Chapter 30
“Blood Prophecy?” asked Logan.
“Brady is helping in exchange for something from the gods?” asked Remy.
“Is that why you agreed to do it?” growled Carson, his gaze shifting from Oracle to Brady. “Because you can name your price and the gods will pay it?”
Brady bristled at Carson’s insinuation. “For your information, I specifically stated to Oracle that the gods should wait to see if I was successful in saving the Ruler of the Magic Realm before offering anything.”
Remy laid a hand on Carson’s arm to keep him from responding. If the gods had offered Brady a substantial gift in exchange for helping him with the Witches’ Governing Council, then he and his brothers were facing far worse trouble than his mate believed. Turning to Oracle, he asked, “Is that true?”
“Yes…and it is also true Brady refused to accept anything up front.”
“My decision to help you,” explained Brady, “wasn’t based on what the gods were willing to give me but on my desire to rescue low-level magic users currently suffering under the Witches’ Council oppression and to prevent others from becoming ensnared.
” He paused, looking at his mate for a moment before continuing.
“I’m sure all of you are aware of my lack of magic, which never bothered me before, but now I have a mate and no way to protect him.
When Lucius believed his life would be forfeited, I seized upon the only tool I had to save him and I will always do everything in my power…
little that I have…to make sure my mate never suffers again. ”
“As I would do for my mate,” Carson murmured, embarrassed at his behavior.
“I’m sorry, Brady, for assuming the worst. Remy has told me I’m a bit over protective of him and the boys and it seems he’s right.
But finding out what the gods are willing to do just to gain your agreement to help Remy…
well, I now realize the danger he’s facing is way beyond anything I imagined. ”
“You aren’t alone in this, bro,” Logan said. “Remy and you have the entire Blackwood Pack behind you. We stand as one.”
“Thanks,” Carson said, drawing his mate to him. “We’re grateful for that.”
Turning to Oracle, Logan asked, “Getting back to the Blood Prophecy…what is it and why does it have anything to do with Brady and Lucius?”
“I will explain in a moment, but first…” Oracle turned to Lucius, giving him a reassuring smile before asking, “Do you remember what happened after Valerian bit you?”
Frowning, Lucius thought back to that time, trying to part the fog in his mind surrounding those weeks after his encounter with the vampire. But no matter how hard he tried, only random bits and pieces surfaced and they made no sense. “Not a lot…mainly I just remember the pain I was in. Why?”
Nodding, Oracle said, “As I expected.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” Brady said. “Other than the pain caused by his body adjusting to be a vampire, are you implying something else happened during that time?”
“Yes, there was more done to Lucius and apparently it was done without his knowledge,” replied Oracle.
“Let me start from the beginning. Shortly after vampires appeared on earth, a very old Shaman issued a prophecy about a creature who would have the blood of a demon, a witch and a vampire, each conveying their respective powers.
It was an intriguing idea to many, especially if they could gain control of this novel entity.
Some searched for the creature while others tried to breed it, but regardless of the effort put forth, all failed.
As time marched on, the Blood Prophecy, as it was called, faded from memory; witches and vampires faced other issues as their numbers grew.
“Hundreds of years passed without mention of the prophecy until one day, as Valerian was traveling through a forest, he came upon a small cottage, the home of a very old vampire who invited him to dinner. It was then Valerian learned of the Blood Prophecy. It piqued his interest and he spent the rest of the evening fascinated by everything he learned about it.”
“I’ve never heard of it,” Brady murmured, frowning slightly. “Where can I read about this prophecy?”
“It was never written down,” Oracle replied.
“Hmm…are you sure?” asked Brady. “Even oral histories are eventually recorded on paper…mainly to preserve them so future generations can learn about them.”
“That is true…but unfortunately, not in this case,” Oracle said. “From that moment on, Valerian became obsessed with it even though the old vampire regarded it as nothing more than a tall tale.”
“I agree with the old vampire,” said Brady. “I suppose a witch and a vampire could have offspring who’d have the blood of both of them, but demon blood? I can’t imagine how that could ever happen.”
“It cannot, Brady,” Oracle said. “Numerous matings of vampires and witches occurred back then but none of them produced children. Neither the gods nor the Fates would allow a child to be produced from that particular pairing. After Valerian returned to his home in Spain, he discussed his discovery with Zeidan and Xavier.”
