Vampire Girl 2: Midnight Star (14 page)

I nod. "Meet you in a bit."

As I walk through Stonehill, I run my hands over the crystals dripping from stone and trees. Burned buildings mark the landscape. In the distance, a great scar covers the land where a forest once stood. Villagers greet me with smiles and bows and soon word spreads that the princess is back. I smile and speak to everyone I can, but when I see Kayla, I stop. My heart skips. I don't know how she'll respond to me. We haven't seen each other since the night Daison died.

She jogs up to me and pulls me into her arms like a sister, and I nearly collapse from relief.

I sniff and wipe away a tear as she releases me. "I thought you'd hate me," I say.

"Never," she says. "We all make our choices. He made his, I made mine. If I had gone with you, many others would have died."

That's no easy comfort, but still, it eases something in me. "I'm so sorry, Kayla."

She takes my hand and leads me through the village to the memorial where so many were buried or burned. Daison wasn't buried, but a sword sticks in the ground under his favorite tree to commemorate his life. It is engraved with his name and the dates of his birth and death. I drop to the ground before it and water the earth with my tears.

Kayla joins me, and some time passes before we stand again, but when we do it is with lighter hearts.

"Thank you," I say to her after a time, as we head to the castle.

"No need. We did nothing wrong. The Fae brought this grief. And soon, we will have our revenge."

I feel a lump in my chest at her words, and I don't respond. How do I tell her that I am Fae, that I know their ways now? That I can't kill them anymore than I can kill vampires?

We pass Kayla's forge, where I made Spero with her assistance. "I could use some help," Kayla says. "You should come by later."

"I can't," I say. "But thank you."

She cocks her head, frowning. Can she tell I'm too afraid to pick up a hammer since Daison's death? That just being here, with memories of him everywhere, makes me itch?

A deep voice comes from behind me. "Glad I decided to come by," says Fen.

I turn and run into his arms.

Our embrace lingers for as long as I can allow. When I pull away, he is reluctant to let me go. "I don't have long," I say. "Asher is handling some business, then we are going to my world to visit Es. She's having her surgery."

Fen nods. "Wish her well for me. I liked her."

I smile up at me. "She liked you too."

Kayla walks up to us. "What brings you here, brother?"

"Preparations. How are the weapons?"

"Nearly done."

A girl with green hair walks out of the forge, carrying some tools that look recently cleaned. I recognize her. One of the Fae slaves I purchased to keep them away from Levi. She sees me and curtseys, her eyes guarded and cautious. "Min, this is Princess Arianna," Kayla says. "She was the one who—"

"I remember. She owns me," Min says with a challenge.

I smile. "That's true, but it is not the way I want it to be."

She snorts. "Words spoken by a slave owner."

Kayla sends her out for wood and apologizes to us. "She's sharp around the edges, but a hard worker with real talent for this. The rest of the slaves you purchased are also doing good work, have good homes."

"No need to apologize," I say, though I can tell Fen feels differently. I place a cautionary hand on his arm. "Min's been through a lot, no doubt. And she is still owned by another person, even if she's doing work she finds rewarding. I'd feel the same as her." I look up at Fen, with a firm expression on my face. "Wouldn't you feel the same in her position?" I ask, forcing empathy into his stubborn heart.

He grunts. "Very likely. Maybe."

Kayla laughs. "It's so good to see you here again, Ari. You're the only one who can penetrate his thick skull with sense."

I smile, looping my arm into Fen's. "Then I'll have to come around more often."

Kayla looks between the two of us. "There's something I need to tell you. Both of you. I'm going north with Salzar, to strike back at the Fae."

I squeeze Fen's arm. "I don't understand."

He sighs. "Salzar, one of my nobles, has been gathering a force to raid the Outlands. Many want vengeance for their lost families." He side-eyes Kayla. "And I am not one to deny them."

The Shade nods. "Thank you, Fen. I will have your order done before I leave. And Ari, I'm sorry I did not visit you in the Realm of Pride. There has been much work to do, but I hope to see you again soon. Now, go enjoy your time together." She kisses me on the cheek, then shoos us away and disappears into the forge.

