Caressed by Shadows (Rulers of Darkness Book 4) (13 page)

Chapter Fourteen

“At long last,” Sonya whispered as she lowered herself to the leafy forest floor. Crossing her legs, she leaned back on her elbows and waited for peace to claim her.

She had spent the last seven years in the dark, hunting beneath the moon’s harsh glow taking her revenge. Finally, she had killed the last wolf shifter and she was…disappointed and conflicted. She had expected to feel relief, to be overwhelmed by sweet gratification when she eliminated the shifters from this world. Instead, she felt hallow, lost, and to her shock, regretful, but it did not matter. The deed was done.

Pink danced across the horizon as the sun rose. Sonya closed her eyes and released a deep sigh. She had been waiting for what seemed like an eternity to feel the warmth of the sun heat her skin. Her vampire senses screamed for her to go to ground, to find a dark sanctuary where the damn rays could not reach her. But she would not hide. It was time. She had achieved her mission of killing all the wolf shifters, and now she would join her family. That is, if she was accepted into Heaven. She harbored a demon within her. It craved blood, it murdered, and it destroyed without discrimination. Today, it would meet its end. She would face the sun and greet death.

“Beautiful morn.”

Sonya snapped to attention. On instinct she pulled her hunting knife free of its sheath strapped to her thigh.  In one fluid movement, she came to her knees and spun around to face the source of the voice.

A small girl, with her long blonde hair in matching braids, stood just out of her reach. The child smiled, laugher lighting her dark brown eyes.

Sonya searched the forest with her sense
s. She did not hear anyone, our scent anyone. The child was alone.

“Where are you parents?” Sonya asked.

The girl shrugged. “What are you doing?”

Sonya frowned and slowly lowered her dagger. “I’m waiting.”

“For?”

“The sunrise.”

The young girl turned to look at the horizon. Moments of silence passed. Finally, she shook her head, sending her braids waving over her shoulders.

“You think that is wise, vampire?”

Sonya’s grip tightened on her blade, her eyes narrowed. “What is your purpose, girl?” Sonya demanded.

The child turned back and smiled. Her pupils dilated, the black consuming the bright green of her irises.

A witch! She was member of the Shaw tribe, an extremely powerful race of witches. And she was gifted. Sonya had seen her kind before. She was a seer and she was having a vision.

“My purpose,” she began, her voice deepening an octave, “is my own and will be revealed in due course.”
Her eyes flicked back to their normal, innocent green.

Chills of forebodin
g raced up Sonya’s spine. Unease settled like a rock in her stomach. “What is your name, child?”

The girl shrugged her tiny shoulders. “Kirsa is the name given to me for this life.”

Sonya was about to ask what she meant when Kirsa asked, “Will you release the weapon?”

Sonya looked down. Her grip on the dagger was tight her knuckles were white. With a steady hand she sheathed the blade, but kept it close. Kirsa
was a member of the Shaw, a peaceful people, unlike the Red Order witch tribe. But there was something odd about the child. Something entirely otherworldly and Sonya could not decide if the she was a friend or a threat. Her speech did not match that of a child and her voice was steady, sure, and powerful.

Kirsa came forward and sat at Sonya’s side. Sonya lowered from her kneeling position to sit next to her. Kirsa hummed as she plucked blades of grass and played with the fallen leaves. With every passing moment, the sun climbed higher, lighting the sky, chasing away the night.

Sonya’s nerves were rising. She did not want the girl to witness her death. As a vampire, she would burn in the sun, her body turning to ash.

“Do not fret,” Kirsa said, “I know why you have come to this place.”

Sonya flinched. Had Kirsa seen her meet the sun? Did the girl know why she had decided to greet death? Oh, dear lord, Sonya hoped Kirsa had not seen her ugly past, which was filled with blood and gruesome carnage.

“The world was never meant to know the wolf shifter.”

Sonya shot to her feet. “You can hear my thoughts?”

She nodded. “Your thoughts are what led me to you. I know all you have done.”

Bile rose in Sonya’s throat.

“The world was never meant to know the wolf shifter.”

Her heart stopped. “What?”

Kirsa shrugged. “The wolf shifter was created much like the vampire race, through a curse
. They were…unnatural. Men twisted by magic and hate.”

Sonya blinked. This was no mere child beside her. The girl knew too much, spoke too well, and her eyes…they were haunted. Her gaze cut through Sonya.

“Fate is a fickle creature,” Kirsa mumbled as she snapped a twig with her delicate hands. “But you must forgive.”

Sonya’s lips peeled back from her fangs. Flames of rage and loathing flashed in her eyes. “I will never forgive the shifters. They took everything from me.”

Kirsa shook her head, her braids bouncing against her shoulders again. She looked so innocent, perfectly angelic. “Not them, vampire. You must forgive yourself. As I said, the world was never meant to know the wolf shifter.” She picked a blade of grass and twisted the green tether about her index finger. “You were meant to kill them. That was your purpose, from the day you entered this realm you were set on this path.” She dropped it and turned her face upward.

Pink, orange, and yellow streaked the sky. Sunlight spread, claiming the world.

“You should leave, Kirsa. You will not want to see―”

“You burn,” Kirsa said as she stood. She dusted off her dress and smooth
ed the fabric. “No, vampire. I will not watch you burn.” She held her tiny hand out to Sonya. “Fate and I have other plans for you.”

Sonya glared at Kirsa’s out stretched hand. The girl was a lunatic. She was a witch and perhaps a seer, but Sonya had made up her mind. Today she would watch the sun rise and welcome the fire. Today
she would reunite with her family, if she were permitted into heaven.

Kirsa’s small shoulders fell with an exasperated sigh. “Will you trust me?”

