Tower of Ancients

by Jaeger Mitchells

  “You—are Blood Elves! You’re a Princess! You both are!”

  Its voice turned slightly higher in pitch and sounded more Human-like. Was it copying our voices and way of speech? It sure improved each time it opened its mouth.

  “How do you know?” Sylvana asked as she got out from behind me.

  “I’m the gatekeeper, my Princess. The Ancients imbued me with their last magic and knowledge. I can see by the magic that surrounds your bodies.”

  “You can see our aura?”

  “Aura? Is that what—you call it? No matter, the ancient—Bloodline is still alive!” It laughed and winced again. It finally gave out and dropped to the ground, heaving from pain. “Now I can finally—die in peace— after two thousand years.”

  “What the fuck are you all on about? Since where are you royalty?”

  “Since forever,” Helena whispered. “You wouldn’t accept it even if we said so.”

  “What?” I demanded. “You don’t know shit if you think like that!”

  “Stop it! Just look at the thing, it’s dying!”

  Dimas walked up to us and shielded Helena with his body.

  “Quite a surprise, my ladies,” he laughed. “Anya should have told me, but she remained silent about the matter.”

  “I did because you two would act the way you’re now,” she said, speaking up in support of the girls. Women kept together it seemed, no matter where one went.

  “Blood Elves are too powerful under certain conditions,” Sylvana replied. “Given enough blood, they can cast incredibly powerful spells, heal any kind of wound, put up barriers that are impervious to any type of attack, and much more. Trust me, you wouldn't want to come across one that knows what they’re doing. Unlike us.”

  “Yeah, I barely survived an encounter with a pair of sisters in my youth,” Dimas added. “They really put the hurt on me back then.”

  I drifted off as I sat down, my power drained beyond anything that I felt over the last couple of decades. Something was really wrong with me.

  “Princesses, are those creatures with you?” the Minotaur asked, looking past the sisters at Dimas and me. His eyes narrowed on mine, studying me a bit closer this time.

  “Yes, they are!” Sylvana replied quickly as she stepped in front of me protectively, holding her arms out to the sides. It was only then that she noticed I was sitting and turned around, a scowl on her face. “What the hell?”

  Helena stepped out and held her hands up as if telling it she meant no harm. The creature rolled over and pressed its head against the ground, bowing before her.

  “I pledge my—allegiance to you. Whatever you wish—I’ll heed your call.”

  Its eyes rolled up into its skull as it slumped over, losing consciousness.

  No one moved at first, not quite understanding what just happened, but then the sisters rushed forward and knelt beside the creature. Each of them cast spells to try and heal its wounds, but no spell helped. The torn arm was too bad to be mended easily by healing spells and the second wound on its chest and shoulder was much too deep.

  “Help him, Raziel!” Helena screamed, looking right at me. “Give him your blood, heal him! Do something!”

  I was barely sitting upright. Why didn’t the fool realize I was about to drop dead as well? I couldn’t even speak at that point. Dimas looked down at me and frowned.

  “What the hell is wrong with you? Don’t tell me you need some healing as well.”

  Sylvana rushed over to me and offered her neck, finally realizing I wasn’t doing so well. All of us had been caught off guard by the Minotaur that we forgot about anything else. I kissed the spot first, then sank my teeth into her neck. Fresh Elven blood flowing through my veins helped to activate my healing ability. Energy rushed back into my body, but then it stopped again as if cut off by someone. At least I had enough power to stand with her help and walk over to the creature. I drew my dagger and cut my wrist open, pouring whatever blood had formed in my veins into its mouth.

  “What a fucking day, and what a fucking creature,” I murmured, slumping over and hitting the ground like a sack of meat. “What strength—and what willpower.”

  “Raziel? Raziel!”

  I could hear Sylvana’s voice in the back of my mind as my eyes closed shut, darkness coming over me and I drifted off into sleep. I would finally have some rest if I didn’t die.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  A constant hammering in the back of my mind forced me awake. Everything remained dark despite the sensation of coming back to my senses. A dull ache ran through my body, from my toes and up to my head. A faint warmth radiated from nearby along with a scent that was familiar.

