by F. E. Heaton
It was too quiet.
The din of battle was growing distant and Prophecy still couldn't sense anything ahead of them, or behind. She glanced at Valentine, seeing in his grim expression that he felt the same as her. This wasn't right. The castle should be swarming with zombies and demons. Elena wouldn't be so stupid as to leave herself unprotected.
Prophecy looked at Venturi. His gaze shifted to meet hers, his black eyes unnerving her a little but not as much as waiting to be attacked was.
"We're blind,” she whispered, quiet enough that only vampiric hearing would be able to pick it up.
Venturi nodded and looked over his shoulder. She followed his gaze, looking at Hyperion. He was as calm as ever.
She realised why.
"Anything?” she mouthed the word.
He smiled and nodded, and then pointed up the hall in front of them. It was so dark that she couldn't make anything out, not even by using her heightened vision. She frowned and squinted, hoping to see what it was that waited for them, and then cursed Elena for dampening their senses and hiding her army.
She looked back at Hyperion and he strode to catch up with her. Venturi moved to one side, allowing Hyperion to take his place beside her.
Hyperion's eyes flashed purple and he stared into the distance.
Clearly, Elena hadn't bargained on her bringing the oldest vampire alive with her. Although the necromancer's spell was dampening her senses and those of Venturi and Valentine, it wasn't strong enough to fully stop Hyperion's. He was too powerful.
Calling her magic, she made it hover above her hand. It cast an eerie purple glow about the walls, throwing the harsh stone into sharp relief and drawing all colour from the world. It made Hyperion's eyes shine a bright, more vivid shade of purple.
She stopped when he did. He brought his hand up under hers, making her raise it. She called the magic so the light burned more fiercely and her stomach flipped over when she saw the hallway in front of her.
Breaking free of Hyperion's grasp, she threw the sparking ball of magic at the zombies crowding the narrow hall. They exploded in a shower of flesh and blood, but more took their place. She drew her sword and bumped against Hyperion.
Looking at Valentine when he growled, she realised why he was upset.
It was a trap.
There was no way they could fight in this corridor. There was barely room to move, let alone swing a sword.
"Is there another way?” she called out to Venturi, casting another ball of magic at the advancing zombies.
"No. Not without going back to where we came in. The castle was built defensively. It was designed to stop invading armies and give the advantage to the occupying forces."
It wasn't what she wanted to hear.
Elena's plan became startlingly clear when she cast another spell at the zombies, sending fine threads of magic ripping through them. Her head spun a little.
Elena wanted her to have to use her power because it would weaken her.
She sheathed her sword.
She wasn't about to do as the witch wanted.
Grabbing the naginata from the Watchman behind her, she advanced on the zombies, hacking at them and growling with effort. It wasn't a weapon she was used to, but it certainly was effective at slaughtering the masses that stood in her way, and the length of the staff kept her a safe distance from them. She gave a smile when Hyperion came up beside her, killing the zombies with flair and skill. She kicked the mutilated bodies to one side, trying to keep the floor clear as they pressed on.
Their dead blood pooled in the flagstones, drenching them and making them slippery underfoot. The scent of it turned her stomach and she dropped back a little when Valentine joined them, using the blade on the end of the long staff to slice and impale their opponents.
She covered her mouth for a moment and looked at Venturi. He was watching her with concern. Lowering her hand, she smiled at him and handed him her naginata. He took it with a nod of his head and joined Hyperion and Valentine in disposing of the zombies blocking their path.
A noise in the direction they'd come made her draw her sword and she pushed her way through the Watchmen. She was relieved when she realised it was only Dmitri and Mia, and some of the others come to join them.
Dmitri was back in human form. His bare skin was saturated with blood and deep slashes darted across his chest. His ruined trousers barely covered his backside and groin.
She raised her hand and pressed the amulet against them, sealing them just enough that they no longer bled. She gave him a look that said she wished she could fully heal them, but she needed to save her strength.
He smiled, gratitude showing in his eyes.
"How's it looking out there?” she said.
"Many of Elena's army have fallen. Those that are left are injured. Our forces will easily eradicate them. That is why we have come to you. We felt that we were needed more here.” Mia sheathed her sword and wiped the blood off her hands.
Prophecy nodded in agreement. “Stay close. I think we're almost through."
The Watchmen stood to one side as she passed, followed by Mia and Dmitri. Valentine turned to look at her when she neared him. She could see relief in his eyes when he saw that his friends were all right.
Stepping past him, she held her arm out by her side, stopping Venturi and Hyperion from attacking the zombies in front of her.
They groaned at her, lurching forwards in a steady stream. She could just about see the point where they ended. There could only be another forty to cut through before they reached the clearing.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and focused on the magic and her hand. She held it out with her palm facing upwards and visualised it in her head. Calling one of the spells she'd absorbed from her mother's box, she grimaced when her stars burned so hot that her skin felt as though it was on fire.
