Valene:
With all that had gone on during the party two hours ago, my mind found very little solace in anything that was going on at the moment.
In truth, I should have been happy-maybe even proud of what was happening on this night. For the first time in…ever, vassals were given the night to relax. They were separated from their Keepers of course, but the fact that they did not have to wait on their Master or Mistress’s every whim was something to be proud of. So, part of me was glad to see them dancing around their own separate wood fire, smiling and laughing, but a bigger part of me-the vassal in me was concerned about everyone’s safety.
Staring blankly ahead, I felt the heat of one’s gaze lingering on me and immediately knew that it was the lycan alpha. Our disagreement earlier was no doubt a heated one, and I still felt the residual tension between us even hours after. When I finally faced his gaze an almost mischievous grin fell across his lips and immediately I looked away.
“So you’re just going to sit here? Everyone else is having fun and you’re just…looking like a bloody lost pup.”
I hadn’t realized that Harlyn was even on approach. So when she was standing in front of me all of a sudden, I quickly pushed away my frustrations with the lycan alpha, Ares Barbosa, and regarded her with a small chuckle.
“I’d rather make sure that nothing goes off without a hitch, Mistress,” I told her.
“That’s what the beefcake lycans are for,” Harlyn replied.
“Looks to me like they are here for a good time just like everyone else,” I countered.
“Always all work and no play,” Harlyn said.
“It’s not my job to play, Mistress.”
“You can cut the Mistress thing, Vali,” Harlyn said with visible frustration. “You aren’t on duty.”
With a sigh, I sat down on the tree stump. “Hard to deviate from my responsibilities.” I replied. Especially, after the news that we received earlier about the rogue spottings.
“You must have had some disturbing news earlier at the bar,” she practically read my mind. I simply glanced at her but said nothing and this was confirmation enough for her. “I knew it! So that’s why he was missing for the rest of the night! You all were! What happened?” she asked.
“Nothing that you should be concerned about. It is your night,” I replied. “And your father wanted no interruption of your celebration, so let’s not talk about that.” I smiled. “So, has your wolf…been awakened?” I asked.
“She has,” Harlyn smiled.
I can sense the newfound mix of emotions in Harlyn-one; of them, disappointment, it seemed. “Have…you sensed someone special?” I asked and her response, though nonverbal told signs of this being the case. Her mate was among those in the crowd of friends that were celebrating with her. “We do not have to talk about that if you are not ready.”
“Good, because there is nothing to talk about.” she quipped. “Now…I have something for you,” she smiled.
“Me?” I was surprised to say the least.
“Yes, you!” she gave me a little gift bag, and it was warm on its bottom. With amusement, I watched her curiously. “Go on! Open it!”
I dipped my hand in the bag and in it was a small to-go box. Immediately, I laughed. It was food-something sweet no doubt. “What-” I could hardly contain my mirth.
“You’re always eating those bloody addictive sweet treats from the market. I thought you’d like an actually sweet treat delicacy.”
I opened the box and immediately, a warmth of sweet steam wafted up my nose and sent a shiver down my spine. “What is this?” I asked.
“It’s peach cobbler from this restaurant in South Carolina. It’s the best I’ve tasted so far, and I thought you’d like it.”
“South Carolina?” I chuckled.
“Yes, you remember that time daddy had business there. We all went but you were with him the entire time. Penny and I went to this restaurant on the strip. It’s been a while but, I thought you’d appreciate it,” she took a fork from the bag and handed it to me. “Try it.”
Reluctantly, I took the fork and dipped it into the cobbler. I wasn’t used to sweet treats like this. A swiss roll, or a powdered donut, sure but…not this. I took a bite of it and immediately I fell in love. The buttery sweet warmth, of the crust combined with the cooked peaches.
“I take it from that embarrassingly erotic moan that you like it,” Harlyn laughed.
“Oh, god, yes!” I laughed. “This…wow…” I looked at Harlyn and realize, even through her hot and cold behavior towards me there was something in her that did care enough to know me. “Thank you. This really means a lot to me.”
