Vampire Girl 2: Midnight Star (7 page)

I gasp, staring at the band, first through the mirror, then directly as it leaps into my hand, its small wings fluttering in the sky. It's the color of my new hair, dark blue—almost black, with bright stars moving through its scales. It's the size of a kitten. A baby dragon. The color of midnight.

I glance down at my finger, where my mother's ring once rested. The silver band is still there, but the stone is broken, cracked open like…

An egg.

I look into the creature's eyes, and it makes warbling sound, "You're Yami," I say.

His lips curl, like he's smiling, and he hops on my hand, chirping.

Asher and Madrid stare at me, frowning. I hold the baby dragon up to them. "Was this supposed to happen?" I ask.

Asher squints "I'm not sure…"

Madrid shakes her head. "Princess, we do not see what you are seeing."

I look down at Yami and back up again. "This dragon. It hatched from my ring."

Madrid's eyes widen, and she bows. "The Midnight Star has been reborn." Other Fae fall to their knees, bowing, but most look on as skeptically as Asher. Lucian scowls from beside the tree.

Madrid's words trigger my memory, of my transformation in the dark starry night. "Midnight Star. Yes. The voice said I was the Midnight Star. But why can't you see Yami?"

The Fae looks at my head, her eyes focusing until she smiles. "He is an ancient spirit of our people, and only reveals himself to those he chooses. I believe, yes, I saw him, for a moment, but he is gone again. He has just been reborn, and you are like his mother. It will take time for him to grow accustomed to others, to grow strong again, just as it will take time for you to master your own magic."

Asher grimaces and looks back at the glowing silver tree. It looks more alive now than it did when we arrived. My blood seems to have revitalized it.

"Is something more meant to happen?" Everyone still seems to be waiting for something, as if me turning into Fae and hatching a dragon from my ring wasn't enough of a show.

Madrid's words are low, meant only for Asher and me. "Now that Yami has returned, the other Druids will awaken. Within this tree sleeps the Air Druid and his spirit. We are waiting for his slumber to end."

"What happens when it does?" I ask.

Asher sighs. "What indeed? Old sins will be revisited, undoubtedly."

Madrid glares at him. "Ignore the vampire. When the Druid awakens, he will teach you how to master your magic and help you find the other three Spirits, so that we might unite the four corners of our kingdom once again."

Lightning flashes in the dark sky and hits the silver tree, filling it with light. I cover my eyes with my hand, squinting in the glow.

A hush falls over those who came to see this magic unfold. The tree groans, and the silver roots that covered the hollow begin to pull away, until a dark opening appears. Yami jumps to my shoulder and perches by my ear, nuzzling my neck and hair and purring. He too stares at the tree.

Asher sucks in his breath as the shape of a man forms against the shadows, stepping into the light.

He is dressed in white robes, his head bald and tattooed. His eyes are such a pale blue they are almost white.

He's beautiful. Mesmerizing.

He looks at us a moment, then stares at Asher.

"Hello, old friend," he says in a low voice.

"Hello, Varis."

Chapter 5

HIGH FAE

"But your blood is the most powerful, that of the High Fae, that of the royal line. You are heir to our lands, heir to Avakiri."

—Madrid

A buzz sweeps
through the crowd, but rather than escalating, it moves in a wave as the Fae closest to us become quiet. The silence spreads, and all I hear is the shuffle of feet, the brush of fabric against skin, the subtle movements of hundreds of Fae pushing in closer to us.

Varis and Asher stare at each other, speaking more than words with the looks they exchange. They have history, that much is clear. And not all of it is good.

It's a reminder to me of just how long these people have lived. More lifetimes than I can imagine.

Yami perches on my shoulder, nuzzling against my neck, hiding under my hair as dozens of hands reach out for Varis. The Fae grip his robes, and a circle forms around him as the people who can't reach him touch those who can. Their numbers grows. All the Fae in sight grip the person in front of them, all connected to the man who walked out of the tree.

A flurry of wind picks up around us, carrying on it a new, spicy, scent. The darkness of night comes alive with a soft glow. It radiates from Varis and into the crowd, spreading, growing, until everyone glows silver.

