Elemental Dawn (Paranormal Public) Page 11

  “Well, well, look who it isn’t,” Camilla sneered. “Truly, I was hoping to avoid this while we watched the coronation of your . . . um, friend.”

  Camilla Van Rothson was beautiful by any standard. Her skin was a very slight green and her blond hair tumbled gloriously over her shoulders and down her back.

  Lough, who was walking next to Lisabelle despite the fact that her proximity usually made him combust into a pile of awkward crush-like behavior, firmly clamped his hand on her arm, silently ordering her not to say anything.

  “We have more reason to be here than you do,” said Sip. Her purple eyes blazed.

  “You need a bodyguard to walk around Locke?” Camilla sneered, pointing at Vital, who stood silently. “He doesn’t look like much of a fighter.”

  “Camilla,” said Cale nervously, “he’s won the paranormal world fighting championships three years running and is probably the only paranormal who could literally kill us with a look.”

  Camilla shut up instantly and gave a second look at Vital, who stood impassive while we all bickered it out.

  “So, Lanca is humoring the elemental, just like everyone else,” said Camilla, looking almost bored. “Surprise, surprise.”

  “Alright, that’s enough,” sad Dobrov, stepping out from the back of our group, where he had been standing quietly. For the second time Camilla blinked in surprise. Apparently she was used to just running into Sip, Lisabelle and me, but the addition of the vampires and Lough was throwing her off.

  “Dobrov,” said Cale, pleasantly enough.

  “Cale,” said Dobrov, nodding in return.. It was more of a greeting than he had given us, but of course Cale was a very good paranormal. He was kind and considerate and had helped me when I had first reached Public. I was just sad that he was dating such an awful pixie, and it had come close to ruining our friendship except when she wasn’t around.

  “Let’s keep moving,” said Vital. As we filed past each other Lisabelle stuck out her foot. Camilla, busy gossiping to Cale and pretending we didn’t exist, never saw it, tripped and lurched forward with a screech. The only thing that saved her from slamming into the black carpet, which really didn’t feel very soft under my feet, was Cale, who reached out and grabbed her.

  “Whoops,” said Lisabelle, covering her lips with her hand. “Darkness mages are so clumsy.”

  Camilla righted herself in no time. Pixies are agile creatures, and no one would ever accuse Camilla of not being a very capable pixie. Her eyes blazed as she looked at our group and her lip curled upward.

  “You keep talking about the darkness mages,” she said. “By the end of this trip I think all the paranormals will have a very different idea about them, and we might not have to put up with you for much longer.”

  Before she could say anything else Cale tugged her away, his eyes sad. She continued to rant about darkness mages all the way down the hall, while our group stared after her.

  “Was that a warning?” Lough asked.

  “No,” said Lisabelle. “That was a threat.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Vital took us upward. We didn’t say anything else about our run-in with Camilla or ask any more questions about Vampire hierarchy or Lanca’s safety. Now that Dobrov was there, the time for private conversations had passed. I wanted to ask Lough if he knew where Keller was, but thought better of it. I didn’t want anyone besides my immediate friends to know how desperately I missed him, just in case one of my enemies decided to use our love as a way to hurt me, or worse, him.

  We had been in the breakfast hall the night before, but however we had gotten there, it was not by the normal means of climbing stairs and walking down dimly lit passageways. So when Vital took us through a plain set of doors and we found ourselves in the dining room I was surprised.

  “Here we are,” said Sip. I felt like she was looking around for blood spatter from the dog, but there was none.

  Lough craned his neck upward. There was more light today.

  “How high are we climbing?” Lough asked, his voice faint.

  Now that a little creature wasn’t being tortured I had more time to look around. The breakfast hall was nothing like the dining halls at Public, probably because it was rarely used. Vital said that when there were no visitors, vampires liked to eat alone.

  This morning most of the people we saw in front of us were not vampires. In fact, I had barely seen any other members of the Rapier sect. They were in mourning, after all, and behind closed doors preparing for the coronation.