“Who are Zeidan and Xavier?” asked Remy.
“They were the other vampires that I had to obey,” Lucius said softly.
“They died at the same time Valerian did,” Logan added.
“Glad to hear that,” Remy muttered.
“Oracle, please go on,” Brady said.
“Well, after reviewing the different attempts that failed to create the creature, it was determined a new approach would have to be found. So Valerian put Xavier in charge of the new project and assigned Strix, a witch who used black magic, to help him.”
“It was pretty egotistical of Valerian to think they could solve the puzzle that others could not,” Brady murmured.
“True,” Oracle replied, “but he was proven correct in the end. In order to create the creature, it required a vampire and a witch who had access to a demon…and one other person.”
“Who?” asked Remy.
“A human,” Oracle said. “It was the one thing that never occurred to the others who attempted to create the creature.”
“Why not?” asked Carson.
Shrugging, Oracle said, “I am not positive but I believe it was because vampires regarded humans only as food, so no one thought of using one for any other purpose.”
“No…” Brady growled, “tell me it’s not true. My mate is not that creature!”
Lucius’ eyes widened in sudden understanding. “I can’t be…I’m a vampire!”
“Indeed you are,” Oracle agreed, “but one with unusual abilities.”
Brady thought for a moment, his mind calculating the possibilities, before saying, “Wait a minute…Lucius was bitten by Valerian, turning him into a vampire. According to the prophecy, he needed blood from a witch and a demon, not just a vampire. So, if you’re correct about my mate, who… or maybe how was it done?”
“I’m a demon?” Lucius asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Oh, shit! Being a demon is worse than being a vampire…and I thought that was bad.
“No, dear,” Oracle assured him, “you are a vampire…but you do have demon blood in you along with witch’s blood.
To answer your question, Brady, Valerian didn’t turn Lucius that night.
Instead, he gave your mate an injection of a powerful sedative, rendering him unconscious.
Strix then took them back to the cellar of Valerian’s house in Spain where the next part of the experiment was conducted. ”
“Which was?” growled Brady, tightening his arm around his mate.
“Strix had finally figured out he needed a human…and not a vampire or witch…in order to make the creature.”
“It’s a case of Lucius being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Logan muttered.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Oracle said, before turning to Lucius.
“Strix summoned a demon, forcing him to give him some blood. Then, mixing it with his blood and Xavier’s, he injected it into your body before Valerian finally bit you.
The pain you remember was not only caused by your body morphing into a vampire, but from being altered to give you attributes of both the demon and the witch.
” Oracle paused to let Lucius process what she’d said, before continuing.
“As Brady well knows, dear boy, you suffered greatly during your transformation…it was much worse than what a human normally experiences when he is turned.”
Shaking his head, Lucius said, “That can’t be…I remember Valerian biting me in the alley.”
“Leelan…are you sure it was a bite and not the prick of a needle?” asked Brady.
Knitting his brows together, Lucius searched his memories of that night.
They were buried deep in his mind; he’d spent years trying to forget his foolish decision on that Saturday—the one night he’d allowed himself to have fun; some respite from working at his job or helping his mother on their apple farm.
And he’d regretted that decision ever since he awakened and realized what had happened.
But it was all water under the bridge now, as his mother was so fond of saying.
Combing through his memories, he finally found the fateful night when the tall handsome man who singled him out and kept buying him drinks. When Valerian then suggested they go out back, he was all for it. How stupid I was…to think someone like him would be interested in me.
“Stop it, leelan,” Brady whispered in his ear. “Don’t assume blame for Valerian’s actions that night. He knew what he planned to do was evil…that’s all on him.”
Warmth filled Lucius at his mate’s words.
He knew Brady was right, but it was still hard to expunge years of listening to his master ridiculing him for his foolishness at accepting the Valerian’s offer.
Sighing, he pushed his negative thoughts aside and said, “I just remember a sharp pain before everything went black. When I finally regained consciousness and was able to speak, I asked Valerian what happened and that’s when he told me he’d bitten me.
I just assumed the pain I felt was from that. ”
“It wasn’t,” Brady replied.
“How can you be so sure?” asked Lucius.
“Because vampire bites don’t cause pain. By the time their fangs pierce skin, they have already assumed control of their victims’ minds, keeping them in thrall so they feel nothing,” Brady replied.
