The Seasonal Debt

om the frozen iron of the Forge. I lay in the massive bed and watched the grey light struggle to penetrate the heavy glass of the windows. Th

green salve and a dress that looked like it had been spun from liquid go

u wear this for the ga

n hers with a gentle touch. She began to apply the salve to my burned palms. The co

to look like

. I pulled my hands back a

t the Summer Court has paid i

d a vial of scented oil into the steaming water. The smell of jasmine and sanda

this cruel M

into my aching joints. I closed my eyes and tried

or those who have a ch

th a soft cloth. Her movement

believes in the machine. He believes in the walls that keep

who can feel pa

tion. The steam around the tub

ed. "He just thinks it is a small pric

vening. The city below began to sparkle with the new light I had provided. I could see the streetlamps glowing with a s

es like a second skin. It was woven with tiny enchanted filaments that captured the natural heat of my body

htaking Lady El

old around my neck. It was heavy

ke a troph

f the collar. It was

hy that bites."

door. One of the guards

for you in the ball

empty. They were filled with vampires dressed in the height of gothic fashion. They wore silks and velvets in shades of midnight

t the F

ooks s

kin. It is act

reveal a space of staggering opulence. The ceiling was a dome of black glass that reflected the flickering light

they were made of stone and spite. He wore a black suit that fit his broad shoulders perfectly. He look

efore a shark. He stopped in front of me and reached for my hand. He bowed over

te Elara."

ooth. It carried a warni

the burns to stop s

it behind my waist. I wanted hi

ress is often disc

it. I did not want to cause a scene in front of his subjects but I

alk through the crowd. "They need to believe that you are happy

ry good liar S

ture of envy and hunger. I saw a woman with skin as white as snow starin

said. "The survival of your people depend

t. These were the oldest and most powerful vampires in

mer tithe." One of

man with a voice l

than I expected.

ugh to light the Hea

ed his gri

hat matters."

le?" Another

rward and sni

burning from the insid

er control.

d. He led me toward a balcony that overlooked the city.

like I am a dangero

him and leaned again

are a dangerous an

me and looked ou

f you lost control you could melt the foundations of this tower in

u wear the ice

moonlight caught th

what happens if you feel a

hed out and touched the gold collar around my neck. His fi

of anything Elara

r until our faces

sand years." Silas said. "Th

u holding your b

brighter. Silas did not pull away. He stayed in the heat of my aura. He looked at my lips and for a second

from the ballroom. The musi

He pushed me behind him and drew a si

e." Silas

ed jagged iron rods and their faces were twisted in a feral rage. These were no

st fall!" One of t

r the dead sun!"

llroom turned into a scene of chaos. The aristocrats scra

His silver eyes were glow

are losing their p

rebels and then

r Elara." Silas commanded. "Give the

bubbling just beneath the surface of my skin. I didn't want to fig

rward and le