“It's either that or I'll have to rip off one of your arms,” I muttered, but from the silence that followed, I didn't reckon he was going to dignify that with an answer.
I crawled to the opposite edge of the platform, careful not to capsize us. Leaning out over the water, I splashed the surface, making a current to bring the paddle closer. I was frighteningly close to where the V had dunked under the sea. Maybe it was too stupid to swim and had sunk to the bottom of the sea. Or maybe it was waiting for the right moment to strike. The second option was less fun to think about...
I paddled harder and the plank reluctantly moved toward me, splashing over a small wave and bumping against my hand. I flexed my fingers as it bounced away again, the tips grazing the wooden edge.
“Come on you planky piece of crap.”
Growling filled my ears.
“Hurry,” Silas urged. “They're getting close.”
“No shit,” I said through my teeth, straining my shoulder with all my might. Maybe I should just swim to it?
My nails scraped across the wood as I stretched to my limits, balancing precariously on the edge of the raft.
An arm shot out of the sea, snatching my wrist. I fell forward, shouting out in surprise. Shouldn't have been surprised. Of course that toothy bastard had been waiting to eat me. My blood probably tasted like chocolate syrup. Note to self: ask Cass what I taste like.
I plunged into the sea, dragged under the surface, adrenaline surging through me. I threw out a blind punch, but met nothing but water. Teeth sunk into my shoulder and I roared in anger, kicking out. My foot connected with the V and it released me. I swam upwards. I'd sunk several feet already. Before I could make it above the waves, nails dug into my ankles. I kicked and kicked, powering upwards with my arms.
Not today blood-sucker.
The V clawed its way up my legs, scaling my thighs, my spine.
I hit the surface, gasping down air, feeling ice-cold hands clamp around my face.
“Silas!” I shouted, jerking wildly to try and shake the V off.
Silas stood above me on the raft, holding the plank I'd tried to fish out of the water. The splintered end of it was bloody, but before I could register why, he jabbed it toward my face shouting, “Duck!”
I followed his order in a heartbeat, slamming my face into the sea. The grip on me released and I spun sharply around, shoving the Vampire's limp body away from me. I resurfaced, swimming back to the raft, spying the speared head of the V as it floated face-down in the water.
I took in deep breaths, pulling myself out of the sea. Silas caught the back of my shirt, dragging me to my feet. His gaze was pinned on the horde of Vs closing in on us. As two more approached, Silas swung the plank of wood, hitting them with inhuman strength and keeping them at bay.
Beyond the two snarling faces of our closest assailants were twenty more, all surging toward us with splashing arms. Our only advantage was that in their starved state, they couldn't easily navigate the sea, evidently consumed by their hunger.
“Paddle,” I commanded Silas, my heart thundering in my chest.
I dropped to my knees, turning away from the Vs and dunking my hands into the water to help paddle us away from them. Silas dropped down too to keep the raft level, dragging the plank through the waves to get us moving. The current gave us an advantage, handing us a good start, but the Vampires were assisted by it too.
I pointed toward a floating chair several feet away and we splashed our way toward it without a word. Silas moved the plank in powerful strokes, unrelenting.
I fished the chair from the water, snapped the legs off and used the curved remainder as another oar. We were barely outpacing the Vs, but had no choice but to keep going. My biceps strained, but I never faltered. I could hear the snarls following us like the wind, sounding so close I could almost feel their breath on my heels.
“Maybe we should swim for it,” Silas panted, pointing to the mass of land up ahead. “I think we could make it.”
The raft tilted violently backwards and I craned my neck to see a V scrambling its way onto it. I threw out a kick that connected with its nose, hearing a loud crack in response. Silas whipped around and slammed the plank into its head to finish it off and the V slid back into the water. The attack had cost us precious moments and the closest Vampires swarmed us.
“No!” Silas shouted, wielding his plank like a bat as he bashed them away from the raft as quickly as he could.
