Darius stared at me. Clearly that was a yes. Also, probably silent name-calling.
“Can we talk about this for a second?” I sat down and hunched over my knees. “Was that really a unicorn? A unicorn! The fabled animal that has always existed in myth.”
“As you saw, yes, though they call themselves something different. Don’t ask what it is. They alone choose to whom they will reveal their true name. It bestows a sense of power and sight on any graced with the good fortune.”
“Let me guess, you’ve been graced.”
“No. Only Vlad that I know of.”
“Ah. Fine. So why isn’t it common knowledge that they’re real?”
“This is the secret Vlad spoke of. This is the knowledge you must protect with your life, and we will need to change the contract to reflect that. You are now tied to them, and through them, to us. Should you ever attempt to reveal this knowledge—”
“Yes, yes, death by pleasure. I know.” I shook my head, because who could think of contracts at a time like this? “But…how have you possibly kept this secret? Unicorns, man! Unicorns.” I shook my head again. “I’m blown away. I am simply blown away.”
“Given that there are thousands of myths about them, Brink-wide, the secret isn’t wholly kept.”
“But everyone thinks they aren’t real.”
“They also think vampires aren’t real.”
“The Brink does, but the Realm knows better.”
“Yes, true.” Darius gave me a slight bow. “When a vampire vows to protect something, he does it with everything he has. We have made such a vow to these animals. As of right now, our oath is being called into question. Someone has not only broken into this land on multiple occasions, but has imprisoned one of these creatures and bled her dry. That is unacceptable. Vlad has assigned me to find this person, and great honor will come to me if I succeed. Given that the mistress herself just saved your life, hopefully our objective is as important to you as it is to me.”
“Even if it isn’t, very few people could’ve gotten through that spell like I did. Our mark will be coming for me.” I dropped my head to my hands. “Quite the pickle you’ve gotten yourself into, Reagan. Forming a line of people who want to bring you down.”
“Who else wishes you harm?” A strange ruthlessness filled his voice. It almost sounded possessive.
I shrugged it off. “Doesn’t matter. Okay, time for a quick question-and-answer segment. First, why are you still alive in the sunlight? I thought that was a no-no.”
“I am in no danger. It is not real sunlight, merely magic. Unicorns are our exact opposites; they thrive in the glow of sunshine, and their spirit and power diminishes in the dark. We have altered our territory in the Realm to continually stay in darkness, so that they may stay in constant magical light. For that, they have deigned us worthy. Our loyalty to them, and our vigilance to make sure they are kept secret and protected, has created a partnership. They allow us a certain amount of blood to make a special brew. This brew is integral to our future.”
“You’re talking about the turning potion used to create new vampires.” His look turned flat. “Come on. Everyone knows you guys use one. That’s not secret.”
“The ingredients are.”
“Clearly. Fine. But why are they excited about being trapped on this island? Why don’t they want other magical creatures to know they exist?”
“Do you recall how it felt to ingest their blood?”
A surge of joy filled my body. The craving to run after the beast and latch on to the wound in its neck took hold of me. I turned away and shut my eyes, fighting the desire that had come out of nowhere.
“The closest thing to that feeling is the Brink drug heroin,” Darius said in a cool tone, striding toward me. “But that craving doesn’t come close to the residual desire for unicorn blood. Magic has great perks, but with it comes great pitfalls.” His hand landed on my upper back and slowly ran down my spine. Tingles erupted, but I didn’t shrug him off. The craving for unicorn blood slowly subsided. “Our blood counteracts the desire. I thought our blood and theirs would be sold as a pair, but when I apprehended that mage the other night, only unicorn blood was in his possession.”
“You’re saying that vampires have loose lips somewhere, but they might not be in on it.”
“It is too early to tell.”
“But you could be, essentially, hunting one of your own.”
“Yes.”
“Well, if we are, let’s hope they aren’t as old and fast as you, huh?” I stepped away from him. “I don’t want any of your blood.”
Hunger flashed in his eyes. “Let’s wait and see.” The next moment, confusion bled through his expression. He minutely shook his head. “I apologize for how that sounded. I meant, if you need more of their blood, you might need something to reduce the craving.”
“Nice save. How’s the leg?”
“The bullet has worked its way out.”
“Happy, happy.” I redid my ponytail. “So if knowledge of unicorns was widespread, they’d probably be hunted and destroyed in a mad panic to consume them. Do the elves know about them?”
“The royal cabinet do. They are happy with this arrangement.”
“Of course they are. They don’t want a bunch of magical people running amok, trying to get high. That would be the easiest way for them to lose control.” I took a last look around the lovely meadow. “Let’s get to work.”
He nodded and led us to the right.
“Did you leave your trap or whatever you’d planned?” I asked as we stepped into the trees. Another of those majestic animals, though not as big, stood off to the side, watching us. All I could see was that horn, though. It looked gilded and lethal, over a foot long, and with a dullish point that you’d surely feel as it rammed through your middle.
Not like you’d miss many things, dull or otherwise, that rammed through your middle.
“I decided saving your life was top priority,” he said in a matter-of-fact sort of way.