Chapter Five

The girl was screaming incessantly.

I cringed as I watched her writhe and twist in her bonds, her white dress clinging to her bare legs and her bare feet red and raw in the snow. She had long blonde hair, tangled at the bottom and covering her puffy eyes and runny nose. She was pleading, begging, wailing to be released. The men and women who held her paid no attention to her cries.

"Who are you?" a large set woman barked, coming around to represent the group. She was dressed in a long, plain tunic and billowing skirts underneath a heavy cloak lined with sheep's wool. "What do ya want?" she demanded, voice clipped and low.

The girl shrieked.

"We're hopin' ta get a room in one of yer inns," Rafi answered. The girl's shoulders tensed at the familiar sound of Rafi's rough, Northern accent. He was no Southerner and therefore no threat in the trading of livestock.

"This is no a good time," the woman answered briskly, her expression unchanging as the blond girl nearly ripped her throat to pieces as she cried.

"I can see that," Rafi answered cautiously.

The woman's eyes were hard. "She's a sacrifice," she explained. I watched as a few of the men gathered dropped their eyes, their lanterns dipping just a bit. "The Masters will be back soon and they must have somethin' to eat lest they tear us all apart."

"Please, no," the girl begged, "Goddess, no!"

The hardened woman's lip curled. "Best ya find somewhere else ta go tonight."

Rafi grabbed my arm and tugged me backwards as the group started forward again, dragging the girl by her wrists through the snow. I took a step towards her but Rafi held me back, his shoulder slipping ahead of mine. Taz had retreated in earnest, his eyes glinting by the lantern light beneath his hood.

"We can't just let them tie her up for the vampires," I whispered in Rafi's ear.

"Why no?" he challenged, "it's none of our business."

"She's so young—"

"So are we," Rafi snapped, "and I'm no dying in her place."

I winced as the girl screamed again, my heart aching as I caught the dark blue skin on her toes. She was almost frostbitten. "They're going to leave her out here alone until the vampires come and devour her," I whispered, panicked.

"I get the gist, hen," Rafi grumbled. "It's their tradition here."

"Oh what, to satiate the vampire's bloodlust with a sixteen-year-old?" Rafi didn't answer and I realised it was likely because he wasn't sure what I meant by satiate. "Rafi, just because it is tradition doesn't mean it's right."

"They give up one to save many," Rafi said stiffly, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. "It makes sense—it's just done cruelly."

Taz materialized out of the shadows, his golden hair picking up the last of the lantern light. "We should push on through the night. It's unsafe here. I think we should walk on until morning or bunk in the nearest cave."

"No," Rafi and I said in unison.

Taz shook his head. "Rafi the dark cannot hurt you and Lee we cannot save that girl."

Rafi blushed immediately. "I'm no—I—I don't..."

I reached for my knife. "You guys distract them and I'll cut her loose. We'll let her run and—"

"They'll replace her with someone else and she'll die from exposure," Taz said grimly. His eyes watched as they tied the girl to a tree, pulling the restraints tight so she couldn't struggle. She was still screaming and crying, the front of her dress wet where she had urinated on herself.

I felt my eyes prick. "It's inhumane," I snarled.

"It's one girl to save an entire town," Rafi said, looking down. "The people of Shultz live good lives outside of this horror—trust me, hen. In comparison to the way the rest o' the North lives it's a small price ta pay."

I steeled myself, storing the girl's screams for the change I would bring to the North once I defeated Damatha. "Goddess willing the vampires will make it fast," I said through cold lips. It was obvious the people of Shultz shared the same desire as they casted lasting looks over their shoulders, withdrawing their lanterns and leaving the girl alone in the dark wood.

"Hello?" she cried out feebly, her voice wavering. "Mum?" she shouted, "cousin?"

I pressed my gloves to my mouth.

"Hello! Anyone! Help me! Please, please—" she sobbed, her restraints holding her to the base of the tree.

All three of us tensed at the sound of a twig snapping. There was a tug at my hood and I looked up to see Taz perched on a branch, my cloak in his hand as he mouthed for me to climb. I took his hand and hauled myself up, ignoring a rush of fear as he encouraged me to climb higher before reaching down for Rafi.

The three of us climbed until the branches were too slim to hold our weight, Taz jumping to the next tree so as not to tempt fate. I laid down on the branch, holding my pack under my arm as I craned my head to see what was approaching.

The vampires.

"W-who's there?" the girl cried out, snot and saliva mixing on her chin. "P-p-please don't hu-hurt me."

The vampires glided through the forest, their cloaks trailing behind them lazily as they fanned out and circled the offering. I counted six in total, four men and two women. The girl started screaming in earnest when she saw them approach, her skin rubbed raw where she fought against the binds and the trunk.

