A Taste of Crimson

by E. M. Knight

  “But you didn’t,” I tell her.

  “I am a horrible person.” Tears leak from her eyes. She wipes at them angrily. “I didn’t want to admit my feelings for you. I told myself I couldn’t fall for you, because I knew what awaited us. But when push came to shove…”

  She breaks off, and silent sobs rock her body. “I’m sorry.”

  Gently, I bring her into me. “You did not think you’d fall in love.”

  She pushes off my chest to peer up at me. She looks so vulnerable, so broken, so… erotic.

  My heart starts to pound very fast.

  “You are one arrogant bastard,” she says. She chokes out a laugh, and then wipes her tears away again.

  “You proved yourself today,” I tell her.

  “I proved I can’t be trusted.”

  “No. You sacrificed your own future for mine. But I promise you, Beth.” I look hard into her eyes. “We will solve this. Whatever Beatrice offered you can be found, by us, if it is real. We have the ancients on our side.”

  “They told me I would have to make a choice,” she whispers. “Between life or death. And I chose death. So that I could be with you.”

  I scowl at her. “Don’t say that. You’re alive, and so am I, and Beatrice is dead. Our purpose is fulfilled. If the prophecy says there is only room for one chosen girl, I promise you, it will be you.” I look up at the ceiling. “If I have to kill Eleira with my own two hands to do it, that’s what will be done.”

  “I don’t deserve you,” she whispers. “All my life I’ve been alone, and—”

  “So have I,” I cut in. “And that is why we match.”

  She goes silent.

  “Now come on.” I take her hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Dagan…” she mutters. “Yes, we killed Beatrice… But we’ve also unleashed her creations onto the world.”

  “The world is not my problem,” I assure her. “You are. You will not be a slave to destiny.” I look deep into her eyes. “That I vow.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Logan

  The Crypts

  I step through the shimmering black-red portal and am transported back into my domain of The Crypts.

  Such relief comes over me that I nearly stagger. There is a darkness in the Demon Realm that even I am not comfortable with.

  Yet. If I want to become as strong as Yrak, I will have to learn to welcome it.

  I take a few steps toward the nearest pillar. I know there is nobody around—none dare disturb the King’s private chambers—but caution compels me to do a cursory scan of the surroundings. When I’m assured the den is truly empty, I allow myself to sag upon that pillar for support.

  I turn back just in time to see Cierra emerging, twelve small, rat-like demons in tow. They are still sedated and will remain so until we administer the antidote to let them fight.

  For now, it’s prudent to have them subdued.

  The demons are linked to each other by an iron chain. There is a tight black collar on each of their necks. Even though they can easily snap the metal with their strength, they have been conditioned by Yrak to think the bounds unbreakable. He’s had them on them since birth.

  I grimace as she leads the procession out, touching a hand to my abdomen. My whole palm comes away red.

  I cannot let any of my subjects see me wounded. How that would ruin the coven’s faith in their King is unimaginable.

  The last of the demons is tugged through, and the portal winks closed. Cierra whips the chain once, and they all sit, meek and complicit.

  Perfectly trained.

  I clear my throat and gesture to a rung on the far wall. “Hook them there,” I say.

  Cierra walks over and attaches the lead of the chain. The demons settle in their new positions again.

  Cierra looks me up and down. The corner of her mouth curls with disgust.

  “You can hardly be expected to lead an army looking like that.”

  I scowl back at her. “I know that.”

  She sniffs. “So, what are you waiting for? Go suck at the teat of your Ancient. His blood will speed the recovery.”

  “No,” I say. “I don’t need it. The wound will heal soon enough.”

  She gives an inscrutable look but doesn’t comment otherwise.

  I will not reveal to her my falling out with The Ancient, no matter what happens.

  Cierra walks toward me. She’s adopted that pitiful, staggered gait again. I don’t know why she pretends.

  She stops right in front of me and looks me straight in the eyes. Both of hers are perfectly clear.

  Envy explodes inside. How in the hell can she wield Blood Magic without suffering from the miasma?

  Suddenly. her hand juts out, and she presses a finger to my ribs. The pressure isn’t even much, but I gasp at the sudden, overwhelming pain it causes.

  “You are too weak to lead,” she hisses. “Leave your ego out of it for once. If you want success against The Haven, you will take The Ancient’s blood.”

  I shove her hand away. “Don’t you dare touch me again!” I warn, and turn my back to her to walk over to a stone bench by the opposite wall.

  I ease myself onto it, doing my best not to twist my torso in such a way that would cause more pain.

  “Look at you,” Cierra sneers from afar. “The mighty King of vampires, sitting crippled in a basement dungeon.” Her gaze holds only disdain. “I made a mistake choosing you. But the cards have been dealt. There is no going back.”

  “You will get everything I promised,” I growl at her.

  “And what of Yrak? What of your payment to him?”

  “That will be dealt with at the proper time,” I say. “With the throne torrial under my control, it will be easy to—”

  Cierra starts to laugh.

  I go quiet and watch her with a wary eye.

  “Did I say something amusing, witch?”

