The North Read online

  I lifted my chin. “I’m not going to be a baby and take it personally. It’s a job assignment, after all, not a playdate.”

  “Gwyneth,” Dallas called, “the cars are ready. We should see them off now.”

  She nodded toward her husband and turned quickly back to me. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Just say the word.”

  I turned to find Austin staring at the ground, his jaw clenched yet again. A feeling—shame? disappointment?—coated my insides, but I ignored it. He probably expected me to beg to stay at the palace. But I was no chicken. Ha, ha. I squeezed Gwyn’s hand. “I’ll be fine. Plus, I’ll have Eve with me. She claims it will be a great adventure. Besides, I’ve never traveled. I owe it to myself to see more of the world. I’ll be the first Kensington to venture outside the country, now how about that?”

  Gwyneth reluctantly let me go. “If he’s a prat in the slightest regard, we’re coming for you.”

  “Sounds like an excellent plan.”

  “Ooh, and I’ve arranged to have a couple of kitchen maids sent with you. I don’t want you starving up there.”

  “I do love you, Gwyn.”

  “And I love you. So do not let someone treat you as anything less than what you are—magnificent. And a member of the royal court, I might add. Feel free to deploy Lady Eve, who I feel certain will gladly kick anyone’s arse on your behalf.”

  That rather cheered me. “You have my word.”

  “Wait. Wait!” A familiar voice called. Shaye hustled down the stairs, Tamara straight behind her. They reached me, and Shaye pulled me in for a huge, breathless hug. “I can’t believe I almost missed you!”

  “And I can’t believe I almost missed the opportunity to be included in the farewell footage.” Tamara winked at me and I noticed she was already in full hair and makeup, her gown cut dangerously low. She took a quick look around. “Has anyone seen Lord Bryson?”

  “No, you git. Now hug me goodbye.” I embraced Tamara, annoyed that my eyes were once again filling with tears.

  “Ooh, are you crying? We should really get the cameras over here. The audience loves a good blubber!” She went to snap her fingers for the production crew but was stopped by my glare. “Or maybe not.”

  I scowled. “I vote for maybe not.”

  “Whatever is the matter?” Tamara frowned. “Are you mad because Austin was dancing with that vampire last night? You know I don’t give out compliments easily, but she’s got nothing on you. She smelled like mothballs, and her makeup was terr-i-ble.” She shuddered. “She’s in desperate need of a makeover. You’ve nothing to fear from the likes of her.”

  “Thank you.” I felt oddly touched.

  “Why do you still look like you’re going to cry? Ooh, did the prince do something nasty? In a good way, or in a bad way?” She leaned forward, her large blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

  “It’s nothing like that,” I groaned, “I’m just going to miss you all—even you.”

  The trumpets sounded. It was officially time for me to take my leave.

  Gwyn hugged me one last time. “We will all miss you. But I’ll see you soon, my friend. If not in this country, then in another.” She made a beeline for Eve, making sure she got to say a proper goodbye before we were whisked away.

  I took a deep breath as I headed toward Austin, who was saying goodbye to his family. I shakily curtsied for the king and queen, who both nodded at me coolly. Dallas, on the other hand, brought me in for a tight hug. “We will miss you, my lady. I have warned my brother that if he’s unkind, he’ll answer to me directly.” He lowered his voice and continued, “He told me about what happened last night. Do not let him scare you away, Blake. He’s full of bluster, and he can only tolerate my father in short spurts. He’s quite reached the end of his rope.”

  I pulled back, blinking up at him. “There’s no excuse for being a prat.”

  Dallas’s eyes twinkled. “And this is why I agreed to send you up North. I do believe you’ll be just fine.”

  It was time to go. I followed the sentinels to the waiting SUV. Austin was inside, as well as Eve, Rose and our vampire cameraman, whose name I’d learned was Robert.

  I smiled stiffly as I took my seat. Everyone smiled stiffly back, except for Austin, who just glared out the window. I clutched my new necklace, running my fingers over the pattern of small diamonds. I already missed my friends.

