Empire of the Vampire (Empire of the Vampire, #1)

by Jay Kristoff

‘A palace shall I build of thy suffering, frailblood. Upon a throne of thy misery shall I reign. All sh—’ “Lionclaw crashed across the back of Laure’s head, bone splitting, blood splashing. The vampire reeled, hissing, fangs bared. “‘The only queen on this mountain is me,’ Astrid spat. “Standing above us, she drew back my bloody blade for another strike. “‘And he’s no frailbood, you unholy cunt.’

I’d never taken the time to answer her letters, I realized. “And now I never would.

“Baptiste looked to Greyhand. ‘Would we be welcome?’ “Our old master sighed. ‘The Testaments are clear, Sa-Ismael. The word of God is law. The sin is yours to own.’ “‘I felt him on that mountainside, Greyhand,’ Aaron said. ‘Bathed in his holy light. God stood with us, Baptiste and me, as we faced down a dark that seeks to consume all men. All men. And if your God would name my love a sin, then he’s no God I know.’

‘I pray God and Mothermaid watch over you, de León. But more, I pray you watch over yourself. And above all, watch Seraph Talon.’ “‘… Talon? Why?’ “‘The night the Empress arrived at San Michon. The night he … caught Baptiste and me. At the feast, I swear I felt someone in my head. A touch light as feathers, but still … I fear Talon didn’t discover us by accident as he said. I fear he wanted rid of me.’ “‘To what end?’ “‘I know not. But he is not to be trusted, Gabriel. Watch your back.’

In the sight of God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of all that was and will ever be, I pledge my life to the Order of San Michon. “‘I am the light in the night. I am hope for the hopeless. I am the fire that rages between this and all world’s ending. I shall know no famille, save these my brothers. I shall love no woman, save our Mother and Maid. I shall seek no respite, save in paradise at the right hand of my Heavenly Father. “‘And in sight of God and his Seven Martyrs, I do here vow: Let the dark know my name and despair. So long as it burns, I am the flame. So long as it bleeds, I am the blade. So long as it sins, I am the saint. “‘And I am silver.’

“Isabella drew her sword with a flourish. “‘In sight of God and Mothermaid and Martyrs, we name you defender of our empire and keeper of our holy faith. We bid you be just to our subjects, and merciless to our enemies, and true in all measures under heaven. You are our sword. Our shield. Our hope. Arise, Gabriel de León, Silversaint of San Michon, and Chevalier of Elidaen.’

“Astrid Rennier. Smiling at me. “Though I could say nothing with all eyes upon me, I hoped she knew. And glancing to the Empress, I vowed I’d repay that girl for all she’d done. “No matter what it cost me.

To Prioress Charlotte,’ I said. ‘To Keeper Logan. To Michelle and Micah and Tally, to Robert and Demi and Nicolette and all those who marched there, but did not march back again. To Aaron de Coste and Baptiste Sa-Ismael.’ I raised my goblet and looked among the gathering. ‘To the courageous dead. And to brothers lost.’

You seem an uncommon man, Gabriel de León,’ Isabella told me. ‘Would that some of our loving husband’s generals were so bold.’ “‘A friend of mine told me recklessness is a more admirable quality than foolishness, Majesty,’ I said, eyes downturned. ‘Though I often fail to see the difference.’

“The thin man looked me up and down, spat through sharpening teeth. ‘How dare you accuse me of such? Brother ’saints do not use their gifts upon each other in San Michon without consent, you frailblooded little arselicker.’ “‘I know that’s why you’re here, Talon. Hoping to catch me and Astrid like you caught Aaron and Baptiste. A good hunter uses the appetites of their prey against them. Want is a weakness, isn’t it? How better to be rid of me with hands white as angels’ wings?’

‘I wondered when Aaron warned me that you’d slipped into his head. I wondered why you’d want rid of him, and me. And then I remembered. Greyhand was out cold, but Aaron and I both heard what Laure said to you on that bridge: I would promise you pleasures no chaste and holy brother could dream of. But you’re already ours, paleblood. And when she mentioned Aoife’s name, you charged at her headlong like an idiot. Not because you were angry. Because you wanted to stop her from saying more in front of Aaron and me.’ “‘You little bastard…’ Talon hissed. “‘How long?’ I demanded. ‘How long were you feeding on Aoife? How long were you sleeping with her?’