I got to my feet, balancing on the rocking raft. I lifted the chair above my head and slammed it into the nearest V. It impacted with her neck and she screeched, writhing beneath it. I had her pinned down, her straggly blonde hair a mess of wet, bloody strands. I felt a pang of guilt as I finished the job, pressing my heel down on the chair, mustering my full strength to force it further into her neck. It got stuck hard and she slid back into the water, bringing the piece of chair with her before I could try and wrench it out. Blood speckled my cheeks, burning hot against the cool wind. My best friend was a V. Doing this felt wrong. But they were animals when starved. Less than that. We didn't have a choice. It was them or us.
Silas was in a frenzy, acting out of fear, of a will to survive, his blows lethal and wild. I caught his arm as he finished off another V. The tide of Vampires had fallen back a fraction, halted by the bodies now floating in the water before us. Blood stained the waves crimson under the bulbous moon.
The Vs surged forward once more and I tugged Silas back. We were going to get exhausted and the onslaught was going to overwhelm us. It was simple math.
“We swim, then,” I said, pulling him toward the back of the raft.
A hand curled over the edge, its fingers white and puffy from being soaked in water too long. The raft tilted sharply and I dove off the back of it, the shadow of Silas dropping over me as he watched.
I sank under the waves, the seawater enveloping me completely. Silas followed me and we started swimming, powering through the water. The grunts and groans of the pursuing Vs carried to me. Splashes cascaded over me as one of them got close. I kicked out, and my foot collided with something hard.
My gut spiralled as I sped on, keeping pace with Silas as we cut a path through the waves. Seawater burnt my eyes and seared my throat, but I didn't slow, not for one second.
I threw a glance over my shoulder and a hundred starving eyes gazed back at me. Panic threatened to take hold of me. But I'd been in shittier situations than this. Couldn't think of any right then but-
An icy hand caught my ankle and I was yanked underwater. I flailed, kicking out to try and break its persistent hold. I managed to fight it off and my head breached the surface. I just had a chance to spot the horde of Vs closing in on me as the first collided with me, his jaws open, fangs exposed and glinting.
I caught hold of his neck to hold him back, but it was futile. Three more came at me, their icy hands clamping down on my arms and shoulders.
“No!” I roared, trying to throw them off. But more and more of them surrounded me.
I threw a punch as a V tried to dig its fangs into me. I held another back, pressing my hand into its snarling face. My palm suddenly burnt like hell. I cried out, releasing him with a gasp of pain.
I winced, preparing for another onslaught, but it didn't come. The closest Vampire screamed, throwing its head back as its skin seemed to crumble from its bones, turning to ash.
More screams followed until the circle surrounding me were flailing, their heads catching fire.
I kicked away from them, spotting the golden light of dawn blooming on the horizon.
Shrieks filled the air and smoke billowed into the sky, the smell of decay rising into my nose. Every single one of them were alight, scorched by the sun's rays. The small blazes reached into the distance and the Vampires' wails grew to a painful crescendo. I cheered in utter relief as the flames sizzled out and the Vs turned to dust in the water, unable to believe our luck.
“Holy shit!” I cried, looking to Silas. He w
as wide-eyed and pale. Was he was going into shock? Well I suppose the guy had just lost his home, his work, his dead sister and now all of the Vs he'd had in his possession. Sucked to be him.
I swam toward him, catching his arm. “Let's move. If Cass is alive, she'll have swum that way.” I pointed to the island. “Will the sun hurt her?” I added as a wave of panic took hold of me.
He shook his head, blinking out of his stupor. “No, she's immune to the sun now,” Silas panted, dragging down a deep breath before starting to swim. I kept at his side, worry growing inside me the further I moved. I had to be right about Cass. I told myself with every stroke of my arm.
She's alive and she's on that island. She's alive and she's on that island.
Cass
“Taste...”
I sunk lower in the rock pool, fear inching through me. Cicadas sung in the dawn with a high-pitched noise that sounded like the world was screaming. The heat of the day already clung to me, muggy and oppressive. The cool water splashed with every small move I made.
I needed to run. And soon.
