Chapter Seven #2
He begins showing me different balancing poses, his muscles shifting under his shirt as he moves. When he is finished demonstrating, we start to do them together, mirroring one another. The poses are very similar to yoga. They also are very humbling because I do not do them very well.
Everything he does is in perfect form. I copy his movements knowing I probably look ridiculous. It is hard to compare to him because he moves like some sort of highly trained warrior.
I continue to try to move the best I can, stumbling multiple times as I lose my balance. My legs shake as I move, almost like they could buckle under me at any given time. Draven is patient as he waits for me to regain my balance and try again.
Although I try my best not to look him directly in the eyes, we still make eye contact every now and again. I see no signs of red within his irises.
After balance, we move on to working on footwork. He shows me many different steps and patterns that he uses when he spars. I copy his movements in return.
“The strength will come with time. As you build muscle, everything will start to get a little easier. You also must be eating appropriately.”
He gives me a look that says he can tell I have been skipping meals.
What I want to tell him is that practicing a diet change is hard, but ignoring the grief that is settled deep in your stomach is even harder.
We finally pause for a break, sitting on the edge of the mat. I fall back, completely lying down. I feel utterly exhausted, like I could fall asleep right here if I close my eyes.
Draven’s voice snaps me back into focus.
“We have a lot to work on but that was a good start.”
I sit up onto my elbows. “You do not have to lie. I feel like I am learning to walk and move all over again.”
He shakes his head. “I will never lie.”
I shift uncomfortably and change the subject. “So, you said that some vampires have other magic. How is that so?”
“Back to the questions I see. Yes, some vampires do carry other magic. But it is genetic. It is within vampires who are created, not turned.”
“What do you mean those who are created?”
“There are vampires who exist through being turned and there are vampires who are, exactly how it sounds, created. Like two people come together—”
I sit all the way up and slap his arm. “Oh my gosh, I know how babies are made. Vampires can create other vampires the old-fashioned way.”
I cringe at my own words.
Draven grabs his arm like my hit to it caused him great pain. “Precisely. Those who are created can inherit other magic through their lineage.”
“Were you created?” I ask.
“Yes.”
I don’t miss the shortness of his response.
“What is your magic then? I am sure you have something interesting being a prince and all.”
I see him raise his palms and then, the entire world around us goes pitch black. I jump and my heart starts to race. I grab my chest in a panic, trying to look around, but I cannot see through the darkness.
Then, it disappears.
I turn my head and take a few discreet breaths to lower my heart rate.
“I am a shadow worker,” he finally says.
“I could have gone without the demonstration,” I mutter.
I wrap my arms around my chest, holding myself as my body starts to relax again. “I see shadows everywhere you go so that makes sense. It is like they follow you around.”
“Yes, they stay behind me in case I call.”
I grimace. “Creepy. Okay, what are some other forms of magic? I know your dad can control people.”
He draws his eyebrows together. “How do you know that?”
“Because he uses it on me and it is terrifying.”
I look back up at him, seeing his jaw tick.
“He is a mind worker. Compulsion is not the only thing he can do. Not only can he control you, he can make you believe you did something you did not do. He can even make you forget something you did do. The strongest this world has ever seen.”
I shudder. “Can he do that to you?”
“No, he will not. He knows better than to try to.”
I wish I could say the same.
“Where do the shadows come from then if not from your dad?”
“My great-grandfather,” he says.
“What else is there? I want to know everything you can tell me. Do the fae have magic as well?” I ask.
We both lean back on our elbows, turning our heads so we face each other.
“There is all kinds of magic in Vryko. No matter what creature the magic belongs to, it is all usually the same kind. Dark magic.”
A tremor runs through me. “Dark magic like what?”
“For vampires, they can be mind workers, shadow workers, voice workers, or dream workers. It all depends on your genetics and what strands of magic run through your blood. For the most part, incantors practice spellwork, elves practice in secrets, and werewolves practice blood magic. There are different forms of each, some even mixed within creatures.”
I nod. “So it can all be very random.”
He nods back. “Yes, thousands of years ago when everyone coexisted, creatures would bear children from other species of creatures. This created the mixing of magic, which then created other forms of magic. Hence how vampires are able to have other forms of magic than what usually comes along with the anatomy of being a vampire. But dark magic will always surface over light in Vryko.”
“So what about the fae?”
“The fae have light magic. Their magic is mainly attached to the elements. They are earth workers, tide workers, flame workers, or air workers. Very rarely there will be a light worker born every few hundred years, opposite of me. Their magic is what keeps their kingdom flourishing and vibrant.”
I hum with excitement. “That sounds incredible.”
He nods. “It is. Maybe you will get to see it one day.”
“I never asked this the last time, how do you stay over there for such long periods of time? Surely the sun will at least hit some part of your skin at some point.”
He clears his throat and stands. “Another tale for another time.”
I groan, standing up with him. When I straighten, dizziness hits me. My vision darkens and I sway on my feet, about to hit the ground. Two strong arms come up under me, steading me before I can fall.
The spots disappear as the room comes back into focus again. I look up slowly as our eyes lock. We stay like that for a few seconds.
I pull back, quicker than I mean to. “Sorry, I probably just need to eat something.”
He lets go of my arms, quickly pulling his back to his side. I watch as his fingers flex out then back in.
“Probably so, why don’t you go eat something and then we can meet back at my study. You and I have a case to solve.”
I beam with excitement because I forgot about the case.
“Wow, a whole day with the prince. What a lucky girl I am.” I touch my hand to my heart in a dramatic movement.
Draven raises his eyebrows in amusement as he shakes his head.
As we head toward the door to leave, I see him watching my every step from the corner of my eye. I go to pull on the handle, but he steps in front of me, opening the door and motioning for me to step into the hall.
“Do I need to send for someone to get you, or have you managed to memorize the route?” he asks.
“Nope, I can manage just fine,” I say quickly, not realizing what he is implying.
“Okay, see you shortly then.” One corner of his mouth curves with amusement as he turns and walks down the hallway.
I watch the shadows following in his wake. They seem more prominent now, almost like he was holding them back before he told me about them.
I stand there for a few seconds, watching him leave, then I eventually turn away from him and walk the opposite way.
I shake my head, not believing I forgot about the case.
Once inside my room, I immediately change out of my training clothes and sink into the bath. My muscles ache, but the hot water eases the tension away. As I wash, I realize that I do not mind this kind of ache.
When I am finished, I slip into a navy gown that Ivorie pulled out for me and pull on my flats. Before I step back into the hall, a quick glance in the mirror confirms that my braid is still secure.
I am almost to the spiral staircase when I hear an ear-piercing scream from somewhere close.
Staff and vampires alike rush past me nearly knocking me over, once again. I turn and watch them rush down the hall with hushed whispers. I do not need to hear what they are saying to know what just happened.
Someone has been taken again.