by E. M. Knight
Cassandra clings to my neck as if her life depends on it. For all I know, it does. I sense the creatures behind us, scrambling up the walls. They cover incredible distance with incredible speed.
I’ve never been chased by anything so fast before.
I duck my head and pump my legs, willing myself to go faster. I draw upon all my vampire strength and speed to race toward the Stronghold’s exit.
But with the dead weight in my arms, it’s not enough. I feel the creatures break through the top of the crater. I feel them start their sprint through the halls.
They are many times faster than I.
Alarm, fear, and apprehension take me. I am no coward, I am willing to fight, but I am outnumbered here by a degree that makes the odds impossible.
“Let me down,” Cassandra gasps. “Let me down, I can run!”
I set her down and grab her hand. Together we make a mad dash for the exit. But we’ve ventured so far down into the bottom of the Stronghold, that we are still woefully far away.
Those creatures, whatever they are, will be on us in seconds.
My eyes flash over the walls. The tunnel we’re in has a fork up ahead. One way leads out directly. The other would take us on a convoluted path through the many rooms.
I make my decision in a split second. If we take the direct way, we’ll be caught. But if we go the other way, perhaps we can lose them in the maze.
“This way!” I yell, and veer right, away from the exit.
Cassandra’s mouth plops open in surprise, but before she can get a word out, I glimpse my first view of the creatures chasing us through these halls.
Far in the distance, a swarm of ghastly, white-looking things breaks through.
They’re like no beings I’ve ever seen before.
Their skin is so pale, it’s almost translucent. They’re bipedal, like us, but they leap over the earth using all four limbs. Some stream forward over the walls, over the ceiling, like an army of albino beetles come from hell.
They have no hair. They are completely nude. But they don’t have any distinguishing sex organs that I can see.
They’re not vampires. Otherwise, I’d sense the essence within them. But the row of fangs on their upper jaw, protruding past thin, almost invisible lips, tells me that they are most definitely carnivorous.
“Raul!” Cassandra screams.
I grab her hand again. “RUN!”
Together we speed through the abandoned stronghold. The creatures coming after us make barely any sound. Somehow, they traverse the ground, the walls, the ceiling, as silently as the deadliest predators.
I feel the prickle in the back of my neck that tells me we’ll be overtaken in seconds.
Wildly, I look around for some sort of escape. There’s a door to the left. Without thinking, I ram my shoulder into it and break through.
The moment I’m on the other side the creatures take up their horrible screams again. They cripple me. I drop to the floor, utterly helpless to fight it. Cassandra staggers down. She opens her mouth and cries out in agony against the awful sound.
I try to gather my strength and my wits, but the waves through the air are catastrophic. Whatever these things are, their screams have a debilitating effect on vampires to a degree much stronger than anything else I know.
I manage to push myself over and turn my head back just enough to see the swarm descend on Cassandra.
“No!” I yell. I pull on the very last reserve of strength I have left and leap at them. My claws come out and rip through the first thing’s neck like a knife through butter. My skin crawls, being so close to them, and the revulsion is overpowering.
Their cries continue, pounding into me with unrelenting ferocity. I do all that I can to fight against it. I grab a second creature by the shoulder and stab my hand into its chest. My fingers close over the heart, and I crush it.
The body drops to the floor like a toppled stack of cards.
A third creature leaps on my back. I reach over and rip it off, then fling it into the wall. The body hits, and drops, completely still.
Dead.
I realize that none of these things are actually particularly strong.
But their shrill cries continue, and against the sound I am losing the battle. Cassandra has already succumbed; she is unconscious on the floor. The swarm congregates at the opening, black and empty eyes reflecting my image back at me. The ones who are screaming don’t move, simply cling to the rocks with their heads thrown back, giving off that awful screech.
A group of them surrounds me and pounces. I half-expect them to have claws, but all I feel are regular nails trying to rip my skin open. A few try to snap that row of fangs into me, but I manage to ward them off.
Yet my strength is giving out. Seeing Cassandra vulnerable gave me a second wind. I cannot fight against the sound in the air forever.
The creatures seem to have the same thought I do, at precisely the same time. Instead of coming at me to meet their end, more and more of them latch onto the rock and open their jaws to add to the choir.
The sound intensifies. My resistance falters. I stagger down. I try to pick my way over to Cassandra, but my movements are like those of a drunk. The creatures lend me a wide berth. They wait at the sidelines until I finally stumble and fall, unable to fight off the screaming any longer.
I watch, paralyzed, unable to move, as a few of them creep forward and drag Cassandra back into their midst.
Then they retreat. The ones screaming stay behind, but with the amount of energy they take out of me, they don’t even need their full force. One by one, they slip away, until finally, I’m left on my own, lying in a pathetic heap on the ground.
Even after the last of the screams dies, it takes me many, many minutes to recover.
When I finally manage to stand, I’m woozy. The world spins in front of my eyes. I hear the echo of that horrid sound in my head, torturing me on and on and on.
I stumble through the door. I let my vampire senses expand, to give me an understanding of what has happened.
I feel not one iota of the creatures anywhere.
