chapter 15
Threshold
After plummeting down a narrow tunnel of dirt, soil, and roots of the earth, we crashed onto a cold black-and-white tile floor, struck it with a loud smack. I laid there drenched, puddles of water around me, unsure how long I’d been unconscious. We were in an underground passage of some sort, the ground above us low and threatening.
My head throbbed, and as I grabbed the back of it, I wondered if I’d broken any bones from the fall.
“Get up.” Andrew stood to his feet to jerk me to mine. Sore but able to stand, I quickly obeyed. Pulling me by the arm, he rushed me down the confined hall toward a set of stone steps in front of a jagged medieval-looking door made of wood and bones. I quivered at the gruesome sight, and distracted myself by looking at the cool rock walls and the archaic candelabra lanterns that hung eerily from them, dimly lighting the ancient path.
Andrew latched onto the crescent-shaped iron doorknob and gave it an aggressive tug, stepped back as a cloud of dust and dirt fumed around us. The heavy door creaked open and revealed an ashen sky and a vast perimeter of land that stretched toward a breathtaking imperial cathedral situated high on a hill. Directly in front of us, a dirt path led to the entrance of a gorgeous English garden, and an impressive maze of perfectly tidy trees.
“We won’t be needing this,” he said, pointed to the path. “Stay close, you wouldn’t want to wander off on your own around here. Much too dangerous.” He gave me a wink that sickened me.
“Where are you taking me?”
“I said the details aren’t important.”
“If you’re going to kill me, why not just get it over with?”
“Who said anything about killing you? Where’s the fun in that?” He turned to pick me up, then tossed me over his shoulder and leaped into the air, flew past the quaint maze entrance and over the vibrant green terrain toward the enormous castle.
I glanced at the lush grounds as they whizzed past us, mesmerized. The rich emerald hues popped against the pallid sky, and the incandescent scenery offered stark contrast to the dull, macabre skyline. It all made me shiver, knowing the fascination would be short lived. I was headed toward something sinister, and I didn’t need to look at Andrew as he carried me to be reminded of it. The classically beautiful architecture and landscape were exquisite, but far too beautiful for such a dangerous place.
My instincts kicked back in and I said, “Just tell me where you’re taking me!”
“No need to get all worked up, darlin’. You’re about to meet royalty, you know.” He stopped flying when we reached the castle’s moat, dropped me to the ground and looked up at it towering over us.
“Royalty. You’re taking me to Samira.” I stood, dusted myself off. Assessing the moat, I wrung out my damp shirt.
“You were on your way to see her anyhow.”
“Not with you, I wasn’t. What are you thinking? She’s just going to kill you too, is that what you want?”
“Stop talking.” He grabbed my arm again and lurched forward, marched us toward the entryway, then greeted a cluster of tall, human-like creatures: vampires on steroids. Their hooded cloaks concealed most of their features, but their fangs were front and center.
“Where is Marie?” One of the tall, ghastly vamps asked Andrew.
“There is no Marie. I am here to bring the queen what she most desires.”
“Who sent you?” The guard stepped forward and let down the hood of his gray cloak, revealing a hard stare. “What did you do with Marie?”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about. Are you going to let me see her or not?”
The suspicious guard glanced at the other two guards standing next to him, returned his attention to Andrew. “What exactly do you have for Her Highness?”
“Insurance.”
My mind didn’t have time to wrestle with what Andrew’s reply meant. I was too busy shrinking away in fear of the grisly watchmen. They didn’t look like the other vampires I’d met. Extremely built with broad shoulders, they looked far more animalistic, with wide snouts and heavy brows.
“Come this way,” the creature reluctantly ordered, led us through the castle doors.
Once inside, I gawked at the long corridor in wonder and realized it was a massive conservatory. Under the gloomy light that filtered through the glass ceiling, hundreds of flawless rose bushes sat nestled along the cold stone ground, each one displaying hordes of the most beautiful red roses I’d ever seen.
“Excited yet?” Andrew whispered, watched me marvel at the luxurious garden.
