Bloodlines

Chapter 1

Dedicated to random_Nigerian_girl

The Valley of Pearl, Warlock Territory

Not everything is as it seems. Mae Sterling was a mother of five, widowed for five years, and could kill men blindfolded. Not that she liked it. No. Sometimes, it was necessary. Loose ends needed to be tied.

The Pearl Valley, a place of beauty... and a place where warlocks were taught how to shed blood. Its beauty failed to calm her hassled nerves.
Being a lieutenant of the warlock army, a coveted position, and having the ear of the king, she had to make some damn tough choices just so that she could go home and see her little babies. Marcellus was five tomorrow, so she had to make this meeting quick and put of the way.

"Do you know what's going on?" Nikita Bane joined her, a new bandage on her elbow, an old emptiness in her eyes. Their friendship was one that was honed in fire, soaked in blood.

Mae assessed a group of trainees, who were, at the moment, exercising in little groups.
"No, just that there are vampires here, and they are friendly. " Mae smirked, incredulity in her tone." Friendly bloodsuckers? Now that's an oxymoron."

Nikita halted besides her, causing Mae to pause as well.

"What is it, Nikki?"

"I heard that they defected from the self-acclaimed 'Vampire Emperor' Alonzo and his regime. That they are here to warn of of an imminent danger. This war-"

Nikki stared, her blood red eyes a desolate wasteland, at the rolling hills, and sucked in a breath "- I'm afraid, Mae. The vampires are very powerful. More so, now that they have a secret weapon."

"That's why you are here. There's a meeting, isn't there?"

"Yes. The vampires are ready to talk."

Mae nodded sharply. Even after a ruined childhood, Nikita's troubles hadn't ended. It was said that a red eyed mage is a dead eyed mage.

The pain in her chest tightened as they walked, shoulder to shoulder, to the Pavilion of Stars, where the Mage Lord resided and presided.
It was a beautiful structure, the dome glinting , shining from the sun.

The glare cut against her eyes, too sharp.

She hated this place. She hated how it made her feel calm, how the was so unbothered by bloodshed, how it's beauty was a facade. She hated that she was the only one who could do what she could do without flinching.

She didn't falter, however. They would end this war. They would find peace. And she could finally go home.

***
Mocking Village
Near Claudestown

Layla's eyes flew open. And immediately shut, as the light speared thorough her brain. How was it already dawn?
She moaned and turned her head back into her pillow.

Why did she agree to drink with Liam?
And that blasted dream had returned. She never remembered the details, but the ringing noise never left her head.

No time for that now. She was going to be late. As much as she wanted to lay in her bed all day, her mother would soon be up to bring doom upon her.

And Madam Hart of the Hart Bakery did not do doom with light fingers.

Layla shall now moan again.