The Vampire’s Servant novel Chapter 153

[Talia]

The feeling when everyone returned, unharmed, from breaking the wards was jubilant. Gray and Echo had gotten home before anyone else and had already gotten a call from Trent saying that the young wolves he had gathered in the pack house were finding their mates.

I was impressed with Valor’s little magic show for the children last night. He juggled balls of flame and water, made a potted plant dance in its pot, and summoned candy for all of the children. They were stunned when we made it seem like he made me appear in a flash of light.

Everyone went to bed much happier, but not as wary as they should’ve been. It only took a few hours before the curse attacked Victor when we took care of the fae portion. I wandered and watched over the house.

Finn disappeared for the evening, but, from the sound of it, he was bedding his Solus Amor. It was hilarious watching him fumble once he realized who she was. He was never at a loss for amusing and cheeky things to say, but there was something about the girl that made him a nervous schoolboy. It was adorable.

Soon, everyone was waking up for training. The two additional witches didn’t train with us. I figured Finn was planning on staying in Amelia’s bed until he had to sleep.

Gray was progressing well. He was a quick learner. I enjoyed teaching him. I would watch Echo with Marius as well. He was so proud of her. She was always fighting hard and was very focused during training.

When we were finished with our individual training, we went back to the main area. Sean was showing off his wings. Echo hurried ahead of us. They were beautiful wings that really suited him more than butterfly or moth wings could have.

“Aren’t you going?” I asked Gray.

“I’m still worried about finding all that hunter paraphernalia in Melissa’s house. I didn’t realize someone in my school could be a hunter. All this time, I thought I was safe, we were safe. Echo had nightmares about hunters all night. I don’t know what to do.” He sighed.

“We’ll report them to Bellamy’s rogue squad. They can go give them an ultimatum and track them from there. Don’t worry, Gray. We’ll take care of it. Go have some fun and enjoy this break. Things may only get worse from here.” I told him.

“Fenton’s going to focus all that released power on the part of the curse that has Echo, isn’t he?” Gray asked.

“Yes. And on her supports.” I replied. “Emmalyn said this curse has tendrils that branch out to those who support the Master of the territory. I think that’s why you were being so unreasonable about the torture. You already had strong feelings about it, but you are a reasonable young man. I think you would have seen the light and understood.”

“I don’t know about that. I do know I was having stronger feelings than I thought I should have. I was actually thinking of leaving. I’m glad she changed her mind. It was like I was suddenly free again. I wasn’t being inundated with thoughts of her being… well… evil.” He said, embarrassedly.

“Go on. Spend this happy time with her. We never know when the curse will take a turn. I don’t want you to miss out on this.” I told him, shooing him away.

Gray grinned and ran over to the other children. Rosario was now showing off his vines as well. Marius sighed.

“If you told me three months ago that I’d be here, father to a dhampyr, a werewolf, and a witch, I’d have thought you insane. Look at them, Talia. Perfect examples of what their people can be.” Marius sighed.

“So children was all it took to soften Death?” I chuckled.

“Only those children. Only for this family.” He murmured.

“How is your little witch?” I asked.

“Thank you for not telling the rest of the council that I’m dabbling with a dark witch. She wants to come see my territory. I want to take her. I want to keep her, Talia. I know she’s not my Solus Amor. I’m fairly certain I don’t have one. I want Lila to be mine.” Marius said.

“Then make her yours. There is nothing that says we can’t have relationships with living beings. Only that we cannot breed with them for the purpose of creating dhampyrs to sell. Go be with your witch. I’ll watch over your children.” I promised.

“I will. I’m going to go home for a few minutes. There’s a trinket, I’m sure Lila will enjoy, in my vault.” He smirked and disappeared.

I shook my head at my love-struck broodmate. Marius had always taken his vampire life too seriously. I was glad that he was turning a new chapter. He would be even more deadly with more than his reputation to defend.

As I headed for the children, I saw Rosario put his hand to his head and close his eyes tightly. I started running and managed to catch him as he collapsed. Sean was fretting over him as I lowered his body to the ground and looked him over.

“What happened? He was fine.” Sean insisted.

“It looks like the curse did something to him. But why Rosario?” Gray asked.

“Let me see.” I sighed and put my hands on him.

He wasn’t unconscious, he was gone. Not dead, but not in his body. I could feel him tethered to it, but there was nothing to pull him back. It was as if he was stuck in whatever realm he was in.

“We need to get him somewhere comfortable. I can travel to where he is and retrieve him. It looks like the curse may have sent him to the realm of dreams. It’s almost like where you go when you sleep, but a little different. More lonely.” I said.

“He’s alone? Please, Talia, please save him.” Sean pled.

“Gray, can you carry him? He’s too big for me to carry comfortably.” I asked.

“Yup.” Gray said and picked Rosario up off the ground.

I led the procession into the house and up to Sean and Rosario’s room. We turned on a light and laid him down on the bed. I cleared everyone who wasn’t important out, leaving me and Sean with Rosario.

“Please, tell me he’s going to be alright.” Sean whispered.

“He will be fine. I will travel to the realm of dreams to retrieve him. Don’t worry, Sean. I’ll bring your mate back.” I promised and got onto the bed next to Rosario.

I held onto his hand and closed my eyes. I needed to make sure I wasn’t dropped just anywhere in the dream realm, or it could take quite a long time to find him. I felt the tether and followed it, leaving my body behind.

–

I arrived in an area of the dream realm I’d become familiar with quite some time ago. It was a long, dark, hallway. Doors would appear and disappear at random. These were the gateways into dreams. If I opened one, I would be granted access into the dreams of another.

As I wandered the hall, hunting down the scent of elf, I came across a woman marching in the same direction. It was rare to see anyone in the halls of the dream realm. I caught up to her quickly.

She turned to look at me. She was an older woman of African descent. Her hair was gray and cropped close to her head, but there was fire in her eyes. No matter her human age, she was full of the spark of youth.

“Hello, human. I am the Traveler, Talia. I’m searching for a boy. He’s an elf. Have you seen him?” I asked.

“You’re not Zombi or Lwa.” She replied, staring at me as if she were looking into my soul. “I know ancient power when I see it though. Tell me, are you a catalpa come to make the elf ti bon ange?”

“Interesting words. You must be a practitioner of mystical arts. I am none of these. I’m a vampire. And you’re correct. I am ancient.” I smiled.

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