The love radiating out of his gaze strengthened her even more. “Then we’ll defeat it together.”
Holding hands, they abandoned the haven.
Episode 14
Ashes in the Night
When I was a little girl, my entire class was absolutely smitten with my kindergarten teacher. Resembling Belle from Beauty and the Beast with her brown hair and big dark eyes, she often wore a yellow dress covered in a red rose pattern, and we were convinced she was a secret princess. Her upcoming wedding only solidified this belief, since brides equaled princesses in our youthful minds. We imagined her wearing a poufy dress and tiara while riding in a white carriage on her way to marry her prince. We were sorely disappointed when we finally glimpsed her fiancé one day when he picked her up from school. He wasn’t the Beast at all, but an ordinary man with red hair.
Like Belle, our teacher loved books and spread that love to us as she taught us to read. The reward for each student reading a story out loud to her was a party for the entire class. Seduced by the idea of not only pleasing her, but cake, we buckled down, helped each other learn to read, and accomplished our goal.
The day of our party, our beloved teacher never arrived. It would be several hours before we found out she’d been in a car accident while on her way to pick up the cake for our party. She’d taken a wrong turn and a garbage truck had struck her car. She’d died on the way to the hospital.
I remember Roman picking me up early from school that day. I sobbed all the way home, incoherent with grief. At first my siblings thought that the death of my teacher had refreshed the pain of my parents’ loss. Finally, I was able to express with some difficulty what my entire kindergarten class firmly believed: that we had caused our beloved teacher’s death. If only we hadn’t wanted cake, she would still be alive.
“Vanora,” Roman said tenderly, sitting me on his lap and cuddling me close “you can’t blame yourself. Every day people make choices. Sometimes those choices lead to good things. Sometimes they don’t. And you can’t always know which is which. All you can do is make the best choice you can from moment to moment.”
As an adult, I finally understand the wisdom of his words. Of course, I didn’t as a little girl. I lived with a guilty heart for many years.
I’m now faced with making choices moment to moment that could result in the deaths of those I love, or even my own demise.
I can’t be certain of the outcomes of my decisions.
I can only attempt to choose wisely.
Yet, I cannot help but ponder upon that terrible day so long ago. My beloved teacher never dreamed that simply picking up a cake for her kindergarten class would be the end of her life...
The mausoleum door creaked open, revealing a hideous sight of carnage. The magical protection ward that had enshrouded the mausoleum had unleashed a devastating final attack before dissipating. Staggering outside, Alisha tried to make sense of the carnage before her.
Large hairy bodies were tossed about the immediate area, their flesh scorched and fur smoldering. The acrid reek of burnt hair assailed Alisha and she was glad she didn’t have to breathe.
A further distance away, Sheila and Alexander were familiar dark shapes against the ground.
“Oh my God!” Alisha lurched toward them, but Dexios held her back.
“We need to go now, Alisha,” he insisted.
Alisha tried to twist her arm free of Dexios grip. “But are they--”
“Fuck my life,” Sheila grunted, interrupting Alisha. She pushed herself up off the ground with some difficulty, obviously dazed.
At her side, Alexander roused, attempting to shake off the effects of the ward’s attack. The vampires weren’t badly scorched like the six large werewolves starting to stir just a few feet away.
“They’re alive!”
Again, Dexios attempted to usher Alisha away. “Yes, but we need to leave, Alisha.”
“We can’t leave without them!”
Straining to break free of the grip of the werewolf, Alisha was agitated by his persistence. Dexios appeared just as frustrated as she felt as he tried to propel her in the opposite direction. Between them and her friends, the werewolves moaned while struggling to heal their wounds.
“Alisha, I can’t fight them all,” Dexios hissed.
“Shit,” Sheila exclaimed as the werewolf closest to her dug its claws into the ground and surged upright.
“It’s too late, Alisha. Run!” Dexios shouted, his words distorted by his large wolf teeth. He shoved Alisha in the direction of the ruined mansion and whirled about to guard her escape.