She held her nerve, resisting the temptation to give in before the spell was complete. Frowning, she concentrated harder, blotting out the pain and feeling the power rushing through her body. It sparked through her veins, dancing along every nerve as it sucked the strength from every inch of her.
When she opened her eyes, a pale pink, almost white fireball was hovering above her hand, spinning so fast that it was a blur.
She smirked at the zombies.
They'd stopped in their tracks and were deathly quiet.
Their whole attention was with the spell she'd summoned.
Bringing her hand around in a swift arc, she unleashed it and watched as it zigzagged through the zombies. They exploded one by one as the magic touched them, sending showers of flesh and blood splattering against the walls and ceiling of the corridor. When the magic had nothing left to destroy, it disappeared with a harsh pop.
Her head spun and she pressed her hand to it while surveying the damage she'd done. Bits of zombie flesh dropped to the floor, splashing into the puddles of blood. She shook her hand as it buzzed with remnants of the spell and looked at it. The magic hadn't drained her as much as she'd expected it to. Besides feeling a little dizzy, she was fine. The spell didn't seem to have taken any of her energy.
Maybe it had something to do with the eclipse and how strong the magic felt now.
Or maybe it was because she had more control and she was stronger.
Either way, she wasn't about to question why the magic wasn't draining her of as much energy as it used to.
Her head snapped up when she heard a low murmuring in the distance and she reached out with her senses.
Somewhere nearby, there were at least two hundred signatures. She couldn't sense what they were. They could be anything: human, zombie or demon. All she knew was that was a lot of people compared to the dozen or so she had with her.
She glanced at Venturi and Valentine. The apprehensive looks they gave her said it all. They'd felt what she had and were worried about the odds of survival.
She didn't know how many she'd lost in the battle outside, or how long it would take
the remaining vampires and werewolves left there to kill the remaining zombies. One thing she did know. She couldn't wait for them. No matter how dire the odds were, she had to face Elena now before the necromancer had a chance to open the gates to Hell and call for reinforcements.
Tightening her grip on her sword, she walked down the corridor, treading carefully so she didn't slip on the mess that littered it.
At the end of it, there was a small wooden door. She didn't recognise it as any of the ones she'd passed through in the two times she'd been to the castle.
Venturi stepped forwards and unlocked it. There was another corridor on the other side. It was pitch black.
Prophecy threw a fireball down in and closely watched it light the way. There was no sign of anyone in the corridor and was nowhere for someone to hide. She looked at Venturi, uncertain about heading into a corridor that could so easily be another trap.
He placed a heavily gloved hand on her armoured shoulder, making a clunking sound.
"This corridor cuts through the castle and will bring us out near the upper door in the great hall. It is not a trap, Prophecy. The door at the other end is locked, and only I have the key."
Relief swept fast and warm through her, chasing away the dark thoughts of ambush that had been crowding her mind. She smiled to show him she was thankful to hear it and then followed him into the corridor. When he was just inside, he stopped and took down a torch from the wall. He held it out to her and she lit it with her magic. He smiled and then began walking towards the other end of the corridor.
Valentine fell into step beside her as she walked, his hand brushing against her right one. The warmth of comfort replaced the warmth of relief and she slipped her hand into his, making the most of the quiet moment they'd found themselves in.
"How're you doing?” she said telepathically.
He gave her a slight smile and seeing it brought hers out. She'd always loved the way he smiled at her.
The battle seemed to slip away, drifting into the background and leaving her feeling as though she wasn't in any danger.
"I am doing well. The battle has been a success so far but it is not the time to get complacent. We must be on our guard against Elena. We do not know how far she has made it towards opening the gates to Hell, and we do not know what awaits us in that room."
Cold fear crept into her veins when she remembered her visions. Images of Valentine burying a sword into her chest blurred into ones of herself about to decapitate him. She swallowed hard and tried to push them away, not wanting to think about them or the fact that there was still time for them to happen. She didn't know how strong her spell over Valentine was or whether it would withstand an attempt by Elena to lure him back to her side. Her stomach turned over and she stared blankly at Venturi where he was walking in front of them.
Valentine squeezed her hand and she knew that he'd sensed the overwhelming feelings of fear and doubt that were running riot through her. He held it so tightly that it brought tears to her eyes and she struggled to hold them back, telling herself that she had to be strong. Nothing in her future was set, no matter what the visions had shown her. Valentine had been right when he'd told her that she could change them. She'd already changed one and she could do it again.
Valentine wasn't going to hurt her, and she certainly wasn't going to kill him. She'd fought too hard to save him so they could be together.
The sound of a key grating in a lock brought her back to the terrible reality of the situation and it hit her hard. This was it. She followed Venturi across the hall, her hands trembling as she watched him place the torch in a holder on the wall and open the other door. Beyond it was Elena. There was no turning back now. This was her moment, their moment. It was time either to save the world, or destroy it.
She raced to remember what the prophecy had said, but it wouldn't come to her. Her thoughts were in complete disarray, colliding with each other and swimming about her head so fast that she couldn't pin one down.
