Edmund

I stood before The Elders to consult them on Arabella’s acceptance among us. It wasn’t every day that a hybrid was the one who would evidently save us from annihilation. And I knew had to do whatever it took to convince them that she was no threat.

“She has to be banished,” the eldest stated gruffly, “Hybrids are not like us, and she does not fit in amongst us.”

This was harder than I thought and with my hands behind my back I paced in front of them.

“She’s our only solution, she was the one who managed to break Maura’s spell and ever since the spell was lifted we can shift in our compound. What more must I do to convince you?”

One of the elders stood up and towered over me. He was much taller and his face bore the scars of many battles. He was also the only one who has ever survived the bite of a vampire – not without consequence though. Due to the poison that flooded his blood, he lost his sight. But despite his brutal attack, he miraculously survived against all odds.

“What more does she have to offer other than mediocre spells that are of no relevance to us?” he asked pointedly, “As far as we are led to believe, she’s in the Alexandria room right this minute, trying to find the spell we need. Is she making headway?”

His question was warranted, but I had faith that she would find the spell, I just didn’t know how long she would take.

“I believe she is making headway, and she’s not giving up until she has found it.”

For the life of me I could not fathom how The Elders had more say than I did, was I not their Prince?

The eldest stood again, “She has until midnight to come up with a solution, if not, she will be banished and we will have to find an alternative way to secure our compound,”

Finally! There was hope yet, now I only had to get Arabella to work relentlessly to get the spell. And if it meant that I needed to help her, I will do just that.

“We’ll have the spell before midnight,” I said and then without wasting any more time, I bowed before the Elders and exited the council room.

I headed straight for the Alexandria room, where I knew she was buried under a pile of books searching for the spell Maura used before she cursed us, but she wasn’t there. The only other place I might find her was in her room.

As I turned the corner into the hallway where her room was located, she crashed into me and instinctively I caught her and steadied her.

“Edmund, I’m so glad I found you,” she said and I noted her violet eyes sparkle. She was unto something, no doubt.

“I was just looking for you. I don’t want to put any pressure on you, but we need this spell before midnight,” I hated having to put pressure on her, I know from my own experience, when under pressure most things go wrong.

“Well that’s what I came to talk to you about, you see, I found Maura’s secret. It took me a while and I had to do a locator spell, but I managed just fine. Thank the gods,” she said excitedly and held out a small wooden box.

As she held it in her palms, I lifted the lid and took out the small scroll, none of it made any sense. So she translated it to me and explained that the spell uses blood magic. Once it’s successfully cast, not only will our compound be secured and hidden from Lucifer’s Hordes. We will also be able to locate them long before they manage to find us.

“There’s a slight problem though,” she said and lowered her eyes, “we need the blood of a Vampire.”

Well that’s just bloody damn brilliant! The only vampires we have here are decapitated dead ones, and those are far and few in between.

“Major Bernhard, we have a situation,” one of my guards appeared behind us, and by the sound of his voice, it didn’t sound like a good news.

I turned to Arabella, “wait for me in my office, I’ll be there shortly,” and then turned my attention back to the guard, “What is the situation?”

“A vampire managed to breach the compound. He came in through the underground tunnels. He has already killed two of our men.”

The solution to our problem literally fell into my lap and the grin on my face obviously confused the guard as he looked at me wide eyed.

“Take me to the blood sucker,” I commanded. But as I was about to leave, Arabella grabbed my arm.

“Let me come with, I can protect you.”

“It’s too dangerous,” I said and rested my palm against the side of her face, “Go wait in my office.”

“Please Edmund,” she pleaded, clutching the box in her hand, “A bite from a vampire is all it takes to kill a shifter. And even if you manage to capture him, you will need someone to draw his blood.”

She had a point, but the thought of getting her involved didn’t sit well with me.

“Are you sure you can use your magic to protect us both?” I asked, searching her eyes.

“I swear on the blood of my ancestors,” she said determinedly.

“Very well, come along then, and whatever you do. Stay behind me at all times until it’s safe for you to move in.”