A romantasy told in 24 letters.
Background
The Correspondents
Isadora Lane — A mortal archivist in the kingdom’s Royal Library, tasked with cataloguing centuries of correspondence between the living and the dead.
Callum Ashvere — A vampire lord, one of the Old Ones who predates the kingdom itself.
The World
The Kingdom of Shadows operates under the Accord of Two Bloods, an ancient treaty that grants vampires sovereignty over the night hours and mortals sovereignty over the day. The realm functions in a carefully, enforced balance. It is, by all appearances, at peace.
Act Two (The Unravelling) Begins
The first act has ended. The mystery is established. The attraction between Isadora and Callum while hinted at is not yet recognized and lies have been told.
Past Letters
You can read the first letters here:
Letter 9 (Isadora to Callum)
Two weeks later
Sir Ashvere,
Last night, at the stroke of midnight, I heard a noise at my door.
I lit a candle and crept toward the sound, my heart lodged in my throat. A letter had been slipped beneath the door.
I tore it open. Inside were two items: a short note from Amelia Jay, and a sealed letter with no address, no markings of any kind.
Amelia’s note was written on plain paper in a scrawling hand, the letters seeming to cling to the page. The ink at the end was smeared — by tears, I think.
She wrote:
I thought I should burn this cursed thing — end the danger it carries — but I couldn’t. Gregore wanted me to protect it. It was the last thing he asked of me. I haven’t read it. I don’t want to know what’s inside. Whatever is in it, it led to my son’s death. I set it aside for days, determined to keep it hidden, but tonight a member of the royal guard came to my house and asked whether Gregore had left any documents in my care. I said no, of course. But I’m a terrible liar, and I don’t think he believed me. So now I pass it to you. Please be careful. Maybe you should burn it — I wouldn’t blame you if you did. But whatever you decide, I beg you: tell no one. We could both be in danger. ~ Stay safe, young one. Amelia Jay
I did not sleep again that night. I placed the sealed letter on my bedside table and tried not to think about it. I failed entirely.
At dawn I broke the seal.
The letter inside was written on expensive paper and stamped with a royal crest. The author was Henry Hutchins — a name I recognized. He was a mortal diplomat, condemned to death thirty years ago by the Royal Judges for stealing secrets from our officials’ offices: lying, scheming, blackmailing his way through the halls of power. His final offence, they said, was forging a Judge’s seal to extract documents from the Royal Library.
After a short trial, he was sent to death row. He hanged himself in his cell before the sentence could be carried out. Conspiracy theories have circulated ever since — all variations of the same whisper: he knew too much about too many important people. Some say his spirit still haunts the jail.
In his letter, Hutchins speaks of a secret hidden deep within the library. I’ll quote what I believe is the most important passage:
I want no part of this cover-up. A secret like this cannot be buried in a vault. It will get out — and when it does, our civilization will collapse. I beg you to tell the citizens. Come clean. Together we can find a way to control it. Hiding it will not work.
He never names the secret. His desperation is worse for that omission. My hands trembled as I read his words.
What could be so dangerous it must stay hidden? What could topple a civilization if it came to light?
Hutchins addressed the letter to Sir Roger Atkins, one of the Royal Judges. I intend to research him next.
The secret is larger than I first believed. It has frightened powerful people into silence. But that is precisely why I must keep digging.
You could help me, if you chose to. Please — tell me what is kept in the sealed vault.
With the greatest respect, Isadora Vane Archivist, Royal Library
P.S. Your question about my family unsettles me. Are you genuinely curious, or are you establishing how easily I might be removed? I’m sorry to be blunt. But your words have put a chill in me I cannot shake.
P.P.S. Have you been reporting my findings to someone?
Letter 10 (Callum to Isadora)
Same day
My Dearest Ms. Isadora Vane,
Please — call me Callum.
I have told no one of our correspondence. Not a soul.
But I am frightened for you, and I need you to hear me: what you are doing is not bravery. It is standing at the edge of something very deep, in the dark, without knowing how far the fall is. I cannot protect you from what lies below. I have tried to warn you gently. Now I must be plain.
The darkness listens.
The Accord of Two Bloods was not built as a peace treaty. Not truly. It is a cage — constructed by both sides, mortal and immortal alike. Neither is innocent in what was done. The cage was built to protect us all, but its bars are beginning to bend. The fact that you found the vault was not an accident of curiosity. It was the first sign.
I do not know what comes next. But if the cage is opened, chaos will follow — and there will be no safety for anyone. Not for you. Not for me. Not for anyone you love.
You have found the edge of a secret that cannot be spoken.
Stay safe, Isadora.
Lock your doors. Watch those around you — even those you trust. Tell no one what you know. No one.
Regards, Callum
P.S. I would never hurt you.
Secrets Never Die - Pinterest Board
I’m collecting images on Pinterest to inspire me as I write this story. Check the board and if you feel so inclined send me more images that you would like to see added.
Feedback
I love feedback. You may comment below or email me directly. The next two letters drop next Wednesday.
Have a great week, my friends,
Jo-Ann
More intrigue