Power of the Secret

By Elizabeth Loraine

Katrina begged Tao to open the journals recovered by Sabine in the Underworld. Now Tao has had a vision which he refused to share with her, causing her to believe her death is emanate. Though she regrets asking Tao to open the journals she can’t change it now. She has a job to do, and she realizes the Secret is right in front of her. Now all she can do is what Fredrik wanted: to keep
The Forty safe, and prepare them for a future that may not include any of their parents.

Book ten of Royal Blood Chronicles, Power of the Secret. Another fast paced addition to Elizabeth Loraine’s best selling YA series. Another world built in which the world is at war, humans fighting each other for domination and land, while the peaceful hidden races fight for their very existence. Will Katrina be able to convince the Elves, Witches, Warlocks, Dwarves and many other magical races to fight as one this time, or will she have to step back and protect her own? Find out November 6th.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elizabeth Loraine
• Release date: Jan 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310782626

Elizabeth Loraine

I grew up in Minnesota, married my husband of now over 30 years and had my two children (Matthew now 30 and Andrea 28). In the early 80's we moved from Minnesota to Florida and I've lived on the beaufiful Central East Coast ever since. I've always been creative, and my career life focused on interior design, painting and garden design. I didn't start writing until I turned 52. I loved the Vampire genre and after years of enjoyment found in the pages of other author's books, I decided that I wanted to know more about the characters than was there between the covers. What had these long lived vampires been doing, what had they seen and done throughout history? My two wonderful children were grown and my fantastic husband has always supported my career choices. So, my mind made up, I would take up the challenge of creating what I wanted to read for myself and offer the books to anyone else who loved this genre. Thus began the Royal Blood Chronicles. I am now working on ten book in the series, have written the first book in another series and Phantom Lives, my paranormal series has two books, Collier and Power. I'm writing book three of that series. Look for new books in 2014 Enjoy

Book preview

Power of the Secret

A Royal Blood Chronicle

By

Elizabeth Loraine

Power of the Secret - Copyright 2015 by Elizabeth Loraine. Smashwords Edition 2015

CHAPTER ONE

On the wide palace balcony overlooking his kingdom, Tao paced as he considered his dilemma.

He was torn. He wanted give in to Katrina, who was insisting he remove the protections from the volumes of her father’s missing journals, but was also mindful her father had the magical locks installed for a reason.

At least she hadn’t asked if he knew who’d stolen them and how they’d found their way into Noctu hands in the Underworld, of all places, and he hadn’t offered his opinion.

When he’d first brought all Fredrik’s journals to Sangustae he’d began reading them from first to last.

From the point he’d opened the first volume’s cover he’d been drawn in, fascinated by the story of Fredrik’s life as he’d read about the early days of the Knights Templar and even before those times.

With each volume he soon realized it wasn’t only Fredrik’s story, but the story of the ages. You see, Fredrik Von Dracek had been keeping a secret all those years. No one ever knew Fredrik had the gift of sight, an especially powerful and burdensome gift.

Although his daughter Katherine had inherited it to some degree, it was nothing like Fredrik’s gift. In fact, Tao wasn’t sure Fredrik had ever shared much of his gift with Katrina and Katherine, nor even his wife Elizabeth. Yet, long before he’d taken on his leadership role, there had been someone he shared things with. Perhaps she was the key to everything.

Right now Tao had to make a decision. Yes, the journals could give Katrina the explanation why Fredrick had believed it necessary to take and secret away the Stolen, including his own grandsons, but was she prepared to learn all the journals could reveal?

Fredrik had foreseen even his own death and as Tao read through the years of entries, the journals had revealed his visions to be very accurate. Tao also learned what Fredrik knew - the vision’s interpretations were often mitigated by the passage of time.

Over the years it became obvious that Fredrik’s sight was so powerful, it was often only with the passing of years, even decades, that the true meaning of the visions became clear.

When Fredrik first realized the nature of his sight to be long term instead of short term, he’d begun recording everything and because many of his recorded visions had yet to be fulfilled, it was even more important for the journals to be protected.

These volumes had protections like no others; Elf protections. Tao knew the journals held either something very important or very dangerous.

Tao continued to pace.

Who was he to prevent her from reading the journals, from forming her own opinion and learning the truth?

Tao? He turned to see Katrina standing in the doorway.

I can do it, he said before she could ask, "but I don’t know how long it will take.

