Flesh Wounds, page 23
part #1 of The Vampire Elite Series
Little John was the first to swallow his fear of the woman and address her directly. “Well, Your Majesty,” He began, counting on Enkil Jr’s relationship with the monarch to protect him, “that would be your stepdaughter.”
Meanwhile, as they laid intertwined with one another, Zelena’s fangs were buried deep in her fiancé’s neck. Addicted to the pure euphoria that only divine blood provided, the redheaded vampire had no qualms about feeding from Hades when she felt the need.
With her slender body draped across his, Lord Death was pinned to the mattress in such a way that prevented him from ending her meal prematurely. Groaning, Hades nudged her shoulder when he began to feel the weakening effects of significant blood loss. “My love,” He cooed softly, “that’s enough.”
Zelena pretended not to hear him as she tightened her grip. “Not yet!” She hissed, throwing a hand over his mouth. “I’m almost full.”
“You’ve already had way too much.” Hades lectured, aware of the consequences she would suffer if she overdosed. “A delicacy shouldn’t be overindulged.”
Irritated, the Empress of Oz finally withdrew her fangs and scowled at her lover. “Then I suppose I should get dressed, according to your logic.” She rolled off of Hades and reached for her robe, tying it around her waist when she heard an unusual noise. “Hades…” She began, eyes darkening automatically in preparation for a fight, “do you hear that?”
He had to move closer to the open window to hear anything at all, but eventually he heard the distinct growl of a werewolf. Now he understood why Zelena was suddenly on edge. “Yes, I hear it.” Hades frowned. “Sounds like a pack.”
His fiancée scowled and waved her hand, properly clothing them both. “But what are they doing in the Dark Forest?” Zelena asked, her confusion mounting by the minute. “Akasha’s knights frequently patrol there, and they haven’t reported any sightings. Not recently.”
“Didn’t you tell me a few weeks ago that Maragret had allied herself with Anita Lucas and her wolves?” Hades mused, considering all the possibilities. “It could be them.”
As they talked, the growling and howling grew louder, which triggered the redhead into action. “I don’t care who they are!” She snapped, full of adrenaline. “If they think they can waltz into my family’s territory unannounced, they’re dead wrong!”
Immediately after her proclamation, Zelena gathered up all of the available Black Knights and rushed to defend the main gate, Hades at her side. With no time to inform her sister of the impending assault, the redhead hoped that her small team could hold off the wolves until backup arrived. As the witch conjured up two massive green fireballs, Hades summoned Cerberus in an effort to level the playing field.
“Fighting canines with a canine?” Zelena commented, impressed by his tactics. “Now why didn’t I think of that?” She stole a glance at her fiancé’s beloved pet hellhound sitting obediently at his feet, and smirked when the Black Knights were horrorstruck by the sight of such a creature. “Don’t worry boys, he’s perfectly tame.”
Finding the queen’s sister utterly insane, Captain Blackwall alternated his gaze between the three-headed monstrosity and the approaching pack of werewolves. “Tame? I beg your pardon Empress, but I don’t believe you understand the definition of tame.”
Hades chuckled and affectionately scratched behind the ears of the middle head. “Be a good boy, Cerberus.” He instructed, directing the hellhound’s attention to the wolves in the distance. “Protect your mistress!”
Upon receiving orders, the Underworld’s gatekeeper bolted from his master’s side and sprinted across the drawbridge in hot pursuit of the enemy, his path illuminated by an arc of green fire intended for a werewolf.
Growling hideously, the half-ton beast lunged at his target and ripped its throat out in one swift movement, an act that wholly angered the victim’s kin.
The enraged wolves shifted their immediate focus toward Cerberus and initiated a clash of fur, claws, and teeth. One wolf went for the hellhound’s right head while another attacked the right flank, successfully surrounding him as more wolves followed suit. Afraid of defeat, Cerberus whined for Hades, but he was saved by someone else entirely.
In an unexpected turn of events, the night air grew colder, accompanied by a blizzard that swept the battlefield and froze the wolves in place. Unaffected by the change in climate, Cerberus barked his thanks to the blonde witch who protected him: the cardinal witch of the North.
“You’re very welcome, Cerberus.” Glinda greeted as she dusted the Maragret off of her dress. “Now, let’s leave these dogs to my coven and go see what kind of trouble your mistress got herself into, shall we?”
From the privacy of the castle’s main courtyard, the two Ozian women were quick to reacquaint themselves as chaos began to ravage the once peaceful fortress. “I wish I could say it’s wonderful to see you again Glinda, but given the circumstances…” Zelena trailed off, aware that the blonde could infer the rest.
“No need to apologize, sister.” The ice mage reassured as she cast a concealment charm designed to keep their conversation private. “In fact, that is precisely why I’ve sought your council, albeit at your inconvenience.”
Intrigued, Zelena made herself comfortable on one of many decorative benches and patiently waited for Glinda to elaborate. “Surely things in Oz aren’t as dire as they are here?” The redhead eyed her fellow witch with disbelief. “You have to admit, it’s oddly coincidental.”
