Dark Soul: Half-Blood Princess, #4

Prologue

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Sophia

We arrived at Cain’s island a month ago. The adjustment to island life seemed easy enough for everyone. Zillah had gotten away, and we were in hiding. The twins were doing great and had already mastered the army crawl, real crawling, and walking was not all that far away. Madeline had called in a few of her more important coven members. We had a large group of people willing to help, and we were training everyone to fight and defend themselves.  Thirty of us—humans, witches, and vampires—inhabited the beautiful tropical isle.

It housed all of us comfortably in a large stone castle complete with tall walls, loopholes, turrets, five grand halls, and a massive wing with well over thirty rooms. The coven had cast a protection spell, leaving us hidden in plain sight. I worried about Maldera Springs, and wondered what would happen if I stayed away too long. I figured that Zillah and the remaining members of her coven would leave the town alone. They had to know we wouldn’t sit there and wait for them to come back to attack us. When I brought up the fact that my claim on the town wouldn’t allow me to stay gone long, Sage’s face grew brooding.

"When you died, even for that small fraction of time, the claim was broken, gattino. You’re no longer linked to it," he’d told me.

Part of me felt as if I had failed the town and it’s people, but I had other things to worry about. For starters, how to protect the twins and how to kill Zillah.

Chapter One

Sophia

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I had been distant, finding time to be alone as often as I could. I walked the beach as dawn began to break over the horizon. Sage and I had fallen into a routine, mainly of each of us training—separately—and caring for the twins. We were safe, for now, hidden for the time being. We should be good, or at least okay, but the only time we spent together was at night when we slept on opposite sides of the bed with what felt like a crater between us. Not a single bit of skin touching, no intimacy, back–to-back on separate sides of a broken love.

He was still sweet when the others were around, but when we were alone, he was cold—shadow of the man he had been only a few months ago. I knew he was still upset by what had happened, and that had altered our relationship.

I wanted to talk to him about it, but I feared it would push him further away. I wanted to know what to do to make it better, but cold fear held me back—fear that the answer I would receive was that he could never forgive or forget what had happened. That I was more work and pain than I was worth. The worst part of all was that I could recognize he had every right to think so. I had been selfish, that was my M.O. I had been selfish with every man I had ever loved; I was terrified that this time it was going to be unforgiveable.

I stopped, letting the small breeze calm my nerves as I watched the sun rise over the crystal-blue waters.

What’s wrong, little Sophia?

I knew I was losing touch with my baser abilities and I was going to have to get a grip...  soon. I hadn’t even sensed E, let alone heard him approach.

Do you really have to ask, E? I kept my eyes on the water. He knew me and Sage as well as we knew each other—and ourselves, for that matter.

No, he admitted, but I would prefer you tell me.

Something’s off with Sage. He’s amazing with the twins, he seems fine around everyone else, but when we’re alone, we’re two strangers, living and moving separately. And it is flat-out devastating for me.

I guarantee he is just as affected by the rift between you two. He loves you; he was forced to watch you get hurt, and you even died in front of him. He could do nothing to help or protect you. That is not an easy thing for a vampire—or any man—to have to see, especially a man like Sage. He has always fought for others; he’s a warrior of the past and a marine of the present.  You need to talk to him.

I know that, E, and I know he loves me and was upset with me for trapping you all with the protection spell. I was scared. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to any of you; I made a promise to myself and a few others that I would not sacrifice any of you. That’s something he should understand.

Talk to him, Sophia, he insisted.

I smiled and nodded. Okay, was all I said. Then, E turned and headed back towards the castle.

When I returned, the twins were still sleeping. Sage was in the nursery, reading in the silence.

Hey, what are you doing? I asked as he looked up from his book.

Reading, he said simply.

Yeah, I can see that, I responded.

He didn’t say anything else. The silence stretched between us, and I realized that my courage to talk to him was gone. Looking at him was hard for me; those beautiful, brown eyes gripped me, held me, left me silent.

Oh—okay, well— I stammered. Okay, well I’m going to go train. If you need help with them when they wake, I’ll be behind the eastside courtyard wall.

Fine, he answered as he turned the page of his book, no longer looking at me.

Yeah, fine, I muttered as I walked out.

Sarah and Rachel caught me as I hit the bottom of the stairs.

Training again? asked Rachel.

Um, yeah, it keeps my mind clear.

