Page 31 of From Frost to Flame

“Or if there were more of them,” Julian added with a shudder. “I’m sure they’d be just as cruel and cold.”

“They could be kind,” Silas offered. “She’s the only one we’ve ever interacted with, so if there are others, it’s possible they’re less power hungry.”

“True.” Lex quirked his lips as he contemplated this. “It wouldn’t be the first time nonhumans were wrong about each other. Other nonhumans don’t always understand vampires, and we live among them. They think we’re walking sex dolls, or bat people, or we all agree to be turned by some great love.”

“You don’t all choose to be turned?” Castor asked, surprised.

“No,” Lex said with a small laugh. “No, we don’t. All a romanticization, I’m afraid. Few vampires change on purpose. It’s usually cruel or accidental.”

“And you’re not...” Castor trailed off. “I don’t mean to be offensive, but werewolves are also under the impression you’re bats, too.”

“Not bats,” Mora answered. “We’re more snake-like, if anything, hence our good relationship with them. Most vampires have at least one as a pet. Humans named the vampire bat after us, not the other way around.”

“I’d prefer to be related to a bat,” Julian muttered.

“Snakes are nice.” Mora sighed. “As you see, Julian fears them, so I haven’t been able to get a pet snake yet.”

“I’m going to investigate the existence of other Death Walkers when this is over,” Lex declared. “If they spawn from cruelty, there must be at least a few others wandering around. If they’re out there and peaceful, that would change so much of Vela’s understanding of history.”

“I think that’s a great idea. I can help you research if you want,” Silas offered.

“Oh. Um, thanks,” Lex said, giving a bashful smile.“That would be fun actually. Kind of like old times.”

“Why do you have such an interest in more Death Walkers?” Julian asked. “Do you have plans to ask them to help you expand Orion by force?”

The question was laced with judgment. Silas forced himself not to growl back.

“You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to.” Lex shot his family a look. “We just talked about this. I don’t want to argue right now.”

Lex’s concern made a warmth spread across Silas's chest. He glanced at his brother, who shrugged to signify he didn’t mind him sharing. “I want to understand Death Walkers because she is the reason Castor and I are orphans. If there could be others, it’d be good to know for werewolves’ continued safety.”

There was a brief but heavy pause that always came when Silas acknowledged their origins. The awkwardness was one of the many reasons he never mentioned it.

“But how did you survive her as children?” Mora’s skepticism was apparent but not malicious. “Entire countries and communities fell during the war, but two children outsmarted her? That doesn’t make sense.”

“After the war, the Herculean clan isolated themselves from the other packs in the thick forest of Cascadia. They had no interest in bowing to a singular crown or modernizing the old ways. The Ravenous One temporarily broke from Tartarus and slaughtered everyone as revenge for sealing her in its hellish landscape. Castor and I escaped into the forest. We lived on our own for years. Then, we made our way to Orion’s gates and were welcomed with open arms. In adulthood, I challenged the sitting king for the throne and I won. The rest is history.”

“Coming from such extreme hardship and then becoming one of Orion’s greatest rulers is why Silas is a living legend in his own right.” Lex smiled at him. “He’s humble, but it’s an inspiring story.”

Silas's heart swelled. “Legend is generous, but that’s rather sweet of you.”

“Like I said, always so humble.” Lex paused and looked up at the trees. “Is it raining? Something cold dripped on me.” He touched his face and pulled his hand away. Black ink coated his fingertips.

Silas caught a whiff of saltwater and brimstone among the fruit trees. Everyone fell silent, and he gripped Lex’s hand tight. “Stay close.”

The group contracted into a huddle, Castor leading the way and Silas taking up the rear since Lex’s pace slowed.

The deeper they went, the more the forest morphed into something sinister. Ink ran off the leaves like sticky raindrops and dripped out of rotting fruits. It oozed up from behind the bark of tree trunks in thick rivers, like the tar pit the Ravenous One had risen from. The ground under their feet that was previously covered with brittle leaves turned to squelching black mud.

“This isn’t right,” Lex said, looking up at the sticky black webs of ink crisscrossing between branches. “Listen, there isn’t any more groaning. This part of the forest isn’t growing like the rest. It’s different.” He took a step, then lurched forward. “I’m stuck,” he grunted as he struggled to pull free.

“Stop moving,” Silas said quickly. “You’re in a mini tar pit. It’ll take you faster the more you try to escape. I’ll pull you out.” Castor moved the other two further ahead before they sank, too. Silas gripped Lex’s arms tight. “I’m going to pull. Hold me.”

Then, he heard it.

The Ravenous One’s laugh echoed from somewhere in the dark.

Startled, he ripped Lex free with so much force they stumbled backward. He caught his footing and Lex in his arms. Her laugh mixed with the rustling of leaves on the wind.

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