  The say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

  As the large SUV pulled down the drive, and the castle disappeared behind us, I had a feeling I was about to find out if that were true.

  Chapter 7

  The Howling

  We drove in silence for several hours. The quiet afforded me time to steal looks at Austin while he stared out the window, still brooding. In spite of his sour expression, his profile was sharply handsome. He had a patrician nose, much like his older brother, and also Dallas’s high cheekbones. But where Dallas’s features were fine, pedigreed, Austin’s were more rugged. Dallas looked as though he’d been genetically engineered for high society. Austin looked as though he’d been born to fight.

  “Robert won’t begin filming until we arrive at the castle and have a chance to settle in,” Rose offered, sounding as if she hoped this fact would be met with approval.

  Austin frowned. “Good for Robert.”

  No one spoke for a while after that.

  We drove on, into the early afternoon. We met no one on the road. The further we got from the palace, the more the trees and brush grew wild, almost crowding out the pavement. The SUVs had no problem barreling through, but I wondered if anyone besides Prince Austin and his entourage had traveled this way in a long time.

  “How large is your staff at the castle?” Eve was the only one willing to break the silence.

  Austin turned from the window. “There are about fifty of us total, plus the guards who run the grounds.”

  “How is security?” she asked.

  “I run a very tight ship, and for good reason.”

  Rose and I both whipped our heads in the prince’s direction, waiting for him to continue. When he didn’t, Eve asked, “May I work with your team? I’m training for the Guard, and it would help me immeasurably. Plus, I’m sure I’d enjoy it. I’ve been itching to do something productive, besides co-starring in a bloody dating show.” She coughed when Robert and Rose frowned. “No offense, of course.”

  “I understand.” Austin shrugged. “But my mother asked me to look after you.”

  “Does that mean I can’t fight?”

  “It means you can’t get hurt. So we’ll have to see if you’re good enough to fight.”

  “I can assure you I’m quite good enough.” Eve scowled at him. “And anyway, who died and made you lord over me?” She peered out the windows at the thickening brush. “Oh right. There’s no one bloody else out here.”

  The SUV suddenly slowed to a stop. The driver lowered the privacy screen. “Your Highness. We’ve just had word. There’s a…” His gaze flicked past us in the rearview mirror. “…A problem up ahead that requires your attention.”

  Austin leaned forward, his muscles coiled tightly. “How many?”

  “Three, Your Highness. And possibly more in the woods.”

  Austin let out a litany of curse words and sprang from the car. He stuck his head back in before closing the door. “Don’t move from back here—not a one of you.” He jabbed his finger in the air. “I mean it.”

  There were more curse words as he slammed the door.

  The four of us looked at each other as the driver exited the SUV and took off running after Austin. They headed up the line of cars parked in front of us; several other sentinels followed from the vehicles bringing up the rear.

  “What the hell?” Eve asked, peering out the window. “I can’t see anything!”

  “What do you think is out there?” Rose’s throat worked as she swallowed.

  “I’m not sitting around and bloody waiting to find out. Stay
here.” Mimicking Austin, Eve jabbed her finger at us for emphasis. “I mean it!”

  “Eve, no—” But she’d slammed the door behind her before I could even finish yelling.

  It was quiet for a moment until something—or someone—rushed past in the woods, causing the branches to sway out and brush the sides of the SUV. Then there were shouts from further down the road, but I couldn’t see anything.

  “I’m scared.” Rose looked around wildly as more somethings ran through the woods. “I think we’re being ambushed.”

  My temples throbbed. Eve was out there. Austin was out there. I couldn’t just sit here like a chicken drumstick. I jabbed my finger at Rose and Robert. “Don’t leave the car—that’s an order, and from a member of the royal court!”

  “Where are you going?” Rose cried. But I didn’t answer. Instead, I snuck from the car and crept up the line of SUVs. There were more shouts from further ahead, but the brush grew thick and wild and I still couldn’t see anything.

