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How could anyone so tall move that quietly, like he appeared out of thin air? Why would he wear long plaits down his back, in a style that had vanished centuries ago? To the Elowen in years past, the rich blood-red of his cape, edged with intricate gold embroidery, would have seemed baffling.

But most importantly—at one time, I wouldn’t have understood why his gaze was locked on the single drop of blood glistening on my fingertip.

His eyes had darkened to black, and he licked his fangs. The wind rushed over him, toying with his blond hair, and shadows darkened the air around him.

I felt the warmth bleed from my body, and a shiver ran over my skin.

I’d come out here without a weapon, and I couldn’t kill this enormous vampire bastard with my touch.

Sunlight washed over him as he dragged his eyes up to meet mine. “Elowen. You have been summoned to Gwethel.”

My pulse roared. “Did Sion send you?”

“You’re coming with me.” He jerked his head, like I was supposed to follow him.

My gaze traced the metal chain around his throat. There was the reason he was alive, standing in the sunlight—a pendant that kept him protected from the sun’s rays. At the bottom of thatchain, I’d find a butterfly pendant, just like the ones that Sion and Maelor wore.

I shook my head slowly. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

My heart thudded. I didn’t want this vampire anywhere near Leo. I didn’t want him anywhere near my bleeding finger, either.

He took a step forward, cocking his head. His eyes were dark as midnight. “If you don’t come to Gwethel with me, you can say goodbye to that little boy.”

Anger slid through my veins.

His gaze flicked down to my finger again, and his hand shot out, reaching to grab me. His lip curled, and he bared his fangs.

It only took an instant. Just a fraction of a second for me to grab the chain around his neck. My hand shot out, and with a sharp, violent tug, I snapped off his throat.

The vampire’s eyes widened when he saw what I’d done—the butterfly pendant that gleamed in the sunlight now resting in my hand. But already, smoke curled from his skin, and his mouth opened with horror. I stepped away from him, stumbling back as his body ignited. Licks of fire rose from his clothes, and he staggered back, screaming as the scent of burnt flesh filled the air.

I turned, shielding my eyes from the sight. Gritting my teeth, I blocked out the sound of his screams, clutching the pendant in my hand. Heat from the fire singed the air around me, and smoke billowed, the scent of charred flesh still flowing on the wind. Until the world fell silent, broken only by the sound of that wind rushing through the trees and crackling embers. I waited a moment, then turned back to the spot where the vampire had been standing.

In his place, only a pile of ash was left behind.

If you don’t come to Gwethel with me, you can say goodbye to that little boy.

The wind carried his cinders into the air.

Shaking, I turned over the butterfly pendant in my hand, and I found his name written on the back.Bran Velenus.

I shoved the pendant into the pocket of my cloak.

Did Sion really think he could simply threaten me into joining forces with his vampire army?

It was really very simple.

Anyone who threatened Leo would die.

CHAPTER 2

After the previous day’s dramatic berry-picking mission, breakfastalmostfilled my empty stomach—a strawberry pie with an acorn crust.

I sipped a cup of tea by the hearth, mentally planning out my day. It would start with searching for a new cottage, if I could find one. And while I was at it, I’d hunt with my new spear. Apparently, just like every day, today would revolve around trying to eat.

My clothes hung drying by the fire, and wood shavings littered the ground by my feet. I was wearing a ridiculous outfit—Godric’s linen undershirt, which hung down past my knees, with a mismatched pair of socks: one from Godric with a diamond pattern, and one from Hugo with stripes. Both were eaten through with holes.

Leo looked at me plaintively. “Can I at least go outside to explore? Yesterday, I found a hedgehog, and he was very, very still. I thought he was dead at first, and then I saw a little twitching nose. I named him Archibald.”