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  Citrine grumbled, “Is there another way you can see, and I mean soon? We can’t wait forever for my sister. Who knows what nefarious plans Von Drakk has for her?”

  Von Wilding said, “I wil never stop fighting Von Drakk, but we must bolster our strength.”

  “All right,” she relented. “Let’s get out and figure our next course of action.” She threw open

  the doors that led from the dungeon, and there stood the vampire lord himself, Von Drakk. Behind

  him were a motley horde of his minions, skeletal warriors, liches, witches and worse.

  “Leaving so soon, Princess? You have barely had a full month’s stay in my home. You have

  hardly even begun to taste the fates that await al of Crystalia,” he said, crisp as dead leaves

  crunching.

  “I’ve had enough of you,” snarled Citrine. “Come any closer and I stake you like a tomato!”

  Von Drakk chuckled malevolently. “My sweet summer child, you have no idea of whom you

  face, do you?”

  The wal of skeletons moved together as one, their bones rattling like rotten twigs being stepped

  on. They advanced with crossbows, axes, and swords. Their teeth clacked hungrily.

  Sai reached for her daggers out of habit before remembering they were all disarmed. This made

  her feel more vulnerable than anything.

  Citrine frowned. “This is all a game to you isn’t it, Von Drakk? Next time, when I have a sword

  in my hand, then you’l be sorry.”

  Sai let herself be pushed back into the dungeon, planning on porting out and freeing them again

  at the next opportunity.

  “Into the dungeons with al of them except the Riftling. Her I have an offer for,” Von Drakk

  said.

  She looked to the others, some of whom were just as surprised as she was, while Citrine gave a

  look of “I told you so.”

  The mob of skeletons advanced, and without weapons there was little any of them could do.

  Von Wilding was ready to “wolf out,” but Marie made eye contact with him and slightly shook her

  head.

  A group of the skeletons cordoned off Sai from the others while pushing the rest back into

  their cell.

  Sai watched the heroes until they were back in the dungeon and out of sight. Their looks of

  disappointment burned into her.

  Von Drakk turned and walked into another great room. The throng of skeletal warriors urged her forward, forcing her to follow. The doors shut behind her and they were in a room with red

  velvet-draped walls and a black and white checked floor.

  “My dear Sai Delaronza, I am so pleased to meet you at last,” said Von Drakk. His dark eyes

  seemed to pour into her and she couldn’t look away no matter how much she wanted too. “Please

  allow me the pleasure.” He held a hand out and because she felt like she had no choice, Sai let him

  take her hand.

  She worried that he was going to bite her wrist, and she pondered porting away at the last

  possible second and making a run for the outside. But something stayed her hand. Is it his hypnotic gaze?

  He didn’t bite, but instead kissed the edge of her fingers. “Shall we dance?” Without waiting for

  a response, he took her and strode her out to the checked marble floor. Light like stars was suddenly

  shining in all directions from the darkness, and soft, staccato music began as he spun her about the

  floor.

  Music came from nowhere. For a moment she wondered how that was possible, but then she

  was caught up in the melody. It was a beautiful song. And he was such a talented dancer. Sai

  wondered where the music came from and how the mood had suddenly shifted. She wasn’t afraid,

  she wasn’t angry, she didn’t feel anything but a sense of peace. How is that possible?

  “These people, these humans with their petty kingdoms and squabbles, they don’t understand

  you. They don’t appreciate you.”

  She just looked at him and let him lead her in the dance. His hands were cold, but his gaze was

  a like the fire of a volcano, burning into her soul. She wasn’t sleepy, but she felt like she didn’t care anymore about anything. Why did I come here again?

  “I could do so much more for you. I have plans. I am going to rule a lot more of the world very

  soon. You wil see. I can be very generous with my best servants.”

  What is he hinting at? Sai wondered. Is he of ering me marriage or a job? Her mind reeled as the music carried her to a distant land without vampires or stolen princesses, a place where life was without

  care and she could enjoy her days amidst good food, good books, and good friends. Why was she here again?

  “What do you want?” she asked in a daze. She was tired but curious, drawn to be a winsome

  partner in his dark design.

  “I want what is best for both you and me” he said mischievously, as he swung her far out but then whipped her back into his arms. “I’m going to have you alone return to King Jasper. You wil

  tel him that the mission failed, and that the princesses are gone.”

  “Why do you want me to tel him this?” She was curious but not disagreeable, that part of her

  inner voice seeming to have completely gone to sleep.

  Von Drakk laughed without mirth. “I want to break his spirit before I break his body.”

  “You would trust me to do this?” This felt like an honor. This great lord wants me to deliver a message for him. Why not?

  “Yes. You are one of my kind,” Von Drakk said.

  He spun her out as they danced, and in that moment, the magic blue crystal that Ikalos had

  given her final y shifted beneath her vest and touched her skin. The hypnotic spel that Von Drakk

  had used on her was broken. He has been trying to capture my mind and warp my own sense of self! She was so angry, it took all of her wil power to remain relaxed in his arms, rather than attack him right then

  and there. Perhaps she would learn something useful if she played along a little longer.

