A Shade Of Vampire 5: A Blaze Of Sun (15 page)

I jolted up on the bed, out of breath, images of Derek kissing Emilia floating on my mind. Tears were streaming down my face and my body was racked with deep, uncontrollable sobs. I looked around and found Vivienne staring at me with concern. I was
in my bedroom at The Catacombs and the last thing I remember was the sun beginning to dawn on the island.

“What happened
?!” I demanded, panic beginning to take its hold on me.

“After five hundred years of night, the sun has risen on
The Shade.” Vivienne affirmed my greatest fears.

“She promised. Emilia promised. We had a deal… She could have Derek for a week, but
The Shade will remain protected.”

“The force field is up,
The Shade is protected from any attack or even from being detected by outside forces. To the world, I’m sure we are invisible.” Vivienne rose from her seat before sighing. “But I don’t think you ever mentioned anything to her about keeping The Shade enveloped by darkness.”

My heart sank. “I just assumed it was part of the protective spell.”

Vivienne shook her head. “Cora placed the spell of the never-ending night in The Shade during the battle of First Blood. It wasn’t until years later after Derek went to sleep that she put the protective spell over the island. And now, she has Derek in her grasps. I never would’ve thought that Cora would ever turn to the dark side.”

“I don’t understand…”

“Emilia
is
Cora, Sofia.”

The information I was given was a blow to my senses. “How is that possible?”

Vivienne shook her head. “I’m not sure either.”

“Can’t Corrine do something about it? She’s back in control of
The Sanctuary, is she not? She has her powers back, does she not?”

“She’s been trying, but Corrine says that the spell was originally done by Cora and that she never had to do anything
with keeping that spell running. She doesn’t know how Cora originally did it.”

I rose from my bed, burying my face in my palms, trying to make sense of what we had to do. I had no idea what to do.
You’re an eighteen-year-old kid who didn’t even hang around long enough to get her high school diploma, Sofia. Stop fooling yourself. You’re no queen. You have no idea how to run things.
I found myself voicing out my biggest concern. “I’m afraid of losing Derek, Vivienne.”

She just stared at me. Vivienne Novak was never one to give in to flattery just to provide consolation. From the first day I met her, she was straightforward and honest through and through. “He is more vulnerable now than he ever was before,” she told me honestly. “Our only hope is that what you shared together would be stronger than what they’re putting him through. For the next week, we’ll both fare better if we don’t think about it. We must concentrate on keeping order
here on the island and hopefully finding the cure.”

“How do we find the cure, Vivienne? I don’t even know where to start…”

Before Vivienne could respond, a piercing scream echoed from outside. Our eyes met and we both got up and began running outside my quarters. I leaned into the wooden banister, which allowed me to see The Catacombs below. The first thing that struck my senses was how crowded The Catacombs were. With The Shade surrounded by light, every single vampire was inside The Catacombs, surrounded by humans they craved desperately.
This can’t be good.
I swallowed hard.

Ashley appeared beside me
. Vivienne was on my other side. “What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure.” I caught sight of Ian carrying Anna in his arms, heading for my quarters where she had a bedroom.

“One of the vampires attacked Anna,” he explained when he saw my questioning glare. “Kyle’s fighting him off. He’s not Elite, but he’s definitely much more powerful than Kyle is.”

“Where are they?” Vivienne asked.

Ian pointed toward a level of The Catacombs that was beginning to get crowded with people.

“I’m on it,” Vivienne assured me
, as she rushed toward the area where the fight was happening.

Ashley was obviously horrified by the idea of the vampire who sired her being in any form of trouble. She quickly rushed right behind Vivienne, leaving me to fend off my own frustration. Not wanting to be alone, I followed Ian toward Anna’s bedroom.

“We have to do something about the living situation, Sofia.” Ian frowned. “Having the vampires here every time the sun comes up is complete chaos. A week of this and every human of The Shade will most likely become vampire breakfast and lunch. Not all the vampires are as good at controlling their cravings as Vivienne.” He began applying some sort of ointment on Anna’s bitten neck before putting a bandage on it.

“I have no idea what to do. Where’s Gavin? Does he have any idea on what we can do about the situation?”

“He’s with Lily and Rosa. They’re trying to bring all the orphans and young women together in a safer place. With an attack already happening, the humans are panicking…”

“Well, we can’t just send the vampires out into the sun, Ian.”

“I know that, but we have to do something. No one will be able to control the vampires if they start blacking out. Derek’s not here and he’s the only one they respect enough to listen to. You know what happened the last time Derek wasn’t here in The Shade to run things.”

I shuddered at the thought. While Derek and I were trapped at hunter territory,
The Shade, especially The Catacombs, descended into complete and utter chaos – with rebellions and riots going on. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Well then, find someone who does, Sofia. We need a leader.”