  “Yeah,” said Lough reverently. “This is cool.”

  We all nodded in agreement except Vital, who had seen it all before.

  The design looked like it was based on the fact that vampires could float. We walked through a large set of red double doors and were forced to look upward, because the food court was built into the side of the hill at a sloping angle, several stories above our heads.

  “How do we get up there?” Sip asked, staring. Above us we heard the clank of silverware, the sound of voices, and the chewing of food, but all we could see was a series of ledges spiraling away from us.

  “You use those,” explained Vital, pointing to a series of ladders hanging down next to each ledge. “Once you have your food, there are tables set further back in the mountain.”

  “Why are there so many separate little eating areas?” I asked. “Why aren’t we all together?”

  “So that we can avoid each other,” said Lisabelle. “Good thing, too, because I can’t think of anyone I want to see right now as much as I want to see a heaping plate of pasta. Come on.” Not waiting for any of us to catch up with her, she marched to the nearest ladder. Gathering her black skirts so that when she was in the air nothing was exposed that shouldn’t be, she started to climb.

  “Only Lisabelle,” Sip muttered. “No group discussion, no decision-making process, just go go go.”

  “I have to admit,” said Lough, patting his tummy, “I’m hungry too.” He quickly followed the darkness mage and started to climb. I stared skeptically at the ladder. “It doesn’t look that sturdy,” I said, shaking my head. “What if it falls?”

  “It won’t fall,” said Sip, her eyes bright. “Vampires are good craftsmen, and I’m sure lots of paranormals climb each day. Besides, you have friends here that can float. They’ll catch you if you fall. Won’t you, Vital?”

  “Friend? Float? Catch?” Vital asked, but Sip wasn’t listening. She had started to say something about how hungry she was, and then she had followed Lough.

  Dobrov stood awkwardly. “Dobrov,” I said. “You don’t have to ask to join us. You are more than welcome.”

  He didn’t acknowledge that had I said anything, but he turned and headed for the ladder and started to climb after Sip. Far above, Lough gave me one pained look, then returned his attention to not falling and off the ladder and dying.

  I looked at Vital. “Are you coming with us?”

  He shook his head. “My job was to show you here. I need to get back to the Lady.”

  I nodded. “Do you think we’ll see her before the coronation?”

  Something flashed in Vital’s eyes, but it was quickly gone. “As you well know from recent experiences, only the Princess can say.” His lips slashed in a grin. “I don’t want to say more here, but I wouldn’t put it past her.”

  And with that he was gone, having reminded me that this place could not be trusted, that everything we said was potentially listened to. It made shivers run up and down my spine.

  I had just turned around, ready to climb the ladder after my friends, when I saw a familiar set of blue eyes and a shock of dark hair on one of the other ledges. My heart leapt and all traces of unease disappeared as I smiled at Keller. Usually he wore a t-shirt or hoodie and jeans. I liked it about him that he was a casual dresser, but now he wore a white button down and slacks and I realized that he looked good in that, too. He looked good in everything.

  And now, here he was.

  My heart l
eapt for joy, but I felt nervous after not having seen him for weeks. I had been thinking about him all the time, of course, but it was different to see him in the flesh.

  He smiled back, but the smile was hesitant. I started to look for the ladder that went to his terrace, my eyes following each path as it wound upward. He gave a slight shake of his head, but I didn’t get it. I smiled back and nodded, motioning that I wanted to come up.

  Another slight shake.

  I frowned. I would have started climbing by now, except that I didn’t see a ladder that went to his ledge.

  I raised my eyebrows in silent question. What was going on?

  “Charlotte, let’s go. If you think I’m waiting for you to eat you’re confused,” Lisabelle’s voice called. My friends had already reached the top of an empty ledge, one of the higher-up ones. I knew I should start climbing, but first I looked back at Keller. This time he was not alone.