“I know naught who you are or…what you are.”

The child smiled brightly. “I am the Shaman of the Shaw Tribe.”

Sonya was struck speechless. She stared down at the girl, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. “No. You could not possibly―”

“I have been reincarnated for centuries and will contin
ue to be until my mission is complete.”

Sonya slowly shook her head as she struggled to understand what was happening. Kirsa was the reincarnation of the all-knowing Shaman? This slip of a girl was the most powerful witch ever to live? God, she would never grow accustomed to magic.

“Come along.”

“H-how? I mean,” Sonya cleared her throat, “why? If what you say is true, I’ve served my purpose. I killed every last wolf shifter.”

“You are destined for so much more. You will do wondrous things for your Clan. Please, take my hand, vampire.”

The sun’s rays shimmered just inches above her head.  Nervousness twisted her gut as hope fluttered within her chest. Could she trust Krisa? Would her clan even welcome her back? Gudmund, the Voidukas king had changed her and she thanked him by leaving. She had set out to hunt the wolf shifters days after her transformation. According to vampire law, those who turned their back on their clans were outcasts.  Would he pardon her?

“The Voidukas Clan will be glad of your return.”

Sonya peered up into the trees. The sun made them glow a vibrant dark green. She could always greet death; any day she could chose to meet the sunrise. But for now, she would follow the witch. Her curiosity was pricked and the thought of returning to the Voidukas felt…righ
t
.

Taking a deep breath, Sonya laced her fingers with Kirsa’s. Instantly peace settled over her, quelling her fears, calming her anger, and soothing her soul.

“A wise decision, one you will never regret,” Kirsa said just before they vanished from the forest.

Sonya flinched awake. Her lungs painfully expanded, filling with air so cold it burned. Her eyes were sensitive to the dim light that barely illuminated the room.

Falcon shot to his feet and was at her side in a flash of movement. Lines of stress streaked his face.

“What happened?” she demanded. Why did her voice sound so weak? Had the hunters found them? Was sh
e injured again? The last thing she remembered had been Falcon kicking the bathroom door down.

She tried to sit up but he pressed her back against the pillows with a hand on her shoulder.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

She frowned. Did worry lace his words? “Fine. Why?”

“You have been unconscious for two hours.”

No. Oh, please, no. Don’t let it be the curse.

“Did something happen? Did the hunters come upon us?”

Falcon shook his head. “No, Sonya.” He gently brushed her hair away from her face. His hands burned against her cool flesh. She winced yet welcomed the heat. “Were you ever going to tell me you’ve been marked by the curse?”

She swallowed hard. This was not a conversation she wanted to have, especially not with him. How did one tell those they loved that they were dying? She had known for months death had her on his hit list, yet she had said nothing to Gwendolyn or her counsel.

“You have told no one.”

Was she that easy to read or did Falcon know her so well?

“I thought it would be best not to tell you. We have enough to deal with right now, Falcon. Why add more stress? Besides, I have a few months left. When I return, I will help Gwendolyn prepare to assume the throne.”

He knelt down beside the bed. Minutes ticked by as he stared down at the floor. Her heart slammed in her chest as she waited for him to speak. God, his silence was deadly.  She watched his shoulders fall with a heavy sigh.

“I have witnessed many rulers of darkness fall to the Death Curse. The spell withered their bodies and weakened their minds. It attack
ed their hearts, their souls, feeding off their sins until they went mad…Sonya, it would be a miracle if you survive another three weeks. This attack was powerful. The curse has advanced quickly within you.”

Finally, he met her gaze. Sonya’s heart clenched. His silver eyes flickered black with anger, sorrow, and…more. She blinked away the tears that stung her eyes. His gaze revealed so much more. Too much more. She was unable to respond, she turned away. Curling on to her side, she hugged the pillow to her chest.

She had known this would come. Accepting the throne meant death for any vampire, unless they were able to find their mate.

“The curse has only just taken root,” she insisted, hoping Falcon would believe her lie.

“This attack was fierce and they will only worsen.”

She nodd
ed meekly. She knew the pain, soul rendering sadness and longing would only grow stronger. Which was why she needed to get home. Once everything was arranged, Gwendolyn would help her meet a peaceful end. She would allow her to walk into the sun and take over care of the Clan.

“I’ve had a long and successful reign. Two hundred and ten years is longer than most.” She tried her best to sound nonchalant. “You know accepting the crown is a death sentence.”

Falcon scrubbed his face with his hands. He looked wrung out. Shadows cast over his eyes, his lips hard lines. His wide shoulders fell as he exhaled a deep breath. “Unless you find your mate.”

Sonya’s heart sank. Her words stuck in her throat. She swallowed hard and whispered. “Happily ever after isn’t meant for everyone.”

His head snapped up, his sharp, intense gaze sliced through her. “It is meant for you.”

Her heart clenched as his eyes flickered black with sorrow, anger, determination, and thinly veiled…love. She held back a sob. No amount of wishing would c
hange the course of the future.

“There has to be a way to save yo
u. To stop the curse,” he said.

Sonya felt her heart break, her soul shatter. She turned her face away as crystal tears slipped down her cheeks, hiding her face against the pillow. She took in a shuddering breath and prayed her voice would be steady, “You know there is nothing that can be done.”

He mumbled a curse. “There is one way.”

Sonya shot up and slapped his hand aside when he tried to press her back to the pillows.

“Don’t you dare say it, knight,” she snapped. “I will
never
renounce my throne. I am no coward. I do not fear death. When I spoke my vows and became queen I knew this day would come.”

Falcon snarled, baring his fangs. His gaze
determined as realization unfurled in his mind. Sonya bit her tongue and braced herself.