Blackstar

While the King and Queen were gone, the three of us found a small bookcase down in the basement. I refused to read down there, though, and we gathered in front of the fireplace to read. Most of the books were fiction that Vera enjoyed reading.

“Here’s one about the runes,” Alexi said from beside me.

Our shoulders were touching and I looked over. “What does it say?”

“It explains what we already know,” he said in disappointment. “That they are used to trap demonic spirits. The only thing we didn’t know is that, other than trapping the spirit, it weakens them.”

“That could be to our advantage,” I sighed and returned to the book in my lap.

“What about the poison herbs and silver rod?” Vera asked, looking at the items in question.

We all looked at them.

“Vampires are susceptible to silver,” Alexi said slowly. “But the herbs….”

“More to weaken him?” asked Vera.

I sighed, my head throbbing. “I’m going to lie down,” I said. “I’m not feeling well.”

-Alexi’s POV-

We watched her get up and go into her parents’ old room. Vera was staring at me so I turned my attention to the book Raven had left behind.

“Why do you keep staring at me?” I asked finally.

“Are you in love with her?” she asked, her head tilted to the side.

“Yes,” I nodded, deciding there was no reason to lie.

“Have you showed her?”

I blushed at her bluntness. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean,” she pressed.

I sighed. “We have work to do,” I changed the subject. Vera looked sad. “What is it?”

“Do you remember the ball?” I nodded, closing the book. “I met a young man named Dillon.”

“I’ve never heard of him. Is he a duke?”

She shook her head, drawing her knees up to her chest.

“No, he’s a peasant in our village.” I crossed my legs, waiting for her to continue. “He called on me before we left. I was supposed to meet with him today.”

I held her hand. “I’m sorry, Vera.”

“I hope he doesn’t think I’ve lost interest,” she muttered.

“When we get back, we will seek this man out,” I promised. “We will explain as much as we can.”

She smiled at me, her eyes glimmering with tears. “Thank you, dear brother. Come, let’s rest as well.” I went to where Joseph and Raven stayed as children but Vera stopped me. “Go and lie with Raven.”

I blushed. “I don’t think she wants me to,” he mumbled.

“I’m sure she does,” she assured me.

“Very well,” I said and closed the door behind me.

I took my boots off. Raven was tossing and turning in the bed, mumbling in her sleep. I could tell she was having a nightmare and I hesitated. I didn’t want to wake her. I was always told it was best to wait until the nightmare was over.

I got in bed next to her. I sat there, waiting. Finally, she woke up, screaming.

“Hush,” I whispered, catching her. “It’s okay. It was just a nightmare.” She was shaking and crying. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“I dreamt of my family,” she said, her voice muffled in my neck. “I dreamt of their deaths.”

I kissed the top of her head. “It was just a nightmare,” I repeated.

She sniffled, and wiped her face. She got back under the covers and I joined her slowly. She put her head on my chest and fell asleep quickly. I closed my eyes, falling asleep rather quickly myself.

-

When I woke up, Raven was gone. I stretched and rubbed my eyes. In the other room, I could hear Raven and Vera laughing which took me by surprise.

I went out and they smiled at me. Vera passed me a plate of fruit and grains.

“I was afraid you’d never wake up,” Raven said.

I looked out the window. The sun was high in the sky.

“I guess I was more tired than I thought,” I muttered. “Any progress on the books?”

“We’re not reading those books today,” Vera said firmly and I saw Raven roll her eyes. “We’re going to have a pleasant day.”

“But Lucian-”

“We’re not going to get very far without those skulls,” Vera interrupted. “Please, brother. Let us have a fun day.”

“Doing what?” I asked, eating the apples.

“I don’t know yet,” she said and looked out the window.

I snorted. Raven took the plates over to the sink.

“How far out does this barrier go?” Vera asked as Raven pumped so that water filled the sink for her to wash the dishes.

“At least an acre on all sides,” I answered, drying the dishes.

“Let’s explore, then,” Vera suggested. “We can climb the trees like we used to.”

“You’re not dressed to go climbing trees,” I protested but Raven hurried into her room.

She came back out with a handful of ribbons. She worked on their dresses, using the ribbons to pull the dresses up and tied them back. She did the same with the sleeves of their dresses.

“I haven’t climbed trees in a very long time,” Raven said, walking beside me as they followed Vera.

I held her hand, lacing our fingers. I remembered the other night and couldn’t help but smile.

“The other night was lovely,” I said into her ear and she turned a brilliant shade of red.

I chuckled.

“Here’s a good tree!” Vera cried and I joined her at the base. “Give me a leg up!”

“Be careful,” I warned, kneeling on one knee and linking my hands.

She put her foot on it and he lifted her onto the first branch. She swung up expertly.

“Come, Raven!” she laughed.

“It’s been too long,” Raven shook her head.

Vera was climbing higher up the tree. “Help her up, Alexi, and then follow!” she ordered and I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.

“Come on,” I said softly. “We don’t want to endure her wrath.”

She giggled and put her foot on his hands. I could see her thigh and took a sharp breath.

“Careful with those eyes,” she said and I blushed. “You’ve seen them once already.”

“Oh, hush,” I muttered and she giggled again.

She jumped up on the branch and I followed. Vera laughed into the wind. The tree swayed and I gripped the trunk, keeping my eyes on my sister and Raven.

“Please be careful,” I groaned.

“Don’t be such a sour pickle,” Vera said.

Suddenly, the branch Vera was perched on broke. Her eyes widened and I yelled. Before I could do anything, Raven snatched Vera’s shoulders before she could fall. Raven pulled hard but then her branch broke.

I swore under my breath but they were both falling. I jumped to the ground, ignoring the stinging pain in my ankles, and caught them both just in time. I fell back on the floor and groaned.

Vera was crying in fear and Raven helped her into the cottage, giving her a strong cup of tea. Then she hurried back out to me.

“Your ankles are broken,” she said.

“No,” I said, standing up shakily. Raven put my arm around her shoulders. “They are just swollen. Take me in and we can wrap them up.”

“I’m so sorry,” Vera said when we got back in the cottage.

“Worry not, sister,” I assured her as Raven dipped two rags in hot water.

I hissed in pain as Raven wrapped the rags tightly around my ankles.

“Well, it was fun while it lasted,” Vera sighed, sipping on the tea.

“Get your book,” I said, “the one you’ve been reading from. Read us some stories.”

Raven smiled and sat at the foot of my chair. I ran my hand through her hair as Vera settled down with a book. In that moment, things felt peaceful. But I couldn’t help but wonder when the peace would end.