Page 54 of Dhampira

Delphine paused at the foot of the bed. “Good night, Your Highness,” she said softly.

I said nothing. Just waited. She left. And when silence finally settled over the chamber, I made my decision.

I was leaving tonight.

11

My heart fluttered as I pressed my ear to my chamber door, every nerve tensed for the slightest whisper of sound. The fire in the hearth burned low. Light from the full moon streamed through the balcony windows.

The fat, silvery orb seemed even bigger on this side of the Feyline. But maybe I was just imagining it—or resenting it. Naturally, my escape fell on a night with a cloudless sky and the biggest moon possible.

But my situation wasn’t all bad. At my hushed request for “dark clothes that let me move easily,” the dragonstone dress had transformed into a tight-fitting black shirt and black leather trousers. Sturdy black boots hugged my calves. If I stuck to the shadows, I’d be difficult to spot.

Not to vampires with enhanced vision, a voice warned in my head.

I swallowed hard, the door warming against my cheek. If Rasimir caught me…

But I couldn’t stay. Remaining in Nocta meant living as a killer. How many Duncans or mermen could I drain before I lost my soul? And if I refused, Rasimir would kill me. His last words to Lorcan and Vander ran through my head. Tell her who she is. Another mystery—and one I didn’t care to unravel. Running was my only option, and I had to do it now, before I got tangled up in whatever war Rasimir was fighting.

Lorcan’s voice followed Rasimir’s in my memory. She is a weapon you can’t afford to throw away! At least now I knew why Rasimir wanted me. But Lorcan was wrong. I wasn’t a weapon. Rasimir didn’t need a daywalker. On the other hand, Lorcan had spoken of a plan.

A shuffling noise on the other side of the door froze me in place. My heart racing, I strained for more sound. It came a second later—a low, rumbling snore.

Anticipation joined my fear. Easing the door open, I peered out. A knight sat on a chair opposite my chamber, a sword across his knees and his chin lowered to his chest. The serpent on his breastplate glittered in the moonlight pouring through the corridor’s windows. He snorted like a horse, his head bobbing.

Awareness tingled through me. Vampire. Kindred but not kin. But the knight was sleeping. And if I didn’t take advantage of it, I might never get another chance.

Breath locked in my lungs, I winced as I slowly pulled the door shut behind me. The knight’s snores continued. For a moment, I considered slipping the sword from his grip. But it was too risky. For now, I’d have to make do without a weapon.

Still holding my breath, I tiptoed past the guard and headed down the corridor. When I was a dozen steps past my chamber, I glanced back. The guard slept on, his snores echoing off the stone. Releasing my breath at last, I moved faster.

The white orbs atop the candles on the walls shuddered as I passed. Moonlight slanted through arched windows, dust motes drifting in the thick beams. My blood pumped faster with every step. I waited to hear sounds of pursuit or an angry shout.

But the corridors were quiet as I struggled to remember the way to the main part of the castle. Shadows climbed the walls. Long passageways stretched in every direction. Paintings of richly dressed men and women seemed to follow my progress. I paused where two corridors intersected, indecision swamping me. Was it right…or left?

Masculine laughter drifted on the air. Swallowing a gasp, I darted into an alcove that housed a gleaming suit of armor. Ducking behind the steel, I pressed my back to the cool stone, willing myself to become one with the wall.

Footsteps approached, and men’s voices floated toward me.

“—and she fought like a banshee,” one man said, laughter in his words. “Blood tasted like piss. That’s what happens when the guards don’t give them enough water.”

“But you drank it anyway,” the other man said.

They turned the corner, their footsteps louder. Two vampires in court clothes approached. Lacy cravats circled their necks. Gold buttons decorated embroidered coats that descended to their knees.

I pressed my back harder against the wall. My heart tried to pound out of my chest. Don’t see me. Don’t see me.

Change rippled down my clothes, the black leather turning a dark gray.

“Of course I did,” the first man said. “I’m discerning, not an idiot.”

They laughed as they neared the alcove, moonlight glinting on their fangs. I held my breath as they passed, my palms flat against the stone behind me. The men’s voices faded as they turned another corner, and I finally dared to exhale. One of the shimmering orbs bobbed above a candle just outside the alcove. As I stepped away from the wall, the little ball appeared to brighten.

Wait. Had it dimmed when I ducked behind the suit of armor?

There was no time to figure it out. My heart in my throat, I hurried in the opposite direction the vampires had taken. The Drakhold’s maze of passageways offered plenty of hiding places but also plenty of opportunities to get turned around and hopelessly lost. But surely down was better than up. If I descended enough levels, I’d reach the ground floor eventually. After a couple of dead ends, I found a dimly lit staircase and followed it, my boots soundless on the thick carpet runner.

More candles and bobbing orbs greeted me on the next floor…and the next. Tapestries in muted colors depicted armies clashing in battle. A closer look revealed centaurs and sirens in armor riding against vampires in crimson cloaks. Rasimir’s serpent adorned their chests and shields.