RBC06.50 - Marcella, Vampire Mage (4 page)

“I agree that it could be Dark Elves,” Morna added, ignoring Sabine. “My dark cousins have an insatiable need for power, and they glean it from any source they can find. A place like this would be very tempting indeed.”

“Marcella, you mentioned that others help them. How do they do that?”

“Mostly it’s by capturing and transporting beings, usualy humans, into the underworld. They profit from them in several ways, depending on the victim.”

Sammy cringed. “That doesn’t sound good at all.”

“It’s not. They use bounty hunters, trolls, vampires, and sometimes witches and wizards. A magical being would be very profitable to them.”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Nira will take care of everything.”

“Why are you here, Sabine?” Luke asked.

“What do you mean? I’m here to complete my studies, because I’m a very gifted witch.”

“You’re here because your father insisted,” Sammy challenged.

Sabine was fuming; she stood up.

“Are you coming, Georgia?”

“Not right now. See you later.”

Sabine’s eyes widened in shock, and then narrowed in anger. “Fine.”

She whipped around and stomped off.

We all looked at Georgia.

“She’ll get over it. I’d like to hear more about the underworld. That is, if you don’t mind talking about it, Cella.”

“I…”

“Maybe we should talk about something else. Cella is trying to forget Althar.”

“It’s all right. What do you want to know, Georgia?”

“These Demon Kings, do they rule the entire underworld?”

“No, only the upper kingdom of Althar. There are many layers of the underworld; the deeper the kingdom, the more evil the inhabitants and the greater the dangers. But there are also riches beyond comprehension. There are always beings seeking these riches, beings when captured, give the dark forces another way to constantly renew their source of power.”

“Greed,” Richard acknowledged.

“I’ve heard tales of a peaceful, beautiful, inner part of the earth that rivals this world. Do you know anything about that?” Luke asked.

“I’ve heard the stories too,” Sammy added.

“I believe them to be true, but I don’t have personal experience to tell you about.”

“We should probably go back,” Georgia said.

Sammy looked disappointed. “But the moon is just coming up. It’s going to be a beautiful night. Come on, just a little longer?”

“Why not?” Richard said, and produced a tray of punch.

We each took a cup, and the mood shifted.

“Well Richard, tell us what you want to do with your skills once you finish your studies with Nira.”

“I don’t think we’ll ever be finished learning.”

He glanced in my direction and smiled.

“I couldn’t agree more. We should always be learning. But I’m curious too, Richard. What is it that you want to do with your magical skills?”

“I’d like to teach, maybe have my own school for talented youngsters.”

“How about you, Luke?” I asked.

Luke hesitated, and we watched as he studied the fire for a moment. “I want to eliminate all those that sully the name of good witches and warlocks everywhere with their dark ceremonies and rituals.”

Sammy’s eyes widened. “You want to be a hunter?”

“Not in the sense you mean,” he cautioned. “Hunters have killed many of my ancestors. Those hunters, mostly humans, couldn’t tell bad magic from good, and chased peaceful practitioners into hiding.”

“Unfortunately having to live in hiding is true for all our races,” Morna added. “It’s why the sanctuaries were formed. Of course, the Elvin Kingdoms have always been hidden.”

“That’s right, and vampires have always been hunted, I understand that. The undead, made vampire is completely different from our peaceful race, yet there is no difference in the hatred both receive.” I sighed.

“We want to help Katrina and the Protectors,” Sammy beamed.

Georgia laughed. “You? Help the Protectors?”

I could see how hurt Sammy was by her reaction. “Yes, we are,” I interjected, “in any way we can. I’ve already helped. Now I am going to work as hard as I can to learn, so that I can do even more.”

“Good for you,” Richard said.

“You haven’t answered the question, Georgia. What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know yet. I never thought further than having a family and keeping the magic part of my life a secret.”

“I think you’re wasting Nira’s time then; both you and Sabine. It’s just about being able to say you were trained by her, isn’t it?” Luke scolded.

Georgia frowned and looked down at her hands. “I guess I was just tagging along with Sabine. But you’re right; this is too good of an opportunity for me to waste. I’ll find out what I’m supposed to be doing with it, and from now on I’m going to take it more seriously.”

“Good. That just leaves you Morna,” Richard said.

“Elves are naturally gifted in magic. What is it that you wish to do?” I asked.

“The magic must be passed on. My race is dwindling. I fear that soon there won’t be anyone to pass the magic on to.”

CHAPTER FOUR

“We should go now. It’s getting late,” Georgia said.

“I
am
kind of tired,” Sammy admitted.

We all got up. Luke waved the fire out and we started back to the cottage. Once we got close enough, the blended, amazingly camouflaged cottage appeared, and the door magically opened.

“Good night everyone, see you tomorrow,” I said, as we each shuffled off to our rooms.

Once we were changed and settled in our beds, Sammy turned to me. “Are you going to tell me about the boy you were dancing with?”

“His name is Kaer; his mother was telling Nira about the evil on the borders.”

“Then he’s a prince! Remember, Nira said that the Queen had warned her.”

“If you say so, I only met him today. That’s all I know.”

“He seemed to be very interested in you. Not surprising; everyone seems interested in you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, Richard sure is going out of his way to be nice to you.”

“He’s nice to everyone. And that’s sure not ‘everyone’. Now can we go to sleep?”

