King Tomb (Forever Evermore, #3)(7)
Antonio called after me, “Be packed by morning. The orders are for us to leave within twelve hours of receipt.”
I ignored him because I had read the letter, too, and already knew this. I wouldn’t have to pack but two duffles: one for me and one for Isa. The rest had been spelled to set up at whatever camp we went to. Which meant Isa, Bonnie — my Vizoac — and I had the evening to ourselves, which was just what I preferred.
Swaying with the motion of the cargo ship, which looked identical to the one we had arrived in Australia on, I wondered if it was the same one, and if it was specifically used for carrying Mysticals from country to country. We were on our way to the States, and I reclined the seat in my Hummer, sitting on the driver’s side while Bonnie sat on the passenger side and Isa slept in the back on her child seat. And, like normal when no one was near, I closed my eyes and tried to remember. Antonio, Felix, Aros, and Bindi were watching a movie on the small television that sat on the rickety old wooden table at the end of the cargo hold, so I wouldn’t be disturbed.
Well, I would be disturbed, but only in my mind.
Thoughts ricocheted, making my head ache, but I tried focusing on a simple memory rather than all of them at once, trying to push past that black void of nothingness. But only chilling anger met my attempts, and I growled softly, rubbing a hand over my face. Then I tried again, focusing on another blacked out section. With only the same results.
Opening my eyes, I stared at the ceiling. Being mind raped, having someone sift through your most intimate experiences, see them, and pluck your life from your mind, leaving gaping holes, could only create a monster out of what was left. I wasn’t afraid — never afraid — to admit freely that I had become a terror at times. And I was content with the monster, which someone else had made by stealing from me, traumatizing my very soul. I was a jaded individual whom my younger self wouldn’t recognize. I had grown up and now saw life as the cruel reality that it was.
Life was not pleasant. Life was not kind. It only gave you sips of joy when you were parched. And when it handed you a full glass, it stole it from you when you turned your head, only the remnants of condensation on your palm left to let you know it had been there in the first place.
Life was harsh, leaving not even a bitter taste in your mouth. Instead, it left a burning acid. That acid consumed you when you finally swallowed down the blissful ideals your parents had fed you.
Unsure of how long I had zoned out for, I shifted and grabbed one of the files from Elder Harcourt that had been delivered — having just appeared— for me to review the camp’s officials. Flipping through the files, I didn’t need to see the cliff notes on the front stating the head officials were Vampire. Hell, more than half their Commanders were Vampires. No wonder Elder Harcourt wanted to switch things around. Was I guilty of the same thing back in our camp? Maybe. But still…I glanced at the name of the camp again. King Shadow. I snorted, even though I didn’t really feel the humor, the action mindless. The name was a dead giveaway that the most powerful of the group was a Vampire. And the notes at the top of each chosen Commander proved as much.
Elder Zeller and King Zeller ran the show.
I had never met the two Kings and other Queen, but from what I heard around the camp through passing gossip, they were just as hardcore as I was. I could respect that, but it was still daunting to know I was to meet one of my co-Rulers, to go onto his turf. It would have been much easier to have him come to my camp where I was already known and feared. Now my duty was making me deal with the King Vampire, who I already knew — though I didn’t know how I knew that. I also knew by my Vizoac that he was the most powerful of the four Rulers. I wasn’t intimidated or scared; it more gave me a headache, like an irritation, knowing I would have to put up with someone more powerful than I was. Antonio was enough, the other Elders at my camp having left me alone, but now I would have to deal with another male — make that two because of Elder Zeller, King Zeller’s father — on a daily basis.
Did I honestly care?
No.
I would deal with it like I dealt with everything else, excluding my daughter or fighting.
By just doing it.
And pray that my free time wasn’t completely occupied so I could spend time with Isa, and hope there were enough Coms to slaughter so I didn’t completely lose it.
Chapter Three
“Where are you going?” Antonio asked as I kissed Isa’s warm forehead as she slept.
“Reconnaissance,” I stated. “You know I don’t go anywhere without knowing the layout first.”
His eyebrows rose. “You’re going to sneak into King Shadow?”
“Yes.” I lifted my dark brown hair into a ponytail. “All I know about the place is it’s chock-full of Vampires. I want to know the lay of the land and see their normal routine when we’re not around.” I threw on my hooded black fur coat over a simple tight white t-shirt and black leather pants. The coat hid all of my weapons well. A quick head tilt toward Isa. “And you know I’ll be given grief about her since they don’t know and respect me yet. I need to have escape routes in case I get cornered.”
He watched me for a moment, then he nodded. “Just be careful, and call if you need help.”
I felt nothing even though I scowled at him. “Of course.”
He pointed to Bonnie. “And take her with you just in case.”