  “I’m no vampire,” she protested. “But I’l do whatever you want,” she quickly added.

  “No, you’re not a vampire, not yet anyway. Perhaps someday. But you are of the dark realm.

  Serve me wel and you wil be richly rewarded. Serve the Dark Consul and you wil be a part of the

  great beginning.”

  Sai made as if she was pondering the offer. “What else wil you need me to do? My master?”

  He gave her that fanged smile and drew a brooch from within his cloak. It was fine-spun gold

  wrapped upon itself in intricate patterns with a large oval bloodstone in the center. “I can see

  through this. I wil hear and see al that you do. I wish to see Jasper’s break, his pain and fear. It nourishes me almost as much as his blood.”

  “Even without the princesses, there are stil many more Heroes in Crystalia that will fight you.”

  “Of course, there are, but that’s why you wil be my eyes and ears in the court. You alone I trust

  to do this. You wil help defeat al those who stand against me and the Dark Consul. This is a great

  day.”

  “Why me?” she asked as he again swung her far out and back in hideously close. Von Drakk

  smiled again. She could see his protruding fangs.

  “I know what you are. A thief and a liar. You are my kind,” he said. “We stand or fall together.”

  The saying echoed in Sai’s mind and she wondered at it. Did he believe that? Can I really deny it?

  “All right. I’ll do it.”

  “Somehow I knew you would.”

  His smile was unnerving, but Sai did her best to appear to stil be under his spel . “What is the

  fastest wa
y back to Crystalia Castle, my master?” she asked coyly.

  “Let’s not worry about that. I shal have my soldiers escort you nearly to the door of Crystalia

  Castle. They wil depart just soon enough so that you won’t be suspected.”

  “What? You don’t trust me now?”

  “I don’t trust anyone.”

  “How soon can I go?”

  Von Drakk gave her that wicked smile again. “Just as soon as I taunt your former comrades.”

  Sai had not expected that. “You don’t need to do that,” she said. “Let’s get on with things.”

  Ignoring her pleas, he led her back through the doors into the dungeon. Once the captives were

  watching, he said, “Sai has agreed to serve me. This wil be the last chance I offer that all of you

  might serve me as wel ?”

  An eruption of shouted insults and denial echoed from the cel s. Al of them shouted except for

  Esmerelda, who, with tears in her eyes, looked at Sai and asked, “Why?”

  This only increased the heated words from Citrine. “I knew it! Never trust a Riftling!”

  “Fight him,” cal ed Von Wilding. “You’re better than this.”

  “Don’t give in,” urged Marie.

  Chev slumped down on the floor with a sigh, saying, “We’re doomed.”

  Sai said nothing but turned her back to them.

  Von Drakk took Sai by the chin and said, “See what fools they are to deny me? And this, your

  feelings on their betrayal, that is why I cannot trust you fully yet. You have much to learn, but under my wing, you will go many places.” He swept his cape and strode from the room.

  Sai hurried behind him, haunted by the tears in Esmerelda’s face and angered at both her

  friends’ and Citrine’s words. I’l show them, I’ll show them all.

  Chapter 16: The Gamble

  Von Drakk led Sai down a long hal way that sloped deep into the ground. It final y opened into

  a wide gloomy cavern. Their footsteps echoed in the massive dark.

  “Where are we?” she asked, instantly regretting that she had spoken at al , as her own words

  repeated a half-dozen times back to her. Loud squeaks answered Sai. She drew her daggers, which

  Von Drakk had returned to her, expecting the rats again.

  Von Drakk laughed and said, “Put those away. Al who reside herein serve me.”

  The beating of wings sounded from the gloom and flying things fil ed the great space above

  them. Red eyes blinked into view as the bats landed before Von Drakk. They were as large as ponies

  and fitted with saddles and bridles. They scuttled to Von Drakk and lowered their heads in

  subservience. He stroked their snouts and tickled their chins. The bats squeaked their approval as if

  they were his lap dogs.

  “Ah, these children of the night, their music is not too sweet,” said Von Drakk with a shrug.

  Sai was grateful it was dark enough that the vampire lord couldn’t see her scowl.

  A trio of vampires appeared from the pitch black. They were pal id and bald with both long

  fangs and ears. Sai wondered if they were once elves. They glared at Sai but said nothing as they

  mounted three of the four great bats.

  “These servants of mine are most trusted and wil escort you to Jasper,” said Von Drakk.

  Sai fingered the brooch he had given her. “You can see and hear through this then? Wil you

  always be available if I need to plan something with you?”

  “Easy, child, I create the machinations, and I alone plan the destruction of my enemies. It is up

  to you to insinuate yourself with them, to be valuable enough to be a party to their workings.”

  “And have you created a plan to help me do that?” she jibed.

  A smirk crossed his face. “Of course. You wil give Jasper this helm of Citrine’s. You can tel

  him it was al that remained of her. He wil be grateful for the closure and al ow you into his counsel when you also tel him of a coming invasion.”

  “Invasion?”