Glinda simply nodded and maintained her rigid posture as she sat across from the vampire. “Indeed, which leads me to believe the situation in Oz and the conflict here are connected.” She lowered her voice out of habit and then gave Zelena the news: “The silver slippers have been stolen.”
“Impossible!” Zelena responded as her features twisted into an expression of utter shock. “When did this happen?” She stared at Glinda, unable to process the mere idea of anyone outsmarting the blonde. “And more importantly, do you know who was responsible?”
“The Dark One.” The mistress of the north reluctantly admitted. “He caught me off guard with some fancy dagger of paralysis.”
Zelena growled in disgust. “That bloody imp!” Once she recovered from her initial reaction, the vampire raised an eyebrow. “Wait a minute, what dagger?”
“I’ve never seen it before in my life, but he used it to possess me. That’s how he stole the slippers.”
“But why would he want them? With as many magic beans as he has, why would he need another method to cross realms?”
Having already considered it, Glinda countered, “Because there’s one realm that can’t be reached with magic beans. It’s where your mother resides.”
Unfortunately, Cora’s daughters were in for a long night. As Glinda and Cerberus made their retreat, a second wave of werewolves emerged from the forest and descended with unrelenting savagery upon the castle. Driven by bloodlust, the few dozen wolves made it their mission to eradicate the Evil Queen’s knights, and they succeeded with brutal efficiency. Their brief victory allowed royal allies Maragret and David to take a much-needed breath, as they were no longer in immediate danger.
“Well that was terrifying!” David exclaimed as he sheathed his sword. “I’m glad they’re on our side and not Akasha’s.”
Maragret lowered her bow and brought her horse to a walk. “I wouldn’t get too comfortable. We may have caught Akasha off guard, but she was never one to easily surrender.” She shot the prince a worried glance. “Have you heard from the Merry Men?”
David shook his head. “No, I haven’t.” He knew that Maragret would fret until she knew they were safe, so he suggested that they send someone after them.
“Who do you have in mind?” The princess questioned as she considered their options. “In my opinion, Ruby is the clear choice, but she and the rest of the wolves are still dealing with Akasha’s guards.”
“Which is why I’m nominating the fairies for this task.” He gestured to the many miniscule, brightly colored specks floating above their heads. “They can search the castle and remain undetected.”
Almost immediately, the blue particle danced around the others excitedly and flew away, the remaining colors of the rainbow not far behind. “I’m glad you put as much faith in Blue as I do.” Maragret praised, mesmerized by the trail of fairy dust the sprites left in their wake. “But it would be foolish of us to ignore the possibility of her failure. We need an alternate strategy.”
“I can already guess what you’re about to say.” David frowned as he guided his horse away from the open field. “And I’d rather not get him involved.”
Now irritated, the princess trailed after him. “Oh really?” She snapped as she glared at him. “What choice do we have? He is the only sorcerer I know of who can challenge Akasha, and apparently will make a deal with anyone!”
“Deals involving dark magic!” David countered once he lowered his voice. “It’s too much of a risk. You are royalty, and I’m sure he’s well aware of that fact.”
Having had this discussion more than once, Maragret rolled her eyes and proceeded to chant the Dark One’s name three times. It was a decision that she made with full confidence.
The prince protested heavily as Draculastiltskin’s signature mauve colored smoke filled the air. “No!” He cried, horrorstruck as the infamous sorcerer made his overdramatic appearance in the company of two strange women.
“It’s about time, dearie!” The Dark One reprimanded with a flamboyant flourish. “I was beginning to think you’d gone the way of your beloved father.” Before Maragret could decide on how to respond, the unknown brunette mage did it for her as she scowled and struck the Dark One on his bicep.
“Manners, Mordred!” She scolded in response to her friend’s amusement. “Princess Maragret did not summon you to be insulted. Apologize to Her Highness!”
In blatant defiance of his mother, Draculastiltskin waved her off and made direct eye contact with the young royal. Taking delight in her discomfort, the vampire began negotiations.
“How may I be of service?”
“I don’t need your protection.” Draculastiltskin growled, offended by the mere suggestion that they could effectively offer him asylum from his enemies. “And I will not apprehend Akasha. Removing her from the throne will have disastrous consequences for the entire kingdom.”
Irritated that they were getting nowhere, David had to restrain himself from shouting. “Disastrous consequences? What could be worse than a mass-murdering monster?”
“Her mother.” The Dark One patronized. “None of you have witnessed Cora’s incomparable cruelty firsthand, or what she’s recently become. I have. If her daughter is overthrown, she’s going to be very, very displeased.”
Deep in thought, Maragret wondered “Then wouldn’t it be in Cora’s best interest to rationalize with Akasha? Have her change her behavior?”
The princess’ naiveté was beginning to grate on Fiona. “The Queen of Hearts is not a kind woman. You involve her and you’ll have wished for Maleficent’s curse.”
“Queen of Hearts?” David asked, unfamiliar with the title. “In all the gatherings I attended, no one mentioned her by that name.”