You’ve no idea what it’s like, boy,’ he hissed, hands in fists. ‘You are young. The sacrament still sates you. You do not know what it is to lie awake and feel the sangirè inside you, spreading like flame. But you will. Already you hear that whisper, gentle as spring rains, but oh, it grows, boy. It grows with every sunset until its scream is all you can hear.’ “‘She was pregnant, you bastard!’ “Talon dragged his fingernails across his stubbled scalp, a snarl at his lips. He took a step toward me, and every inch of me bristled with threat. The beast I was prowled back and forth behind the cage of my ribs, my teeth now sharp as razors. “‘You killed her,’ I spat. ‘And the child you put inside her.’ “‘It was not a child, it was an abomination! Its ending was mercy!’

“‘I didn’t believe it when the boy told me,’ Greyhand growled. ‘Not Talon, I thought. He’d have the courage to do what was right when his time came.’ “‘Greyhand…’ The seraph smiled and tried to rise. ‘Let me explain, old frien—’ “Talon gasped as Greyhand’s sword sank hilt-deep into his chest, out through his back, red and bright. The seraph’s bloodshot eyes grew wide as Greyhand twisted the silversteel blade up through his ribs, cleaving his treacherous heart.

GASP

Know no shame, Little Lion.’ Greyhand shook his head, the ghost of a smile at his lips. ‘Old age and treachery can always overcome youth and skill.’ “‘I’ll remember that.’ “‘I’m sure you will.’

‘Nothing is certain in this, save the love of God. Life is not a story you can tell, de León. It’s only a story you can live. The bright news is, you get to choose what kind yours will be. A story of horror, or a story of courage. A story of indulgence, or a story of duty. The story of a monster. Or the a story of a man.’ “The doors to the Priory opened before us, and I saw light and warmth inside. “‘What will your story be?’”

Tell me, and I will leave this place and never think of you again.’ A tear spilled down her cheek, caught trembling at the bow of her lips. ‘But if you do want me, Gabriel de León, then say it. Because only a coward would cherish the wanting of a thing and yet send it away. And I will not give my heart to a coward. I will give it to a lion.’

Tell me you do not want me.’ “‘I can’t,’ I whispered. ‘God help me, I can’t.’ “‘Then take me, Gabriel.’ She lifted her chin, fierce and furious. ‘Take me, and God and Mothermaid and Martyrs be damned with us both.’ “And there was nothing left then: no restraint, no law, no vow that could have held me anchored through her storm. I kissed her, hungry and hard, and in that kiss, I knew salvation and damnation. A vow I could truly keep. “On this fire, I would burn.

And if this was wrong, I decided, then let it be the wrong I’d die for. There, with that girl in my arms, I swore to God I would give all else—my blood, my life, my everything—if only he would let me have her. “Just. Her.”

We climbed onto Justice, Astrid’s arms about my waist, and alone, friendless, we rode into the dark.” Gabriel’s smile was like the sun rising. “But we weren’t alone for long. And never again. God still gave us one more blessing. A tiny, beautiful blessing, with her mama’s smile and her papa’s eyes, and no hint of the curse that flowed in his paleblood veins.”

“The first time I held her in my arms, I cried more than she did. I used to watch her while she slept as a babe. Just stand above her crib for hours and wonder how the hell someone like me had made something so beautiful. And as she grew, I realized she was the reason I’d been put on this earth. Not to lead armies or defend cities or save an empire. Looking into her eyes, I knew it, like I knew the taste of my wife’s lips or the song of the blood. Goodness could come of sin, and she was proof. She was perfect. Great Redeemer, she was everything. Our Patience.”

“Hearts only bruise,” the vampire murmured. “They never break.” Gabriel nodded. “So Astrid would often tell me.” “A pretty sentiment.” “A fucking lie.” “Where did the three of you go?” Gabriel’s eyes were fixed on the goblet in his hand. The reflections of the lantern’s flame playing like fireflies on the blood-dark drop in the bottom. Thumb tracing the arc of the teardrop scars down his cheek, he looked to that pale moth still beating its wings in vain upon the lantern’s chimney, heedless and hopeless. “De León?” “Your voice will never feel so tiny as when you’re screaming at God,” he whispered. “… What?” Gabriel blinked, his eyes coming into focus. He looked up at the historian and slowly shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about them anymore.” “Must we do this again? My Empress demands her tale.” “And she’ll have it.” Gabriel’s grip tightened on his empty glass, knuckles white. “But I don’t feel like talking about ma famille right now.”

Oh noooo

And if we’re not lucky?’ she asked, teeth already starting to chatter. “‘Then we can thank God for his consistency.’

“‘… I’m sorry.’ “‘Are you really?’ “‘Of course I am,’ I growled. ‘I’m a bastard, not a monster.’ “Dior reached into the greatcoat I’d loaned her and pulled out my silver pipe. ‘Then you should throw this thing in the river, hero. Go back home and kiss your wife and hug your daughter and tell them you’re never going to leave them again.’ “‘And abandon you?’ “‘Everyone else does.’