She sat down next to me. “Of course it does. I truly believe that all you need is a lifetime of sweets and you’ll never want for anything for the rest of your days, Vali.” Her expression changed into something bit more solemn. “I, on the other hand…well I’d like something a little more.” she said as she stared ahead. “I need a mate that is an alpha, Vali, not…not some second-hand captain. I want strength and security and I just…if he isn’t an alpha…I…”
Harlyn wasn’t happy with who her wolf called to. I heavily disagreed with her on that subject. “I don’t necessarily think that a title makes someone weaker. Master Minken is a great fighter and tracker. He trains the pack in war. I think that is amazing. Master Slaughter…is practically an alpha in his own right. Anyone with a good heart and courage is-”
“Of course you’d think that,” Harlyn chuckled. “As I said, you’d be happy with anything,” she sighed. “I want the best.”
There was no use in trying to defend my point with Harlyn because she was as stubborn as an ox. “So, what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to do what my father did,” she said. “I’m going to choose my own path.”
“Would he have done that if he’d have known who his true mate was?” I asked.
“I have no doubts that he knew. She just wasn’t good enough, I’m sure. He found someone better in my mother.”
“Maybe,” I murmured though I didn’t necessarily know that this was actually the truth. Something in me told me that it was a little more complicated than that.
“I see my path and I see who I want. He’s the one that I deserve. He’s the one who will make a greater leader for the pack and a stronger Luna.”
I knew who she was referring to as soon as she said it. He was staring this way and she was staring in his. I had no doubts that the alpha would make any female greater than what she was if he was tameable enough to be loyal to one woman alone. However, I wasn’t sure that even Harlyn could tame the great beast of the Silver Moon pack.
“Looks like he feels the same,” Harlyn grinned as she watched the alpha’s lip turn up in an intrigued smile. She stood up and then turned around. “You really should give Tobias a chance, Vali,” Harlyn replied. “He’s very interested in you. Give him a chance. You might be surprised.” she then walked off, making her way over to the alpha.
I watched her approach him and turn on her charm. He smirked and took her hand. I looked away, not sure how to place the feelings that I’d felt in seeing his arms wrapped around her waist as they danced. Was it envy? Or fear? I wasn’t sure but I wanted think that it was the latter. Something in me told me that Harlyn would be making a mistake in trying to tame Ares Barbosa. Though dysfunctional as our relationship may be, I was afraid that he’d hurt her. But at the end of the day, it was Harlyn’s mistake to make and not mine.
“You not going to dance?” Tobias asked from behind me as I stood there watching my surroundings.
“I think I’ll just…stand,” I turned and looked at him with a small smile.
“Is that right?” he asked, rolling his eyes. “Normally, I’d be alright with that but…you kinda owe me a dance, Vale,” he smiled.
“I can’t, Toby.” I tried at reason, though she could not help the smile he brought on upon my face. “I have to look after my Keeper-”
“No-” his voice was louder than he had intended, so he moved in closer to me. “No, you don’t, Valene. They gave you the night off, so-”
“Tobias, you heard what our Masters were talking about earlier. How can I just stand idly by and not-”
“Last I checked the ones that we’re watching over have far more of on advantage than we do…even you…super soldier,” he joked.
I chuckled, shaking my head. “I don’t know that I’d ever forgive myself if something happened, Tobias. What if something-”
“If something happens then for once…it will not be on us, Valene.”
Again I found amusement as he and I both knew that he did not believe this. Most things were not the fault of a vassal, but everything was always blamed on one. “Tobias, you and I both know that’s not true.”
“Maybe not, but…if something does happen, your keepers will not hold it against you, and well, to be honest, I’m not sure whether mine will or not but…to dance with you tonight and risk all of those things…it’s worth it to me,”
Wow, this one was definitely a smooth talker. It was easy to see why Tobias would get away with most anything. I was starting to find that he was very easy to like. With a resigned sigh, I looked around, making sure that everything was fine. Mistress Harlyn and her friends were further up a ways from their vassals, near their own little fire pit dancing, drinking, eating, and having a grand time. A few of Barbosa’s pack even stepped in to dance with a few of the eager females.
I hadn’t noticed that Barbosa had been staring at me from the distance until I saw that he was Harlyn’s dance partner. I knew that she’d find a way to get to him somehow. I also knew that with him near, she’d be safe. That was all that mattered to me.
I pulled away from the alpha’s magnetic gaze and smiled at Tobias. “I guess I do owe you a dance.”
