Some Magical Loopholes
Kane
A few days after the alliance with Willow’s former con is finalized, Ivy in going to meet up with the high priestessen of coven she is associated with. Surprisingly, she’s taking me with her. When I ask her why she wants me there, knowing how the witches will not positively react to me, she points out, “This war is your mess. You should be doing half the work of trying to convince them.”
I don’t really have an argument for that, so I call Emory to inform her I’ll be gone for a few more days then make the drive to the meeting point the high priestesses agreed on. We drive even further up north, my guards along with Willow and Rainer tailing us. It’s even more remote here, no buildings and. people to be found for miles. When we reach our destination, we step out of the car, and Ivy guides me toward stone steps that lead up a hill.
The steps are steep and have been carved into the stone. There are no railings. for support. I look around at this desolate place and wonder what we’ve done. to the witches to make them live this way, I owe them a lot already, and they haven’t even started fighting with us.
On top of the high hill, forty bluestone standing slabs are positioned in a circle. Each monolith is over six feet tall and has to weigh over two tons. In the center of the monoliths stands a bluestone slab altar. Some stones are stacked on top of the vertical stones to form a triangle. The wear of the stones indicate. that they have been here for a long time.
“We used to gather here for ceremonies,” Ivy explains as she lights torches with her magic. “At least until our gatherings made your kind too nervous.”
Familiar shame makes me want to wince, Ivy has made it known she doesn’t. care for my apologies, so I don’t say a word. As we walk closer to the large stones, I can see runes have been carved into them. Considering my father’s. crusade in trying to cull the witches‘ power, I wonder how this place managed to stay untouched.
As soon as we enter the ring of stones, I feel the hair on the back of my neck. stand up as ancient power ripples over the area. Even with my ignorance of
magic, I can feel it beneath the earth and in the air. This place is older than me. Centuries of magic has been cast here, and traces of it can still be felt.
“They don’t mind you bringing me here?” ask. The other witches?”
“It’s not the first time vampires have tried to come up here,” she explains. “And when they come with their poor intentions, thei jic reacts accordingly.”
The magic around us feels like a hundred eyes are watching me. It almost. makes me shudder. The guards stand outside the circle of stones, not daring to move closer. Willow and Rainer circle the monoliths, the former touching the stones reverently.
“If you are insincere in your intentions of making peace with the witches, the magic will strike you down where you stand,” Ivy continues. “You may lie to my face, but the magic can read your heart clearly.”
1 look up as the sky darkens, thunder booming above us. I stand still, waiting for judgement. Ivy’s hazel gaze is steady on me as she stands by the altar. Lightning flashes above us for a minute before the clouds slowly clear and show us the night sky again.
“That’s a first,” Ivy says. “I’ve never seen the magic actually tolerate a vampire.”
“Maybe I’m special,” I reply, trying to hide how nervous I am with a joke. She thought I was about to die and didn’t warn me? I guess I can’t blame her, but I’m also not sure I can trust her.
The high priestess shrugs. “Special? If you say so, King Kane.”
“I’ve come to learn that nature has loopholes,” I tell her. “Perhaps you can clarify something for me.”
She leans back against the altar, her hands on the bluestone behind her for support. “What is it you need clarification on?”
“I’ve had questions ever since I met Emory and felt the undeniable pull between us. When she became pregnant and she learned that I’m her mate, it seemed to go against everything we know about our two species.
“It is true that a vampire and a shifter usually don’t have romantic relationships. At least that’s what I’ve heard.”
“Our relationship goes beyond that. I’m her fated mate. Why would nature. create allow something like that to happen?”
“Trying to make sense of why nature and magic do things can drive someone. insane.”
“I have no one else to ask about this,” I admit.
Ivy purses her pink lips. She looks contemplative before answering, “Nature values survival, not strength. Perhaps nature thinks a child of two species will benefit the survival of both.”
I remember how the shifters decided to align themselves with Crimson Peak after learning about Michael. His existence alone assures me that I have Alphas to fight for me in this war. This is not a feat I would have accomplished on my own. The vampire royalty feels differently about my son, but maybe time, they will change their minds.
“Magic is finicky. Vampires were created using magic, so whatever ancient magic is within you could be to blame as well,” Ivy adds. “It could also have to do with your bloodline.”
“My bloodline?”
“Haven’t you ever wondered why some vampires are born? Unusual for a species that can create more of you with just a single bite, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean?” Of course, I’ve wondered about that, but I want to hear. what she has to say.
“Part of the reason we shun witches that are turned into vampires is because we learned they’re still able to get pregnant. All vampire royals have a witch. ancestor or two somewhere in their bloodline. Ironic, isn’t it?”
