RBC06.50 - Marcella, Vampire Mage (2 page)

I felt my stomach tense. “Hello.”

Morna looked up, and in typical elf manner, inspected every detail of me. Luke, however, only glanced over, preferring to concentrate on his fishing.

“Why do you insist on doing that? Nira conjures everything that we need.”

“I like the peacefulness of it, the challenge. I never catch anything anyway. Nice to meet you, Cella.”

“Yes, nice to meet you,” Morna added. “I believe you’re the last to arrive. A vampire, that is unexpected.”

“That’s right, and sent here by the Lord of the Wizards himself. So you’d better not underestimate her.”

Morna seemed unimpressed. He reminded me of Tao, Allwain, Lord of Wizards’ trusted assistant. His hair was the same color as Tao’s, very light blonde, and drifted over his shoulders in the same way too. Luke on the other hand was stocky with short dark hair and a ruddy complexion.

“Seen any unicorn this morning?”

“No, but then I haven’t been looking.”

“We’re going to the glen; see you at lunch later.”

“It is nice to meet you both,” I said, feeling totally inept.

“You’ve met almost everyone now.”

“There’s really unicorn here?”

“Supposedly, I haven’t seen any yet. They’re shy, and they have to really trust you in order to show themselves.”

“I would love to see one. I never saw anything that wasn’t evil in Althar. Once I was free, one of my favorite places was the stable. But Katrina had dogs, and cats, birds and all kinds of things.”

“Katrina? Are you talking about the leader of the Five?”

I had to smile, Sammy looked so shocked.

“My brother is going to marry her.”

“That’s amazing, Cella. Wait until the others hear that.”

“No Sammy. I don’t want anyone else to know. They will think, well, that I don’t deserve to be here. That I’m just here because of them.”

“Oh, all right. I just would love to meet any of the Protectors. But Katrina; that would be great. Someday I want to help them fight evil, and protect the peaceful races.”

I giggled; she just looked so cute. “I’m sorry, I know just how you feel. It’s why I want to study magic too. I’ve seen firsthand those they fight, and what Katrina and the others have given up to keep the rest of us safe.”

“It’s our secret then. But Cella, someday, you will take me to meet them?”

“Of course, now where is this glen you were talking about?”

Sammy pointed straight ahead. “See the stream. If we follow that it will lead us right through it.”

I closed my eyes for a second. I could hear the bubbling water as it moved across the rocks on its way to the lake.

“I love this place, Sammy.”

“I know; me too.”

We spent the rest of the morning in the glen, getting to know each other and just enjoying the morning.

“We should go back. Nira likes everyone to be on time for meals.”

I never felt so relaxed. “All right,” I sighed. “But I want to come back here.”

Sammy stood up and reached out her hand. “Come on.”

I just smiled and let her pull me up.

“Nira said we aren’t starting classes for a couple of days,” Sammy said, as we started back across the glen. “We’ll have plenty of time to explore.”

When we got back all the boys were already in the dining room. The buffet held several dishes and bowls of food. I had my crimson tablets, but I would use them in private. There was no way I was going to call even more attention to the fact that I was the only vampire.

“See any unicorns?” Luke teased.

“No, but we did see a couple of very strange beings at the lake,” Sammy joked, as we filled our bowls with hot soup and joined, Richard, Luke, and Morna at the table.

Richard pulled out a chair for me, so I sat next to him. I could just hear Sammy grousing under her breath about it.

“Thank you,” I said shyly.

Then we heard chortling from the hallway. Two very beautiful young women entered the room.

“The witches are here,” one declared, heralding their arrival and the other chortled again. “Oh, who’s the newcomer?”

“Sabine, Georgia, this is Cella,” Sammy said.

“Marcella, nice to meet you both. Well everyone is calling me Cella now, I guess,” I said nervously.

They both gave me the once over, neither hiding their disdain.

They put some food on their plates and plopped down across from Richard and me, Sammy to their left.

Sabine smiled seductively at Richard. “There’s a full moon tonight. It will be beautiful down by the lake.”

He smiled back. “You’re right. How about we have a magical bonfire and enjoy it together? How about it everyone?”

I had watched Sabine’s expression as Richard talked. The brightness soured as his invitation to the lake was extended to all.

“Sure, sounds fun, doesn’t it Cella?” Sammy said, excitedly. Then she scooped another spoonful of soup and found it full of worms and screeched.

I jumped too and knocked my bowl, now crawling with worms, onto the floor.

Sabine snickered. “I think I’ll catch up on my reading. Come, Georgia.”

I snapped my fingers, and watched as the spill reversed until it was back in the bowl. One more flick of my forefinger and the worms disappeared too.

I gave Sammy a wink, and she smiled. “You’re great, Cella. That Sabine makes me so mad. She thinks just because her father is head of the Warlock Council that she and her comrade Georgia, can do whatever they want. If they knew you were vampire royalty and so close to the Five…”

Then she glanced over and saw me shake my head, realizing what she had said.

“Never mind. Sorry that I was ranting. She just makes me so mad.”

“She’s met her match in you, Cella. It’ll do her good,” Luke assured.

“I just want to do what we’re here to do. Learn and perfect the skills that Nira has so graciously offered to teach me. If you’ll excuse me, I have some things I want to do.”

I pushed away from the table and tried to keep myself from running out of the room. Why was I feeling this way? I hadn’t done anything wrong.

Why did I come here anyway? I was just fine with Allwain. I fit in there and I was happy in America.

“Feeling a little sorry for yourself?”

