Vanora craned her head to look up at him. “Is she right?”
Armando gave her question thoughtful consideration, not wanting to make a mistake. “Yes, I think Alisha’s right. He won’t kill her. Not at first. Though at some point down the line he may press you to kill her if he feels she’s trying to turn you against him.”
“But we wouldn’t have to be there long, right?” Alisha looked expectantly at Vanora as she lightly rocked back and forth on her heels. It was a nervous motion.
“I want to go during the day. I need some time before seeing him to prepare,” Vanora confessed. “I want to see Siana the Oracle before Aeron rises.”
It was obvious that Vanora was afraid to confront Aeron. Feelings of rage and jealousy burned inside Armando. That Vanora was being forced into this position infuriated him. If he could kill Arianrhod himself, he would. She was long dead even if her magic was still in effect. The ancient goddess had thrown a long shadow over not only his life and Vanora’s, but the entire world.
Alisha clenched her hands and growled with frustration. “Fuck!”
Slipping from Armando’s grasp, Vanora went to her sister and took her into her embrace. “I know you want to be there for me, but I need to keep focused. I can’t be worrying about you on top of trying to find a way to destroy Aeron. And I know once I’m in his haven, I have to act fast before...” Vanora’s voice tapered off. “I fear what may happen once I’m in his presence. I don’t want to lose myself.”
Alisha clutched her younger sibling close and pressed several firm kisses to her cheek. Tears glinting in her eyes, she stepped back and raked her fingers through her short hair. “So what do I do?”
“Hide. Stay safe. And wait for me to call you.”
“Fine. But at least have Dexios go with you. I kinda trust him. A lot more than Leto. Honestly, I’m kinda afraid she’ll try to kill you to see if it will kill Aeron, too.”
“The thought crossed my mind,” Vanora admitted.
Armando remained leaning against the wall. He was uncertain he had the strength to watch Vanora leave, then realized she would wait until he was sleeping to make it easier on both of them.
The window shattered, the frame splintering, and cold air gushed into the room as a massive man landed in their midst. Eyes glowing like a wolf’s, Pólemos grinned.
“Found you,” he said, and lunged for Vanora.
* * *
Vanora ducked under the grasping hand of her attacker and pivoted away from him. Alisha slashed the face of the werewolf and he slapped her into the wall, plaster pulverizing beneath the impact of her body. The air filled with thick, white dust. Coughing violently, Vanora edged along the wall, trying to get her bearings.
Armando struck the enemy werewolf, knocking him off his feet and through the closet door. The wolfman laughed and rolled easily upright. Long, sharp claws slid out of his fingertips. As his face elongated to form a snout filled with sharp teeth, the werewolf howled.
Outside the house, the baying of wolves answered.
It must have been a signal, for immediately afterward loud thumps, crashes, and growls reverberated through the small house and the wall at Vanora’s back shuddered.
Only seconds had passed since the werewolf exploded through the window, but time appeared to slow as the battle continued with bloody ferocity. Every movement of the three battling supernatural beings was frighteningly vivid and easy for Vanora to track: Armando’s crushing blows to the werewolf’s chest, Alisha’s slashing fingers raking the werewolf’s shoulders and neck, the beast’s thrusting, stabbing claws punching into Alisha and Armando’s bodies. Blood painted the walls and floor. With petrifying power, the werewolf banged both Alisha and Armando to the floor.
The killing blows were already in motion when Vanora stepped forward and shouted, “No!”
The power that had been gradually intensifying within her burst free of Vanora. She screamed in agony. The white magic lashed out of Vanora’s chest and thrashed the werewolf like glowing whips. The surprise of her attack allowed Alisha and Armando to roll out of the werewolf’s range. The magical assault beat the werewolf back into a corner as he growled in agony, his clothes and pelt smoking.
The white tendrils vanished, sparkling motes lingering in the air as Vanora slumped against the wall. Exhaustion swept over her with such force she could barely keep her eyes open or even lift her hands to deflect the chunks of plaster that pelted her as Alisha swung the closet door at the werewolf’s head and missed. Her fingers clawed at the floor as she attempted in vain to summon more magic. The well of her power was empty. In frustration, she cried out.
