ll remain there until the newcomers can familiarize themselves with the rules governing The Haven.
There is undisguised hostility on the faces of all of The Haven’s vampires. From those of the Royal Court, to those of the regular rabble—none are pleased that the Queen opened up our home to them.
Especially after sealing the wards and locking us in for weeks.
The front of the line stops before the Queen. It takes a few moments for the disorganized vampires in the back to come to a standstill.
“They are intimidated,” Raul whispers to me. “They don’t know if this is a trap or not.”
“I agree. They’ve come out of desperation.”
I look at the guards Smithson posted in the trees. All have their shining armor for display. It’s an ostentatious display of wealth compared to the primitive clothing of the Wyvern guards.
“They brought coffins.” Somebody sneers from behind me. “How quaint.”
I go on my toes and realize he’s right. At the very back of the line are row upon row of coffins, being carried by hand.
“They must not know we’re graced by eternal night,” the speaker’s companion says.
“How many do you think there are?” I ask Raul. “Two, three-hundred?”
“More,” he answers. “Easily enough to match us. Where is Mother planning on housing them?”
“I doubt they’ll be particular. Coming into The Haven should be enough of an honor for this bunch.”
“It would be an honor for any vampire who know of us,” Raul grunts. “Too bad this is who we’re stuck with.”
“Welcome!” Morgan steps forward and greets the three leaders of the delegation. “We are so grateful that you took us up on our offer of sanctuary. My Captain Commander has told me much about you in anticipation of your arrival. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
A grizzled vampire with a long, disarrayed beard steps out of the trio and extends his arm. “The pleasure of meeting the mighty Queen of The Haven is all mine,” he says. “I am Collin. My two companions are Mark and Nestar.”
Mark and Nestar give their greetings.
“At first, we were not sure what to expect,” Collin admits. “But when Captain Commander Smithson assured us of your intentions… well, we could hardly refuse joining the most feared coven in existence.”
“He’s lying,” I say. “Look at the way his eyes are shifting. He’s nervous. Something is wrong.”
“He speaks like a snake,” Raul agrees. He turns his head slightly to me. “Is April safe?”
“I snuck her out of the group of humans as they were led underground. She’s locked in my rooms.”
“Good,” Raul says. “Because I have a feeling that if something goes wrong, the humans will be the first to—”
A sudden gut-wrenching shriek comes from deep in the woods. My head spins toward it. It rings out for only a second before being cut off.
Collin, Mark, and the rest of the new vampires instantly turn in its direction. Mother steps smoothly in front of them to block their view.
“A misbehaving human,” she explains. “Nothing to concern yourselves with.” She looks at Smithson. “Have one of your guards check it out.”
“That didn’t sound like a human scream,” I whisper to Raul.
He nods in thought.
Before Smithson can pick someone to investigate, Raul steps forward. “I’ll go,” he volunteers.
A look of angry surprise flashes across Mother’s face. It’s quickly replaced by a fake smile. “My eldest son, ever the protector of The Haven,” she says to the newcomers.