Page 62 of Crimson Shadows
I nod. “Yes, but it’s hard. I want more, always. But I’m controlling it, not letting it control me.”
“Good,” Blackthorn says, leaning back in his chair. “Very good. Finish the flask and then switch to synthetic blood. You can drink as much of that as you like.”
“Good to know,” I murmur, already planning to swing by the dining hall to grab some after this.
Inside I’m a swirling mass of dark desires and newfound power.
“Now, Miss Black, it’s time we discuss your unique abilities. As a Vesper, you possess powers that go beyond those of an ordinary vampire. One of these, as I mentioned before, is the ability to enhance the powers of others.”
“How does that work exactly?”
“That’s what we’re here to find out,” Blackthorn says, standing up. He moves to a cabinet and retrieves a small, ornate box. “This contains a magical artefact. On its own, it has a limited range of influence. I want you to hold it and focus on enhancing its power.”
He places the box in front of me. It’s made of dark wood, intricate carvings adorning its surface. I reach out hesitantly, my fingers brushing against the cool wood.
“Go on,” Blackthorn encourages. “Pick it up and concentrate. Imagine its power growing, expanding.”
I take a deep breath and lift the box. It’s surprisingly light. I close my eyes, trying to sense the magick. At first, there’s nothing. Then, slowly, I become aware of a faint pulsing, like a heartbeat.
“I can feel something,” I murmur, my eyes still closed. “It’s pulsing.”
“Good,” Blackthorn’s voice comes from somewhere to my left. “Now, focus on that pulse. Will it to grow stronger, to expand.”
I furrow my brow, concentrating hard. In my mind, I picture the pulse growing, spreading out from the box in waves. Suddenly, I feel a surge of energy. My eyes fly open.
The box in my hands is glowing, a soft blue light emanating from the carvings. Blackthorn is standing a few feet away, his eyes wide with excitement.
“Remarkable,” he breathes. “The artefact’s range has doubled.”
I stare at the glowing box, awe and trepidation washing over me. “Is this normal?”
Blackthorn shakes his head. “No, Miss Black. This is extraordinary. Your ability to enhance is far more potent than I anticipated. With practice, who knows what you might be capable of?”
I set the box down carefully, watching as the glow fades. “What else can I do?”
Blackthorn’s eyes gleam with excitement. “Let’s find out, shall we? I have a few more tests prepared.” He retrieves a small, iridescent stone from his desk drawer. “This is a basic protection charm,” he explains, placing it in my palm. “Normally, it can shield the wearer from minor hexes within a radius of about three feet. Let’s see if you can expand its range.”
I close my eyes, focusing on the smooth surface of the stone. I imagine its power as a shimmering bubble, beating gently. Concentrating hard, I will the bubble to grow, to stretch outward. A tingling sensation spreads from my hand up my arm.
“Remarkable,” Blackthorn murmurs. I open my eyes to see him pacing the edges of the room, waving a wand that emitssparks. “The charm is now protecting the entire office. You’ve increased its power tenfold.”
Next, he produces a vial of swirling green liquid. “A simple healing potion,” he says. “Typically, it can cure minor cuts and bruises. I want you to enhance its potency.”
I cradle the vial in both hands, picturing the potion inside becoming brighter, more vibrant. The liquid begins to glow, its colour deepening to a rich emerald.
Blackthorn takes the vial, examining it closely. “Fascinating. This could now heal broken bones, possibly even severe internal injuries. The implications for magical medicine are staggering.”
For the final test, Blackthorn stands before me, his expression serious. “I’m going to cast a simple illumination spell,” he says. “I want you to try to enhance my magical output.”
“Wait,” I say. “You have magick? I thought you were a vampire?”
He smiles but doesn’t answer my question which makes me even more wary about this creature now, but he is definitely helping me realise my potential. So, I push it aside and try to focus on the good.
As he begins to mutter the incantation, I imagine his power as a bright flame. I mentally stoke that flame, willing it to burn brighter and hotter.
Suddenly, the room is flooded with blinding light. I shield my eyes, spots dancing in my vision. When the glare fades, I see Blackthorn staring at his hands in awe.
“In all my years,” he whispers, “I’ve never produced such powerful magick.”