The chattering of teeth reached to me from the trees, followed by a disembodied voice, sounding the word, “Taste.”
A shudder took hold of me. I was its next meal if I didn't make a plan.
Just get up and run.
It was the most simple and most terrifying task at once.
The morning sunlight spilled across my legs, creeping up my body in a sheet of gold. I let the feel of it stir me, and finally found the will to sit up. Pain shot up my left arm which had been twisted beneath my body. Cuts circled my elbow and purple bruises were blossoming over my pale skin. But the bone was intact, I was certain.
Not too bad. I'm well enough to run.
Pressing my feet against the base of the pool, I pushed myself into a crouch, careful not to raise my head above the jagged black rocks surrounding me. If that Reaper was close by, it might spot me. And I wasn't sure how it hunted its prey. Scent? Sound? For now, I'd have to keep all of my movements quiet and hope my scent was covered by the seawater. The trees reaching overhead smelt strongly floral, which might have helped too. I certainly wasn't up for a fight right then.
My feet were bare, I must have lost my shoes after the ship went down. But I was thankful as they gave me a decent grip against the smooth rocks lining the pool. I moved upwards, keeping low, creeping up the rocks that led away from the lapping shore. My dark green gown was split up both legs from my ordeal on the sinking ship, giving me room to bend and climb. I peeked over the top of the rocks, spying the thick, lush foliage of a jungle, leading away from a black sand shore.
Where am I?
Exotic birds sung an unfamiliar chorus to welcome in the day; the whole place was alive with noise. It offered me cover to move undetected, but that meant the Reaper would be able to do the same. As I climbed from the pool, bending low, I moved onto a flat expanse of rocks and picked up a sharp stone as a weapon, cupping it in my palm. I glanced back toward the sea, the orange sun blindingly bright as it rose above the horizon. The ship was gone. I had no idea how far I'd drifted from the wreckage. I'd passed out underwater. I could have been miles from where it had gone down.
“Taste...”
My breathing quickened to match my rampant heart beat.
The voice had carried from further down the shore. I gazed back along the beach, hunting for the skeletal form of a Reaper, its black, mist-like cloak. But there was nothing there but a small gull wandering over the black sand. But wherever it was, it was definitely hunting me.
With a breath of decision, I made a dash for the edge of the jungle, the giant, damp leaves brushing my arms. I darted between them, panic rising in me as I sprinted faster and faster, needing to put as much distance between me and the Reaper.
A cracking of twigs sounded behind me and I willed my legs to move faster.
“Taste,” it hissed, but it was falling behind, I was sure of it.
I ran on, leaves and thorns whipping my skin as I forged a path through the thick undergrowth. My breathing came in rags.
I was forced to slow as I moved between the sprawling foliage of a large plant, slipping further into the jungle, desperate to remain hidden. The hairs on my arms prickled to attention and I gripped the sharp stone tighter.
I paused, listening intently, my heightened hearing picking out every sound in the forest. From the birds, to small mammals and reptiles, I could almost hear their pulses thrumming around me like little beating wings. But there was no sign of the Reaper. Perhaps I'd lost it. But I wasn't going to take any chance.
I continually placed one foot in front of the other, making a path between the vegetation. Soon, the forest canopy grew so thick that the only sunlight to penetrate the darkness cut through the air in diagonal shafts. Motes of dust and pollen plumed within in them, creating an ethereal world around me. The jungle was painted in every shade of green from jade to deepest teal. But as beautiful as it was, a forest like this could be deadly. I didn't know what kinds of poisonous snakes, spiders or even plants could live somewhere like this. Or whether I'd be susceptible to such things in my Hybrid form. So I had to be cautious.
The trees were close-knit and the bright green foliage clung to my hips, concealing the forest floor. My Hybrid vision picked up tiny movements within the shadows, rushing up the boughs, the swoop of a bird overhead. So long as the creatures were still singing and chattering, I felt relatively safe. From my time in the V Games, I'd learned to listen to the beating heart of the natural world. And the one thing that preceded danger in a forest, was silence.
