A Valley of Darkness (A Shade of Vampire #52)(54)

The fallen rocks were too big and tight on top of one another. Even my bare hands couldn’t resolve this issue quickly. I was also getting increasingly curious about where the tunnel went, and equally puzzled by the dark figures I’d seen… or thought I’d seen.

“And, most importantly, who the hell blew the tunnel up?” I growled, with no one but myself as company.

I had to move fast. Kicking and punching my way through those stones was inefficient. Whatever had happened outside, I hoped Hansa could handle it.

There’s something terribly off here…

In the meantime, I could make myself useful and explore the tunnel for a while.

“What’s the worst that could happen?” I muttered, and retrieved the torch from the wall.

I could’ve just used my eyesight, as I had no trouble seeing in the dark, but I figured fire might help deter potential hostiles. Of any kind.





Harper





(Daughter of Hazel & Tejus)





I was almost done painting the symbols Patrik needed to fuel his spell. I’d gone through the city, keeping a low profile, wrapped up in a dark brown cloak, and did a decent job of mingling with the locals. I’d done nine rounds of symbols on all four points of each level.

One round was left, on four walls at the top of Azure Heights.

My stomach tightened as I cast the brown cloak aside, thankful the awnings were out and providing enough shade, so I wouldn’t have to cover my head. The Five Lords’ mansions were heavily guarded by Correction Officers—a new measure that had most likely gone into place after Minah’s murder. They were all wearing their blue badges on their arms, visible enough to make themselves easily recognizable.

There were four stationed outside each main entrance, with two more doing the rounds. They noticed me as I reached the top of the stairs, the symbols list tucked in my back pocket and the paint mix tin can in my hand.

I walked over to the Correction Officers guarding the Roho mansion. Their grayish gazes settled on my face as I gave them a brief nod and pointed at the southern wall of the house, wearing my cool, downright nonchalant expression.

“Hey guys,” I said. “I’m going to paint a symbol on four walls on this level, for a protection spell.”

They didn’t answer.

“Okay.” I shrugged. “Just thought you should know. I really don’t like weapons drawn on me, so I’d appreciate it if you let me do my job of protecting this city, and I’ll happily let you all live to do yours. M’kay?”

I put on a faux grin and walked over to the southern wall. The Correction Officers didn’t react, but they didn’t let me out of their sight either. I painted a symbol with my bare hand, then went back to the front of the Kifo mansion, giving the Maras a sideways glance.

Caspian’s home was right in the middle, and its front wall was perfect for a west-facing swamp witch symbol. The four Correction Officers posted outside the main door straightened their backs as I reached them, holding my can up, along with three paint-smeared fingers.

“This is perfectly reasonable vandalism, I promise.” I winked and drew another symbol right next to the front door, large and dark red with purple shimmers. I took a couple of steps back to admire my handiwork and couldn’t stop myself from grinning. It looked terrible on that pristine white fa?ade. Caspian was probably going to have a stroke, provided he saw it before it dried up and turned invisible. “Yep, looks fabulous!”

I moved to the north side and painted the third symbol on Farrah’s mansion, then went behind the massive estate, where the stables lined the entire eastern side. A dark forest rose beyond them, before the steep drop into the ocean. There were several narrow spaces between the stables, leading into the woods, blocked by waist-high iron fences, most likely meant to ward off animals that might spook the horses.

The two patrolling Maras were at the front of the Five Lords’ estate, and I was on my own back by the stables. I rushed over to the back wall of the Kifo mansion, biting the inside of my cheek to stifle another grin as I painted the last symbol. It was the perfect east-facing wall for Patrik’s spell, after all.

Not my fault it happens to be Kifo’s.

I heard horses neighing behind me, and hooves clacking over the pebbled road. I turned around and instantly thought of rushing out of there before anyone could see me, but it was already too late.

“Harper, is it?” Amalia’s crystalline voice made me freeze on the spot.

She dismounted her indigo horse, gently guiding the animal back into its stable. It was a beautiful mare with a long black mane and strong muscles. I would’ve loved to ride that creature over the plains—the ones back on Calliope had left me breathless and exhilarated after a few races around Luceria.

I suddenly felt like a kid caught vandalizing the neighbor’s wall, my hands behind my back, clutching the paint can.

Technically speaking, you did vandalize the neighbors’ walls. One of them twice. And you enjoyed it a little too much.

Amalia gave me a warm smile as she reached me, taking her black velvet hood and cover off to reveal her elegant, dark green riding outfit and knee-length, brown leather boots. Her pale blond hair was caught in a low ponytail, and her blue eyes glimmered with curiosity.

“Yes, Harper Hellswan,” I managed, my tone surprisingly firm for how nervous I felt. “Of GASP.”