The Terraformers 1st Edition Annalee Newitz
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AGE OF VAMPIRES #4
CAROLINE PECKHAM
SUSANNE VALENTI
Wrathful Mortals
AgeofVampires#4
Copyright©2024CarolinePeckham&SusanneValenti
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This book is dedicated to all those who find themselves fighting a war within their own hearts. Torn in two directions, unsure of where their feet belong You will find your way between the balance of night and day, moon and sun Between the shadows and the light is where you belong
Awarriorbornbutmonstermade, Changesfatesofsoulsenslaved. Twinsofsunandmoonwillrise, Whenonehaslivedathousandlives. Acircleofgoldshalljointwosouls, Andadebtpaidrightswrongsofold. Inaholymountaintheearthwillheal, Thenthedeadshalllive,andthecursewillkeel.
1000YEARSAGO
MyfamilyandImadecampinthewoodsclosetothebattlegrounds.ThelandsofAtbringerwouldbenourishedbyblood fordecadestocome Bloodspilledbymyhand Myteeth
Miles satbeside Fabianona logas theyspoke inlow murmurs, butIkeptawayfromthem, mybackto the circle we'd formedunderthewaningmoon
Claricemovedtomyside,takingmyhandinhers.“Wehadtokillthemortheywouldhavekilledus.”
“Every war is the same,” I said darkly. “Who is it we're fighting for? I don't see worthy creatures sitting here. I see monstersmadebyawrathfulgod.”
“We are your family,” she urged,squeezingmyfingers.“Ilove youandour brothers more thananything.We can'tletthe slayerswin”
“Maybetheyshouldwin,”Imuttered.“DidyouseewhatIbecametoday?”
Claricerestedherheadonmyshoulderandhergoldenlockscascadeddownmyarm,herclosenessbringingsomemeasure ofpeacetomysoul.Ihadgonesolongwithoutcontact,andhertouchwasabalmagainstmyskin,evenifthetwoofuswereas cold as ice. We were cleanat least after we'd washed the blood fromour bodies inanicyriver. We were immune to the freezingwater,andithauntedmethatIwouldneverfeelthewarmthofsummer,northebiteoffrostagain.
“You'reagoodman,Erik,”Claricepromised,andIreleasedadrylaugh.
“Good?Howcanyouthinkthat?IamavesselforAndvaritofillwithblood”
“Ifwe'rehispawns,perhapsit'snotourfault,”shemurmured,anoteofhopegildinghervoice.
“Manymenbeforeushaveblamedthegodsfortheirmisgivings Thatdoesnotmakethemright Westillhavefreewill”I toyedwiththebladeinmyhand.Onestrike,deepandtrue,wouldendmyplagueonthisworld.Buttheafterlifewouldbring me no peace. What I had done would leave a permanent stainonmyruinous soul and I would payfor it if I ever stepped beyonddeath Remaininghere inthis bodydidn'tseemlike a better alternative though AndatleastifIwas inthe depths of Náströndbeingpunishedformycrimes,Icouldnolongerkillinnocentpeople.
Clarice gripped the hiltofmyblade, prisingitfrommyfingers “Do notdo somethingfoolish Ilove you, brother You mustn’tgiveup.”
Anachegrewinmyheart “Icannotremainlikethis,Clarice Ithoughtperhapschangingtheslayerwarriorintooneofus wastheanswer.Buthereweare,stillinourcursedforms.Ithaschangednothing,andIhavecursedanothersoul.”
“Thatslayer mayhave destroyed the lastofthe clans bynow,” Fabiancalled. “Itcould have changed everything. Ifthe slayersarealldead,therewillbenoonelefttohuntorpersecuteus”
Ididn'tturntohim,growingirritatedbyhislackofguilt.
“Yourprioritiesareallwrong,Fabian,”Isnarled,gazingatthedirtbymyfeet
“Mypriorityiskeepingusalive.Theslayersweremadetokillus.Iftheyaregone,wearefree.” Irosesharply,turningtohim,andMilescaughtFabian'sarm,tryingtokeephimbackasafiercetensioncrackledbetween us
“And how longdo youthinkthe gods will keep things that way? Theycanmake slayers at their whim. If theywant us challenged,we will bechallenged”MyshoulderstensedasFabianbaredhisfangs “Thenwewillkillthemtoo,”Fabiangrowled,steppingcloser.
“Stopfighting,”Milesgroaned,givinguponholdingFabianback “Ijustwanttogohome” “Toyourbandoffuckingmindlessfollowers?”Ispatathim.“You'reallgivingintothecurse,everyoneofyou.”Irounded onClarice and she gave me a guiltylookas Ipointed ather. “Youdraw mento youlike moths to a flame, promisingthem eternity in your arms if only they can entertain you long enough And Miles, you offer out the curse like it's a gift to be bestoweduponthoseyoudeemworthy.Youareallbuildinganarmyofcreaturesjustlikeus,andforwhat?Foreveryoneofus youmake,anotherslayerwillbeborn Thegodswillnotletuswin Theydonotwantustoprevail” “Idisagree.” Fabianfolded his arms, his furyseemingto have dissipated a fraction. “Perhaps this is a giftmore thana curse Perhapstheydowantustoprosper”
“Youweretherewhentheykilledourfamilies!”Iroared,losingcontrolofmyemotions.“Youweptatyoursisters’deaths. Yousawwhattheydidtoourmothersandfathers.Thiswasnogift;itisourpunishmentfortheircrime.Anditiseternal.” Fabianstalkedaroundtheedgeofthesmall clearing,infuriatedbymytone “Perhapsthegodshavechangedtheir minds Perhapstheyaretakingpityonusnow.Wewonthatbattle.Theycouldhaveintervenediftheydidn'twantustosucceed.” IthoughtofAndvariandhowhe'dgivenmethestrengthtowin,urgingmeonwitheverydeathIclaimed Fabianwasright inonesense;Andvariwasn'tdonewithusyet.Butpity?Iwasn'tenoughofafooltobelievethat.
“Andvaridoesn'twantusdead,hewantsustormented,”Igrowled.
“Andvari?”Fabianhissed.“DoesthegreatAndvarispeaktoyou,brother,becausehehasneveronceansweredme.” Miles'sbrowsrose.“Doeshe?”heaskedmehopefully.
“Yes,”Isighed “Hehasspokentomemanytimes”
“And?”Clariceasked,takingmyhandagainandgivingmeadesperatelook.
“He'slying!”Fabianbellowed,liftingalogfromthegroundandthrowingitintothetrees Withatremendouscrash,another treewasuprootedbythecollisionandsmashedtotheforestfloor.
“Iamnotlying,”Isnarled,mymusclesflexing.
IfFabianwantedafight,I'dhappilygivehimone.IhadtoomuchenergytoexpendandI'drevelintakingitoutonhim. “Youwentinsane inthatcave.Itoldyounottogo.” Fabianroundedonme once more,his eyes narrowingsharply.“My brotherwentinthere,butamadmanhaswalkedout”
“You'rejustenviousbecauseAndvarichosehimandnotyou,”Milesbitathimthenturnedhisgazetome.“Ibelieveyou, Erik WhatdidAndvarisaytoyou?”
Ishookmyhead,pullingawayfromClarice'shold.“Justmoreriddlesandlaughter.Hewishestotauntus,that'sall.”
Silence reigned and Miles fell into a darkreverie, gazinginto the trees withtotal dejection. Fabianstalked around the camp,evidentlystillhankeringforafight,butifwewentthere,Iwouldonlyregretitintheend
Ipickedupmybladeandheadedintotheforest,needingtogetaway.ClaricecalledaftermebutIignoredher,movinginto theshadowswheremysoulbelonged
WhenI'dmovedfarenoughfromtheothers,usingmyenhancedspeedtoraceawayintotheheartoftheancientwoodland,I tookaseatbeneathabirchtreeandweighedthebladeinmypalm
Iwas no coward, butfacinganeternityinNáströnd still frightened me. I’d be tornapartbythe beasts thatlurked inthe underworld,feastingonmyfleshforalloftime.ItwasnolessthanIdeserved,anddeathwassoveryeasytoseize…
Irestedthetipofmyweaponagainstmychest,andmyheartgrewheavyasifitlongedforthepierceofthebladetoendits suffering.Onedeepstabanditwouldbedone.EitherIwouldbecomenothing,orthegodswouldstealawaymysoul,weighit intheirpalmsanddecidemyfateintheafterlife Consideringwhattheyhadofferedmeinlife,IhadnodoubtIwouldfacefar worseindeath.
Igazedupatthecanopy,glimpsingthecanvasofstarsabove “I'vetriedtorightyourwrongs,Mother Father SometimesI despise you. Butmostofall Iwishto forgive you. To putthe paininmyheartto restfor whatyouhave caused.” The starspangledskyseemedtowatchwithbatedbreath,whisperingaboutwhetherIwouldgothroughwithkillingmyself.
“I'mdone,”Iwhispered Tome ToAndvari Tomyfamily “Iwillnotbeabaneuponthisworldanylonger” Ipushedthebladehard,butnopaincame.SoItookthehiltinbothhandsanddroveitinward,thoughstillnocrackofribs followed Myskinwasirontomostmen,butthatshouldn'thavestopped me
Andvari'schucklinglaughterfilledtheair.“Iwouldneverletyoutakethispath,ErikLarsen.”
Igroundmyteeth,furysproutinginmychestandgrowingdeeproots.
“Letmedie,”Isnarled.
“Deathis easy,”Andvari purredfrombetweenthetrees.“Iwill seeyousuffer ineverywaythis worldhas togive.And
thenperhapsIwillletyoudieandtastethepainofthenetherworld-ifyoudonotbreakthecursefirst,thatis.”
“ThenIshallwalkintoacampofslayersandtheywillendmeinstead.”
