Piper
"Who are you?" Both of us said at the same time. Confusion played on his face as much as it probably did on mine.
Before me was an umber-haired Warlock who I would guess was in his early twenties. At least, he looked to be in his early twenties. Although, he could have been older. He was tall with deeply tanned skin, and his hair was a mop of perfectly organic curls. The eyes that stared back at me were a golden-orange tone with brown flecks around the edges. They were luminous just like the surrounding flowers. His fire-like eyes and sweet-smelling blood gave away that he was a Warlock.
He was breath-taking. Yet, he'd be much more attractive if he wasn't aiming an arrow straight at my heart.
"Tell me who you are before I shoot you where you stand," the Warlock barked. I could see in his eyes he meant it when he said he'd shoot me. He wasn't fearful. He was just calmly prepared for this.
"I'm Piper Gheata. I might as well know who you are before you off me," I stayed calm, even though I really believed this Warlock would shoot me. I couldn't tell if he could see my eyes underneath my hood. If he did, he would know his arrow wouldn't harm me. I'd catch it before it even buried itself in me. Living in these woods, he had to know he was close to Vampires.
"I don't need to tell you who I am, Princess," his voice was harsh. I furrowed my brow.
"You know who I am then?" I assumed. The 'Princess' threw me off for a second, but I guess I couldn't be shocked that he knew of the royal family. He did in fact live in the forest surrounding our castle.
"I'm not stupid. Your guards pass by every other week."
"Technically, those are not my guards-"
"They work for your family, therefore they are your guards," he cut me off. I shrugged my shoulders, knowing he was right.
I reached to pull my hood down. Before I could, he pulled the bowstring even tauter. I pulled my hands away, staring straight at the head of the arrow.
"I promise you no harm. I just want to pull my hood down," I told him. "Check me. I have no weapons."
The curly-haired man glared at me, his fire eyes blazing as he looked me over. I could tell he was questioning if he should come any closer and check for weapons.
He lowered his bow to his side. I watched him as he came closer, and he never broke eye contact.
Once he was directly in front of me, he reached to pull my hood down. He paused for just a mere second to study me. I must not have been what he was expecting.
He examined me and pulled back my cloak. Running his hands down my sides swiftly and pulling each leg up to check my riding boots, he found nothing of harm.
"Just like I said. No weapons," I said in a breathy voice. I felt anxious with him being so close, but not anxious for the reasons expected.
A tense silence came over us until he, finally, stepped away.
"How did you get in here?" This stranger asked me yet another question. Although, this time he was genuinely curious and had a hint of shock in his voice.
"Get in where?" I replied with my own question, I didn't know what he meant by, 'here.'
"No one can see this area except for my kind or those who are permitted in," the Warlock explained. "My mother..." He started but decided against speaking any further.
I furrowed my brow and looked at him in curiosity.
"I saw a lantern and decided to come look," I told him. Although, now I was curious as to what he said. "What do you mean no one can 'see' this area?" I asked.
"It's warded..." He murmured, looking around us. He seemed off in his thoughts as he started to walk towards where I came from. Without thinking, I followed.
Suddenly, a spark came from his fingertip and he reached to the ground. A glowing light came from the ground and spun around the surrounding area like a fence of gunpowder being ignited. Sparks flitted through the air, tracing what looked to be a bubble surrounding us. Within seconds it was gone.
I looked around in awe for yet a second time tonight. I had never witnessed any kind of magic except the kind that ravaged my brother's body five years ago. This kind was different.
This kind was beautiful and warm. It wasn't threatening or worrisome like the dark magic I had witnessed before. It made me want to know more about it.
He stood there staring at it in confusion. He turned to see me right there behind him, At this point, he did look fearful. I could tell by the expression on his face that he had realized something.
"What do the Vampires know? They know how to get past the wards, don't they?" He snapped, his voice frantic. His tone was filled with anger as he walked towards me.
"I don't know anything about wards," I told him honestly. "I just walked over here and it was like everything appeared out of nowhere..."
"You're lying," he accused, narrowing his eyes.
"Why are you so afraid of my kind? Who says I shouldn't be the one afraid of your kind?" I flipped the questions on him. I had no idea what he was frantic about.
I should be afraid of him. For all I know, he's just like the Witches and Warlocks that have attacked my kind. Why would he even have 'wards' guarding his home?
"Why am I - Are you serious?" He laughed almost like I had said some sick joke. "Your kind has been killing my kind for decades, and you ask me why I'm afraid of your kind?"
My eyes widened at his words. I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't believe what he had just said.
Ever since my twin brothers Alec and DeMalo fought for Raven and the throne, I'd heard rumors. My late brother, DeMalo, had used dark magic to try to take Alec's Soulmate and right to the throne. This magic was supplied by our Uncle Zachariah's mistress, Akantha, who turned out to be a Witch.
After DeMalo and Akantha's death, I had heard snide comments and remarks about the taste of Witch blood. Memories of the things I had heard came back after I heard this Warlock accuse my kind of killing his. But I had never expected this to be an ongoing occurrence...
"Tell me you're lying," I murmured, but I could tell by the look in his eyes when he pointed that arrow at me earlier. He was truly afraid of me - or rather - my kind.
"You don't know?" He looked at me in disbelief.
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" I exclaimed. Obviously, he was lying. "Your kind are the ones that have planned attacks on my family for centuries. Your kind killed my grandfather and almost killed my brother," I accused.
"My kind doesn't tolerate that kind of magic. We ostracize those who break the rules of magic. Yet, your kind hunts us in punishment for those few," He spat back. This caught me by surprise.
All of this was new information to me. I had no idea what he meant by my kind 'hunting' his. I couldn't help but be appalled by what he was telling me.
"How can I believe you?" I asked, not wanting to believe this stranger Warlock. I still didn't even know his name. How could I believe his words?
"Because your kind killed my mother four years ago. Is that proof enough?"
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I hope you guys are enjoying this new book!
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