Alarm takes me. Cassandra!
I look in the direction of the exit. Then, I turn around and go the other way.
Back toward the crater, back from where the swarm erupted.
It takes me a very long time to find it. It feels like I’ve been drugged. I am barely lucid. Too many times in my trek, I ended up taking a wrong turn, going the wrong way, before righting my path.
Eventually, I get there. Again, I try with my vampiric senses.
I feel, and I find nothing.
I take a deep breath. I am in no condition to go down into the hole now.
My mind churns through all the horrible things that they might have done to Cassandra.
I grunt, and with a feel of disgust, haul myself away from the ledge. The Haven must be warned. Eleira has to know.
“Forgive me, Cassandra,” I whisper and start a stuttering run toward the exit.
Chapter Ten
James
The motel
Smithson’s eyes nearly bulge out of his head when Victoria voices her suggestion to take his blood.
“Actually,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “That’s not such a bad idea, Victoria.”
“You would weaken me, right after I vowed myself to you?” he rasps.
“She will take only what’s needed for her to be able to withstand the sun,” I say. “It’s not so much you can’t spare. And anyway—” I shoot him a grin, “—it can be our first test of your claimed loyalty.”
“Fine,” Smithson growls. He rolls up his sleeve and sticks his arm out. “Have at it, then!”
That was easier than expected, I think.
Victoria walks up to him. His eyes shoot daggers at her. Sylvia watches the event as if in a trance.
“Only as much as you need,” I remind Victoria. “I want all three of us to go. Don’t take so much as to leave him incapacitated.”
&nb
sp; She nods and then takes hold of Smithson’s arm. Her fangs flash. She sinks her teeth in.
She starts to drink.
Smithson closes his eyes as soon as she breaks skin and keeps them closed for the duration.
Victoria drinks and drinks. At first, I think she’s going to be able to stop herself in time. But as the blood lust takes her, and the greed for vampire blood comes over her whole body, I see that was a false hope.
When I judge it to be enough, I stride over and place a hand on her shoulder. “Victoria,” I say—
She snarls and ducks under my grip, continuing the feeding.
I was hoping it wouldn’t have to come to this.
In one quick move, I grab her by the waist and jerk her back. Smithson is tugged with us as her fangs do not dislodge. I strike her on the chin, giving her a bit of a shock.
That’s enough to make her acknowledge me.
She glares at me, animal hatred full on in her gaze. I grip her by both arms before she can do something stupid and back her into the wall.
“Relax,” I tell her firmly. “Breathe. Just breathe. The temptation will pass.”
Slowly, she returns to herself. She looks down at how I’m holding her and almost looks ashamed when she realizes what happened.
“I’m… I’m sorry,” she mutters. “I couldn’t help myself.”
“No fault of yours,” I tell her breezily. “It was to be expected, given how wildly your strength has swung since you met me. You went from feeding on The Ancient, to giving your blood away for The Haven vampires, to being what you are now.”
“Smithson?” she asks.
“He’s fine,” I tell her. I glance back at the other vampire. “Tell her you’re fine and not to worry.”
He does look a little more gaunt than usual. “Give me a moment to recover,” he grumbles.
“Don’t pretend,” I chastise. “We both know how little she took.”
“How could you know?” he fires back, voice full of accusation. “You’re not the one who experienced it!”
“Call it an educated guess,” I shrug. I let Victoria go. “You better?”
She nods. “I feel… good.”
“Really? You feel good?” Smithson sneers. “You should, given you drank me nearly to the brink!”
“Nonsense,” I say. “I cut her off at the proper time.”
Sylvia is listening to the whole exchange still as a statue.
“Now,” I say. “Victoria, do you feel strong enough to withstand the sun?”
She nods. “Oh, yes. Absolutely.”
“Good. Because I want you to feed Sylvia.”
She gasps. “What?”
At the same time, Sylvia protests, “No!”
“Oh, yes,” I tell the both of them. “Smithson isn’t the only one who must sacrifice. I want Sylvia with us when we journey to meet the Crusaders.”
“It’s not going to do any good,” Victoria says. She sounds… frightened.
“I know you won’t be able to give her enough to withstand the sun,” I say. “But I want her to have the feeding regardless. We must know how much strength she can gain through it. Besides. Smithson’s blood is now attenuated by your own body. It hasn’t yet been converted entirely into yours. Sylvia will benefit greatly from the two mixed streams.”
“If you want her out there so much, why don’t you offer her your own blood?” Victoria demands.
“Don’t question me,” I hiss. “Sylvia has already tasted my blood. More of the same will not make her as strong as will blood from other vampires. Now quit stalling! Give her your wrist, and let her drink!”
Victoria shoots me an evil glare, but moves to comply. She stands before the seated woman. She holds out her arm.
Sylvia takes it, hesitant.
“The longer you wait, the less the effect will be,” I say.
“And why do you want me to weaken her?” Sylvia asks, “If even you admit it won’t be enough for me to go outside in the sun?”
I make an annoyed sound from deep in my throat. “The pack vampires are also available to us for feeding,” I say. “Let’s not forget.”
