Page 106 of Bitten

Caelian clenched his jaw, overwhelmed by those words.

“I sensed your journey was outside this library. And feared your love of books would turn into the same obsession I have for this place. I needed you to find your path—and nothing I seemed to say made you leave.” Hoefsra’s face fell. “So, I said the ugliest things I could think of to send you on your way. But had I not… who knows where you would’ve ended up. Certainly not here, on the cusp of a life with your mates.”

Caelian stared at the man, unsure how he should feel. The years of hatred he’d felt… suddenly he had an explanation why Hoefsra had sent him packing. Why he’d been so cruel.“Surely there had to be a better way than ripping out my heart.”

Hoefsra took off his glasses and wiped them with his tunic. Before he replaced them, Caelian was sure he saw a hint of a tear.

“I only did what I knew to do. You have the mark… a destiny to fulfill. And I wouldn’t have you lost inside the pages of a book and miss your chance.” The old man slid an old tome of the histories from his cart and slid it onto the table. “The king might want to see this one, too. Page one thousand and fifteen.”

Caelian nodded, taking the history into his hands. “Thank you, grandfather.”

Hoefsra smiled.

* * * *

Brought before the king…

After a couple of days to recuperate from Kane’s mishap, Ralnur found his way into the king’s court—and assumed his day had come.

Now he would potentially face his death.

He searched the crowd of familiar faces, not seeing the one he wished for. Caelian had left soon after feeding him and not been back. As far as he knew, Kane was still in the dungeons, as was his son, so he had no one to stand beside him.

No one.

“I’ve read the current histories,” Adriel announced to gasps from the court. “I am aware that the law was put in place so no one, including the king, would be able to use the histories against another while they lived. I respect the law, but in cases of mortal danger to the crown or the city—I have amended the law. The King of Midnight, his Sheriff, or his Sergeant-at-Arms can look upon them before they have aged, if the city or ruler is in mortal danger.”

Adriel gazed amongst the crowd. “And our city is in mortal danger.”

More gasps came.

“Vampires have been fighting to own this city as their own—and they will not win.” He eyed the large tomes beside him. “Now that I have what we need to win this war.”

He rose and walked down a few steps, stopping in front of Ralnur. “Inside these tomes, it clearly shows you played no role in the vampire threat. It also proves you did not ask to be transformed, nor did you even know what you were doing when you latched upon Kane’s wrist.”

Adriel spun away and began to walk in a semi-circle. He looked at the court as he continued. “It also proved Kane is not a half-vampire, but a dhampir. Yes, he was bitten, but the gem he wore kept him from transitioning—and your intervention two days ago prevented his final transformation. Kane is not a vampire. He’s still a dhampir.”

The king spun slowly and faced Ralnur. “What does that make you?”

“The histories list Ralnur as a warlock-dhampir hybrid,” a voice called out.

Ralnur lifted his head to the familiar voice and saw Caelian holding one of the histories in his hands upon the dais.

“Oh, and the royal historian can read the histories in times of strife, as well,” Adriel added.

“The… royal… historian?” Ralnur asked Adriel, his stare on Caelian.

“Well, after all the hard work he’s put in for me over the last weeks, I felt I might need him to do more research, especially as we face this enemy. With his knowledge of the old languages, he will be an asset. Don’t you agree, uncle?”

Ralnur smiled slightly.

The king turned to Caelian. “So not a vampire?”

“Not a vampire,” Caelian said. “And as Witch Law states that a warlock vampire conversion breaks the law… and not a warlock-dhampir hybrid… I would assume he breaks no law. Nor did Kane in feeding him.”

Adriel smiled at Ralnur. “Then I believe there is no reason for me to continue imprisoning you.”

“A dhampir is part vampire,” a voice from the crowd stated. “Wouldn’t that cause him to still be a threat to this city?”

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