Andvari'spresenceshiftedaroundme,andtheleavesstirredatmyfeet Icouldalmostsensehimkneelingbeforeme,thena warmhandrestedonmyknee.“Idisliketheslayers,Draugr.TheyareIdun’screation,madetothwartme.Iwillgiftyouwhat youneedtofightthem”
“ThenIamjustyour puppet,” Isaid, the words more for me thanhim. Iwas trapped here livingthis life until Andvari decidedotherwise Andthattruthtastedbitteronmytongue
Droppingthebladeintomylap,Irestedmyheadbackagainstthetree.“Whatdoyouwantfrommeandmyfamily?”
Andvariseemedtosigh.Icouldfeelitinthewaythetreesbowedtothewindandtheleavesswirledinthegust.“Itistime thevampiresrosetopower Tellyourbrothersandsistertosireasmanyhumansastheycan Buildanarmy,Erik Achallenge iscomingtoyoulikenoneyouhaveeverfacedbefore.Yourfamilycanonlybesavedifyourisetomeetit.”
Ifelthispresencewaningandlurchedforward,certainhewasabouttoleave “Theywillnotbelieveme Youmustspeak tothemyourself.”
Andvarilaughed “Iwillspeaktotheminsongsandpoemsandsonnets Iwillspeaktotheminthearcoftherisingsunand theshadowofthecrescentmoon.”
“Youmakenosense,”Igrowled.
“Imakeperfectsense ThemeaningisthatIamalwayshere Iamalwayswatching” “Thenspeakwiththem!”Ibarked.
Theairshudderedbeforemyeyesandasmallstreambubbledandsteamedjustafewfeetfromme Irose,movingtoward itatacautiouspace.ThewaterstilledandIgazedintoitasamanseemedtoswimupfromitsshallowdepths.Andvarirose fromthewaterlikeareflectionsteppingfrompolishedglass.Hewasinhisownform,justashe'dbeenthedayhe'dcursedus. Hiseyeswereasblackastarandhisskinnear-translucent.Hishairwasacoarsetangleofbrownlocksakintoweeds,andhis darkrobeswereperfectlydry,movingabouthimlikethelappingofawave.
“Leadtheway,”hewhisperedwithacruelsmile
Turningmybackonhimfeltdangerous,butIwasalreadysnaredinhisclaws.Hecouldendmeaseasilyashecouldsave me
I guided himback to my family, finding themall gathered on the fallen log with sullen expressions. Stepping aside, I allowed Andvari to move pastme, myskinpricklingwithtension. His feetwere bare and hardlytouched the ground as he movedtowardthem,andeventhegrassseemedtoturnhisway,enrapturedbyhispower. Mybrothersandsistershrankbeforehim,theirstrengthnothingincomparisontothisdeity. Whenhespoke,hiswordswerefluidandsoft “Satonbyaruler,polishedbyamaid WhatamI?”
ClariceglancedatMiles,andhetentativelyslidanarmaroundhershoulders.
“Athrone?”Fabianguessed,gettingtohisfeet,hiseyeswidewithawe Andvarilaughed,openinghisarms.“Yes.Anditistimeyoutakeit,friends.” Myhandscurledupintofistsasmyfamilyfellunderhisspell,noddingtheiragreement. “How?”Milesasked,hisgazeglitteringwithhope
“Thereisalandfarfromhere,notyetclaimedbykingsorqueens.Itistimeyougothere.Thenyoumustwaituntiltheday ofreckoningarrives Andwhenitdoes youmayseize power Butdonotsquander the time youhave Make your monsters Breatheimmortallifeintoeverydeservingsoulyoucanfind.”
“Isthattheanswertoyourprophecy?”Ihissed,steppingforwardsoAndvarihadtoacknowledgeme “Doyouthinkitis?”Andvari'spitchblackirisesdraggedoverme. Ishookmyhead,havingnoanswer.
“WhatisitItoldyouofthesunandmoon?”hewhispered,driftingcloser Iswallowedthe hardlumpgrowinginmythroat.Ididn'twanttovoice thatanswer.Ifearedhow mybrothers andsister wouldtakeit ButAndvari'ssmilingfaceturnedintoagrimace,andIknewIhadnochoice Idrewupthememoriesofmytime inthedarkcaveandrepeatedwhatI'dlearned.
“Wecanbirthchildrenwithhumans Twinsperhaps ”Iglancedupattheskyandthestarsdimmed,liketheydidnotdare toshinetoobrightinAndvari’spresence.
“Isthattheanswer?”Clariceaskedexcitedly,hereyesbrighterthantheyhadbeeninyears.
Andvarismiledaroundatusall “Youhavemuchtodo Beginwiththenearesttown Sireasmanyasyoucanandheadto thelastoftheslayerclans.FinishthebattlebeforeIduncancreateanotherarmy.Buyyourselvestimestorise.”
Hopereareditsheadinmychest
“They'restillalive?”FabianaskedandAndvarinodded.
Withthat,leavescoileduparoundthegod,swirlinginavortexuntil hewascompletelyconcealed.Whenthewinddied, theyfelllimponthegroundandAndvariwasgone.
Uncertaintyburnedthroughmeasmyfamilybeganspeakingexcitedly.IfearedwithallmyheartwhatAndvarihadsaid.He
hadtrickedmeonthebattlefield,andIwassurethiswasanotherofhisgames.Thelookinmyfamily'seyestoldmeI'dnever convincethemofthat.
Siringhumanswasadangerousthing Ididn'twanttobestowthiscurseonanyone,butperhapsIneededalliesbeyondmy familynow.Peoplewhocouldhelpusfigureoutthisriddle.Menandwomenwithknowledgeofthegods.Andatleastwhen thecursewasbroken,theywouldbefreeofittoo
TherewasonethingI'dneverdo,however.AndImadeasteelypromisetomyselfthatI'dneverbearachildwithahuman. IwouldnotbefooledbyAndvariagain,butfromthewaymybrothersandsisterwerespeakingexcitedly,Isensedtheywould notbesoeasilyswayedfromthispath.
Thestormcontinuedtopummelusaswefledfromthecathedral,leavingErikandtheotherroyalsfarbehindalongwiththe shatteredpiecesofmyheart.
Juliustookthelead,headingdownadarkenedalleyandhurriedlyliftingupacircularmanholecoveratthecentreofit MagnargrabbedCallie'sarm.“Yougofirst,”hecommandedasifhewasafraidshemightturnbackandsomethingabout hishardtonesetthehairsrisingalongmyarms.
IexpectedCallietobitebackathim,butshedidn’thesitate,quicklydescendingtheladderintothedark MypulsetickedfasterasIhalted,watchingasMagnarfollowedher,thenJuliusturnedtomeexpectantly.
Iglancedover myshoulder,gazingbackatthe rain-sweptstreet,shiveringas the coldcreptintomybones Mywedding dresswasheavy,soddenandfilthy,atrainofwhiteturningblackatmyfeet.Bloodtainteditspurecolourwitharedtingefrom thosevampireswhohadnotmetapermanentend
Thebitemarksonmyskinweresore,butthevenomhadbeenwashedoutbytherain,leavingatrailofsilvermarringmy flesh.Butnothingstungdeeperthanleavingmyprisonbehind,theshameofthatsomethingIcouldneverputwordsto.
Erikinvadedmymindandthecrossonmyleftpalmburnedwithanintensitythatbeggedmetogobacktohim Torunand neverstoprunninguntilIwasbackinhisarms.
“Comeon,”Juliusurged,movingtowardmewithathreatinhisstance
Iswallowedthelumpinmythroat,forcingmylegstomovemeinthedirectionofthedrain.Therewasnogoingback.
“Youbelongwithus,”Juliusmurmured,reachingouttosqueezemyhand,hisskinburninghotincomparisontomine Ididn'tanswer,unsureifthatwastrue.MyheartcravedErikinawaythatmademybodyache.ButI'dmademychoice. AndI'dchosenfamily.Iwouldalwayschoosefamily.
Withasharpbreath,Iloweredmyselfontotheladder withintheholeandJulius's hugeformcastashadow over meas I descendedintothethickdarkness.
AsIprisedmynumbfingersfromtherungs,Callie'sarmswrappedaroundme Ileanedintoherembrace,utterlyrelieved tobeproperlyreunitedatlast.Withmysister’sheartbeatingsolidlyintimewithmine,IknewI'dmadetherightdecision.She neededme,andIneededherjustasmuch.Weweren’tmeanttowalkinthisworldwithoutoneanother.
Theheavythunkofthemanholecoverslidingintoplacesounded,thenJulius'sbootsthumpedagainsttheladder. “Areyouokay?”Calliewhispered.
“Yes,”Ireplied,eventhoughitwasn'ttrue “Areyou?”
“No,”sheanswered,releasingme.
ThebrightlightonJulius'scellphonesuddenlyblindedmeandIliftedahandtoshieldmyeyes
Callie floated toward the ladder, anxious lines formingonher brow. Witha burstofenergy, she started climbingit, her movementsdesperateassheracedforthesurface.
“Whatthe fuckare youdoing?” Julius snatched her waist, rippingher offofitas she tried to claw his fingers fromher
dress.
“Callie,”Ireachedforher,anxietytearingthroughmychest.
“Ihavetogoback,”shegroaned,thenthumpedherforeheadwiththeheelofherpalm “No,shit Idon't Elder,helpme,” shepleaded,reachingforMagnarwithadesperatelookinhereyes.
“Youwillfollowus,”Magnarrepliedinthatforbiddingtoneagain,hiseyesasdarkasthetunnelsurroundingus CallieimmediatelyfellstillinJulius'sarms,noddingfirmly,andIfrowned,lookingbetweenthem.
“What’sgoingon?Whydidyoucallhimthat?”Iaskedmysister
“I’llexplaineverythingsoon,”Calliesaid,herexpressiontaut.“Wejustneedtogetoutofhere.”
Inodded,butmyownfeetstartedguidingmebacktotheladderandasIgazeddownatthecrossonmypalm,Iwassureit wasmybondtoErikdrivingmymovements Iforciblyshookoffthefeelingandre-joinedmysister,takingherhandandeyeing theXonherpalm.
