Night at the End of the Tunnel

Valek's words weighed a ton. Dangerous. She knew there were probably so many other profanities he wanted to say, but only those three words came out. Not a threat. Not a warning. A promise. The sound of it was dark and deep, like an angered lion's rumble. Finally, he pulled away from her again, glancing up to acknowledge Mr. Třinozka and Edwin. "Thank you for bringing her to me. I wasn't sure the trail the Witch left would work."

"Not at all, Valek." Mr. Třinozka's massive mustache bristled. "We were happy to get her out of there. I only followed the smell of Earl Grey. That's the easiest way to get me to come a callin'!"

"And we were happy to escape as w-well," Edwin concluded.

Something bubbled inside Charlotte's gut when Valek said that-as though she were his property. She grimaced to herself, the blame and bitterness still rolling within her.

"What's up?" Nikolai jumped off the Spider's back and rather humanly landed on his knees in snowy ground. Valek, who had apparently not noticed him previously, appraised the new guy. Charlotte noticed again that Valek's expression seemed somewhat surprised.

"I apologize. I suppose I was a bit distracted to have noticed you there, uh-"

"The name's Nikolai."

This time Nikolai didn't offer his hand. There was something angry and territorial about his stance as he studied Valek's features. Charlotte's gaze flicked back and forth between the two. Ears cawed from a tree branch above them, the sound reverberating off the surrounding forest.

Valek looked expectantly at Charlotte, who did the very same back to him. She was hoping he might have had more of an insight into this stranger's mind, but Valek only shrugged. Apparently, he heard nothing of much interest.

"We found him after escaping the house." Charlotte's cheeks scorched again with the memory. "Quite literally. We happened to bump into him, actually."

Valek took a curious step toward the boy. "You are new to our...society?"

"For the most part," Nikolai said blankly, his stance still wide.

Valek's eyes narrowed. "And who was your liege?"

"My what?"

"The one who created you? Who made you this way?"

"I don't have a liege," Nikolai said sarcastically. "I don't know who made me this way. I've always had some ability. I just didn't have a place to belong. My parents had no idea. And then we were all attacked." Nikolai's voice dropped on the last word, as if it was supposed to hold some significance for Valek.

Ears shrieked high above them. Valek's eyes widened. Charlotte suspected it was upon seeing something of importance within Nikolai's mind, finally.

"You woke in the Regime?" he asked. "How did a newly formed Fledgling end up in such a place as that?" Valek's eyes slanted, almost moving back and forth as though he were studying the vision before him. Searching. "That's odd, though. I'm not seeing anyone I was hoping to see."

Nikolai crossed his arms over his chest. "Who were you hoping to see?" His voice carried that heavily sarcastic tone again.

"We think he killed who you were hoping to see," Mr. Třinozka butted in.

Valek fell utterly still as he continued to study the boy's face. "Do I know you?"

Nikolai shrugged and looked past Valek. "I don't think so. I don't see how you could, being that I thought I was human before all of this. Being whatever I am comes with some interesting perks, though. Having insight into everyone's mind. You get to learn a lot."

So he could read minds, Charlotte deduced.

"What I do know is that I am famished, and at the risk of snacking on your girlfriend, or whatever she is to you, I'm wondering if there's any food inside that hut. Any food. I'm not picky."

Charlotte lifted her eyebrow at this. As a matter of fact, so did Valek.

Valek cleared his throat. "Yes. Yes, of course. But I caution against using much magic in these woods. There are eyes and ears everywhere, and I imagine they are sniffing the place out for beings like us."

The falcon cawed eerily again and it made Charlotte's stomach lurch. The more noise it made, the less and less she liked the thing.

"You're coming with me, now." Valek hoisted her into his arms and began weaving back through the dense alley of trees from where he'd come. "I'm not letting you out of my sight again."

