Ascension Of The Blood Throne by Mikel Wilson (red scrolls of magic .TXT) 📗

my story ending, I pray you have found the love you sought, the love that I was unworthy to give you.”

“Please stop, save your strength!” Christian cried as he wiped the blood from her lips. “Had I known, things may have been different.”

“You don't have to lie to me. I’m just thankful that I got a chance to tell you.” Dawn gave one final gasp, smiled a small smile, and her eyes dimmed for good. Christian could only watch as her body turned to ash.

“A tear fell down his cheek, and he wiped it quickly before standing. “We must go back to our true home, where I shall take what is rightfully mine.”

“Ours,” Lillith said as she slid the ring of the Elite onto her finger. “Both of us have rights to the throne. It would seem we should rule together.”

“Yes, of course,” Christian agreed, giving a small bow of his head. “Let us go.”

Christian sent Kale to prepare the ship while everyone else moved back into the mansion and packed for their journey to the distant land of the vampires, Penumbra.

“We must be seriously careful crossing into the Junction,” Christian warned them. “You should know that once a mortal enters, they can never leave again.”

“And I’m just now hearing this?” Alisha asked. “Well, I guess I will have to get used to being around you bloodsuckers,” she teased before turning more serious, “because I’m not letting either of you go again.”

"Thank you, Mom,” Lillith said and hugged her mother, laying her head on her shoulder.

Alisha returned the hug, and as she rubbed Lillith’s hair, she noticed the coldness of her skin… Skin that no longer gave off any warmth.

Seeing the embrace, Mackinzie thought of her own mother and father. "I wonder where my parents are. They should be here, preparing to go with us."

Almost as if her words had summoned them, two figures entered and knelt before the prince.

“Not you!” Christian exclaimed as he recognized the knights from his homeland.

“Yes, we were sent because the humans know of us. The two that had escaped have been dealt with.”

One of the knights laid out two pairs of hands as proof of death, one obviously male and the other female.

Mackinzie shook her head in disbelief as she recognized her mother’s wedding rings. “Why?” she asked.

The knight explained that the couple had escaped and were helping the council, telling them everything they knew about the vampires in exchange for their own lives, and once she heard everything, Mackinzie’s darker side came forward, not allowing for much in the way of remorse.

“Prince Christian, you must return immediately,” the second knight started, but was cut off as a small army walked in at Christian’s back.

“It would seem you have been busy,” the first knight commented as he looked over the number of vampires lining up behind Christian.

“Yes, I have. This is Mackinzie, my soon to be bride,” Christian explained, grabbing her hand and pulling her up beside him.

Mackinzie’s smile was ruthless as she nodded to the two vampire knights.

Yes, it is time for us to go.”

Chapter Five

It took some time for Kale to prepare the ancient vessel that had been used by the royal family for generations. It was a vessel of magic and mysticism, lingering in the shadows and only appearing when needed, thanks to a spell. The ship was as big as a cruise liner, capable of carrying entire vampire broods. There were refrigerated rooms fully stocked with blood and plenty of room for all of them to be comfortable.

When they arrived, Christian sent the brood to go ahead and board, knowing that the very competent Kale would show them all to their quarters. The two knights were still with Christian and his inner circle, and they had all waited together to board as a group once the rest of the brood were safe in their rooms.

As they boarded the ship, Christian took Mackinzie’s hand in his and pulled her as close as he dared, considering everything that had happened in the past few hours.

"My lady," he said as he slowly moved in and kissed her cheek.

She surprised him when she turned her face, causing their lips to meet. It was the first time she had shown affection toward him, and he gripped her hand tighter before bending to place a kiss on her knuckles.

“My queen,” he said so softly it was for her ears alone, then he straightened and turned toward the group. “We must be very careful to remember that humans aren't supposed to know anything about the world we’re about to enter. Once we locate the Junction, we will be in Penumbra, but our home is called Taldor.”

As the ship rocked along the waves of mysticism, the girls prepared to see the new world they were about to enter. Alisha, however, kneeled and meditated, preparing to be surrounded by the very thing she had been trained to hunt her entire life.

Lillith and Mackinzie began discussing their thoughts, falling into the easy camaraderie they’d had for most of their lives, able to bounce the serious to the not so serious without much thought.

"I'm afraid of what we may be getting ourselves into, Mackinzie. I mean, this isn't even our world. I think this is the first time I’ve thought about it like that. It’s not like we’re going to another town, or even another country. I wonder what all is different over there," Lillith pondered, beginning to ramble.

"Well, girl, you always said you needed a vacay," Mackinzie offered, teasing in an effort to lighten her friend’s mood.

"Yes! A vacation sunbathing on the beach in my little bikini, watching all the hotties play volleyball..."

"...slowly bursting into flames. Did you forget we are vampires now?" Mackinzie interrupted with a laugh.

Lillith crossed her arms before smiling and showing off her ring. "I haven’t had much time to discuss with Christian everything this ring does, but he did mention that it prevents me from bursting into flames in the sun.