A Vampire's Heart

Chapter 8

She watched them in case they should have a reaction, so was confused when she took in their awed expressions. Turning, she stared open mouthed at the cavern. Nico swore in Italian and she couldn't help but agree with him. It was huge, its earth roof encasing them on all sides.

But that wasn't the only remarkable thing. It was the field of wildflowers that really made her take pause. A blanket of princess flowers littered the floor, leading to a river that snaked across the ground, winding in a pattern that stretched outwards to the very edges of the cavern. A cluster of tropical water lilies bunched together on the surface, bobbing with the current.

'Your water witches? Akari said in awe.

'But of course, why else would the locals allow us sanctuary in their village. It can be a long time between rainfalls.' Mother Marcia replied. 'But now it's time to prove who you are.'

She pointed outwards, and for the first time Akari noticed other people all sat watching them. They were clustered around two bodies laid out on the floor.

'What happened to them?' Akari whispered. She took in their bandaged limbs, the blood seeping through their coverings, the bruising across their skin. They were in bad shape.

Mother Marcia's grip became punishing on her cane, her knuckles turning white. 'An attack that they were not prepared for.'

'Dolores mentioned an attack. I never believed...' Nico's voice trailed off as he saw their injuries. 'Who could have done this?'

'That son of Matteo, is very much the question.'

Nico flinched at the sound of his grandfather's name. Very few ever addressed him as such. He didn't like the comparison.

'You don't know?' he asked, hoping that no one had noticed his reaction.

Mother Marcia regarded him quietly. 'Xerazade sent a distress signal before she was incapacitated, but their attackers had fled by the time we got to them.'

Akari reached forward hesitantly, her hand touching the invisible force separating them from her.

Mother Marcia nodded with respect. 'Beyond this point, only magic that will strengthen them will be permitted. Your glamour will not be allowed. Neither, unfortunately, will your companions.'

Nico bared his teeth. 'I will not allow it. I go where she goes.'

The older woman looked between them, her interest peaked. 'Regardless, the spell is cast. The light walker can prove herself, or you can leave?'

'Nico,' Akari said, turning, so she had his full interest. 'I can do this, trust me.'

And as he looked into her blue eyes, he felt the strangest sensation, because he did trust her.

He sighed. 'Okay.'

'After you, light walker,' Mother Marcia said.

Akari regarded the barrier in front of her. There was nothing there to see but that meant little. Magic didn't comply with the regular laws of the world. She could easily walk through the barrier and be transported somewhere else, or thrown back or turned into a spider. A thousand different things could happen depending on what the spellcaster wanted to achieve. Each witch had their own unique style, that much she knew. She just wished she'd been able to speak more to Morgan. Akari's knowledge of the other paranormals was very lacking in details and she was only beginning to realise.

Knowing that there was no choice, she stepped through it, feeling her glamour dissolve. She could hear Mother Marcia's surprise at her true appearance, but she ignored the older woman. She focused on the two injured girls. They couldn't have been older than eighteen, still with a touch of youthfulness left in their battered faces.