Indulge by Megan Duncan Read Free Book Online Page B

their immortal lives honing their craft. I was a bit surprised that someone would want to live an immortal life just so they could be the best artist or cook. My mom interrupted our conversation and explained that those who were considered masters in their field achieved great respect and to become skilled at something was a goal nearly every citizen of the region desired.
    “It is one of the most shared goals of our society. We all desire to do our part in making our region the very best it can be. Someday you will find your heart’s desire and you will want to be the very best you can at it.”
    I didn’t know what that could possibly be, but I saw her point. The more I learned about my new Zakarian region, the more I loved it. This was exactly the place I wanted to be. Hopefully I could bring Robin here someday, and maybe even Liz. Maybe we could still have the life we had always hoped for. All my best friends together in one place. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought.
    “Are you certain?” my mother asked Arrick.
    “Yes, I heard it myself. She said the dark was coming.”
    The room broke out in frantic whispers. I didn’t know what that meant, but it obviously couldn’t be good. “What’s the dark?” I placed my hand on my mother’s as I asked, but she waved me off.
    “Please, stay calm.” My father raised his hands to silence the room and everyone quickly obeyed. “We cannot allow fear to consume us before we know the truth behind everything. The words were spoken by a young vampire. Either someone is using her as a pawn or she knows not of what she speaks.”
    My father’s voice remained steady and strong, yet somehow I knew this was not a good sign. I swallowed hard, pushing the lump further down my throat.
    I said as confidently as I could, “I don’t think she is the type of vampire to say such a thing like that, and not know what it meant.” Every eye in the room was on me.
    “She tried to kill you, this Ana,” said one of the elderly vampires. Her voice wavered with age. “Attempting to murder a princess is reason enough, but if her darkness runs deeper then we must defend ourselves.”
    “Leona is right.” One of the Blood Guard spoke up. “I know it is against our beliefs to take action. But we cannot allow such atrocities to go on any longer. They will take us back into the dark ages if we do nothing.” His voice started to boom with aggression, but a hand on his shoulder from a nearby guard placated him.
    My father nodded, scratching his beard deep in thought. “You speak the truth, Jarvan,” he said. The man nodded, appreciative for the recognition. “I do not believe that inaction will prevent a war this time and the stakes are too great. I will not allow them to take my daughter again.” His eyes flashed to me and my heart surged with happiness. My father wasn’t going to let anyone take me ever again.
    “No matter what decision we make, I believe Nicolae will start a war to get her back.” Arrick pointed to me. “There is no way to avoid war as soon as he knows where she is.”
    “Then why did you bring her back?” Jarvan, the Blood Guard with stark white hair and a thick mustache asked. “The King and Queen made the greatest sacrifice to prevent war when she was taken, yet here you spit on their decision by bringing her back. Now we must worry about the consequences of your actions and prepare for the possibility of another dark age.”
    I could sense Arrick’s frustration with Jarvan’s words. “They tried to murder her!” Arrick shouted. He stood, slamming his hands on the table. “I’ve watched over her for eighteen years. Silently seeing her live a life that was never meant to be hers. I saw a child who cried herself to sleep at night because she longed for a family. She carried a hole within herself for her entire life that could not be filled.”
    Sadness filled me as I listened to Arrick’s words. He knew the depth of my turmoil.
    I had been wrong.