Alexander clambered to his feet, grabbed Sheila about the waist, and hurled her away seconds before the wolf smashed into him. Dexios launched himself at the werewolf grappling with Alexander and slashed at it with razor-sharp ebony claws. Blood squirted into the air as Dexios and Alexander wrestled the furry beast to the ground.
Instead of running toward the mansion and the front gates, Alisha skirted around the recovering werewolves and ran to where Sheila was just getting to her feet. Angel and Tracy stumbled out of the bordering copse of trees. Both looked like they’d crashed through the foliage and were covered in scratches and cuts. Dry leaves clung to their clothing and Tracy had a bad head wound.
“This does not look good at all,” Tracy uttered in a terrified voice as more werewolves shook off the effects of the ward explosion.
“We need to get you out of here,” Sheila said, pushing Alisha in the direction of the trees.
“We can’t just leave them behind,” Alisha protested.
“Tracy, Angel, take her,” Sheila instructed. “I’m going after Alexander.”
“I can’t just go,” Angel protested, his gaze on the two men fighting the werewolves. “I have to help!”
“Oh my god,” Tracy gasped. “One’s coming!”
A massive man-beast covered in thick black fur clawed up large gouts of dirt as it bounded toward Alisha and the others. Intimidated by its size, sharp teeth, and long black claws, Alisha panicked. How could she defend herself against such a creature? Dexios and Alexander now fought multiple wolves and were covered in bloody wounds. How could any of them survive?
There was a blur of movement, then Angel hurtled into the werewolf. “Go!” Angel ordered, smashing his fist into the werewolf’s face. To Alisha’s amazement, the blow sent the creature reeling. Was she wrong to doubt the vampires’ strength?
Sheila bounded past Angel and launched herself into the air, sailing toward another werewolf. The slim vampire landed on the beast with a violent thud, knocking it onto the ground. Her hand slashed out, blood splashing her face as she ripped at the werewolf’s throat.
Tracy clutched Alisha’s hand and dragged her into the thicket of trees that bordered the area. “C’mon!”
Reluctant to leave her friends, Alisha again resisted, but Dexios yelled once more for her to flee. More wolf than human, he fought savagely against the biggest werewolf as Alexander hurtled another beast into the side of the mausoleum. The granite cracked beneath the impact of its furry body.
“We came to rescue you! Don’t ruin it! C’mon!” Tracy shouted at Alisha. “If they get you, then we risked ourselves for nothing!”
Relenting, Alisha ran with Tracy through the pecan and oak trees toward the wall that bordered the property. Dexios’ blood fueled her vampire abilities and it was only her supernatural reflexes that kept her from tripping over hidden roots and crashing into the trees.
“We’re trying to get you to safety, you know,” Tracy said, her irritation and fear coating her words with jagged energy. “Trying to get you to Vanora. And all you were doing was standing there like an idiot!”
“I don’t like abandoning my friends,” Alisha retorted, but she was lacerated by the other woman’s comment.
As she rushed through the trees, Alisha acknowledged why she’d been so reluctant to run and save herself. So many of those she loved and cared about had been lost while she had somehow surv
ived. It didn’t feel right to not stand against the evil sweeping through all their lives. She wanted to be a part of the battle, yet here she was, running away again.
The two women reached the wall seconds before they were attacked by a sleek silver-furred werewolf. Tracy flung up one arm to deflect the claws swiping at her face. The deadly claws raked open her coat and flesh, cold blood splashing Alisha’s face. Tracy’s scream piercing her ears, Alisha shoved the werewolf away with both hands. To her surprise, it slid across the ground and into a nearby oak tree.
“Okay,” Alisha whispered, confidence swelling inside her. Stalking after the werewolf, she stretched out her fingers, remembering how the other vampires used their nails like knives. “I can do this.”