I watched as Taz nocked an arrow.

"Another young woman," one vampire said disapprovingly. "I want a fat old man, someone with enough blood to fill all of our bellies." The woman's screaming was almost unbearable to listen to.

"They do their best," another hissed.

"For all we give them they can do better," the first replied.

"Who wants the kill tonight?" the shortest one asked, clearly hoping the others would offer it to them. The first vampire ran his fingers down the column of the woman's throat, his grin growing as she howled with fear.

"Let us give it to our newest fledgling," he suggested, "Felix?"

The young vampire stepped forward, tipping back his black hood to reveal even darker hair and murky, white skin. Felix said nothing, he just pressed his mouth to the woman's throat and ripped.

I shoved my hand into my mouth as her entire body became soaked with blood. The vampires feasted and I heard Rafi grunt below me. He was struggling to keep himself from vomiting. I looked up to Taz who was watching with a pinched expression, his own complexion pale.

When the vampires were done only a drop or two of blood had hit the snow.

"A messy business your feeding is," a voice drawled. My heart stopped as I recognized the voice and heard it come from right beneath me. I looked down and saw a familiar blonde poised in the snow, her cloak a fitting ruby red.

"Bovar," the Succubus greeted, "how many years has it been."

"Dellare," the first vampire greeted, his smile spreading to reveal two pointed fangs. "You know there are no succubus allowed in Shultz, just as we allow no incubi or fae or elves or witch."

"Oh, Bovar," Dellare scoffed, "you give yourself airs to think that I want to come anywhere near your animal pen." A few of the vampires hissed. It was the youngest I watched—Felix—he only stared at the Succubus, his eyes holding a detached intelligence that made me wonder how long it would be until he overthrew Bovar.

"What do you want then?" Bovar demanded, "we have travelled far and are tired now. There are precious few hours we can be alive before the sun rises."

"Sure," Dellare snorted, "the North boasts the longest nights on the continent. Is it not why you originally sought to hold a city here, Bovar?" The vampire didn't answer. Dellare drew in a long breath. "I've come to talk to you about a witch."

I nearly fell out of the tree.

Dellare stilled below me, her shoulder's tensing. As quick as I could I drew power out of the tiny crack in the shield my foremothers had thrown around my abilities and conjured a light fog to hang just below Rafi so when Dellare looked up, we would hopefully be obscured.

"A witch?" Bovar repeated.

"Yes," Dellare mused, forgetting about the sound I had made. "A witch approached me in Dorth. From the look of the tattoos on her hands and the blue hue of her hair I deduced that I was speaking with Ava Ashwood's missing heir."

Bovar scoffed. "And why does this concern me?"

"Do you not live comfortably under Damatha's reign?" Dellare asked. My gut twisted—I thought I'd had her at the inn. "Does Damatha not buy your livestock and provide freedom and gold? Does Damatha not turn a blind eye to the people you slaughter?"

Bovar grimaced. "Yes."

Dellare shrugged. "Do you not want things to stay the way they are?"

"Of course," Bovar boasted, "what does Ava Ashwood's daughter have to do with this?"

"She's the rightful heir to the North." I smiled smugly at that—hoping Rafi heard. "If she dislodges Damatha than she will be Queen." Clan Mother, I corrected mentally. I wasn't sure how the title of Queen had picked up so quickly. If it were accurate I would be a princess—and I certainly was not.

"That is not likely," Bovar scoffed, "Damatha killed Ava Ashwood—"

"And her daughter has spent seven years preparing—"

"Nonsense," Bovar hushed, "the Dogs will get her."

"Not if she's travelling with one," Dellare ground out through gritted teeth.

"What are you asking of me, Dellare? To let the whores of hell into my city? I think not—Shultz is a proud vampire stronghold. We do not accept the likes of your filth into our city's walls."

Dellare was clearly frustrated as she curled her nails into her palms. "You're missing the point," she growled. "If Damatha is defeated our entire way of life changes—I spoke to the girl and she did not take kindly to me, what if she gets it into her head that the witches should crack down on their tenants?"

Bovar rolled his eyes. "There is no way she—"

I held my breath as Bovar's head rolled along the snow.

"Fool," Felix hissed, revealing himself as Bovar's body follow his head. The other vampires bowed with shock to their new ruler. I was sickly impressed—he had overthrown Bovar much, much quicker than I had anticipated.

Dellare let go of the breath she had been holding. "To whom do I now speak?"

"Felix, Lord of Shultz," the young vampire answered. "I am interested in the information you offer, Succubus. I believe we have a shared interest in preserving our way of life. I do agree that a new ruler in the North would be a bother. Why don't you come inside as my guest?"

