KIERAN

Freda’s POV.

The murmur of the elders' footsteps vanished as they left the great hall empty. After all, I had just been through, my legs felt like jelly and hardly kept me upright. Where the dagger had sliced into my skin, my hand still pulsed, and the recollection of the brilliant blood tormented me. I was starting to become what?
 
I fell on a bench close by, the cool stone stood out sharply against my hot skin. My brain whirled with all that had happened, the tests, the brilliant blood, Balen's frigid glare. It was excessive. Like a puppet pulled about by powers I didn't know about.
 
"Freda?" My thoughts were interrupted by a quiet but forceful voice.
 
Startled, I looked up. Kieran stood at the doorway, his black eyes fixed on me with a concentration that caused my heart to skip a beat. Among the few vampires I could identify was Kieran, Damien’s uncle.
 
Using his super speed, he came to meet me across the room where I was seated. "You look like you've been through hell."
  
"I think I have," I said, hardly able to maintain a steady voice. "What are you looking for, Kieran?"
 
He sat down next to me rather than responding straight away. Kieran spoke, at last, his voice low: "I've been watching, what you did today was really outstanding."
I laughed, not truly thinking he was right. "Very remarkable." I hardly lived.
 
"Survival is half the battle," he said in a sobering tone. "But there are other things that count as well. The elders are testing your endurance rather than only your strength. From what I have observed, you also have more of that than most vampires.
 
I have nothing to say about that. The testing had stretched me beyond my capacity and exposed aspects of myself I never knew existed. Could I, however, truly believe Kieran? Was he here to assist, or was he driven by another agenda?
 
"Why are you mentioning this?" I squinted at him and inquired. "What do you want from me?”
 
Kieran leaned back, not turning away from me. "I'm telling you this because I believe you have a real possibility to make things different. You are needed by Damien, You do, however, also need supporters. And I would be willing to be among them.
 
My breath hung in my throat. A supporter? Supporters in this dangerous environment were as brittle as glass. One false step, and they broke. But Kieran's eyes revealed a genuineness I hadn't expected, and it set something in me, a flickering hope.
 
"Why?" I asked once more, with a calmer tone. " Why would you help me?"
 
Kieran paused, as though he were giving his comments much thought. "Because I believe in Damien," he responded at last. And I think of what you two are capable of. This kingdom is based on blood and fear as well as secrets. Still, it does not have to remain that way. Others, other entities, share this feeling. Playing our cards correctly might transform everything.
 
His words sank. Though I knew the vampire world was covered in darkness, hearing Kieran say it confirmed it made all of them real. And scary, it wasn’t just stories they told us at the pack.
"What do you mean, other beings?” My interest was sparked by this question.
 
Kieran's mouth curled into a little smile. " Freda, this planet offers more than just vampires. Werewolves, witches, and even some strong humans who observe what is going on here and object. We should be able to bring them together and create an alliance.
 
"An alliance?" said I went back over it, trying to make sense of it. But just how? The elders would never let it.
 
"We have to be smart for this," Kieran murmured, his voice lowering to a whisper. "We have to outsmart them and demonstrate to them that the only path forward is Damien's. You must first survive their last exam.
 
The reference to the test floored me. Balen's comments had left my stomach in a chilly pit of terror, and I still had no idea what the test would consist of. Approaching my worst anxiety? By myself? How should I have been ready for anything like that?
 
My voice was hardly audible; "I don't even know what my greatest fear is." I said, nearly whispering.
 
Kieran's attitude eased. "It's not about knowing," he advised gently. "It's about confronting whatever comes at you, regardless of how horrific. And Freda, you will not be by yourself. Not truly. In spirit, if not physically, Damien will be with you. I will also be observing and prepared to assist if at all possible.
 
I related to his statements because of their honesty. Kieran was giving me hope rather than only a lifeline. A means of surviving this dream and maybe, just maybe, emerging stronger on the other side.
"What have I got to do? My voice steadier now, I asked.
 
Kieran said, "Trust your instincts," staring straight ahead. And rely on Damien. For you, he is risking everything. But you too have to be ready to battle for him.
 
I nodded gently, the truth of things falling over me. This was about winning, not merely about surviving now. Regarding safeguarding a future for Damien and perhaps even for me.
 
Kieran reached out and laid a hand on my shoulder as we sat in silence. "We can do this, Freda," he remarked gently. Still, it will not be simple. The elders will try all in their ability to break you. But if you can hang on,...
 
"I will," I said sharply, interrupting. "I won't let them win."
 
Kieran grinned a real smile that helped him to look younger and less weighed down by the gloom of the planet. Excellent. Let us then get right to work.
 
Spending the following hour in the vast hall, we huddled together as Kieran developed a strategy. He talked of the several groups within the kingdom, of vampires tired of the old ways and hungry for change. He spoke of all the witches who had been banished, all the wolves who had lost their packs, and all the people who might be ready to team with us if we could provide something in return.
 
Like it was stressful, for the first time I felt as if I had a true goal other than survival. I could be a part of something more, something that might improve this realm.
 
Kieran stood and held out his hand as we were finishing. "We will talk more tomorrow," he remarked. You should rest, though, for now. What is ahead calls for your strength.
 
I nodded and pulled myself up with his hand. My mind was clearer than it had been in days, yet my body hurt and every muscle protested.
 
Kieran stopped, looking back at me with a serious expression just before he turned to go. "One more thing, Freda," he continued, his voice low. "Be careful around Balen." More dangerous than he first seems. And I'm not only referencing his authority here.
 
I wrinkled, a chill running down my back. " What do you mean?"
 
Kieran paused as if deciding whether to add more. At last, he moved closer, his words hardly audible. "There are rumors," he replied, "that Balen has been in touch with someone outside the kingdom, someone who has their ideas for Damien's crown. Not sure who, but be careful. Trust nobody entirely.
 
His comments made me uncomfortable like a black cloud hovering above us. "I'll be careful," I said, my head whirling with alternatives.
 
Kieran nodded satisfactorily. Excellent. I shall then meet you tomorrow.
 
He slid out of the hall with that, leaving me alone with ideas. I stayed there for a long time going over everything he had said, trying to sort it all out.
 
At last, I returned to my room. Knowing Kieran was correct, I had to exercise caution. But one idea kept me conscious when I lay down: tiredness dragging down my eyelids.
 
What if I have to be cautious not only of Balen but also of the others?