Most of these female and male vampires would continue to be loyal to Devlyn. It was time to send a real message to the head of the clan.
Without making a sound, Elissa snuck up behind the first four without even being noticed. It only took thirty seconds for her to remove each of their heads from their bodies.
The fifth vampire, out of eight, finally noticed his comrades were no longer standing vigil. “Sound the alarm!” His voice startled his three other guards.
Only one moved to do as was told. Before long, a bell was sounding throughout the forest. It would alert any beings that were within a half mile. Elissa didn’t care. It was time to take as many of her kind out before returning to Cassandra.
Elissa continued to move with her natural speed. She was no longer able to kill at will, but she was maiming the best she could. She would fight into Devlyn’s chamber before she returned to Cassandra.
Two swords were now in Elissa’s hands. She was a blur, even to the eldest of vampires. It only took twenty minutes and the existence of twenty of her kind had been ended before she was standing once again before Devlyn.
There were twenty vampires guarding her sire. Elissa figured she would not be able to touch her. This was about inflicting as much pain and eliminating as many of her kind as she could.
Devlyn glared at her. “You do realize you are now wanted by every clan across the known world. You are killing your kind. And for what?”
Elissa placed one of the swords to her lips. She pretended to lick it. Just the scent had the animal inside the vampire threatening to overtake her.
“While some will agree with how you’ve been running the main clan, what about those that actually want to remain hidden. Don’t want attention drawn to them.” Elissa was making a statement.
When Devlyn’s face paled, it was nearly comical. She now appeared ghostly. Elissa couldn’t help the laughter that emerged. “You didn’t think this through. And that is why you will find yourself disposed. Even more so, you’ll find you’ll no longer exist.”
Devlyn glared at Elissa. She couldn’t respond. It was true. She hadn’t taken all the variables into account. There would be those that agreed with Elissa. And that could mean her downfall.
“I had come here to kill you. But I don’t think I will.” Elissa held her swords at the ready. Some would consider her words a sign of weakness. “Instead, you can deal with the clans when they finally make it to The States. A word of advice. Don’t follow me.”
Their eyes continued their hateful dance before Elissa slowly backed her way out. Traveling with swords in each hand slowed her to a more human speed.
If Elissa had her scabbards, she would have been grateful to take them with her. It had been a long time since she had held such fine weapons in her hands.
Elissa nearly tripped over one of the withering bodies. No one seemed to be following her. The vampire chose to steal the double scabbard off the immortal closest to the gate. The weapons would aid her in the future.
The hissing sound caused Elissa to lean to the left. She ducked down. Archers had taken their position above the wall. She growled when one of the arrows embedded itself into her left forearm.
The immortal yanked the arrow. It would leave a wound that would need tending. And Elissa would need to feed before her regular time because of the loss of blood.
The arrow was held in a steady hand. Elissa’s eyes turned scarlet as she glared at the vampire who had shot her. Closing her eyes, she used all her strength and threw the arrow. When there was a gurgling sound, she knew she had hit her target of the young one’s throat.
More arrows were descending upon Elissa. Instead of taking the chance at being hit once again, she turned her back on the plantation. She realized it was for the very last time.
Elissa loathed how she was leaving a faint trail of blood behind. She would need to feed soon. The arrow had hit one of her veins. If her heart still beat, she would have had blood pouring from her wound.
The immortal stumbled when she arrived on the outskirts of the village. Day was still four hours away. Elissa had to heal herself and feed before they could leave. Her plans to be as far away from the village and plantation as she could in a few hours were once again placed on hold.
As Elissa made her way to the stables, a small figure caught her attention. Cassandra was running toward her with dirty rags in her hands. “These were all I could find in the dark.”
How had Cassandra known Elissa had returned? How had she known the vampire was harmed? Those questions were for another time. For now, she had to accept the help of a child.
“Wrap them as tightly around my arm as possible. I’ll need to leave you once they are in place.” Elissa knew Cassandra would attempt to argue. “I need to replace the blood. I need to feed. I won’t do it on any of the horses or livestock. And I don’t drink human blood.”
Cassandra nodded as she tied several layers around Elissa’s forearm. For some reason, she knew what her friend’s answer would be. And somehow she had known the immortal had been injured and needed her. “I’ll wait in the loft. Please be careful.”
How had Cassandra gone from “take me with you” to “I’ll wait in the loft”? Elissa shook her head. Her young charge was a mystery. Perhaps that’s why she was so enthralled with her.
It didn’t take long for Elissa to find her prey. Normally she would feed from a deer, but she only needed to replace a small amount of blood. Still, the bloodlust remained.
A wild boar would do. And it could be used for food for Cassandra. Elissa could cook it in the hours until dawn. Then, they could find a place just outside of the village to hide. She didn’t trust the loft in the stables during daylight.
Feeling nearly herself, Elissa called to Cassandra. It was time her young charge learn some things. In this case, the mortal needed to learn how to prepare the food the immortal provided.
It wasn’t long before Cassandra was standing beside her. The leather satchel that contained the jerky, bread and blankets was in her hand. Elissa was grateful, but it again caused her to wonder how her young charge knew what she wanted before she had been asked.