The Shade had always been ruled by a Novak. While Vivienne definitely had a voice at the kingdom, she never had enough sway to get everyone to listen to her. I knew that we were up against far more than we could handle, and though I had no idea why, the first and only person I knew who was capable of becoming a strong leader in a situation like ours was my father. I was well aware of the responsibility on my shoulders – that I
had
to step up and take the lead if I was going to be the wife of Derek and the queen of The Shade, but I certainly wasn’t going to do it alone. I needed Aiden. “I think I know who to ask,” I assured Ian before making my way to The Cells.

I found it ironic what I was about to do. I couldn’t help but wonder what Derek would think about the whole thing. I was about to ask Aiden Claremont, the infamous hunter, notorious for killing hundred
s of vampires, to help me run The Shade.

I was losing my mind and I knew it. I had no control over my actions. The darkness had somehow possessed me and though I was conscious that I did not want to do what I was doing, I still gave into Emilia’s every whim. I was a puppet on a string and she was my puppet master.

“
Do you love me, Derek?” she whispered into my ear.

No. I love Sofia.
“Yes. You know I do,” I whispered back into hers.

She smiled and even then I once again realized how unattractive she had become to me. She held my hand and led me outside of her room, which she hadn’t yet
allowed me to leave ever since the first night I had to spend with her. I observed the corridors we were passing through.

High,
stone walls, lit up by elegant fluorescent wall lamps. I was expecting to find elegant paintings or even elaborate tapestries gracing the walls, but was surprised to find it bare apart from some heavy burgundy drapery covering the windows on one side, each window reaching from floor to ceiling.

Our steps echoed through the corridor and I found myself staring at the woman who was holding my hand, leisurely walking a few steps ahead of me.
What happened to you, Cora? How did you become Emilia?
Despite my hatred for what she’d become, I could not deny the fact that Cora was my best friend. She was with me through some of the toughest and darkest periods of my life. It hurt to know that
this
was what she had become.

She twisted her head to face me and smiled when she realized that I was staring at her. She took it as a compliment I guess. I inwardly winced at the idea, but of course, I knew that my body and facial expressions were registering a completely different body language. To all eyes seeing
us at that moment, anyone would’ve thought I was in love with her.

“You’re staring
.” She blushed.

I wanted to strangle her.
It’s not like I have any control over what I do, you crazy witch.
“I just can’t keep my eyes off you. You’re so beautiful.”

Puppet’s praise didn’t seem to be pleasing to her anymore, because she didn’t react to my compliment this time. “Do you mean that? Or are you just saying it because of my father’s control over you?”

Definitely your father’s control…
“Of course I mean it, Emilia. Any man can look at you and see how beautiful you are.”

I heard someone snicker behind me. We both turned around and I couldn’t help but feel amused over how Emilia’s face fell.

“Hello, Kiev,” she said, rolling her eyes. She then introduced him to me. “This, unfortunately, is my older brother.”

How many brothers and sisters does she have? How many belong to the
Elder’s clan?
I began studying him just as he began studying me.

He
had close-cropped dark hair. His eyes were a chilling blood red. He had a large muscular build and a menacing stance. He also had a beautiful young redhead cradled in his arms.

He grinned after looking me over several times. “So this is
him? The man you’ve been pining for all these years?”

Emilia held her head high and I couldn’t help but wonder who the man was. She seemed so eager to prove something – perhaps herself – to him. “If you must know, yes.
This
is the great Derek Novak.”

Kiev looked at me from head to foot and began to continue snickering. “Tell me, Derek Novak. Is Sofia Claremont really as stunning as everyone says she is? Is she as beautiful as my girl, Vanessa, over he
re?” He clutched her by the jaw and began shaking her head. Her brown eyes fell on me and I could see desperation in them.

More than that, I could see Sofia in her. My mind was
crying out for release, thoughts of the girl I loved filling my brain, yet the words that came through my mouth was “I have no idea who Sofia Claremont is.”

Emilia grinned triumphantly but her smile quickly faded away when Kiev doubled over in laughter. I was dumbfounded by the response and it seemed
so was Emilia. Of course, Emilia seemed more irritated than perplexed.

“What is wrong with you, Kiev
?!” she eventually burst out when she finally had enough of his laughter.

“You’re fast, little sister. You already have him brainwashed. Let’s see how long he can hold up, shall we?” He held the girl firmly and shoved her forward.

“Kiev, no…” Emilia frowned, worry creasing her face. From the look on her eyes, I was certain that she wanted to inflict many forms of bodily harm on her brother.

They don’t seem to be a very happy family.
I shifted my attention to the girl in front of me.

“Look at her hair
.” Kiev held up a clump of the young woman’s hair in front of me. “Isn’t Sofia a redhead? Are you sure you don’t remember her?”

Of course I remember her. I love her. I will
always
love her.
I shook my head. “I don’t remember.”

Kiev grinned and fisted Vanessa’s hair from the back of her head, pulling painfully at her scalp until she began whimpering. He pulled against her head and exposed her neck to me. From the fresh bite marks on her neck, it was clear that he had just recently been drinking from her.

“Have a taste of her blood, Derek, and I’m pretty sure you’ll remember your dear Sofia…” Kiev assured me.

