‘Fine.’ I try to sound decisive, like my mother. There’s a pang when I think of her. And I wonder at my father, wanting me to watch the guards.
* * *
A few minutes later I’m outside, standing at the top of the steps. Huge pillars stretch away either side of me, Bertrand standing at my shoulder. Another row of guards stands at the base of the steps, a wall of silver and black facing out to the silvery lawns. Where the games are in full play.
At first I don’t understand what’s going on. There’s a vampire, shirtless, carrying someone, dodging and weaving as he evades a group of guards. Some of the guards are holding weapons, swords and long spiked things that glitter in the moonlight, and there are several cuts sliced into the running vampire’s back, blood dark on his skin. I realise it’s a woman he’s carrying, a human. She’s wearing dark jeans and a tattered blue shirt. It’smyshirt, I suddenly realise. And I know who the woman is. Cold fear thrums through me. Then the running vampire turns, and I see his face.
It’s Kyle.
I think I’m going to be sick. Bertrand’s hand comes to my waist. ‘Are you all right, my lady?’ The words are murmured, meant for my ears.
It takes me a moment to answer. ‘Wh-what are they doing?’ I turn my head slightly. Bertrand leans in closer.
‘Your father wanted Kyle to demonstrate how it was you evaded the guards until you were caught in the woods. He requested I reassign him, to train our other guards in his techniques. Useful skills, in these trying times.’
Of course he did.Not much gets past my father, courtesy of a long life and towering intellect. I knew he’d let me off too easy. And now, of course, he wants me to watch, to see how he knows of our lie. Kyle is very, very fast, and strong. But there are a dozen guards around him, who are also fast and strong. Even from here I can see he’s straining, his muscles corded beneath his skin. The girl in his arms is screaming, the sharp blades only just missing her as they jab at Kyle, who shields her with his body as best he can.
Tears prickle my eyelids. I breathe in through my nose, trying to contain myself. The screaming woman, the darting vampires, bring back images of a dark meadow holding deeper darkness.
Bertrand’s hand is on my back again, gentle. ‘We can go back inside, if you wish, my lady.’ My heart twists, then hardens with anger.
‘If my father wants me to watch, then I suppose I’d better.’ And remind myself what I’m giving up. The killing, the pain, the screaming humans. The blood and darkness.
Bertrand keeps his hand there a moment longer. ‘He’ll be all right, my lady. You see how fast he is.’
I turn my head, and I know Bertrand can see the glitter of tears in my eyes. ‘He is, isn’t he?’ My voice shakes. Bertrand nods, his rugged face gentle. Oh, Bertrand. He’s been part of my life since I can remember. And I wish, oh I wish he could come with us.
But he can’t. And I’m going. I turn back to the games on the lawn, holding my breath as I count the minutes until this is over, and we can be gone.
I stand in the cold dark until the games are done. Kyle puts Janine down at one point and she staggers from him, crumpling into a dark shape on the grass. I step forward, but Bertrand puts a hand on my shoulder. ‘The guards will take her, my lady.’ As he speaks, two guards pick her up, taking her around the side of the house. Kyle keeps running, fresh wounds striping his back and arms. This is no game. It’s punishment. And my father wants me to watch.
So I do. I bite the inside of my mouth hard whenever tears threaten and, when it’s finally over, Kyle on his knees, arms braced against the dirt, head hanging, I go inside. To my room, and my bag, and my plan.
* * *
Now I’m sitting on my bed, watching the door. It’s 5 a.m. My heart is cold within me, as though I am truly vampire, some icy beautiful thing waiting in the dark for prey. But I’m waiting for my future instead.
I thought my mother was my only regret, the one thing that held me here. That’s before I knew what she really was. What they both are. And what it means to be Raven.
Now I regret nothing.
I’ve left my Raven necklace on my dressing table. Faint candlelight plays on the diamonds and silver, sparks deep within the jet. Slides, golden, across the folded paper lying beneath it.
I’m not going to cut myself off from my parents altogether, I’ve decided. Once I’m settled with Kyle I’ll get in touch, letting them know I’m safe. And that they’re not to follow me. I’ve written a note, telling them I can no longer be Raven, that they need to let me go and make a new heir. It’s short and to the point because each word cost me. I hope they understand.
There’s a scratching sound, then muffled knocking. ‘Emelia?’ Kyle’s voice is faint.
I run to the door, pulling it open. He stumbles into my arms. I touch his face, his arms, making sure he’s all right. Vampires heal quickly, are nearly impossible to kill. But that was a sustained attack by members of Raven guard, the most elite force in the realm.
‘Come and rest.’ I pull him to my bed.
He flops back, his arms curved above his head. ‘Darkness, what an evening.’
I almost laugh. What an understatement. ‘Just stay there, as long as you need to. Recover. Take your time.’
‘We don’t have time,’ he says, slanting his silver gaze my way. ‘If we’re going to go, if you still want to leave, we need to do it now.’
‘What?’ I curl up next to him, my head on his shoulder, breathing in his violet scent. ‘But you just got here. You need to recover first, and then?—’
