Rosalie Oaks - The Sapphire Library

Copyright 2021 by Rosalie Oaks

https://rosalieoaks.com

All rights reserved.

Published by Parkerville Press 2021

No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by anymeans, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,scanning, or otherwise without written permission from theauthor. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, ordistribute it by any other means without permission.This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

First edition

Cover design by Lena Yang

eBook ISBN 978-0-6450278-4-6

Print ISBN 978-0-6450278-9-1

Dartmoor, Devon, 1804

Including some events previously recounted

Aldreda

M iss Aldreda Zooth flew over the bleak Dartmoor landscape, searching for the Moria Pearls. The moors were covered in mist, and it was in the darkest hour of the night, so it was hard to find the likely hiding spot of the pearls. Luckily, Aldreda had supernatural sonar as well as very good eyesight.

The wind crooned over her wings as she swept across the moors, which seemed too desolate and devoid of landmarks to hide anything. Aldreda didnt have Elinors gift for divining jewels, so she had to rely upon her wits and her knowledge of her late companion, Henri. She was looking for something large or majestic, somewhere her beloved Henri would have chosen to hide his memory pearls.

That is why Aldreda did not notice the other bat until he was almost upon her.

The bat swooped down alongside Aldreda, then swerved underneath her. Aldreda pulled up short in mid-air, not believing her senses. Even as she hovered there, the bat spun in a circle around her and flicked his long wings up like a matador.

He was doing a vampiri bat mating dance.

Confounded, Aldreda flapped in mid-air. She took in the long musculature of his bat form large even for a vampiri bat and drew in a breath of astonishment. Here was another vampiri, out in the wilds of Dartmoor! She had yet to meet one in Devon, or even in England.

Aldreda squinted her sharp black eyes, shot into the air, and sped away.

The other bat followed.

Aldreda huffed to herself. He did another mating swerve underneath her. Aldreda plunged downward and flew close to the ground. That should give him the message that his attentions were entirely unappreciated.

To her annoyance (and slight astonishment), he attempted another curving dart, swinging underneath her, as low as she was. His body almost brushed against her own so as to avoid scraping the ground. He emerged on the other side, triumphant, and flung his wings up with a cocky flick.

This was insupportable. Gritting her teeth, Aldreda transformed into a woman.

The odd mixture of pain and pleasure shivered through her, but she focused on the tricky art of landing on her human feet as she fell. Black locks tumbled around her shoulders. Standing (somewhat shakily), she arranged her hair over her front to preserve some modicum of modesty. There was nothing she could do about the rest of her body, the stretch of pale white that was all too apparent.

As a vampiri, however, she was used to such contingencies, and she straightened her spine. The sooner she sent this pesky bat on his business, the better. She had left Elinor behind in the dark, near Totnes, and she did not have much time to explore the moors for likely hiding places.

The male bat pulled up overhead and hovered, eyeing her. Aldreda waited for him to transform. He simply flapped in a slow circle, staring down.

Aldreda gestured impatiently. Human guise, please. It is only polite.

He hesitated. Finally, he shivered into human form and vaulted to his feet in front of her.

Before Aldreda stood a large vampiri miniature compared to a human, but taller and broader than Aldreda, though equally naked. He wore a long bushy beard, and dark hair grew long and wild around his face. The rest of his body was hairy too, black hair covering his chest, only stopping to show a certain protuberance that somehow drew the eye. Clearly, mating was still on his mind.

Desist in your seduction attempts, said Aldreda firmly. I am on an urgent quest.

The vampiri opened his mouth and tried to speak. The words came out scratchy and slow, but there was nothing slow about the glint in his eye. An urgent quest? So it is not that you are ... uninterested?

Aldreda realised with a start that he was speaking French. She replied in the same tongue, narrowing her eyes. I am uninterested. You may leave.

Yet I have only just arrived. Perhaps I can help you. He put his hands on his hips, muscled arms showing between his long, matted hair.

I doubt it.

You are flying in my territory. Are you searching for something?

Aldreda avoided the question. It appears as if you have been out here for a while. It looked like he had not seen civilisation for a decade. Or at least not a barber.

I have indeed, he agreed. Why do you not have a gentleman to assist you on this urgent quest?

I do not need a gentleman, said Aldreda tartly. It is none of your concern. Good night, sir.

She drew a breath to transform. At the same time, he threw up his hand. Wait!

Aldreda raised a brow. Yes?

He stilled and cocked his head, a frown darkening his features. I sense a Musor! He sniffed the air and turned an accusatory glare to Aldreda.

Elinor must be Discerning, Aldreda realised, which was why this vampiri could sense her. Yes, that is my Musor. You are not permitted to dine upon her.

Ha! I only dine upon horses.

That explains a great deal.

He ignored her sniff, comprehending her other words. Your Musor? Are you mad?

It is customary for a vampiri to pair with a Musor, said Aldreda. You seem to have forgotten the rules of civilised behaviour.

Disbelief crept into his voice. Did you learn nothing from the Troubles?

What troubles?

He narrowed his eyes. Do not jest.

I am not jesting, said Aldreda, keeping her voice calm. I have been hibernating for the last eighty years.

You slept through the Troubles? A mixture of disbelief and envy passed across his face. If only I had been so lucky.

I assume you are referring to the French Revolution? Aldreda knew the human version of it from Elinor: the common people of France had revolted against the nobility and chopped off many heads. I cannot see what that has to do with the vampiri or Musors.

You are uninformed, madame. Musors and vampiri were killed alongside the nobles, associated as they were.

Aldreda stared at him. This is the first that I have heard of Musors being involved. Are you certain? She did not quite trust the intense, bitter look on his face.