Page 37 of Vows Forged in Blood

“I will take that as a most esteemed compliment,” I say with a smile. His lips curl upward as well.

“It was meant as one, my Lady.” He inclines his head and then adds, “I will take whatever people can give. The village issmall, but proud. I will take payment in whatever form someone can offer, I promise on my honor, my Lady.”

My eyes prick with tears, and I’m not even sure why.

“We have a deal then.” I smile and offer my hand. He laughs lightly and takes it, shaking it gently.

“A deal, Lady Dahlia.”

My heart feels lighter as we head to Madam La Cruz’s, feeling as if I’m finally doing something good with the wealth and privilege given to me because of the Choosing. I finally feel as if I…matter.

“That was truly wonderful,” Takara says quietly. “I am…I am very proud to be your Keeper and friend, Dahlia.”

I smile widely and she does the same, bumping my shoulder softly with hers. I open my mouth to say something sweet and profound back, but I don’t get the chance.

“Puppies!!” Takara squeals, streaking up the path to Madam La Cruz’s cottage where a small pen in the front garden holds squirming, rolling, balls of golden fluff. Seeing a vampire overcome by the cuteness of puppies is something to behold, and I can’t help but join in. Weoohandahhand cuddle the puppies for well over an hour, and even the guard are not immune.

“You are a very good boy, yes. The best boy even. You will be called Muffin. Would you like that?” We all turn to gape at Descartes as he coos to the puppy in his hands, holding the little face up to his own, pressing their noses together. He sees us and clears his throat, putting the pup back down with his siblings. “Not a word,” he says to all of us, sternly. “Not one fucking word.” We all try to hide our smiles and laughter, but it doesn’t work very well.

I promise the old woman that I’ll be back to spoil the puppies soon and she assures me that I’m welcome any time. I eye Descartes and I think he might just come back and buy Muffin for himself.

We leavethe village a few hours later, full of puppy cuddles and pie (me) and blood (everyone else).

“Today was a very good day,” Takara says, smiling and resting her head on the velvet-lined cushion behind her.

“It was,” I agree. The day was wonderful, with good deeds done and relationships strengthened, and knowing that Nova will be back soon, safely within the camp, makes everything just that much better. And, alright, yes, Alaric being back is a relief as well. Despite everything, I still feel ill at ease with him gone. I wish I could explain it or even understand it.

Takara and I both frown, brows furrowing as the carriage lurches to a stop. We’re still at least two hours from the camp, I’m sure.

“What’s going on?”

“Stay here, I’ll check.” Takara slips quickly out of the carriage. I obey for sixty-seven seconds before climbing out and joining Takara and the guard farther up on the road. Takara exhales in exasperation. “You cannot follow the simplest of instructions, can you?”

“Not at all,” I say, not even the tiniest bit sorry. Descartes’ lips quirk before he winks at me and trots off.

“How did that happen?” I ask, nodding to the giant tree lying across the road.

“Old tree, that’s all. Not to worry, we’ll have it moved in short order,” Malcom says, walking past us to join Descartes, Viktor, and Cyrus beside the trunk, discussing the best way to go about moving it, judging by their hand gestures. Isaiah and Kane pace along the edge of the road, scanning the tree line.

“Go wait inside the carriage. It will be taken care of soon,” Takara says before moving closer to the tree. To bark orders at the men, most likely, I think with a grin. I sigh, but agree that I’m not much help when it comes to moving behemoth tree trunks from the road. I walk down the line of horses, stopping to stroke noses and necks as I pass, taking my time to get back to the carriage. The forest is thick on either side of the road here, mountains in the near distance rising up like giants standing watch over the travelers. The leaves have changed from green to beautiful shades of red and orange and yellow, resembling a tapestry of multicolor flames against the dark stone of the mountains.

I reach out to pet Kane’s horse, a chocolate brown brute that I named Coco. He leans into my touch and I laugh, scratching his neck and up behind his ears. He noses at my stomach, searching for the treats I often have in my pockets when I come to visit the stables.

“I don’t have any carrots today, greedy boy.” He huffs indignantly and raises his head again, staring straight ahead as if he’s cross with me. I can’t help but laugh, but then a strange feeling settles over me, making the fine hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

A heartbeat later, an arrow buries itself in Coco’s eye before bursting out of the back of his skull, hot blood spraying and coating my face and neck.

Chapter 19

DAHLIA

Ican’t even scream. I just stand there, staring in horror as the slain horse’s body collapses in a heap, shaking the ground beneath my feet. Time itself seems to slow around me, everything looking and feeling almost like a dream. Sounds are distant, as if they’re coming from the bottom of a deep well, but then all at once, they come crashing in upon me again, so loud my ears feel like they’re going to bleed.

Chaos erupts all around me as dark figures burst onto the road, seemingly from everywhere all at once. At least a dozen, maybe more. Arrows seem to rain from the sky, exploding like chemical bombs when they strike the ground. Soon, everything around me is fire and smoke and blood. Battle rages as the vampires engage with our attackers. Who on earth would be attacking us? And why? My mind seems sluggish, like it’s stumbling trying to reach thoughts that should be obvious. And still, I can’t move. I can only stare at the poor animal on the ground, the blood turning the dirt beneath him into crimson mud. I turn my head, trying to see the others, but everything is half hidden in the smoke.

I hear Takara yell my name, someone else—Malcom, I think?—bellowing orders, and the unmistakable cries of pain echoing in my ears. The clash of metal against metal rings out all around me, so loudly it feels like each blow is vibrating my very bones. I hear Takara yell for me again, but this time, the word is cut in a scream of pain. My heart clenches and I’m finally able to move again, fear for my friend unlocking my muscles. I run blindly towards the sound, coughing and choking on the smoke, dodging small fires and the throng of bodies and?—

A dark shape rears up in front of me, seeming to materialize out of the smoke itself. This time I do scream as I skid to a stop, slipping in the wet, churned earth, a scream of terror so cold it seems to turn my very blood to ice. This can’t be real. This can’t be happening.

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