Chapter 87 - The King's Bite

They arrived at Kalitsk Castle only to find it in a state of disarray. Everyone inside was under strict orders to search every inch of the premises for clues and those that were not were being thoroughly questioned by the castle’s security. The tension in the air was palpable and the only one that was there to greet the King and his new wife was Niklaus.

“Where’s Milena?” Allegra asked as soon as she and Vladislav came to a stop before his brother. She had expected the Princess to be running the show when they arrived, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“She’s leading the search for your sister in the Capital,” Nik said, his usually chipper demeanour completely gone.

“Is that safe?” Allegra fretted as she wondered just how many people were in danger.

“She’s capable of handling herself,” Nik responded as he impassively watched a couple of the vampires they had left with zip back and forth with their luggage. Haste was of the essence. “Milena is one of the only ancient vampires we have available, so her powerful sense of smell was needed. Branek is too tied up with interrogating the staff and she’s the only one familiar enough with both Cilla and Elanora’s scents to lead the team, so it made sense for me to be the one holding down the fort.”

“And Rafael?” Vlad asked, probably just to spare her the awkwardness of having to ask the question herself.

“They still haven’t found him,” Nik said, “but Milena’s team is also looking for him, since it’s most likely that the three of them are together.”

“Too much time has passed,” Vladislav bit the bullet and chose to say what they were all thinking out loud. “If Raf is behind this, there is no way he would still be in Nefolktu. What we need to figure out is where he would go while also keeping other avenues open. We cannot afford to put all our eggs in one basket. Anything from her cell phone location?”

Nik shook his head as he led the way inside, only to direct them through the kitchen and into the gardens.

“Not exactly,” Niklaus said as they came to a stop. “Her phone shows that her last location was the castle. Unfortunately, the data isn’t precise. Before Milena left, though, she traced Cilla's scent to this exact spot.”

Allegra gaped at the spot in question as Vlad cautiously approached it. The previously impeccably trimmed lawn and perfect rock pavement were scorched over by a blazing fire that had left a blackened circle behind. Vlad squatted and closed his eyes, seemingly scenting the lingering smell of ash.

“This is how she left,” he said as his hand brushed over the grass and closely inspected the ashen residue on his fingers.

“This is how she was taken, yes,” Nik gently corrected.

“This is dark magic,” Vlad stated as he stood back up to show them his fingers. He slowly moved them back and forth in the weak sunlight and they saw the ash reflect back with ultraviolet shimmers.

“How would a witch get to Nefolktu?” Niklaus asked, clearly not thinking the theory held much weight. “They’re the only ones who would be able to infiltrate the grounds, considering all the protection we have placed around it.”

“Not witchcraft. I take it no one was granted permission to open a portal on the castle grounds today?” checked the King as he gingerly brushed his hands clean. His brother shook his head no. “Dark fae magic. It would take some effort to unbind our protection, but it is very possible, as you can see. Where are Cedai and Zallius?”

“They’ve been holding their silence since you two left,” Nik said with a frown, “but I don’t think –”

“They can’t be behind this,” Allegra said defensively, putting the words her brother-in-law was about to utter bluntly. “They love Cilla. And why wouldn’t they leave with her?”

“I was not about to accuse them of being behind it, Allegra,” her husband said with narrowed eyes. “This is fae magic, despite the fact that it is dark. It only makes sense for us to involve them. They may be able to help us figure this out.”

“It just seems like an accusatory response,” Allegra said. “It may come off as antagonising them.”

“Who cares?” Vlad asked just as bluntly as she had been with him. “Do you want your best friend back or not? I know they are your friends, but we are all doing what we must. Do you think I enjoy the possibility of my oldest friend being behind this? Of course not. Yet, here I stand before you, having basically declared him an enemy of the state without any evidence.”

Allegra slumped down in defeat.

“You’re right” she admitted. “Of course, we should do everything we can, especially when we’re faced with something this glaring. It just didn’t seem plausible because Cedai is the only one of them who’s an elementalist and she certainly is no expert at fire.”

Something clicked in Nik’s eyes when the Duchess said those words.

“Azil is a fire elementalist,” said the Prince suddenly.

“How do you know this?” his brother asked. He had known the fae a long time and he had not even known the man was an elementalist, let alone one with a proficiency in fire.

“I found out on your wedding day,” Nik shrugged carelessly. “It was after he exchanged barbs with the fae who bound you two. I saw him light a cigar with his thumb. He did it so causally, I didn’t think much of it until just now.

“Now I understand why he’s been so fine with having two of the fae highest in his ranks separate from him for so long, “ Nik continued as realisation dawned on all of them.