“It'sthis Thisiswhat'stryingtodriveyoubacktoFabian,”Isaiddarkly
Thisstrangebondmusthavebeenthereasonshe'dthrownherselfinfrontoftheroyalbrothertosavehimfromdeathtoo. Hereyesshimmeredasshenodded “IsthishowErik'sbeencontrollingyou?”sheaskedinhorror AlumplodgedinmythroatandJuliusraisedaneyebrowatme,theirscrutinymakingmychesttighten. Ihesitated,notwantingtoliebutnotwantingtoadmitthetrutheither.Becausethetruthwasaterriblething. “It'smakingyouwanttogobacktohim,isn'tit?”Callieasked “Yeah...itis,”Iadmitted,stayingwithinthelinesofthetruth. But that's not the only thing making me want to go back. “Ihatethemevenmorenowforthis They'reinourheads,”Calliegrowledandrageglowedinhereyes Idropped mygaze, knowingIcouldn'tbe honestbecause itmightjustcostme everythingwithCallie. She despised the vampires,andshehadeveryrightto.Hell,Idespisedmostofthemtoo.Butnotallofthem.AndIwassurroundedbythelast peopleintheworldwhocouldeverbeswayedtoseeanygoodinthem.
Partofmewanteditalltohavebeensometwistedmanipulation,somespellErikhadcastonme,becausethenIknewI’d have a hope ofbeingfree ofitintime Buta deeper partofme didn’twantthatatall,because itmeantthatall those secret momentsErikandIhadshared,theoneswhichhadlitafireinmeandmademefeel thingsI’dneverthoughtpossible,were liesmadetoshatter
“Yeah,”Imuttered,hatingmyselfforkeepingthetruthfrommytwin,buthowcouldIexplaintoCalliethatthismarkonly solidified mylove for Erik? That I'd cared for himlongbefore the wedding, that I liked the wildness that came out inme aroundhim.
Calliesighed,seemingtotakecomfortinoursharedpredicament.“Oncewe’refarawayfromthem,we’llfigureouthow tobreakthesebonds Thenwe’llneverhavetothinkofthemagainuntilwe’redrivingabladeintotheirhearts”
Inoddedvaguely. I’m so fucked.
JuliusstrodeafterMagnardownthetunnelandIfollowedalongwithCallie,grapplingwiththeconflictinsideme “Howdidyougettothecity?”Iasked,wantingtodistractmyselffrommythoughts.Wehadsomuchtosaytoeachother, butIcouldn'tbringmyselftomentiondadjustyet.ThemomentIdid,myheartwasgoingtofractureandthepainwouldspill outuntilitwasallIcouldfeel
Calliestartedrecountingherstoryfromthemomentshe'dlefttheRealmtowhenshe'dtakenthetraintoNewYorkCityand poisonedthebloodsupply,enrapturingmewitheverypieceofthejourney
Whenshe told me abouttakingthe slayers' vow, myheartthundered violentlyinmychest. She was bound byMagnar’s commands Butworsethanthat,shehadsworntokilltheBelvederes TokillErik
WhenCallieaskedaboutmytimeinthecity,Itriedtokeepitbrief.Ididn'tmentionhalfofwhatIshouldhaveaboutmy timewiththeroyals.Ijustcouldn'tbeartoseeherexpressionwhenItoldherhow Ireallyfelt.ThatIdidn'twantthemdead likeIusedto Thatsomeofthemweren'tallbad ShewouldthinkIwasbrainwashed,orworse,loseherfaithinmeentirely AndshewasallIhad.Icouldn’trisklosingheraftereverythingwe’dbeenthroughtoreunite.
Wewalkedonuntil thesubjectofDadhungtooheavilybetweenus toavoid ItookCallie's handandarippleofenergy flowedbetweenus.
“Youwerewithhim whenhedied,”Iwhispered,painlacingmytone Ididn'tneedtomentionwhoIwastalkingabout Sheknew.
“Yes,”shesaidonaraggedbreath.“AndIknowitsoundsinsane,butlikeIsaid,IcanDreamWalk.Ididitwithhimjust before ”
Inodded,myeyespricklingasIwaitedforhertocontinue.
“IsawMomtoo Theylookedhappy Ithinkmaybeitwasrealinsomeway Ithinkthey'reouttheresomewhere,together” Asolidlumpformedinmythroat,butItookaninchofcomfortfromherwords.PerhapsMomandDadweretogetherinan afterlife,waitingforustojointhemsomeday.“Ireallyhopeso.”
JuliusledustotheruinsandIwasrelievedtoleavethedanktunnelsbehindasweresurfacedaboveground.Itwasthethickof night,themoonpeeringthroughthecloudsabovelikeawatchfulcreaturelurkinginthesky.
Wecameupnearacrumbledoldplaygroundwhereachild'sswingwasmovingbackandforthinthebreeze Ishudderedat theeeriesight,followingJulius'sbroadformashedrewMenacefromitssheath.
“Everyone use your blades to feel for Familiars,” he commanded as Magnar released one ofthe large swords fromhis back.
Iraised Nightmare, tryingto do as he said and Callie eyed it withlonging The blade remained quiet, and Ihoped that meantweweresafe.
“Here.”MagnarturnedtoCallie,passingherhisotherglitteringsword.He'dtakenitbackaftertheirconflictoverFabian, andI’dwonderedifhedidn'ttrustherafterwhatshe'ddone
“Stayclose,”hemurmuredtoher,apitoflonginginhisgaze.Iglancedbetweenthetwoofthem,sensingsomethingmuch stronger betweenthemthanjust friendship Their eyes were constantlydrawnto one another, gazes lingeringtoo long, and unspokenwordsthickeningtheairinthespacethatpartedthem.
AsMagnarwalkedonwithJulius,IraisedaneyebrowatCallie
Sherolledhereyes,knowingexactlywhatIwassuggesting.We'dalwaysbeenabletocommunicatethroughlooksalone. Clearlyshe andMagnar were a thing.Andthatmade her situationa whole lotworse dependingonhow importantthatthing wastoher ShewastiedtoFabian;avampirewhoIhadnotrustforwhatsoever Anyonewouldhavebeenbetterthanhim
Raindropsspeckledmycheeksaswewalked,buttheragingstormhaddieddownenoughthatitdidn'tobscureour view anymore
Julius wavedus intoanalleybetweentwocrumblingrows ofbuildings andwehadtojogtokeepupwithhis ferocious pace.
Hedidn'tslowforafewhours,andIwassurewe'dlong-sincepassedouroldhideoutatthebelltower.
Whenhefinallydroppedhisspeedalittle,Ihurrieduptohim,runningmythumbover Nightmare'shilt.Iwonderedhow longwe’dbesafefor Erikmayhaveletmego,butsurelytheotherroyalswouldsendFamiliarsafterussoon “Wherearewegoing?”Iasked.
“Asfaraspossible,”Juliussaid “I'mnottakinganychances Therainwillkeepourscentdampened,sowe'lluseittoour advantagewhilewecan.”
MagnarglancedbackatCallieandIfollowedhisgaze.Shelookedsosmallallofasudden,likesomethinghadbrokenthe strengthwhichI'dseeninherjusthoursago.Shehuggedherarmsaroundherself,hergoldenhairdulledbytherainandsome ofthecoal-blackmakeuparoundhereyessmudgeddownhercheeks.
Ourdressesweresoddenanditwastakingeverythingwehadtokeepthecoldout Walkingatthispacewastheonlything stoppingmefromsuccumbingtoit.Iwonderedifshefeltthesamebecauseshedidn’tseemtobeshiveringasbadlyasIwas.
IturnedtojoinherbutMagnarbeatmetoit,droppinghisvoiceashespoketoher HereyeswarmedasshelookedupathimandIleftthemtoit,sensingtheywantedamomentalone.Thoughperhapsithurt justalittlethatshehadlookedtohiminsteadofme.
Juliusthrewmeadarksmile “So,thatmarkonyourpalmmustbecausingyoualotoftrouble” Iscowledathisjibing.“Yep.”
“IwillcutoutErikBelvedere'sheartsoyoucanberidofthiscruelbondthen”Julius'seyesglitteredwithmirth Ifrowneddarklyandwhispered,“Don'tsayanythingtoCallie.”
“Onyourheadbeit,”hemurmuredthenpickeduphispaceagain “Idonotwanttobearoundwhenthetruthcomesout” Ihurriedtokeeppace.“Itwon't.”
“Sure,”hesaidairily,haltingatanintersectionbeforetakingaleftturn. IgrittedmyteethasNightmarepouredheatintomyveins “Don’tbeanasshole”
“Don’tgoaskingtheimpossibleofme,”hewarnedandIblewoutabreathofamusement.
“SeriouslyJulius WhatIsaidtoyouaboutthevampires,let’skeepitbetweenusokay?”
“I’mnotone to stir the pot. And I’mdefinitelynotone to stir thatparticular pot. Your sister won’tforgive youfor your newfoundsympathywiththebloodsuckers,asIwouldnotforgiveMagnar ButIamstillbankingonmeun-brainwashingyou beforeitevencomesclosetocomingoutanyway.Sodon’tworry,damsel,I’llsaveyouonceagain.”
“I’mnotbrainwashed,Julius.Trustme,IwishIwas,”Isaidheavily.
“A brainwashed person wouldn’t know they were brainwashed,” he pointed out and I scowled up at him “Fine,” he conceded.“SayIbelieveyou,thenyoureallyareindeepershitthanIthought.”
“Thanksforthepeptalk,”Imuttered He frowned, his armbrushingmine as he moved closer, and the heatradiatingfromhis skinmade me wantto wrap the wholethingaroundmelikeadamnscarf.“Iwillprotectyouinanywayyouneedprotecting.It’swhatwedoforourkind.” “Idon’tneedprotecting,”Iinsisted.
“Iknow youcanlookafter yourself, IsimplymeanIwill also watchover you. Ihave your back– so longas youdon’t
betrayuslikeaskeevylittlestormwitch.”
Ismiledatthatassessment.“I’mfullyanti-stormwitchandwillgladlyhelpyouturnhertodust.”
“Good”Heshotmeagrin
Isighed,glancingbackattheotherstomakesuretheystillweren'tlistening.“Weneedtotalkabouttheprophecy-” He held up a hand to haltme thenwaved his armina sharp signal to Magnar Takingmywrist, he dragged me into the nearestdilapidatedbuilding.
