Page 18 of Song of the Dragon Rider
“He’s evil,” she muttered under her breath. A shadow of fear crossed her face.
I nodded in agreement, feeling a pang of empathy for her. “But we need to work with that evil bastard if we’re going to have any shot at getting me back home and bringing Arya back here.”
Maeve sighed, her expression one of resigned acceptance. “I just hope you don’t have to deal with those vampires again, my lady. It was terrifying last time,” she admitted, a shudder running through her.
“I know, but don’t worry. I’m giving them what they want. They should be happy.” I patted her back. “Speaking of, we should probably leave soon to meet up with them.”
Maeve nodded. “Garrick is going to meet us at the spot and bring the two paintings.”
I nodded. “Good. At least we won’t be alone.”
“Garrick is useless in a fight, my lady,” Maeve deadpanned. “Remember how you had to step in and save him with his gambling debts?”
That was true. Garrick was more of a lover than a fighter. But back in the day, I heard he was one hell of a fighter. Too bad the emperor clipped his wings. I still needed to hear the story behind all that.
“But you forget, my lovely Maeve,” I grinned and wrapped an arm around her, “I have a secret weapon.”
She frowned. “What is it, my lady?”
“It’s not a what, but a who.”
Maeveand I huddled in our cloaks as the clock neared midnight. Our carriage rattled along darkened cobblestone streets, the rhythmic clatter mingling with the distant echoes of a city settling into night's embrace. The crisp air held the faint chill of autumn as it wafted through the carriage windows, along withthe scent of woodsmoke from nearby hearths. Dim lantern light swayed with each turn, casting ghostly shadows across our faces.
Our carriage slowed as we approached the designated meeting point, a nondescript clearing that lay on the border between the Northern and Southern Districts, alarmingly close to Faelight Forest. The proximity to such a notorious area added an extra layer of danger or thrill, depending on your outlook.
Garrick was already there, standing beside two carefully wrapped paintings. We arrived fifteen minutes early. The moon bathed the scene in a silvery glow, making the shadows of the trees stretch towards us like curious specters.
“Hello, my lady,” Garrick stiffly greeted. Then his brows rose and the one eye not covered by a brown leather eye patch widened. “You didn’t leave as planned?”
I shook my head and sighed. “Nope. Seriously, don’t ask. I swear the universe, or as you all say,the immortalsare against me.”
Maeve gasped. “My lady! Don’t say that! That is blasphemy.”
I rolled my eyes and held my hands up in apology. “My bad,” I deadpanned.
Garrick chuckled. “Well, I’ll monitor the signs for the next thunderstorm, and we’ll prepare better.”
I nibbled on my lip and debated telling him the true dilemma. I was convinced Garrick could withstand just about any amount of torture and still keep a secret. I mean… look at his eye. But I didn’t want to tell him with Maeve around. Besides, this was Damien’s secret to tell, not mine.
“Do you trust these vampires?” Garrick changed the subject. “From what you mentioned the last time, they don’t seem very trustworthy.”
I shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t think it’s a matter of trust,” I whispered back, my voice barely audible over the rustlingleaves. “If they try anything, they’re in for a rude awakening. Especiallyhere.” I glanced at the ominous forest behind us.
We lapsed into silence and settled into an uneasy wait. The dark backdrop of the forest was broken only by the soft glow of carriage lanterns which cast long shadows that danced like specters among the trees. The night was too quiet, as if the world was holding its breath and waiting for what would come next.
Just then, four vampires strode out of Faelight Forest … trailed by the witch Mirabel, the art director of the art school. The one who pulled the real Arya into this mess and the one I suspected wanted to rob Arya of all her coin and art. If that wasn’t her intention, then why had she followed me and Maeve back to Arya’s secret hideout? No, her presence here with the vampires proved she’d chosen a side.
“Wellnowit’s a party,” I grumbled.
They stopped roughly six feet away, keeping a good distance. “Lady Arya,” the vampire in the middle greeted. His dark eyes flicked over Garrick and Maeve before returning to me. “It has been a while. It seems you have forgotten us and our…deal.”
I gave a slight bow and smiled. “Apologies. I don’t know if Mirabel has mentioned or if you’ve heard, but the night we were supposed to meet last month, I had an accident, and well…” I pointed to my head. “My memory sort of got wiped,” I chuckled. “If I hadn’t run into you all and then Mirabel, I wouldn’t have had a clue about the paintings.”
The vampire stiffened and then turned to Mirabel with a glare. “Is this true?” he demanded. The other three vampires remained silent but fixed their eerie stares on the witch.
The witch did not falter under their scrutiny, and I respected her steely resolve. She lifted her chin and swallowed tightly. “So she claims.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “So she claims?” I repeated. “Let’s not beat around the bush here, Mirabel. Youattacked me, taking advantage of my naivety to get my coin and paintings.” I tsked and wagged a finger. “Not a good look… Not good at all.”
