Page 164 of Castings & Curses

IMMORTAL CURSE

EMPIRE CITY VAMPIRES SERIES, PREQUEL

EDEN HART

CHAPTER1

Cristian

Wallachia, 1462

Amid the rolling hills,where sprawling vineyards spread to the horizon and the imposing silhouette of Castle Ravenscroft dominated the landscape, I reigned supreme. Pulling my long black jacket closed over my linen shirt and trousers against a cool breeze, the weighty gold chain of the Lazar family draped around my neck, I surveyed my realm with a hard, discerning gaze.

“You, there! Double your efforts, or find work elsewhere,” I barked, pointing a gloved finger at a hunched figure in the vineyard. The man flinched, nodding feverishly as he scrambled to his feet and began to labor harder.

I turned to Vasile, my trusted adviser, who was watching with a carefully blank expression. “Look at all this. I have everything a man could want, yet I feel empty inside,” I confessed, sweeping my gaze across the hills. “The wealth, the power… Why is it not enough?”

My father, a merchant who’d married his way into the nobility, would’ve scoffed at such discontent. He’d been a stern man, hardened by a life of struggle and relentless ambition. Through clever and sometimes ruthless practices, he’d eventually amassed enough wealth to marry my mother, a woman of noble birth who gave him the title and prestige he’d yearned for, as well as the very lands upon which Ravenscroft and the vineyards stood. After she died, he pushed me hard to excel.

“I remember my father’s words like it was yesterday,” I told Vasile. “‘Power, Cristian, is the only currency that truly matters in this world,’ he’d always say. And so I strived, and I achieved. But still, I am left with an emptiness that I don’t know how to fill.”

I’d been sent to Târgovi?te for an education, not only in books but also in life. I’d been immersed in a world of art, culture, and intellect, an experience that had shaped my thoughts and aspirations. Then I’d fought against the Ottoman Empire under the leadership of Vlad Dracula in many a savage conflict, until I received summons of my father’s death and returned home.

Around us, the place hummed with life. The scent of ripening grapes wafted through the air, mingling with freshly turned earth and distant hints of lavender. It was paradise. Despite my strange discontent, I could at least take solace in the fact that these beautiful vineyards, the foundation of my wealth and power, were thriving. And yet there was a hunger in me, a driving need for…more.

The faint thud of hooves resonated from a nearby road, and a minute later, a black horse appeared with Radu Mirea on its back. “Of course,” I said, my voice growing darker, “there’s Mirea to contend with. He’s probably riding out to gloat over his ill-gotten land.”

Not only had he stolen one hundred acres from Ravenscroft, but he was growing more influential with each passing day. With his greedy eye on carving more acreage from my estate, he was a threat I couldn’t ignore. I watched as he took the narrow path that led to his property and the manor home that he shared with his wife and two children.

A quiet tension gripped the air, and Vasile’s worried gaze was directed at me with good reason. Radu Mirea was responsible for my father’s death. Lord Darius Lazar had always paid his wagers, but to lose a part of the estate to a cheat and then suffer such immense stress was intolerable. I did not doubt that what Mirea had done played a role in my father’s untimely passing.

“My lord,” Vasile said, his voice steady and composed, “although we cannot ignore the actions of the past, I suggest we approachthissituation with caution and wisdom.”

I considered Vasile’s advice. The older man had served my family for many years. While he was firm and assertive when needed, Vasile also possessed a gentle nurturing side, often offering sage advice and support to me during moments of uncertainty. “Go on,” I ordered, studying Vasile’s weathered and lined face.

“Confronting Radu may lead to unnecessary conflict, and we must prioritize the stability and reputation of the Lazar name. Instead, let us consider a diplomatic approach, seeking a resolution that benefits both parties without escalating tensions. Perhaps invite Radu for a private audience, allowing us to discuss the matter openly and honestly. Through civil discourse, we can try to reach a compromise that restores the rightful boundaries of the estate while preserving harmony among our neighbors.”

After thoughtful consideration, I replied, “I value your insight, and I respect your suggestion of a diplomatic approach. I do not wish to escalate tensions needlessly. Therefore, I will extend an invitation to Radu for a private audience.” Better to hear Radu out than to send him away and let him plot against me in the shadows.

“As you wish, my lord. If you don’t need me for anything further, I have duties to attend to at the castle.”

I nodded and watched him walk the winding path up to Ravenscroft. “As long as I live,” I whispered into the wind, “I will not settle. I will correct my father’s mistakes and restore my lands. No one will stand in my way—especially not Radu Mirea.”

The castle’s imposing silhouette grew larger as I strode toward it, the steady rhythm of my footsteps against the cobblestones a soothing cadence. The double doors swung open at my approach, revealing the dimly lit grand hall.

Flickering shadows cast by the many candles masked one of my stewards blocking my path. “All’s well, Master Lazar?” he asked.

I waved him off, nodding curtly. “Ensure the vineyards are worked through the day. The harvest must be early and plentiful this year.” My voice rang through the silent castle, and he hurried off to execute my orders.

The weight of my estate felt as tangible as the cold stones under my boots. As I strolled the corridors, portraits of past Lazars stared down at me, their unsmiling faces etched with the same drive, the same hunger reflected in me.

When I reached the grand library, I was surrounded by towering shelves filled with books. My father used to say, “Wealth may buy a man power, but knowledge gives him control.” And it was control I thirsted for.

I unrolled a map of my land and spread it across the giant oak table that occupied the center of the room. Bordering the estate, like a lion circling its prey, were the lands of Radu Mirea. As his influence grew, so did his presence in my world. I would do whatever it took to get my land back and more…

CHAPTER2

Sage

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