DOFAB#3

Chapter Two

*If this were a movie, this is the song I imagine playing toward the end.*

~ KINLEY ~

Headen Era—Present Day

The world is burning in the quiet, unaware of the silent screams trampled. Soon, we will hear and once again know his name. Until that day comes, I'm doing my part. What choice do I have when the world has forgotten it should be afraid?

Like the sail of a ship sensing a gathering storm, the gray cloak I adorn flaps behind me as I clutch the invitation that arrived three days ago. Embroidered with the four-roses crest of Nadora, this cloak arrived the same evening. Wear white, eleven o'clock northern continent time, and these coordinates were all that was written on the summoning.

Somewhere past the dense fog making it impossible to see beyond the shoreline lies Sovereign City. A sanctuary of hidden islands where the Chamber of the Courts meets to transition power every seven years. Mortals know of its existence, but restricted access keeps out those who don't belong. 

A strand of seaweed catches on my ankle before the tide rolls back, carrying the slimy algae along with it. My mid-shin length dress skims above the crystal-clear waves lapping at my bare ankles. I can't lose sight of why I'm here.

Get access to the book.

Find out if there is a way to make the spell permanent.

If there isn't, pray the gods intervene.

"Kinaley!" The sharp-edge of disapproval and immense anger comes hurling at me on a strong gust of wind. 

It feels like I've stepped on a sea urchin when I see my sister at the top of the steps leading to the bay I'm wading in. Come alone, that was the first order written on the invitation.

"You can't be here." Fetching the ballet flats I left on shore, I hurriedly slip my wet feet into them.  If I know anything about vampires, it's that they value the secrecy of their traditions.

"I shouldn't be here." Neziri charges at me like I'm the mock enemy during one of her Thorne training sessions. "You shouldn't be here."

"I can do this. You have to let me help."

"You will return to temple. You're not ready. Or have you forgotten you almost got killed two months ago," my sister fires back.

I'll admit. It was close. If Neziri had not intervened, I'd probably have ended up heartless in that alleyway courtesy Harvest 57 and Shadow Enterprise.

"It's not your decision. It's the egret's," I counter.

"What happens when Nadora finds out your eevie and not mortal? The three gods, a blood slave? That's the big plan you've been hiding from me!"

"Mayru aren't blood slaves. It's an agreement that has to be entered willingly by both parties. I'm not going to sit here and do nothing. A hundred years. That's all we have until the spells up."

"The Beast of the Damned isn't your concern." Neziri's voice rises another octave. "He's Thorne's problem...my problem. Your place is among the other priestess who tend the flame, not at some school getting sucked on by a devil."

Two slashes are all it took for my sister to wound the Shadow Enterprise vampire in the suit fatally. The Harvest 57 employee? That's another story.

"You're avoiding my question, Kinaley. What happens when Nadora finds out you lied on the application? Your blood may not glow like the rest of us, but you cry tears that contain seeds that bloom into flowers that fly away."