“Nira. Yes, I guess I am. I know it’s a waste of time.”

She smiled and stepped closer, gathering me into her arms. I couldn’t help it, I even bit my lip, but the tears flowed anyway.

“Shh, I know it’s overwhelming right now. Everything is so different for you. But darling, you’re a survivor. You’re so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Not many could have made it through what you did.”

“I just feel so alone, empty.”

“I’m sorry; it will get better, I promise. Why don’t you come with me and we’ll scrye your brother?”

“Thank you, Nira, but I need to do this without him. I think I’ll just feel worse if I see him right now.”

She squeezed me again. “I understand. You can always come to me, you know. I brought you here because you are truly gifted, more than any student that I’ve had in a very long time. Not since Amparah came to me, and she’s a witch.”

I pushed away and wiped my face. “I think I’ll take a walk.”

Nira smiled. “Why don’t you follow the stream across the glen and through the woods? You’ll find my favorite place there, a trickle of a waterfall into a small pond.”

“Sounds like just what I need. And no more feeling sorry for myself, I promise.”

I walked down to the lake the way we had before, keeping my eye out for any curious Fae, but I actually felt disappointed that saw nothing this time. I had visited the Sequoia in America, where a very special clan location was protected by Katrina. Amparah had taken me there not long after we arrived in America. Fae were predominate there and I found them to be free spirits. A mischievous race to be sure.

I followed the stream, just like Nira suggested, and came upon the spot she alluded to. It was easy to see why she loved it so much.

I pulled up my skirt and kicked off my simple sandals, sat down on the rocks and dangled my feet into the water. Across the small pond, not wider than thirty feet, the edge was grassy with a gentle shore.

I giggled as tiny fish nibbled at my toes. Then I heard rustling across the way and looked up to see a unicorn, his long white mane and coat fluttering in the slight breeze. He stopped and bobbed his head up and down as our gaze met.

“It’s all right,” I whispered, staying as still as I possibly could.

He bobbed his head again, and pawed the ground. Watching me closely for a few more minutes before stepping cautiously to the edge of the pond, a taking a drink.

His horn was very short, suggesting that he was very young. This unicorn was about the size of a pony or even more like a very large, long-haired goat, and even sported a slight, billy-goat beard.

“You’re beautiful,” I said softly.

He stopped drinking and looked over, cocking his head to one side. He had clear blue eyes framed with lovely long white lashes. I smiled and I could swear he winked at me. Then he briskly turned and trotted away.

I sighed. “I hope I see you again soon.”

“His name is Selky.”

I jerked around. The Fae I had seen in the forest earlier was standing about ten feet behind me.

“You startled me.” I pulled my feet out of the water and stood.

“Sorry, I haven’t seen you here before.”

“No, I just arrived this morning. I’m Marcella.”

“I’m Kaer.”

Kaer stepped closer, sniffing the air and looking inquisitively at me.

“I’m a vampire; you’ve probably never seen or smelled one before.”

“Oh, I’ve seen vampires before, just not one like you.”

“What’s that suppose to mean?”

“Vampires are supposed to be beautiful, but you’re different.”

“Are you naturally insulting, or does it take some effort?”

I stood and started to put on my sandals, so that I could leave.

“I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I mean, you’re special, that’s all.”

“I should get back.”

“I could show you the others, unicorn I mean.”

“Maybe some other time.”

“Selky wouldn’t have stayed if you weren’t worthy of it. That’s all I meant.”

I turned to say that I might have overreacted, but Kaer was gone. I walked back not really feeling any better than before. But Kaer was right, I should feel good about the unicorn, and I had to feel worthy before anyone else would think so. I was always telling my brother Cain that.

I was bound and determined to do something good with the wonderful opportunity Nira had given me. Both Allwain and Nira said I deserved to be here. So why was I feeling like this now, when I’d been so excited to come?

“Cella, I was looking all over for you. Are you all right?”

“I will be, Sammy. I just needed some time alone.”

“You can’t let those two witches get to you; it’s what they thrive on. Their families are magic royalty, holders of the crystals.”

“I don’t care. I’m not here for any other reason than to learn.”

“If you don’t care, then why did you run off?”

“I was embarrassed, that’s true. Even intimidated, but remember this. Evil, the enemies of the Five, don’t care who your families are.”

“You’re right. Cella, how’d you get so smart?”

“I’m not. I made a choice when I was very small; first to survive, and then not to let the evil that surrounded me define who I was going to be.”

Sammy locked her gaze to mine. “You’re wrong, Cella. You
are
smart.”

We heard Sabine and Georgia talking when we arrived.

“Richard is still as gorgeous as I remember, don’t you think?”

Georgia hesitated. “Yes, he is, Sabine, but this isn’t Geneva. This certainly isn’t about you
or
Richard.”

“Georgia, we may be here to learn, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t have some fun too. Richard and I are perfect for each other. Doesn’t the fact that we were both chosen for this exclusive opportunity prove that?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, there are others here too.”

“I wouldn’t think of leaving you behind, Georgia. I told my father you just had to come with me.”

“Wait, Sabine, are you saying I never would have been invited if it wasn’t for you?”

“Of course not, Georgia, but having good connections never hurt though, did it?”

Georgia watched Sabine walk away. She shook her head and walked back into the dining room. “Connections,” she groused under her breath.

Sammy and I were right behind her.

“Still hungry?”

“Our lunch was interrupted, Georgia. We’ll just be a minute, don’t worry.”

“Oh I wasn’t worried. I don’t think about either of you at all.”