“Don'tyoulistentoyourblade?”JuliushissedasMagnarandCalliespedintotheruinedbuildingoppositeus IglanceddownatNightmare,realisingitwashummingfranticallyagainstmypalm.
Juliuspressedhisfingertohislips,forcingmeagainstadampwall.Therushoflargewingssoundedoverhead,followed byasoftcry,settingmyheartpounding
Familiar, Nightmarewhispered.
Juliustookhisbowfromhisshoulder,edgingbeneathaholeinthehalf-collapsedceiling Heplacedanarrowagainstthe string,gazingupatitintentlyandreleasingameasuredbreath.Heletthearrowfly,thedeadlyweaponshootingskywardata ferociousspeedandIcaughtsightoftheeaglejustbeforeitburstintodust
IletoutabreathasNightmarefellquietagain,andJuliusgavemeanintenselook.“WhenNightmareconnectswithyou,it istryingtotellyousomething.Payattention.”
Ibitintomylip,feelingberated “Okay,”Imuttered Myshoulders started shudderingfromthe cold. Since we’d stopped moving, the tinypiece ofwarmthI'd held onto from walkinghadabandonedme
Juliusstrodetowardmewithafrown,shruggingoutofhisdarkjacketandhandingittome.“Takeit,noquestions.Idon’t feelthecoldlikeyoudo.”
Ipulleditonandtheheatedsleeveswereablessingagainstmyfrozenskin.“That'sthesecondtimeyou'vegivenmeyour clothes,”Isaid,recallingthecloakhe’dgivenmeonce.
Hismouthpulledupatthecorner “Yes,ifIcontinuetodoso,perhapsyou'llhavemenakedoneday” “Julius,”Magnargrowledasheduckedhisheadthroughthedoorway.“Stopflirtingandstartwalking.”
IshotJuliusatauntingsmileatbeingtoldoffbeforesteppingoutontothequietstreet Callieeyedmyjacketwithaglimmer ofinterestandmygazefelltoherbareshoulders.Nogoosebumpslinedherskin.Ithitmethatshewasaslayernow andthe coldobviouslydidn'tbotherherinthewayitdidme.
As Iwalked amongthe group, Ifelt suddenlyadrift, like Ino longer reallyfit in. Theywere united bytheir vow, their blood,theircause.AndIheldasecretinmyheartwhichwentagainstallofthat.OnewhichIwouldmore-than-likelyhaveto taketothegrave AssumingJuliusdidn'tspillitfirst
ThreemorehourspassedandIcouldsensedawnwasclosebythepalingofthesky MyfeetachedasJuliusfinallyguidedus towardatallbuildingwithabalconyjuttingfromthesideofit.Onehalfofthestructurehadfallendown,buttherestseemed fairlyintact,anditwouldcertainlygiveussomeshelter
“We'llstophere.It'sthehighestbuildingaround,sowe'llbeabletokeepalookout,”Juliusannounced.
My hair was plastered to my cheeks, and I was exhausted right through to my bones. None of the others looked as bedraggledas Ifelt,andIguessedthatwas another slayer gift.Iwas sotired,Ialmostwantedtotakemyvow justsothatI couldfeelalittlelesslikethewalkingdead.
WemovedinsideandItookinthefrostybutfairlydryspacebeforeus Acoldwinddrilledthroughaholeinonewalland Juliusmovedpastit,headingupastonestairway.
Wefollowed,risingfourlevelsandfindingourselvesinamuchmoreappealingroomwithfloorboardsandevensomeold furnituredottedaroundthespace.Magnarstrodetotheoppositewall,pushingadooropenandrevealingthebalconybeyondit. “Good.Thiswilldo.Twoofuscankeepwatchandtwoofuscanfetchsupplies.”
Ididn'tliketheideaofremaininghereinthecold.ThesoonerIfoundsomedryclothes,thebetter.Juliusseemedtobeon thesamelineofthoughtashescrutinisedme.“MeandMontanawill go.Sheneedstogetoutofthoseclothes.AndI’mvery experiencedinhelpingwomenoutoftheirattire”
“HoweverwouldIcopewithoutyou,Julius?”Iaskeddryly.
“Youwouldn’t,damsel”Hesmirked
“I’mprettysureyoupromisedtostopcallingmethat,”Iaccused.
“PrettysureIdon’trecallthat.”Heshruggedandtheassholewonasmileoutofme.Damnhim.
Magnar pursed his lips, lookingto Callie who had stepped out onto the balcony, not seemingbothered bythe gust that whippedherdressaroundherlegs.Henoddedtous,grabbingawoodenchairandbreakingitashestartedtobuildafire.His expressionwasachinglysad,andIwonderedifthisburdenonCallieweighedheavilyonhimtoo
“I’llbebacksoon,”Icalledtoher.“I’llbringyousomewarmclothes.” Shedidn'tseemtohear,losttoher ownthoughtsasshestaredoutacrosstheruins.Myheartbrokefor her asIfollowed Julius back into the stairway, fearing how deeply this bond with Fabian was affecting her It felt like things had changed betweenusinwaysIcouldn’tevenfathomtoo.We’dbothgoneonourownjourneysandnow wewerestandingonopposite sidesofariftthatIdidn’tknowhowtocross ButIwasdeterminedtofindawaytodoso We'll be alright, Callie. We'll figure out a way to fix everything. Then it will be us against the world again.
Theremainsofthecrumbling,concretebalconyjuttedoutbeforeme ItsleftsidehadbeenblastedawayintheFinalWar,but therightsideremainedintact,thoughtherailingthathadonceringedithadbrokenawayalmostentirely.
Therainhadfinallystopped,andacoolbreezeblewinwiththedawn Thesunwasjustabouttoriseandthoughithadn’t crestedthehorizonyet,theskywasbeginningtolightentoapaleblueinthedistance.Abovemyhead,Icouldstillseethelast stars glimmering. Iwondered ifValentina planned onlettingthe sunshine over the citytodayor ifshe’d draw inthe clouds againonceitcameup
Themere thoughtofher senta spike offurious anger throughme.She’dbetrayedher people,soldme outtoFabian,and now itseemedas thoughshe’dbetrayedtheroyals too Whatwas sheplanning?Whatwas her motivation?Surelyitwas all drivinghertowardssomething,butforthelifeofme,Icouldn’tfigureoutwhat.
Inthedistance,beyondthesprawlingruins,Icouldjustmakeouttheriverwhichledontothesea Mylipspartedasyet anotherofmydad’sstoriesfinallycametolifebeforemyeyes.Iwishedhecouldseemenow,lookingoutatthewaterhe’d always promised to show me. Ihoped thatwherever he was, he knew thatI’d finallybegunto see the world, justlike he’d wantedmeto ThoughIdoubtedthistangledmessIfoundmyselfinwasthedreamhe’dhadinmind
Iloweredmyselftositonthecoldfloorandhungmylegsbetweenthelastoftherustedrailings,lookingdownatthedrop belowmyhighheels Myrightshoewascoveredinbloodandmud,thewhitelaceruinedbeyondallchanceofrecovery But strangely,myleftshoewasstillfairlyclean.Afewspotsofbloodstoodoutacrossthetoe,butthatwasit.Itremindedmeof oneofDad’sstoriesaboutthegirlwho’dlosthershoeandfoundaprince
Ihadaroyallookingformetoo,promisingmetheworldandhappilyeverafter.Literally.Seeingasheplannedonkilling meandbringingmebackfromthedeadsoIcouldstaybyhissidefortherestoftime.Inreality,itwaslessofafairytaleand moreofanightmare
ItouchedthecrownwhichstillsatuponmyheadandwonderedifCinderellahadeverfeltthatitsweightwastoomuch.I pulleditoffandtwisteditbetweenmyfingers,frowningatthediamondswhichshonedimlyinthelight Whatastrangethingto giveme.I’dbeennothingmorethanabugbeneaththeirshoemywholelife,butnow theywantedtopretendIwassomething special.Placeacrownonmyheadandcallmeaprincessjusttodisguisetheuglinessoftheirtrueintentions.
Idroppedthecrownbesideme,turningawayfromitsoIdidn’thavetokeepthinkingaboutit.
Leaningforward,Igazeddownatthedropbelowmyfeet.WewerefourfloorsupbutIwasn’tafraid;mygiftswouldallow metosurvivethatfall Itwasstrangetothinkthatmakingasinglepromisehadgrantedmesuchpower I’dgonefromahelpless girl,destinedtolivemylifeunderthevampires’rule,toawarriorcapableofendingthem.Ifonlyitreallyweresosimple.
The breeze swept around me again, pulling at my hair and raising goosebumps along my bare arms Despite my gifts helpingmeresistthecold,thesoddendressandlowtemperaturewerebeginningtotaketheirtollonmeandIshiveredalittle. ThedresswasruinedbutIhadnothingtoreplaceit.Itwastornandfilthy.Abeautifulthingdestroyed.
Iheldmylefthandinfrontofmeandtracedthestaronthebackofitwithmyfingertips.Onehalfofmysoulwasboundto
Magnar.Iturnedmyhandoverandtracedthecrossonmypalm.TheotherhalfwasboundtoFabian.Sowheredidthatleave me?
Stuck between two mortal enemies while waiting for them to destroy me
I was tied to so many rules and commands that I could barely count themanymore. This formof freedomwasn’t very liberatingandIwasstartingtothinkthatmyescapefromtheRealmhadonlylockedmeinadifferentkindofcage Werewe destinedtodancetothetuneofthegodsforever?Wereoursoulsourstoown,orourlivesourstolive?
IwasunabletobewiththemanIknewIwantedinthedepthsofmysoul,unabletosomuchasspeakhisnamealoud And evenifwecouldhavebeentogether,hecouldcontrolmewithasinglecommand.Iwaspowerlesswithhim.Evertheunderdog inagamewhichshouldhavebeenplayedfromequalpositions.
