24. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
W eary and drained from the battle, they finally reached the gates of Marcus’s castle. Its towering turrets seemed to pierce the clouds. The pointed rooves were a royal-blue shade that shimmered in the daylight, reminiscent of sapphires set into a finely crafted crown. Detailed carvings on the light-colored stone walls spoke of a rich history and power, each one a symbol of Marcus’s royal lineage. Rowan couldn’t help but feel small as she gazed up at the fortress, its sturdy walls offering temporary shelter and protection from the horrors of the outside world.
As she entered the castle, the opulent surroundings instantly enveloped her. The interior exuded grandeur, with ornate chandeliers casting a warm golden glow across the polished marble floors. Tapestries covered the walls, depicting fierce battles fought for long-forgotten gods in a riot of colors and textures.
Casimir’s gaze flicked upward and he shook his head in annoyance. “Of course you live in a castle.”
“At least my ego is housed appropriately.” Marcus’s eyes sparkled with humor. “Welcome to my humble abode. Please make yourself comfortable.” He gestured grandly at their surroundings.
Rowan felt out of place amid such splendor. She wore a blue dress that had once been a garment of simple style but now bore the gruesome stains of the violence they had narrowly escaped. Her hair hung matted and lifeless, and her skin was streaked with dirt and gore .
Despite the stillness of the castle, the sounds of combat continued to pierce her mind. The metallic smell of blood lingered in her nose and the bitter taste of ash still coated her tongue. She stopped in her tracks, shutting her eyes against the onslaught of flashbacks and the weight of her inadequacy.
Her troubled thoughts eased marginally as Casimir approached. His embrace felt like a lifeline against the doubts and fears that threatened to drown her.
“We’re still here,” he said into her ear. “We live to fight another day, and that’s what matters. Don’t give up hope.”
As he held her, she could almost believe him, but doubts still lingered, refusing to give way. She couldn’t shake off the sounds of the villagers’ screams or the sight of the terror in their eyes as they fell prey to the Reaper’s vampires—a horror she had been powerless to stop.
“I failed.” She spoke against the hollow of his shoulder. The fabric of his shirt dampened with her tears. “I gave it my all and it wasn’t enough.”
Casimir tightened his embrace and rested his chin on the top of her head. “Enough? You’re more than enough. You’re one of the most courageous and resilient people I’ve ever known, and I’ve fought beside humans and vampires alike.”
As he attempted to offer solace, Marcus urged Casimir to seek out sustenance. Rowan could tell that his need to feed was urgent, but he hesitated to leave her side. Finally, with a protracted look, he departed.
Marcus took Rowan’s hands in his own. “Talk to me. Let me share your burden.”
“I was foolish to think I could stand against such evil.” Her eyes and throat burned as she fought to keep further tears at bay.
“Bravery often wears the mask of foolishness at first glance. You endure while many would crumble.”
“The day’s still young. I may crumble yet,” she said sardonically. “I haven’t quite decided yet.”
“Tomorrow’s a new day. It’s an opportunity to grow stronger. You have the power of death at your fingertips—a power I believe you can hone and magnify against vampires like us.”
“Us?” Rowan’s eyebrows rose in question.
Casimir stepped forward, the air charged with his return. His eyes seemed to burn into hers. “Yes, us. We’re two of the most formidable vampires in the kingdom. Your ability to manipulate death—it may respond uniquely to our enhanced strength. ”
“What do you mean?”
“That you can use your powers on us to strengthen them,” Marcus answered. “It is risky, but necessary. Your necromancy holds potential that remains untapped.”
Casimir nodded. “We saw what you could do when first learning to tap into your powers. Just imagine what you’ll be able to do once you have full command over your abilities.”
Rowan bit her lip anxiously. “I appreciate your kind comments, but I have nothing left to give. Standing against such barbarity, such evil . . . I’m not strong enough to do it again.”
“You fought against a horde of vampires and stood your ground,” Marcus said.
She stared off into the distance, unable to focus on anything. “It doesn’t matter. They all died anyway. Nothing I did mattered.”
“You fought to protect those villagers when no one else would.” Casimir stepped closer. “You saved lives, and you were ready to lay down your own life to save more. It mattered. It mattered more than you could ever know.” His hand clasped hers. “You’re strong, stronger than you realize. And you can’t give up. Your mother and countless others are depending on you.”
“I stand with you,” Marcus said. “We cannot allow the Reaper to continue his reign of terror. Your powers could be the key to ending his tyranny once and for all.”
Rowan’s gaze flicked between the two men, their unwavering confidence chipping away at her remaining doubts. Something within her stirred.
“All right,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt. “If you truly believe I can make a difference, then I’ll do it. I’ll tap into my powers fully and see just how far they, and I, can go.”
Casimir’s voice was gentle as he replied, his lips curving into a slight smile. “Tomorrow. After you’ve had some rest and a hearty meal, we can get started. Be prepared to push yourself to the limit. With our combined efforts, we’ll unleash your full potential.”
The grandeur of the vast dining hall reflected Marcus’s noble heritage and lavish tastes. It exuded a regal air, its vaulted ceilings decorated with intricate frescoes. Late-afternoon light filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting vibrant hues onto the expansive mahogany table that took center stage. It was laden with mouth-watering food: roast pheasant, ripe fruits, and fragrant loaves of bread. The scents of meat and spices wafted through the room.