“That you do!” his face lit up and he grabbed my hand pulling me to him as the next song from the large speaker came on. “Come on, super soldier,” he smiled and shortly after we began to dance.
The music filled the air as Tobias took me by waist, my back to him as we swayed to the music. With my eyes closed, I lost myself to the music. It so happened, thatthis was one my favorites.
When Tobias grabbed my hand, twirled me around to face him, we both shared a laugh as we sang the lyrics together. It was a good time had by all. I even noticed Harold garnering a young vassal woman’s attention.
“See?” Tobias smirked. “I told you everything would be fine-”
His word was cut short when his body was suddenly thrown away from me, Tobias’s presence replaced by a large mangy four-legged creature with bared teeth.
“Tobias!” I screeched in fear-not of the creature but of his wellbeing. Immediately, I took out my blade but the beast caught me before I could act, knocking me back against the ground.
Before I could stand, a large beast leaped over me and ravenous killed the beast. Shortly after, more beasts filled the beach from both sides, and quickly I rushed to Tobias. He had been thrown back a ways, and I could see from where I was that he was badly injured. Tripping over myself, I stumbled towards him, falling down next to his ravaged, broken body.
“To-Tobias?” I whimpered, hardly able to stand seeing him choke on his blood. “There’s so much-there’s so much blood! I-I don’t know what to-”
Shakily he lifted his hand and touched my face. “At least…I got to-to dance-” he choked up blood with a smile. “With y-you.”
“No! No, don’t! Don’t die! Someone help me!” I screamed. I was too afraid to move him for fear of making things worse. “Tobias, we’re going to get you help, but you have to stay with me! Okay?”
His smile faded. “B-be…c-careful, V-Vale,” he said. “Y-you…are th-the one…they…they….”
“Tobias?” I called. “Tobias!” I called and called but the life was gone from his eyes.
He was gone…Tobias…gone. I stood, his blood staining my hands. Rage and sorrow filled me and suddenly, I just…wanted…to kill.
“Valene, run!” I heard someone say. It sounded like Harlyn-maybe it was, but…I could not run. I would. Not. Run.
I could feel the heat of Harlyn’s flames igniting the air as she blasted beast after beast but I could not see anything but the silhouette of the beast I’d kill. I picked up the blade that I dropped onto the ground, and pulled out the other one that I kept strapped to my thigh. I darted towards a beast at full speed.
“Valene, no! You’ll be killed!” I heard Harlyn scream for me but I refused to stop. Whether I be killed on this night or not was of no consequence to me. I needed to see to the death of these creatures.
The creature attempted to ram me and quickly I dodged and embedded my blade into the side of its neck and used it to hoist myself atop its head. As soon as I descended, I impaled its head with both blades and with a deafening howl, the mangy wolf-like creature fell to the ground. As soon as it was dead, I went for another, sliding beneath its belly, gutting the beast from neck to tail. Then another, and another, and another. I was fully enraged and could not stop until all strength left me and even then I kept going..
It was after this that I had realized that I had taken down the last beast. I’d taken my blade to the beast so many times it was hardly recognizable after I was done.
“Vali!” I felt the heated hands of Harlyn against my arms and only then did I stop. “It’s over.”
I yanked my blade from the beast, blood spatter, covering my face.
Are you okay, mistress?” I asked, hardly above a whisper.
“I am…are you?”
I nodded and just looked at the unrecognizable beast in silence before finally whispering. “They…they killed him,” I whispered, with that rage and sorrow still bubbling beneath the surface. “He was a good guy. He didn’t deserve this.”
“Tobias!” Talon exclaimed with sorrow.
When I heard the despair in his voice, I immediately turned around, standing up from the ground. Everyone surrounded him and all of the vassals were visibly upset but no one was as brokenhearted as his Keeper. Talon Slaughter shed tears over his vassal and it broke my heart.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered. Why I was sorry, I couldn’t even pinpoint. I just knew that I was and-
“You should be!” Penelope growled. “That death blow was meant for you, not him!”
“Penelope!” Harlyn growled.
She hissed and walked away. “Come Harold!” she snarled stomping off.
“Everyone head to the cabin,” Master Barbosa demanded of everyone. “Silver Moon make sure there are no left overs.”