“I wasn’t bitten that night?” asked Lucius, looking first at his mate and then at Oracle.
“No, dear,” Oracle said softly. “Valerian lied to you about when he bit you, along with a great many other lies. Do not blame yourself…there was no way you could have known anything about vampires since you grew up as a human.”
“Leelan…Oracle is correct,” Brady said. “Valerian counted on your lack of knowledge of the paranormal world, confident that you wouldn’t be able to reject his lies.
Always remember, you are the victim here.
And if Valerian wasn’t already dead, I’d make sure he would be, by every means available to me. ”
A shiver shot down Lucius’ spine at the thought of Valerian being anywhere near his mate.
Raising his hand to Brady’s face, he ran his fingers down the side of it.
“That means a lot to me, my love, but I’m thankful it won’t be necessary.
Just the thought of the danger you’d be in if he decided to go after you… I wouldn’t want to…”
“Hush, leelan,” Brady crooned, wanting to sooth his mate. “He’s dead and can’t hurt either of us anymore.”
“Brady is correct, Lucius,” Oracle said. “And the Fates have assured me that he and the other vampires will never be able to harm anyone again…ever.”
Brady frowned slightly at Oracle’s declaration. The only way that could happen… “Never again? The only way that would be possible is if the Fates do not…”
“Allow them to be born again?” asked Oracle.
“Yes…I haven’t heard of the Fates ever doing that,” Brady muttered.
“They have not, but in this case, the Fates have decided it is appropriate…but that is all I can say about the matter.”
Brady nodded, understanding the restrictions the Fates put on their Oracles. Sensing Lucius’ confusion, he leaned over, whispering in his ear, “I’ll explain later but don’t worry…it’s a good thing.”
“Oracle,” Logan said, “going back to the Blood Prophecy, Lucius received abilities from a demon, a witch, and a vampire, correct?”
“That is correct.”
“That’s a powerful combination,” Remy said. “Wouldn’t Valerian be risking himself along with everyone else if Lucius decided to use his abilities against them?”
Smiling, Oracle shook her head. “The only thing the old vampire told Valerian was that the one responsible for finding or creating the hybrid would have total control of his powers. Hearing that, Valerian’s lust for power over all vampires excised rational thought from his mind.
But, as it is with all things passed down orally, the reality was far different than the picture the old vampire painted.
The abilities Lucius received were limited and in no way did he possess the power Valerian had anticipated. ”
“You keep talking about these ‘abilities’ or ‘powers’ I have, but you must be mistaken,” Lucius said. “According to Valerian, I was a vampire…like him.”
“That was another one of his lies, leelan,” Brady replied. “I knew there was more to you when you opened your eyes for me.”
“My eyes?” Lucius asked, his eyebrows arching in disbelief.
“Your eyes,” Brady confirmed. “They’re violet…vampires’ eyes can only be black.”
Lucius stared at his mate for a moment, then broke out into laughter. “Poor Valerian…he went through all that trouble only to find out one of the so-called abilities I got was purple eyes.”
“Yes, well, that was unexpected,” Oracle chuckled.
“Your eyes came from the witch’s blood as did your ability to translocate.
From the demon blood, you received the power to become a shadow, allowing you to see and hear everything but without being seen.
And, as a vampire, you have all the abilities other vampires have. ”
“That’s it?” asked Brady, his voice betraying his surprise.
“Yes,” Oracle said, her eyes twinkling. “While Strix did have the correct idea regarding the prophecy, his calculations were off, resulting in Lucius receiving only minor abilities from the demon and himself.”
Alarmed at a thought that popped into his head, Remy asked, “Now that we know it can be done, what will stop another vampire from trying to do it again?”
“It’s impossible,” Brady said. “Once a prophecy is fulfilled, it ceases to exist.”
“He is correct,” Oracle confirmed. “The prophecy now is worthless.”
“I’m glad,” Lucius murmured. “I don’t want it happening to anyone else.”
“One other question, Oracle,” Logan said. “Will Lucius experience any side effects from the death spell?”
“None,” Oracle replied. “It was broken when Brady claimed him.”
“And I got my abilities back, right?” asked Lucius.
“You did indeed…as did your mate.”
“W-w-what?” exclaimed Brady, his eyes widening in surprise.