  She smirks and shakes her head. “You are in deeper waters than you know, and your life-vest will soon fail. The throne torrial can only be controlled by a woman.”

  My vision doubles. I feel sick. “What?”

  She laughs again. “Did you think I would leave something so important in the grasp of a man? Your sex has a propensity for violence. For destruction. An object of so much power could never be allowed to be wielded by you.”

  “Our deal—” I growl.

  “—Promised you every treasure possessed by The Haven. Unfortunately, Logan, the throne was never theirs to begin with.” Her eyes shine, full of greed. “I was the one who first learned how to activate the greatest of torrials, and its powers of magic belong to me. I let my sister think she could bind the throne to her. But that link fails the moment the throne’s original master comes upon it.”

  “The original master,” I repeat. “You.”

  She tilts her head skyward. “Who else?”

  “Goddammit, Cierra, that wasn’t the deal!” I roar.

  She shrugs. “The deal remains unchanged. It’s only details that are now revealed to you. You should have done your due diligence.”

  I scowl at her, seething in barely-contained rage. If the great torrial is out…

  “Don’t look so glum,” she offers breezily. “You still have your demon army.”

  She loops her hand behind her, gesturing at them in a sweeping gesture.

  “Fine,” I snarl. “But you will tell me now of any other details you skipped over before.”

  She smiles sadly. “You’re not in much of a position to negotiate, are you? But I’ll humor you. It’s sad to see such a strong vampire reduced to… this.”

  She gives a dismissive wave in my direction.

  “There are no other details, Logan. Everything is as it seems. I give you The Haven, with all its riches, and I keep what Is mine. I also get access to Eleira and your daughter.”

  The miasma swirls across my eyes. The darkness is begging to be unleashed. One proper blast of Fire, and she will be incinerated where she s
tands.

  As if she can read my mind, she warns, “Don’t get any ideas.”

  I offer a sickly smile. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “Then get yourself sorted,” she says, turning away. “Our attack must come the day of the next full moon. It is just a few nights away.”

  “My coven will be ready,” I say.

  “Good.” A blue-tinged portal opens in front of her. She puts a foot through. “I will return then.”

  “Where are you going?” I demand.

  She gives a pitying smile from the other side. The portal’s edges start to contract. “Even I will need assistance to move so many of your vampires unseen,” she tells me vaguely.

  The portal closes, and I am left alone with the demon rats.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Logan

  The Crypts

  I let my eyes drift shut and lean back, needing just a bit of time to regroup…

  Suddenly, I’m alerted to a new presence in the room. I jerk up and discover The Ancient strolling along the line of demons, examining them with a careless indifference.

  I know the old one to be shifty. “How long have you been here?” I ask. “How much did you eavesdrop?”

  “I don’t need to eavesdrop. I know your mind so well, Logan,” he says telepathically.

  “No,” I snarl. I stride for him. “Speak to me like a man. No more of these psychic tricks!”

  “Very well.” He turns around, towering over me, and regards me carefully. His eyes go to the bloodied bandage around my waist. “You are hurt.”

  “Yes, I’m hurt, you miserable bastard,” I lash out. I cannot make it all the way across the room without risking a fall. So, I stop by the same pillar as before and place a hand on it. “Give me your blood.”

  His expression remains fixed. “I told you that era is over.”

  “You won’t have a future if I do not get better. You need me to take The Haven.”

  “Why do I need you?” he asks simply.

  The question blindsides me. “What?”

  “Why do I need you?” he repeats. His eyes remain fixed on me, unblinking, calm.

  “Because I am King.”

  The Ancient cracks a smile. It’s the first I’ve seen from him in decades.

  “You are only King because of the blood I give you. Without me, you are nothing.”

  “The vampires in this coven are sworn to me,” I say. “They owe their lives to me. They owe their prosperity to me.”

  “They owe it to my blood.”

  “What is this?” I demand. “Are you going to oust me? Take my position? Now?” I glare at him. “You could have done it any time over the centuries we’ve been partnered.”

  “I have no desire to usurp you, Logan. Be calm.”

  My anger is at a peak. I am only just able to stop myself from screaming, I AM CALM!

  “These are the demons you bought?” he wonders. “I expected them more… impressive.”

  “You will be impressed when they tear down The Haven’s wards,” I assure him. “Before that, they are not of your concern.”

  “You need to be whole to lead,” he observes.

  “You don’t say.” I scowl.

  “When is the assault?”

  “The next full moon.”

  He considers it a moment. “That is three nights away.”

  “Once more, you state the obvious.”

  “You will not heal in time.”

  My teeth grind together. “What do you propose?”

  He sneers down at me. Between him, Cierra, and Yrak, I feel like everything is spinning out of my control.

  I resolve to contain it all with an iron fist.

  “I won’t give you more blood, Logan,” he says. “But perhaps you will find a hidden vial somewhere. Of blood already freely let.”

  “You’re mocking me.”

  “No. Beatrice had a stash. Remember she did not always drink. Half of what she was offered, she stowed away.” He pauses. “She did not have time to retrieve it all when she fled.”