  Standing with him were three white-haired, blue-eyed fallen angels. At least two of them could be relatives; they had the same nose and broad shoulders as Keller. The other was female, and even from where I stood I could see that she was not a fallen angel. She didn’t have the pale skin or the silver ring; her eyes were hard and her hair was clipped short. The glimpse of Keller that had erased the chills running through me came back in force when my eyes met hers.

  I didn’t even bother looking at Keller again. He would explain when he had the chance, but obviously he was with senior paranormals who didn’t want to be disturbed. Trying not to be hurt or look directly at him was difficult, so instead I concentrated on climbing.

  I was anything but a fan of heights, and even though I knew, especially with Keller there, that I couldn’t get hurt, I had to force myself to focus on climbing.

  One hand in front of the other, and then one foot, I kept telling myself.

  “There you go,” said Lisabelle dryly. “You might get here by Tuesday.”

  Once I reached my friends I felt much better, even if I did feel eyes boring into my back. But that was nothing new. As the only elemental, I was used to being stared at.

  The ledge was just the beginning. On either side of the wall were trays of food. Most of it was recognizable, and some of the smells wafting to my nose were even pleasant, but there were a few dishes that I had every intention of staying away from, especially one that was filled with something massive, brown, and boiling that look uncomfortably like hot excrement.

  “I’m pretty sure those are Dung beans,” said Lough, seeing where I was staring and the face I was making. “Perfectly harmless. They’re a delicacy in Europe.”

  “Yeah, as long as you don’t have taste buds,” I muttered. “And we’re not in Europe.”

  Further back into the ledge was what could only be described as a cave. There was one table, something like a wooden picnic table, where I assumed we were supposed to eat. It was illuminated by one black lantern. My friends had chosen an empty cave on purpose, so we wouldn’t have to share it with any of the other paranormals who had gathered to attend Lanca’s coronation.

  “Vampires really are not big on light,” said Lough, rubbing his chin. “Where did Vital go?”

  “Back to Lanca,” I said, glancing toward the edge. “I don’t think he likes to be away from her.”

  “Let’s eat,” said Sip. “They don’t have pasta for Lisabelle, though.”

  “It’s breakfast time,” said Lough. “Even if we can’t see the sun.”

  “We aren’t at the top, are we?” I asked, realizing that there must be more mountain above us.

  “No,” said Dobrov. “The top is where the coronation happens.”

  “Is it dangerous?” Lanca was in enough trouble from her supposed allies. She did not need to worry about dying at her own coronation on top of everything else.

  “Just for Lanca,” said Dobrov. “She’ll have to prove that she can lead. There hasn’t been a vampire queen in hundreds of years. One way or another, vampires have always found a way around that.”

  “What does that mean?” Sip said.

  “Nothing good,” said Lisabelle and Dobrov at the same time.

  We ate mostly in silence. At one point I asked Sip where her parents were, and she explained that they were far, far away from where we were staying, because we were staying so close to Lanca’s personal chambers. They had decided to eat in their room, but she thought we’d see them later.

  “My mom says I’m an adult now, and she’s making my dad give me some space,” said Sip.

  “Obviously your mom hasn’t spent much time with you,” said Lisabelle.

  It wasn’t until we actually sat down with the food that I realized just how hungry we were. There had been apples on the table in our room the night before, but we had been too tired to do anything but climb into bed. So at this point it had been over twenty-four hours since I had eaten a proper meal.

  We sat in silence for a while, concentrating on the food. When we were finally finishing, Sip asked, “Was that Keller over there? When is he going to visit, and do you know where he’s staying?”

  I sighed. I should have known my friends would notice.

  “Yes, I don’t know, and I don’t know. He was with senior paranormals, not his friends. I’m not sure who they were.” Apparently all my friends had noticed my being rejected by my boyfriend. Great.

  “One of them was Saferous, a fallen angel on the paranormal council,” said Dobrov. “Another was Castov’s wife.”

  “Ah, that explains why she gave me the creeps,” said Lough.

  “You don’t even know Castov,” said Lisabelle. “How do you know you wouldn’t like him?”