MythoughtsdriftedtoFabianandasurgeoflongingracedthroughmewhichIknewwasn’ttrulymyown Butthatdidn’t stoptheacheIfelt,thedesirewhichstirredmyblood,thememoryofhismouthagainstmine.IgrittedmyteethasIrejectedit.I hatedhisdarkeyeswhichweresodeepthatIcouldgetlostinthem rightbeforeIcutthemoutofhisface Thethoughtofhis stupid,perfectsmilemademeacheforFurywithadesperateneed.IhadnoideawheremybladewasnowandImisseditlike alostlimb,certainitwouldhavehelpedremindmeofmyownmind Withoutit,IwascaughtbetweenwantingtokissFabian andkillhimwhileunsureifIreallywantedeither.
ThiswasallIdun’sfault.WhathadIdonetodeservesuchacursefromher?
Malicious bitch
Iftherewasawaytokillagoddess,thenI’dbesorelytemptedtofindouthow.
Iwantedtoscreammyrageattheruinsbeforeme,butaswewereontherunandtryingtoevadethenoticeoftheFamiliars thathuntedus,Iguessedthatwasn’tthebestidea.Isettledforgrabbingalumpofbrokenmasonryfromthewallbesidemeand hurlingitoutintotheruinsinstead.Ithrewitwithallmystrengthandwatchedasitsoaredawayfromme,muchfurtherthanI wouldhavebeenabletosenditbeforetakingmyvow.ItclatteredintotherubbleandIreachedforanother,launchingitafter thefirsttoseeifitwouldgoanyfurther.
ThethirdbrickIgrabbedhadasharpedgewhichjabbedintomyfinger IhissedinpainasbloodbloomedandIdroppedit besideme,quicklysuckingonmyfinger,scowlingatthejaggedrockbeforewonderingifitcouldbeexactlywhatIneeded.
IpickeditupagainandhelditabovemyleftpalmasIglaredatthecrosswhichboundmetoFabian IfIcouldn’tfightoff thedesiretobewithhimwhileitmarkedmyflesh,thenmaybeIcouldcutitcleanoutofmeinstead.
ItookadeepbreathasItouchedthesharpedgetomyskinandpsychedmyselfupforwhatIwasabouttodo.Itwasgoing tohurtlikehell,butifIwaslucky,it’dpayoff.
I can’t do it. I can’t do it. Maybe I should just go back and find Fabian? If I hurry I could be kissing him within a matter of - just fucking do it!
Ipressed downand painflared throughmypalmjustas a hand landed over mine, draggingthe brickoutofmygrasp. I blinkedupatMagnarinsurpriseashesatbesideme,turningthepieceofjaggedmasonryoverinhishands
“Thatwon’twork,”hesaidquietly,hisdarkpresencesettlingaroundmelikeawaveofshadowshadfollowedhimtomy side.
I opened my mouth to say something, anything, that could make this better but I was at a loss for words I knew the sacrificeshe’dmadetoendtheBelvederesandI’dthrownmyselfinthewayofhimfulfillingthatdestiny,ruiningthechance he’dbeenwaitingonforathousandyears Howcouldheevenlookatmeafterthat?Howcouldhebeartositdownbesideme afterI’dsabotagedhisshotatvengeanceafterhe’dgivensomuchinpursuitofit?
The inchof space betweenus was like anuncrossable abyss It was filled withpain, and loss, and so manyunspoken wordsthatIhadnoideahowtobridgeit.
“I’msorry,”IbreathedbecauseitwastheonlythingIcouldsaythatwasentirelythetruth.ItwastheonethingIcouldstand behindandknowIwasfeelingformyselfwithoutanyinputfromdeities,orvowsorcurses
“For whichpartofit?” Magnar rotated his armbackand launched the rockoutinto the ruins. Itlanded so muchfurther awaythanminehadthatIcouldbarelyevenheartheclatterasithittheground
Ichancedalookatthestrongslopeofhisbrowandthebreath-takingruggednessofhisfeatures,nowcastinevenharsher linesthanbefore,liketheworldjustkeptheapingweightuponhisshouldersanditwasallhecoulddotocarrythatburden
“Allofit.Everythingthat’shappenedsincemydaddied.Probablymostofwhathappenedbeforethentoo.Ican’thelpbut feellikeallI’vedonesincewemetismakeyourlifemoredifficult,”Isaid,myguttwistingwiththosewordsasIthoughtover allhe’dlostandhowmuchofitcamebacktome
“That’snottrue,”hereplied,hisvoicelacedwithgritwhichchafedagainstmysoul.
Ididn’tbothertocontradicthim,butIdidn’tknowwhatelsehewantedmetosay Icrossedmyankles,lookingdownatthe dropagainasIreleasedaheavybreath.
“Ineed to understand whattheydid to you.” Magnar reached over and tookmyhand, turningitso he could inspect the silvercrossonmyskin.Myheartstutteredatthefeelofhisroughpalmagainstmine,thememoryofthosehandsandwhatthey werecapableofsilencinganyprotestImighthavehad.Therewasnocaressinhistouchashetiltedmywristtoseethemark
moreclearly,soIdunallowedit,butthefeelingofhishandonminestillsentshiversracingacrossmyskin,theacheoflonging sinkingdeepinsidemychestwhereIwrappedituptightandrefusedtoletitgo.
“I’veneverseenthisbefore,”hemurmured,hisholdtight,theangerhefeltclearineverypieceofhismuscularbody “Itoldyou;itwasIdun.Sheboundmetoyourenemybecauseshe’scruel anditamusedhertodoit.Sheknew youwere there,sheknewwhatwe whatwemighthave ”Iswallowedthicklyandforcedmyselftogoonbecausewehadn’tvoiced whatwemighthavebeenbecomingtooneanotherandthisdidn’tfeellikethemomenttotryanddefineit.“Shemademelook rightatyoubeforeI ”ThememoryofFabian’slipsagainstminemademeshudder indisgustandachewithdesireinequal measures.Itwasn’tfair.Whyplantthosefeelingsintome?Itwaslikeshewantedmetogotohimnow,toabandonMagnarand takeupwiththosehehunted.Itdidn’tmakeanysense.I’dsworntohelpher endthevampires andMagnar was her devoted warrior,sowhydothistome?Tous?
“SoshelaidclaimtoyourbodyinthesamewaysheheldmewhenValentinabetrayedus?”heaskedandIcouldhearthe reliefinhistoneashemadethatassessment
Inodded,wantingtoleaveitatthat.Topretendthatshe’dtakenmylimbshostageandusedthemwithoutmypermission. Butitwassomuchworsethanthatandhedeservedtoknow
“Atfirst,thatwasallitwas.Butonceweweremarried,oncethismarkappeared,itwaslikeI...”Mybraverystutteredout andIbitmylip,afraidtotellhimthewholetruth,afraidtoadmitthewholetruthtomyselftoo.
“Likeyouwhat?”heprompted,hiseyesliftingfrommyhandtomyface,hisexpressionguardedlikehecouldalreadytellit wasworsethanhewantedtobelieve.
Itookadeepbreath,forcingmyselftotellhimthewholetruth OratleastasmuchofitasIunderstood
“LikeIwant tobewithhim.Tobeinhisarmsandgiveeverypartofmyselftohim.Iwanttofeelhismouthonmine,Iwant himtopinmedownand-”Islappedahandovermymouthtostopthefoulwordsfrompouringout.“Shit,”Icursed,recoiling fromthose words, and tighteningmyhold onhis hand. Icould see himwithdrawing, see the walls goingup withinhis dark gaze.
“ButIknow thatIdon’treally,” Iadded quicklyas Ifeltthe tensionbuildinginMagnar’s posture Idropped myeyes I couldn’tbeartolookathimandseewhatmyconfessionwasdoingtohim.“All Itrulywantistohunthimdownandcuthis fuckingheartout Iwanthimtoburnforalltheterriblethingshe’sdone butwhenIsawyoustandingoverhim,abouttofinish him...”Ishookmyhead,unabletorationalisewhatI’ddone.
“Ishouldhavekilledhim.Perhapshisdeathistheonlywayyou’llbefreeofhim,”Magnarspat.
“Maybe,” I agreed, althoughthe idea of a world without Fabianinit still filled me withdread. “But inthat moment, I feared for his life like itwas worthmore thanmyown. Ifeltcertainthathis deathwould breaksomethinginme whichI’d nevergetback”
ThesilencestretchedbetweenusandIfinallydaredtoturnandlookathimagain.
Hisbrowwasfurrowedwithconcernandheseemedlostinthoughtashegazedoutovertheruins Asthesuncontinuedto rise,therichbronzecolourofhisskinappearedtodrinkinthelight,likehewasbornofitandmadeforitalone.Thesightof himlikethatmademyheartratefinallysettle.
Withhimclosetome,Ididn’tfeellikeIwassecondguessingmyselfanymore Fabianpaledintoinsignificance This was real. He wasreal.
ButterfliesdancedinmystomachasIcontinuedtostareathimandhisgazeslowlyslidtomeetmine Aninfernoragedin hisgoldeneyes,blazinghungrilyashedrankmeinjustasIdidhim.
“Anddidyoumeanwhatyousaidtomebeforeweleft?”heaskedcarefully,likehewasn’treallysureifhewantedtohear myresponse.
“Yes,” Ibreathed. The answer was easyas Ilooked into his eyes and the fractured parts ofmysoul knitted themselves togetherjustforthechancetobewithhim
Thewindblusteredaroundusandmyhairsweptacrossmyface.Magnarcaughtitandpusheditbehindmyear,hishand cuppingmycheek Ileanedintohistouch,wishingIcoulddomoreasIfeltIdun’swillurgingmetomoveaway
IfoughtagainstherasIlookedintohiseyesandhisthumbbrushedacrossmylips.Myskinburnedbeneathhistouchand desirebuiltinme,sweepingfromthepitofmystomachrightdowntothetipsofmytoes IwantedhimunlikeI’deverwanted anything. He was the mostdesperate desire ofmyheartand the greatestlongingofmyflesh, butitwas as thoughthe whole worldwasworkingagainstus.