  “Enough with the games, Elnor,” I spit, using his real name for the first time in ages. “If you know where it is, tell me!”

  “Beatrice was your mistress, not mine,” he says. “It is your onus to discover the hiding spot.”

  And just like that, he disappears, moving out the room faster than my eyes can see.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Smithson

  En Route to the Facility

  I wait for the final rays of light to fade from the sky, and then I walk forward to rouse my sleeping companions.

  April, Paolo, and Selene take a long time to wake. The fledgling proves most difficult. Her first slumber is very deep, as her body adjusts to the new vampiric processes going on inside.

  “It is done,” I tell them when they’re all lucid. “The Order has flown the obsidian to James. It will arrive before sunrise.”

  Selene looks particularly disoriented. As a favor, I toss her a flask of blood.

  “I took the liberty of finding you some nourishment,” I say. “It’s fresh enough. Drink.”

  She looks at the plastic container, wide-eyed, then screws off the cap and chugs it quickly.

  When she’s done, her eyes shine with barely-suppressed bloodlust.

  “Easy,” I tell her. “There is no more. Wait it out. The renewed hunger will pass.”

  I can see the concentration and effort of will play out on her face as she very stiffly sits on the nearest log.

  I am impressed with her level of control.

  “Smithson,” Paolo addresses me. “Time is running short. We must return to James.” He glances up at the sky, looking at the moon. “It is nearly full.”

  “That’s right,” I nod. “We will go back now. I arranged pick up a few hours from now. We have a helicopter coming.”

  “With a human pilot?” April asks, sounding unsure.

  “The Order does not employ any vampires. Yes, with a human pilot. I trust you all to control yourselves. The man is well respected in my organization. He would make a good addition to our ranks in a few years.”

  “Won’t he see us?” Selene asks. I turn my head toward her. “I mean, when I met you, right away I felt you were different…”

  “You weren’t subject to the Mind Gift,” I explain. “We wanted you to know fear. A touch of influence, expertly placed, will dissolve all uncertainties in his mind.”

  “Interesting,” Selene murmurs. She looks at April. “Will you teach me to do it?”

  I’m intrigued by the fledgling’s desire to learn. I glance at April and give her a small appreciative nod.

  She made the right choice converting the woman.

  “It only comes with time,” Paolo tells her softly. “You need decades in the blood to be able to do it with skill.”

  “But we’ll certainly help expedite the process,” I volunteer.

  Selene gives me a scrutinizing look. “April?” she says.

  The other girl nods. “They’re both correct.”

  “Come on,” I tell them. “We’ll go to the pickup point.”

  I lead the way through the woods to the distant hilltop clearing where I arranged the chopper to meet us. We get there an hour or two later.

  I look up at the sky to judge the time. We still have a bit of time.

  Paolo comes up to me. The girls are out of earshot.

  “We need to talk about what happened,” he says. “A man who could manipulate us so easily is a major threat.”

  “The Order has kept tabs on him for some time,” I inform him. “We do not believe him to be malignant.”

  “You’re kidding,” the other vampire says flatly.

  “No. I’m not. Truth be told, I suspected something like that could happen.”

  “And you led us to it, anyway?”

  “We all survived, didn’t we?” I turn to regard him closely. “It’s far more important that we discovered where he took the obsidian.”
r />   “And?” Paolo follows up.

  “He flew the plane into a mountain range. After which, it disappeared from our radar.”

  “What’s the significance of that?”

  “Perhaps none,” I tell him quietly. “But perhaps plenty. Those particular mountains have old legends about them. They tell of spirits residing in the passes.”

  “You put stock in such superstition?”

  “It was my organization’s purpose to root out the truth about such things. Most are fancies of the imagination. These, however, contain a shred of truth.”

  “So, what does this mean for us?” he asks.

  “After we return to The Crusaders, I will make a request of James to follow the trail into the mountains. With all the changes going on around us, and the looming prophecy…” I spread my arms. “We must take every measure possible to ensure our survival.”

  Paolo frowns. “Survival?”

  “How much do you know of the prophecy?”

  “I’ve heard… whispers.” He rolls his shoulders. “Nothing to confirm the truth of it one way or the other.”

  My eyebrows go up. I’ve taken knowledge of the prophecy for granted. Given my ties with April, James, and The Haven…

  But I forget that Paolo was not there with us.

  “The prophecy is true,” I tell him. “And the hour of reckoning for vampires the world over is nigh. I have personally met the girl it speaks of. She is not of this world.” I trail off. “Though I am unsure if she knows it herself.”

  Paolo focuses on me. “The rumors are true? She is the one to bring us into the era of eternal night?”

  I smile. “I’m glad that one as far removed from the covens as you knows of that.” I hear the sound of the approaching helicopter from afar and turn in its direction. “There are many possible interpretations of the written prophecy, Paolo. The words used must not be taken literally. Eternal night, cast over the whole world… look around you. That would cause an extinction-level event. This plane belongs to the living. We cannot make it ours, for then our sustenance runs dry. Eternal night means no life. No life means no humans. No humans means no blood.”