Lord of Shadows book 2: Bloodlines Read online

  "I can live with that explanation if you can. Now, we got things to do and people to kill. Let's go."

  It took us over an hour to circle around the zone I assumed the people in the keep could detect us at. The constant patrols had become a headache, as well. They were actively searching for us, which only made it harder. After we killed the three at the village, I thought we'd have a few hours until someone noticed, but when the soldiers wouldn't report in time, things could get out of hand.

  The stone construct loomed high on the hill in the distance, brightly illuminated from all sides. I couldn't make out faces, but my eyes served me well enough to notice the mass of soldiers handling the walls. If they were all super-powered, we'd have a tough time ahead of us.

  Clearing the forest, we came to the first village located out in the open. It was deserted as well without a single trace of life. Some embers of a bonfire were all that remained from the previous inhabitants. I couldn't help but feel bad for them, having no idea what the 'good guys' had done.

  Grassland stretched westward as far as I could see, which was a bad thing. The lack of shadows from the trees or tall brush really could have a potential impact on the outcome. Still, we had to move forward. It was the only way, at least for now. But what about Vlad? What would happen once I found him? It's not like he'd just embrace his Vampyre father and run off with me.

  I sighed and sat on a large bench. The still night was a blessing. The less sound there was, the better I could concentrate. Sitting there, I tried to contact Dracul, but he was 'unavailable' ever since his disappearance act. I sure could have used some help right about there as I sat under the full moon.

  "I failed to notice the moon until now. It's such a beauty," I whispered.

  "Tell me about it. I feel ecstatic!" Boris replied, slamming his fists together. "Speaking of which, what are we doing here? It's not like we need a rest."

  "No, but I needed a moment to clear my head. I don't know what we're up against, and even if my son will want to hear me out. Whatever, it's not like I can change that ahead of time."

  "No, but you can let us share your burden, my Lord," Selene added as she sat beside me. "I might not be one of your women for-- obvious reasons, but still, I'm your servant and your soldier. So is that fleabag over there," she said, nodding at Boris. "We're there for you, especially now that we've become stronger."

  I couldn't help but stare back at her in amazement for a long moment.

  "This is the longest sequel of sentences you've put together in the last year," I replied subconsciously. She chuckled and shrugged.

  "I don't want to impose on you with all those women around. I'm just a soldier, it's not my place to steer you in any given direction."

  "No, but you sure have a way with words when you want to."

  "I have a way with many things, but that's something for another time, no?"

  I sighed and got up, stretching my limbs for what seemed the first time ever. Every little bone cracked and felt like it was being set back in place. There was no better time to go at it than now. I was in high spirits, and that was a lot better than I could ask for given circumstances.

  "Hey, what the hell is that over there?" Selene asked, pointing far ahead. It was at least a couple of miles, maybe as far as five. How could a lich see that good?

  "Doesn't that look like a mansion?" I asked, narrowing my eyes on the distance. It was as if a veil had been lifted from the building and revealed it for all to see.

  "Shit. I sure as hell never heard of someone hiding a building. That's plain nasty," Boris growled clenching his fists. "Even more reason to go evil on them fuckers!"

  "Yeah," I replied, half absently as I tried to understand what was going on. "Selene, can you take off the necklace? I want to check something."

  "Sure," she replied, pulling it off over her head. "Hey, it's gone now!"

  "That nasty little bitch," I hissed. "So it's always hidden, and the only way to find it is to have an enchanted item that lets you see it. We need to figure out how that works. It could help keep the villages around our new castles safe."

  "Yeah. So what now? Do we go in or what?"

  "No. I'll be scouting ahead, alone. There are some things I need to see first."

  "Bah! Wasting time instead of killing the bad guys!" Boris growled and dropped to the ground. "I can use a rest anyway."

  "Selene, watch over Boris. Don't let him do anything stupid."

  "Him and stupid?" she laughed.

  "Whatever. Don't come after me, and don't die before I'm back."

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The mansion was as large as the cleric keep. Four towers rose high above the rooftops at four corners of the building. A ten-foot wall stood tall, made out of wooden logs and slabs of stone with a creaking gate at the center that hung half-open. Numerous guards roamed the walls and the insides. Torches illuminated the immediate vicinity, along with light crystals arrayed along the walls.

  The style was similar to what could be found near Zharevo or other bigger towns, but it had a peculiar look nonetheless. Everything was round. The towers, the outer wall, the rooftops and even the helmets atop the soldier's heads were rounder than I was used to.

  Grass and brush covered the gates and the walls providing it with some natural cover. It was strange, though. Would I even notice anything if I walked up to this place? Would I bump into the wall or walk past it? The important thing was to figure out if the place was warded. But how? If I used any of my powers and triggered a trap, they'd know someone was there.

  I looked back to the small village where I left Selene and Boris behind, and again at the mansion. They shouldn't be there when I find Vlad. I had no idea how strong or demented he might be. He might as well attack me on sight, so I made the decision for them. I would go in alone and hope that the two didn't come after me fast enough.