“I followed her voice, along the freezing stone and up to the very edge of that precipice. And on the other side of the river, back across the freezing Volta, I saw her on the shoreline. Just a pale shadow in the frail dawning, face framed by long locks of midnight. A beauty spot beside dark lips, one eyebrow arched as always. She stood among the snow-clad boughs and the ruins of a once-green kingdom, watching me. And she spoke then, lips moving, her voice a warm whisper in my mind. “‘My lion.’ “‘My life,’ I sighed. ‘How did you—’ “‘Always, Gabriel. I will always find you.’

“‘I have to get back,’ I whispered. ‘She sounds frightened.’ “‘She’s not your concern, love. Remember why you left us.’ “‘Astrid, I…’

Wait whatttttt

But you remember what I said about the problem with most men being they never shut the fuck up?” Jean-François nodded. “Oui.” “Turns out that’s also true for teenage girls.

How can she do what she does?’ she asked on the third day. “‘Eh?’ I growled, stumbling along the riverbank. “Dior’s eyes were fixed on the sword at my waist. ‘Ashdrinker. How can she hurt the Dead so easily? When you fought that masked vampire in San Guillaume, those wretched in Winfael, it looked like her blade burned them. I thought only silver did that.’

She’s magik,’ I growled, breathing a cloud of frost. ‘And I’m talking true magik, now. Forged from the heart of a fallen star, long before the empire was born.’ “‘She’s … impressive to watch.’

“The inquisitor tilted her head. ‘You can last longer than that, surely.’ “‘My wife b-been telling stories about me again?’ “‘Your whore, you mean?’ “My face darkened at that, my soft smile vanishing. “‘Oh, oui,’ she said. ‘We know who you are. What you are.’ “‘If that were true, you’d be speaking more polite about my wife.’

‘You … shot me.’ “‘Not well enough, apparently.’ “‘It hurt. A very great deal.’ She dug the claw in, lifting my chin and staring into my eyes. ‘Merci, Monsieur de León.’ “‘That’s Chevalier de León to you. I s-suppose that’s why you’ve got me stashed under a nunnery, instead of taking m-me up to the keep? The local capitaine might not appreciate you baby-killing bitches torturing a Sword of the Realm.’

“‘M-merci, madamois—’ “I flinched as my britches crashed into my head, my boots skittering along the stone. “‘Get dressed,’ Dior spat. ‘Can’t have lil’ Gabriel flapping about while we’re running for our lives through a nunnery.’

LMFAO

Come on.’ I held out my hand. ‘I’ve got you.’ “But she pursed her split lips. Rubbed her bruised eyes. Gutter-hard and street-sharp, and I saw the truth. Though she’d no clue how to swing a sword, still she’d picked one up to defend me. Though she’d no reason to come back for me, still she’d returned. And though they’d beaten on her hard as they dared, still, she wasn’t broken. “‘I’ve got me,’ she said. “And standing, she leapt onto the frozen shore.”

Omg

“‘I didn’t know girls could love girls. I just knew I loved being with her. And one night, she and I were sitting on the warehouse roof talking and laughing, and she touched my cheek and told me I was beautiful. And then she kissed me.’ “Dior shook her head, trailing fingertips along her lips. “‘Nobody ever kissed me like that before. I didn’t know you could get kissed like that. It was like … like my whole body was powder and she was flame. One of those kisses you’re going to compare to every kiss that comes afterward, you know?’ “I smiled softly. ‘Oui.’

“‘My wife used to tell me hearts only bruise. They never break. I don’t know if I believe that anymore. I know this world is cruel. That saints and sinners suffer one and the same. I know every time you give a piece of yourself to someone, you risk them breaking it. I know there are some wounds that never truly heal, and sometimes all that’s left of people are their scars. I know time eats us all alive.’

“I looked into the fire, sighed from somewhere old inside. ‘I can’t believe in a God that loves us. Not after all I’ve seen. But I believe this: My friends are the hill I die on. I forgot that lesson for a while. But I vow it now, never again. So if your path is San Michon, I’ll walk it with you.’ I squeezed her hand again, hard as I dared. ‘I won’t leave you.’ “She smiled. ‘We’re friends, then?’ “‘The strangest sort. But oui. Friends.’

She kicked a toeful of snow at me, did another graceful pirouette. ‘Well? How’s it look?’ “I simply smiled. “‘Magik.’”

“I saw it coming now; a shadow moving slow toward us. My grip tightened on Ashdrinker, and as Dior hissed warning, I stepped out to meet it, teeth growing long in my mouth as I raised my blade … only to lower it again just as swiftly. “‘Sweet Mothermaid,’ I whispered. “‘What is it?’ Dior hissed. “‘Jezebel…?’