Evading another attack by Armando, the werewolf rushed Vanora. Armando only just caught the beast by the scruff of his neck and wrenched him backward. The werewolf struck the far wall and broke through it into the hallway beyond.
“Pólemos, Aeron’s lap dog,” Armando sneered.
Transformed into a creature that was neither wolf nor man, but both, Pólemos rose to his full height. Bending down, he peered through the massive hole in the interior wall. Snarling, the werewolf stepped through the jagged opening.
“Armando, the traitor,” the wolf lisped through sharp teeth.
Again and again, Vanora struggled to draw on her magic, but she was empty. Her body screamed for nourishment and her mind was muddled. Sobbing, she watched her lover face down the gruesome wolf-creature.
Alisha ducked around the fight and crouched next to Vanora. “We got to go.”
“Help him,” Vanora urged, her eyes tracking Armando as he fought the werewolf.
“I have to take care of you.” Her older sister slung an arm about her waist and hoisted her to her feet.
Vanora sagged against Alisha, exhausted completely. “Please, Alisha.”
“You’re the priority.”
Alisha easily lifted her into her arms, and after one last wary look at the brawl, she leaped through the broken window. The sisters landed in the narrow side yard and Alisha scurried toward the rear of the house with Vanora clinging to her.
“I’m sorry...” Vanora whispered. It was her fault that so much death was occurring. If she just relented and went to Aeron, no one else had to die. Yet, she knew she had to be at full power when she finally confronted Aeron, or she would be risking not only herself, but the world.
“Shhh.” Alisha scooted to the edge of the building and peered into the backyard.
The entire house was shaking, and from inside came the sound of fierce combat.
“There are wolves in the back, too.” Alisha craned her head to look up.
Vanora followed her gaze. “Can you fly?”
“I don’t know about that, but I can jump.”
A second later, Alisha alighted on the roof of the house and laid Vanora on the shuddering tiles. “I’m not sure we’re safe here, Sweet Pea, but I don’t know where to go.”
“We need to wait for Armando.”
Alisha didn’t answer, but hunched down, watching the edges of the roof nervously.
Vanora fought against the need to rest and restore herself. She wanted to fight. Armando was in danger, yet she couldn’t even lift her head off the cold roof. A gnawing, terrible hunger filled her gut. She pawed at the bag still wrapped about her body. Alisha realized what she was doing and opened it for her.
“The protein bars,” Vanora managed to say.
Poised over her protectively, Alisha broke off small bits of the bar to feed her. Vanora choked down the chalky food, but it only took a few bites before she started to feel more alert. Alisha huddled close to Vanora, her gaze constantly shifting to make sure no one was sneaking up on them.
“I need to get my powers pumped back up,” Vanora muttered. “I need to help Armando.” The thought of losing him was unbearable.
“Armando is strong. He can take care of himself.”
The house groaned beneath them and shifted to one side. Alarmed, Vanora gripped the tiles.
“Maybe we should go
,” Alisha lamented. “But where?”
With a sickening crack, the roof gave way beneath Vanora and she fell through the gap and into the battle below.
* * *
As the roof collapsed, Alisha scrambled to find purchase while reaching for her sister. Vanora’s startled face vanished into the darkness as she plummeted into the house. At once, Alisha dropped through the hole.
The air was filled with dust, pulverized plaster, and blood. As she fell, Alisha twisted about so she landed on her feet. The floor was uneven and she pitched forward. Blindly, she floundered, trying to catch herself. There was nothing to grab, so she tumbled onto broken floorboards and torn carpet.
The thick, hazy air and darkness made it difficult to see, but scant feet away the vampires and werewolves were at war. The glowing eyes, clawed hands, and long teeth of the vampires made them appear just as feral as the partially-transformed werewolves. Only a few of the pack were completely altered into their man-beast forms. Alisha thought she saw Armando fighting against several wolves as Leto and Pólemos battled savagely. It seemed the ancient werewolves were the ones doing most of the damage to the house.