  I enveloped my body in shadow and stood up from behind cover. Just as I was about to move, a group of three landed right in front of the gate. Again, I couldn't recognize what they were, but I felt their power. One of them was a big brute that reminded me of the guy I killed at Bran castle, while the smaller man more looked like a Vampyre than anything else I encountered until now. The woman was rail-thin and tall, with long white hair and pale skin. She glanced over my way, squinted her eyes, and shook her head.

  "What the hell is she?" I whispered. But then, a fourth figure who was shrouded in darkness landed beside them. I could recognize her from miles away. It was Freya. She turned her head slightly and met my eyes. It was only logical she could see me as she was a goddess, but it was still unnerving. What shitty game was she playing anyway?

  "Don't do anything stupid," Freya's voice rang out in my mind. It startled me enough that I moved an inch. "Make your way inside through the front gate. No one will be able to spot you for the next minute. Once inside, find your son and get him out of here. A lot is riding on your success."

  I remained silent. Freya said what she wanted, and I had no interest to give myself away, so I stayed quiet. I could either follow her order or turn back, but if I did turn tail, I'd never be able to forgive myself. So I did the one thing I could and followed the group of four. The guards turned away from the gate and dispersed for some strange reason. It might have even been Freya's doing, but it didn't matter.

  To my surprise, the insides didn't quite match what I imagined the mansion would look like. I sighed and inched closer, leaning in past the half-open gate. No, it hadn't been my imagination. There was a whole goddamn city inside the mansion!

  "What the hell?" I whispered as I passed through a shimmering portal. It felt eerily similar to what the clerics used to have in their keep. I looked around, not able to help myself at what I'd just discovered. A city appeared before me, bathed in glowing crystals that were set up like torches for as far as the eye could see.

  Red and grey brick in combination with metal and glass windows made me stop and gawk at the buildings surrounding me like an idi
ot. I turned around, but the portal was gone and replaced by a wall. I cursed inwardly and tried to hit the wall, but it gave way and sen me back to the front of the mansion.

  My heart skipped a beat as I stood there dumbfounded. The sly bastards had hidden a portal into a wall. How apt, I thought. I needed some of this for myself. This constant flying back and forth was getting old, even though it was already much faster than by horse or on foot, I would need a way to instantly move between my assets.

  Taking a deep breath and calming down, I turned back to the gate, but this time with a wide grin. This was getting fun and more exciting by the moment, especially after passing through the gate again and finding myself at the same spot. It was time to get acquainted with the city, but first, I needed to leave a marker that would tell me where to go, so I carved out an Azdaha in the four corners around the hidden portal.

  "Now that this is settled, I better get to it," I said to myself.

  "Huh? You said something, young man?" an elderly man asked. I looked down at my body only to find the shadows missing. Just then did I notice that the bright crystal light had erased all shadow from around me.

  "Yes. I asked where I was. I have no idea how I found myself standing here."

  "Oh! Why don't you help me help you? Such a strong man surely is talented in all kinds of things, no?"

  I studied the elderly man closer. His shoulder-long grey hair stood out along with the pitch-black mustache. His clothes were rather fine, which meant that he was no beggar. Maybe it was as he said. If he knew his way around here, or if he could tell me more about this place, I would be able to find Vlad easier.

  "What do you need, old man?" I asked. My voice was neither cold nor warm, just the right tone of polite.

  "I can't walk home, you see?" he said, pointing at his legs. The elegant, black pants were a testament to his status, and they told me he was probably loaded. "My arms have given me out much sooner than they should have. You see, I circle the city every day to keep in shape, but today I'm feeling much worse than usual."

  "And where do you live?" I asked curiously. "Do you perhaps know Countess Bella?"

  His eyebrows rose into the top of his head as if I'd asked him something he'd never expect. He recovered quickly before offering me his hands.

  "Why do you want to know of the Countess?" he whispered as I pulled him up in my arms and started carrying him.

  "Where do you live, old man? Where do you want me to take you?"

  "Toward the far eastern part of this city. It's about fifteen minutes out on foot for someone as swift as you," he replied.

  "Right. Anyway, we're old acquaintances. She still owes me-- a lot from before."

  "I see. Well, in that case, you will find her very easily from my place. But say, would you care for what an old man has to say to you?"

  "If it doesn't go against my beliefs, sure," I joked. He didn't seem to understand but shrugged it off as we walked. The city streets were bustling with pedestrians, both kids, women, and men. Just where the hell was I? This looked like something from a dream. "And say, where are we?"

  "Oh, pardon me, young man. This is the Vatacan. How come you don't know where you're at?"

  The world spun around me as if I'd been struck by a hammer. I was at the heart of the enemy territory.

  "I see," I replied after a long moment of deliberation if to drop him and run or to stick around and explore. Before I could make my decision, the old man burst into laughter before patting my shoulder.

  "Just messing with you!" he snorted. "No, we're in Orsova. Have you never been here before?"

  I shrugged and calmed down visibly. But the old man wasn't as senile as he seemed.

  "No, I can't say that I have."

  "I see. So, you're not really on friendly terms with our Countess, are you?" he asked. I shrugged.

  "What's it to you?"