His armgrew tense as Idunpushed againsthimtoo and his hand slid frommyface as he was forced to pull away His fingertipsskimmedapatterndownmyneckandmythroatbobbedasIfoughttostaystill.Hemanagedtotracealineovermy collarbone,finallytouchingtheskinabovemypoundingheartforhalfasecondbeforehedroppedhishand
“You’reeverythingI’veeverwanted,Callie,”hesaid,hisvoiceroughwithlonging.“I’lldowhateverittakestofreeyou ofthiscurseandthenI’mgoingtoclaimyouformyown.Novampirebastardwilltakeyoufrommeandnogoddesswillstand inthewayofthat.”
Iopenedmylefthandinmylapandfrownedatthe silver markonmyskin.Ihatedit.Itfeltlike the touchofa monster,
branded onto me like Iwas his belonging. Itkilled me thatMontana had the same bind to ErikBelvedere. Thatshe was as trapped by himas I was by Fabian. What right did those monsters have to try and claimus for their own? Like we were possessionsinsteadofpeople Asifourownwantsandfeelingswereirrelevant
My hate for the vampires burned hot in my blood. What was it with immortal beings believing themselves to be so superior?Ourlivesmayhavebeenshorterbuttheyheldsomuchmoremeaningbecauseofthat Eachbreathcouldbeourlast Eachmomentcouldchangeourfates.AndI’dbedamnedifIwasgoingtoletthemtakewhatlittletimeIhadonthisEarthand mouldittotheirdesires Mylifewouldbemyownagain,nomatterwhatIhadtosacrificetoclaimit
Magnarranhisfingeroverthecrossonmypalmanditburnedangrilyinresponse.Isnatchedmyhandaway,formingafist aspainflaredinmyblood.IsqueezedsotightlythatIcouldfeelmynailscuttingintomyskinandatrickleofblooddripped ontothewhitedress
“Ijustdon’tunderstandwhyIdunwantstofuckwithuslikethis,”Imuttered.“Whyshe’sdoingthistous...we’vedevoted ourlivestohercause Whywouldshebesocrueltothosewhoaretryingtohelpher?”
“IhavebeenaskingthatquestioneversinceshetiedmetoValentina.Idon’tunderstandwhyshechoosestopunishhermost loyal followers She claims to be testing my devotion, but I have never wavered frommy path Allowing me some small measureofhappinesswouldnotmeanthatI’dabandonmyhuntfortheBelvederes.Ifshecanseeintomysoulassheclaimsto, thenshewouldknowthatthatisthetruth.SoIhavenoanswerforyou.”
IturnedoverhisresponseinmymindasIlookedbacktowardsthehorizonandthesunspilledovertheedgeoftheriverin thedistance.Iwatcheditforseveralachinglybeautifulmomentsbeforethecloudsbegantobuildintheskyanditwashidden fromview
Valentina.IgroundmyjawasIthoughtofthatbitchandallshe’ddone.
She’dgonebeyondturningherbackontheslayersandbecomingtheirmortal enemy;shewasleadingtheBiters.Atleast the Belvederes were making some attemptto protecthumans fromtheir kind. The Realms mighthave stolenour freedomso theycouldtakeourblood,butatleastourliveswerefairlysafeunderthatsystem.IfValentinaandherfollowersgottheirway, humanswouldbehunted Preytomonsterswhofaroutmatchedthem
“WouldyouhatemeifIkilledyourfiancée?”Iasked,givingMagnarhalfasmile. Helaughedasheleanedback,restinghisweightontohiselbows “Areyoujealous,Callie?” Iscoffed.“Ofthatbitch?ThoughIguesssheisverybeautiful,ifyou’reintothatkindofthing.”
“She’savampire,”hereplied,hisfeatureswrittenwithdisgustandIcouldn’thelpbutsmirkatthat.
“Shewasbeautifulbeforeshewasavampire,”Ireplied,rememberingthegirlhe’dshownmeinhisdreamandwondering ifthere had ever beena pointwhenhe’d desired his unionwithher atall. Had theybeentogether? Should their storyhave endedathousandyearsagowithadozenslayerbabiesandahappilyeverafter?
“Shepales toinsignificancebesideyou.Andinanycase,Imanagedtoavoidmarryingmybetrothedfor over athousand years,”hereplied “Youmarriedyourswithintheday PerhapsIhavemorereasonforconcernthanyoudo”
Isnorted withamusement. “Ihad no choice aboutthat. And Idid tryto fightituntil Idunforced myhand. Istabbed him prettygood–fuckeduphiswholefaceandruinedhiseye.ThoughI’lladmitmyattempttostranglehimwasapoorchoice.”
Magnarreleasedalowgroan “Youattemptedtostrangleacreaturewhoiswithoutneedtodrawbreath?”
“WellIhadveryfewweaponsavailabletomesoitseemedlikeadecentenoughplanatthetime.Sufficetosay,itdidn’t work”
“Andyetaftertryingsohardtodosoyourself,youwouldn’tlet me killyourhusband.”Thewayhesaidthefinalwordsent ashiveroffearalongmyspine Iglanceddownatmyhandandpulledtheweddingringfrommyfinger,glaringatitasItriedto denythepartofmethatwishedtokeepiton.
“No,”Iagreed.Iwasn’treallysurewhatelseIcouldsaytothat.Ididn’tunderstanditmyself,sohowcouldIexpecthim to?
“Did he hurt youwhile he held you?” Magnar asked, his voice droppingto a low growl whichreminded me just how deadlyhecouldbewhenhewantedtobe
“No,”Irepliedonabreath.“Iprobablydidmoreharmtothem;theywerejusttryingtoconvincemetogoalongwiththe wedding Theyseemed to reallybelieve itcould have helped thembreaktheir curse And Ican’thelp butwonder ifthey wererightaboutit,shouldn’tIbewillingtomakethatsacrifice?Forthegoodofallthehumans?”Iaskedbitterly.
Thatquestionhadbeengnawingatmeeventhougheverypartofmybeingrebelledagainstthethoughtofit.Ihatedtheidea rightdownto the marrow ofmybones, butwouldn’ta better personagree to it? Wouldn’ta better persondo anythingthey couldtoendthisandsavetherestofmykind?
Iheldtheweddingringoutinfrontofme,intendingtodropitintotheruinsbutIcouldn’tforcemyselftoreleaseit,Idun’s twistedmagickeepingitlockedbetweenmyfingers.
“I cannot believe the answer to the curse lies in whoring yourself out to a monster and carrying his demon children,” Magnargrowled.
IturnedtolookathimagainasIreturnedtheringtomyfinger.
“Fabianisn’tamonster,”IsnappedbeforeIcouldslammymouthshut.
Magnar’sgazedroppedtomyweddingringandsomethingdarkandterrifyingflaredinhiseyes.Hepushedhimselftohis feetandstrodeawayfrommewithoutanotherword
“Elder?”Icalled,mythroatthickeningasthatdamntitleleftmylipsinsteadofhisname.Ishovedmyselftomyfeetand tookastepafterhim,needinghimtohelpmewiththis,hatingthatIcouldn’tsimplyswitchoffthislinktoFabianandbedone withit.
“Don’tfollowme,”Magnargrowledwithoutturningbackandhiscommandhitmelikeapunchtothegut,myfeetstumbling toahaltagainstmywishes.
Itriedtofightagainstthecommandandmanagedtotakethreestepsafterhim,myfeetfeelingliketheywereweigheddown withleadwhileIcursedhimoutforusingthatbullshitpoweragainstmeagain Iattemptedtoliftmyfootforthefourthtimebut itwasimpossible.
Mylungs feltlike theymightburstfromthe pressure ofthe force whichworked againstme Istaggered backand a sob escapedmylipsasIdroppeddowntotheflooroncemore.
TearsfellfrommyeyesandIhuggedmykneestomychestasthecoldwindwhippedaroundme Ishiveredasitbattered againstme,easilypushingthroughthethinmaterialofmydressandchillingmetomycore.
The sunclimbed higher inthe skybeyond the clouds butIwas trapped where Iwas, unable to move backinside while Magnar’scommandimmobilisedme He’dgoneinthereandIcouldn’tfollow Rainbeganto fall ina persistent drizzle, slowlysoakingme and mixingwiththe tears onmycheeks. I was so fucking stupid Inever shouldhavegivenmyselftothevow,never shouldhavegottenmyselfmixedupwiththedeals betweengods andmortals.NowIwastrappedinthemidstoftheirgames,apawntobeusedandmanipulated.AndtherewasnothingIcould dotoescapethem.
Igrew colder butIstill didn’tmove.Icouldn’t.Andtheknowledgethatmybodyhadonceagainbeensnatchedfrommy controlsentanice-coldfearpoundingthroughme.ButtherewasnothingIcoulddoaboutit.AllIcoulddowaswait.
1000YEARSAGO
Thestormragedonaroundusandstill noneofusmovedasthegoddess'snew powerssurgedthroughour veins.Itwasas thougheveryremainingmemberoftheclanswasfrozenbythegriefofmyfather’sdeath Eachman,womanandchilddown tothestableboyI’dbroughtbackfrommytravelswereutterlystillaswemournedandIdunpouredherstrengthintous.
Icouldfeeleverythinglikeitwasthefirsttimemybodyhadexperiencedit
Everyinchofmyskinwasmoresensitive,everysoundmoredefined.Evenmyeyesightgrewsharper.
MygazefellonVenomwhichwasstillgraspedinmyhandandInoticedmyringfingerstraighteningbeforemyeyes.I’d brokenitasachildandithadn’tsetright,butnowthedullacheIalwaysfeltfromitinthecoldwasgone.
Strengthsurgedthroughmymuscles likeatideuntil IfeltcertainthatIcouldripamanintwowithmybarehands ifthe notiontookme
Thelandgrewdarkerasthestormbuiltandmymother’ssobsfinallycametoanend.Itseemedtheskywasmourningour father’spassageasmuchaswewereandwhateverstrangegiftswehadbeengiveninthefaceofhisdeathpaledattheweight ofhisloss.
