Indulge by Megan Duncan Page A

said with finality. I had a feeling it meant more than just a gathering of the Blood Guard. We were preparing for an attack.
    Renek nodded, not the slightest bit affected by the order. I guessed a captain would have to be prepared for anything. I certainly wasn’t. I could still feel my nerves tingling inside me. I watched Renek march out of the room followed by Jarvan. No doubt they were spreading the news and the quiet, peaceful Château would soon turn into a stronghold.
    As the two men exited they were quickly replaced by other people as they filed into the strategy room one by one. Some I could easily tell were vampires, and others I wasn’t quite sure. They wore long capes, like the human servants of the house, except they had crests sewn onto the breast.
    “Who are they?” I whispered to my mother. She was watching everyone conversing, their hushed tones echoing throughout the room. And why did they need to whisper? We all knew what was happening.
    “They are members of the guard.”
    I looked back at the people and was shocked. There were two older men well into their seventies, three women that I guessed where in their forties and a younger man around thirty. They didn’t look like a very battle hardy bunch to me.
    “Really?” I hated to sound so doubtful, but after seeing Renek and the other warrior-like Blood Guards around the Château, these people looked nothing like them.
    “Not all of the guard is composed of soldiers. Being a member of the guard doesn’t mean you just guard the city; it also means safeguarding its values, traditions and skills. Like the older man there, with the golden crest,” she said, pointing, “You see how he has an anvil embroidered with flames blazing behind it?”
    I nodded. I focused my vision and stared at the crest. It was meticulously sewn. The golden edging was most definitely Naos sand. I had grown so fond and familiar with its hue after spending so much time on the beach. I would know that color anywhere.
    “He is a weaponsmith,” she said. “Many people join the guard because they wish to become masters in their craft. The time these people have spent perfecting their abilities and skills makes then invaluable. They must be informed of the situation, so they can help us to prepare.”
    I hadn’t really paid attention before to how things worked in Naos. I knew Arrick had told me a similar story, but knowing me I was lost in thought and it hadn’t resonated in my mind. Seeing all these people, all these experts in their trade, gave me a sense of safety. We weren’t some unsuspecting region that The Dark could terrorize in the night. I had a feeling we had a sleeping beast that was ready to defend us if we needed it.
    Conversations grew louder as planning began. I had spent hours sitting in the room, listening to everything. I wanted to soak everything in and learn as much as I could, but most of all I wanted to be a part of it.
    When I overheard my father talking with an elderly man, adorned with a crest of a fox, that they wanted to send me into hiding for my own protection, I spoke up. “I won’t hide. I want to help.” My voice didn’t sound as convincing as I had wanted, but both men smiled up at me.
    “She’s a brave little thing. I’ll give her that.” The old man winked at me and I couldn’t hold back a smile. If I could win him over, maybe I could talk my father into letting me do something. I knew I wasn’t helpless. There had never been a vampire like me before and I knew I was tougher than I looked. I had proved that much, I hoped.
    “And what can you do?” my father asked. There was an amused note to his voice. I couldn’t say that I liked the sarcasm, but it was nice to see him smile again after the evening started so ominously.
    “I can fight.” I pulled my shoulders back, standing as tall as I could.
    “I don’t doubt your courage, Claire, but I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you.”
    I folded my arms and wrinkled my