  “Because Lanca doesn’t, and Lanca is my friend,” Lough explained, taking one last large bite of beans. All of us stared at him, trying not to look too grossed out. Even Dobrov looked a little queasy.

  “So?” Lisabelle said.

  “So,” said Lough, “it’s called closing ranks. You support your dear ones. My friends are my dear ones, and if Lanca doesn’t like him and he doesn’t treat her well, that’s really all I need to know.”

  “What happens at the coronation?” Sip asked.

  “I’ll explain,” said Dobrov, making eye contact with the werewolf for the first time. Sip held his gaze and he didn’t look away.

  Lisabelle leaned over to me and mouthed, “Progress.”

  “Princess Lanca has to prove that she is capable of leading,” said Dobrov. “On top of taking the crown. It will involve a series of tests, all of which will be witnessed by, well, whoever wants to watch.”

  “So, everyone?” Lough asked, waving his fork around.

  “Yes,” said Dobrov, staring at his plate. “That’s why the coronation room is at the top. We will all be sitting outside, looking down on her trial. If she proves herself, she will be crowned.”

  “When she proves herself,” said Lisabelle, starting to clear plates. There was a chute next to the table where you just shoved your dirty dishes. It was very handy.

  “What if she doesn’t prove herself?” Sip asked worriedly. I was afraid we already knew the answer, and Dobrov’s scared face said that our worst fears were justified.

  “If she doesn’t then she dies,” he said. “And Dirr takes over.”

  “So, that’s probably what Castov wants to happen? Who would lead in that situation?”

  Dobrov shrugged. “I’m not even sure. It has never happened. There will be a series of trials for her, or competitions. Each of the vampire sects and each of the paranormal types will get a chance to test her.”

  “Wait, but she inherited this. Why does she have to be tested?” Sip asked, confused.

  “Supposedly because ruling the Rapiers is very difficult, and this is considered to be a valid way to test competency,” Dobrov explained, though his eyes betrayed his skepticism.

  Lisabelle snorted. “Because paranormals are controlling, and the more power they have over stuff that is none of their business the better.”

&
nbsp; “Wait,” I said. “You said each paranormal type?”

  Everyone paused to look at me, instantly realizing where I was headed.

  “No one told me I could test Lanca,” I said, frowning. “Most of the time they just ignore the elementals, but I’m not sure I should be ignored this time.”

  “Why would you want to test Lanca? Don’t you think she’s competent?” Lough asked.

  “Yes, of course,” I said. “But what if other paranormals don’t? I could be the voice that supports her instead of the voice that tears her down. I am elemental. They can’t acknowledge that fact only when it’s convenient for them.”

  “I only acknowledge stuff that’s convenient for me all the time,” said Lisabelle.

  “And look how many friends you have,” Sip drawled.

  “They still consider the elementals to be dormant,” said Dobrov. “You will not be testing her.”

  I pushed away from the table. “I want to talk to Keller. I’ll see everyone at lunch.”

  I headed for the ladder and scurried down.

  “Do you know how to get back to your room?” Lough called out from above.

  “I’m not going back yet,” I said. I glanced up at the ledge where Keller had been, but it was empty now and the ladder was back in place, so I made a beeline for the doors and pushed them open. The dark hallway was empty. It was almost eerie how few other paranormals I had seen.

  “Don’t forget we have opening ceremonies tonight,” Sip called. “We’re watching, not participating, but I bet the outfits will be fab! Don’t make me late because you’re busy smoochy smoochying.”

  I sincerely hoped one of the people at the table, probably Lisabelle, would give Sip a lot of crap for using the term smoochy, but I didn’t want to wait and find out.

  I wanted to find Keller.

  I now missed him whenever I wasn’t with him, which had been for all of Christmas break. I had expected him to greet me upon my arrival at Locke, but that had not happened. Our brief conversation on the road after attack had only made me all the more sure I had to see him. And after the non-encounter at the start of breakfast, I was sure of it. I had to see him now.