Vanora crawled out of the murk and tugged on Alisha’s pant leg. “This way.”
The sisters scooted down the hall and through the doorway to the bathroom. Once inside, Alisha swung the door shut and locked it automatically. It was a futile action, of course. A lock wouldn’t keep the werewolves out.
Vanora was still obviously weak, so Alisha picked her up. “I need to figure out what to do.”
“Armando needs me,” Vanora said, her voice strained with panic and exhaustion.
“No, he needs you to stay put,” Alisha replied, and placed her sister in the tub. “Stay here,” she ordered, pushing Vanora down out of sight. “I need to keep you safe.”
To her relief, Vanora obeyed.
Alisha jerked a cabinet door off its hinges and laid it over the tub, hiding Vanora further. Hopefully, it would also keep her safe if the house collapsed around them, which was appearing more and more like a possibility. A quick search for a weapon turned up nothing, so Alisha pulled a towel rack from the wall and freed the wood bar. It would have to do.
Something struck the door, cracking the wood and pulling the hinges partially out of the frame. Taking a few steps back put a safe distance between her and the door as she prepared to fight. Another blow sent the door flying toward her. Purely on reflex, Alisha kicked it back, striking the invading werewolf. A frustrated growl coaxed a smile of satisfaction onto her face as the werewolf struggled to get the door out of its way. When it finally got the obstruction tossed to one side, Alisha attacked.
Thrusting the wood bar, she struck the beast with the pointed end, punching holes in its hide. A hard swipe of its massive hand sent her into the wall, claws raking open her face. Fiery wounds left her gasping, but she ducked under the next assault and stabbed the werewolf in the gut. Feet planted on the tiled floor, she shoved the bar through the werewolf’s body. Hot blood poured over her hands and made the floor slippery. The wounded werewolf’s claws ripped at her arms and back. The pain was excruciating. Hissing, Alisha bared her fangs, dragged the bar out of the beast’s body, then stabbed it through the heart. The death howl and shudders of the dying creature didn’t elicit feelings of despair, but of satisfaction. Shoving the hairy beast off her, Alisha knocked it into the hallway while dragging the blood-coated wood bar from the corpse.
From other parts of the house came the sound of vicious fighting. The structure shivered and groaned. Through the dark and an enormous opening in a disintegrating wall, Alisha could discern a skirmish in the back room. Escaping through the rear of the house was out. Another battle raged just up the hallway. The sisters were surrounded by violence and death.
Uncertain, Alisha stood defensively in the doorway, weighing her options. To her relief, Dexios darted out of the living room and down the narrow hallway toward her. He was more man than wolf, allowing him to move faster through the crumbling house. Scooting under a fallen beam, he skidded through the blood and almost fell.
Alisha grabbed his hand and hoisted him into the bathroom.
“You okay?” he asked breathlessly.
“Yeah.”
“Vanora?”
Alisha jerked her head toward the tub. “I need to get her out of here.”
“Agreed, but we’re out numbered.”
“Where’s Armando?” Vanora asked, shoving the cabinet door to one side. With some difficulty, she tried to climb out of the bath.
“Fighting. Leto came to his rescue and is fighting Pólemos. Sheila and Alexander are still standing. Pólemos’s pack still outnumbers us. Oh, and Greg disappeared. “
“Of course,” Alisha grunted.
“What do you expect of a demon?” Vanora commented with exasperation.
Dexios’s fingers lightly pressed against the slashes on Alisha’s face. She realized they were healing and glanced down to see most of the blood that had been covering her was gone.
“Your body accepted the blood,” Dexios noted.
“I guess we’ll figure out what that means later.” Alisha licked her lips, tasting the potent blood of the wolf.
“Get me out of here. I need to help Armando.” Vanora struggled to lift her body out of the porcelain tub.
“We need to get you out of here,” Alisha retorted, but she did help her sister from of the confining space. Eyeing the small window, Alisha pointed at it. “That may have to be our exit.”
