A Bargain So Bloody (Kingdom of Dark Magic, #1)

by Vasilisa Drake

“No one deserves to be forgotten. If it’s any reassurance, Samara, I intend to live a very long life. And I will not forget you for any of it.”

“In precise terms, how can one gain possession of the Black Grimoire, as soon as reasonably possible?”

“Go north, to the marshes, to the abandoned temple of Anagenni. The Black Grimoire was entombed there seven hundred and seventy-seven years ago. It is locked away behind a statue of the patron goddess, guarded by traps even we do not know, so only the worthy may take possession of the book.”

“I’ll tell you my secrets as soon as you start volunteering your own.”

“Oh, you’re much more than that. You’re the first human Raphael’s ever claimed as his Chosen.”

Very few vampires have that ability. I understand it’s rather overwhelming, given how much vampires drink. He’s not taken from the source in over a hundred years.” She paused, gauging the effect of her words on me. “And those he’d taken in the past out of necessity, he killed shortly after so he wouldn’t be bothered.”

“No. My mother said it wasn’t proper for someone of my status. She was convinced I was to be a lady, who had others playing music on command.”

Was your quest successful? Are we once more safe from the abomination?”

Make no mistake, the humans you find among them are some of the craftiest creatures in this room.”

For a moment I just stared. Was my mind playing tricks on me? The face I imagined I hadn’t seen for many years, and only in shadows.

Just touching it gave me the same rush as using enchanted cards.

“I’ll always watch over you.”

Something foreign and monstrous in me roared.

“Apologize to her,” I snarled. “Amalthea, I apologize,” Demos said immediately, not looking away from me.

One witch is gifted to the world every two hundred years with Anagenni’s blessing. They alone can right the balance. The undead bow to the necromancer.

The closest I’d come was a relationship with my half-brother, but that had been secret.