“That’s because it wasn’t yet warranted.” Draculastiltskin snapped. “If you can’t figure it out, Akasha and Cora are cut from the same cloth.”
Maragret appeared to be disturbed by the thought. “So what are you saying?” She asked, more than a little frustrated. “You won’t help us?”
“I never said that!” The Dark One insisted as he massaged his temples. “I merely said that I wouldn’t be directly responsible for the assassination of a monarch. Putting her to trial, as Maleficent’s curse will allow us to do, is another matter.”
As Draculastiltskin’s plan became clear, the royals were hesitant to agree to it. “Why are you supporting Maragret ’s claim to the throne?” David asked, highly suspicious of the impish man. “Haven’t you been advising Akasha for years?”
With barely concealed anger, the Dark One revealed that the sovereign no longer required his council.
While Maragret and her prince wondered whether Draculastiltskin’s comment held any weight, the queen prepared for the inevitable siege of her castle.
“Maragret ?” She hissed, dangerously close to losing her temper. “Why didn’t any of you forest-dwelling buffoons mention that immediately?”
Enkil Jr tried to reach for her, but she shook him off. “Not now, Enkil Jr.” Akasha commanded. “I’ve finally found something to live for.” She brushed past her bemused lover and dug well-worn custom-made chainmail out of her armoire. “Someone to destroy!”
“Akasha, that’s not what I meant when I said find a hobby!” Enkil Jr reproached, his disturbed expression matching those of his Merry Men. “And take that off, we are not going to war!”
In lieu of a response, the queen remained silent and allowed the dissenting men to hear the distant sounds of battle. “I don’t believe the wolves outside agree with you.” She left the tower without another word, fully focused on locating her father and her sister.
“Akasha!” The Prince of Thieves shouted in frustration as he chased her up a staircase with his bow drawn. “You bloody stubborn woman! Wait!” Unfortunately, his cries were ignored as the queen ran about the parapet looking for her archers. There were none to be found.
“Barbaric imbeciles!” The vampire growled, utterly furious that her stepdaughter’s werewolves had already wounded her forces. “The whole north side of the castle is unprotected!” Looking entirely deranged, Akasha studied Enkil Jr’s men and came to an impulsive decision.
“There are five of you at least, correct?” She inquired to Little John with obvious impatience.
The largest of the Merry Men nodded, hesitant to even be within a few feet of the mad woman. “All with bows, Your Majesty.” He held up a hand to prevent the other men from offending the queen with their ill-chosen words.
“Excellent!” Akasha praised, pleased at the coincidence. Then, without wasting anymore time, the queen ordered the Merry Men to each take their posts and shoot down any enemy that dared approach the fortress.
Enkil Jr’s men complied without complaint, even though they technically had no obligation to do so. She wasn’t their sovereign.
“Akasha, they are my men!” Enkil Jr objected, irked at her shameless audacity. “You can’t just order them around as if they were your knights!”
“Oh, but I can.” The monarch purred. “We’re engaged. What’s yours is mine.”
She normally would have continued to playfully provoke her thief, but then she remembered why they were on the parapet to begin with.
From her rigid posture, Enkil Jr knew she was worried, presumably about encountering the princess. “I believe you’re a few steps ahead, milady.” He teased in efforts to lighten her spirits. “That only applies after we’re married.”
She said nothing, which told Enkil Jr it was serious. “What is it, Akasha? What’s wrong?” When he tried to comfort her, she moved further away from him.
“There’s no sign of my father or my sister.” The queen admitted as she watched the Merry Men set fire to their arrows. “Zelena has certainly heard the howling by now, Enkil Jr. Why hasn’t she sought me out?”
Before Enkil Jr could answer, his fiancé was awash in a wave of cerulean glitter. To his horror, the strange particles appeared to have immobilized her. “Akasha!”
As Enkil Jr frantically attempted to determine why his lover was suddenly paralyzed, three blue, green, and orange specs entered his field of vision and materialized into winged women.
“She won’t be able to answer you, I’m afraid.” The brunette clad in blue remarked as she wrapped the queen in silver chains. “The spell she’s under is meant to incapacitate all her senses.”
“Let her go!” Enkil Jr nearly shouted, aware that silver would burn Akasha’s skin like hellfire. “You’re hurting her! Stop it, I beg you!” His outcry was loud enough to draw the attention of his men, who dropped their bows and hurried to investigate.
But before they could intervene, the Blue Fairy’s companions turned on their superior. “This is not what we agreed on, Blue!” The blonde one groused. “Tiger Lily and I consented to capture the queen with as little violence as possible.”
Her coral colored kin agreed. “I’m with Tinkerbell. You’ve crossed the line!”
She stepped away from Blue to showcase her disagreement with the chosen course of action. “Maragret will be horrified once she hears of this.”
The green fairy, Tinkerbell, was more hesitant to actually switch sides. “Not just the princess, Tiger Lily. Maleficent as well.” The mere mention of the Black Fairy’s name caused Blue to go rigid. “If you remember, she wanted to be the one to capture the queen. Now we’re all at her mercy.”