“Do you want me to alert Alpha Wade?” Zevi asked.
Master Barbosa shook his head. “I already have. He’s on his way. Disperse.” And everyone did.
As everyone headed to the house, Talon picked up Tobias’s still form and carried him into the house.
“That goes for you too, pequinina,” Master Ares said. “Being out here is not safe.”
“Tell me, alpha…does it look like I cannot carry myself?” I was not in the mood for this and he seemed to understand as he did not make any jokes.
“Are you coming, Valene?” I heard Harlyn ask.
“No, Mistress. I think it best that I make sure to stay outside…guarantee your safety.”
“I’d rather you be inside with me, Vali,” Harlyn replied.
“Miss, Wade,” Master Barbosa approached. “We need all the help we can get, and your vassal is skilled. And I’m sure your father would like to speak with her upon his arrival.”
“He’s coming?” Harlyn asked.
“Yes, he is.”
With a resigned sigh, she nodded. “Don’t be too long, Vali,” she touched my shoulder and then walked away.
When the door closed, hardly a moment of silence passed before the alpha spoke again. “I am sorry about your friend, Valene,” he said to me. “He seems to have meant a lot to you judging by the display of complete and utter carnage you displayed earlier.”
“He was a human…and a friend. I had assumed that I would be the only one who cared enough to make sure that he…” I couldn’t finish my sentence because to me it wouldn’t even make sense.
“Die in vain?” The alpha finished my sentence instead.
“It was already in vain the moment he took his last breath,” I said as I tried stifling my emotions. “It was a senseless death.”
“No, it was not.” he said.
“How can you say that?” I completely forgot myself at this point, staring dead in the eye. “How can you…Tobias is dead and for what?!”
“He protected you-”
“Oh please!” I spat. “He wasn’t protecting me! I didn’t need protection! We were just…we were just dancing. I should have never-”
“Listen to me, pequinina,” he stood in front of me. “It is not my place to tell you why, but I assure you that whether you can see it…whether you believe it or not, Tobias died for a nobel cause. Whether it was accidental in your eyes or not.”
“You only say that because I am a gold blood. You’d probably welcome the chance to kill me yourself.” I started to walk away. “I am going to make sure that the perimeter is clear,” I said.
Master Barbosa grabbed my arm. “No, you will not.” he said.
“You…are not my master,” I said through broken words, unable to keep my emotions in check.
“No matter,” he said tightening his grip when I tried puling away again. “You…will not be traipsing off into the woods by yourself. I do not care how strong you think you are.”
I had nothing else to say to him but I certainly wasn’t in the mood to listen either, and once again, I tried to pull away but he didn’t let me go. And I immediately lost it so completely, that I swung on him.
My attempt to hit him was sloppy as he caught my hand and quickly twisted me around holding both my hands behind my back. He snatched me into him, my back facing as he brought his lips down to my ear.
“Use your mind, girl,” he hissed. “Those beasts killed a human…and nothing else.”
“We were the closest to the forest. Of course, they did.”
“You are so blinded by bitter rage that you cannot even acknowledge the truth of what happened to night,”
“How about you stop speaking in bloody riddles and tell me what the bloody hell your’re trying to say!” I snapped.
“It was hectic out here tonight. So much going on that no one recognized the reality of those beasts’ target. You see, pequinina, the human boy died…because of you.”
“Let…go of me,” I snarled. I didn’t any more guilt than what I’d already carried.
When Master Barbosa released me, I turned around swiftly and struck him across the face.
He grunted but hardly budged. “What is going on here?” Master Wade approached. “Valene? Valene, what happened? Is-are you alright? Wh-”
“I’m fine,” I said. “The mistress is in the cabin with everyone else.”
“Why are you not in there with them? It’s unsafe-”
“Because I…” I looked at Master Slaughter and knew by the look on his face that Talon had connected with him and told him about Tobias. “I’m s-I’m so sorry, Master Slaughter,” I bowed my head as tears blinded my vision again.
“Your apologies are not needed here, Valene,” he touched my shoulder. “Tobias was a good vassal and he will be remembered as one. He did his job,” he said. Master Slaughter turned to Master Wade and then nodded before heading into the cabin.