She didn't answer. She merely proceeded to study him. He looked as magnificent as in every single one of her nightmares. The sun did something to the unnatural fairness of his skin, and the electric color of his eyes, somehow magnifying the effect they had. She could see every crack of every scar from his battles at the Regime. They were normally cleverly hidden in the shadows. Thinking he was handsome was not enough of an accurate description. God, or the devil-or whoever was truly responsible for Valek's existence-had no idea what they'd created. The world's most threatening thing. The most dangerous predator. And he belonged to her.

Valek gazed down at her, a small, somber smile playing in his eyes as he regarded her, though his mouth remained in a serious, straight line.

"How can you think of me in such a way?" He spoke quietly as he ambled through the afternoon, the reaching tree branches casting wicked shadows, like veins, over his face. "After everything I have done to you. After everything I have put you through, you still adore me?" The expression on his face was distorted, almost sickened even. "You should hate me."

Charlotte averted her gaze. Of course she could never hate him. No matter what happened, that would be impossible. But she was still very angry and wanted to change the subject. She didn't need to cease her anger in order to adore him. It was automatic. Involuntary.

"You should hate me, Lottie." He returned to the argument. "Do you even comprehend what I've caused? I've broken every promise I've ever made to you."

"It's not exactly your fault," she offered quietly, still not looking at him. Even though she agreed, she wanted to keep the peace for now. "You assumed you were doing the right thing."

"It is!" Charlotte could have sworn she saw him blink back a wash of red in his eyes. "You'll never realize it, Charlotte. You're far too forgiving. You're naive."

"Only when it comes to you."

"That's the problem. I'm the one you should be the least forgiving with!" His tone was beginning to build, get angrier.

"What do you want me to say? That it's because of what you did I will never be the same? That I can never forgive you, and I never want to see your face again? Can we please change the subject? How did you know I was coming? How did Mr. Třinozka and Edwin know where to go?"

"Baba Yaga told me to go outside and wait at the start of her clearing. I suspect Mr. Třinozka's knowing where to take you was her doing as well. She's very powerful. She said my constant whining was driving her mad, so she sent me out. I didn't mind. I couldn't remain in her stuffy little hut any longer."

Charlotte grimaced. "Who?"

Valek laughed slightly, though the sound was hollow. "Someone you're going to meet. She's an ally." He thought for a minute. "For the most part."

Charlotte wondered what that meant.

"Sarah is there, waiting for us as well. They are devising a plan."

"For what?"

"To find the Dark City. Abelim. I need to find Francis. We believe he will know someone who will know how to fix you."

Charlotte clenched her teeth. That never failed to make her blood boil. "You don't need to fix me," she muttered.

Valek sighed, but fell silent. She guessed he didn't want to argue anymore. He carried her gracefully, though at a human pace, through the dense forest. Upon emerging through the winding maze of trees, Charlotte saw that they had ended up on a steep hillside that plunged down into a narrow valley of large chunks of the blue-stoned mountain that surfaced from the white sea of snow. Gray moss hung from the low-growing branches, like cobwebs on the trunks of the impossibly tall, thin trees that stretched up to the afternoon sun. The hut was just a few moments up ahead. She wondered what time it was.

"Nine," Valek answered warmly, glancing down at her with a fleeting though devastating smile that made her pulse flutter.

Her teeth chattered. She wound her fingers around material of his coat, burying her nose in it. Valek stopped walking.

"Cold?" he asked, though he didn't wait for her to answer.

Swiftly, he set her down, her bare feet sinking into the deep, wet snow. She hugged her arms tightly to herself, though she was more focused on the surrounding beauty than her own condition.

Quickly, he shrugged his coat off his shoulders and wrapped it around her before sweeping her back up in his arms again. "We'll be at the Witch's house in moments. I'll run."

"No!" she blurted out, and he looked at her expectantly. "No, it's okay. I haven't been outside in weeks, and I'm sort of enjoying it. Thanks for your coat." Charlotte's eyes instantly welled up with the thought of the past days, though she aggressively swallowed her tears down into the pit of her stomach. It's time to fight now, she reminded herself.