“I guess. Boy, Sabine sure was mad when she left. With any luck she’ll go home. I bet Georgia is getting the silent treatment right now.”

“Lucky her.”

Sammy snickered. “Good night, Cella.”

“Good night, Sammy.”

It wasn’t long before Sammy was sleeping soundly and snoring loudly. There was no way to get to sleep now. Then I heard something hit the window. I got up, tip-toed over and peeked outside.

Kaer was there. When he saw me, he floated up.

“Come outside,” he whispered. “I’ll take you to see the gathering.”

I glanced over to Sammy; she hadn’t stirred.

“All right, give me a second.”

I closed my eyes and in an instant I was changed and standing outside next to Kaer.

He reached for my hand. “Come, the gathering has begun,” he whispered.

“What’s the gathering?”

He smiled and pulled me forward. “You’ll see.”

Kaer wrapped his arm around me and we lifted off the ground. Soon we were speeding effortlessly through the forest, around trees and up into the night sky, silhouetted by the full moon. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

I recognized the glen where faeries of all kinds fluttered in anticipation.

Soon it became clear what everyone was waiting for. Unicorns appeared from every area of the forest and were gathering in the center of the glen. Their white coats shimmered in the moonlight as they walked. They seemed to be forming a circle around one of them. Twelve unicorns in all, flank to flank, facing out in a tight, protective circle.

“The chosen female for this year is going to give birth tonight. She will not have another. Selky, the male you met this morning was born ten years ago tonight,” Kaer whispered.

His sweet breath on my face made me tingle. It felt good to be pulled close to him. I felt privileged to have been invited to witness this event.

It was over an hour before we saw any further movement in the group. They began tossing their heads and low whinnies could be heard. Then, with no visible signal, they marched forward and turned towards the middle, stamping their feet, seemingly in nervous excitement.

Kaer moved us slightly closer and overhead, so that we could take a quick peek. The mother was up, and nuzzling the fluff of white at her feet. Using my enhanced vision, I could see just the tiniest of nubs on its forehead.

The twelve others continued stomping and tossing their heads as the foal tried to stand for the first time. After several tries, success! We watched as the newest member of the enchanted herd nursed for the very first time.

A tear dripped down my cheek as I witnessed the amazing sight.

We lingered a moment longer, before Kaer carried me to the small pool where we’d first met and gently set me down.

“Thank you for including me.”

“You’re welcome.” Kaer wiped a tear away from my cheek with his thumb and smiled. It moved you.”

I nodded. “Yes, very much. They’re so special.”

I felt a little uncomfortable, so I walked over to the pool and sat down on the rocks, just as I had done earlier.

“I’m sorry your celebration tonight was cut short. Mother is very worried.”

“I don’t blame her. I’ve seen the kind of evil that’s stalking this land.”

“I’d never let anything happen to you, Marcella.”

I glanced up at Kaer. “You don’t even know me, Kaer. Besides, I wouldn’t let anything happen to you either.”

He smiled and sat down next to me. “I felt you. Even before I saw you, I knew you.”

He didn’t look at me; he was just looking up at the moon.

Just as I was about to speak, he stood and held out his hand to help me up.

“Something has happened. We have to go back.”

He scooped me up again and in no time at all we were back at the cottage.

“Where were you? After what’s happened, I was so scared when I woke up and you were gone.”

“I was at the gathering, with Kaer. What do you mean? What’s happened?”

“Nira told you Cella was all right, Sammy. Don’t be over dramatic,” Richard said and then went on to answer my question. “It’s Sabine; she never came back and Nira thinks she was taken by a hunter.”

“Where is Nira now?”

“Calling for help, I think.”

“She’s going to send us home, I just know it,” Sammy whined.

“If they wait for help to come before starting the search, they will never find her.”

“You know the underworld, Marcella. Can you lead us? We’ll go with you and help you try to get her back.”

“What? No, it’s too dangerous. I wish my brother Cain was available, but he and Damien are already doing something important. I’m sure Nira is already talking to Ceron or Cathos.”

“I heard her earlier say that she was unable to contact them. And Nira can’t go herself. It’s too dangerous for her in the underworld.”

“See Cella, you’re Sabine’s only hope,” Georgia pleaded.

I had to make a decision quickly, but the thought of going back to the underworld for any reason was a frightening thought.

“Do we have any idea where she was when she was taken? Maybe she just went home,” Richard asked.

“No one has seen, or heard from her since she left the group a few hours ago.”

I turned and started back down to the lake. I hadn’t seen anything earlier, but then I hadn’t been looking either. Everyone was following along behind me.

“Range out with your senses to find anything that might help us find out who did this. It will make all the difference if we find out what kind of being it was.”

“I’ll be right back and bring a friend. Everyone has to leave but Marcella, or my friend won’t come.”

“All of us want to help.”

“You have to trust me,” Kaer admonished, “my friend
will
find the spot.”

“We’ll all look until you get back,” Richard decided.

Kaer scowled. “You are all visitors in my kingdom, remember that.”

He disappeared and I continued down the path. I didn’t see or sense anything. That eliminated trolls.

“Sabine was angry; she probably never saw or sensed anything. I should have gone with her.” Georgia sniffed. “I feel terrible now,”

“Georgia, if you had been with her, you would have been taken too. It’s not your fault.” I sighed in frustration. “I don’t see, or sense anything. The rest of you might as well go back. Hopefully Kaer’s friend will find something.”