“You know, I believe you owe me some gratitude. Without me, you wouldn’t have been able to make it this far. You wouldn’t be able to see your beloved. You should be happy I followed you from that sorry job of yours to the portal. I did you a great favor.”
“I didn’t need you for anything. You’re only getting in the way.”
“Believe me, sweetheart. You wouldn’t have made it two steps past that portal door without me. They would’ve sensed a mortal all alone, would’ve snatched you up in seconds. I did you a favor, and now you’re going to do one for me.”
“I don’t owe you anything.”
“Enough,” The burly guard bellowed, and bid us to follow him past two lofty wooden doors into a spacious granite-floored room, it’s focal point a stately velvet throne chair. The quiet crackle of a fire sounded from behind the empty throne.
“I must say this is an honor.” The woman’s voice filled the room; a strong echo followed as she emerged from behind us. Her next words were to order the guard to leave. Though no one had spoken her name, I knew this was Samira. The room looked literally fit for a queen, and the way the guard obeyed the woman’s voice told me she was in charge.
The guard shut the doors behind him and left us with a creation that only my worst nightmares could fabricate. Her appearance shocked me, just as this new beautiful world had, caused me to wonder how such a gorgeous being could be so fatal. I didn’t allow my eyes to deceive me, aware that her kind smile wasn’t in any way to be trusted.
“You are the first mortal to grace us with your presence in some time.” She moved toward us, acknowledged Andrew only with a tight smile, kept her arctic-blue eyes on mine. “And how brave you are, to choose such company,” she lifted her delicate lace train as she made a slithering sway around me, extended a hand with intimidating red claws to fool with my hair. “What can I do for you, my pet?”
“I brought her here, Your Highness, she is—”
“Silence. You will speak when spoken to. We will get to that.” She slipped in front of me and took my hand, as though wanting to display her sincerity. “As I was saying, child. Why is it you are here? What is your name?”
I dropped my eyes from hers, intimidated by her piercing gaze, admired the deep red satin corset that cinched her svelte waist. Her ebony hair against her ice-cold milky skin added a chilling harshness to her exterior, which heightened the intimidation. I lifted my chin to speak more confidently.
“I’m Camille. Andrew did bring me here, but I was coming here to speak to you on my own. I’m here to see someone, a friend of mine. He came here just recently.”
“Of course. Gavin, presumably.”
“Yes. I know he came here to go into exile, and I was wondering if I might be able to speak to him one last time.”
“One last time?”
“Well, I understand he was in some trouble with you …for being with me,” I gulped, “and I’d like to take his place, to pay whatever punishment you had in mind for him. If it’s not too late.”
I peeked at Andrew, surprised to see him wide-eyed and afraid. Not knowing if that would be my last sight, I cherished his expression.
Samira stepped away from me, squinted while she considered my request. I was unsure whether to explain myself further, so I remained silent with the hopes of agitating her less. Two hulking gray wolves appeared from behind her throne, and I jumped back, watched them make their way to her side. My heart pounded through my chest, and I tried to stay composed.
“Well I must say, this is a turn of events,” she exhaled. I caught a glimpse of a red mojo bag attached to her wrist, and other remnants of her familiarity with Voodoo began to jump out at me: the cobalt blue bottles on the windowsills, the eclectic spirit dolls sprawled across the altar next to her throne.
“This is certainly something to be discussed in private,” she continued, tilted her head and peered toward an open doorway. “Victor,” she shouted, “come at once.” As the servant hustled in, she stepped in front of Andrew to address him. “I am delighted to see that you have brought Camille here to me, although it seems she was perfectly content finding her way to me on her own.”
“Yes Your Majesty, but I—”
“You assumed this would ensure a lenient punishment for your rebellious acts and the disgrace you have bestowed upon me and my kingdom.” She smiled at Victor as he came to stand beside her.
“Well, y-yes,” Andrew stammered. “I know what the girl means to y-you.”
“Do you, now?”
“I … thought you’d be pleased.”
“Oh, I am certainly pleased. Your debt was soon to be collected, and well … here you are, ready to pay in full.”
“Yes,” he glanced at me, relieved. “I wanted to pay my dues, and I hope this will suffice. Am I free to go?”