Before I start, I want to caution you. The secret you wish to solve may not be in these volumes, Katrina. The volumes may hold something you wish you had not uncovered, things which, once revealed, will change the way you feel about everything and everyone around you."

I need to know why he took my child from me, all of our children.

Tao didn’t talk for a time and then asked, Do you? Do you really? Does it really make any difference now? You have your son back, they are all back, and they are together. Can you not simply trust your father to have done it for the right reason? It was to protect our worlds from being lost, and their power from falling into the wrong hands. Fredrik knew he couldn’t protect them alone and you knowing about them would have put you and them in even greater danger. Isn’t that enough Katrina?

I know it should be enough, Tao. I know in my heart he wanted me to read the journals. I believe the protections were not to keep me, but others out. Please do this for me?

Tao’s shoulders slumped and he turned away from her. Katrina walked up behind him and ran her hands up his back. He closed his eyes, taking in the feeling of it; the wonderful, torturous feeling of it.

Please? she whispered.

He shook his head. There is no male of any race who could possibly refuse you. It is entirely unfair, Katrina.

She smiled as he turned, but her smile faded when she saw the frown furrowing his handsome face.

I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not. You’re one of my dearest friends and you know I’d do anything for you.

"Friends," he thought. Her choice of words tore at his heart.

I know. We all know that, Katrina. Stay here and while I remove the protections on these journals, take the time to read the others. I implore you to start with some of the earlier journals. From them, you will learn so much about the man, beginning before he was your father, before he led the Vampire kingdom. There is so much more to him than you know.

All right, Tao. I will stay for a while.

Good. I’ll get to work.

Katrina now stood staring at the stacks of journals at the back of the large bedroom in the upper palace. It was true, after all, no child ever really knew their parents, learned what experiences and people had most influenced and made them who they were. Were their children really meant to know?

Maybe Tao was right, maybe she should let it be. Yet, her father had written these journals for a reason. By destiny she was the chosen leader of the Five. It was foretold and now she couldn’t help wondering what else was.

She walked over to the first stack, closed her eyes and held out her hand. She felt its weight as one of the journals settled on her open palm. She opened her eyes. With an exaggerated gasp, she clutched the tooled leather volume to her chest and walked to the bed.

As she settled in, she smiled as a memory filled her head.

She heard the laughter of her five-year-old self being chased to her bed and tickled by the man she affectionately called Papa. He’d pulled up the covers and she’d crawled inside.

Katrina swiped at a tear which had escaped her eye, rubbing its wetness between her fingers. It was rare these days she let herself feel things so deeply. The tear reminded her of how much she missed, and needed him.

She leaned back against the piled pillows, and let the soft down-filled mattress cradle her. She ran her hand over the gilded, highly embossed ‘V’ on the front of the volume.

You’re here with me, aren’t you Father? You’re right here in these volumes and forever in my heart. I never got to thank you, or tell you how proud I was to be your daughter. I know you lived a very long life, but it was much too short for me. She sighed, dabbing at her eyes.

She grimaced. This was only the first journal and this was the reaction she was having? Fighting Noctu Demons was much easier. In battle she knew just what to do. Every move was clearly choreographed in her mind. This was so much more difficult.

She took a deep breath and opened the journal. The ink of the script glowed as if welcoming her. Running her fingers over it, she drew a sharp breath as pictures formed in her mind, taking her into the scene being described.

Do you remember the first time your gift appeared to you, Fredrik?

Fredrik hesitated before throwing another log into the fire pit. Yes I do, Annabelle. How about you?

A coy smile turned up the corner of her mouth. That’s not the response I was looking for.

Perhaps not, and though I know you’re used to having your way, it is the only response you are going to receive.

You’re always in control, are you not, Fredrik?

How I wish that were true.

Later he walked home alone.

I did not think we would see you again today.

Fredrik removed his sword and leaned it against the stone wall of the great room.

And I thought my brother would already be in bed. We join the English tomorrow, William.

We do. I know you have had a vision about it, but also know you would never tell anyone their fate.

Fredrik fastened his eyes on his brother. I will tell you that you will return, as will I, but our mission is not the same as the others. Ours is a bigger quest, yours different even from mine. He shrugged. That is all you need to know, isn’t it?

William cocked his head, leaned back in his seat, and took a sip of Crimson.

He took note of his brother’s posture. It is not your fault. Just because you know things, does not mean you can prevent them from happening. You could not save her and you have to forgive yourself.

