Once the whirlpool in the water ceased, I waited ten minutes. When I couldn’t wait any longer, I stood to my feet. Time was passing and I knew that the end was coming. I needed to make my move. Valcrum is distracted with managing all life forms everywhere, but he is not stupid.
“Victoria. Come to me.” My booming voiced caused the sparrows in the trees to take flight and soar through the sky. I feet stepped over the warm spot where Thalia’s body was just a few moments ago. I continued walking until the water was too deep to stand, and I swam further out. The temperature was pleasantly warm. When I swam to the center the temperature turned cold, and the water went from clear to murky. Something strong wrapped around my leg. It was rubbery and slick as I fought to get the octopus off my leg.
“You dare to show your face here! Do you want to die Trevor,” said Victoria?
She had not surfaced, and I could not see her through the water. Her voice vibrated through the tree branches. It was impossible to pinpoint her location. I had forgotten how she liked to play games. It was just one of the reasons I hated her.
“You allowed me to live. I do not have time for your games. I need you.” I lunged to my left, but she was not there. Flinging a fish away from me, I gritted my teeth.
“Do you want me to beg?” I have never begged in my life. I’m not sure I know how it is done.
Her head popped up. “When I’m done with you, you’ll do a whole lot more.”
“What do you want from me?” I kicked my legs, treading water in place. The current was getting stronger. That or this freeloading thing on my leg was getting heavier.
“Everything. You will give me everything I want from you. You know what your problem is Trevor?” She dipped under the water and came back up floating on her back.
“No, but I am sure you are going to tell me.” I concentrated all my energy and blasted at the octopus on my leg. Its tentacles loosened but it didn’t fall from my leg. Digging my nails into its black slippery flesh, I pried it from my leg and threw it far away from me. My life force seeped from my body from the four punctured holes in my right leg.
“You want everything your way, and you don’t want to sacrifice anything to get it. You don’t care about anything but yourself.” She picked up a floating flower and picked the pink petals off tossing them around her.
“Victoria, you and I are a lot alike. We both want what we want and will stop at nothing to get it. I care about other people besides myself.” I cared about Lily. I will always care about her. That is at least one person. To me that’s progress.
“You cared about that woman and look what happened. Your caring killed her.”
“Find me when you want to talk, and if I still want to deal with you then I will.” I have had enough. This place hurts my soul and Victoria’s lies irritate me like cancer. I must have been crazy to think she would help anyway. I swam toward the rocks, but something pulled me under the water. The water stung my eyes, so I closed them.
The black octopus wrapped one tentacle around my neck and one around my leg. It squirted something into my wound. It dragged me further underneath the water. I concentrated and shot a bolt of lightning through it. The tentacles unwrapped and it fell toward the bottom. Swimming back up, my head broke through the water. A sense of weakness circulated through my body, and I shivered despite its warmth. I crawled to the rocks and rolled myself on my back.
My chest heaved as I struggled to breath. I lifted my head to look at my right leg. It had turned black. There was a black substance circulating through my veins. I closed my eyes.
“Why would you go and tangle with a black Mobuka? You are so self-destructive,” said Victoria. She walked out of the water and crawled over my body.
When she opened her mouth, her split pink tongue licked my earlobe. Her salty, wet skin dripped more water on me as she settles on top of me. An aroma of lilies traveled to my nose. When a nymph wanted intimacy, they secreted a scent, and the scent would lure men to them. Victoria’s scent smelled like lilies. It should smell like decay because she killed without prejudice. Everything that smells good to you is not good for you.
“Do not play coy with me Victoria. I know you summoned that monster on me.” I tried to sit up but pain shot through my chest. My breath came out in short bursts as my head dropped back down to the ground.
“Do you know what a Black Mobuka is? It is a tiny monster that is usually harmless but when angry will squirt a thick purple substance that blinds and burns the eyes,” said Victoria. She rubbed my hair away from my face.
“Woman, get off of me.” I rocked trying to move her off me. I gritted my teeth as she stretched out on top of me.
“The substance is fatal in thirty minutes. It must be injected into the skin, so as long as you are not wounded anywhere, you’re safe.”
“Get off me. I do not have time for this.” I tried to shake her off me but her legs tightened around my waist.
My blood felt like it was boiling. I was hot from the inside out, and every part of me hurt. I have never thought much about my death. This is not the end for me. I am so close. Victoria never meant to spare my life. I underestimated her. She was only bidding her time until she could cause me the most suffering before ending my miserable life.
“Let me die in peace woman.” I turned away from her. I allowed my mind to drift back to when I first laid eyes on Lily.
“I have the power to save you. All you have to do is be mine.”
I snorted. Her body stiffened against mine. “I intend to kill Valcrum. One way or another this ends for me. It does not matter whether it is here, on this bank or in front of Valcrum.”
“If I allow you to live long enough to battle against Valcrum you will be mine.”
“If I agree you must promise never to hurt or kill Lily.” My mind was made up and I intend to protect Lily even in death. I promised her no harm. For once, I intended to keep my word.
“You’re in no position to bargain. You forfeited a life with her when you betrayed Valcrum.”