“You can fit through it,” Dexios decided. “I’ll stand guard. Hurry.”
“No!” Vanora wagged her head adamantly. “I have to help Armando. He can’t die for me.”
“What if he wants to? What if that is what he’s chosen to do? So you can finish this?” Dexios speared Vanora with a pointed glare. “Don’t be selfish. Don’t sacrifice yourself foolishly.”
Alisha fully expected Vanora to protest, but instead her sister swallowed any objection and turned toward the window.
The werewolf returned to watching the hallway.
Standing on the rim of the tub, Alisha slammed her fist against the window, shattering the glass. Then, grabbing the metal frame, she wrenched the whole thing out of the wall, forming a bigger hole.
“I’ll go first.”
“Where are we going?” Vanora asked.
“Just find a safe place to hide,” Dexios instructed.
“How will she know how to get to Aeron’s haven?” Alisha didn’t even want to ask the question, but she knew her sister would insist on going.
“I’ll know how to get there,” Vanora replied gloomily. “My bond to Aeron will guide me.”
The forlorn look on Dexios face reflected Alisha’s own feelings. The werewolf said, “Very well. I’ll wait for you there... if I survive.”
Alisha wanted to hug him in gratitude, but knew she needed to hurry. Popping her head cautiously out of the hole in the wall she’d made, she scrutinized the area. The fence and the back of the garage shielded the area from prying eyes. There weren’t any werewolves in sight. She hauled herself out of the window, clung to the edge like a spider, surprised at how easy it was to hold onto the wall, then reached into the house for her sister.
Inside the bathroom, Dexios shouted to hurry before being tackled by two werewolves. Horrified, Alisha fought the urge to go to his rescue and concentrated on Vanora.
“Hurry, Snow Pea,” she urged.
Tears staining her face, Vanora clung to Alisha’s hand and allowed herself to be lifted through the opening. Carefully, Alisha set her sister down in the yard before dropping down beside her. The noises emanating from inside the house were horrific. The lack of any police response was evidence of how overwhelmed the department must be by Aeron’s purge.
“Where?” Vanora whispered.
Alisha gestured toward the fence. “Up, over, and keep going until we’re safe.”
“We just can’t leave,” Vanora protested again.
> “If we don’t, we’re a hindrance,” Alisha replied, remembering her own reluctance earlier in the night. Now she felt foolish about her prior behavior. So much had happened since that first attack at the mausoleum and she’d learned so much.
“But--”
“You’re not at full strength, Vanora,” Alisha snapped.
“No,” Vanora reluctantly admitted.
“Right. So we go. And hope for the best.”
Looping her arm under her sister’s, she tugged Vanora against her side and hurried toward the fence. They were nearing the faded wooden structure covered in dead vines when a flash of green fire erupted out of the ground before them. Greg appeared, breathing heavily, and holding an orb of green flame in one hand.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Alisha hissed at him.
“Powering up and making this special magic bomb,” Greg answered gruffly, then threw the ball of fire at the house.
Immediately, the supernatural conflagration spread along the outside of the house.
“You idiot! You’ll kill our friends!” Vanora gasped.
“No, sweet tits, it won’t. I made that special. Consider it a magic-guided missile aimed only at the baddies.” Breathing heavily, Greg set his hands on his knees, visibly shaking. “I’m gonna throw up.”
Seeing the immense toll his magic had taken on him, Alisha decided not to beat him to a pulp for his comment to Vanora. Watching the flames consuming the house, Alisha realized the structure wasn’t actually burning. The magical flames disappeared into the structure and screams of pain erupted.
Alisha tapped Greg’s ankle with her foot. “We need to go.”
“We need to wait,” Greg replied. “There are vampires in the neighborhood. I saw them when I was hiding and casting the spell. Vanora and I are too tapped out to fight. We need the others to escape.”
“Then this better work,” Vanora said, staring at the house. “Or we’re fucked.”
In Darkness We Must Abide: The Complete Third Season Page 23
