Shadow's Claim

rubbed her back, it seemed to soothe her.

“I-I want to return to my spire.” Finally she opened her eyes.

He gazed down at her, studying her expression. She’s trying to get control. He could wrap her in mist, but he didn’t believe she needed it. She appeared to be tamping down the worst of her panic. “I don’t think that’s what you want me to do.”

“Why on earth not?” Her voice was shrill, even as her breaths were steadying.

“You’re reining this back in. You’re beating it.”

“I can beat it—back in my rooms!”

“Those Vrekeners stole more than your ability, they stole your enjoyment of this place. You can reclaim it tonight.”

Her heart sped up again. “This is some kind of test? Some kind of catharsis? You’ll help me past my fear? No, thanks! I don’t have to do this now. One day I’ll get my power back, and then I’ll be cured.”

“You’re more than just power.”

“So says the male that has so much of it!” She fretted her bottom lip. “Look, I appreciate what you’re trying to do. I-I don’t want to be like this—cowards don’t want to be cowards. But I also never wanted to be the type of female who needs a male to be strong.”

“Fitting. Because I never wanted to be the type of vampire who can think of nothing but his Bride. In any case, you don’t need me to be strong. You simply need me here for this first step—which is that way.” He pointed to the three stairs leading out of the folly into the glade.

“What can possibly make you think I’m capable of this? Why do you have so much faith in me?”

“I’d ask you why you have so little,” he said. “Bett, you’re teaching me how to see the world; the least I can do is help you see yourself. I’ve delved far into your mind. Deep down you know you’re remarkably intelligent; you’ve considered that your talents are unequaled; you suspect that I find you the most exquisite creature ever fashioned. You are; they are; I do.”

Before she could reply, Trehan said simply, “Greatness resides in you. Power or not, you can become empowered.”

* * *

The vampire’s words were like a bell pinging in her brain, reminding her of Morgana’s cryptic comment: “The greatest thing about having power is the mere having of power. Use the latter well, and you’ll never have to use the former.”

Bettina had figured that her godmother was advising, “Fake it till you make it.” Or “Perception is reality.”

All at once, the real meaning clicked. Power is where you find it, where you seize it, how you wield it.

Bettina finally understood. As Daciano pointed out, the Vrekeners had robbed her of this folly; she could steal it back from them.

She might not be able to get her ability back, but she could still be empowered.

It’s where you seize it!

This was a fantastic revelation. . . . But I’m still not going out into that glade.

She backed away from Daciano, away from his big, warm hands. “Greatness? Are you joking? I can’t do this. Vrekeners could be teeming in the trees, and I would never see them.” Until it was too late.

“They could very well be.”

“Wh-what was that?” Chills raced over her.

With a confident nod, he said, “There could be twenty or thirty of them. Perhaps more.”

“What?”

“It’s possible that a dozen more have landed since we’ve been discussing this.”

“Why are you telling me this?” she cried.

“Because you’re still going to walk out there.”

“The hell I am!”

“If I told you none were here, would you believe me?”

How to explain this? “I would believe you. But my mind wouldn’t . . . it wouldn’t register it.”

“Then accept that they are here. Now, what do you think would happen if our foes lie in wait?”

“They’ll attack!”

“And then?” His voice went lower, silky with menace. “Come, Bettina, you know what comes next.”

“You’d fight them?”

“I would do to them—what I did to the four.” He leaned his shoulder against a carved basilisk column; at that moment he looked far more terrifying than any dragon. “You’ll have a ring of bodies around you, more heads than you could ever fit in a sack. I’ll let you pick which Vrekener to spare—for torture.”

That shouldn’t sound so utterly appealing.

“You’re in a prime position, dragă.”

“I . . . am?”

“If there are no Vrekeners, then you’ll walk out there and reclaim this place from your enemies. If they are here—which I’m hoping for—you’ll get to witness firsthand what happens to those who think to harm my female. Win-win; either way makes for a memorable picnic,” he said dryly, his lips curling.

She stunned herself when she almost smiled in return. Maybe the connection that continued to grow between her and Daciano didn’t leave any room for emptiness—or for fear.

She gazed out at the murky glade and back. Before the rain comes the clear. “Vampire, we could go together.”

A sharp shake of his head. “You go alone.”

She shoved a braid out of her face. “Oh, come on!” This mouse simply wasn’t prepared to scurry into a clearing surrounded by trees, beneath a concealing fog.

And when that fog broke? What sight would greet her as she peered up at the sky? She called to mind the horrific image of a plummeting Vrekener. She imagined the rush of air from angry wings.

Win-win? She would look up and be met with either terror—or beauty.

Even with the vampire here, this would be a trial by fire.

Daciano eased closer to her, again muddling her mind with his mouthwatering scent. At her ear, he murmured, “Bett, I’ve dealt death in forests all over the Lore. Whenever I’m about to strike, animals, and even insects, go quiet. Listen.”

She heard a cacophony of familiar sounds. Unperturbed owls, happily squeaking bats, the steady buzz of insects.

“You see so much,” he said. “Now listen to these creatures and be assured: no predators await.”

Everything out here was going on with business as usual. Everything but silly Bettina, standing frozen, too afraid to walk twenty-five feet while the impassive world marched on.

Screw—this.

As if he’d sensed her capitulation, Daciano wrapped his hand around hers and escorted her to the folly stairs. “I’ll meet you out there.”

Am I really going to do this? Sober?

He seemed to think so. Apparently, so did some part of her she scarcely recognized.

With Daciano holding her hand, she descended the first stair.

And the second.

After a deep breath, she conquered the final one—but she curled her fingers to keep hold of his until the last moment. . . .

Just as her boot met the spongy ground, she lost that contact with the vampire and faltered, gazing back over her shoulder.