“Of course,” Vlad said. “If they were there, they would have put a stop to it, or worse, walked out on Drausia altogether. He could not afford either outcome. The question is, why did he go after Priscilla of all people? He has made no secret of the fact that all that he needs from Nefolktu are vampires willing to fight by his side. She is not a strong enough bargaining chip for that.”

A determined look crossed Allegra’s face.

“It doesn’t matter why,” she insisted. “Now that we know this, we really do have to talk to Cedai and Zallius. They know him best. They’ll be able to help us.”

Nik looked doubtful. “Be prepared to have this conversation through text,” he sighed. “Like I told you, they’ve held onto their silence steadfastly.”

“I'm not worried about that,” Allegra said confidently. “They'll break it for Cilla.”

The three of them went up to the faes’ rooms. They decided to forgo telling Branek about their discovery for the time being. There was still a possibility that he would find something of use in his questioning. Now that Mystik was back, the process would go on twice as fast. The knock that Nik rapped on their door went unanswered as expected. The handle clicked open momentarily, but when they stepped in, neither fae was there. Only when the three of them were fully inside the room did they see Cedai and Zallius seated at a small table. They each held a book in their hands, but set them aside and smiled at them in welcome. If she had been having doubts, Allegra knew that the warmth of Cedai’s smile would have erased them completely.

Allegra and Vlad took the two other remaining seats at the circular table and Nik elected to remain standing, his foot nervously tapping against the carpeted floor. The Duchess stretched her arms ahead of her and reached for Cedai’s hands. The fae graciously met her half way until their hands were linked and they were looking at each other. The Duchess knew her husband and his brother were doubtful of their willingness to cut their vow of silence short, but they were unaware of how strong the sense of kinship she shared with them was.

“Has anyone been by to speak to you today?” Allegra asked softly.

Cedai shook her head and she could tell by the furrow of her brow that she wondered why they were back early. She took a deep breath before she broke the news.

“Cilla’s gone missing,” she said flatly and felt the hands surrounding hers tense. “Actually, she’s been abducted. Vlad thinks there is some dark fae magic involved and we need your help to find her.”

The fae stared back at her in disbelief, the only sign of life was their slowly blinking eyes.

“There are some things we need to discuss, like the fact that there is evidence of dark fire being involved out in the gardens,” Allegra said as she tightened her grip around Cedai’s hand. “We need as much information as we can get from you. I'm sorry, but we’re going to have to ask you to cut your silence short.”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Cedai swung her gaze to Zallius. After only a second of eye contact, he closed his eyes and murmured an incantation under his breath. Their hands were still connected, so Allegra felt the shockwave that passed through them momentarily before everything went still once more. She was only vaguely aware of Vlad stiffening beside her and suspected he had come a hair’s breadth close to pulling her away.

“Of course,” Cedai said, her voice rough with disuse. They both took the time to clear their throats. “Anything for Cilla.”

“How can we help?” Zallius asked.

Allegra turned her smile of relief to Vlad and Nik, which prompted them to speak.

“We are aware that you can sense magical auras,” Vlad said. “We have our suspicions of who exactly is involved, but we need you to confirm them or tell us if we are wrong.”

“Who do you suspect?” Cedai asked carefully, although Allegra suspected they knew as soon as they had heard fire was involved.

“Azil,” Nik blurted. “He’s the only fire elementalist we know. Certainly the only one who has been on the premises.”

“That’s preposterous,” Zallius said. “Why would he do that?”

“We have no idea and his motivation is not important right now,” Vlad said through gritted teeth. He had never liked being questioned. “All we need from you is to tell us if you recognise the residual aura, whether or not it belongs to Azil.”

Zallius nodded and Allegra took that as a signal to let go of Cedai’s hands. She gave them one last squeeze before she did just that and then she stood up, with the rest of their party following suit.

“Lead the way,” said the fae as he held his mate’s hand. Allegra was not sure if it was to comfort her or himself, but she gave them a trembling smile as she did just that.

The few humans and vampires that they passed in the corridors on their way down stood still and stared at them as their eyes followed the party of five almost against their will. Allegra imagined everyone was on tenterhooks as they waited to hear any updates, but knew it would be a long while before they did. They finally returned to the scorched earth in the gardens and Cedai approached it in more or less the same way that Vlad had.

