Page 15 of Stalk the Dark
This, right here, inside the dome, was all that mattered. It was the world the survivors had built. Supernaturals and humans coming together to create a haven.
The Accords had saved lives, saved the three dominant supernatural creatures from tearing each other to shreds and taking down humanity with them. The mageri splitting the city into territories had been the only solution. Now our world consisted of Raventhorne territory for shifters, Morningstar territory across the golden bridge, home to the fallen angels, devils and demons, and Dracul, which was filled with suckers of all kinds. Humans weren’t permitted to reside in Morningstar territory, but they made homes in Raventhorne or Dracul, adhering to the rules of that specific supernatural breed. Therewere those that preferred to live in the Fringe, an area missed by the magical boundaries set up by the mageri. It was my home, and I’d be headed back as soon as my year here was up. Or maybe I’d explore the world outside the safety of the dome. Not alone, though; I’d do it with the two women I loved the most in all the world—Nyx and Quinn, my best friends.
Okay, so I was ignoring the fact that they had responsibilities now. Heck, I’d been forced to abandon Nyx to adhere to my Order oath. But she’d be okay. She had to be.
Anxiety tightened my chest. Because how would I know for sure? I squeezed my eyes shut. Lorenzo would let me know. I had to believe that the mageri male would find a way to get a message to me if needed.
“We can learn a lot from history,” Edwin said, interrupting my thoughts. “Maybe avoid making the same mistakes as those that came before.”
“How old are you, Edwin?”
He blinked in surprise. “Twenty-four, why?”
“You’re wise for your age.”
He beamed at me. “Thanks.” He rubbed his hands together and gave another shrug. “Maybe I can show you the archives tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’d like that.” Anything that might help me understand Ezekiel and figure out how best to manage him.
He beamed at me once more. “I’ll leave you to get settled in.”
I closed the door behind him, then turned the key in the lock. Not that I didn’t trust the people here, but…
It took less than thirty minutes to unpack and stow my clothes in the rosewood wardrobe. I traveled light.
My blessed sword found a spot beside my bed, within easy reach, and the two novels I’d brought with me found a home on the nightstand beside the candle holder and electric lamp.
That was me done.
With no patrol to run and no case to manage, I was at a loss—dressed for bed in a sleep tee and shorts and wide awake.
My feet sank into soft pile, then kissed cold wood by the window as I drew back the drapes to let in the moonlight. Beyond the frosted windowpane, the waxing moon sat against a midnight sky while dancing stars paid homage to it.
The mansion was on a hill. A rise high enough to leave Dracul territory laid out before it like a feast for the eyes. The world below was acres of gray and silver land sloping down toward an ominous inky tree line, and beyond that, in the west, was the dark shadowy shape of the rest of Old Town, while to the east, so far in the distance that I must be imagining it were the twinkling lights of New Town.
This would be home. At least for the next year. Butif I was going to survive it, things would have to change.
But that was a tomorrow problem.
Right now, my body needed rest.
Leaving the drapes open to let in the moon, I climbed into bed, pulling the heavy blankets up to my neck. Long minutes dragged by, and as my eyelids grew heavy, Hemlock’s words came back to me:Thank your stars he shackled you to a wall and didn’t just nail you into one of his guest coffins. How could he know about guest coffins in Branwood Castle? How could he know so much about Ezekiel at all?
The vampire only woke once a century and only for a year. It made no sense…
I’d ask Ordell in the morning.
Thud.
I jolted awake, heart pounding.
Tap. Tap.
The window?
My feet kissed the ground, sword in hand in a blink.
Tap tap.
