A Violet Fire (Vampires in Avignon #1) - Kelsey Quick Page 0,96

whisper. The rest of my friends and fellow supply units are still sound asleep.

“You’ve been summoned, dear, come now,” she whispers, offering me a reassuring grin.

The weakness in my limbs and the heaviness in my head indicate that I still haven’t recovered from having my blood drawn at the banquet. Could Zein really be wanting to take my blood again? Or maybe it’s for something else?

“Okay.” I sigh, standing on stiff and achy limbs.

Carefully, I follow Ceti, weaving around cots of thin sheets that cover peaceful bodies and canvas pillows. She leads me to the exit corridor that she and one other vampire attendant had been guarding—though the attendant is sound asleep. Fear twists my heart for but an instant as a creature, who stands hauntingly in the doorway, glides into my peripheral vision. Another one of those soldiers with the demonic masks. He just stands there, perfectly still.

“He will lead you to the other tower where Lord Zein’s chambers are. Stay close, lest you lose your way,” Ceti informs me, to which I nod.

Slowly, I walk over to the soldier with my eyes to the floor. I stop when his armor-coated feet come into view, and I follow when they turn to lead me out. When his back is to me, I allow my curiosity free reign. All parts of his body that aren’t covered by leather or armor are covered in a tight, black material. He walks with enviable posture, sporting a single spear with both hands. As the atmosphere becomes comfortable, I avert my attention elsewhere.

We travel down more stone laden hallways with uneven silver linings stemming out like veins in and around the bricks. Doorways upon doorways, all closed and huge. Stained glass windows depicting malice and atonement line every corridor. We make a turn once—to the right—and I see a sign ahead hanging from the arch of a smaller hallway that reads, “Night’s Way.”

The sandy-silver bricks give way to black-coated steel and long, thick stain-glass windows that curve into the ceiling above. The colorful slabs of glass reveal the entire landscape of Isshar under the veil of night. Upon further inspection, I gather we are at the top of the castle in between the twin buttresses, and this bridge is taking us into the huge steel rendition of the pyramid of Cain—the one that had seemed so small from the ground. But now, being inside of it gives me a creepy feeling of vertigo; so high up that my heart rises into my throat every time I look down.

My better judgment forces me to turn my sight to the horizon, where a hint of light is coming up over the faint outline of trees. Meaning, I had slept very little. Other than trying to pin down Zein’s specific feeding routine, there is almost no way to tell when he will do his summoning. Vampires can sleep, but they don’t need to, and since Zein is constantly busy with diplomatic and political affairs, he almost never indulges in that pastime, from what I’ve heard.

We turn left as soon as we cross the steel bridge on the other side of the pyramid and into the hallway of the second tower. This one is much nicer than the other, with pathways made of white marble and lined with huge and immaculate paintings. As we ascend what seems like ages worth of stairs, my legs give. A heavy and dark vignette surrounds my vision, while all my muscles tighten, refusing to listen to me.

“I-I’m sorry,” I mutter as I catch myself on the ivory railing.

The soldier turns to me but says nothing.

“I was fed upon earlier today, and now I can’t really-” I stop short when a black covered hand comes within inches of mine—outstretched and apparently offering help. The soldier remains silent even as I stare at him, dolt with confusion. What’s with vampires not being mean to me anymore? It’s like they all care that I’m only a snide comment away from hating them.

“Thank you,” my voice catches as I take his hand. I guess it could be a her.

“Not much farther,” he replies in a deep and stoic voice. Definitely a him.

He leads me up the stairs, holding onto my arm as I struggle with the climb. A part of me can tell that this act is very awkward for him. He probably doesn’t know exactly what he is allowed to do to help me since he really shouldn’t be touching me at all, but I’m