“Come.” Elissa held out her hand. Instead of carrying Cassandra, she chose to walk. It would continue to help the healing process begun by the bandages and being ensured by the blood she had consumed.
They walked for an hour before they found any kind of shelter. Elissa wasn’t certain who had built it, but branches had been weaved together to form an enclosure. It should be enough against the harmful rays of the sun.
There was also a ring for a fire. Perfect for cooking the meat. “We need to gather firewood. I’ll show you how to prepare the boar so it can travel.”
“I already know how.” Cassandra didn’t wait. Once she had a task, she set her mind to it. In this case, she began gathering large branches and some twigs to be used as kindling.
Elissa watched in fascination as Cassandra gathered what they would need. She didn’t even have to say a word. The fire slowly came to life. She watched as her mortal held her hands to it a moment and rubbed them together. It caused the vampire to inwardly growl. She needed to find warm clothes for her friend.
Cassandra built out of some of the larger branches she had gathered a smokehouse of sorts. It would take several hours for the meat to be ready for travel. She would have to tend the fire to make certain it didn’t burn too low.
Seeing that Cassandra seemed to have everything in control, Elissa retrieved one of her swords from her back. She lay it by the fire. “I’m heading back to the village. You need warm clothes. I’ll be back before daylight. You stay warm and out of trouble.”
The young blonde bowed her head. “I want to ask to go with you again, but I have to remain here. I trust you when you say you’ll be back.”
Elissa cleared her throat. She wanted to say so much more but could not. Instead, she bowed to her friend before using her natural speed to make it to the village and back. If she had to, she w
ould break into the mercantile and steal bolts of cloth to leave for the clothes she would take from whichever house she knew a child lived in.
Cassandra sat facing the fire. She had retrieved one of the blankets and had draped it around her shoulders. The sword glistening in the firelight begged to be picked up. But she was afraid she might harm herself.
Instead, Cassandra checked on the meat from time to time and added wood to the fire. She was thirsty and wished she’d said something before Elissa had left her alone once again.
How many times had her friend left her since she had promised to take Cassandra with her? She knew it was because things not planned had transpired. Still, it gave her an uneasy feeling knowing how soon she could be forgotten or left behind.
The cracking sound of a branch caused Cassandra to forget her fear of hurting herself with the sword. It was instantly in both her hands. The weight had been more than she had expected and it would require both arms to wield it.
Into the firelight came the pale face of a female. Her hair was dark, nearly as dark as Elissa’s. Her face was as pale and her eyes were nearly like charcoal in the diminished light.
Cassandra didn’t know how she knew, but this woman could not be trusted. There was something about the stranger. For one thing, who would be out in the middle of the night, besides someone like her friend?
“Hello.” Cassandra didn’t respond. She tightened her grasp on the sword. The blanket had slid from her shoulders, but away from the fire. “You don’t need to be afraid.”
The young child remained silent. Cassandra was mentally calling to her friend. It was silly. Elissa couldn’t hear her call her in her mind. Yet, she couldn’t stop herself from repeatedly calling for Elissa.
When the stranger took two tentative steps toward Cassandra, the sword in her tight grasp rose. She aimed it for what she hoped was the stranger’s heart.
“Child, put that thing down before you hurt yourself.” Devlyn didn’t want any trouble. She had followed the blood trail. She had followed the scent of the mortal child Elissa was so enamored with.
“The only one who is gonna be hurt is you if you don’t leave now.” Cassandra continued to call her friend. “My friend will be back. And when she is, you’ll be sorry.”
The laughter caused Cassandra to jump. It was enough of a distraction for Devlyn to knock the sword from the child’s hands. It settled in the low burning fire. “Child, come with me. There’s something about you. There has to be if Elissa wants anything to do with a mortal.”
Cassandra’s mouth was closed tight. She would attempt to regain possession of the sword. Otherwise, she would attempt to wait for Elissa to arrive. Would she be in the nick of time once again?
Devlyn moved with a similar blur as Elissa, but it wasn’t the same. It was ever so slightly slower. To Cassandra it meant her friend was faster. Did it mean she was stronger as well?
The mortal child found herself in a tight grasp. What was worse, Cassandra could feel as Devlyn slowly lowered her head to the child’s exposed neck.
Was this what Elissa had been talking about? Would this act lead to Cassandra becoming an immortal like her friend? While there was a part of her that wanted it desperately, there was another part that wanted to experience a little more existence as a mortal.
There was that and Cassandra would want Elissa to gift her with immortality. Not this woman whose fangs were grazing against her neck.
Another sound caught Cassandra’s attention. It also caused Devlyn to become momentarily distracted. The mortal child took the moment to give the vampire as strong as a head butt as she could manage.
It was enough for Cassandra to find her freedom. She retrieved the sword from the fire. It’s blade now was the color of lava. She didn’t hesitate to slash at the immortal in an attempt to keep her away from her.
Devlyn moved with a blur. Cassandra found she was slashing empty space. A shoulder hit her back and she found herself yowling in pain as her left arm landed momentarily in the fire.
