A Shade of Vampire 80 A Veil of Dark - Bella Forrest Page 0,25

many Black Fevers. Too many years… it’s bound to loosen some screws up here.” She pointed a finger at her temple.

I looked at Kalon again, waiting for a reaction. His expression was firm but clear. He knew. He knew and was definitely able to confirm what Jacinda had just told me.

“You’re serious,” I said, eyeing Kalon. “So, what, eternity drives the Aeternae to madness?”

“Not all of them,” Kalon replied, his gaze finding mine. “A considerable number, yes. Most are peaceful, just confused and forgetful. Their minds cannot cope with all the information and memories gathered over the course of three to four million years, or more, in some cases. It’s assumed that our bodies have yet to adjust to our immortal nature, in that sense.”

“I’ve heard these tales from other Rimians and Naloreans passing through,” Jacinda said. “Former servants who provided blood for the eldest Aeternae in their sanctuaries. After their five-year service is complete, they’re granted freedom from the empire. Most of them roam these lands, looking for places to settle down.”

“Five-year service?” I asked.

Kalon smiled. “The eldest Aeternae have considerably greater appetites than the rest of us. They consume more Rimian and Nalorean blood. In order to avoid draining the people, the empire has assigned five-year terms of service to those selected to serve the retirement islands. They come out weak, of course, but they have the rest of their lifetimes to recover and replenish.”

It took me a few minutes to wrap my head around that. “Sheesh, it seems like every day I learn something new about you people.”

“So you haven’t seen Trev Blayne at all?” Kalon asked Jayan and Jacinda. The siblings shook their heads again. “Tall man, dark skin, carries the Visentis sigil on his shoulder. He’s likely trying to keep a low profile these days. Perhaps under a hood.”

“Milord, I, for one, have not seen such a creature in these parts,” Jayan said. “But the tavern on the north side of the village might be able to help. Many travelers stop there, since the owner offers rooms for the night, as well.”

“Jayan is right,” Jacinda replied. “If one wishes to keep a low profile, as milord said, one stops at Mamie’s tavern.”

“It’s also where the Darklings first stop when they raid our village,” Jayan added, his gaze darkening with sadness and anger. “They like to feast on local blood before they come for our young ones.”

I wondered if there was anything we could do to stop this nonsense. It wasn’t fair to these Rimians, especially since they paid taxes and gave their blood, like the empire required. I pulled Kalon to the side, briefly apologizing to Jayan and Jacinda, who waited on the edge of the fountain and murmured between themselves.

“We have to do something,” I said.

Kalon raised an eyebrow at me. “Something? About what, exactly?”

“About the Darklings raiding this place!” I snapped. “How are you not thinking the same thing? We could ambush them, catch one or more of them. They might have information about Zoltan. Hell, they might even lead us to Trev! It’s not right that they’re allowed to torture these people. It’s obvious that Zoltan took many of the city Darklings away with him, but the provinces are still in danger.”

“You’re a good woman,” Kalon replied, giving me a soft smile. There was meaning in those blue eyes of his, meaning I hadn’t captured before. Maybe it was a new manifestation of his feelings toward me. Maybe I wasn’t the only one falling here…

Even so, I had to keep my head in the game. My leg hurt, but I could still be useful against the Darklings, if push came to shove. “Zoltan neglected this village’s pleas and many others on purpose, for years. We both know why. He’s gone now, so it’s time to set things straight. You saw the Red Thread faction. You know there’s turmoil brewing among the Rimians. They’re getting tired of Aeternae occupation, and a lot of that frustration must come from the empire’s inability to protect places like this. If you don’t want riots on your hands and the loss of innocent lives, you need to step up.”

“You’re absolutely right,” Kalon said, then looked at Jayan. “When was the last Darkling raid?”

Jayan frowned, briefly glancing at his sister. “It happens at every full moon. Like clockwork.”

Kalon shot me a devilish grin. “Well, whaddya know, Esme? There’s a full moon tonight.”

“It’s why we’re sending our children into the woods before sundown,” Jacinda replied. “Why our men spent