Vampire Girl 3: Silver Flame(67)

Dread fills me. I know what's happening, but I don’t want it to be true. Silently, illusion masking my steps, I walk up behind Seri and read the letter she writes.

They will attack Stonehill in a week. This is your chance to strike while they are distracted.

I've known for some time we had a spy amongst us.

And now I know that spy is Seri.



***

The Keeper turns, noticing me. Her voice is cold. "If you choose to have me killed, I understand."

I draw my sword, holding it up to her neck. "Why?"

"My family died in this war, and now my people are tortured in the north. The rule of the vampires must come to an end. The rule of the Fae must return."

She speaks so casually, while inside I spin with rage and sorrow. I pull back my sword, ready to strike.

"Go ahead," she says. "I would do the same in your place."

I feel something stir within me. The wind howls into the night. The shadows grow darker. The earth begins to tremble.

My sword glows a pale blue, and I hold it against Seri's throat, and when the blade touches her flesh, it burns—a fire so hot it's scorching.

Fire that killed so many. That killed Daison. Fire that burned into my body when Oren tortured me. Fire that burned the grove and the innocent.

How many more will die? How many more will suffer?

No. This will stop. Now.

I calm my mind, wiping away all thoughts of anger and vengeance, and the wind and earth grow still. My blade no longer glows. The Darkness recedes.

I let the sword fall from my hands and clash to the floor.

I'm not here to destroy. I'm here to bring peace.

"I will not kill you," I tell Seri, whose eyes widen in surprise. I don’t even know if I can trust her. Or if she will betray me again. But I know I will no longer be the cause of pain. "Instead, you will help me. You will help me bring peace to all the people in these lands."

She nods, a tear sliding down her cheek. "I’m sorry…"

I clutch her shoulder. "Go back to the Healing Tents. Burn the letter. I will find you later. But right now, I have something I must do."

I walk back to the Crystal Garden. Back to the stone and the flame.

And I forge.



***



It takes a week, working night and day—sometimes with magic, and the aid of master armorsmiths and who live in this realm, to accomplish my task. On the last day, I take a drink of cool water and admire our work.

A set of armor, half black, half white. Like my sword. It shimmers. Like Yami.

An iridescent dragon is engraved on the chest. And the moonlight steel is built in folds like scales. Strong but light. A midnight cape flows behind, clasped to the shoulders.

I don the armor and go to see Fen. The look on his face is all the praise I need. Then I tell him my plan, and he agrees. It's time for a presenting of our own.

He dons his brown leather armor and thick fur cape, and then Dean leads us to the highest balcony in the Moonlight Garden. He lures his people to the palace with promises of free drink and food, and once hundreds have gathered, he speaks to the masses. "You have heard that Arianna Spero and Fenris Vane were killed by the Prince of Envy." He pauses for effect. "You heard wrong."

I drop our illusions.

Fen and I step forward.

And the people cheer.



***



After, there is the feast Dean promised. And when he promises, he delivers in spades. Wine and ale flow freely, as well as much stronger liquors that glow suspiciously. Nectar of the Elders Ones is the favorite, of course. I stay away in favor of wine and celebrate late into the night with my friends. I eat too much, drink too much. Because tomorrow…

It’s time.

Time to march north and stop Levi.

Time to unleash the Midnight Star.

Fen and Baron escort me to my room, and we stand by my door looking deeply into each other's eyes.

I kiss him, and his body responds instantly, clutching at mine, returning my kisses—my passion. I am consumed by him and can't let him go. "Come in with me," I say, my eyes pleading with him to do what I ask. To join me. To complete what we've started so many times.

His body presses harder against mine, and then he pulls away, and I know his answer before he speaks it. "You've had a lot to drink and we have travel tomorrow. You need rest."

Before I can object, he kisses me chastely on the forehead and walks back to his room, Baron whining at his heels as the wolf steals glances back at me and Yami.

I sigh and let myself into my room. "I guess that's that, my little dragon. He's a stubborn ass sometimes."

I fall asleep quickly, my dreams peaceful without potions for the first time in weeks. And I am heavy with exhaustion when something wakes me. It's the door to my room, opening. A figure slips in. I'm about to reach for my sword when he speaks from the shadows. "Ari, it's me."