“Your word Victoria or no deal.” I tried to wiggle my toes. There was no feeling in my lower limbs.
The vein in my head throbbed against my temples. I am out of time. I could not keep my eyes open anymore. Pain wracked my body as my heart slowed and the last of my strength faded. Darkness came from below the soil. When terrible people die dark spirits came from below the earth and carry them away. It would not be long when the dark spirits would come for me. I surrendered to my fate.
Victoria leaned down and used her long-curved fingernail to slice open his right leg. She tapped the black poison in his vein. Most of it slithered out of his body. She bent her head back and lifted her hand to the sky. A surge of energy flowed through her, and she touched it on his leg. Pressing her hands on his chest, a jolt of energy surged through him.
My eyes flew open. “Just let me die.” I rolled over pushing her off me. I buried my face into the dirt as tremors ran through my body. I stood. Looking down at my leg most of the discoloration was gone.
“We are bound together now. If I die you will die. The only thing keeping the poison under control is me. You go fight Valcrum but you belong to me, so get used to it,” said Victoria.
Getting to my feet I stared at Victoria. Her eyes glowed. I am back in business. Not bad, I guess. I only had to sell myself to the devil. Floating away I headed to meet Dylan. It was time for me to face my destiny head on. Something was different about me. There was someone or something crawling inside my head stroking different memories and distracting me. Looking down at my arms, I saw the black poison circulating in my veins.
“Your destiny is with me,” said Victoria.
What? Get out of my head Victoria. Rolling my eyes, I spotted Dylan standing with forty men. Every one of them looked ready for battle. I should have told Dylan to be discreet. It is best to take your enemy by surprise. We need all the advantages we can get. Lily still lives but there is no way to undo what I have done.
“We are connected. I’ll always be with you, and you with me,” said Victoria.
You never told me you would be in my head. Get out. I need total concentration. I do not want you swimming around in my thoughts distracting me.
“I’m just trying to get to know you better. It isn’t often that I get a chance to see what you’re thinking,” said Victoria.
Gritting my teeth, I made my way through the crowded streets. Death was looking brighter and brighter. I do not want that manipulative chick in my head.
“You’d better show me some respect before you lose some of your memories. I’d hate to remove Lily from your memory. Oh wait. I’d love to do that.”
Victoria I am warning you. Get out of my head or I am coming over there to end us both. There were more people standing in the streets than usual. Something was about to happen. Something big. I can use the distraction to make our move on Valcrum. Maybe things are finally looking up.
“Dylan why are all of you standing around like you are ready for war? What has happened?”
“Gabriel Santos’ baby has been killed,” said Dylan. He looked at the red-headed man to his left.
“Gabriel was the first angel born under the new peace treaty, and all-out has started everywhere. We stand in the streets ready for Valcrum to show up.”
“When he arrives, we’ll make our moves. Valcrum won’t tell us what to do anymore. We have the power to overthrow Valcrum. Who’s with me?” said Fred. He stepped in the middle of the street.
“You’re crazy. Valcrum is going to kill all of you. You broke the treaty. We aren’t going to die for you,” said Jill.
Jill raised her hands to sky and flew high in the air. Lightning flashed across the sky. Her eye turned silver as she shot bolts of lightning at us. Dodging them I swirled my hands in a circular motion summoning all my energy forcing my men behind the emerald force field. Each hit caused sharp pain vibrating up my nerves. I fell to my knees.
Spiritual spirits had many powers that Valcrum bestowed on them. You never knew who was more powerful than you. I refuse to die here on this spot before accomplishing everything I wanted to do. Valcrum will die, and Lily will be safe. Getting on my feet I felt the intensity of my powers draining my essence. I could not hold her off much longer.
Dylan teleported inside Jill, and her high-pitched scream shattered the silence. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she called on Valcrum. The sky became darker but the lightning stopped. Jill’s face morphed into Dylan’s as he battled her from inside herself. She collapsed into a ball on the street. Dylan teleported out of her and raised his hand. A double-sided spear flew and landed in Dylan’s hands. Jill still called Valcrum’s name like an enchanted spell. Her eyes cast upward toward the sky. All her attention was on Valcrum and not on Dylan. We didn’t have much time before Valcrum would answer her cries. Dylan needs to shut her up, but instead he’s showboating. I guess the meek mouse is showing that he’s a lion. There’s nothing wrong with that.
“Valcrum does not care about you. You will die on these streets and there is nothing Valcrum can do to stop it. When will you learn? Valcrum does not care about you.” My voice rose as I stepped from the force field.
Dylan lifted the spear above Jill’s head. He angled it at her head and struck with all his might. Jill glowed yellow and no matter how many times he cleaved off her head, nothing happened. Jill got to her feet and praised Valcrum.
“What is happening? You have to be dead,” said Dylan. Dylan tried to jump inside Jill but was frozen on the spot.
The sky cracked open. It started to rain blood as a silver spirit descended from above. I tried not to tremble where I stood but all of me shook at once. This was not the first time I had seen him. This time he came with a battle-ax. Valcrum does not want to talk. He came for war. The bright light that reflected off him was blinding. The heat from the light felt like you were dipped in acid.