Iforcedmyselftoriseasahugeflashoflightninglituptheheavens,strengthsaturatingmylimbslikeneverbefore.
Inthedistance,beyondtherowoftentsacrosstheplain,farfurtherthanIshouldhavebeenabletosee,Inoticedafigure approaching.
Ihadnever seentheGoldenWhorefor myself,butIknew her assoonasmygazelandedonher Nobeautysuchashers couldbenaturalamongtheworldofmortals.Shestolethebreathfrommylungsatasingleglance,herunnervinglybrightgaze pinningmeinplacewiththepower ofher stolenimmortality Shewasamonster dressedasanenchantress;atrappoisedto stealtheheartsofallwholookeduponhersothatshemightsinkherteethintothemwhiletheystillbeatwithwantforher.
Venomhissedhernamelikeacurseinmyear. Clarice Iheldthebladelooselyinmyrighthandassheadvancedacrossthe plain,mybloodpumpingwithadeepandviolenthatredwhichbeggedtoseeherend
Juliussteppedtomyside,holdinghisownbladeatthereadyandImovedtoretrieveTempestfromwhereI’dleftitthrust intheground ThoughIhadusedallofmystrengthtodrivethebladeintothedirtonlyhoursbefore,removingitwasaseasyas breathingwithmynewlygiftedmuscles.ThepowerofthegoddessroamedrampantlythroughmylimbsandasIlookedatthe monster who stole towards us across the openplain, Iknew whatpurpose this power was meantfor Idunhad gifted us the strengthweneededtomatcheventheworstoftheirkindinbattle.Tobestthem.
Ibegantomovebetweenthetents,makingabeelinefortheplacewhereI’dspottedtheimmortalharlot.I’dlostsightofher without the lightningto illuminate the plainbut I could feel her movingcloser throughthe shadows, a creature of darkness huntinginhernaturalhabitat.
Iswungthe two blades inlazycircles as Iadvanced, gettinga feel for the waytheymoved as Iwielded thematonce,
feelingarightnessinthatwhichsangwithinmybones.Myfather’sswordwouldbeminenow tooandeverydropoftainted bloodIspilledwithitwouldbeinhomagetohismemory.
“Doyouthinkthey’veallcome?”Juliusaskeddarklyashemovedatmyside Icouldtellhisthirstforvengeancewasas powerfulasmyownandIcouldn’thelpbutdrawfurtherstrengthfromhiscompany.
“Ihopeso,”Igrowled,theneedfordeathlikeanacheinmysoul
Thepowerofthegoddessflowedthroughmyveinslikelava,heatingmetomycoredespitethefactthatIstrodeshirtless throughthepoundingrain SomethingtoldmeIwouldneversufferthefullbiteofwinteragain Wemadeitbeyondthetentsandstoodattheedgeoftheplain,waitingforthemonsterstostrike,knowingtheyskulkedout thereintheshadows.
“Showyourselves!”Ibellowed “Youfourbeastsofthenightwhoplaywithlivesandsoulslikethey’reworthless Come andletusseeyourunnaturalfaces!”
The night grew deeper as I felt the gods pressingclose, their eyes glued to our actions as theywaited for the battle to commence.Wewerejustpiecesontheirgameboardsasalways,butthistime,Iwasmorethanwillingtoplay.
SomeonemovedbehindmeandIturnedmyheadas Valentinasteppedforwardtotakeapositiononmyleft As Icaught sightofher eyes, Icould see the power ofthe stormswirlingwithinthem, lightningflickeringinher pupils, a static charge liftingherdarkhair.Itseemedthegodshadincludedherwhenthey’dbestowedtheseenhancementstoourgifts.Thepowerof theClanofStormsragedwithinherunlikeeverbefore,andIcouldalmosttastetheoncomingstormasIinhaled
Sheraisedherarmsandelectricityhummedintheairassheharnessedthefuryofthestorm.Lightningflashedblindingly acrossthecloudsandfourfigureswereilluminatedonthefarsideoftheplain,theirporcelainfeaturesetchedwithuncertainty astheyassessedus.
Theycouldsee ittoo,this new power inus,andtheyhesitatedtomeetitlike the cowards Ihadlongknownthemtobe. Theyhidfromdeathafter all,fromthepromiseofendless days inthehalls ofValhalla.Onlyacowardwouldacceptsucha fate.
MygazefellonErikattheleftofthegroupandmylipcurledbackinaferalsnarl,thedesireforhisdeathabrutalachein mychest.IslowlyliftedVenom,pointingthebladeathisheartandsendinghimasilentpromise.Iwouldbehisend.Nomatter thecost
“Isthisallthatremainsofthegreatraceofslayers?”Fabiancalled,hisvoicelacedwithamusementashebegantodraw closer,hisstepsfullofswaggeranddrippingbravado.
OurmothermovedtostandonJulius’sotherside,fourslayerstofacefourvampires.
Behindus,thoseremainingmembersoftheclansgatheredtoo.Eventhosewhohadnobusinessfightingstoodwithus;old warriorswhosewarringdayswerelongpassedwaitedshouldertoshoulderwithchildrenwhowerebarelystrongenoughto wieldablade.Mothersstoodwiththeirbabesinonearmandaweaponintheother.EvenElissaandAelfricjoinedourranks, clutchingbladestheyhadnoideahowtousewhileglaringatthevampireswithalltherageofseasonedwarriors
Thetotalwaslikelylessthantwohundred,afractionofournumbersfromjustdaysago.Butthegoddesshadblessedthem allandwestoodagainstourenemies,strongerthaneverbefore.Ididn’tliketheirchancesatvictory.
BeyondtheRevenants,Icouldmakeoutamovingshadowfilledwiththeirfoulcreations AsI’dexpected,they’dwasted notimeinsiringmorevampiresandIfeltapangofpityforwhatevertownhadfallenpreytotheircurse.
Iturnedtomeetmybrother’sgazeandfoundrawpowerbrimmingthroughhimtoo Thegodshadbeengenerouswiththeir gifts,spreadingthemamongstmypeopleandgivingusthechancetomeetthevampiresonequalfooting.Iwouldbecertainnot tosquanderthem
“Iwillfollowyoutotheend,brother,”Juliusgrowled,liftinghisswordhigherinanticipationofmycommand.Thesewere mypeoplenow.Myfather’sdeathhadmademetheir Earl.Andtheywaitedonmycommandtoslaythesebeasts.ThefirstI wouldmake,butnotthelastifIhadanysayinthematter
“Forourfather,”IsaidfiercelyandMother’sgazehardenedasshenodded.“ForEarlMallion!”Ibellowedforallofour peopletohear
AresoundingbattlecrymetmyownandItookoffacrosstheplain,sprintingfasterthanI’deverrunbefore,thepowerof mymusclesastrangeandwonderousthing AgiftIwouldusewell
Thestormragedandtherainpoureduponusinanunyieldingcascadeoffreezingdroplets,butIdidn’tfeelthebitingcold the wayIshould have. Myveryskinseemed to be alive withenergy, creatingheatwhere there should have beennone and savingmefromsufferingbeneaththetorrentwhichValentinaencouragedtofallfromtheskies
The Revenants knew there was somethingdifferentaboutus andall four sets ofeyes were drawntome as Iledthe line againstthem
Fabianwasclosesttomeandhewasthefirsttobreakranksandruntoopposeus.
IsmiledbitterlyasIracedtomeethim,duckingbeneathhimasheleaptformythroat,themovementfareasierthanshould havebeenpossible.HespuntostareatmeinsurprisebutIwastednotimeandswungTempeststraightforhisneck.Hetwisted awayfrommebutIalreadyhadVenomwaitingtoblockhisretreat,aferalgrinpartingmylipsasIfoundmyselfmorethana
matchforthisheathen.
Fabianleaptasidebutnotbeforethebladecarvedalinealonghisforearm,spillinghisbrightredbloodandstainingthe dirtbetweenus Hehissedinpainasthewoundsizzledfromthemagicintheswordandtheairwastaintedbythestenchof burningflesh.
Ididn’tmissthelookofhorrifiedwonderthatfilledhiseyes Iguessednoonehadgottenthatclosetokillinghiminalong time.
IroaredasIpushedmyadvantageandhetriedtolungeatmeagain Hecaughtmyrightarminhisirongrip,hisinhuman fingerstighteninginanattempttobreakmybones.Beforehecoulddomorethanbruiseme,Iswungmyotherarmathisface, Venom’shiltstillgraspedinmyfist.
Myknucklesconnectedwithhisjawandhewasthrownoffofme,crashingintothemudsixfeetawayandskiddingthrough it. Whenhe regained his feet, he was covered fromhead to toe infilth, and brightred blood still dripped steadilyfromthe woundonhisarm
FabianbaredhisteethatmeandIbaredminerightbackasIbegantoadvance. “Whatareyou?”hehissedasheretreatedastep “Iamyourdeath,”Ireplied.
Ileaptforward,swingingbothofmybladesinaviciousarcdesignedtocleavehisheadfromhisneck.
Fabianthrewhimselfaside,barelyabreathpartinghimfromdeathbeforehespunawayfrommeandfledbacktowardshis kin.
Ibellowedachallengeandtookchase Mymotherandbrotherranbehindme,bladesreadyandwarriorcriesontheirlips asweracedafterthemonsterswhohadtakeneverythingfromus.
ThefourRevenantsgroupedtogetheracrosstheplain,staringatusinconfusionandwithmorethanahintoffear,seeming toacceptthatwewerenotwhatwehadbeen,thatwewerenowmorethanamatchforthem.
“Do youfeel the thirstdrivingyouon?” Clarice cried, turningher gaze onthe newlysired vampires behind themas she huntedforawaytosaveherownneck “Goforwardandfeast!”
Thevampiresshriekedinexcitementandfloodedpasttheircreatorslikeatideofruination,thethirstturningthemintolittle morethanferalbeastsblindedbytheirneedforblood Theyracedtointerceptusandtheremainingmembersofthesevenclans thunderedtomeetthematmyback.