Her name was Ingrid, and I do not wish to forget her. I made the mistake of trying to influence fate once before. Telling our sister to stay out of the forest only made her want to defy us and go there more. I will never make that mistake again. I know some things cannot be changed. I do not always understand the events foretold or even who the people are or the circumstances. It is why I started journaling. Some day there may be someone who will know; who will see the visions meaning in time to change things. Until then, I can only prepare and set things in place for the future I have seen, but cannot decipher.

Katrina let the journal thump onto her lap. Tea, please. A steaming cup appeared on the bedside table. Cream? she asked holding out her hand. When it appeared, she poured some into the tea, waved the cream away and stirred as she stared ahead with unseeing eyes.

Maybe her father didn’t even know why he needed to hide the Forty, only that he must. Did she really want to know who may live, who dies, and what the future held? Was it better that she just lived her life the best way possible? Start from here and just live? After taking a sip of tea she set the cup and saucer down, slipped out of the bed and left the room.

She walked down the steps, and down the hall leading to Tao’s laboratory. Feeling her presence, he turned and frowned.

What is it? she asked, immediately worried for her friend.

Tao looked terrible, strain filled his flushed face. This type of emotion was so foreign, the look so misplaced, she let out an involuntary gasp and her gut clenched. She walked over and placed the palm of her hand on his face.

Is it the work? If so, I want you to stop. You were right, it’s too much.

Her touch burned his cool skin and raised the hair on the back of his neck.

He took her hand. I saw. His wild eyes searched hers. I saw our world end as we know it. It begins with one death. One death. The death of a Royal Vampire serving in the human world. His death starts it all, Katrina.

What? When?

I don’t know.

I’ll look at the memory. She raised her hand, but he grabbed it and moved sharply away.

No, Katrina. I cannot let you see. He dropped her hand. These journals were sealed for a reason.

Tao’s eyes searched her face and Katrina began to feel the tendrils of real fear. I will take up the search for this man. If we can save him, maybe we can change all that is to come. If we can’t…

Tao, my father made the mistake of trying to intercede and learned his interference could change the outcome in unexpected ways. Maybe we aren’t meant to even try to change things or as fate would have it - we can’t. All we can do is prepare for the coming fight. Our existence depends on it.

He nodded and pulled her close. I promise to do all I can.

I, uh, I’m going to go back. War is coming and I’m going to do what my father wanted me to do - prepare. She pushed away to see Tao was still traumatized by what he’d seen. She stroked his face, her expression pinched with concern. Do you want me to call Cain?

Tao frowned. Cain?

Yes, his skill as a thread climber could take your memory of the vision away.

No, I was meant to see it. It is my burden to carry now.

I am so sorry Tao, this is all my fault.

No, Katrina, it is not. He turned away and walked to the window. Emotion was a hard thing for Elves to deal with and he was fighting his. He gathered himself, swallowing hard.

I remember the first time I saw you, Katrina. You were just coming into your power, but it was already obvious to anyone who saw you, why you were chosen. You and your friends were bright-eyed girls, ready to learn all you could. The enemy back then was so clear to us.

"Yes, I remember. I didn’t know about the Sanctuaries. I’d never seen an Elf before. You were quite intriguing to me then. You’re still intriguing to me, Tao. Yet, now you’re one of my dearest friends."

He turned and his eyes narrowed as he appraised her. I asked you this once before, but I’m asking you again. Stay with me, be my Queen. What I have seen has changed everything. Long life? I would give it up gladly if we could be together.

Tao…

He could see the answer in her eyes and his shoulders slumped.

Leave me, he growled and turned away.

Katrina resisted her impulse to comfort him, knowing it was best if she left him alone.

When she got back to Alrahfaru, Kate was waiting for her.

I felt something had happened, what is it?

Katrina kept walking. I asked, no begged Tao to unlock the journals Sabine recovered. When he finally agreed, and started to peel back the layers of Elf protections, he was shown a vision - something terrible. So terrible, he wouldn’t let me see it. He referred to is as the end of our world as we know it.

Oh, that is great news. Did he mention when?

Katrina shook her head. No, and I know there is something more. I think he saw someone’s death, someone very close to us. Maybe it was me. Oh, and he asked me to be his Queen again.

Kate stopped, her eyes wide, mouth gaping, but Katrina kept walking.

Katrina.

She stopped and turned to look at her sister.

That’s it? You say that like it’s nothing.

Which part? She started walking again and Kate shook her head and jogged after her. Grabbing her arm they stopped again and Kate stared into her eyes.