The answer to a mystery I’ve wondered about my entire life is so easily given to me, I’m reeling trying to process it. My father’s actions feel more shameful considering we’re descended from witches. This magic has been in my blood for millennia, probably waiting for the right catalyst to create something new.
Maybe falling in love with Emory and having Michael is all part of some grand design.
A gasp makes us both turn to where Willow is standing. She has gone shockingly pale
tvy gives her relative a bland smile. “You should probably use some protection just in case. Auntie Willow
Willow
The witches arrive about an hour after we reach the top of the hill. I have only been to a few of these ceremonies, when I was a child. It was before my mother died of a fever one winter, and my father started drinking to cope Bryony was only three the last time we went. After that, meeting up in large masses like this became too dangerous.
The high priestesses don’t come alone. They are all wearing shrouds in different shades from bright colors of red, green, and yellow to dramatic dark blues, purple, and even black. They have come with other witches who are carrying lit torches to guide the way. They all look suspiciously at the vampires. Kane’s guards keep their distance, sensing they are unwelcome in this place.
Once the high priestesses enter the circle of stones, they get straight to business. Kane and Rainer negotiate their terms for an alliance with each coven. It’s a long process that requires bargaining and some level of posturing. My inexperience with politics and diplomacy makes me useless in this process. I step away to give them space and make my way down the hill. My superior eyesight makes it easy for me to navigate the darkness.
I find more witches below. They have set up tables overflowing with food and drink. Dozens of lanterns illuminate the area. They stop and stare as I approach.
I try to smile reassuringly. “Hello. I’m Willow. I come in peace.”
The witches exchange glances. One of the younger witches with brown hair asks, “Do vampires eat food?”
“We dc ” I answer. “We need blood to survive, but besides that, we eat plenty of food, even though we don’t need it.”
Food is a safe, neutral topic and we discuss the differences and similarities in The food we eat Vampires usually have access to more expensive food while witches make do with more hearty and filling meals. It’s a conversation not much different to the ones I’ve engaged in with the staff at Castle Graystone. during a boring week. When they learn I used to be a witch, their curiosity gets the better of them, and they ask me more personal
stions
“Do vampires have s*x?” one of the men asks. “Or is it all just biting each other. and drinking blood?”
“We can do both if we want,” Rainer answers easily with a grin. He walks toward us and stops beside me, wrapping his arm around my waist. “It depends on how kinky you are. I don’t judge.”
I dig my nails into his wrist, quietly admonishing him. The witches around us have gone red
“Where are Kane and Ivy?” I ask. “Are they done negotiating?
“They’re making their way down for the feast.”
He nods toward the group of people walking down the stone steps with torches. I see Ivy and Kane at the front. We all wait for them to reach us. It seems we are going to share a meal together.
I don’t think witches and vampires have ever done that. This must be a first. Negotiations must’ve gone well since the mood is light. The witches aren’t making small talk with the vampires, but they seem to have relaxed as we sit and begin eating, grabbing from the food and drinks at the long tables.
“How did things go?” I ask.
Ivy is drinking wine and eating a plate of baked fish. “Better than we expected, actually, King Kane charmed those mighty women with his silver tongue.”
Kane shrugs, a pleased smile on his face. “Turns out my pretty words work. better on the other high priestesses.
Ivy snorts. “You’d think these women wouldn’t be fooled by a handsome face.”
“We all have our weaknesses,” Rainer points out.
desine poof in me belly t
1
sory response the hand on my kno one will see it under the table. bạt 1 by to keep my face straight as fees fingers travel higher until he’s dangerously close to my inter thigh This man is shameless All the while tacks like nothing’s a miss as he eats grapes from my plate
ane goes to the high priestesses at some point and makes them giggle and fluster by plying on the charm thick by speaks to witches closer to her age and leaves me alone with Rainer He leage closer to me and murmurs. Do you want to get out of here?”
glare at him. “Seriously?
He smiles boyishly like he’s never done anything bad in his life. “Will you please come with me? Pretty pleases
I roll my eyes and make a show of being annoyed with him as I get to my feet He takes my hand and practically cares me away from the feast. He takes us to the nearby woods, deep enough so were hidden by a crop of elm trees. My back is pressed against the solid trunk of a tree, and I let out a squeak as Rainer pulls me up so I can wrap my legs around his waist
I’ve been thinking about this all day,” he says before he k*sses me
The k*ss is hot and deep. His hands are everywhere, pulling up my skirts and unzipping his pants. He’s deep inside me before I can even protest–not that want to. All I can do is moan and follow his lead.
Maybe I’m just as shameless as he is.