I hold Fen's arm as we walk to the castle, Baron at my heel, Yami on the wolf's back. "You do not seem to support Salzar," I say.

Fen pinches his nose. "He has been a problem. I imprisoned him for a few days, hoping it would soothe his temper. But it only sharpened his rage. He stirred up a mob, gathered volunteers to raid the Outlands. I considered stopping him, but those people, the ones who would rather follow him than me, they are not the people I need in my realm right now. So I allowed one person per family to join Salzar. Let them raid. Let them satisfy their hatred. In the end, it helps us both."

I nod, understanding the sad logic. "What of you? How are you doing?" I ask.

"It has been difficult, balancing the demands of war with the need to rebuild and provide for my people."

I place my free hand on his shoulder. "You're a good man, Fen. You'll make the right choices."

He looks down at me, a guarded expression on his face. "You would not think so if you knew all."

"I know more than you think, and I still believe you are good at heart. Even good people make poor choices from time to time."

He freezes, staring at me. "Arianna, what do you speak of?"

"I…" There's so much I can't say, so I will him to say it for me.

He faces me, holding both of my hands in his. "I didn't know who you were until I woke having tasted your blood. Please believe me."

I sag in relief at his words. More than anything, I had to know: had he lied to me?

But I couldn't ask. The contract wouldn't allow it. Even now, I feel us skirting too close to the topic. I smile and squeeze his hands. "Thank you. That's all I need to know."

"So we are… good?" he asks uncertainly.

"Yes. We are good."

Asher calls my name and I turn, frowning. He's ready to leave.

Fen caresses my cheek. "Go. I will see you soon." He kisses me on the lips, gently. It's our first kiss since the cave, and I hold onto him, hold onto the moment where it's just him and me and no one else matters.

I can still feel the heat of his lips against mine as I travel with Asher past the wall, to the mirror, and enter my world once again.

***

We make fast time, heading straight to the hospital in Asher's limo. The moon is bright, and I roll down my window, enjoying the fresh cool air. Tall metal buildings pass us by, so foreign to me now. But Portland is less Sky Castle, more Stonehill, and full of comforting memories.

Asher looks at my neck and cocks his head. "Where did you get that fabulous dragon necklace?"

I look down and frown. Yami is wrapped around my throat like a collar, but he doesn't look real. He looks like jewelry. "It's Yami," I say.

"Ah, of course," says Asher. "Spirits are weaker away from their home world. He can't take living form here."

I tap Yami's head, wondering if he's dreaming. "See you soon, buddy," I whisper.

In moments, we arrive at the hospital and greet Pete in the waiting room. His red hair is wild, and dark circles hang under his eyes. I hug him and introduce him to Asher. "How is she?" I ask.

"She's out of surgery and recovering. I can't see her yet. But she's strong and doing well." I can tell he's nervous, but also happy she made it safely through.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be here earlier," I say.

"You're here now," he says, smiling. "That's what matters." He glances at my neck. "Nice necklace. I would almost swear it's—"

A doctor enters the room. "She's awake and would like to see you. Is there an Arianna here?"

I step forward. "I'm Ari."

"Es would like to see you as well."

I leave Asher in the lobby looking profoundly uncomfortable and follow the doctor to Es' room. She's hooked up to monitors and tubes, and she's far too pale, her blond hair a mess, but she's alive, and her smile is bright.

"Hey baby," Pete says, walking over to hold her hand and kiss her forehead. "You did great."

Her eyes are droopy from pain meds but she smiles. "I'm all woman now," she says.

"You have always been all woman," Pete says. "But I'm so glad your body feels more of a fit for you now. I love you no matter what. You know that, right?"

A tear leaks from the corner of her eye. "Yes, I know that."

"Hey, Es," I say, walking forward. "You're looking good."

She rolls her eyes and reaches for my hand. "Darlin', how I missed you. I need some makeup, and Pete, bless his heart, knows nothing about eyeliner. Now fetch my bag over there."

I get her purse and pull out her makeup kit, and for the next twenty minutes we talk as I 'do her face.' When I'm done, she examines herself in the mirror and smiles. "That's more like it. Now tell me, is that sexy hunk of yours here with you?"

