New enemy [||]
[Ace Denzell's POV]
They could feel each other's tension like waves crashing against a sandbank, but no one wanted to be first to break the silence and speak up. So they all stared at each other for a while until finally, Rosaline, the witch who had been the second member to rule the coven after the Queen, broke the silence. "Is it true that we won't survive if the werewolves succeed? What if we don't have something to save our vampire land? Will they destroy our kind?"
Rosaline was a young woman and the only surviving witch who had entered the Dark Shadow Coven after the War of Dark. Her long white hair was tied back into braids so fine they looked like strands of silk floating through the air. Her eyes glittered like polished emeralds as she stared at me. She sat on an intricately carved stone bench and waited for me to answer her question.
"A third body has just been found in Nagosia forest," she said.
"And a bottle for which the two Alphas were fighting to get," she added, her voice sharp with concern.
I responded to Rosaline the Witch only because of Queen Clementine, and they both knew this. I didn't mind the witch taking refuge in the Dark Shadow Coven. But the Queen should not have given her a seat on the throne with herself, as he believed that only vampires could rule the Dark Shadow Coven.
"You would think being a vampire would be a blessing; it certainly wasn't a curse, but you know what they say about us fucking losers. No matter how much the blood tasted good or the warmth was welcomed, something was missing. You didn't feel complete until all that extra energy had disappeared from your bones and veins. So, yes, having powers in your early thirties was pretty great, until one particular breed decided to fuck with it."
As the queen started speaking, everyone went silent.
"Power is not something that can be won or lost in any game. Power is an addiction that runs through the blood to the souls."
"The third body has been found today and the fourth will be found tomorrow. The problem is not the bodies, but that they are killing their own breed. Those who can kill themselves can fuck anyone."
You will be the future king of this vampire land, so prove that you are worthy of this name and position," I bowed my head, listening to the Queen, and understood. I knew what I had to do next.
"The Strigoi Grave Risen Coven hasn't even made a move yet. They'll be in some sort of stake, so it would be foolish of them to turn a blind eye," I thought.
"There is inside news that the Strigoi Grave Risen Coven has been meeting in secret with werewolves. And apart from dying, humans have also gone missing from Nagosia forest," said Knight Lalika.
Knight Lalika Renard, a blond-haired young woman with dark brown eyes, "you will keep an eye on the Strigoi Grave Risen coven and inform me directly about their every move. And Knight Livvy Renard," Lalika's sister with black eyes and black hair, "you will stay with Ace Denzell from today and focus on the case of these werewolves," the Queen ordered the two assassin sisters who were standing in the royal room listening to everything.
"Whatever you like best, Queen," I started to turn around and stopped when I heard the voice of Witch Rosaline. "Looks like that bottle is really going to serve for a great purpose."
"I still don't know about that, Witch Rosaline, but if something happens, I'm sure I'll do it for the coven's good," I replied.
"That's what I hope for you," said Witch Rosaline, looking at my face intently, and asked, "Is there any trouble?"
I was regretting that I shouldn't have done that with Rook Theia. How could I betray my love?
At Witch Rosaline's question, I quickly answered "No," but I had no other choice. How could I forbid the future queen of this coven? But I should have done something. I stood there, answering my own questions that were forming in my mind. That was quick, but still, it's my mistake - an unforgivable mistake.
"If there is no problem, then how did you forget the blood link thing?" asked Witch Rosaline. Her voice was a little louder this time, like a mother scolding her child for their mistake. It wasn’t loud enough to reach the rest of the coven, but everyone else in the royal room could hear her clearly.
"No, I haven't forgotten. Just now....I completed the ritual. I quickly dug my fangs into the Queen's neck as I drank her blood, my eyes glowing red. The taste of it flooded my senses and I moaned in delight, a growl rolling from the back of my throat. The Queen was delicious, so unbelievably sweet. The most delicious thing I had ever tasted in my life, I couldn't help but want more. Wanted to drain every last drop from her body but I was not allowed to do that.
Blood Link is a special and very ancient ritual of the coven, in which a Moroi Ace who would become King drinks the blood of the current Queen or King to enhance their powers so that they can increase their abilities. The Queen's blood has an empowering effect on the Ace only if given willingly. It unlocks a higher level of power in him, strengthening his abilities. It is a powerful ritual but dangerous, as another Moroi Ace died trying this link. He lost himself in the magic and fell under the spell of the Queen. After that, he began to attack innocent people, forcing a truce between the coven and the Ace. It took years to heal the rift caused by the death of this new Moroi Ace. The Queen and the Queen Consort have not performed the ritual in over ten years because it is a painful ritual, requiring many sacrifices. This is why they needed me. My actions weren't exactly the result of a good decision, however, I am grateful to whoever brought me into the coven. I owe them a debt and I plan to repay it in due time. If this were happening to someone else, I would have left right away.