"What's happening?" I ask Asher under my breath.

"He is a kind of god to them," Asher says. "The Old One. The Wild One. The Air Druid. He is sharing his power with his people to show he has truly awoken."

Madrid stands next to us. She touches the person in front of her, and her face glows. "You will inspire this reverence as well, Ari," she says softly. "When the Midnight Star is revealed, when you are presented to our people, you will become a god to them."

***

Her words weigh heavy on me as I am escorted back to my room by Asher. It seems the Fae will stand around the tree all night, and I need to rest for tomorrow, for training and presenting. I sit down on my bed, and Yami falls asleep curled around my neck. I rub his back as he snores into my ear. "I don't want to be a god to these people," I tell Asher, who sits in a silver chair.

He looks mildly amused. "Why ever not? Isn't that the ultimate elevation? To be worshiped by all?"

"Have you never paid attention to history? Mythology? Heroes only stay elevated for a time. Then their people turn on them and kill them. Mortal gods never live long in any stories I've ever heard," I say.

He frowns, his brow furrowing as he considers my words. "I can see why that wouldn't be optimal. But this is different. The Fae revere the High Fae and the Wild Ones. You are both. They wouldn't dream of turning on you." He stands to leave, promising to retrieve me in the morning for training.

"And what will I be learning?"

He shrugs. "It is for the Druid to decide." Before I can ask more, he leaves, closing the door behind him. He exchanges words with my guards, but I can't make out the what they are saying. Footsteps fade.

I uncoil Yami from my neck and place him on the pillow on my bed. He purrs softly in his sleep, seemingly happy, content.

I wish I could borrow some of that joy. Instead, I stand and walk over to the full-length mirror by my dresser. I slip off my gown and study my body. I still look like me in most ways. My body is the same. My face is the same. It is my hair and ears that make me something not human. I run a finger over my earlobe and to the pointed tip, exploring the new skin, new cartilage. I pull my hair out of its braids and study the deep blue that now shades the black. It sparkles under the moonlight streaming into my room, just like the ring that made Yami.

I walk back to my bed and study the tiny dragon sleeping there. It's a marvel that my mother's ring had been a dragon egg all along. Did she know? Did my father?

Tendrils of resentment unfurl in me. They did nothing to prepare me for my fate. They left me to deal with this completely alone.

They must have had their reasons. Someday I hope I will have a chance to ask my mother all the questions building up in me. Until then, I must try to rest. I blow out the blue candles and snuggle onto my bed with Yami. A moment later, something licks my chin.

"Yami?"

He keeps licking.

I turn away, trying to sleep. He starts to lick my hair.

Ah! The problems of being a Fae Princess, Wild One…

***

The next morning, Asher guides me outside, through a forest of silver trees and mist. A chill sweeps the air, and morning dew covers the shrubbery, glistening with an ethereal glow.

The Prince of Pride is silent as we walk, a rare occurrence, and I am too lost in thought to initiate conversation. Yami is with me, of course, perched on my shoulder, sniffing at the air in delight. I sense I won't ever be without him again. I can feel a tether to the tiny dragon. A spiritual chord that connects us forever. I'm not sure he and I could survive being apart.

"What does he eat?" I ask Asher, breaking the silence.

He frowns. "Who? Varis?"

"No, not the Druid. Yami. What does my dragon eat? I need to make sure he is cared for properly."

"Don't you just… know what to do?"

I roll my eyes. "Sorry, the library was out of 'How to take care of your new baby dragon.' And the movie wasn't helpful."

Asher smirks for the first time all morning, and I smile back, half-disbelieving how different my life is now. A month ago, I was a waitress at the Roxy, and now I'm the official Prince of Hell cheerer-upper.

Yami licks my cheek, unconcerned with our conversation. I don't know how big he'll get, or what I will do with him when we go to my world. I have so many questions.

Asher looks more closely, presumably trying to see the dragon that still does not wish to be seen by anyone but me. "Varis will tell you all you need to know."