  “He’s waking up,” the gentle and familiar voice said.

  I tried to mumble something incoherent, but my mouth wouldn’t open. It was dry and all power was drained from my body. At least the burning sensation across my chest was gone that.

  “Where—am I?”

  “Ahh, he can finally talk!” the voice said cheerfully.

  I tried to open my eyes, but the light was too bright and assailed all my senses.

  “Why the hell—is it so bright in here?” I hissed, closing my eyes shut and turning away from the source of light. A pair of feet scuffled off and came back in a couple of heartbeats.

  “You can open them now, Lord Raziel,” Sylvana whispered. “I see you’re still feeling like shit.”

  I let out a weak chuckle, it was all I had the strength for. My eyes fluttered open for the second time, only to see Sylvana sitting on the edge of the bed, half-naked. All that covered her perfect, pale body was a sheer nightgown. Where the hell had she gotten that from?

  “How long have you been here?” I asked, trying to push off the bed. She pulled me up and helped me lean against the cold, stone wall. Her touch was as smooth as silk and left longing for more.

  “Ever since you collapsed outside. All of them have come to check up on you one by one, but I didn’t let anyone linger longer than a minute. You needed the rest.”

  “I see. And you’ve washed my body while you were at it?” I asked, noticing I was fully naked, even under the sheets. She nodded.

  “And I’ve been feeding you as well if it counts for anything. A little bit at a time.”

  I let out a deep sigh just as she leaned in and pressed her cheek against my chest. Her hair smelled of lavender for some reason, as if she’d just taken a bath and came in here.

  “I think I’ll need much more than you’ve already given me.”

  She shrugged.

  “You can drain Helena first. She’s not doing anything anyway, I’ll send for her.”

  “No, I was just—.”

  Sylvana placed her long finger against my lips, hushing me, then got up and walked over to the door.

  “Can someone call Helena?”

  “I’m already here,” the sister replied from the other side of the wooden door. “Can I come in or are you two doing something?”

  “Yeah, please,” Sylvana replied as she slid the lock open. Helena came waltzing in, wearing only slightly more than her sister, though it wasn’t sheer. It wasn’t quite a nightgown, nor was it a dress. Women and their ways of procuring clothes were beyond me. But then again, maybe it was Anya providing them with stuff from her own special dome.

  “Here,” she whispered, sat down, and pushed her hair back. I didn’t wait for a second invitation and gently punctured her neck with the tips of my fangs. She gasped as the pain only lasted for a second before it turned to pleasure for both. Her blood was as sweet as nectar, and my bite as addictive as a breath of life to someone attracted to Lefrand’s Bloodline.

  Helena moaned as I sank my fangs further into her flesh and started draining her at a faster pace. Sylvana’s hand landed on my shoulder and she squeezed for me to stop, but I couldn’t. She tasted better than anything I had in my life, including the older sister.

  “R-Raziel!” she groaned, trying to push me away.

  “That�
��s enough, please!” Sylvana added. She was smart enough not to try anything or I might have attacked her accidentally, so she shot an icicle at my back, smashing the thing into my skin. I pulled away from Helena and snarled at my assailant, then shook my head awake.

  “What the hell just happened?” I whispered, wiping the sweet blood off my lips and licked my hand clean. None of it should be spilled, especially not something as valuable as royal Elven blood.

  “You wouldn’t let go,” Sylvana replied, helping her sister get up and pushed her out of the room. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, I’m sorry. Please forgive me, Helena. I’ve never lost control ever since I can remember.”

  “It’s—alright, I guess. Thanks for healing Minotaur. This was to repay you for the favor.”

  I nodded knowingly. Good, so the creature lived. What a sight it would be to send him into a crowd of enemy soldiers. He’d slice them all up in pieces.