She tilted her head back and laughed, then lowered those cold blue eyes to his. “Camille clearly intended to come here on her own free will. So you see my child, the problem now is not only your debt, but your interference. Your freedom is a liberty which you have chosen to abuse, and now you stand before me offering me something you have no business offering, to secure none other than yourself.”
The two wolves hovered closer to her, positioned themselves to block Andrew’s movement. “Unfortunately, Camille is not yours to claim as payment. You are not only still in debt, but as I stated, you have also interfered in my affairs, and therefore are subject to just punishment.”
Taking his hand in hers, she stepped closer to him and looked down, apathetic.
“Please, Your Highness, please, no! I beg of you!” Andrew shrieked, shook as she held his hand. His expression desperate, he stared into her eyes, and I backed away from them, wrapped my arms around my body. I tried to cover my eyes but couldn’t look away. “Your Highness, I can give you more!”
She raised a hand to his face and swiped his cheek, her red nails clawing it like a lion dominating its prey. “I have secrets!” he cried out, feeling his torn flesh. “Secrets about the resistance! I beg of you, please, no!”
Smearing the blood across his face, “Farewell,” was all she said before she snapped her neck to the side and sunk her fangs into him. One quick bite sent him to the floor; his body instantly shriveled and deteriorated. She prompted Victor to remove his body from the room, then fluffed her long black curls with her fingernails and readjusted her gown before she turned to face me. My knees trembled as she swung around to meet me, my mind’s eye still fixed on the granite stairway where Andrew’s lifeless body lay. He was here, and then he was gone. His absence should have been a relief, but it only intensified my fear. Now it was just Samira and me. Alone.
“Now then, where were we?” She wiped the blood from her mouth, licked her fingers.
“I don’t know, I …”
“Ah, yes. Your request.” She beamed, floated back and forth as she spoke. “It seems you have wasted your time and have taken quite a gamble.”
“I’m sorry?”
“You made the assumption Gavin would be punished. That you could take his place. You see, he is alive, and I do not intend to punish him. I must allow him to go into exile. However, he is guilty under my law, and will serve me in place of physical punishment. As for you my dear, a mortal in this place has two options. Live or die. You may not leave mortal, you see. You become a liability to our secrecy if you do. To live, you must become one of us. And what an honor it is to join our family.”
“I wouldn’t be a liability if you let me go.… I would never tell anyone, I swear—”
“I have no proof of that. The only mortals who know about us outside of this place are changed, or killed immediately. The relationship you and Gavin have begun is most forbidden, and such a unique situation must be handled quickly and definitively. Leaving is not a choice for you unless you are changed, do you understand?”
My eyes locked on hers. I fought to remain submissive, but my suspicion burned. “Yes. But … why give me the gift of immortality? I mean, why spare me?”
“Your very presence exudes endless potential. It is infectious,” she inhaled strongly, as if taking in my scent. “Such vitality, such perseverance. You would be far more useful to me joining our family than you would be providing me with a single meal. The choice is yours. What will it be?”
Gliding toward me, she took my chin in her hand. “If you truly desire to take Gavin’s place, I will spare him his sentence of servitude and admit him to Amaranth where his curse will be lifted, as he has requested. You may serve in his place. Unless, of course, you prefer the other option.…”
“No.” I met her hazy stare, ready to commit. I knew I was interfering with Gavin’s plans, but it would be worth it, if it meant letting him go free, seeing him human again, just as he wanted. What Samira presented to me was more of a trade, more desirable even. If I accepted the offer, I’d still have a chance to be with him again, would be here to witness the destruction of the evil incarnate that stood before me. I needed no more convincing. “Change me.”
“It is done. You’ll be escorted to his living quarters immediately.” With a quick swirling of her lifted skirt, she retired to her throne and gestured to the wolves. As I turned to follow them toward the doorway, she called at me to stop, leered at her long, sharp nails as she spoke.
“One more thing, my pet. I almost forgot. In choosing to take another servant’s place, you are marked. You belong to me, which means you will not have the privilege of living in exile.” She met my eyes with a smug smile. “Just so we’re clear on that.”