“Derek, no…” Emilia objected. “Don’t. You
love me, remember? If you love me, you won’t do this.”

Apparently, my vampire instincts and cravings were more powerful than even the control Emilia
had over me. The invitation to do anything that would remind me of Sofia was too precious to let go of. I gently pulled Vanessa closer to me, held Kiev’s hand fisting her hair and pried his fingers loose. When she was finally free of his grip, I bit into her neck. The moment I got a taste of her blood, my eyes shot wide open. Her blood tasted the exact same as Sofia’s. It had the exact same effect on me. The power pounding in my blood, the ecstasy that came with every drop of her blood coursing through me – it was all there. I drank deep until Kiev pulled the girl away from me.

“That’s enough
.” He glared jealously at me. “You’re enjoying too much of what is mine. Now tell me, Derek… do you really love my sister?”

Emilia looked at me expectantly and I couldn’t help but smirk when I was able to shake my head and say, “No. I’m in love with Sofia.”

A loud piercing scream coming from the depths of Emilia filled the corridors as she attacked Vanessa. I’d seen many humans die before, but I was never more shaken than when I saw Vanessa burn at Emilia’s mere touch and crumble into ashes.

The moment Vanessa’s life force disappeared from the room, the back of Kiev’s hand connected sharply with Emilia’s face and she got thrown into the ground.

I found myself backing up into a wall, wanting to get as far away from the fight as possible.

Emilia pointed her finger at Kiev and I was sure that she was about to use her witchy powers against him, but all he did was smirk, stepping forward to challenge her. “Go ahead, Emilia. Cast a spell on me. Let’s see what our father will do to you should you try to disobey his order never to use a spell on his own children again
... especially now that you only have
one
week to make Derek Novak yours.”

Emilia once again screamed at the top of her lungs. It seemed all she could really do against her older brother was throw a tantrum, until she lunged forward and clawed right through his face.  He was so angered by what she did, he tackled her much smaller frame to the ground.

A brunette with stunning purple eyes emerged from a nearby door, possibly to find out what the commotion was all about. Her eyes lit up with wicked delight when she saw the two vampires wrestling with each other. She stepped forward and stood beside me. “You must be my little sister’s pet. I’m Clara.”

“I’m no pet. And I’m definitely not hers.”

“My brother made you drink an immune’s blood, didn’t he?”

I raised my brow at the information I was given.
Vanessa was an immune. That’s why her blood tasted just like Sofia’s.
I nodded. “Yes. Emilia killed the girl right after I drank.”

“Really now?” Clara’s eyes lit up with pure amusement. “Was it Vanessa?”

“Yes.”

“No wonder he’s so peeved. He’s been obsessed with Vanessa ever since he found out your Sofia is a redhead.”

Nothing about that news sat well with me.
Another man who could possibly get himself obsessed with Sofia.
I stared at Kiev who was pounding his fists against Emilia’s face and saw him for the threat that he was.

“He’s gonna get over it
.” Clara cocked her head to the side as she watched her siblings fight, seemingly unaffected by the gory mess they were creating out of each other. “So will Emilia. The effect of the immune’s blood on you will wear off soon enough and you’ll be back in Emilia’s control in no time.”

My gut clenched. I wondered to myself if there was anything I could do in order to keep myself in control. Only one thing came to mind.
I have to find another immune.
“Vanessa was immune?” I asked Clara.

She smiled at me. “All humans at the castle are immune.” She seemed pleased with herself that she was able to give me that particular tidbit of information. Clearly, the
Elder’s “family” was insanely dysfunctional.

Clara began clapping her hands. “Enough! Much as I would love to watch you two kill each other, we all know I can’t allow you to do that.”

Emilia gave her brother one last claw right through his upper torso before she stood to her feet. She had barely taken a couple of steps forward before she completely healed. Kiev, too, had just rose to his feet and it seemed not a scar was in sight anymore.

Still, the two glared murder at each other, threatening death on each other by mere body language.

I couldn’t have cared less about either one of them. The goal I had in mind was to find another immune before I once again lost control. Emilia must’ve read my mind, because she slapped me right on the face so strongly my head began to spin.

I was trying to control the urge to attack her, noticing the way her siblings chuckled when they saw her hit me. Something told me that though they were apparently willing to kill one another, they weren’t about to allow anyone else hurt any single one of them.

Emilia pressed her lips against mine, before clutching the back of my head with both her hands and whispering into my ear, “Don’t even think of drinking another immune’s blood again, Derek. If you do, once this week is over and my vow to you that Sofia won’t be harmed is null, I
will
make her pay for every single time you displease me while you’re here.”

At that, I chuckled. “You can’t harm Sofia. Even your father can’t harm her. She has too much light in her for darkness to take hold.”

Emilia laughed in response. “Maybe I can’t, Derek, but I know someone who can… someone who
will
.” She relished my short intake of breath, before revealing who she had in mind. “Her own mother is going to kill her, Derek. Camilla Claremont is going to kill your Sofia.”