The silver beast pivoted about on its hindquarters, snarled, and struck out at Alisha. Again, Alisha was surprised by her ability to track the descent of the extended claws and lash out to knock the blow away. Lunging forward, the werewolf attempted to tackle Alisha to the ground. Her old self-defense moves from a class she’d taken years before returned in a flash. Catching the werewolf’s shaggy shoulders, she let herself fall to the ground while curling her legs up to her chest. Once her feet were against the werewolf’s chest, she kicked, flipping it off her body in a split second.
Instantly on her feet, Alisha kicked the werewolf in the head, dazing it.
“I can do this!” she shouted in triumph.
Raising her eyes, Alisha realized she was alone. Tracy was gone, congealing blood dotting the high wall.
“Shit.”
Alisha kicked the werewolf again, aiming for the side of its head. Its claws caught her calf, ripping through her jeans and muscles. Staggering, a rush of rage filled her. Grabbing one of its long ears, she tore it free from the werewolf’s head. The howl that followed was bloodcurdling, but she wasn’t done. Still clutching its ear, she balled her hand into a fist and struck the werewolf as hard as she could. This time she felt bone pulverize and flesh give way. The wolf slumped at her feet, unmoving.
Out of the darkness, Dexios sprinted, half-naked, half-transformed, and caught her about the waist. Alisha barely grabbed hold of him before he hurtled over the high wall and landed in the street. A second later, three hard thumps sent her spinning about in fear.
The three vampires were right behind them.
“Where’s Tracy?” Angel instantly demanded.
“I don’t know. She disappeared after we got attacked,” Alisha answered.
“Shit! She must’ve decided to run. I can’t let Ben down. I’ve gotta find her,” Angel declared before sprinting into the night.
Sheila and Alexander were a bloody mess, but healing.
“We’ve got to go,” Sheila ordered, taking hold of Alisha’s hand. “Before they recover again.”
Alisha and the others ran.
* * *
Hurrying into the foyer of the penthouse apartment, Vanora aimed toward the bank of elevators, but Armando stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “Not that way. We don’t need to be trapped inside one if they attack.”
The thought of Aeron and his vampires assaulting the couple inside the narrow space caused her to shudder. “Good point. So we take the stairs? Or can you fly me down?” The words sounded a little ridiculous, yet she was aware that she didn’t really know the full scope of Armando’s abilities.
It was quite evident from the look on his face that Armando was riddled with uncertainty, but her comment brought a thin smile to his lips. “Doing the Superman thing wouldn’t be so wise right now. I need to preserve my power in case…” He sighed. “We may have to fight.”
Vanora glanced toward the stairwell doors on either side of the foyer. Her stomach felt like an exploded balloon in her body. She was afraid, and it was a bitter taste on her tongue. “Okay, then which door? The one to the parking garage?”
With a growl, Armando paced back and forth between the elevators, sliding his hands through his hair. After a few short rotations, he said, “Let’s take the ones down to the lobby. The parking garage is a good place for an ambush. There are too many places for them to hide and limited exits.”
“Wouldn’t they be watching all the ways out of the building?” There mere thought of Aeron’s vampires surrounding the building was claustrophobic. Vanora was tempted to retreat to Armando’s haven. Yet, she had to be sensible. It was only a matter of time before Aeron found them. Staying put wouldn’t keep them safe.
“The lobby is still a better exit. We can make a run for the nearby neighborhood and find transportation there.” Armando finally stopped fretfully prowling about and sighed. “We just have to risk it.”
Vanora wrapped her scarf around her throat and looped her purse across her chest. Exhaling, she tried to ignore the agitated beating of her heart. “Basically, we’re fucked either way.”
Recognizing her distress, Armando immediately drew close and set his hands on her shoulders. His golden eyes met hers in a loving yet resolute gaze. “I will fight for us. I won’t let him take you.”
His fervent words coaxed a smile out of her. “My hero.”
Armando cocked his head and forced a cheery grin that wasn’t reflected in his eyes. “I’m the dashing hero, no? So… remember… if I tell you to run, you need to run.”
“I can handle myself, Armando,” Vanora said, bristling at his commanding tone.
“Yes, I know. My couch learned that lesson the hard way.”