With the Reaper far behind me, I turned my attention to my bone-dry mouth. I moved to a large leaf hanging from a tree close by. I tentatively tasted the water droplets gathered on them, but it was salty and bitter. So I'd have to go further into the jungle if I was going to find fresh water.
I strained my ears beyond the rush of noise, trying to pick out a gurgling stream or the roar of a waterfall. Nothing.
Before I moved further into the trees, an idea swum into my mind. I'd turned into a wolf during my trial on the ship. And in that form, I'd been able to kill a Reaper. It could give me an advantage; I'd be able to move faster, perhaps be able to smell fresh water from miles off. I shut my eyes, slowing my breathing as I silently willed my body to turn. I'd be safer, quicker, more deadly as a wolf. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't capture the burning feeling that preceded the change.
Various scents found me between the trees, but the most desirable amongst them was animal blood. It wouldn't be nearly as satiable as human blood, but I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to drink if I got the chance. I hadn't been a Hybrid long enough to know what would happen if the V part of me started to starve. But I knew I didn't want to find out.
I dug my fangs into my tongue, wondering which fate was going to find me first: my all-consuming hunger, or the pursuit of a predator. But I wasn't giving up yet.
I finally let my thoughts turn to Jameson back out in the sea, of Silas. Then a bitter lance of pain reminded me of Kodiak's demise. Jameson and Silas had not met their ends too. I wouldn't let myself think it. So I had to press on through the trees and pray to god I'd find help soon. Then I'd hunt the ocean myself until I found them.
Jameson
I swam until my arms ached and my stomach growled. The island had seemed much closer from the raft, but we were nearing it at last. As the morning light filtered over us, a shore came into sight ahead. The waves began to help our plight, washing us into a bay where a rainbow of coral glimmered beneath us.
The sun beat down on me like it was determined to boil the water and cook me like a lobster. Reason number two thousand and three of why being me was awesome? As a Werewolf, I was impervious to sunburn. Judging by the glowing red patch on Silas's neck, he was not. Sucker.
We swam into a bay where small islands of land stood like pillars in the water, jutting toward the sky. The sea was turquoise and sparkled like diamonds under the re
lentless sun. I hadn't visited a place like this since my pirate days. But as familiar as it felt, I couldn't help but wish I was here under merrier circumstances. Rum...skinny-dipping...a hot girl. Preferably a Hybrid with crimson hair...
Silas was panting as we finally hit the black beach, hauling ourselves out of the sea and slumping onto the heated sand.
I lay gasping in my ripped suit trousers and sodden shirt, gazing up at the cerulean sky above.
“We made it,” Silas panted.
I sat up with black sand plastered to my back, but I didn't give a damn. “Yeah.” I slapped a hand to his shoulder. “Don't suppose you've got any water stashed under that fancy Armani shirt of yours?”
He propped himself up on his elbows. Like me, he was still wearing the attire from the ball the previous night. It already seemed like a lifetime ago.
“No.” Silas dragged himself upright, turning to face the steep slope behind us. It led up to a thick jungle that warbled with a hundred bird songs.
I stretched my spine as I gained my feet and cupped my hands around my mouth, tilting my head toward trees. “Firefly!?”
Silas jabbed an elbow hard into my ribs. “Shut up.”
“Why?” I growled, tempted to punch him in response to the elbowing.
“Because this place is dangerous,” Silas breathed, his eyes darkening. “This island belongs to IDAHO.” He reached into his pocket, taking out his mobile phone. I had to inwardly applaud his optimism as he tried to turn it on.
“It's dead,” he announced.
“Surely not?” I gasped, snatching it from him and holding it to my ear. “No, wait, I'm getting something. Apparently you just won first place in the 'Stating the Obvious' awards. They want to know if you'll be accepting your trophy in person?”
Silas slapped the phone out of my hand and it flew into the sea, hitting the water with a distant splash. He glared at me. “Stop messing around, we are in serious shit here, Jameson.”
Wolf Games: Island of Shade (The Vampire Games Book 5) Page 2