  "The whole world! That witch needs to disappear!" he hissed and turned around as if someone might have heard him. "Please, carry me to my home, and I'll explain everything. I feel the power you're radiating, and it's tremendous!"

  I narrowed my eyes on his small, brown marbles.

  "Then you also know that there's barely anything that can stop me from killing you if you try anything funny, right?"

  "A stray dog can kill me, lad. But yes, I fully understand what you want to say. In any case, it's not much further. Just follow this road for two more minutes, and we'll be there."

  I looked up at the people passing by, studying their faces and expressions, their mannerisms, and the way they looked at us. This was a haunted place. There was no life here, only fear and repression.

  "Is that it?" I asked when we arrived at the end of the road. He'd remained quiet all the while letting me take in my surroundings. I'd seen him grin more than once during our walk, but what bothered me most was that no one seemed even dared stare at me for carrying his old bones. It was as if no one cared, or that they were afraid of me.

  "Yes, young man. We're there," he replied with a wide grin plastered to his face. I put him down on his feet and produced the cane he leaned on earlier, from shadows on my back. He took a cane and leaned in on it. "Please, follow me," he added, making his way up to the gate.

  Two heavily armed guards stood at attention at the entrance. They greeted the old man with a slight nod before they turned to me. No nod, no greeting, but no hostility either. As soon as they looked me over, both of them returned to their hard-eyed stance.

  The walls were too high for me to see what was happening on the inside, but from what I'd seen from down the road, he sure had quite an estate to his name.

  The door swung open, revealing hundreds of soldiers hard at work, training, and getting ready for what looked like war. I stopped right at the entrance, not setting a single foot inside and looked over at the old man. He shrugged and motioned for me to follow him.

  "What is she to you?" I asked. He stopped and turned back to me.

  "A mortal enemy, and from what a little bird has whispered in my ear, you're the one who can take her down."

  "And I will, but for my own purpose and reason. Not for someone else. I'm never going to be used again by anyone, old man. I was curious about the whole situation, but now I know you've been waiting there for me to arrive, am I wrong?"

  "You almost gave me a heart attack when you left through the portal!"

  "Oh? You know about the portals?"

  "Of course, I do! Why else would I be waiting next to a wall for you to appear? By God!"

  I stared at the old man with as much disinterest as I could before I opened my mouth again.

  "What did she say her name was?"

  "Huh? Who?"

  "The woman who told you I'd be there."

  "T'was no woman, young man. T-was the goddess herself."

  "I see. And what did the goddess promise you, old man?"

  "Oh, knock it off with the old man thing, will you? I'm the mayor! Or at least I used to be before the Countess came along."

  "You want to be the sole ruler again? What a noble cause."

  "Hah! Young people these days! But please, come inside. I'd like us to sit down and have a proper talk," he said, motioning toward the mansion. I turned from him and observed the soldiers who all stood around doing nothing but watching our altercation. Their pitch-black uniforms and armor looked eerily similar to the ones from the Azdaha back at Rasnov.

  "Are they all Human?" I asked curiously.

  "To the last man and woman," the mayor replied. "I assume you're not Human yourself?"

  I shook my head and started following him. He joined my stride toward the mansion's entrance with his sturdy cane in hand.

  "No. Didn't she tell you?"

  "She did, but I'd like to hear it from you if possible. But please, inside. One can never be sure enough there's no one around listening in, no?"

  The massive, wooden door opened before us. A servant stood at the entrance, holding it open for us, and bowing slightly. I didn't
bother even looking at him and instead opted to study the entry. A high ceiling ended in a massive chandelier. The walls were covered with a black stone-like material I'd never seen before. Golden knobs and accent were present everywhere. Gold, huh? It was the choice of the wealthy.

  "Please, this way," he said, leading me into the living room right around the first corner. A large round table sat in the middle of the room opposite the fireplace. Finely decorated chairs stood around the wooden table. The other side of the room was empty, however. Strange, I thought.

  "Speak. I don't have much time until my friends come running," I said, taking the largest chair.

  "Right, right. So, Lord Ivan, that is who you are, right?" he asked. I nodded slowly baring my fangs at him. He winced, but then grinned in delight. "Exactly what I need! Now, let me tell you about the main reason I brought you here. And please excuse me for a moment," he said before cupping his mouth with both hands. "Franz? Can we get something to eat and drink?"

  I sighed, not entirely impressed by what he had to show up until now.

  "Speak, mayor, or I'm gone."

  "Yes, yes. So, the thing is as follows. The Countess has a good friend, a certain lady Elizabeth Bathory. She and her witch have come to live with our new mistress of Orsova. Now, if she had been a normal Human being, that wouldn't be a problem, but she is far from normal, you see?"

  "No, I don't, unless you tell me. So, what is she then?"

  "From what our benefactor told us, she's a Lamashtu. She bathes in the blood of young girls. My two-- this town has lost many young women. And with every day, we lose more and more. Something needs to be done about this!" he yelled, slamming his fists against the table. I couldn't help but stare at him. I didn't know how it felt to lose a child, but I did know how it felt to lose a lover.

  "I see," was all I could reply for a moment. "Tell me, what do you know about her forces? How powerful are they?"