Vampires Realm Prophecy 01 - Child of Light

Valentine led the way down the stairs and over to the door. She didn’t understand what Elena had said to him about them being together. The reference to Ineru and River was lost on her and she knew that Valentine wouldn’t like her asking him about it. It had been obvious that he hadn’t liked Elena’s suggestion.
    She couldn’t get past the note of panic in Elena’s voice when she’d told them to hurry and how unsure she had looked when Valentine had asked her for protection from St. Petersburg.
    What was in St. Petersburg?
    She looked up to see Valentine striding down the front steps of the house. He seemed intent on leaving quickly, as though he wanted to escape the place or maybe just Elena. She was the reason he’d wanted to hide her marks. There was something about the witch that he didn’t trust and she couldn’t blame him. She didn’t trust Elena either.
    She reminded herself that it was just jealousy speaking. She hadn’t liked the easy way Valentine and Elena had talked, as though they’d known each other for centuries.
    They were within a few feet of where the portal was when Valentine stopped and sniffed the air in the same way he had done the night before. She reached out with her senses, trying to see if something was there.
    The magic that was creating the place they were in seemed to interfere with them, dulling them and making them useless.
    She glanced up at Valentine and was amazed to see fear in his eyes.
    She turned her head slowly as the portal shimmered into existence.
    Magic hummed through her veins as it opened.
    She tensed when Valentine whispered a word, his voice so full of emotion that she could almost feel it herself.
    “Lucya.”

Chapter 21
    Valentine couldn’t move as the portal flickered and Lucya appeared in front of him followed by Indigo. He blinked rapidly, hoping that this vision in front of him wasn’t real. She was as beautiful as ever, her golden hair reflecting the warm streetlights, her eyes clearest blue and her dangerously low cut dress leaving nothing to the imagination. The narrow waist of it emphasised her figure and the front of her skirt was pulled up to reveal her legs.
    If his heart could still beat, it would be racing now.
    He cleared his throat, his eyes never straying from her while the whole world around them disappeared. He could hear distant voices, but couldn’t make out what they were saying. There was only her. There had always been only her.
    She smiled, her delicate lips curving gracefully as her eyes shone.
    “Valentine,” Lucya said.
    Her voice was as soft and delicate as he’d remembered it, even after two centuries apart.
    “You look as dark and beautiful as ever.” Her smile widened as she stepped towards him.
    “You are still as stunning as the darkest rose,” he said and narrowed his eyes on her, his lips arcing into a smile.
    She lowered her head, covering her mouth with her hand and giggling. His smile widened. She tentatively raised her eyes to meet his again.
    “How could I ever leave you?” Her voice was full of disbelief and regret.
    He frowned at the reminder of what she’d done. She withdrew a step, a look of mild panic flickering across her features and her eyes darting to Indigo before she regained her confidence. Something wasn’t right.
    The world seemed to come back into existence for a split second and he felt Prophecy close by. He growled at Lucya, furious about her attempt to place him under her thrall and annoyed at himself for falling for it as he’d always done.
    A cursory glance over his shoulder brought him face to face with a very angry looking Prophecy. He looked back at Lucya and Indigo. They were both smiling at him. Their eyelashes fluttered and they gave him their most alluring looks.
    “Come, Valentine.” Lucya held her hand out to him.
    “War is coming, Valentine... we need you.” Indigo ducked her head and smiled up at him through her eyelashes.
    “Come... ” Lucya swept her hands towards herself, luring him.
    He shook his head, resisting the call she was sending out to him. She was still strong. Her blood still ran in his veins, that would never change, but she didn’t control him any more, and she didn’t have a hold over his heart.
    Lucya frowned for a split second and then smiled at something behind him.
    “She will be your downfall.” Her tone was more serious. He looked at Prophecy and could see that she was itching to fight. “You must serve your family, Valentine. All