“These creatures need remindingthatthey’re alreadydead!” Iyelled and the replyingroar ofmykinjoined witha great crashofthunderasValentinacontinuedtowieldthestormwithhernewlyenhancedgifts.
TheRevenantsstoodbehindtheirarmyandwatchedasourforcescollided.Ididnosuchthing;nowarriorofminewould beaskedtosacrificethemselveswithoutmebytheirside Iledthechargefromthefront,carvingapaththroughthevampires withJuliusandourmotherbesideme.
We cut down more vampires than I could count and the dust from their demise mixed with the thick mud at our feet, cloggingtheairwiththestenchoftheirdeaths.
Again and again, I swung my blades but the fatigue I expected with such use of my energy never came. My muscles thrummedwithstrengthandthepromiseofdeathforallthosewhocameagainstme,thegiftsofthegoddesspumpingthrough mylimbspowerfully.
Astherestofmypeoplebattledagainstthenewvampires,myfamilyslicedapaththroughthemayhemtowardsthedemons whohadcausedit.
Iplunged Tempestinto the heartofa beautiful vampire clad inthe dress ofa noble and as she dissolved before me, the Revenantswererevealedbeyondhercascadingremains.
“This isn’tpossible,” Miles hissed as he glared atmyfamily, tryingto denywhatwe were now. Atrue matchfor their monstrosity
“Thegodshavelevelledthefield,”Juliusgrowled.“Areyouafraidtofindoutifyoucanmatchusnow?” “Why?” Erik breathed and I got the feeling his question was meant for one of the powerful deities who watched our exchange,butIansweredallthesame.
“Forthecurseyoubestowedonourfather NoEarloftheslayersshouldeverhavemetthefateyoudealthim Iwillrepay thatdebtinblood.”Iadvancedonthem,mygazefixedonErikashiseyesnarrowedinconfusion.
“YourfatherwastheslayerIturned?”heaskedasrealisationhithim.“Isavedhim;Isenthimbacktoyou-”
“YousentbackademonwearingtheskinofthemanIloved!”mymotheryelled,herbrokenheartmakinghervoicecrack withemotion,butheraxewassteadyinherhand.
“Youforced me to plunge a blade throughmyownfather’s heart,” Igrowled as Itookanother step Venomand Tempest hummedinanticipationasIclosedinonthemonsterswhohadstarteditall,theirdemandsfortheirdeathsthickinmymind.
“Youkilledhim?”ErikaskedandIdidn’tmissthehorrorthatflashedthroughhiseyes.Didhedaremournthelossofthe foulcreationhehadplacedinmyfather’sskin?
“You killedhim,”Icorrectedangrily.
ThethundercrackedaboveourheadsagainandIranathim,nolongerwillingtohearhisabhorrentvoice.Iwouldtakehis headfromhisbodyandpaytheblooddebtIwasowed.
Itookthreelongstridesandleaptforward,spinningintheairasIswungbothofmybladesforhishead
Erik’seyeswidenedashesawdeathcomingforhimandhissisterleaptforwardtoknockhimasidebeforeIcouldlandmy blow Venomslicedacrosshershoulderandshehowledinpainasbrightbloodspilledfromthewound EriksnappedoutofhismomentaryinactionandwrappedhisarmsaroundClarice,leapingawayfrommeandhaulingherto safety
MilesandFabiansteppedinfrontofhertoo,thethreefoulbrothersprotectingtheirmonstroussister.Ialmostlaughedatthe falsedisplayoflove.Acreaturesustainedbydeathcouldneverbecapableofsuchanemotion.
JuliusyelledashechargedatthemandIrantojoinhimwithVenomscreamingforvengeanceinmypalm
TheRevenantsbaredtheirteethlikebeastsastheysprintedtomeetus.
Julius tuckedhis headlow andbarrelledtowards themlike a humanbattering-ram His shoulder connectedwithMiles’s chestandasoundlikefallingrocksfilledtheair.Mileswasthrownbackwards,slammingintohissisterandsendingthemboth crashingintothemud
Fabianleaptonto Julius’s back, sinkinghis teethinto his shoulder witha feral viciousness. Mymother screamed as she aimedakickatFabian,dislodginghimbeforehecoulddrinkmybrother’sblood.
IonlyhadeyesforErikasIadvancedonhimsteadily,swingingmybladesinaclearchallenge Vengeancecalledmyname, drawingmecloser.
Heleaptatmebutbeforewecouldmeetinbattle,lightningstruckthegroundbetweenus
Thevampirefellbackandmyheartleaptwithsurprise.
Again,lightningforkedfromthesky,slammingintothegroundbetweenusanddrivingthedemonback.Thethirdforkarced towardstheotherRevenants,carvingaspacebetweenthemandmyfamily.
IlookedaroundandfoundValentinastridingtowardsus.Windbillowedaroundherandpulledherusuallyperfecthairinto amaelstromofherowncreation
Thevampireslookedbetweenthefourofusinundisguisedhorror,theireyesdriftingtotheslayerswhodrewclosebehind us AsIfollowedtheirgaze,Ifoundmykinclosingrankatmyback,thenewly-siredvampiresreducedtonothingbutpilesof clothesandashonthebattlefield.
OnlytheRevenantsremainedtofaceourhostofoverahundredslayersgiftedwiththenewstrengthofthegoddess. “IsthatfearIseeinyoureyes?”Icried.
Theslayersatmybackyelledtheirownchallenges,theairrumblingwithourcombinedrage.
TheRevenantsmovedtowardseachother,takingastepback,thenanother “Standandfaceus,cowards!”IroaredasIsawtheurgetofleeintheirexpression.
“Thisfightwillkeep,slayer,”FabianspatashishandclosedonClarice’swristandhepulledherfurtherback Thefourofthemexchangedabriefglancewhichheldtheweightofdestinyinit,thentheyturnedandfled.
IreleasedabattlecryasItookchase,mypeoplejoiningmeasweracedtohuntdownthemonsters,refusingtoletthem fleethisfate
Butdespitethenewpowerinmymuscles,theirpaceoutmatchedmyownandtheybegantoincreasethedistancebetween usintheirdesperatebidforfreedom
Ididn’trelent,myfeettearingapathacrossthesoddengroundasIbegantoputdistancebetweenmyselfandmypeople. OnlyJuliuskeptpacewithme,hishatredandthirstforrevengematchingmyown,butdespiteourefforts,wecouldn’tkeepup Thesealoomedahead,andweskiddedtoahaltaswefoundourselvesonthetopofacliffwhichlookeddownontothe roilingwaves.
IcursedasIrealisedwhattheyhaddone Thevampireshadtakenrefugebeneaththewaterwheretheyknewwecouldn’t follow.Fuckingcowards.
“We are the sons ofMallionElioson!” Iroaredintothe night,knowingtheywouldhear me where theyhidlike rats ina hole. “Your deaths await youat our hands!We will have vengeance for our father and we will hunt youto the ends ofthe Earth!”
“Youmayrunbutwewillfindyou!”Juliusbellowedinagreement.“Youareonlydelayingyourfate!”
J
uliusandIheadeddeeperintotheruinedcity,passingrowsofoldstoreswithfadednamesabovethedoorways Ahardware store,agasstation,evenanoldbridal shopwhichIscurriedpastataferociouspace.Ihadnointentionofexchangingmy currentweddingdressforanotherone IfIneversawoneofthoseflouncywhitegownsagain,I’ddiegoddamnhappy
Alarge buildingloomed up ahead witha shattered glass doorway. Several ofthe letters onthe wall above ithad fallen away,leavingB-yPlaz-Mall.
Ivaguelyrecalled the termmall frommydad's recounts ofthe pastand started sprintingtoward itwithhope liftingmy heart.
“Hey-waitup!”Juliuscalled,dragginghisattentionawayfromalingeriestorewindowandchasingafterme IslowedasIsteppedthroughthebrokendoorway,mydresstrailingovertheshardsofglass,makingaplinkingsoundas theyshifted Inside,wasanimpossiblypristinecorridorlinedwithrowsuponrowsofclothesstores Reliefebbedthroughme atescapingthepouringrain.AndnowIfinallyhadachancetogetoutofthisdamndresswhichwassowet,itweighedatonne, andtheskirtwascoatedingrime.
“Julius-look,”Igaspedashejoinedme Hismouthparted,hiseyestrailingfromstoretostore.“Bythegods,whatisthisplace?”
“It's a mall, a place people used to shop for stuff” Ijogged towards the nearest store withNightmare tight inmygrip, wrenchingthedooropenandfindinganexpanseofuntouchedclotheshangingonrailsallovertheplace.
MyheartliftedasItookitallin,thecoldsodeepinmyveinsthatIpracticallygroanedatthesightofendlesssweatersand cosyleggings.
“Shit,”Juliuscursed.“I’veneverseenamarketwithsomanyfinethings.”
He raced pastme into the menswear, tuggingoffhis shirtand tossingitto the floor before unbucklinghis pants He was downtohisunderwearinnotime,revealinghisdeepbronzeskinandthethickmusclesthatcladhisbodylikearmour.Thenhe droppedhisboxers,andIturnedawayfastbeforeIgotanunwantedeyeful ofhiscock,hisgleeful laughter reachingmeasI startedsearchingthroughthewomen’sclothes.
Severaloftheitemswerethinandsparkly,andtherewereabunchofdressesthatIsweptrightpast.Theywouldn'tbeany use againstthe cold so Iforged a pathto the backofthe roomwhere the sweaters were waitingfor me alongwitha whole rangeofmorepracticalitems.Igrabbedadark,long-sleevedshirtoffahangerandsmiledatitinrelief,certainitwouldkeep mewarm
IplaceditdownalongwithNightmarethenreachedbehindmybacktoundomydress,desperatetogetoutofthisthingand abandonitforever Myfingersfumbledagainstthetinybuttons,failingtofreemyselfandcausingmyhearttoriotinfrustration Thereweresomanyofthem.HowthehellwasIsupposedtogetoutofit?
Your husband was supposed to get you out of it, Montana
Myteethclenchedasthatthoughtpassedthroughmyheadandthemarkonmypalmsuddenlyblazedwithenergy,making