Valek's brow furrowed as he hugged her tighter. He kissed her forehead and kept walking forward at the same pace he had been keeping. Charlotte swore that maybe he even slowed his walking further.

She glanced up at the forest canopy. The dead, gray tree branches looked like streams of veins under the surface of the sky's pale complexion. The clouds were heavy with the waiting snowfall. Massive rock faces lined the forests to their left and right, towering several yards to the sky. The only sound was the slight wind causing the remaining snow to sprinkle down from the higher branches. It was so odd how linked the human world was to her. She thought of poor Nikolai, behind them, swept into all the chaos and danger against his will. Mortal and magic. Funny that she didn't empathize much with him. If anyone on the outside ever asked her if she was human, her initial response would be 'no'. It was a mere reflex, because for her entire life, she'd never felt that way.

"That's why I will always love you, Lottie," Valek whispered.

"Why? Because I belong everywhere and nowhere? Because I am the world's outcast?" She huffed.

"Because you are different from anyone else who exists on this planet. Because you belong with me and only with me." He pressed his nose to the top of her head and inhaled deeply.

Bitterness bubbled up within her, and she swallowed the acid that filled her mouth, hoping he hadn't heard that reaction in her mind. She couldn't help it. Once again, everything changed, and even the feeling of being carried in his arms made her queasy. She tried to focus on the forest, until eventually they started up the footpath that wound up a grassy knoll. It was edged off by various lanterns. The morning light twinkled off the frosted glass. "Chicken legs?" she asked Valek, noticing the home's foundation again.

"Baba Yaga is the oldest enchantress in the world, and one of the most famous legends. She sees everything. She knows a lot. She is very powerful." His voice grew quieter with every step they drew nearer to the front door. "She is the wood hag who eats mortal children for their youth, to keep herself alive. Her house moves at her whim. No one can trace her. No one gets close."

The door swung open, as if she'd caught the very last syllable of Valek's final word. The band of magical misfits entered into the dank and gloomy cottage. Charlotte's eyes barely had time to adjust as Sarah ran up to her.

"Charlotte! Are you all right? I've been so worried! Valek, the Madame and I were just coming to discuss her idea when you all arrived. She has a plan. I think we will see the gates of Abelim sooner than you think," she said before flitting off into the far room, where Charlotte could see there was a fire going. From behind them, she could hear Ears cawing violently outside the hut.

"Wh-what's the matter with him?" Edwin asked Nikolai.

"I don't know," Nikolai said quietly.

Valek set Charlotte feet-first on the floor. His hand remained at the small of her back. "Are you all right to walk?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I think I'll be fine," she said bitterly. She'd been fine enough during the time he'd left her.

"Come in, mortal." What she assumed was the hag's twisted voice beckoned to her. "I wish to see you.

Charlotte led the group into the room with the roaring fire. She saw the Witch in the corner sipping tea. She sat in the tallest chair, made from vines and tree branches. Even in all of her ancient lines and cavernous wrinkles she was lovely in a way-put together, from the jet piece in her silver hair to the turquoise and moonstone bangles at her wrist.

"Come here, dear. Sit here," she instructed. "Wait while I pull up your chair." This was quite literal. As she made a lifting gesture with one of her bony hands, a new chair seemed to grow from the floorboards, larger leaves collecting at the bottom to cushion the seat.

Charlotte turned to look at Valek, who nodded that it was all right. She walked forward a few paces and sat down.

Baba Yaga eyed her sympathetically, her sweeping eyelashes batting as she grabbed one of Charlotte's hands in both of hers. She patted the top of it. "How are you, darling?"

Charlotte frowned. "I'm fine." She attempted to take her hand back, but the Witch refused to release it. There was a sudden, sharp prick at her index finger, which caused her to cry out. At last, Baba Yaga released her, revealing a tiny pin and a vial she was concealing in the other hand.

