A Gift of Three (A Shade of Vampire #42)(13)

Zerus was one of the older members of The Shade. He had refused to become a vampire, politely declining the request, and his handsome features would continue, slowly but surely, to show signs of age.

“You’re not getting worse,” he corrected me, “you’re getting impatient. I don’t know how many times I have told you that you need to slow down, to study the natural world before you can claim ownership over it.”

“Mom and Grandpa Ben don’t have that problem,” I pointed out.

“Grace is more fae than you are, and Benjamin certainly is. You cannot hope to match their abilities straight away—one day, perhaps, but that day is not now.”

I crossed my arms, not enthused to be reminded that this would be a slower process than I’d first imagined.

Zerus laughed.

“Are you wondering what an old sentry knows about fae powers?” he asked, and my cheeks reddened. “Ah, of course you are. Don’t be embarrassed. But I do know about the natural order, and I have studied the stars and the earth for a long time. What I do know is that nature never hurries—it is slow and patient. Even when we believe that something has happened in the blink of an eye, like a shooting star, nature has been building it for a time that is close to eternity for you and me.”

I smiled at Zerus, loving him for his own love of nature and the world around us. I had always appreciated the way he explained things to me, just as patient and slow as he perceived nature to be. His face creased into a broad smile.

“Why not rest?” he asked gently. “Give your mind some time to recover. You are surrounded by beauty here, and yet all you do is focus on your own failure.”

I looked around the garden. It was beautiful, but the gentle sway of lavender and the riot of colorful petals couldn’t contend with the persistent tug at the back of my mind, driving me to obsess over my abilities, desperate to bring them to the surface.

“I will stop as soon as something happens to this,” I proclaimed, gesturing to the candle. “I’m eighteen, Zerus, I’ve waited long enough.”

He barked with laughter.

“Eighteen is nothing, try living to my age. You’ll learn then that nothing happens in the time that it should.”

“Why did you choose not to become an immortal, Zerus?” I asked, suddenly curious—I had always thought he was content with his decision, but his words made me think otherwise.

The sentry was silent for a few moments, gazing down toward the flickering flame.

“I’m afraid I am fated to be alone,” he replied eventually, “and that is not something that bothers me terribly much—there are many things that bring me joy. But an immortal life alone? That is something that I couldn’t bear. It is better to let my life end naturally, when it will. Perhaps,” he mused, glancing up at me, “it is something that you should heed. I know you are shy and reserved, Vita, but don’t let that hold you back. Not from building relationships with others. You will live a long life, make sure that it counts for something—something more than just your own happiness.”

I nodded, suddenly feeling sad for Zerus. I had always thought he enjoyed his own company above all else, and didn’t mind that he was one of the few in The Shade of marrying age who was alone. Obviously, it mattered more than I thought.

“I’ll remember that,” I vowed. “But don’t forget I have Aida and Serena too, and my other friends and family.”

“Of course you do,” he replied. “But you know I am referring to romantic love, little fae.” He got up on his feet, leaning against a tree as he stood. “I am off for a night-time ramble. Leave this soon, you can always return tomorrow.”

I nodded and wished him a good night. I had no intentions whatsoever of leaving the candle before I was done, but he didn’t have to know that.

Once again I closed my eyes, my fingertips hovering over the jar.

“Vita!”

My name echoed across the silence of the Sanctuary, and I looked up with a start. It was Aida, waving at me. Next to her stood her brother, Jovi.

The flame in the jar leapt up, almost scorching my fingers.

“Want to walk with us?” Aida called out.

I glanced down at the flame. It had reduced back to normal, but the brown marks at the top of the jar reassured me that it hadn’t just been my imagination.

“Come on!” she cried again.

I jumped up to my feet, Zerus’s warning about not closing myself off from others ringing in my ears as I ran toward my friend and her wolfy brother.





Serena





[Hazel and Tejus’s daughter]




The day after my parents’ acceptance of my college dreams, Aida, Vita and I were at Corrine’s house having the last adjustments made to our dresses. Tonight, we, along with the rest of The Shade’s residents, would be going to the In-Between to celebrate the birth of Queen Nuriya’s and Sherus’ baby boy. I’d been looking forward to this for weeks. I’d been to the In-Between, to the fire star, once before, but it was a long time ago, and the home of the fae held a fascination for all three of us.

“How big do you think it actually is?” I asked Corrine as she tucked in the hem of my dress. We had been talking about the In-Between all morning, and still none of us had tired of the subject.