  Helena nodded once more and left the room, closing the door behind her. Sylvana sat next to me again, wiping what little blood remained on my cheek clean.

  “How long have I been out? What’s our situation?” I asked anxiously, finally feeling better. No, not better, amazing. Her pure and powerful blood healed whatever small wounds along my chest yet had to and returned all of my power in mere seconds. Shit, I’d have to protect these two, if nothing but for the blood. This was a lifesaver and pure aphrodisiac.

  “Not long. It’s been two days. As to what’s up, you’ll have to see for yourself. Mervan and his men, or what remained behind, went at it all day, helping with whatever tasks were needed.”

  “How many stayed behind?”

  “About three thousand.”

  I nodded appreciatively. If I’d been one of the soldiers or even Mervan, I’d just retreat without helping a former enemy, no matter how much he promised to reward me.

  “More than I hoped for in all honesty. I wouldn’t have given him anything after losing a thousand cavalry.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I said as well,” she chuckled. “Anyway, we’ve settled inside the tower. It has quite a unique and wonderful layout. Do you want me to tell you about it or do you want to see it for yourself?”

  “You can skim the details if you want.”

  She nodded and laid herself in my arms. Sylvana’s body was warm, much warmer than I remembered from last time. It almost made me want to jump and ravage her now that I was back in full power.

  “So, the entrance is a massive, open space with two wide staircases. One leads up and one down. The one leading down goes thirty feet deep before it ends in another open space that used to be a housing area we assume. There were hundreds of beds, tables, and chairs lined up in rows. Same with the next seven floors. On the ninth floor, there is a large door that’s closed off with magic. We didn’t want to fool with it for now since we have no idea what’s down there.”

  “Which is a good move. I doubt you’d be able to handle another Minotaur or two.”

  “Yeah, well, whatever. Anyway, the soldiers have settled in the upper four floors, while Dimas’ Coven has taken the ninth floor and is keeping an eye out on the door. As for the upper floors, well, we’re on the thirteenth floor right now. It had the best facilities from what we could see and is best equipped for someone—of your stature.”

  I scoffed, then let out a chuckle.

  “My stature? Right.”

  “I’m serious. Helena and I have taken the twelfth so we can be close to you until everything is settled.”

  “Which was the wrong thing to do. Move up to my floor. We’ll need all the space.”

  “Yeah, I thought you’d be saying as much,” she purred, looking up at me with hungry eyes.

  “So you’ll join me?”

  She shrugged.

  “Only if you ask me to.”

  “Yeah, I’m asking you to. Oh, and what about Mervan? Is he still around?”

  She shook her head in displeasure.

  “No, he left a couple of hours ago. Oh, and he left you a message saying if there was any more room for people if the need arose? And that he’d fulfill his part of the deal and send supplies.”

  “Good, good. Now, I don’t think there’s anything else I need to be aware off. Why don’t we have some time off for ourselves?”

  Sylvana bit her lower lip in anticipation, her eyes glistening under my gaze. I smiled at her smugly, focusing my attention on her hips. She followed my gaze as I pulled her in closer. Both of her hands pulled at my cock, pressing it against her naked belly. I grinned, nodding at her to assume the task.

  “I didn’t know you were so hungry for me,” I whispered, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. Her cheeks turned crimson at my mention and she looked away.

  “I don’t think that’s the right thing to say in such a situation, is it?”

  I shrugged.

  “I’m a Vampire. Forgive me for sometimes being tactless. It’s not on purpose.”

  She took the initiative, moving both hands along my shaft as I rocked my hips into her hands. Her thumb rubbed the tip of my cock, feeling a sweet stickiness at the tip as I slid my hand between her legs and rubbed her clit, my fingers sliding in and out slowly.

  Her hips met my movements as she groaned, arching her head back. I removed her hands and slid her atop of me, sliding my shaft in between her legs.

  “Why the hell would I have such feelings for you?” she whispered. “Why do I have to love someone?”

