My very existence causes chaos and disorder. My very presence brings death and pain.
"There is a way to escape, you know," Levi whispers. "Quite simple, really."
"What? What do you mean?"
He adjusts his neck, twisting it to the side until the bones pop. "You let me feed on your blood. I will regain my strength. Then I can break these shackles with ease."
"And kill me," I say, backing away.
He smiles. "Kill you? True. I would. But you are not just you now, are you? I've heard of the babe you carry. My niece or nephew. The heir. What kind of uncle would I be if I killed the child? What kind of monster would I be?"
I shake my head, placing a protective hand on my belly. "You really expect me to believe that? That you care about my and Fen's baby?"
"Believe what you will." He shrugs. "The way I see it, I am your only option. Let me feed, and together we can escape. Don't, and you will remain a prisoner forever. That is, until your baby is born. And then what do you think will happen, Princess? Let me tell you. Metsi will cut your throat and take the babe as her own. She will teach the child to call her mother. And your precious babe will grow up just like her mommy Druid, demented, mad, a Fae who will not stop until every vampire and Shade is massacred. Is that want you want for your child? Is that the future you imagine?"
"Screw you," I say through gritted teeth. I'm not stupid. Of course I've considered that. But I will figure something out before that happens. I must.
He chuckles.
A part of his offer tempts me, but I would be a fool to take it. Even if he's not lying about protecting the baby, he has no reason to take me with him. He could flee on his own.
"There is one other way," says Levi. "You could…" He glances at the guards at the door and lowers his voice further. So quiet.
"What? How?" I lean closer to listen.
And then he grabs me.
His hand clutches my hair and yanks my head to his mouth. Before I can react, his lips brush my neck. His teeth sink into my skin.
I gasp as blood rushes out of me. I try to fight. Kick and scream. But already, he has grown stronger. He keeps a hold of me. Drinking. Drinking.
Yelling.
The guards.
They charge at Levi.
For a moment, he lets me go.
With bare hands, he tears the guards apart, their entrails exploding onto the walls. I fall to the ground. Weak. So weak. I try to stand. To crawl. I cannot.
And then Levi returns. To finish.
He grabs me by the neck. Bites down again.
I can't even scream this time.
He is draining me. Draining me completely.
I am fading. I am dying.
He never cared for the baby. He was lying all along. Of course, he would just kill me. With me gone, the Druids would have to return to slumber. Metsi's powers would fade. The war would be over. And Levi could escape with ease.
He is close now. Close to ending it all.
My vision blurs. My mind dims.
I place my hands on my belly. On my baby. And I think of Fen.
I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry to you both. You deserved a life together.
Someone rushes into the room. Water crashes into Levi, pushing him back.
But it is too late.
I am too far gone.
I close my eyes.
And I die.
Chapter 2
SILENCE
Fenris Vane
"Our father, King Lucian. He could be… difficult, at times, but he was always fair."
—Asher
I feel it. The bond breaking. Something is wrong.
Arianna!
I rush forward through snow and brush, searching, hoping, praying. Branches snap beneath my feet and dust flies in my wake. Baron keeps pace beside me, running faster then he ever has, never slowing, even when his breath draws ragged and fatigue settles into his bones. For a straight day, we run. We run. We run. Until we can run no more. As the sun begins to set, I fall to my knees on a hill overlooking the forest. My breath is heavy. My body is drenched with sweat beneath layers of brown fur cloaks and vests. Baron moans into the snow, his body as spent as mine, his howls weak and plaintive. We have searched for days. Weeks. But still we find nothing. And now… now something has changed.
Ever since I fed on Arianna that day in the cave, I have felt bonded to her, felt her life a part of my own. But now I feel it no longer. Instead, I am empty. Hollow. Alone.
It is time for a new plan. Time to reassess. Time to do something I do not wish to do, but I must. For Arianna. Because I know of no other path now. I draw my dagger and slice the palm of my hand. With red blood, I draw his mark.
Then I set to building a fire behind a group of large stones. They remind me of a claw, viscous and cruel, reaching for the heavens. You are the Prince of War, they seem to whisper. You are the Prince of Death. What ending did you dream of? Did you dream of happiness?
My body coils with rage at my own dark thoughts. It burns with a fury I have not felt in my long life, even at my darkest. And then I fling my head back and roar to the stars. I smash my fist into the ground and feel it shake beneath me. Again. Again. I strike the ground until my knuckles bleed, and then I strike again.
And when I have no strength left, I fall back, back against those cold cruel stones, and I lose myself in memories. Memories of Arianna in my arms, her soft skin upon my own, her lips against mine. Her breath a cool breeze upon my ear, her scent like fresh flowers and a summer day. Oh, how I long to have her back in my arms. To know I can keep her safe, to whisper words of comfort. Why did I ever let her go? Why did I not see her rush for Levi? Why, when I did, could I not fight through the guards fast enough? Why? Why? Why? The word haunts me.