  I moved quickly, staying low to the ground and hopefully out of sight. I had a feeling the prince would not at all approve of my actions. I heard the soldiers’ voices growing louder and I ducked behind the first car in our entourage, trying to make their words out.

  “Three of them just went down this path, but I know that there’s more coming—I heard the whistle.” Austin paced back and forth in front of the guards, hands clenched. “Every one of them will answer to me. Show no mercy.”

  “But my lord.” One of the soldiers near the front bowed. “I thought that the agreement was still in place.”

  “Not if they’re bloody ambushing us this close to the castle, it’s not.” Austin looked toward the woods, his jaw taut. “If they think that I’m going to take this lightly, they’re wrong. We are going to teach them to heel, the filthy beasts.”

  Eve stepped out from behind some trees. “I’m sorry, my lord, but what sort of filthy beasts are we talking about? I’m only used to hearing that term about our kind.”

  “Lady Eve.” Austin stalked toward her. “I told you to stay in the car.”

  Eve came closer, shoulders square, until she stood even with the other soldiers. “And I told you I was here for a reason. And that reason was not to sit by while my brothers risk themselves, when I am perfectly capable of helping.”

  The prince looked as though smoke might pour out of his ears. “I’ll decide what you’re capable of, my lady.”

  They glowered at each other until Eve dropped into a curtsy. “I am sorry to displease you, my lord, but I am at your service.”

  “We’ll discuss your insubordination later. In the interim, please do not get taken captive or staked—I’ll never hear the end of it.” Austin suddenly turned back toward the woods. “Did you hear that? They’re coming closer. I’m going in there. Half of you, with me. The rest protect the caravan. Guard the humans, especially the girl.”

  The front rows of sentinels fanned out behind him, Eve included, and started into the woods. The remaining soldiers had a brief conference, then several of them ran back down the line of vehicles, the others remaining stationed at the front. The guards sprinted past and I hid behind the SUV’s large spare tire. Once their footsteps disappeared, I started breathing again. But now what? Sneak back to my car and huddle with Rose and Robert like a coward? Follow Eve and Austin into the woods and risk my head on a spike—or worse?

  I decided to stay where I was for the moment. At least I could hear from this vantage point. Twigs crackled, leaves rustled and then it went quiet, except for the birds chirping and my own breathing.

  A minute later there were shouts from the woods. And then…howling? I willed my heart to stop pounding in my ears, so I could hear it again.

  Arooo!!!

  But my brain couldn’t fully grasp the unearthly noise. Stupidly, I thought of Tibby—our family’s mutt that used to howl. He was small, with black tufts of fur. When he howled we all laughed, finding him adorable.

  Aroo!

  Gooseflesh broke out all over my arms. Whatever howled in the nearby woods was no Tibby; the noise bore little or no resemblance to my friendly former pet. This howl sounded as though it came from some hound of hell, a real-life monster.

  There was a sudden burst of movement from the woods behind me. I jumped, but strong arms wrapped themselves around my torso before I could escape. An enormous, rough hand clamped my mouth shut.

  “Well, what have we here?” The man—if he was, in fact, a man—buried his face in my hair and took a deep whiff. “A human, a real girl. And you smell so pure. I can’t believe it!”

  His gleeful tone had my stomach roiling. I tried to bite his hand, but he chuckled and jerked my head back, so he could look me in the eye. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Don’t want to call too much attention and start a feeding frenzy now, eh? I bet if Prince Wanker gets all riled up, he’d love a taste of you—if he hasn’t had one already!”

  I yelled several epithets into his clamped hand and fought against him, to little avail. It was like fighting a meat-locker. My captor wore no shirt and his large, pale muscles rippled in the sunlight. He had longish black hair, curling over the nape of his neck, and a dark beard flecked with gray and red. His eyes were a bright, piercing blue. They raked over me as I tried yelling again.

  “Feisty little thing, aren’t you? I do love a good struggle. It really gets the blood pumping.” His grinned, putting his face against my neck and inhaling deeply.

  “Get away from her!” Austin hollered from the woods.