“Who is that,” asked Fred. He held up his hands ready for war. The other men followed his lead and held up their hands readying themselves.
I shook my head at them. They did not seem to understand the severity of their actions or the consequences. “Put your hands down fool. That is Valcrum.”
Valcrum walked past Jill. She fell to her knees and placed a kiss on his foot. Touching her hair, he stepped over her.
“Trevor, you think you are more powerful than I and you lust for my power. Come, take what you so boldly crave,” said Valcrum.
The people cleared a path, and Valcrum walked toward me.
“You took Lily from me. That was your first mistake.” I stepped away from my men. This was the moment I was waiting for. Valcrum was going down. Violent emotions overtook me, and I summoned all my strength. Ten replicas of myself manifested and we all charged Valcrum.
I jumped high in the air, summoning a red encrusted jewel handled sword. My mouth opened and I screamed as I brought that sword down toward Valcrum’s head. Valcrum blinked. The sword never touched him. My nine replicas and I flew back twenty feet and fell upon the ground. Ignoring the pain, I stumbled to my feet. My sword was wedged in a tree. I looked around at my other men. Valcrum immobilized all of them all in mid-air.
Valcrum will have to kill me. I will never stop. I tried to summon my power but Valcrum flew to me. He wrapped his hands around my neck. My chest heaved as I struggled against the hold he had on me.
“You think you are powerful. You are only as powerful as I deem necessary.”
“I will show you that you can be overthrown. Someone will hear of this day and rise up to destroy you.” I felt my veins turn dark, and immense power circulated through me. I pried his hands from my neck and shot a bolt of energy through his chest. Valcrum’s hands were back on my neck. His hand dug inside me and ripped all my veins from my body; within minutes he had separated the poison from me.
“You started the thousand-year war for your own means, now Lily is lost to you forever. You long for death but even in death she will never be with you.” He tossed me to the ground like a piece of left-over trash.
“No!” I hung my head. He’s too powerful for me to stop him. I removed my knife from my pocket and plunged it into my heart. Sharp pain surged through me as I sank to the ground. My eyes closed and I allowed my mind to drift to memories of Lily.
“Do you think you can escape through death? Think again,” said Valcrum. He lifted his hands and my body lifted off the ground. My wound to the heart started repairing itself. The pain no longer surged through my body. I could feel the warmth return to my limbs.
“You seek death, but death runs from you, Trevor. You are hereby stripped of your powers except for shapeshifting. You are cursed to live on planet Earth where Angels will hunt you for sport,” said Valcrum.
Valcrum waved his other hand and the sky parted and he thrust me downward. I felt all my strength leave my body as my powers left me.
Chapter Six
Cade
The heat has not melted the ice around my heart. Why has Liam kept Letoya’s box from me all these years? I’m not certain I can handle the truth but now it’s staring me in the face. Maximus risked everything to hide in my room tonight, but that isn’t the part that baffles me. It’s his hope that crept in his eyes when he saw the box in my hands, which gutted me.
It was hotter than the fires of hell outside. Valcrum wasn’t a forgiving spiritual being, and once you messed up you were screwed. I often wondered if hell was really the place of eternal suffering or was Earth really hell. Here on Earth we exist and we die. Xundar is where life exists and happiness is imminent.
Shaking my head, I focused on my task. It wasn’t smart being out in the streets distracted. Tokyo Lane was empty. It’s only nine o clock, and the streets are deserted. I squinted against the bright halogen lights that hung in front of the stores. The beautiful red-lettered banners swayed in the wind, and the graffiti along the sides of the building didn’t distract from the beauty of this place.
The seediest part of tow
n was my favorite. Everyone was less nosey and focused on self-betterment. Drugs and booze flowed through the air, which was the same in most low-income neighborhoods. When the government legalized cannabis, cocaine and booze it ended the drug wars. Every drug dealer was eliminated and drugs could be purchased from the government.
The government has everyone on lockdown, but the rebels still currently traveled the streets. The curfew ban applies to everyone that is not working for the government. It was not fair but the elders say fair is a place where you go to have fun. I think they’re right because there is no such thing as fair, here on planet Earth. Oh, how I miss Xundar. How can I blend in when I’m the only one in the street?
Glancing around the corner, across the street from Izumi’s Sushi shop, I see Derrick Grand. What is he doing on this side of town? Sliding further into the shadows, I watched him from across the street. He ran down the street looking over his shoulder every five minutes. The next building had stairs leading up to the rooftop. Something tells me I’m going to need audio. Normally I would fly but since the humans found out about vampires, we have gone into hiding in plain sight.
Running to the next building I took the stairs and climbed up. Tiptoeing, I stopped near the ledge and pulled out my phone. Derrick looked around and took out a cigarette. It was funny that drugs were allowed but not cigarettes. The advances in pharmacotherapeutics allowed the government to counteract the toxic effects of the drugs on the human body. The humans have become smarter and the vampires more dependent and scared.
A man stepped from the shadow. Who is that? His dark brown wide-brimmed hat covered half of his face. He wore a black suit. The hat wasn’t part of his outfit. This man didn’t want to be identified. He jerked his head to the right toward a black vehicle with the engine still running.
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