Dellare grinned brilliantly. "I have a lovely gift for you as host, Lord Felix. The witch owes me a favour."

I slipped in my tree, my head swimming with the effort it took to maintain the fog below Rafi. A drop of blood slipped from my nose and struck the snow just before Dellare, causing the succubus to look up in the tree.

I gritted my teeth and tried to holdfast but I slipped further, my pack sliding out from under my arm and swinging below me—a lonely apple falling into the snow. A moment later the fog disappeared and Rafi grabbed the branch above him, swinging his body to aim a swift kick at Dellare.

The succubus hissed as Rafi hit the ground, dipping to pick up the apple. "Evenin'" he ground out, taking a large bite of the gala. "Sorry about tha', I didne meant ta knock ya over, lass," Rafi said with a hearty laugh, "can't seem ta control where ma boots go."

Dellare hissed along with the vampires. "Where is she?" Dellare demanded. I pushed myself up, swinging my pack back around as I got to my feet. I pressed myself against the trunk of the tree, turning around it so I was hidden from sight.

"Who?" Rafi asked, taking another bite of his apple.

"The witch," Dellare snapped, drawing Lord Felix closer.

"Which witch?" Rafi asked, with a lopsided smile. "I happen ta know quite a few."

"Aleena Ashwood," Dellare ground out. Whatever desire she had summoned for Rafi at the inn was long gone now. My heart leaped into my throat as I watched her approach Rafi, her lovely face drawn into a deep scowl.

"Never heard o' her," Rafi said with a shrug.

"Aleena Ashwood," Lord Felix called out, his voice silky smooth and unnervingly even. "If you wish your friend to remain unharmed, show yourself."

Rafi drew his hatchet and held his breath.

I dropped into the snow beside him, my hood falling off as I straightened. The other vampires hissed at the sight of my blue tinged hair, their mouths forming low words to one another. I fixed Dellare with a glare.

"Succubus," I spat, "a hell-whore and a traitor."

Dellare pressed her glossed lips into a smirk. "How convenient you were up in that tree, Aleena, saves me from repeating my long spiel," she mused, "it's just too bad you don't have an entire army hiding up there."

I slipped off my gloves and smiled at Lord Felix. "I am hoping you will extend your invitation to my protector and I along with Ms. Dellare? I do think we have things to discuss."

Lord Felix paused. "Of course," he replied demurely, "follow."

Rafi tensed as the vampires turned in unison, leading up towards the front gates of Shultz. The large stone and wood doors creaked as they were cranked open, large torches on either side flickering down on the snow. None of the humans at the gate questioned the absence of Bovar.

I doubted they questioned anything the vampires did.

Rafi's hand dropped to my back, remaining contact with me in case any of the vampires decided it was an opportune time to attack. Lord Felix lead our small group, his shoulders completely at ease as we approached the first few buildings.

Rafi had been right—Shultz's prosperity was obvious in the scale and detail of their town. Every home and business was well maintained, the roads were fastened with shining stone and free of any dip or pothole, every home was full of laughter and light—a stark contrast to the wailing woman we had watched the masters of Shultz slaughter and drain.

"There's blood money 'ere," Rafi said, spitting off to the side as if the very thought made his mouth rancid. I looked up at the double storied townhouses. The businesses on the bottom were closing up for the night as the upstairs homesteads warmed up for dinner and entertaining.

Beneath the splendor of the town was a rancid smell of manure and livestock accompanied by the far-off bleating from the animals on the outskirts of the city-centre. I wasn't sure how the vampires could stand the smell with their advanced senses.

We walked through the town until we came to the largest building, positioned right at the cusp of the river that separated the town from the fields. The home was three stories high, fastened with dark wooden beams and glitzing stone. One tall vampire stood watch at the door.

"Lord Bovar?" he called out.

"Lord Felix," the new ruler replied, bringing our party to a halt as he waited for resistance. None came. The tall vampire only inclined his head and held the door open for his new master, barely blinking as Dellare and I passed through the door.

Whatever hierarchy the vampires established, it was almost certainly maintained with fear.

The home was outfitted with more dark mahogany wood, surely imported from the South as it was a far departure from the usual fixtures of pine. The staircase was polished stone and wood, curving to the side in obvious splendor. Candles were anchored to the wall every few paces, a stand-in light source for the vampires who were unable to tolerate sunlight.

It was a beautiful home—the only place I had seen to rival it was my childhood home in Nordika.

I dismissed those thoughts immediately.

Lord Felix's colleagues parted ways, disappearing into unlit hallways soundlessly. That left just Rafi, Dellare, Lord Felix, and myself in the hall—along with any silent vampires that were watching from the shadows.

