A Twisted Anthology: A Twisted Design Book

The Prince and the Princess Part 8

After I opened the door, I waited outside the room. Even I couldn’t enter. Alyssa rushed out and threw her arms around my neck. I rubbed her back for a little while.

“I was so scared, Phoebe. How did she get in here?” Alyssa asked.

“Talia can go almost anywhere that exists. She tracked me here.” I told her.

“Is she dead?” Keldan asked as he left the room.

“No. Talia wants to help. I trust her. I’m not as naïve as I was before. My trust is given to very few people. She wants to bring Felix here to try and figure out what it is about your scents that attracts other vampires so we can nullify it.”

“Talia is the Traveler. Felix is the Angel. The one who heals and can raise the dead. They’re both very powerful vampires. We wouldn’t do well against them if they decided to attack. Or we could end up creating a power vacuum in the world of the vampires if we killed them.” Keldan pondered quietly.

“Come talk to her. Listen to who she wants to present our problem to. If you disagree, we won’t do it. Maybe I’m just so eager for an answer that I’m willing to overlook the signs of a double cross. I don’t think that’s the case, but I need to have someone other than me to be the judge.” I said.

They nodded and followed me to the living room. We sat across from Talia and I had her explain her motives and thoughts to them. They nodded and listened, asking questions from time to time.

I could feel the magic getting weaker as we talked more. I was losing time. Alyssa held my hand and gave it a squeeze.

“I think we should try it.” Alyssa murmured. “It’s the closest we’ve had to a lead in a few thousand years. We could test things more often than once a year. Maybe we could come home by next Winter Solstice.”

“There’s something in the back of my head that says this is too good to be true. Another good vampire exists in the world. It’s hard to believe. Over the years, Phoebe has told us how the world of vampires has changed, but it just seems like stories.” Keldan said softly.

“I know. It’s hard to trust after what happened with the last vampire Phoebe trusted. I can’t think of a way to prove my intentions without just doing what I intend to do while behaving myself. While we’re working on your stuff, can you help with options for removing a petrification curse? A fae cast it, but relieving it is proving difficult.” Talia requested.

“Yes. We can work on that. They probably mixed fae magic with human magic. If we can get a sample of the stone, a piece of the clothing, we can try to figure it out.” Alyssa smiled.

“Perfect. That will get Felix on board. See, Phoebe, it’s all coming together. I’m going to head home. Victor is expecting me to make an appearance at his party. Call me in the morning, Phoebe. Echo will help me bring you to Victor’s home. You can stay until the new year, then she or Marius can take you home.” Talia grinned.

She stood and came over to hug me, then shook Alyssa and Keldan’s hands before leaving the house. I got up and followed her out of the house. She walked down the path for a while before disappearing.

Keldan and Alyssa came up behind me and held me. This was the first time I’d had hope in a very long time. I’d hold onto it for as long as possible.

-

When the magic was nearly spent, I said goodbye to my Solus Amors. We’d spent the rest of our time laying in our bed planning our life once they were free of this world. It was the first time in millennia that we’d talked like it was a reality.

They walked me back to where the gate opened. I’d found out the hard way that I needed to be near the place I came in when I left, or I ended up attacked by the safeguards of the realm. It was not an experience I wanted to have again.

The vibrant spring day faded into the darkness of the New York City hotel room. I went to the bed and laid down. I’d take my sleep now and be up in plenty of time to shower and dress before my guest woke up.

-

Several hours later, I got out of bed and took off the dress I’d worn to see my loves. I took the hottest shower I could manage after zipping the dress up in a garment bag and stuffing it into the back of my closet. I scrubbed well with my soap and shampoo before applying my conditioner. Careful to erase every scent from my body.

When I got out of the shower, I dried and styled my hair before adding lotion and going out to dress. The suit for this evening was a lovely navy blue with a pinstriped sky blue dress shirt. My tie was a solid lilac silk tie. I left it loose around my neck. I’d need to feed my guest.

She started stirring as I was applying my eyeliner. I stepped out of the bathroom and went to the bed, sitting next to her. She sighed and stretched.

“Good evening, little Star. Did you rest well?” I asked.

“Oh, goddess. I almost thought it was my first dream in years. That was the most amazing night I’ve ever had. Can… no, you’re already dressed for the evening. Maybe when we finish sightseeing tonight?” Star smiled shyly.

“Unfortunately, I’ve gotten a call from the Traveler while you were resting. She needs my assistance in the territory where the Hunter is stationed.” I told her, taking her hand and kissing it.

“Oh. I see. Did he really hunt down one of his children and kill him?”

“Yes, and several dozen other vampires. Victor Nightshade is not a man to be trifled with. I can call a car for you, if you like. Before you go, I’d like to replenish a little of what I took from you last night.” I replied, tilting my head and offering her my neck.

She smiled and bit me. I held her body close to mine as she fed. The blood of a powerful vampire is a gift. I was more than happy to give her a gift in return for the gift she gave me.

Once she was finished feeding, I sent her off to shower. Telling her to use my soaps instead of the ones the hotel offered. It would make her smell a little like me. And would sell the story that she’d spent the night in bed with me.

I worked on packing while she cleaned herself up. Star came out and talked with me while I finished up. I contacted Donica and told her we were leaving early. She was shocked, but more than happy to pack up and see someplace new.

After the sun went down, Star left to go home and change before meeting up with her friends. Donica came to my room with her luggage. I checked out using the television. Humans created the most interesting things.

We called Talia, who handed the phone to Echo. Within moments, Echo appeared where we were and gave us instructions on how to ensure we didn’t lose our things while traveling with her. Then took us to her home in Oregon.

Talia smiled when we appeared. “Get settled, then we’ll talk. I can’t wait to get started.”

“Thank you, Talia. Even if we don’t figure it out, I’m grateful for your help.” I told her.

“Never feel like you have to thank me. It’s what friends do for each other. Go, I’ll be in the library when you get done.” Talia said.

“No! That library is cursed. I don’t want you to be possessed by whatever makes people do dirty things in it!” Echo squeaked.

I laughed. “Trust me, I’m not Talia’s type and she’s not mine. We’ll be fine. I appreciate your consideration, though, Echo.”

“Stop flirting with my daughter-in-law, you shameless hussy.” Talia snickered. “Get moving. We have a lot to do.”

Shaking my head, I picked up my bag. Donica and I followed Echo upstairs to the rooms she had for us. She showed me where everything was and headed for the door. Echo paused for a moment before turning back to me.

“You look happier than you did the last time I saw you, Master Phoebe. I heat the beds at four in the afternoon. Talia likes to arrange her sleeping time so that she will wake up half an hour after I turn on the heated blankets. I only ask that you aren’t too harsh with the werewolves in the house. I know a lot of vampires don’t like werewolves.” She said.

“I have no issue with werewolves. Thank you for your kindness. You must get that from your mother’s side of the family, because you certainly didn’t get it from Marius.” I chuckled.

“Maybe. We don’t always know the secret hearts of others. I’ll take your servant to her room now. Let me, Lisa, or Wendell know if you need anything. We’ll give your servant a little vacation.”

Echo disappeared out the door. Sometimes I wondered how innocent that girl really was. She seemed so simple and soft, then came out with something deep or extremely perceptive.

That didn’t matter right now. I had a purpose again. Something to live for, other than one night a year. Talia made me believe we would really find an answer.

I set the crystal flower out on the top of the dresser. I’d bring them home soon and we’d keep this as a reminder. A reminder of who to trust. A reminder of the price of love. A reminder of what I was willing to suffer in the name of protecting the people I loved. A reminder of my devotion to my prince and my princess.