Vampire Girl 2: Midnight Star(35)

"Could you fetch some food?" I ask. "I need a lot of meat. Raw, or as raw as you can get it." They frown at me. "I think I'm iron deficient."

That doesn't help. They exchange a confused look, then leave to fetch the food. I change into more sturdy clothes, black leather pants and shirt. Asher would say I'm supposed to be resting. Healing. And yes, my ribs still hurt, but the medicine I drank is helping. I do love the potions this world provides. Elixirs that can cure anything, it seems. It would be interesting to learn more about the medicines here.

When the girls bring back a plate of raw steak, I let them know I'm going for a walk, I won't need them for a while, but I'd like to talk with them later if they are around. They leave, and I feed Yami, who acts as if he hasn't eaten in his whole life, though I know for a fact he eats all the time these days. Once he seems satiated, he curls around my neck like a necklace and purrs. I grab a black and red cloak and leave the castle.

The temperature has dropped, as if Fen brought the cold with him when he arrived. I miss the Prince of War, so I look for something else to occupy my thoughts.

I walk around the city and admire the different shops. Most sell clothing and jewelry, Asher's expertise. Women walk in outfits of feathers and flowing silk, the kind I'd expect to see at a fashion show. Men wear dozens of rings on each hand, their necklaces heavy with amethysts and rubies. But I'm not interested in clothes and baubles right now.

Black smoke billows from a stone building, and I smile and walk toward the smithy. A large hammer sits on the counter, and I pick it up, enjoying the feel of the weight in my hand. With one touch it brings back a flood of memories, of Daison and forging iron, of laughter and banter and friendship. Of fire.

I drop the hammer.

A large man—the blacksmith—walks over. "You okay, miss?"

He doesn't seem to know who I am. That's good. I'd like some anonymity right now. "I'm fine, thank you," I say, even as my hands tremble. I try to distract myself. Something catches my eye to the left. A large white tent teaming with people. "What's going on there?"

"The healing tent," he says gruffly. "The new Keeper set it up to tend to those wounded in the recent attack. Heard they're looking for volunteers if you've got any skill that way. Nasty fight that was."

"It was at that," I say. I wish him a good day and walk toward the tent. The new Keeper, Seri, is there, her white dress replaced by a simple grey grown. She bends over a bed, tending to one of the guards injured in the attack. His leg is broken, bone sticking out from his flesh. Seri has men hold him down as she sets his leg back into place. He screams and I cringe, but the Keeper is unaffected. Calm, precise. She washes her hands of blood and moves onto the next patient, a Fae lad who broke his wrist in the water. In Asher's presence she was all nerves and more than a little incompetent, but here she is in charge.

I must admit I am surprised. "Can I do anything to help?" I ask.

She scowls at me, the tips of her Fae ears turning red. "This is no place for a princess." She pauses. Then adds, "Your Grace."

I grunt. "I've heard that before, but I'm a quick learner and not afraid of manual labor or getting dirty. I can clean, carry supplies, whatever you need."

She seems surprised at my tenacity, and cocks her head, studying me. "Very well then, we'll see how you do. Grab a bucket and start emptying out the chamber pots."

I nod and do as I'm told. It's smelly work, and not particularly pleasant, but I don't complain and that seems to impress her more than anything else. Yami, however, is not pleased. He sticks his head in one of the buckets and makes gagging sounds as he pulls out. I laugh and keep working, ignoring the awkward stares of everyone around me.







Time passes quickly in the Realm of Pride, as it is wont to do when one stays busy. My ribs heal in a few days due to the potions I take. I see Asher at dinner and sometimes lunch. He has work he's always off doing, and I spend most of my day at the healing tent. The Keeper finally begins to trust me and asks for more help. She even shows me different tools and their names, and eventually begins to teach me about the art and science of healing.

She shows me how and why to cut away rotten flesh, how to set a dislocated joint or broken bone, what creams to use to treat wounds and burns and how to make the simple ones. It's fulfilling work, and hopeful. Maybe if I learn healing, I will be able to save those I love. Maybe I could have saved Daison.

I haven't seen Kayla since I left Stonehill, and I wonder if Fen was right about her not being angry. I have my doubts, and they grow bigger the longer I go without a visit from her. I must remind myself we are at war with the Fae, under attack by the Druids. It's selfish of me to think that visiting would be Kayla's highest priority.