She let go of Valentine's hand and called the magic. The feeling of power calmed her, but not enough to stop her from shaking inside.
Forcing a smile when Valentine adjusted her helmet for her, she looked into his eyes, trying to memorise the sweet look he was giving her in case she never saw him again. She hated the finality of her thoughts, and how it already felt as though Elena had defeated them. She had fought hard to make it to this moment. Now wasn't the time to give up before the final battle had even begun. It was going to be hard, but when she looked into Valentine's eyes, she knew it was going to be worth it.
If only so she could finally be with him.
She tiptoed and kissed him, trying to shut out the sadness that filled her as their lips brushed against each other, and telling herself the same thing she'd told herself that night on the mountain when he'd first kissed her.
This wouldn't be their last kiss.
Tomorrow, when all was said and done, she would tell him that she loved him.
She knew in her heart that they would make it through this.
Together.
He sighed when she broke the kiss and turned away from him. Her grip on the sword tightened and she readied herself for the battle that lay ahead.
Venturi turned to her and she remembered the vision she'd had of kissing him. This wouldn't be the last time she saw him. He'd make it through this just like her and Valentine would.
She nodded, silently telling him that it was time.
Chapter 29
Venturi pushed the door open and moved swiftly through it. Prophecy followed him closely with Valentine at her side. Hyperion was right behind her with Mia and Dmitri.
Running out onto the balcony, she looked down at the room below them and déjà vu struck her. Every inch of the room was full, a jostling sea of bodies whose attention was wholly with her and her friends.
Her eyes strayed to Venturi again and she felt the full force of the look he gave her. He remembered her attack on this castle as clearly as she did, and he still hurt because of it. She tried to show him with just a look that she was sorry for what she'd done.
He turned away from her, giving her a smile at the last moment.
Calling the magic, she threw a ball of it down into the waiting zombies and watched it tear through them, dramatically reducing their number. She cast another one for good measure. The fewer zombies they had to fight in close combat, the better.
By the time she moved again, Venturi and Valentine were almost at the top of the stairs that led down into the expansive room. The air was already filling with the scent of decaying blood and the groans of the zombies as they lurched to the shouted commands of their more conscious leaders.
Hyperion and his men rushed past her and she was about to follow when she found her feet frozen to the floor, her eyes drawn to one spot in the room.
There, on the raised platform where she'd killed the lord of Tenebrae, was Elena.
The cloak she wore was drawn back, revealing black armour that was moulded to the shape of the witch's body. A long sword gleamed at her side, her hand resting on it, waiting. Her face was hidden beneath the hood, but Prophecy knew it was her. She could sense the power radiating off her, and it was stronger than she'd expected it to be.
She was transfixed when Elena pushed the hood backwards and the warm torchlight caught on her milky skin. She smiled.
Prophecy drew her sword and set her jaw.
When Elena's attention moved away from her, she followed the witch's gaze and found her watching Valentine. He and Venturi were battling their way down the stairs with the assistance of Hyperion and his Watchmen. She ran there, desperate to keep Valentine safe from any spell that Elena might try on him.
Shoving her way through the Watchmen, she practically ran into Valentine. He frowned when he looked at her and then looked up, straight at Elena.
Prophecy's chest tightened when he didn't move for a long time and she feared that Elena was trying to call him back to her. Touching
his hand with her right one, she fed the magic into him, focusing on the spell she'd cast and hoping it would keep him free from Elena's command.
He looked down at her and smiled.
"Ready?” he said.
She nodded. “As I'll ever be."
The moment of quiet shattered when something grabbed her hand and the world sped to a dizzying pace. She fought hard against the zombie attacking her, punching it repeatedly in the face until it was no longer recognisable. It dropped to the floor, its grip on her loosening. She threw its hand off her and blasted a hole through the nearest zombie. Impaling another with her sword, she grunted with effort when she gripped the handle with both hands and then forced the blade upwards, cutting the zombie open. The sword slid free of its head and she pressed on, barely able to glance at her friends to check they were all right.
Mia and Dmitri were staying close together, while Hyperion and his men were making fast work of the zombies.
Taller shapes appeared in front of Elena and Prophecy squinted to make out what they were.
"Aleaeries!” Venturi shouted across at her.
She turned in time to see him decapitate one zombie with his sword while crushing another's head with his bare hands.
His eyes were blacker than midnight.
She slid into her vampire guise and set her sights on Elena.
Roaring, Prophecy released a glowing white fireball and sent it zigzagging towards the witch. It ripped through all the zombies in its path, making them explode and filling the room with red rain. It covered everything, filling her senses. The smell of the blood when the fireball hit one of the Aleaeries made her teeth itch and she surrendered to the violence as it begged her to kill again.
She ducked and rolled when something swooped towards her, its shrill cry echoing painfully in her ears. Coming to her feet, she killed the zombies surrounding her and then dodged the Aleaeries as it came around for another attack.