  The man holding me turned toward the sound of his voice and grunted. “Not so fast. You can’t possibly have brought this little pet”—he shook me, rattling the teeth in my head—“all for yourself. You’re selfish, but even you can’t be that cruel. I can smell her virgin blood. You can’t expect me to just release her!”

  “Let go of her, Abigor. I’m warning you, and I’m not in the mood for repeating myself.” Austin burst out of the tree-line and hissed. The prince’s fangs popped out as he raised his hand—wielding a large branch with the sharp edge of a dagger.

  “You wouldn’t dare.” But Abigor loosened his grip.

  “Don’t test me.” Austin’ voice was strangled, his eyes bright. “Let her come to me.”

  Abigor let me go and I half-crawled, half-hurled myself toward Austin, who I’d never been happier to see. He tucked me protectively behind his back, and then snapped his fingers.

  Three guards sprang from the woods and surrounded Abigor. “Take him into custody,” Austin commanded. “We’ll bring him to the castle and show the others how traitors are dealt with.”

  “Your Highness.” Abigor’s face went white with shock as the other vampires descended on him. “I’m no traitor! That’s virgin blood—any one of us would act the same!”

  “I’m talking about your escapades while I’ve been away. You rode with the werewolves just now. Rhys told me all about your little side-deal.”

  “It’s a misunderstanding, Your Highness!”

  “Don’t you ‘Your Highness’ me. Not only did you make a deal with the devil, you attempted to steal my property.” He jerked his thumb in my direction.

  My jaw dropped. “I beg your pardon—” But Austin silenced me with a snarl.

  “Go.” He motioned for his guards to take the prisoner away, then turned to me. “Are you hurt?”

  “N-no.”

  He nodded, but his face was still clenched with fury. He motioned toward our car. “Now it’s your turn. Go.”

  “Your Highness—”

  “Not another bloody ‘Your Highness!’” He roared. “You’ve caused enough trouble for one day. Go.” He snapped his fingers and another sentinel appeared. “Please escort Lady Kensington to her car. Do not let her out of your sight for any reason, or I will have your fangs.”

  “Yes, Your Highness.” The guard whisked me off before I could argue or complain further.

  As he hustled me away, I stole one last glance at Austin. He was
staring at the woods, shaking his head as if in disbelief.

  That made two of us.

  Chapter 8

  An Example

  The guard forced me back inside the car and Rose clutched my hands. “We heard the howling—what on earth happened? And where’s Eve?”

  “She went with the sentinels into the woods. There was…something out there. The howling thing. Austin told them to be ready to attack.”

  Rose peered at me. “What happened to you?”

  I looked down and saw that my dress was dirty and torn. “I got into a bit of a scrape.”

  “Was it with one of the wolves? Or one of the vampires?” Robert asked.

  “I believe he was a vampire—but I’m only guessing that because Austin threatened to stake him.”

  Rose went pale and Robert shook his head, as if the violence surrounding us disgusted him. Robert himself was a vampire, but he seemed quite civilized. I’d seen him at the palace with the production crew, always wearing a button-down shirt and trousers, fiddling with his cameras or staring at them thoughtfully. I wasn’t so afraid that he would bite me as much as try to bore me to death with the discussion of camera angles or worse, the mathematical equations underlying said camera angles.

  He patted Rose’s hand. “Don’t worry. His Highness will see us to the castle safely.”

  I tsked but didn’t say anything further. His Highness was not on my good list. Property, indeed.

  Even though he’d just saved me, I itched to give Austin another piece of my mind. Still, I reeled in my emotions. We’d already had enough excitement for one journey. The SUV started moving again and I stared out the window at the ever-thickening brush, wondering if Eve was all right, and what on earth the rest of the day could bring.

  Twenty minutes later, we turned down a long dirt drive with lush green grounds spread out on either side. The Northern castle finally came into view. It was a sprawling structure, perhaps bigger than the palace in the settlements. Gray stone, flecked with some reddish and darker tones, formed the edifice. Multiple turrets and spires rose into the air. The grounds and hedges were surprisingly well-kept, lending the estate a manicured, pristine vibe.