A growl was loud in Cassandra’s ear before there was nothing. Her emerald eyes remained closed certain death would soon find her.
Chapter 7
The light was bright. Cassandra blinked her eyes. The stories she had learned in church every Sunday about heaven were running through her mind. Peace would wash over her, along with no pain of the living world.
The gasp when the pain hit her emanating from her left arm caused tears to form in the corners of her eyes. Cassandra blinked several more times before she could focus on anything but the pain.
The scent of damp earth penetrated her foggy brain. Cassandra attempted to move but groaned. Not only was there pain in her left arm, her head ached beyond any headache she had ever suffered with.
“Don’t move.” The voice was familiar but sounded so distant. An image cleared slightly of a woman. It was Elissa. Cassandra exhaled in relief. At least she hadn’t been left alone.
“Devlyn harmed you. For that, she will die.” Elissa was kneeling before Cassandra. She was worried how her young friend could not focus on her. Her eyes were dilated. Her injuries went beyond a severely burned arm.
“Devlyn?” Cassandra managed to croak out. Once she attempted to speak she realized her throat was dry beyond words. In fact, it felt as if cloth had been shoved down her throat.
“Devlyn is the head of my former clan. She is my sire. My creator.” Elissa moved with speed, but not her usual blur, retrieving a waterskin. “Drink this. Slowly.”
Cassandra weakly took hold of the waterskin. She managed to swallow four sips before her stomach decided it wanted to attempt to rebel. “If I drink anymore right now, I might be ill.”
“You have a concussion. Mortals receive it when they’ve taken a hit to the head.” Elissa sat next to her friend. “Is the bright light bothering you?”
Cautiously, Cassandra nodded her head. The mild movement caused her stomach to churn once again. She watched as Elissa hung a blanket. Now that she could see in the dim light, it was obvious they were in a cave. It would explain the damp earth smell she had detected earlier.
Once Elissa returned, she settled next to her charge. They were safe. She had made certain Devlyn had needed to return to her clan to heal. She loathed how she had allowed the vampire to live. But Cassandra’s safety and health took precedent.
The cave Elissa had settled on was barely more than a hole in the ground, but it was large enough for both of them and the supplies she had acquired.
As if now second nature, Cassandra climbed into Elissa’s lap. Without thought, the immortal retrieved the blanket her young friend had left behind and wrapped her tightly.
“Sleep. I’ll keep watch over you. Hopefully tonight you’ll be up to traveling. If not, we can remain hidden here for as long as you need.” Elissa was planning on leaving once Cassandra was asleep. She had to settle things with Devlyn. This time for good.
As if reading Elissa’s mind, Cassandra clasped her hand. She made certain she was gazing into azure eyes. “Please don’t go after her. I need you.”
Elissa swallowed hard even though she had no need to drink. Well, no need to drink anything but blood. What was it about this small human child that had engrained herself on her heart? Or was that her soul?
There was more to their connection than Elissa cared to admit. She had been in one of the houses on the outskirts of the village. A house that had a young lad who was Cassandra’s age. At this point, clothing was clothing. What had caused her to leave sooner than she had wanted was hearing the faintest of voices in her mind.
The voice was terrified. If Elissa admitted it, she knew the voice had belonged to Cassandra. If she were wise, she would study this connection. She wouldn’t hesitate to ask her young charge about it.
For now, Elissa had to once again reassure Cassandra. “I promise to remain with you. I will leave Devlyn. But if she ever attempts to harm you again, she will pay the ultimate price.”
“Thank you.” Cass
andra snuggled up to her friend. It wasn’t long, even with the pain in her arm and the migraine, before adorable snores were emanating from the child.
Elissa took a deep breath. Tomorrow night would be the first time she would have to feed. What she had fed on to heal herself would not be enough to sustain her much longer. It would be the first time her animal side would be revealed in front of Cassandra.
Worse was the thought of control. Elissa leaned her head against the cave wall as she absently stroked the blonde head resting against her chest. It would be the ultimate test. That and when she suffered through her warrior rage as she termed it.
That hadn’t happened in decades. Even her last attacks on the clan had not released the animal she was capable of being. How would Cassandra react if she ever was witness to it?
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The cool breeze caused the blanket to flutter. Elissa ignored it, though it caused her to wish she’d thought of building a fire. She wasn’t much of a heater. Yet, her young charge wasn’t shivering.
Elissa nearly laughed out loud. At least she had done one thing good for Cassandra. Up to this point she had nearly gotten her killed how many times. And now the poor girl would probably be scarred for life by the burns on her left arm.
The laughter was because most immortals didn’t care about humans beyond the need to feed. As was with any survival of the species, the need to procreate was the only other reason the need for mortals was tolerated.
So Elissa, one of the most feared ever vampires, holding a child and wanting to do anything for her was more than irony. It was nearly a cosmic joke.
When she felt Cassandra burrow deeper into her chest, Elissa couldn’t help grinning. She had never been conventional. Why start now?
The only thing Elissa truly wanted to focus on was the connection she had with Cassandra. Hearing her young charge’s voice had been unmistakable. Yet, it had to have been impossible.
Bonded Souls Page 4