Zallius came to a stop next to it and closed his eyes to focus while his mate brought her hands to brush against the dark grass. Unlike most times when his eyes were closed, there were no words falling from Zallius's lips. If anything, it seemed like the moment required complete silence. Cedai went from studying the ash with microscopic focus to staring at it unseeingly as her eyes lightened to a pale lavender. The whole thing probably took less than five minutes in total, but it felt much longer as the three bystanders held their breath in anticipation.

Cedai’s eyes returned to normal as she stood up at the same moment that Zallius’s snapped open. They knew the answer before either of them even spoke. His normally pale white skin had taken on an ashy grey colour and Cedai looked like her heart was in the process of breaking when she met their eyes.

“Azil was here,” Zallius said, and Allegra swore she had never seen him sound so empty.

“There’s more,” Cedai said, sounding like she was on the verge of tears.

“We can discuss this somewhere more comfortable,” Vlad said, knowing she needed to take some time to come to terms with the truth herself. “My study is free and the fire should be going already. Let us adjourn there.”

“You go ahead,” Allegra said as they all turned to go inside. Vlad stopped to pierce her with an inquisitive stare. “I have to make a call.”

“Make it inside,” he said firmly, steering her into the kitchen by her waist. He locked the doors behind him as she settled in a seat at the island. “I am not comfortable with you being out there alone. Who is it that you have to call so urgently?”

“I don't think Elanora’s presence and sudden disappearance is a coincidence,” she admitted. “If she is somehow involved there's one person that is sure to know everything that's going on.”

“Your mother,” Vlad stated simply.

Allegra nodded. “I just hope she stops playing her games and is upfront with me for once.”

***

Priscilla had fallen asleep as soon as her overactive mind was absolutely certain she was alone in the room. They had not drugged her, she did not think, but her body felt unnaturally heavy, so she concluded it must be the result of a spell. When next she woke, her mind felt much clearer. She had always been hyperaware of her environment and her time in Drausia had only honed that instinct. It was why she was so disappointed in herself for falling for the trap in the first place.

That feeling had returned, however. The moment she woke up, Cilla knew she was not alone anymore. She kept her eyes closed and turned toward the edge of the bed to see if the invisible barrier remained. Her fingers brushed across the edge only to come in contact with something solid that hummed softly as soon as it was touched. Emboldened by her protective barrier, the redhead quickly sat up, shrugging off the sleepy act. Before her sat the last person she expected to see.

“I was hoping you would stay asleep for much longer,” Elanora said, as if she was the one being inconvenienced.

“Oh, I'm sorry,” Cilla said stiffly. “If my presence is such a bother, then maybe you could figure out a way to get me the fuck out of here.”

Elanora actually cringed at her words.

“Must you be so crude?” asked the Duchess. “Although, with your breeding, I suppose I can't expect any better. Unfortunately for both of us, we are stuck here for the time being. Neither of us can leave without the escort of a fae, as I'm sure you know.”

“Did you just call me crude?” sputtered Cilla. “I suppose being royalty means you’re held exempt from that because, I assure you, it is much more crude to hold someone against their will. What are you hoping to gain from this?”

Elanora’s eyes hardened. “My husband.”

“Oh, not this bullshit again,” Cilla muttered, wiping her hand down her face in exasperation. “What the hell does your relationship have to do with me?”

“Azil has offered me a free pass across his lands once Rafael delivers on his end of their bargain. He’ll take me straight to him and once Greg sees me out of my element trying to reconnect with him, it will show him just how much I am willing to do to fix us,” Elanora said proudly.

Cilla blinked in stunned silence at the other woman. How did she honestly consider abduction a better option than therapy? She clearly needed it.

“My goodness,” Cilla breathed. “They are not his lands! Drausia belongs to its people. All those times I called you a crazy bitch, I never knew how right I was. I knew you were a bitch, but not a treasonous one who was off her fucking rocker.”

“I am not treasonous,” the Duchess spat. “Nefolktu is not my home and I did not betray it.”

“No, but you did betray your sister, who is about to be crowned Queen,” Cilla said thoughtfully. “Maybe treasonous isn’t the word. Would you prefer traitorous?”

“Shut up, Priscilla,” Elanora said shortly. “I have enough on my plate without having to be burdened by your grating voice.”

“I apologise,” Cilla spat sarcastically. “I’ll try to be a more agreeable hostage.”

The tense silence that followed was only amplified by the fact that neither of them looked away from the other.

“So you’re completely fine with handing me over to a life of sexual slavery?” Cilla asked.

“I'm sorry it had to be this way,” Elanora sighed. “Greg is everything to me. I can't lose him.”

“Hmmm,” Cilla murmured apathetically. “All this time I thought you were just another elitist snob. I never would have imagined that you were pure evil.”