Fatigue and pain clung to Rowan. Her illness had progressively grown worse the longer she stayed awake. Every shaky step she took sent an intense, searing pain through her body, as if she were hobbling on broken bones. She eased into the closest chair and followed Casimir’s advice, forcing herself to consume a hearty meal despite the roiling in her stomach. Marcus watched her from across the grand table, his gaze calculating yet oddly gentle as he studied her.
“Is this really necessary?” Rowan tried to ignore the nausea washing over her as she swallowed another bite.
“Yes.” Marcus gestured for the servants to leave. “Energy is a necessity for our upcoming training.”
“Marcus,” she said, hesitant, but driven by the need for answers. “Back in the village—when everything fell apart—you arrived just in time. It wasn’t a coincidence, was it? You’ve been there before, haven’t you? Watching and waiting?”
Casimir, seated beside Rowan, glared at Marcus, a low growl rumbling from his chest.
Marcus set down his goblet, the rich, crimson liquid within untouched. “I have duties that extend beyond what you are aware of. My arrival was timely, yes, but not without purpose.”
“Then tell me. Why were you there? What are you hiding?”
“It is not my intention to keep secrets from you. Obligations govern my actions that I must adhere to. But know this: I am on your side.”
Rowan studied Marcus, trying to decipher the hidden messages in his vague response before setting her drink down with a sharp bang. “You’re going to have to tell us more than that.”
After a moment of hesitation, Marcus let out a weary sigh. “Perhaps you should know the truth. Since you’re already neck-deep in this, I suppose it won’t make much of a difference.” He ran his fingers through his meticulously styled auburn hair. “The truth is that I’m a spy for the Vampire Council. They sent me to monitor the Reaper and determine if his actions are jeopardizing our secrecy among humans.”
Rowan stared daggers at him. “You’ve been watching us struggle while sitting on a mountain of resources that could have helped?”
“It is not that simple. ”
“Isn’t it? While people suffer and die, the Council sits atop their mighty thrones, too concerned with exposure to act.” Her anger crackled through the room, a wild and untamed force.
“I understand your frustration.” He maintained a calm tone despite her wrath. “But please know that by keeping a close watch on the Reaper, I have been gathering intelligence crucial for our fight. I've been trying to find a way to defeat him, at great personal risk.”
“Personal risk?” A laugh escaped her lips, devoid of any humor. “Compared to what humans have lost to the Reaper, that’s just a drop in the ocean. The Vampire Council’s priorities are misplaced if they value their secrecy over innocent lives.”
“Justice and protection of humans is also my concern,” he said, his voice low and deliberate. “The Council has its flaws, but we share a common enemy. Let’s use what we’ve learned to defeat the Reaper together.”
Rowan’s hands clenched and unclenched as she tried to calm herself. She hadn’t slept in almost two days, and she knew she was taking her frustration out on the wrong person. After saving their lives, Marcus didn’t deserve to be the target of her misplaced hostility.
“Fine. Let’s not waste time fighting with each other. We’ll train together, and let’s make damn sure the Council regrets their hesitation when we show them just how powerful we can be.”
“Aye.” Casimir’s resolve matched Rowan’s. “Let’s end this together.”
“I’ve already dispatched a message to the Council requesting reinforcements,” Marcus said. “However, I’m not optimistic that it will reach its intended destination, given the Reaper’s army is likely intercepting any correspondence.”
Rowan thought for a moment, then directed her gaze toward Phoenix, perched on a nearby windowsill.
“Phoenix. I have an important task for you.”
The bird cocked his head, a glint of otherworldly intelligence in his eyes.
Rowan limped across the room. Her pain had become impossible to ignore. She grabbed a quill and parchment from a side table. With haste, she wrote a letter urging the Vampire Council to take up arms against the Reaper’s destructive forces, then tied the rolled-up message to Phoenix’s leg.
Her eyes darted toward Marcus. “I need you to show me the precise location to send this message. ”
Without hesitation, Marcus hurried off and fetched a map from his study, showing her the Council’s coordinates.
“Fly swiftly and safely, dear friend.” She closed her eyes, projecting the destination through her link with Phoenix. Her familiar let out a happy trill before soaring through the open window and vanishing into the vast blue sky.
“Resourceful as ever.” The corner of Casimir’s mouth lifted into a half smile as he watched her.
“Let’s hope they listen.” Marcus gave her a serious, but encouraging look.
Rowan’s determination was ironclad. “Whether or not they do, we have to be ready.”
Casimir stepped closer to her. “Indeed.” Unspoken promises hung in the air between them, his proximity a reminder of the fierce protective bond they shared. “Your power is already formidable. Using what you’ve learned so far in battle, along with our help, you’ll be unstoppable.”
Marcus clasped her hand in a show of solidarity. “I wholeheartedly agree.”
“But now, you need rest.” Casimir gestured toward the grand staircase. “Tomorrow, we begin.”
With a weary nod, Rowan made her way to the room prepared for her. The thought of rest beckoned to her. Inside her chambers, she allowed herself a moment of comfort and let her aching body sink into a hot, cleansing bath. Her mind, however, remained restless, thoughts swirling like leaves in a storm.
Tomorrow, I will rise stronger.
With that solemn vow, she sank into her plush bed, surrendering to the exhaustion that weighed on her body and mind. In those fleeting moments between wakefulness and slumber, she took comfort in knowing that her purpose was greater than herself. Eventually, sleep claimed her, her body and soul replenishing themselves for the trials ahead.