Rafi's hand was at my elbow, his agitation obvious as we ascended the staircase. Lord Felix lead us to an office, a raw edged desk made from some sturdy tree taking up most of the space along with a high backed chair of padded gold silk. The Lord of Shultz motioned for us to take a seat as he drew his arm over the top of the desk and pushed everything off. Bovar's reign was over.

"Now," Felix murmured, turning his eyes to the moon that hung above the fields. Just behind his desk was a set of double doors, open to a small balcony that overlooked the river below and the fields of livestock beyond. I watched his nose wrinkle slightly as the wind brought the stench of animal dung towards us. It was evident that Lord of Shultz was a transitionary title for the vampire.

"Let us discuss a new Queen."

"What?" Dellare snapped.

Felix blinked calmly at her. "Shultz is a fine city but the stench is ghastly and frankly, I believe I can do better for my people than livestock trading." The vampire turned his eyes down to me as he braced the back of his chair. "I've never dealt with witches before—in fact I've only been a member of the graceful dead for under a year yet I have heard your name, Aleena Ashwood."

I inclined my head. "My mother's murder is infamous."

"As was her power," Felix answered.

Dellare snarled beside me. "I had thought you were interested in what I had to offer," she scolded Felix, "I thought you were interested in preserving Damatha's reign in the North. If I had known you were not interested in either of those things I never would have followed you out to this shithole."

Felix growled. Apparently only he was allowed to disrespect Shultz. "I am interested in what is best for my people, as I am sure you are as well, Dellare. You are just thinking too small. We are in the presence of a future matriarch, certainly offering our support to such a figure to change the future is more prudent that preserving the ways of the past."

Dellare sneered. "As if working with a baby witch wasn't enough of an insult, now I'm expected to work alongside a fledgling vampire?"

The newly appointed Lord Felix ignored Dellare's snarky remark. "Aleena Ashwood, I am interested in your ideas for the future of the North." I watched as the vampire slid around the high-backed chair, perching in it as if it were a throne. My eyes accidentally dropped to the smear of blood on his collar.

The girl's screams once again rose to my ears.

"Ah," Lord Felix murmured to himself, "I see now."

Dellare shot from her chair and moved to the door of the office, locking it as she smiled. "See?" she hissed, "I told you—this girl has no interest in preserving anything, Felix. She wants to change our ways, she wants to take Shultz from the vampires and she wants to drive my kind out of the North."

I stood as well, moving closer to Rafi who was holding his hatchet now. "I would be willing to compromise," I started, "sacrifices in the woods of innocent women is not the way into the future—nor is picking up stray men and—"

"That is our way of life," Dellare shrieked, her beautiful features marred with shrill hatred. The succubus advanced slowly on Rafi, her straight white teeth scaring me more than the fangs on the vampire lord. "You offered me a favour, witch, and I want to request something of you now."

I felt my gut twist as I freed my knife, frost crawling up the side of the blade. "I must inform you now that the favour I promised does not include my absence from the North. I will not oblige any request you make of me to disappear, Succubus."

Dellare's pianist fingers coiled. "What if I asked you to drown yourself?"

Lord Felix rolled his eyes. "The dramatics—" he sighed, despite his obvious affinity for flair.

"At present my promised favour seems to be allowing you to continue to draw breath in my presence," I threatened, lifting the frostbitten blade. I wasn't sure how deadly a succubus was outside of their hunting rituals but I knew Dellare would be a deadly political opponent if I failed to earn her respect.

"You insolent bitch—"

"Witch," I corrected.

Rafi smothered a chuckle.

"Lord Felix," I addressed, turning my back on the Succubus. The Lord of Shutlz deigned his head for me to speak. He too was trying to hide a small smile. "I would like—"

An arrow whizzed through the air, cutting right by my left year and sinking into the flesh of Dellare's shoulder. The Succubus screamed and wailed, an ichor like blood oozing black on her pristine fur coat.

The soft thud of Taz landing on the balcony just behind Felix's death. Rafi grunted out a curse as his head whipped backwards between Taz and Dellare. "Goddess," he grunted, "where the hell did you come from?"

Taz slung his bow across his back and bowed his head to me. "Sorry Queen Aleena," he murmured demurely, "I saw the Succubus prepare herself to strike you and thought it was my duty to intervene."

I understood now that the smile on Felix's face had not been because I had impressed him with my demand for respect, it had been because he was watching as Dellare poised to strike and was amusing himself with imagining the outcome.

I tensed as I pulled off my gloves, allowing for my tattooed knuckles to be seen by all.

"Let's discuss our options, shall we?"