“They had a bitten,” he said softly.
Keegan’s face drained of color. “Did it bite you?”
Cassius nodded.
Larellia’s eyes flashed, but she slowly looked at Thalia. “If this creature escapes this forest, if it heads into Vaccarium and spreads its poison, this is on you.”
Thalia’s throat tightened. Then movement caught the corner of her eye.
The blood left her face. “Cassius.”
He turned, his own face slowly slipping as something emerged from the inferno of the fire.
The creature—the prince—whatever it now was—had somehow survived the flames. It was the size of a horse, far bigger than its offspring. Its claws dug up the ground, turning the trunks into smothered ash. Its silver hide was covered in scorch marks, holes burned through its white, leatherlike flesh. And next to it was her mother.
“What the fuck?” Thalia couldn’t make sense of it, couldn’t believe her mother was standing next to the creature, seemingly unharmed.
“Get behind me,” Cassius breathed, but his hands trembled. Something wasn’t right.
The creature let out a chortling sound in the back of its throat, its strange nostrils flaring.
“You can’t escape this, Thalia. The Vampyrs were always meant to fall,” the queen yelled, fire flaming behind her.
Lady Decima glanced nervously, the barrier wavering, and heat blasted into the space.
“Keep it up,” Larellia growled, drawing her scythe. Keegan’s blades flashed. “You have no business here.”
“Here I thought the Mages stuck together.” The queen smiled.
Lariella snarled, everyone taking position against the creature and the queen.
“My mother may have created it,” Thalia got out. “But maybe it will listen to me like its spawn—”
The creature shrieked and charged.
Cassius shoved her out of the way just as it flew between them. Someone screamed, and the barrier faltered even more.
“Keep it up!” Larellia roared as she turned to the queen. Tendrils of darkness shot from the queen’s hands, and the head Mage cut them apart with her scythe.
Thalia turned, her knife in hand, as the creature shook sparks from its skin. It rumbled, its jaws snapping, before it charged at Keegan.
Keegan swiped his sword, the blade bouncing off its hide. Cassius attacked with his own weapon, but his movements were jerky, his eyes widening and unfocused.
Thalia’s heart clenched and Larellia screamed, raising her scythe against the queen, but she was blasted back by the queen’s own power. Keegan sliced his sword along the creature’s side, but not even the sharpened blade could penetrate its thick hide.
The barrier faltered once more.
Thalia glanced behind her. Lady Decima was on her knees, sweat pouring from her as she tried to keep the fire at bay.
“Thalia!” Keegan shouted as the creature charged her.
Thalia rolled out of the way, her chest catching. She turned, sword ready.
The creature had found another prize.
Cassius was distracted, shaking his head as if he were trying to shake dots from his eyes. He stumbled about, his sword falling from his hand. He scrabbled at his head, and Thalia’s heart broke in half as she realized what was happening.
Thalia screamed, but it was too late. The creature launched itself, jaws dripping, as it slammed into Cassius. He disappeared under its white hide and slicing claws.