Can we join you? asked Sarah.

I had wanted to be alone, but I spent too much time that way lately. I was slowly drawing away from everyone, everyone who mattered, and I knew it. I saw it happening. It was time to find myself again, remember what all these people meant to me. I still hadn’t even had the manners or courtesy to meet all of the coven members who had shown up the past two weeks. They were working hard to find out how to bring down Zillah and her coven. The guys were working on security and battle plans. Everyone was playing a role in this fight. It was time for me to get back into it.

Sure, I told them. I felt warmed by the smiles I received, and then I felt like lashing myself as I realized they had expected me to say no. I’d like that, I added quickly.

We trained as the sun rose over us. Both of them were becoming exceptional fighters; I knew based on Rachel’s abilities that she had been taking in vampire blood, Dante’s blood. There was something weird about her scent. It registered instantly with me and remained buried somewhere deep in my subconscious.  She was also quicker and stronger than she’d been just a few months ago.

I was happy for her; she had found a wonderful man to love, and if they were sharing blood they were linking, and I knew how badly she had wanted that.

Sarah was coming into her slayer abilities. Despite having only been training for a few months, she was catching up and would be as good as me in no time. I think I will always have a little strength on her, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t beat me.

Our training had attracted an audience, and I was well aware of the snickers and whistles the guys were throwing at us. Pigs. They all loved a good girl fight. Somehow I knew that was running through at least two of their minds. If only we had some oil or mud, right guys? I thought disgustedly.

Hey, I know what you’re thinking, Ash, and that’s enough, I scolded him as I knocked Rachel down.

He gave me a guilty look. You have no idea what I was thinking, Sophia, but it’s my turn, he answered.

Your turn for what? I asked him as I helped Rachel up after sweeping her legs out from under her.

Well, you’re in fighter mode, and I’m ready for a good brawl. I’ve had enough of fighting with these guys. He waved towards Tavian and Dante.

Bring it on. I smiled wickedly and took a fighting stance. I’ll show him how exciting a good fight can be even without oil or mud.

Ash came at me full force, and with quickness I was barely able to deflect. I ducked as he flew over my head, but he whipped around to grab me from behind.

God damn it, he was freaking fast.

I threw all of my weight against him, sending both of us to the ground with me landing on top of him. I planted my feet on his knees and used the leverage to fling my legs over my head as my arms twisted in his hold. I was only about six inches from his face as I looked down at him.

Something in me was enjoying this way too much, and it vaguely registered that getting the opportunity to beat the hell out of any of the guys was a good outlet for my frustrations. I smiled again, wickedly, as my fangs extended and I headbutted him as hard as I could. He released his hold on me and staggered for a second as he got back to his feet.

Someone’s feeling feisty.  He cocked an eyebrow and grinned. Just the way I’ve always liked you.

I guess so. I smiled. Frustration does funny things to me, I said, rolling my head on my shoulders as I prepared for his next attack.

I like this version of you much better than the sullen version you’ve been displaying lately.

I laughed, for the first time in weeks. Me too.

I totally agreed.

I grabbed the sword Sarah had been training with and tossed it to him, then grabbed mine.

He came at me, blade swinging. He had been training faithfully, and he was incredible with a sword. He kept me on defense, constantly protecting myself from the heavy blade, until I finally raised a hand to stop him and conceded.

That was incredible, very nice job, I said breathlessly.

He smiled at the compliment and winked.

Who’s next? I asked as I turned to the crowd.

While I don’t want a physical fight, perhaps we should test your magic skills, Bryn suggested mischievously.

I smiled. You’ll win that fight.

You never know; you’ve been training a lot lately.

I nodded as she approached. She stopped and, with that mischievous gleam in her eye, flicked her hand towards me. I raised mine just in time to deflect her magic and keep it from throwing me back. She smiled and raised her arms; the sand around me began to move and swirl.

She had me trapped in a cyclone of gritty earth that surrounded us. I had to close my eyes against the tiny, whipping particles, but by cutting that sense off, I was able to focus more clearly on the sound of the crashing waves. With a deep breath and loads of concentration, I sent the wave flying higher, crashing down over Bryn. However, she was skilled with the elements. She dropped her control on the sand in time to cocoon herself with a small breeze that protected her from getting wet.

She flicked her hand again, only this time the air that cocooned her carried the remaining water towards me. I rubbed my fingers and thumb together,