"You should be more wary of clever magicians, mortal. It seems you get yourself ensnared in the trap far too often." She wagged her finger and dripped the droplets of stolen blood into a nearby beaker of water. She watched Charlotte's blood steep as the others gathered around as well. "For those of you wondering," she announced to the room in her rustic voice, "a blood reading will give me a faster and more accurate knowledge of her true fate. While a tea leaf reading is good," she glanced toward Sarah, "it is not always the most accurate, and it is easy to misinterpret."

Sarah harrumphed and put her hands on her hips.

Charlotte glanced at Nikolai to gauge his reaction to the fresh smell of her blood hitting the air. She noticed Valek's eyes were already black, but could tell it was just a natural reaction and not anything that actually bothered him. Instead of thirsting for the dripping mortality at her fingertip, she found Nikolai chomping into a big one of Baba Yaga's crumpets. She'd left a plate of them cooling on the coffee table. He wasn't joking when he'd said he was hungry. She guessed he really was still mostly human.

"Charlotte," Valek murmured, his eyebrows lifting, "do you need anything? Do you have any truffles with you?"

"It was just a finger prick, Valek. I'm fine," Charlotte mumbled.

"We have to wait for her blood to dye the water completely." she said, sitting back in her seat. "Sarah and I were just discussing your options, Valek. One of which you already know. You can change her and be done with it. Your problems will virtually cease. However, her soul will be as damned as your own."

"No," Valek responded automatically. Charlotte sank further into her chair.

"Or we can perform a trade. What you seek and what I seek are the same."

"What's that, Madame Yaga?" Sarah leaned in eagerly.

"Here we go," Mr. Třinozka grumbled.

"What Charlotte needs is a tangible object that lives in the bowels of the capital city. It holds more power than I can describe, and he who possesses it upholds the power of plenty. Centuries ago, it belonged to one hierarchy-the Parliament. That was when this world existed with balance. Peace is a myth. But balance was something that was once real. This item was constructed by ancient darkness; the frame carved of gold and the metals of scarab's wings, the glass made from the waters of the Nile in Egypt, frozen in the harshest winters of Arctica. Crusted with enchanted jet and onyx by the oldest sorcerers and spells. It was made to give the dark forces a choice they never had-to return to mortality. To become human again. It was built to undamn the soul."

Valek's spine went rigid at the sound of it.

"Ease yourself, bloodsucker. It has more power than even that. This particular mirror was stolen. Commandeered by the Regime for their unrighteous greed and petty discomfort in not being the sole rulers of the realm. Guards infiltrated the gates of Abelim and raided the palace. The Vampires are a crafty kind so they hid from the Regime's brute strength. Occult historians believe the Mirror of Aset is there now, somewhere in the bowels of the Regime. Its reflection once had the power to fulfill one's deepest wish. But only if you are of the undead or the downtrodden. It will not work in your favor if you are the one with the upper hand. It shows you what you want, and soon manifests it in your reality. A very dangerous power, to be sure. Find the mirror and deliver it to me. If it falls into the wrong hands, I am afraid I cannot help you."

"What could you possibly want with it?" Valek asked accusingly.

"Watch your tone, Vampire. I have my reasons. Deliver to me the mirror, and I can salvage the life of your precious Charlotte. By utilizing the Mirror of Aset's ancient magic, I can save her. Less experienced magicians cannot perform the deed of reawakening the mirror. The Regime has placed careful protections on it so that no Vampire would ever see the light of day again. It was said that because of doing so, each being of light on Earth inherited the mirror's powerful energy. Which is why, when you and your little friends hunt the light beings, you regain a small amount of that power back. The sun. Life. Mortality."

Valek frowned and started pacing the floor. "But that means you will own the mirror and all this power?"