Vanora smirked.
Armando brushed her cheek with his fingertips gently. “But do you really know the full extent of your abilities yet? How long you can use your power before it falters?”
Exhaling, Vanora shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
“Therefore, if I tell you to run...” He bestowed his most charming smile on her.
“I’ll run,” she acquiesced reluctantly.
Armando cupped her face and pressed his lips to hers. Vanora clung to his leather jacket, holding him close for a few precious seconds. Fear tangled with desire. If only they could have a moment of true peace between them without the threat of Aeron’s wrath hovering over them.
Breaking their kiss, Armando whispered, “Let’s go, Vanora. We can’t afford to linger here.”
“I’m scared,” Vanora admitted.
“I am too. But we’re united. We’re strong.”
“Yes, we are.”
Armando guided her toward the heavy metal door that opened to the right stairwell. Warily, he swiped a card through the reader next to the exit and gripped the door latch. Vanora sucked in a breath through her teeth as her power fizzled beneath her fingertips. She wasn’t yet ready to face Aeron, and she dreaded what might be waiting for them on the other side.
“If they’re here…” Armando’s fingers slid down her arm toward her hand, but stopped at her wrist.
“I’m ready, Armando.” It was a lie, but seemed to temporarily assuage his worries.
The door creaked as the vampire pressed it open and revealed the empty landing.
Vanora shivered with relief.
The dimly-lit area smelled musty and the air was much colder in the enclosed area. Armando took point with Vanora close behind. The couple’s footsteps echoed throughout the narrow passage as they rushed downward. Her gloved hand slid along the metal banister, her magic sending small sparks into the gloom beneath them. A few times Vanora glanced over the rail to the landings below. It appeared no one else lurked in the stairwell.
“Maybe we left in time,” Vanora said. “No one seems to be here.”
“Let’s hope we continue to be lucky,” Armando replied, glancing over his shoulder at her as they neared the lower floors.
A heartbeat later, the lights below flickered before dying completely.
The couple froze.
A frigid draft spiraling up through the center of the stairwell encased Vanora’s nerve endings in ice. Had someone opened the door to the lobby, or was the sensation supernatural?
“The lights some
times go out in here,” Armando said, but his tone was uncertain. “The college students on the lower floors mess with the lights to hide when they prop the lobby doors open to let friends in for parties instead of constantly buzzing them up.” He pointed to a security camera. “It’s in the rules of the building that you can’t do that, so--”
“It’s not college students. I sense something,” Vanora said, cutting him off as the sensation of acute danger rushed through her and pulsed in the very marrow of her bones.
“Damn,” Armando muttered, but didn’t argue. His trust in her meant so much.
“Don’t you feel anything?” she questioned.
“Aeron’s vampires don’t register as enemies since we’re of the same blood, but I trust you. If you believe they’re here, then they’re here.”
The stairwell was pitch black. Far below, only the dim illumination emanating from the exit sign leading to the lobby pushed back the edge of the dark curtain. Vanora craned her head to look up. Lights above were flickering ominously. Closing her eyes, she let her mystical aptitude rise to claim her senses. A thick, ominous darkness was both above and below them. She could see it in her mind’s eye. It wasn’t a physical form, but the manifestation of danger.
“They’re here. Aeron’s people. In your apartment and on the ground floor.” Vanora pressed her hand gently against his back, urging him to continue. “We need to get out of here.”
They hurried, aware of the looming blackness that waited below. When they reached the bottom floor without attack, Vanora exhaled with relief. Armando reached for the door handle and Vanora gripped his arm with her hands. Terror licked at her nerves and touching him grounded her.
Cracking the door open, Armando peered into the lobby. “I can’t see anything.”
He opened the door all the way. The lobby was completely devoid of light. Vanora could barely discern the doors to the outside. Though she fully expected an attack, nothing stirred in the murk to confront them. The unnerving impression of being watched pricked at her senses.
In Darkness We Must Abide: The Complete Third Season Page 18
