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“Not yet. My vampires are scouting for them. I should hear word soon.”
I run a finger down his chest, sliding against the soft cotton. “Nava, have you found them?”
Yes, she says. Two hundred vampires northwest of the lake, near the river. They have Carmen.
I relate the information to Raúl. He jumps out of bed, frantically pulling out his pocket watch. He informs a few vampires, who promise to start gathering volunteers to fight.
“Volunteers?” I ask.
Raúl shuts his pocket watch and leans down to kiss me. “Yes. We are all trained to fight. Anyone who wants to and is able can help.”
“You don’t force them?” I say as I wrap an arm around his back, stroking it up and down.
“Forcing is never the best plan,” he says. “Only in times of great need do we require everyone to defend our kind.”
According to the grumbles of Airalin, the human king required men of a certain age to learn to fight, sending out a call when they were needed. Those who refused were sent to work in the mines for a month’s time.
“Do you have enough vampires for this fight?” I ask, nerves tightening my voice.
“Yes,” he says. “I have about five hundred total, with a few hundred in the castle at all times. I will return to you, I promise.”
Although I believe him, I can’t help but worry about his safety. I watch the shadows swirling him, knowing I could never let that happen. My magic reserve is small, but I can still help.
“I’m going with you,” I say to Raúl, my body filled with determination. Even if he tells me no, there is no chance I will listen. I am going to be at that fight, no matter what it takes.
He leans back to look at my face. “Are you sure? It’s dangerous. Vampires will die.”
I shake my head emphatically. “I don’t care. There’s no way I’m letting you out there by yourself.”
Raúl sighs, putting my head on his chest. “If you are sure. You’ll stay in the back, though. Away from the rebels.”
“As long as I can be there.”
He strokes my hair. “I don’t know about this, Penny. You’ve fought little skirmishes now, but a full on battle is… messy. Vicious. I will have to be a monster to fight these monsters. Are you ready to see that?”
“If it means I can keep an eye on you, yes.”
Raúl leans down and kisses me, his soft lips against mine. I deepen the kiss, wanting more, and he happily obliges. He cannot stay long though, needing to come up with a plan to get his mother back.
He holds me tight, and I savor the hug, not wanting it to end, but knowing he needs to leave. Just as I let go, Nava whispers to me. My heart pounds and my hands shake as I grip Raúl’s arms.
Airalin is with the rebels.
Chapter Sixty
She and another vampire conspire to attack the castle, says Nava, continuing her narration.
Raúl and I rush out of my room, heading toward his office. He calls Henry, who calls all vampires to meet him there.
I sit in Raúl’s office with him, strategizing with his vampires. They plan to ambush the rebels in the forest first, picking off as many as possible, then let the rest through to the castle grounds. Archers are already gathering near the roof, ready to go out as soon as dusk approaches.
With both his mother and my pretend one among the rebels, Raúl wastes no time in preparing for the impending attack. No one sleeps during the day, and I only take time for a quick nap. Every moment is filled, down to the last second. They gather weapons, stakes, special clothing, and magic.
The news that Airalin works with the rebels comes as no surprise to Raúl. He makes special preparations for it, calling in the three main vampire witches.
I worry they will not get here in time, since they are far away, even with the portal stone cutting the journey down.
Only Airalin can walk in the daylight, so Raúl is guessing the rebels will attack at dusk. The thick trees provide enough cover during the day for vampires to stay. However, there is a field in between the forest and castle. They would disintegrate the moment the sun touched their skin, but traverse it in minutes at night.