Charlotte could tell he didn't trust that for a minute. Come to think of it, she didn't trust the hag much, either. In fact, her trust was quickly waning for most of the people in the room. Something metallic on the table nearest to her glinted in the dull firelight. She looked to see a sharpened letter opener sitting there, next to a few ancient-looking papers. Charlotte shifted her gaze from face to face. With such a heated discussion ensuing, she knew nobody would miss the thing if she simply tucked it within the material of her dress. She wasn't sure if she would need it later.

"The mirror is not the trade I was speaking of. It's simply a necessity. What I really wish is something only my pupil can give to me." She turned her wicked eyes on Sarah's face, which immediately lit up as she was called upon.

"Yes, Madame! Anything."

"I will trade my knowledge for your youth."

Sarah's mouth dropped as the room fell silent. All eyes turned on her. "I don't think I understand," she squeaked.

"Your youth and beauty for your friend's life. It really should be a...what do you call it? A no-brainer." Baba Yaga casually sipped at her tea again. "Unless you don't think it to be a fair trade. I mean, the girl is doomed, either way."

Charlotte turned wide-eyed to Valek.

"Do you mean she'll die no matter our efforts?" Valek's claw cracked a few branches in the arm of his chair.

Baba Yaga looked at him dully. "Well, of course. She is mortal. They all have to die sometime. Her fates tell me, though, that her death will be at the hands of magic...and soon. Unless...someone intervenes." She lifted a bushy eyebrow at him and threw back another swig of her tea.

The entire room froze again. The tension was absolutely deafening.

Charlotte gulped the tea remaining in her mouth and fidgeted in her chair. It was just like Sarah said. There was only one answer. And Valek would never yield to it. The hag was right. She could feel herself fading, could physically count every dying minute. Perhaps it was all in her head, but after the old Witch confirmed it, it was as if her body physically acknowledged her, agreeing with every word and starting the process. Growing weaker. Fading. Dying. Like her own body was betraying her, when she had so much more time to give.

"Charlotte, could you just keep your mind quiet for a second! Please!" Valek growled.

She dared not glance in his direction. She knew whatever expression his face held would be one that might destroy her. Instead, she attempted to turn her watery eyes to the winter scene outside the window and focused on that instead.

"If you don't want the girl to die now and by the hands of someone near, you must find the mirror and bring it to me." Baba Yaga's voice echoed throughout the room. Storm clouds swirled against the ceiling, sending Sarah's curls thrashing around her face. "Fetch me the Mirror of Aset from the Regime palace, and I will perform the transaction. Charlotte's life for the restoration of my youth."

"How long do we have to find the mirror?" Sarah turned her face, desperately trying to shield herself against the wrath of the hag. Bewitched lightning thrashed around the room, striking deep within the floorboards near Charlotte, who jumped.

"To gain knowledge, first you must seek wisdom. Find me the Mirror of Aset and the next step in your path will be revealed. Until that time, your road will be a long and perilous one." The ominous, booming sound of her voice reverberated on her last words.

Sarah bent in half, covering her ears from the wretched laughter as the tempest began to suck up various things within the house. One of the massive armchairs almost took off her head before it disappeared in the eye of the storm raging above them. The laughter continued to ensue. A bookshelf and a coffee table followed the armchair soon after.

"Get out of the house!" Valek roared from one corner of the room.

Charlotte looked to see him waving his hand toward the front door. Nikolai had already grabbed up Edwin in his arms and was making a sprint for the exit. Valek quickly swept Charlotte up before the fireplace mantle crushed her.

"Go! Quickly!" he called to Sarah, who had frozen in her place.

Stumbling over her feet, Sarah began running for the front door. Nikolai slowed, only for a moment, grabbing her hand before racing with both her and Edwin to the outside. Valek and Charlotte were not long to follow, along with Mr. Třinozka, who trailed quickly behind them.

The group made it out in time to turn and see the hag's abode swallow itself up in the forest clearing. An awful storm that seemed to surge just over the area swirled Charlotte's hair around her face as she looked to see the house completely disappear. And then there was silence once again.