I rolled my eyes. “How can I help?”
The men in dirty warrior attire looked at me as though I had lost my mind.
“There is not much to do until the moon is out.” Gabriel pointed at all the heated blades that lay inside the chimney. “These swords have been heated with fire spawned from our golden flint. Now we need to quench them in Moon water mixed with a drop of vampire blood.”
“We’ve already set the barrels of water outside to charge.” One of Gabriel's friends cleared his throat, meeting my gaze. His skin was covered in ash and coal, the ends of his blonde hair slightly burned.
“We were just contemplating where to get the vampire blood...” said the other that looked identical to the first: same blonde hair split in the middle, same shaped brown eyes, same high cheek bones. Brothers perhaps, maybe even twins.
“How much blood?” I asked, eyeing the swords: their tips turning bright orange under my gaze.
“A drop, maybe a few, per barrel.” Gabriel shrugged, watching me with curiosity.
“All right then.” I nodded. “Show me your barrels.”
“Are you sure?” He frowned. “We can wait for someone from Faris to arrive.”
I rolled my eyes when pity filled his eyes. “Show me the barrels, Gabriel.”
“All right.” He raised his hands in surrender. “If you insist, follow me.” He walked past the four men who split to allow me entrance. Their every gaze followed me out of the forge’s back door.
Outside, the spring air brought clarity to my still faded mind. Fresh, blooming aroma filled my lungs as I followed Gabriel around the corner of the forge.
A dozen wooden barrels stood side by side along the perimeter of the castle under the Moon’s light. The water shimmered under the stars, reflecting each one of them.
“Here.” Gabriel pointed at the barrels. “You really don’t have to do this, hundreds of vampires are to arrive soon,” he said as I pulled up my sleeve.
Dark blue marks scarred my skin, yet no pain followed with it. The burns had healed slowly, no matter the medicine. Perhaps I was meant to carry this scar as a reminder of my own foolishness forever.
“What happened to your arm?” Gabriel’s brows furrowed as he glared at my old injury.
“Nothing,” I said, walking towards the first barrel.
“I only have Silver blades—” Gabriel trailed off as my teeth pierced my own wrist. “I suppose that works too,” he scoffed.
The blood slipped from my wrist, drop by drop, reaching each barrel as I walked past them. The wicked sensation brought an odd calmness to my heart as the memory of Francis’ teeth atop my flesh snuck through the strong walls I’d built in my mind—I had no time for such distractions.
I shook my head when I reached the furthest barrel. The last drop of blood fell into the water, drawing circles around it.
“You are not hungry, are you?” Gabriel’s eyes narrowed when I walked back. He took a shy step back as I reached him, offering me a clean cloth from his pocket.
“I am, actually.” I allowed a small nod, wrapping my wrist in the cloth. Gabriel’s eyes grew wide as he took another step back; his terrified expression almost brought a smile to my face. Almost. “Don’t worry, I don’t fancy humans.” The words left me before I could catch them.
Gabriel let out a shrieked laugh, his eyes searching mine for clarity. “You must be the first vampire in the entire Kingdom who doesn’t fancy humans,” he laughed. “Who do you fancy then, if not humans?”
My heart ached as I dropped beside the barrels. My back met the stone wall as I looked at the Moon, wondering if Francis could see it too.
“Ah.” Gabriel took a seat beside me, keeping a reasonable distance: to my amusement. “I’m sorry for what happened. I’m sure you and Francis will soon reunite,” he offered.
“If Kane doesn’t attack by tomorrow,” I whispered. “I am going back to the palace myself. We can’t wait longer than that.”
“No,” Gabriel sighed, and I worried I’d made a mistake sharing my secret plan with him. “You won’t go by yourself,” he added. “I will go with you.”
A soft smile tugged at the corners of my lips, my hand falling atop his. “Thank you, Gabriel.”
“Of course, Lia.” He smiled back before returning his gaze to the Moon.
Heavy steps emerged from the corner of the forge, two broad shadows appearing before where we sat.
