Shadow Princess

Chapter Twenty-Four: Do You Believe in Me?

Julius leans against the cell wall, blinding pain shooting through his back as his open wounds are pressed on. The healer got to the poisonous knife wound in his abdomen in time but was on orders to ignore the whip wounds. So, week later, his back still burns and aches with thriving pain. His father makes sure he eats when food is brought to him. No talks from his guards or his maids when the next trial may be or what it will consist of. Knowing his sadistic father no one will know until the day of.

The magic ripples and the torch light flicker into the cell room, illuminating him. He squints, seeing a small silhouette fill the cell. The metal bars are in place and Julius doesn't bother to move. The light caught his face enough to see the edge of his smirk. Luminous blue eyes flare and Julius choked on his breath, coughing weakly. Sapphire eyes are the markings of fledglings, which happens around their teens. The last documented fledgling of a child is him, but he is the Heir. He unfolds a parchment, signed by the King.

"Hear ye hear ye. The King of Vampi has an announcement. He has conferred on this matter for many nights. In the event of Julius Flynn succumb to his death, a new Heir has been picked. Elijah Lux is a magician in the King's favor and has shown loyalty to him, the King."

"Wait—" Julius interrupted, sitting up fast enough that his back stretchs and burns. The child ignores him and rolls the parchment up, turning on his heel. Two guards appeared at the edge of the cell walls, Yelkites. Hatred and triumph flare in their eyes before slamming the magic barrier in place before Julius could form a thought.

∞†∞†∞

The arena is packed when Julius emerges from the side entrance. His father is seated in his throne, a faint smile upon his lips. In a smaller, silver throne sits Elijah. His emerald green eyes sought them out, a dark wicked grin slashing across his face. Many of the people looks at him, hunger in their eyes. A new Prince, a better Heir. One that doesn't try to be good or please his father. Cruel, cold and calculating. A new king in the making. Julius glances to his side, watching as Jacob meets his brother's stare, a crooked grin of his own surfacing.

His father sits up when his eyes land on his former Heir, the smile fading. The crowd lightens as the four teams stumble out of the entrances, tattered and starved. The stadium looks just like the first trial, but no holes drilled into the ground. Eight robed figures circle the arena, by the entrances and surrounding the thrones. Julius and the other two watch as his father stands, his armor replaced by a deep red tunic and long black rope. His formal king attire built for royal decrees.

"To many of you, selecting a new Heir surprised you before the second trial has commenced," his father's voice echoes through the arena, dragging all eyes to him. "Elijah is one of Julius's show taking things for granted. He took Elijah and accused him of treason, but I saw the truth. He is a trainee in my Magician practice. Julius, my son, has to earn the kingdom back, earn you back."

The audience roars with approval, many vampires glaring at him. Many shake their heads as they watch those around them. Elijah watches them, throwing his head back laughing. A cold shiver spider-walked down his spine.

"So, this trial is a bit trickier than the first. In the old ways, many did trials by water, by fire and by combat." The voice travels and Julius straighten his shoulders, his mouth twisting into a sneer. "Fire is one of the greatest threats to vampire kind. If one part is caught, you have no chance of getting out alive. So, to make this End Game more challenging by using the Trial by Fire. The first team to make it out, goes forth with the last trial."

His father turns back to them, his eyes resting on Julius. "The team that made it out last, during the first trial has to wait thirty minutes before leaving." Jacob shifts and Julius just levels his stare with his father. A resting smirk settles. "It is time." The Magicians raise their hands, their hoods covering their faces. The three could hear the hum of a chant, magic swirling around them. Thunderous booms shook the arena, opening holes in the earth, directly in front of each team. The other two teams grin, but a wave of heat hits them. They flinch but wait for the King to give the go.