  Von Drakk gave her his crafty smile again. “He wil think that forces are coming for him from

  the sea. He will rally troops to meet the threat, never realizing where it is really going to strike from.

  Whether such a plan succeeds or not, you wil be my eyes and ears.”

  Sai nodded sagely as if she agreed entirely.

  “Remember, though, you are not my only servant there. I wil have eyes and ears upon you too.”

  “A good servant is not worried about doing her duty, my master,” she said, bowing her head.

  Von Drakk smiled and his fangs seemed even longer than before. “Excel ent. Then we shall

  have nothing to worry about.”

  “But can you always see through the brooch? Can I speak of more that I remember? When the

  time comes, I mean?” she asked, trying to sound as reasonable as possible.

  He narrowed his gaze at her. “I can see through the brooch when I gaze through my crystal

  bal . I wil know to do this when you cal ; or if you see it glow lightly, that means I am wishing to

  speak with you.”

  “I just wanted to know for sure, my master,” she said solemnly.

  “Fly now, for with the incredible speed of my giant bats you should reach Jasper by dawn’s

  early light, and then my escort wil leave you,” he said, pointing at his vampires and bats.

  Sai climbed atop her bat, and it turned its head to nip at her. “Hey!”

  “It simply wants to know your scent. You are unfamiliar to her.”

  “Her?”

  “Of course,” said Von Drakk. “Al of my best servants are female.”

  “Of course, they are,” answered Sai sarcastically to herself.

  The bat flapped its great leathery wings and they were in the air. Von Drakk stood below, his

  pale face gleaming in the dim light. The foul reek of the cavern was replaced with fresher air from

  outside. They flew along in the dark, weaving chaotical y as the bats sounded their echoing squeaks

  against the cavern walls, then suddenly they were outside. They went up above the night fog and

  stars came into view along with a cruel looking moon that bathed the bats’ wings in its cold light.

  Never one to be afraid of heights, Sai was stil taken aback at this distance. Far below, the

  massive Manor looked like a doll’s house among the weeds of an overgrown and neglected garden.

  The graveyard with its many tombs was barely perceptible except for the massive grey mausoleums

  that stood out like mushrooms. She wondered if Ikalos stil waited for her, and if his memory had

  returned. She wondered if she could gamble on his help. She had to take the chance. This is going to be tricky. She had never dealt with vampires or their bats before, but she hoped a rumor she had heard about their weaknesses could work.

  As they soared, the bats and their vampire riders jockeyed for position, as if each wanted to be in front of the others. Sai guessed they wanted this journey to be over so they wouldn’t have to

  worry about being exposed in the daylight. Regardless, she was able to be last in the line of four.

  She ported behind the last vampire astride his bat. She crossed her blades and loosed the head

  from the body. Almost instantly, it turned to dust, but also exploded like a powder keg in a flash of

  orange and black smoke. The bat screeched and dive-bombed.

  Sai was thrown from its back and free-fel . She saw the other two vampires guide their mounts

  to turn about. They swooped toward her with angered faces, their fangs long in front of wide

  mouths.

  If Sai didn’t have the ability to port, she would have been doomed, but she simply ported her

  way back up,
higher into the sky.

  And then she was behind another vampire. She sliced her daggers through the air, but this

  vampire was quicker than the last. He dodged aside and though she slashed him across the shoulder,

  he laughed as if it hadn’t harmed him in the least. The vampire reached back with a long-clawed arm

  and scraped at her flesh. The claws dug in deep through her jacket. Blood flowed, and the vampire’s

  eyes widened, his tongue lolling in greedy anticipation.

  Sai ported to the bottom of the bat and sliced the saddle free.

  The bat screeched in pain at the nick and veered hard to the left. The vampire and the saddle he

  was on went hard to the right. He was stil holding the reins of the bat and was now being dragged

  along through the air. His deadweight on the reins forced the beast down into a dive bomb.

  Sai laughed to herself over the spectacle, but realized she was fal ing too and had to port higher

  into the air. She did so just in time, because the last vampire swooped down and nearly caught her in

  the giant bat’s claws. The bat screeched in disappointment.

  Deciding that the best plan was to eliminate their squeaking flying steeds, Sai ported and slashed

  the leathery skin of the bat itself. She cut the wings and the huge bat screeched and tumbled over

  itself, free-falling with the loss of its ability to both glide and flap.

  The vampire dove at Sai but missed as she ported above him. The vampire turned himself into

  a bat and head directly for her. I should have expected that.

  The bat morphed back into his humanoid form just before he would have collided with Sai. She

  ported away. No way was she going to let one of them get a grip on her. Since she had vanished, he

  changed back into a bat and whipped around, looking for her.

  They were getting closer to the ground, and Sai was painful y aware that the vampire bat was stil coming for her. Rather than give him the chance to come at her from every possible direction,

  she decided it was better to meet him on the ground. She ported down and landed just above a

  swamp, where she splashed down. Stepping out of the bog was a little more difficult than she

  planned on. Something huge swished through the murk, coming toward her. She ported to the shore