"No, Fen had some business to take care of."

Pete wrinkles his nose. "She brought the other one. Asher."

Es raises an eyebrow. "That tall sexy suit? He's not too bad either. But I've a feeling you are all about Fen these days, aren't you?"

I grin. "I do like him a lot."

Pete frowns. "I wish I could have met him. This one… I'm not so sure about. Be careful with him." He is more right than he knows.

"Asher wouldn't hurt me," I say. And I believe it.

"If Pete is worried, don't take it lightly," Es says, then yawns. "Oh lordy, my meds are kicking in, kids. I don't think I'll be able to stay awake much longer." She looks at me. "Keep Pete company a bit, will ya?"

"I will," I say.

I leave them to say their goodbyes and find Asher waiting in the lobby.

"Can we please return home now?" he begs.

"I get half a day, remember?"

Asher rolls his eyes. "Of course. Maybe my father was right about me being too much of a pushover."

I grin at him. "Too late. No changing a contract made with former law students."

He rolls his eyes at me and I grin wider.

When Pete returns from Es' room, I tell them I'd like to visit my mother before we leave. She's in a different ward on a different floor, and Pete and Asher wait in the hall while I go in.

Her room is small but private, and she looks much the same as she did before. It's dark, the curtains drawn, the lights dimmed to give her rest. But her room smells pleasant, and I notice that in addition to the roses Fen has been sending her, there are vases of purple orchids in various states of bloom.

They were always her favorite.

I check the vase for a card, but there isn't one. I sit near her and hold her hand. How do I even begin to tell her what I've been through and what I'm still going through? I wish she was here right now. Awake. Alive. I wish I could ask her advice and listen as she makes the complicated seem so much simpler with her mom logic.

These are such selfish reasons to want her back, but she's my mom, and though I am an adult, I still need her.

I know she can't hear me, that she'll never be able to answer, but I spill my heart, and it lightens something inside me.

I'm telling her about Yami when the door opens. I stop speaking as a man comes in. He is tall, pale, with curly hair, a wild black beard and a scar across his face. He holds a bouquet of purple orchids.

"I'm sorry," he says, stepping back. "I didn't realize anyone was here."

I stand to face him. "It's fine. I was just visiting my mother."

His eyes widen. "You're her daughter?"

"Yes."

"Of course," he says. "I see the resemblance."

The comment strikes me as odd, since I look more like my father and nothing like my mother.

"We're old friends," he says. "Your mother and I."

"Would I know your name?"

He shakes his head. "No, probably not."

I tilt my head, studying him. He seems familiar. "Thank you for visiting her. I've been busy with work and haven't been able to come as often as I'd like."

"Your mother would want you out there, living your life. She always put you first."

Maybe he did know my mother after all. Because he's right. My mother did always put me first. She even traded her soul to save me, and what did I do? Give it all back to save her. Did I do the right thing, making that deal? Would she be sad or angry, knowing I signed my soul away for her?

The man holds up the flowers. "I brought these for her, but I think you might need them more tonight." He hands me the bouquet, and I study them, closing my eyes to breathe in the sweet scent.

"Thank you." I open my eyes to speak to the man, but he is gone. Vanished as if he'd never been there.

I could easily believe I imagined the whole thing, if not for the flowers. But why did he seem so familiar? Something about the kindness of his smile… and the green of his eyes.

***

Asher and Pete are waiting for me after I say goodbye to my mother, but neither saw the man I describe to them. Asher eyes my flowers. "He gave you those?

I nod.

"Curious," he says.

But the mystery is put on hold as we head back to my old apartment, now Pete's and Es' home. I'm impressed by what they've done with the place. The heater is working again, and they've decorated with beautiful art, tapestries and throw carpets, turning the living room into a colorful cozy nook, the walls lined with packed bookshelves. "I love it," I say, as I sink into my couch, now covered by a purple throw blanket.

Pete smiles. "It was mostly Es. She loves color."

Asher takes a seat next to me, admiring the purple.

Pete sits across from us. "I've been checking on your mom regularly. As you saw, she's doing the same."