“I already fed on them.”
“We all did, right after they proclaimed me leader. But that was hardly a sip. I’ll give you Paolo, the strongest amongst them. But you won’t get anything,” I take a menacing step forward, “if you don’t feed on Victoria. Now!”
Sylvia sniffs, but then dips her head and hooks her fangs into Victoria’s flesh.
I smile.
I do not let the feeding last anywhere near as long as Victoria’s did. After just a few moments, I say, “That’s enough,” and yank her back.
Sylvia blinks, a little confused. “That… that’s it?”
“I did not want to let the bloodlust take hold,” I admit. “Victoria could be snapped out of it because she’s been a vampire for a long time. When the same bloodlust takes hold of a fledgling as young as you are, ripping you out of the trance would take more effort than it’s worth. It might also kill you.”
“Oh,” she says, in a very small voice.
I look at Smithson, who appears sufficiently recovered. “Ready?” I ask.
He takes a deep breath and pushes himself up. “If it must be done,” he says, “let’s do it.”
“That’s the spirit,” I say. “And you, Victoria?”
“She barely had a sip,” Victoria says, rubbing the spot on her forearm where Sylvia’s fangs have left a small mark. The wound heals the rest of the way as I watch. “I’m unaffected.”
“Good,” I say. “Then it’s time for us to go.”
I open the door and look up at the sky. The very first rays of day are starting to show over the horizon.
“Wait,” Sylvia says. “What about me?”
“Come here,” I beckon.
She walks to me in the doorway.
“Step outside, and tell me how you feel.”
She does. The moment her body is exposed to the very faint light, a grogginess takes hold. Her movements become leaden.
I shake my head in annoyance. “Not nearly enough,” I mutter. “Even if Paolo and the rest shared their blood.”
I turn back. “Change of plans. One more time.” I grin. “Sylvia stays behind. Victoria, Smithson, you come with me.”
I knock on the door beside ours. After a moment, April answers it.
“I’m going to need you girls to watch Sylvia,” I say. “It’s close to dawn. The slumber will take all three of you soon.”
“Okay,” April murmurs, pushing open the door to let Sylvia through.
“Thank you,” I say as she starts to close it.
She stops and looks at me, not understanding. “For what?”
“For following directions without a word of protest. It’s very refreshing.”
“I’ve tried arguing with you, James,” April says. “It never ends well. I figure this is a much better alternative.”
I give her a smile. “With that, I agree. See you on the other side.”
I start to turn away but she stops me. “James?”
“Yes?” I ask.
“Be careful.” She swallows and quickly looks into the room. “Neither Liana nor I want to see you get hurt.”
“I’ll be fine,” I assure her. “And that’s a nice sentiment. But I know what I’m doing. Trust me.”
“I do,” she says and closes the door.
I bring my arms out overhead, turn, and stretch.
I find both Smithson and Victoria looking at me with inscrutable gazes.
“What?” I ask.
“That was cute,” Victoria comments.
“Careful,” I warn.
“You’re grooming her well. That’s all I mean,” she clarifies.
“Yes. Well. As much as I’d like to say I care what you think on this topic, I don’t, so why don’t we get this show on the road?”
“Lead the way, then,” Smithson suggests.
I look north, then I look south.<
br />
The other vampire’s eyes narrow. “You don’t know where their facility is,” he says. “Do you?”
“Of course I know where it is,” I bristle. “It’s on the outskirt of this single-stoplight town.”
“He doesn’t know,” Smithson tells Victoria.
“Well, do you?” I demand. “If you’re so sure of yourself, how about you show us where to go?”
Smithson grins, and for the first time in a very long time, the predator is revealed in his face.
“It would be my pleasure,” he says.
Chapter Eleven
Eleira
The Haven
I look around at the windows of the atrium, remembering how frightened I was the first time I woke up here.
I walk to the center of the room and bend down to touch my finger to the floor. This is where I had that strange little string attached to my leg.
And this is where my life began to change in ways I could never imagine.
Slowly, I stand back up. I make my way over to one window and look past my reflection into the night.
Before, when I was human, I would not have been able to see anything. But now, my vampiric vision pierces through the black and reveals the absolute natural splendor of The Haven to me.
This is beautiful land. The evergreens have been here for generations. The larger ones must be older than any of our vampires. They’ve stood here for all this time, withstood storms, withstood fires, withstood human—and vampire—settlement.
They will continue to be here long after the current crop of humans alive in the world are dead and gone, replaced by generations of their kin.
At one point, I would have considered that a morose thought. Not anymore. As vampires we have no equals. Even these sublime trees will reach their end and die one day.
No such finish exists for my kind.
My kind. These are my vampires now. As Queen, I am responsible for them all.
It’s one hell of a burden to consider, if I felt in any way less prepared.
But I see it not as a burden, not anymore, but rather as a gift.
I bring a hand to my head and touch the tip of the crown.
I now have it in my powers to define the trajectory of this coven. What’s more, I will be capable of defining the trajectory of vampires in the whole world. Morgan’s big limitation was that she could not leave the grounds of The Haven, being bound to the throne torrial as she was.
