Page 35 of Sleeping With the Vampire

“What?”

“Lare has been killed. MoZa is missing and Tempesto is at his compound. No one dares to go in or has been seen leaving it. It looks like he is the one in power now.”

“And the Servant?”

Ragnar shook his head. “I don’t know. Jock said he left the West after the skirmish.”

“And what is happening at Fort Ferney?”

“More refugees are streaming from the North. They are in camps outside the walls. They say it is chaos in Ginnerlong. There have been storms too, snow and ice. Those that aren’t locking themselves in their homes, are fleeing.”

“Where is Finn?”

Ragnar went to fetch my old counselor.

He came in, looking anxious and tired. “Oh, it is good to see you much revived!” He said, rushing to my bedside. “I have been so worried. Times are dark, Sire. The news from the Citadel is not good.”

He cast a sidelong glance at Ragnar, which I interpreted as a wish for privacy. I sent my eldest son off to check on the men and do a round-up of how many I had ready and able to fight.

As soon as we were alone, Finn gave me the information he had.

“There has been a coup on the Council. But it is not clear who is in power. Some say Tempesto, some say the Servant is about take Lare’s seat. But he must be voted in, even if it is a formality. There is unrest in the capital and there have been outbreaks in the Citadel. Demons.”

“What about the demon hunters?”

Finn shrugged, “We don’t have as many as in the old days. We have kept them behind locked doors for so long, but they are getting in now, they are a problem.”

“Do we have a new Seer?” I asked.

“There is a kid, he had been brought to us some time ago. He has some ability but it is raw.”

I thought of my old Seer and wondered how much of what she saw was true. How much of it had been what she wanted me to see?

“Bring him in.”

Finn went out and after a while, brought in a shy boy with long hair.

“How old are you?” I asked

“Sixteen,” he said, in a soft voice.

“Speak up, boy,” I said, but not unkindly. Finn said his parents had tried to sell him after learning of his ability, fearing it was witchcraft. He had arrived at the castle and was taken in by some of the castle staff, who had heard of his ability and thought it may be of use.

“What is your name?” I asked him.

“Robert,” he said. I asked him if he was treated well, if he was comfortable where he was staying. He nodded.

“All right, Robbie,” I said slowly. “Do your visions come when you want them to or do they come unbidden?”

“I have no control over it, my lord,” he said unhappily. “Sometimes, it’s like I have many dreams in a day, then sometimes, weeks go by and, nothing.”

He lifted his arms in despair.

Finn rolled his eyes, clearly thinking the boy was no good.

“You must not try to force it,” I said. “Let them come of their own accord.”

He nodded.

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