After he left, I could hardly stand there as I felt my Master’s gaze on me. He must have wordlessly requested to be alone with me as, Master Barbosa turned to take his leave.
“What did you mean?” I asked before he walked away. “By what you said-by-”
“Your father can explain that far better than I can.” Master Barbosa replied. There was no hesitation when he called me Master Wade’s daughter. I didn’t know how to feel about that but to be honest that was the least of my concerns right now. “I will go check on the others.”
As I heard the sound of his footsteps departing from us, Master Wade stood face front to me. “How are you, Valene?” Master Wade asked me.
“I’m f-” I couldn’t manage the lie that I was about to tell. “Not good,” my lips decidedly confessed.
“Valene, wh-”
“He died…right in front of me, dad.” At this point, I was done pretending that I didn’t have that sort of relationship with him-that he wasn’t a father to me. “He…that beast!” I growled in anger. “He…he was only trying to-”
“Come here.”
I was caught off guard when he said this. Confusedly, I turned around to see if anyone was looking. I didn’t want him to get into any more trouble than he already was in, but I really did need a hug from the guy. So, I was glad when he took me into his arms and held my head to him. It was then that all of my resolve melted away, and I wept.
“Did you love him?” he asked me.
“I liked him,” I confessed. “For some reason…he…he seemed to take a personal interest in seeing me smile. He was good person…despite the rumors, and I…I,”
“I know. We will take care of Tobias, and we will find the person responsible for this.”
“Well,” I pulled away from my father, wiping my tears away. “I want to help. I want to be apart of whatever process it takes to-”
“You cannot, Valene,” he said to me before I could finish my sentence.
“Why not? I can handle myself! I can be of some assistance! He was a friend…a fellow vassal! I have to-”
“Because they are after you, Valene. They didn’t want Tobias. They came here because of you.”
I backed away from him, shocked by his assumption. “No…I…no…” so he was right, Master Barbosa. Tobias did die because of me. “No!” I growled. “It can’t be! It just can’t!”
I tried convincing myself of this while the realization of its probable truth was pounding away in my mind. Tobias’s dying words, Master Barbosa’s revelation; that’s what they were telling me. But why?
“It was the night at the bar,” he said breaking through my thoughts. “When that vampire’s dying words…it was the second time I’d heard something like that. Heir of shadows. They think that…that you’re something special, Valene-that you are the key to something that can more than likely harm them.”
“So…so then every…every death by their hand…is because of me?” This was even more heartwrenching to hear. Humans had lost their lives, had been injured simply because of my existence.
I knew then what I must do. I had to keep them safe. I had to keep this town safe. “I have to go. I have to leave Shadow Veil-”
“What?!” The words hardly left my lips before Alastair Wade shut down. “Did you not hear what I said, Valene? They are trying to kill you!”
“I heard you perfectly clear,”
“So then what part of your plan sounds smart enough to put into action? Are you asking for death?”
“No! But I will not see others die because of me!” I attempted to reason with him. “Unlike those who have died outside of Tobias…I can defend myself. You can not ask me to sit here and allow others to place their lives at the helm danger as decoy to save my own! I refuse!” I adamantly exclaimed. “I have…I have to. I’ll leave before the sun comes up.” I said to him. “Please do not try to stop me,” I begged.
“Valene,” he shook his head. “I can-”
“You said that I wasn’t a prisoner here. That I could make my own choices.” As I said this, his eyes began to water as his beast’s sadness displayed itself as well. “I don’t want to leave you, but I must.” she said.
“Fine,” he finally gave in. “But you will give me more than a few hours, Valene Merari Wade.” He hadn’t called me by the full name he’d given me as an infant for years. “I want at the very least a day.”
“But what if-”
“No buts! I want a day,” he insisted. “Until then, Shadow Veil will be under overwhelming lock and key. You can give me that.”
I could not rob him-the man who had always acted as a father to me…of a day. I had to at the very least agree to that. “A day,” I said as a small and weak smile played across my lips. “Maybe that’ll be enough time for you to tell me how you came up with the name, Merari.” I teased.
He chuckled and wrapped his arm around me. “I don’t know about that,” he said as we started toward the cabin, all the while in the back of my mind, I’m thinking about how terrifying it will be to be in a world without my dysfunctional family.