Page 14 of Fallen Star

Helda leaves the towels on the bed and walks out, closing the door behind her.

"Is she a slave or a paid servant?" Alex asks directly, as soon as Helda is gone.

"Paid servant. My brother and sister-in-law outlawed slavery over 100 years ago."

She exhales in relief. "Good."

I study the woman before me curiously. "You seem more impressed with my artifacts than with servants and plush extravagance."

"Is there a question in there?" she asks.

"It's implied," I say dryly.

"I'm used to wealth," she says. "It's just another kind of prison, a gilded cage, if you let it matter too much."

"May I ask how an archaeologist has acquired so much wealth?"

She sighs, as if tired of answering this question. "I've made my own share of money with books and such. But most of it is from my parents. My father was Robert Alexander."

And then it all clicks. "The famous movie star? He and his wife, the archeologist Dr. Sandra Stone, were murdered in their mansion nearly—"

"Fifteen years ago," she finishes, her face pale, her blue eyes fierce. "The only witness was their twelve-year-old daughter, who was left alive. She told the authorities what happened, that a monster drained her parent's blood and left them for dead, but no one believed her. 'A robbery gone bad,' they all said. Only nothing was stolen. Because the vampire didn't find what he was looking for. Or he did, and it was my parents."

No wonder she hates my kind. This might be harder than I initially thought. But the stakes are too high to give up. She must see reason, even if it's painful. And maybe, just maybe, there's a way I can help sweeten the pot for her. But that's a conversation for after she's refreshed.

"I'm sorry," I say, though the words are entirely inadequate. "I can't imagine what that must have been like for you."

"No," she says, crosses her arms again, a classic defensive posture. "You can't."

She's going to be a hard shell to crack, but the fate of all the worlds might be at stake, so this isn't something I can fail at. "I'll leave you to bathe. When you're ready, call for Helda, and she'll bring you to the dining room to eat."

She nods and I leave her, closing the door after me.

I head to my personal quarters—a large wing of the palace that contains my study, bedroom and private living quarters— the fatigue of the last few days weighing on me. When traveling to a new dig, I can't use a mirror. I can only use one upon leaving, when I know where I'm going. I do have hidden mirrors throughout the world, but eventually, I'm always required to travel over the desert for at least a few days. And I can't face the human sun. It makes this line of work challenging. And dangerous. But so rewarding I wouldn't dream of giving it up. Still, I need nourishment to replenish my strength for what is to come.

I ring a bell and within a few minutes, Helda arrives with a goblet. "This is fresh from Earth," she says, handing it to me.

I nod, thanking her. Before she leaves, she pauses at the door. "She's special, that one."

I don't have to ask who she's speaking of. "I know."

"Protect her."

Helda leaves before I can reply that I'm trying my best to do just that.

I take a long drink of the crimson liquid, quenching my thirst. At the queen's insistence, we've set up a humane trading system with our contacts on Earth. They find blood donors who are paid generously for their sacrifice. Blood is sent to us. We send money and unique goods only found in this world. No humans are harmed in the feeding and caring of the local vampires. Each vampire is allocated enough free blood to survive, with a thriving market if one wants to buy more. Everyone is happy.

Well, they should be.

But vampires, like humans, were not built to enjoy happiness for long. Our kind will always find something to create conflict over.

And with the king still missing, and the queen not quite herself from the recent curse cast on her by her own daughter, Inferna is in peril.

Losing Princess Aya hit this kingdom hard and hurt Avakiri, the Fae kingdom. Most assumed the princess would be the next Midnight Star, though that would be a long time coming, if ever, since Ari would have to die first.

My feelings for Arianna Spero have changed over the years. My desires for her have turned to brotherly affection, but my love for her is no less true. She is family, and her pain is my pain.

But I cannot save this kingdom. Asher will have to lead that venture. I'm more worried about saving the worlds.

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