Incredible i knew jezebel would be back

“‘I don’t think we should’ve come this way.’ “‘Well, don’t blame me,’ I hissed. “‘And why not?’ “‘Because … I’d rather you didn’t?’ “A stunning riposte.

That girl isn’t why you came here. Why you left Patience. Why you left me.’ “My hands curled into fists. ‘I know why I came here. I don’t need you to remind me. I see it every time I close my fucking eyes!’ “‘Please don’t be angry,’ she whispered. “I hung my head, shutting my eyes against the burning tears, her whisper the only sound in the dark. ‘Tell me you love me.’ “‘Of course I do.’ “‘Promise you’ll never leave me.’ “‘How could I?’ I sank to my haunches, head in my hands. ‘You’re all I ever wanted. The two of you … you were the pieces I never knew were missing. You—’

They died???

“What is thy game, Gabriel? “‘Shut up, Ash.’ “Thy threads unraveling. Thy knots undone. Long years did we face the d-dark together, and I tell thee true, tell thee true, I am sorry for my part in it. But at the end of this road lies madn—

I need to know what happened my heart is aching

The trees about us thinned, and for a second, I thought we’d made it clear, only to feel my heart sink as I realized why. Fortuna charged on, true to her name, true to the last, true to the moment her luck finally failed her. “I roared, grabbing at the horse’s reins … but too late, too late, as the cliff’s edge loomed before us. And with a terrified bellow, the panicked mare galloped out into the breach and flung us all over the edge, into the black gulf beyond.

But in truth, we weep not for those departed, but for we who remain. And it’s ever best to take the time to say good-bye. All too often, fate robs us of the chance.

You don’t like to dance?’ I asked Dior. “‘I don’t know how,’ she admitted. ‘Not many galas in the gutters of Lashaame.’ “‘I’ll teach you, then,’ I declared, holding out my hand. ‘It’ll be good practice.’ “‘Practice for what?’ “‘At root, dancing and swordplay are one and the same.’

“‘Did that ever strike you as odd?’ “‘I’m not sure what you mean.’ “‘The wheel.’ I nodded to it. ‘Why they chose that as the symbol for the One Faith.’ “‘It’s a symbol of the Redeemer’s sacrifice. The offering that laid the foundation for his church on this earth, and our salvation. By this blood, shall they have life eternal.’ “‘But doesn’t it strike you as a little morbid? Seems to me maybe they should’ve found something that celebrated the days he lived. The words he said. Instead, the symbol of his church is the thing that killed him.’ I shook my head. ‘Always struck me as strange.’

“‘… Where are Astrid and Patience, Gabriel?’ “‘Waiting for me.’ “‘At home?’ “‘Where else would they be?’ “‘If they’re at home, why are you here?’ “‘I know a king who needs killing.’

“I met his gaze, the truth fighting behind my teeth. “To speak it would make it real. “To speak it would be to live it again. “‘The Worst Day,’ I whispered.

“And beyond the scent of char and ashes, I caught it then. “Just a whisper on the wind that set my heart racing. “The scent of death. “Death and silverbell.”

“‘I know why you want to protect me now, when you never gave a damn about me before. I know why you treat me different now you know I’m a girl.’ The tears were falling now, streaming down her face as she glanced to the ink below my knuckles. ‘And I’m sorry, but you can’t ask me to do this. I’m not her. I’m not them. I can’t fill that hole. I never will.’ “My hands were fists at my sides. Her pale shadow pressed against the glass behind me. Her soft whisper inside my head. “‘Don’t listen, love…’ “‘I don’t—’ “‘You lied to Aaron,’ Dior said, her voice breaking. ‘I know what happened to them.’

“‘The Worst Day,’ she insisted. ‘The day he found you. That’s why you left home, why you’ve come all this way. Why you drink. Why you don’t believe anymore. All of it. This isn’t about me, none of it is. It’s about them, Gabe. Astrid and Patience.’ “‘Promise you’ll never leave me.’ “‘Astrid and Patience are at home, Dior.’ “‘I know. I know they are.’ “She breathed deep, tears spilling down her cheeks. Eyes that saw the hurts of the world, and a heart that wanted to fix them. But she couldn’t fix this. No one could. “‘That’s where you buried them, Gabriel.’

I knew it was coming and it still HURTS

“‘I don’t want to hurt you, Gabriel,’ Dior whispered. ‘I know what they meant to you. I can’t let other people die for me because you’re afraid to lose someone else you care about. I can’t be what you want me to be. But I am your friend. And I can be more than just a hill to die on.’ “‘What else is there?’ I whispered. “‘A shoulder to cry on.’