Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 4 - Thanatia

'This meeting is dismissed,' the Queen announced, descending the stairs to approach Cas. I tensed, not wanting anyone within a five metre radius of where he stood. The Queen heedlessly crossed my imaginary boundary, smiling fondly at him.

A quick dive into his mind assured me that he was excited by the prospect of talking to this spirit-wielding Queen, and I knew that there was no stopping him from launching into a hardcore spirit conversation.

Figuring I didn't need to stick around, I nudged Cas gently, jerking my head towards the door.

'Sure, you can go. I'll call if I need you.'

I nodded at him, just about to turn when I noticed a guardian standing behind the Queen. Her brown eyes bore into mine with such an indecent intensity that I wanted to snap at her. Considering her proximity, she must be one of the Queen's personal guardians. In fact, personal guardian should be with capital letters, because the Queen seemed to have a ton of them. What a waste.

I turned dismissively and marched towards the door, yanking it open and slipping out before the guard had time to move.

Once outside, I took a deep breath. Just what in the hell was this place? I glanced around me. It's decor was pompous, and yet unfeeling. Heavy curtains in a typical blood-red colour lined the windows. On the wall to the right hung a bunch of paintings of what must be earlier Queens and Kings. They all looked stiff and prim and incredibly boring.

Stifling a sigh, I set course for the scanning booth we'd passed by earlier. When Cas and I had tried to pass through, the guardians made me strip off all my weapons. Considering I had knives attached to holsters on every surface of my body, the entire process had taken approximately half an hour.

'My weapons,' I snapped, making the guardian with his back turned to me swivel around in surprise.

'Uh...' he stammered. 'Right away.' He bent down, stuck a key into a massive safe, and retrieved every single one of my weapons. I knew, because I counted. I irritably slipped off my robe and tossed it onto the counter. The guardian's eyes widened as he took in my outfit.

I was aware of the fact that I'd become a bit of a spectacle here. Back home, no guardians dressed as stupidly as the guy standing in front of me. They all looked like they were going to a dinner party with friends. Sure, the Scandinavian guardian attire was heavy and complex, requiring plaiting and all sorts of wraps being tied with silver hooks and brooches, but once the robe was off, our outfit was perfectly suited for fighting.

I attached a small, slim knife to the outer side of each of my legs. I then unwrapped a plaid on my outfit, carefully easing the throwing stars into their metal-chained pockets. I stuffed my dagger into the holster at my left side. I then snatched up my silver stake, attaching it to my right hip. Finally, my hands hovered over my two most precious jewels: my katanas. I admired their lethally sharp gleam before I slid them both into their holsters at my back. The tops of the swords stuck out over my shoulders, forming an X on my back.

The rarest method of killing Strigoi was through beheading – but boy was it my favourite. 

I wore my robe again, deciding I needed to explore this uncovered territory. Nothing beat being one-hundred percent ready for an attack.

I was glad that the magic wards were really strong – it kept the ghosts out with no effort on my part. If there was no magic in my silver, I could maybe summon them in a dire situation...but otherwise, their absence was a relief. No mental strain for a while.

I shuddered as I recalled the long flight. It had been agony. Casimir had prepared thoroughly, inducing every silver necklace, ring and bracelet I owned with healing spirit. Despite being covered from head to toe with the stuff, it had been a huge mental effort to keep the ghosts out.

I nodded in approval when I spotted guardians lined up by the gates. Even better, the place was surrounded by a tall, thick wall of stone blocks. It wouldn't hold back an army of Strigoi, but it would definitely prove an inconvenient obstacle. 

I spotted a large garage with an outward-extending roof, with railing along the walls.

Excellent place for parking Shadow, if I could ever summon him inside the Court grounds. Which I doubted. 

I was just about to round the corner of the garage when I spotted the massive gates opening to allow a posh-looking car through. The driver revved the car, spewing up a gust of smoke that blew into my face. Irritated, I waved at the air, trying to detect a trace of oxygen in the poisonous gas.

I heard a car door opening and slamming, and I was about to step forward when a tall and lanky Moroi rounded the corner so fast he nearly bumped into me.

With my fast reflexes, I jumped back before we could collide. 

'Watch it!' I hissed, searching the eyes of the Moroi.

'You watch it,' he muttered, equally irritated.

The fragile hold on my temper slipped. 

Dammit. Gritting my teeth, I concentrated hard, chasing the spirit-induced darkness away. For now. It always lingered, until I unleashed it for real.

When I looked up at the Moroi again, I noticed he had gone completely still, staring at me in disbelief. 'It can't be...' he whispered.

I wished Cas was here. Through him I could easily read people with the help of auras.

'What can't be?' I asked, confused.

'All that darkness...' he breathed, shaking his head. 'You're shadow-kissed.'