Vampire Girl 3: Silver Flame(66)

I can see the pain in his eyes, at having witnessed what he did— at having to ask me to do something he knows causes me hurt—and part of me breaks. "I can't… " I step away from him and look at all of them. "I can't decide this right now. I must think on it."

I walk away before any of them can respond, my whole body alert to someone reaching to stop me. But none do. They allow me the time, and for that I am grateful.

The moons are still high when I exit the palace, and a gentle breeze carries the smell of fire and soot on the air. And worse, burning flesh. Tents have been erected in the palace square, and they are quickly filling with burn victims in need of treatment. My illusion should make me anonymous to anyone who would otherwise recognize the princess, but even then, how many people really could? With no technology, no televisions and photographs and smart phones capturing every moment and face on film, these people live in oblivion. They know of royalty, but don’t know what they look like half the time. And if they were to see them at all it would be from a great distance, where they are but well-dressed specks on the horizon.

Still, the added precaution gives me boldness to enter one of the tents and offer my help. Just another person offering to give aide to those in need.

I work for several hours before a familiar voice interrupts my flow. "Diana?" asks Seri, repinning her hair. "I haven’t seen you the last few days."

"I… I was feeling sick."

She touches my hand. "What happened… it wasn’t your fault."

"It…" I pull away, shocked. "What do you mean?"

"I know who you are. Who you truly are."

I don’t know what to make of this. "Let’s walk." She nods and we take a break, leaving the healing tents and walking by the canals. The light breeze from the water calms my nerves.

"It wasn't hard," says Seri. "Your mannerisms. Speech patterns. The way you always wash your hands before working with the sick." She grins. "Once I knew, it was easy to see past the illusion with a simple spell."

And I didn’t even realize she knew. I need to work on being more observant. "Keep it under wraps, please. I just want to help. I feel so bad."

"Everyone in the tents will be fine. Mild burns, but nothing serious. You do what you must to win this war. It's hell in the north for my people." Her face crumbles. "You have to stop him. Please. Promise me."

How has it come to this? That I must destroy to save? That I must choose who to sacrifice. And there's never a right choice.

Before I can say anything, Dean walks over to us, and Seri excuses herself to get back to her patients.

"Your presence is requested, Princess," Dean says with a bow and a wink. "At the war meeting. It is time to prepare for battle."

He offers his arm, so I take it and walk with him back to the Pleasure Palace, to the War Room. We come in at the middle of a discussion between Fen and Asher, and I get the distinct impression this room doesn't see a lot of use. Cobwebs dangle in the corners and the air is stale and damp despite the fire blazing in the corner.

"Can we engage a frontal assault?" Asher asks, adjusting the cufflinks on his sleeves.

Fen shakes his head. "Not until those within the city unlock the gates. I suggest we sneak in a few men, masquerading as traders, and support the rebels inside. Then, once the gate is breached, the rest can follow."

Dean nods. "Solid. So what’s the timeline?"

"We strike in a week," Asher says. "That is when the rebels plan their attack from within." He points to Stonehill on the map and—

Something clacks against the wooden door behind me, and I get a shiver up my arms. I walk to the entrance, and when I open it, Seri is there, about to come in.

"Hello," she says, turning to the group. "I'm sorry, is this not a good time? I needed to speak to Prince Asher."

Asher shakes his hand. "Not a good time. Find me when this is over."

Seri nods. "Apologies. I'll speak with you later, then."

She closes the door as she leaves, but my arms still tingle. Something feels odd. Seri seemed uneasy. So I slip out quietly and follow her.

I stay far enough behind that she does not see or hear me down the long hallways, but close enough that I can see if she turns or changes directions. It's a delicate dance, but one that ultimately pays off. We exit the palace and head to the edges of the city, to the forest. What business does Seri have in the woods?

Between the trees, I must stay closer to keep sight of her, so I use an illusion to muffle my steps, making me near silent. Sometimes, I still lose track of her, and then I follow her footprints. Eventually, she comes upon a clearing and sits down on a stump. Near her, on a tree, sits a black owl, and I see its leg is tied to a branch. Seri pull something out of her bag. Pen and paper. And she begins to write.