"You know the Druid. Or at least, he seems to know you. Are you two close?" I ask.

Asher's face hardens, and he looks away, picking up speed. "We were friends long ago, but no longer." There's a finality to his words that make it clear he's not interested in talking further.

As the sun climbs in the sky, we arrive at a trail leading up a mountain. I can see I'll need to be in excellent shape to keep up with all this hiking and mountain climbing I've been thrust into. It's a good thing I had all that training with Fen and Kayla. I'm stronger than I've ever been.

Many minutes and breaks later, we arrive at the peak, snow crunching beneath our feet. A silver tree with a trunk so large you could fit a small house into it stands before us. There is an opening carved into the trunk, and Asher leads me through, into a large chamber edged by tangled silver roots. Sunlight streams in from holes in the top, casting everything in shades of gold. A pool of clear water rests in the center. A flat black rock juts out from the water. The Druid, covered in white furs and silks, floats inches above the stone in a lotus position. His eyes are closed, his breath steady.

Asher gives me a small bow, then leaves before Varis notices him.

I shift nervously from foot to foot, wondering what I'm supposed to do. Should I say something? Introduce myself? Cough to get his attention? At the thought of coughing, I suddenly need to actually cough, but I don't want to disturb what seems to be some very serious meditating going on, with levitation and everything. What if he falls from the noise? What if he bruises his tailbone on that black rock? All because of me? Could I be punished for causing damage to a god's ass?

I'm spared from further consideration on the subject when Yami leaps off my shoulder, flutters his wings and screeches so loudly I'm certain the entire Air Village can hear him. He stares at something above. A silver owl. Sharp blue eyes.

The bird glides down toward us, digging into the earth with sharp talons, spreading its large wings, appearing larger than it is. Yami leaps away, shrieking, eyes wide with fear. The spikes on his back stretch upright, and then he does something new. He erupts in blue flame.

"Silence!"

The Druid's deep voice fills the cavern, and both the owl and Yami freeze. The screeching stops, the flames die down. Yami seems himself again, and he jumps up and lands on my shoulder, digging claws into my flesh, eyes fixed on the bird.

I don't know whether to apologize or yell. So I just stand there, silently, waiting to see which direction this goes.

Varis lowers down onto the rock.

And he jumps.

No…

It is more a glide, as if he were lighter than air, and he lands in front of me, his feet barely making a sound. His white furs billow behind him. His tattoos, which I thought black, but now see are a deep blue, glitter in the light. A gust of wind drifts around us, though there should be no wind in this cavernous tree.

The ancient Fae looks at me, his eyes probing. "Arianna Spero, your spirit is untrained, young and impetuous. From what I've heard, he is much like you."

I bristle at that. "It is not through any fault of ours that we are young and untrained," I say.

A grin plays on his lips. "And impetuous?"

"Often an insult levied at the bold by those too set in their ways to take chances or seek change," I say.

He nods. "I heard many tales of you last night, some favorable, many not. It is good to see the truth of things in your eyes. It seems my people have indeed become too set in their ways to see the Wild One in you."

He flicks his fingers, and the owl lands on his left hand, gripping the brown leather fashioned there. "This is Zyra, my Air Spirit. She is ancient, wise, and… very proper." The owl flashes him a look. A frown? The eyebrows are very expressive. Varis grins. "It will be interesting to see how your Yami does with her."

Yami screeches at the sound of his name, and I make hushing sounds at him, hoping to soothe the spirit. "You can see my dragon?" I ask.

Varis nods. "He has shown himself to me and Zyra. But it is critical he show himself at the presenting this evening."

"He won't," I say. "No one can see him but you and I."

"That is why you must train. I will teach you how to harness and control your powers, how to wield your spirit for the greatest good. Are you ready to learn?"

I nod.

"Very good," he says, hopping back to the rock. "We will begin with the simplest of castings. That of Illusion. Madrid told me you will be returning to the Seven Realms. You will need Illusion to hide your true identity from the demons. This is a casting our youngest Fae learn as children, so it should not take you long."

***

Famous last words, Druid. Famous last words.