Tribute of t

d always fear

wasn't just fe

in the cold silver light of the Blood Moon. Their dresses fluttered like trapped spirits, silent wit

pounded louder

rib

what

e orphan girl with blood too dark and eyes too fierce. She wasn't docil

to the cursed forest that sep

vamp

re deep within the woods, horses stamped the earth, waiting.

er bony fingers wrapped around a staff carved

r. Her fists clen

l it honor, but she knew the truth: she

looked brave. So why did I expect them to be? They were raised to obey. To believe this ritu

questions. Da

mpires really

uring the

her name b

rful village. She had no status, no family

ways warned her: "Hide your b

ght? Wh

d spiral, a sound cut th

turned e

owd st

rning red. Behind it, more followed. Guards, perhaps, or nobleme

ive silver beast with a mane like moonlight. He wore no helm

en they met hers, were crimson flames. An

eath c

s the Vamp

ered around him, thick with cold magic. Eve

ooked on

the one,"

owed. "The

oser. "The one with

ugh the villagers. El

ean," Aria said, fightin

head slightl

ouched her cheek with gloved fingers. The contact bur

gi

t her legs wouldn't mov

urmured, voice like

ia snapped. "Take one of them

ow. "Willingness has

gone from where he stood and b

asped, jer

la

nk into

rld va

fe

ut her mind was pulled somewhere

as

ning

ver hair screa

s eyes whispering,

wing on a sc

r mind screamed.

ldn't b

dar

ke, she was i

ss was velvet-lined and perfumed. The curtains were drawn

robbed wher

ci

name. It suited him

ists loosely bound by enchanted silk

rom across the carriage.

at him. "

aved

e where I had fre

r. Your village was going to offe

were always coming

ce was th

e?" sh

carriage lantern lit his face a face too

"Human... yes. But not ordinary. Your ancestors were

what you're

a moment. "No. Bu

o scream. "Wh

akening. And only the bo

nk I'm some prophecy? A chosen

," he sa

e spinning in her head. "I'm no

ve. "And yet, th

t bo

link. Our souls are tied

ath caught

ead. "If I coul

ilence, the weight of their

the mark on her collarbone aga

t a wound. It

h curling vines the

, Aria realized on

just belong

ged to h