A Shade of Vampire 80 A Veil of Dark - Bella Forrest Page 0,29

some mashed potatoes and gravy.

Esme. Back to reality.

We spent the next couple of hours talking about the Darklings’ raids on these villages. We both agreed that it was time to put an end to it all. Kalon admitted that he’d heard rumors, but that he’d never gotten the names of the places that the Darklings targeted. He did promise he’d raise the issue with Corbin Crimson, since Zoltan had obviously kept the entire issue under wraps to benefit the Darklings.

By midnight, the pitcher was empty and some of the people had left. Others had come through, hiding under their hoods, looking for shaded areas to sit in, much like Kalon and me. I knew it was only a matter of time before the Darklings came in, as well. I wondered if the strangers here might fight them or just let them do their thing. I tried to put myself in their shoes, and I came to a stark conclusion: if these patrons cared for their lives, they would keep their distance.

“You seem worried,” Kalon said at one point.

“I guess I’m a little nervous. This is the first time I’m actually looking forward to facing off with a Darkling or ten.”

“It’s better when we know they’re coming. At least we’re prepared,” he replied.

Glancing around, I noticed one patron sulking in a corner. Most had taken their hoods off, but he didn’t. Much like us, he definitely didn’t want to be recognized. I tried to catch his scent, but nothing came through. The amber light of a nearby wall sconce didn’t do much to show me his face, either. I was becoming increasingly curious.

The tavern doors swung open, startling me. Kalon caught my wrist on the table. “Shh. They’re here. Be ready,” he whispered.

I turned my head slowly, enough to look over my shoulder. I could see them. Six Darklings, clad in black, gold masks covering their faces. They towered over the bar. The air thickened and crackled with swelling tension, and the barkeep took several cautious steps back.

“I don’t want any trouble,” he mumbled.

“Then give us one of the maids. We’re hungry,” one of the Darklings replied dryly.

The barkeep’s jaw dropped. This obviously wasn’t his first time dealing with them, but it was definitely the first time he’d gotten such a brazen request.

“Jayan said they usually pick on the customers,” Kalon said. “They’re going straight for the tavern staff now.”

“Please… Don’t. I can’t do that,” the barkeep managed, color draining from his tall cheeks.

The first Darkling reached over the counter and grabbed him by the collar, violently yanking him until he slammed his head into the wooden surface. “Then we’ll eat you,” the Darkling hissed.

“Hold on,” Kalon said, tightening his grip on my wrist. I was mere seconds away from jumping, and I was dying to tear them a new one—especially after what I’d experienced in the palace dungeons.

Kalon’s eyes moved across the room, though. The Darklings weren’t his primary concern, from what I could tell.

“Please don’t,” the barkeep croaked again. “We’re just trying to run an honest business here!”

The Darkling didn’t care. He ripped the Rimian’s shirt open, exposing the vulnerable space between his neck and shoulder. I could hear the blood pumping through the poor man’s jugular all the way from our table.

“We have to stop them,” I whispered to Kalon.

“We’re not the only ones, it seems,” he replied, a smile testing his lips.

Indeed, several of the tavern’s patrons stood up, their wooden chairs scratching the floor. The heavy silence amplified every sound. The Darklings seemed suddenly outnumbered. The hooded man I’d spotted earlier was up, as well, his broad shoulders charged with violent energy. I could almost feel his desire to break every single Darkling bone in this place.

“What is this?” the first Darkling asked, his voice thundering across the tavern. “Do you not know who we are?”

“We rule these lands!” a second Darkling added.

I noticed a muscle ticking in Kalon’s jaw, a glimmer of recognition flickering in his eyes. He stood up. “The Lord and Lady Supreme rule these lands,” Kalon said, straightening his back.

It was enough to make the second Darkling falter. He even took a couple of steps back, and I knew that he and Kalon recognized each other, somehow. Questions darted through my mind, but this wasn’t the right time to ask them. I stood as well, ready for whatever mayhem the Darklings were willing to throw at us—though I doubted I’d be able to do much damage. My thigh wound regularly reminded me