  Sylvana couldn’t meet my eyes as she spoke but kept on moving her hips rhythmically. I put my arms around her, embracing the warm body as her hands moved up and pressed against my chest.

  “Because I’m not like the other men you used to have around,” I replied, squeezing down on her ass cheeks. She let out a small yelp and laughed playfully.

  “Your heart isn’t even beating. We shouldn’t even be together, right? You belong to the—dead, and I to the living.”

  “Then do you want this to stop?”

  She moaned as I thrust my hips in further and harder.

  “N-No! Never!”

  I wouldn’t deny the possibility I could love someone with all my undead being, but wasn’t it too quick? No, why would it be? Life was short, and if I could have a single day in happiness I would gladly choose to do so.

  I eased into her onto the bed, her body melting in my arms. My hands slid under her legs and pulled her in slightly closer, then started moving my hips faster and slamming home hard. She cried out in between two moans and looked away, covering her face with her hands.

  “You’re—different this time.”

  “This time it’s more personal,” I growled as I kept increasing my pace. “You’ve shown me your devotion, so why not make you my mate for as long as we live?”

  “Yes! But what—about that—.”

  “Shh, not now!” I growled again and bit down on her right breast, just around the areola. “There’s only you and me now!”

  My tongue traced along her breast and up her collarbone, ending on her neck. She looked away, opening her neck for me. I bit down and drank, devouring her life and absorbing it viciously. But I controlled myself. I wouldn’t hurt her, just enough to show her she was mine.

  Her eyelashes fluttered in the dim light as she tried to hold it in, but wasn’t doing a very good job. Moans and tiny screams escaped her lips as my steel-hard rod kept penetrating her.

  The emerald green in her eyes brought out the passion and devotion I could see was all just for me. I hadn’t expected her to change so quickly. Was it the near-death situation? Probably something else entirely.

  I could feel her muscles tightening up and feel that she was about to come. I slowed down, drawing the moment out and let it pass, teasing her.

  “No! Don’t stop!” she pleaded, but I wouldn’t play to her tune, at least not this time. My hands pressed down on her hips and pulled her up in an embrace. Her lips searched for mine, her tongue shooting out and entering my mouth. She tasted sweet
like honey on a warm summer morning. All kinds of feelings I thought disappeared came back rushing in, giving me a taste of my past, the kind I’d never have again.

  I pulled her upwards and started thrusting harder and faster than moments ago, giving her the wildest ride of her life. Her smooth skin glistened with sweat as she leaned in to kiss me again. I bit down on her lower lip, drawing the tiniest amount of blood and licked it up. The sweet sensation made me go even wilder and thrust harder.

  A gleam from the moon shone through the wide window, bathing her in its gentle light. My Elven princess, my queen.

  Her eyes started rolling back as her muscles spasmed, sending a wave of pleasure up my cock. A sudden surge of pleasure and emotions washed over me as I released inside her. I Got up and held her in my embrace as I kept on thrusting, using every moment to enjoy the orgasm as long as possible.

  Sylvana pressed her body against mine, kissing me passionately. I could see the burden drop off her shoulders. She must have been in a dilemma or a constant fear of what might happen. No, I wouldn’t act like an asshole. She earned herself a spot at my side. Who knew if Sarga would even come through with her promise, but for now it was all about the two of us.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  “Fuck!” I cursed, finally remembering the most important thing at hand. “What’s with Lefrand’s army?”

  “I don’t really know. We sent out a bunch of scouts, but many have yet to return. Dimas sent two of his sons as well, so we should have some news soon I hope.”

  I nodded appreciatively and laid back down on the bed as she sat atop me, straddling me with her hips. This was the third time we finished over the last two hours and I was slowly getting spent. She, on the other hand, looked as if she was just getting started. Our bodies were slick with sweat and juices, but we didn’t care.

  The door suddenly burst open, followed by a group of people walking in on us. At the head stood Slayer, followed by Stalker, Sentinel, and Grestal. They froze in equal measure once their minds processed what just happened.